INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10764, 10764, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 25 people have been killed after a bus collided with a truck in Bahia state in northeastern Brazil, state firefighters said today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>A video, recorded during the night, showed the truck surrounded by blue boxes filled with mangoes and scattered on the ground.</div><div><br></div><div>Several firefighters could be seen working at the scene.</div><div><br></div><div>“Military firefighters responded to an incident that left 25 dead” about 250km from the capital of Bahia state, Salvador.</div><div><br></div><div>Five people were also injured in the accident last night, according to Brazilian press reports, which published images of the twisted fuselage of the truck.</div><div><br></div><div>The cause of the accident is still unknown.</div><div><br></div><div>The bodies of the victims have been handed over to police for identification.</div><div><br></div><div>The mayor’s office of Jacobina, a city close to the accident, declared three days of official mourning today and is preparing a “collective wake” for the victims.</div><div><br></div><div>“The prefecture expresses its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims in this moment of unprecedented sadness and pain,” it said in a note posted on Instagram.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the latest crash involving a bus and multiple fatalities in Brazil.</div><div><br></div><div>Last August seven fans of Sao Paulo-based Corinthians were killed on a highway in the southeast of the country after attending a match of their team against Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte.</div><div><br></div><div>And at least 10 people were killed and two dozen injured in March 2022 when a bus carrying a group of workers plunged off a highway in southern Brazil. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 15:24:07', '2024-01-08 15:24:07'),
(10765, 10765, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Claiming that people turned down Sunday’s voting, BNP on Monday demanded the cancellation of the 12th parliamentary election and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>At a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, the party also renewed its demand for a fresh election under a non-party polls-time government to establish a legitimate and accountable government.</div><div><br></div><div>To mobilise public support for their demands, the BNP also announced a two-day mass contact programme for Tuesday and Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>“The country’s people unilaterally and spontaneously rejected the \'dummy election\' of January 7.&nbsp; So, we first of all congratulate the freedom-loving and democracy-loving people of the country on behalf of 63 pro-democracy political parties, including BNP, said party Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the government failed to take voters to the polling stations with various threats and intimidation. “Despite various abuses of state power, use of dummy election commission or controlled media and various excuses, the reality is that the people of the country unilaterally rejected the January 7 fake election.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said there was no voting and election on January 7. “What happened was vote robbery and vote rigging. “Both the election results and the percent of voter turnout were predetermined by the government. The Election Commission announced the percentage of voter turnout exactly as the government says. It’s a meaningless figure.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said they will continue their movement peacefully until an accountable and elected government is established.</div><div><br></div><div>Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said their party wanted to establish a government elected by people’s vote and accountable to them.</div><div><br></div><div>“A free and fair election is necessary for it what didn’t happen yesterday (Sunday). So, people have turned down this election. Everyone is saying the voter turnout which was shown (by the EC) was fake,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“So, BNP and other political parties who have on a movement for the restoration of democracy demand the immediate cancellation of the dummy election of January 7, resignation of Sheikh Hasina and formation of a polls-time non-party neutral government for holding a national election,” Nazrul said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said people’s ownership of the state must be restored and all enforced disappearance, killing, and ghost cases must be stopped and people will have to be protected from his repressive regime.</div><div><br></div><div>“These are now people’s demands. We congratulate and thank people as they made sacrifices in the face of various pressures and allurement and foiled the government’s evil efforts to show a huge turnout by taking them to the voting centres.</div><div><br></div><div>About Sunday’s election scenario, Dr Moyeen Khan there were many centers across the country where not even a single vote was given throughout the day while only a handful of votes were cast in many other polling stations.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that no vote was cast in 19 centres in Khagrachari, the BNP leader said almost every constituency in the country has centres where not even a single vote was given or only 10/20 votes were cast throughout the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Moyeen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resorted to subterfuge to increase voter turnout in polling stations. “Awami League, unprecedentedly, fielded ‘dummy\' candidates of its party against one of its nominees. But such artificial competition among themselves could not help ensure the presence of voters in the polling stations.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said the people of the country believe that election under Sheikh Hasina means vote robbery and vote fraud. “Which candidate will be declared winner or defeated in this fake election was predetermined.”</div><div><br></div><div>Had the people believed in this government and the Election Commission, Moyeen said they would have come to the polling stations. “But the people boycotted the vote, sending out a clear message that this government and this Election Commission are all fake ones.”</div><div><br></div><div>About the voter turnout, he said the Commission announced it as per the estimate fixed by the government.</div><div><br></div><div>“People don\'t want North Korea-style elections… We said earlier, that there can never be a free, fair and impartial election under Sheikh Hasina. That is why, for the sake of establishing the voting rights of the country\'s 12 crore voters, the pro-democratic opposition parties demand that the national elections be held under a non-partisan, neutral electoral government, keeping Sheikh Hasina out of state power,” the BNP leader said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Moyeen said their party thinks the democracy-loving people have expressed their solidarity with the demands of the opposition parties by boycotting the polling stations braving the threats and intimidation of the fascist government.</div><div><br></div><div>He said people gave a mass verdict in favour of the opposition’s demands by boycotting the farcical election.</div><div><br></div><div>“If Sheikh Hasina tries to form a government through dummy elections of January 7, it will be \'the government of the dummy by the dummy for the dummy\'. People want an accountable and elected government, not a dependent \'dummy one.</div><div><br></div><div>“The statement of BNP and 63 pro-democratic political parties is clear. Even if Awami League tries to legitimise itself through farce in the name of the January 7 elections, Sheikh Hasina\'s government will be considered illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional by the democratic people as before,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said a foreign election observer hired by the government commented that Bangladesh is moving towards the North Korean system through the current electoral process.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the BNP believes in the power of the people. “We have taken the streets with the people to restore the rights of the people, we were on the streets, still on the streets and we will be there in the future until we can return the true rights of the people to the people. This is the promise of BNP,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Moyeen said they will conduct mass contacts on Tuesday and Wednesday and then they will announce the fresh course of action.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 15:26:44', '2024-01-08 15:26:44'),
(10766, 10766, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said it is not up to her to pardon Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus who has recently been sentenced to six months in jail for violation of labour law.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question if she would consider granting pardon to Muhammad Yunus as she celebrates her election victory, the PM said she has nothing to do here as the labour court passed the judgement.</div><div><br></div><div>The question was asked by an Indian journalist during a post-polls courtesy meeting with visiting foreign observers and media people as well as local journalists at Ganobhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said Yunus violated the labour law and deprived his own employees who filed a case at the labour court. “I have nothing to do with that,” she said adding that he seek pardon to his employees whom he deprived.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question from a BBC journalist if she believes that Bangladesh can be considered a vibrant democracy with the absence of any opposition party, the AL chief said each and every party has the right to take their own decision. The woman journalist also mentioned that 60 percent of the voters did not cast their ballots in Sunday’s election.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM answered that if a particular party doesn’t participate in the election, it doesn’t mean there is no democracy. “You have to consider whether people participated or not,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The party didn’t participate in the election and they tried to prevent people from casting votes. But the people didn’t listen to them,” she said amid applause by some in the audience.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that she doesn’t know if there is any other definition of democracy, she said the participation of the people is the main thing here.</div><div><br></div><div>Coming down heavily on BNP for unleashing violence and arson violence, Hasina threw a counter question to the journalist as to how does she defines a democratic party. “They are a terrorist party,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Answering a question regarding her foreign policy, the premier said Bangladesh has a good relationship with every country as the motto of its foreign policy is ‘Friendship to all and malice towards none.’</div><div><br></div><div>Describing India as a great friend of Bangladesh, she appreciated that Bangladesh has a wonderful relationship with neighbours.</div><div><br></div><div>In reply to another question she said she does not want to be compared with the great women leaders like Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher and Srimavo Bandarnaike.</div><div><br></div><div>“There were great ladies,” she said adding “I’m a simple person.” She said she does not consider herself as a woman or man when she works for the people of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>In replying to a question she said “Our relationship is wonderful with every country, even the United States of America. So, from our part there is no problem. We’ve a good relationship. Now it depends on you and your government.” The question was from an US citizen who arrived to observe the January 7 general election.</div><div><br></div><div>Answering a question regarding her foreign policy, the premier said Bangladesh has a good relationship with every country as the motto of its foreign policy is ‘Friendship to all ..malice towards none.’</div><div><br></div><div>Describing India as a great friend of Bangladesh, she appreciated that Bangladesh has a wonderful relationship with neighbours.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our relationship is wonderful with every country, even the United States of America. So, from our part there is no problem. We’ve a good relationship. Now it depends on you and your government,” she said responding to a question from an US observer, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said the goal of her next government will be to smoothen the journey of Bangladesh as a developing country (from 2026), sustain electricity generation, to ensure food security, nutrition security, improve connectivity further, alleviate poverty further, eradicating extreme poverty, making the country free from homeless and finally continue the progress of country and working for building the country as Smart Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, “The economic progress and ensuring a better life for the people is my main aim,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 15:58:53', '2024-01-08 15:58:53'),
(10767, 10767, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized on Monday Israel’s policy of constructing and expanding illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territories.</b></span><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">“The construction of settlements is illegal. It undermines lasting peace and endangers the two-state solution and thereby endangers Israel\'s security,” Baerbock told reporters during her visit to a village in the West Bank.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Palestinians must be able to live in security, dignity and self-determination, in their own land,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister underlined that a lasting peace can only be achieved by a two-state solution, which would enable a secure Israel and an independent, democratic Palestinian state to exist peacefully side by side.</div><div><br></div><div>During her visit, Baerbock met Palestinians living in the Al-Mazra\'ah al-Qibliyah village, which is surrounded by several Israeli settlements.</div><div><br></div><div>She called on Israeli authorities to take measures to protect Palestinians from attacks by extremist Israeli settlers.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is the responsibility of the Israeli government to implement and enforce the rule of law when there are attacks on people who live here legitimately,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have soared to its highest level since the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Extremist settlers carried out 2,410 attacks last year, according to the Palestinian authorities. At least 22 Palestinians were killed by settlers, 10 victims were killed over the past three months. Hundreds of Palestinians were also forcibly displaced from their lands. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 16:15:44', '2024-01-08 16:15:44'),
(10768, 10768, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Anyone can challenge the percentage of voter turnout in 12th national polls held on Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"If anyone thinks that the number of casting votes have been increased, you are most welcome to check it and test our honesty,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC&nbsp; made the remarks at a media briefing at the Election Commission (EC) media centre in Dhaka this afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The percentage we received at the middle of the day or just after the end of voting cast, that definitely won\'t reflect the real scenario, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the final results,&nbsp; a total of 41.8 percent vote was cast in the national election, the CEC informed.</div><div><br></div><div>Ruling party candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday\'s voting, while independent candidates - most of them allied to AL- won 62 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Jatiya Party got victorious in only 11 seats and three single candidates from three parties – Bangladesh Workers’ Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod and Bangladesh Kalyan Party— secured victory in their respective constituencies.</div><div><br></div><div>Sunday’s balloting was held in 299 constituencies out of 300 ones as the Election Commission earlier postponed the election to Naogaon-2 following the death of a candidate. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-08 16:27:54', '2024-01-08 16:27:54'),
(10769, 10769, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Though the overall voter turnout was 41.99 percent in the 12th parliamentary election held on Sunday (January 07, 2024), more than 60 percent of registered voters cast their ballots in 21 constituencies and less than 30 percent voted in at least 52 constituencies, according to Election Commission data.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The highest 87.24 percent votes were cast in Gopalganj-3 and Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was elected from the constituency, according to the data.</div><div><br></div><div>The lowest turnout was 13.04 percent in Dhaka-15. State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumdar won the election from the constituency as an AL contender.</div><div><br></div><div>In the national election held amid boycott of a major political party BNP, ruling Awami League secured 222 seats, while Jatiya Party obtained only 11 seats. Independent candidates clinched victory in 62 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Bangladesh Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasod) and Bangladesh Kalyan Party each won a seat. The election result of Mymensingh-3 was postponed.</div><div><br></div><div>Out of the country’s 300 seats, Sunday’s balloting was held in 299 seats as the election to Naogaon-2 was earlier postponed by the commission following the death of a valid candidate there.</div><div><br></div><div>The five constituencies with more than 70 percent voter turnout are: Gopalganj-3 (87.24% turnout; AL candidate Sheikh Hasina won), Gopalganj-2 (83.20%; AL candidate Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim won), Brahmanbaria-6 (76%, AL’s AB Tajul Islam won), Chattogram-6 (73.24%; AL’s ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury won) and Sirajganj-1 (72.32%; AL candidate Tanvir Shakil Joy won).</div><div><br></div><div>The constituencies having over 60 percent voter turnout include Naogaon-1, Bagerhat-1, Bagerhat-2, Bagerhat-4, Barishal-1, Jamalpur-1, Mymensingh-10, Faridpur-4, Gopalganj-1, Madaripur-1, Cumilla-7, Cumilla-8, Feni-2, Noakhali-6, Chattogram-7 and Bandarban.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim secured the highest 295,291 votes for the ‘boat’ symbol in Gopalganj-2.</div><div><br></div><div>Tanvir Shakil Joy got the second highest, 278,971 votes, in Sirajganj-1.</div><div><br></div><div>Mirza Azam received 276,453 votes in Jamalpur-3 and Dipankar Talukdar got 271,373 votes in Rangamati.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the elected candidates, independent candidate Awlad Hossain secured victory obtaining the lowest number of 24,775 votes in Dhaka-4.</div><div><br></div><div>Candidates who won even after getting less than 40,000 votes are: AL nominated Muhammad Shafikur Rahman (36,458 votes) in Chandpur-4, independent contestant Saddam Hossain Pavel (39,321 votes) in Nilphamari-3 and AL’s Kamal Ahmed Majumdar (39,632 votes) in Dhaka-15.</div><div><br></div><div>Less than 20 percent votes were cast in five constituencies, which are Dhaka-15 (13.04%), Dhaka-17 (16.66%), Dhaka-8 (18.70%), Sylhet-1 (19.30%) and Dhaka-16 (19.88%). In Sylhet-1, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was elected.</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader and Secretary General Mujibul Haque won amid low turnout of voters in their constituencies.</div><div><br></div><div>GM Quader ran the election from Rangpur-3 where the voter turnout was only 22.36%. Mujibul Haque who contested the polls from Kishoreganj-3 witnessed voter turnout of 29.33%.</div><div><br></div><div>The constituencies that witnessed voter turnout of 20-29 percent also include Rangpur-3, Kurigram-1, Kurigram-2, Kurigram-3, Gaibandha-1, Gaibandha-3, Bogura-2, Bogura-4, Bogura-6, Bogura-7, Chapainawabganj-3, Rajshahi-2, Patuakhali-1, Barishal-5, Mymensingh-5, Mymensingh-6, Mymensingh-8, Kishoreganj-3, Manikganj-1, Dhaka-4, Dhaka-5, Dhaka-6, Dhaka-7, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-11, Dhaka-13, Dhaka-14, Dhaka-18, Dhaka-19, Gazipur-2, Sylhet-5, Sylhet-6, Habiganj-1, Chandpur-3, Chandpur-4, Noakhali-3, Noakhali-4, Lakshmipur-1, Lakshmipur-3, Lakshmipur-4, Chattogram-5, Chattogram-8, Chattogram-10, Chattogram-11, Chattogram-15 and Cox’s Bazar-1.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 4,99,65,467 votes out of 11,89,89,241 were cast in 298 constituencies in the January-7 general election. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 08:53:27', '2024-01-09 08:53:27'),
(10770, 10770, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Jatiya Party (JaPa) Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu today said that those elected from his party won’t participate in tomorrow’s oath-taking ceremony, as most of them are still outside Dhaka.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He came up with the announcement while talking to UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will take oath later, after holding a meeting with party chairman GM Quader upon return of elected members from their areas,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League (AL)-backed candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday\'s general election, while independent candidates -- most belonging to AL -- won 62 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>JaPa candidates won only 11 seats and three candidates from three parties each -- Bangladesh Workers’ Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod and Bangladesh Kalyan Party -- secured victory in their respective constituencies. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 09:13:14', '2024-01-09 09:13:14'),
(10771, 10771, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China is prepared to work with the new government of Bangladesh to carry forward the long-established friendship, says its spokesperson today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>China reiterated to promote “high-quality” Belt and Road cooperation, and pursue greater progress for China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.</div><div><br></div><div>“As an amicable and close neighbour of Bangladesh, China firmly supports Bangladesh in implementing the political agendas in accordance with its law after the election,” Mao Ning, Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing held in Beijing.</div><div><br></div><div>The spokesperson mentioned China’s principles of mutual respect, equal footing, mutual benefit and non-interference in other country’s internal affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>China congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her election victory and for successfully holding the 12th National Parliamentary Election as planned. China also felicitated the Awami League for winning the election, accoridng to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 09:38:16', '2024-01-09 09:38:16'),
(10772, 10772, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Sunday\'s parliamentary election will be written in golden letters in the history of Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"A free, fair, neutral and participatory election was held with spontaneous participation of the people,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina made the remarks when the&nbsp; Awami League leaders and activists gathered at her official residence Ganabhaban to greet her on the party\'s landslide victory on January 7 12th parliamentary election.</div><div><br></div><div>The victory has paved the way for her to become the prime minister for the fourth consecutive term and overall fifth term in office.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina thanked the Election Commission for holding a wonderful election with support from law enforcement forces, the armed forces and other people involved in it.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that BNP cannot survive in Bangladesh as they follow the advice of their foreign masters.</div><div><br></div><div>\"BNP was out to foil the national election. They have some masters. They don\'t know the people of Bangladesh. It will not be possible to survive in Bangladesh by following the advice of these masters,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection she said that Awami League has no foreign masters as the people are their strength.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that BNP-Jamaat clique hatched many conspiracies to foil the election.</div><div><br></div><div>She said this election has been the most free, fair and disciplined, participatory and competitive of all the polls held after the 1975.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have proved that the election can be held in a free and fair manner under the Awami League government,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister asked the party leaders and workers to work in unison forgetting everything for the welfare of the people of the country and its people.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL President said many of the party nominated candidate have been defeated by independent candidates despite they were confident of their win.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that conspiracies are being hatched to cash in on the conflicts among the party men.</div><div><br></div><div>\"So, work shoulder to shoulder for the welfare of the country and its people forgetting everything by obeying the people\'s mandate,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said that the non-participation of some political parties in the election doesn\'t matter as the participation of the masses matters.</div><div><br></div><div>\"If the people don\'t want the Awami League in power, we will show that by their mandate,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she recalled that the mass people had overthrown BNP government within one and a half months as they assumed power through rigging in February 15, 1996 election.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The people of Bangladesh never accept any injustice,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Younger daughter of the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and sister of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Rehana presented a flower bouquet to her elder sister.</div><div><br></div><div>General Secretary of the AL Obaidul Quader also spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the central executive body of the AL led by its general secretary greeted prime minister and the party president Sheikh Hasina with a flower bouquet, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 10:21:21', '2024-01-09 10:21:21'),
(10773, 10773, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court today set January 10 (Wednesday) for hearing the bail petitions in several cases filed against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sultan Sohagh Uddin set the date when Fakhrul’s lawyer Joynul Abedin filed a petition seeking his bail in nine cases.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Fakhrul was shown arrested in nine separate cases filed with Paltan and Ramna police stations.</div><div><br></div><div>The court accepted the petition to show Fakhrul arrested in the cases. The BNP leader was produced before the court at 11:40 am.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 31, 2023, Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Rezaul Karim set January 9 for hearing the bail petitions of Fakhrul in nine separate cases filed with Ramna and Paltan police stations.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul in connection with the October 28 grand rally of BNP.</div><div><br></div><div>Of these, eight were filed with Paltan Police Station and three with Ramna Police Station.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 29, police filed a case with Ramna Police Station on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice\'s residence during the BNP rally on October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from Mirza Fakhrul, 59 BNP leaders and activists, including standing committee member Mirza Abbas, were accused in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul was arrested in the case on October 29 and has been in jail since then. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 11:33:18', '2024-01-09 11:33:18'),
(10774, 10774, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An Israeli army drone on Tuesday struck a car in southern Lebanon, leaving several people injured, according to the Lebanese official news agency NNA.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The car was hit with a guided missile near the Ghandouriyeh town, the agency reported, adding that ambulances rushed to the scene to evacuate the injured. It did not provide further details about the condition and the number of injured people.</div><div><br></div><div>The Lebanese health authorities are yet to comment on the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>The development comes as the Israeli army on Monday assassinated Wissam al-Tawil, a senior military commander in the Hezbollah group. Last week, it also assassinated the deputy chief of the Hamas group Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut.</div><div><br></div><div>Tension has flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.</div><div><br></div><div>The border clashes come amid an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 11:44:53', '2024-01-09 11:44:53'),
(10775, 10775, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 57 bodies and 65 injured were brought to Gaza\'s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The ministry, however, did not provide further details on the victims.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring nearly 59,000 others, according to local health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas offensive.</div><div><br></div><div>About 85% of Gazans have been displaced, while all of them are food insecure, according to the UN. Hundreds of thousands of people are living without shelter, and ⁠less than half of aid trucks are entering the territory than before the start of the conflict. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 11:46:40', '2024-01-09 11:46:40'),
(10776, 10776, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Egypt is not cooperating with Israel regarding the Philadelphia Corridor, a narrow buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza, Egyptian media reported Monday.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Egyptian news outlet Al-Qahera News quoted an Egyptian official who said such reports were “completely false.”</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, Israeli reports claimed that Israel had asked Egypt for more security measures to be enforced and more surveillance equipment to be installed along the Philadelphia Corridor in order to notify Israel if weapons were being smuggled in and to detect the use of tunnels by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>The Philadelphia Corridor is a 14-kilometer (8.69-mile) long corridor which is guaranteed by the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty of 1979.</div><div><br></div><div>It has been patrolled by Egyptian security forces after Israeli forces pulled out of Gaza in 2005.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel\'s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said several times that the corridor must be under Israeli control, a move that if carried out would separate Gaza from Egypt.</div><div><br></div><div>There has been no official comments from Egypt or Israel on the reports.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 23,084 Palestinians have since been killed and 58,926 others injured, according to Gaza’s health authorities, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicines. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 11:49:53', '2024-01-09 11:49:53'),
(10777, 10777, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said the main task of the new government will be to take appropriate steps to implement the promises made in the election manifesto.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said this at a joint meeting organized at the office of Dhaka District Awami League at Tejgaon on Tuesday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader said the newly elected MPs will take oath at 10 am on Wednesday. The leader of the House will also be determined on this day. The new cabinet will take oath at Bangabhaban at 7pm on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>“The journey of a new Bangladesh begins in 2024. We want to take the country a long way under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The party leaders and workers will have to move with a cool head to take forward the country\'s continuous development journey irrespective of party and opinion. There should be no violence or conflict anywhere. The speech that the leader has given to the leaders and activists should be followed word by word. We have to overcome the expectations of the people of the country and the challenges of running the country,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader also urged the party leaders and activists not to engage in any violence after the parliamentary elections. Regarding the BNP\'s movement, he said these are a ploy to keep its leaders and activists energized. The people of the country have voted. Voters boycotted those who called for a boycott.</div><div><br></div><div>“We need to increase our focus against mischief in the future. We don\'t do politics of vengeance. But the BNP does. This will increase their level of public isolation. We are always careful not to do any harm. Facing everything, Awami League is in the centre of today\'s victory. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is steadfast in discharging the responsibilities entrusted to her,” he also said.</div><div><br></div><div>About the statements of some foreign countries in the election, the Awami League general secretary said, “Observers of America, Commonwealth and OIC were present here in this election of Bangladesh. I think those who are making different statements will also understand this based on the positive comments that observers will make from their country after observing the election.”</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League leaders Dr Abdur Razzak, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Dr Dipu Moni, among others, were present at the meeting, According to UNB reports&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 14:19:54', '2024-01-09 14:19:54'),
(10778, 10778, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said that Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves remain in a stronger position amid a volatile situation.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking with reporters at his office in the Secretariat on Tuesday Kamal said, “The government tries to keep up the forex reserves over USD $30 billion in this year, which was around $26 billion in the last year.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said the inward flow of remittances could double from the existing volume if the illegal hundi could be stopped.</div><div><br></div><div>Kamal said that fulfilling the IMF’s conditions of the foreign reserves target for Bangladesh could not be met considering the realistic situation of the economy.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the rate of higher inflation, he said that inflation is important for the economy, and those who do not care about the economy may not want inflation.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to the question of what could be the main challenge for the new government, the finance minister said, \"The new government knows that.\"</div><div><br></div><div>However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government\'s challenge will be the economy. So, the economy will be given importance, he pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>Kamal said that the decision to fix the interest rate of the bank was correct.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, \"If the interest rate had been kept at the previous level, it would have gone up to 22-24 percent now.\"</div><div><br></div><div>About the interest rate increase again, the finance minister said, \"The interest rate is increasing, that\'s right.\" If the market can take it, why not increase it?</div><div><br></div><div>But the interest rates were fixed at single digits because it was not possible to pay for small, medium, and even large industries considering the situation of then.</div><div><br></div><div>After that, when defaulted loans increased, “We did not allow them to increase by extending the repayment period,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding unusual transactions in the banking sector in his tenure Kamal said, “I have learned from the newspapers that there have been unusual transactions in some cases, it will not be longer.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 14:32:20', '2024-01-09 14:32:20'),
(10779, 10779, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said there is no reason to worry about the US and UK statements on Bangladesh’s election, as they respect people\'s verdict.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The election was held in a free, fair, credible and non-violent manner. That\'s it. We are very happy with it,\" he told reporters when his attention was drawn to the statements from two of Bangladesh’s important partners.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>After attending a “meet and greet” event at State guesthouse Sugandha with diplomats stationed in Dhaka, Momen said the foreign observers also described the election as free, fair and peaceful.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said the people of the country have again exercised their right to vote.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said the people of the country have given their verdict and they need nothing else.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He said the foreign observers also thanked the Election Commission for holding the election fairly and peacefully.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Indian High Commission\'s representative, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis, and high commissioners and ambassadors from various other countries were present.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was also present.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen described the event as just a standard “meet and greet.” “We look forward to seeing better partnership, better cooperation and better accommodation. This is essential to us,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Bangladesh has made many achievements due to cooperation and collaboration.</div><div><br></div><div>The 12th Parliamentary Election marks the continuation of a democratic Bangladesh polity that remains firmly committed to contribute to regional and global peace and security and to eliminate terrorism, counter radicalization and extremism, while championing international development objectives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.</div><div><br></div><div>“With the initiation of the new government, Bangladesh would be geared at further enhancing cooperation with its neighbours to ensure shared economic prosperity in South Asia through promotion of greater regional security, integration and connectivity,” according to a briefing note circulated among the diplomats after Momen’s remarks.</div><div><br></div><div>“Alongside our economic strides, Bangladesh will also succeed in building a democratic society which our future generations will take pride in,” the briefing note reads, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>At the national level, the 12th Parliamentary Election results will usher in a fresh opportunity to infuse further dynamism into the impressive socio-economic performance sustained by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government during its past three tenures. Political stability under democratic rule has contributed a lot to these achievements, it said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 15:15:21', '2024-01-09 15:15:21'),
(10780, 10780, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said Saturday that \"the military structure of Hamas has been completely disbanded\" in the northern Gaza Strip.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hagari shared details about the ongoing attacks of the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip at a news conference and indicated that the army is focused on \"disbanding Hamas\" in the central Gaza Strip and the south.</div><div><br></div><div>Hours earlier, the Israeli military stressed in a statement a soldier was killed and another seriously injured in fighting in northern Gaza.​​​​​​​</div><div><br></div><div>Since Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, Israel has continued relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 22,722 Palestinians and injuring 58,166, said health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 9,280 children have been killed in the Israeli onslaught, according to data released by the Gaza Media Office on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli authorities claimed that the Hamas attacks have killed around 1,200 Israelis.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army announced that 510 soldiers have been killed since Oct, 7, when attacks on Gaza began -- 176 during the land invasion process.</div><div><br></div><div>On Nov. 24, a total of 81 Israeli and 240 Palestinian prisoners were released during a \"humanitarian pause,\" which was granted for four days in the fighting and later extended for another three days.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Israel has continued to detain and imprison thousands of Palestinians.</div><div><br></div><div>Since Oct. 7, a total of 326 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by Israeli forces and illegal Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.</div><div><br></div><div>In the ongoing clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah on the Lebanese border since Oct. 8, a total of 28 Lebanese civilians, 148 Hezbollah members, five Israeli civilians and nine Israeli soldiers died. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 15:36:57', '2024-01-09 15:36:57'),
(10781, 10781, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that the citizens of the country have rejected the call to boycott the elections, demonstrating enthusiasm in casting their votes.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The minister made the remarks while talking to journalists in the ministry\'s conference room in the Secretariat on Tuesday noon.</div><div><br></div><div>“Despite the BNP\'s campaign against the polls, the violent attacks on trains on January 5, and sporadic assaults on various polling centers from January 4 to 6, the people have rejected their politics of terror and arson. The country is witnessing a virtual election festival,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing the ‘despair’ of the BNP and its like-minded parties for not participating in the election, he said, “They now realize that boycotting the election has harmed them, not the country. The march towards democracy continues unabated.”</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding international observers, including those from the USA, various European Union countries, India, SAARC countries, and OIC countries, the minister said that they held a press conference praising the fair, free, and neutral nature of the election.</div><div><br></div><div>They also paid a courtesy call on the prime minister on Monday afternoon to convey their congratulations, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights\'s statement on the election, Hasan commented, “The statement lacks mention of arson, petrol bombs, and harm to individuals. While addressing human rights and arrests, it fails to acknowledge that those arrested are involved in arson terrorism.”</div><div><br></div><div>When questioned about the US State Department\'s negative statement on the election, Hasan noted, “Prominent figures, including former White House chief of staff, congressmen, CBS News chief news editor, and former members of parliaments from Germany and the European Union, attended a press conference praising the fairness and festive atmosphere of Bangladesh\'s election.”</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the positive reception from India, China, and Russia, and mentioning their rivalry with the USA Hasan said, “Representatives from these countries congratulated the prime minister, expressing their opinion that the election was fair. This support from major nations indicates the credibility of our election, and the US State Department\'s statement would likely have been different without their endorsement,” reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“We collaborate on various issues, including security with the US and they are our significant development partner. The statement also suggests a commitment to improving our relationship and continued collaboration,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 16:02:01', '2024-01-09 16:02:01');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10782, 10782, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">GM Quader, chairman of the Jatiya Party, expressed his commitment to fulfill the aspirations of the people and announced his intention to take oath and join the parliament at his residence in Senpara, Rangpur division on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>During a meeting with various MP candidates from Rangpur division on Tuesday evening, Quader stated, \"Since we have participated in the elections, we will not step back from taking the oath at this moment. We will go to the parliament to speak for the people and work towards fulfilling their expectations.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the integrity of the government in the current election, GM Wuader mentioned, \"Where the government aimed to conduct a fair and impartial election, they have succeeded. However, in places where they aimed to win over the people, they have resorted to force and defeated our people.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the meeting\'s agenda, the JP chairman said, \"Many of the candidates of the Jatiya Party in Rangpur division were disheartened by the election results. Therefore, I sat with everyone, listened to their concerns, and collected written statements. These pieces of information will be used for future follow-ups.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Present at the meeting were JAPA Co-Chairman and Rangpur Mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, JAPA Metropolitan General Secretary and Presidium member SM Yasir, and JAPA District General Secretary Haji Abdul Rajjak, among other leaders. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-09 16:45:28', '2024-01-09 16:45:28'),
(10783, 10783, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told her party’s newly elected MPs that their highest priority should be the welfare of the people.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Therefore, every MPs will have to work for the people in their respective constituencies. You [MPs] will have to ensure that balanced development is done in their areas,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina was addressing at the maiden meeting of Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) of the 12th Parliament at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. She spoke soon after she was elected the leader of the ALPP.</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting started at around 12:00pm and continued for around one hour.</div><div><br></div><div>“In her speech Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said democracy and people have won in the January 7 national election,” AL MP Tanvir Shakil Joy quoted Hasina as saying at the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>She, however, didn’t say anything about who is going to be the opposition party in Parliament, Joy told reporters emerging from the ALPP meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>In the ALPP meeting, AL MP Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was nominated as Speaker of the House, AL MP Matia Chowdhury was nominated as deputy leader of the House while Noor E Alam Chowdhury Liton was nominated as chief whip of parliament, Joy told reporters. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 09:22:42', '2024-01-10 09:22:42'),
(10784, 10784, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Three-metre tsunami waves were recorded at, but did not damage, a nuclear plant in Japan in the recent earthquake, its operator told AFP today more than a week after the incident.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The revelation served as a reminder of the risks associated with nuclear power in Japan 13 years after a tsunami wrecked the Fukushima facility in one of the world’s worst atomic disasters.</div><div><br></div><div>The 7.5-magnitude jolt on New Year’s Day and its powerful aftershocks killed at least 203 people in the central Ishikawa region, flattening houses, wrecking infrastructure and leaving thousands without power.</div><div><br></div><div>A tsunami as high as a metre was registered near the Shika plant shortly after 4.30pm on Jan 1, roughly 20 minutes following the original quake, Hokuriku Electric Power said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our analysis has indicated that waves as high as three metres came around 5.45pm,” a spokesman for the utility told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>The plant is 11m above sea level and is also protected by a 4m-high seawall built after the 2011 Fukushima accident, he said, stressing the safety of the Shika plant.</div><div><br></div><div>The analysis of the tsunami became available after Hokuriku Electric collected data from an offshore measuring device that had stopped transmitting its records after the quake.</div><div><br></div><div>Minor damage was reported at other nuclear plants along the Sea of Japan shoreline after the earthquake, including leaks of water used to cool nuclear fuel and a partial power shutdown at one plant.</div><div><br></div><div>The plant operators said there was no danger of damage to the environment or the nuclear power stations themselves.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan, one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, took its more than 30 nuclear reactors offline after the 2011 disaster but around a dozen are now back in operation.</div><div><br></div><div>In total, 68 people still remained unaccounted for late yesterday after the Jan 1 quake, according to local authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Almost 3,500 people were still stuck in isolated communities, with almost 30,000 in government shelters, almost 60,000 households without running water and more than 15,000 without electricity. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 10:20:24', '2024-01-10 10:20:24'),
(10785, 10785, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ecuador’s president gave orders yesterday to “neutralise” criminal gangs after gunmen opened fire in a TV studio and bandits threatened random executions on a second day of terror in the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>At least 10 people have been killed in a series of attacks blamed on gangs as the country exploded in what President Daniel Noboa called an “internal armed conflict”.</div><div><br></div><div>He ordered military operations to “neutralise” criminal gangs after gangsters declared war following the prison escape on Sunday of one of Ecuador’s most powerful narco bosses.</div><div><br></div><div>Eight people were killed and three were wounded in attacks in the port city of Guayaquil, and two officers were “viciously murdered by armed criminals” in the nearby town of Nobol, police said yesterday evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Long a peaceful haven sandwiched between top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has seen violence explode in recent years as rival gangs with links to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control.</div><div><br></div><div>After the escape of Jose Adolfo Macias, aka “Fito” – leader of Ecuador’s biggest gang Los Choneros – Noboa on Monday declared a countrywide state of emergency and nightly curfew.</div><div><br></div><div>Gangs retaliated, taking police officers hostage, setting off explosions in several cities, and yesterday storming a studio of state-owned TC Television in Guayaquil with guns and explosives.</div><div><br></div><div>Hooded attackers fired gunshots during a live TC broadcast as a woman could be heard pleading, “Don’t shoot, please don’t shoot.”</div><div><br></div><div>The intruders forced terrified crew members onto the ground and a person could be heard screaming as the studio lights went out but the broadcast continued.</div><div><br></div><div>Police entered the studio after about 30 minutes of chaos.</div><div><br></div><div>‘You will get war’</div><div><br></div><div>Noboa, 36, who was elected last year on a pledge to fight drug-related violence, later ordered the military operations against gangs he described as “terrorist organisations and belligerent non-state actors.”</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities reported multiple explosions and cars set alight yesterday, including in the capital Quito, and said seven police officers had been kidnapped.</div><div><br></div><div>A video circulating on social media showed three of the kidnapped officers sitting on the ground with a gun pointed at them as one was forced to read a statement addressed to Noboa.</div><div><br></div><div>“You declared war, you will get war,” the visibly terrified officer read.</div><div><br></div><div>“You declared a state of emergency. We declare police, civilians, and soldiers to be the spoils of war.”</div><div><br></div><div>The statement added that anyone found on the street after 11pm local time “will be executed.”</div><div><br></div><div>There was panic on the streets, with shops and businesses in various cities closing early and residents rushing home as face-to-face classes were suspended nationwide until Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Brian Nichols, the top US diplomat for Latin America, said Washington was “extremely concerned” by the violence and kidnappings, and pledged to provide assistance and “remain in close contact” with Noboa’s team.</div><div><br></div><div>Peru yesterday put its border with Ecuador under a state of emergency.</div><div><br></div><div>China’s embassy and consulates in Ecuador announced today that services to the public were suspended.</div><div><br></div><div>“The reopening to the public will be announced in due course,” the embassy said in a statement shared on Chinese social media.</div><div><br></div><div>Chile, Colombia, and Brazil sent messages of support for Noboa yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Return peace to all Ecuadorans’</div><div><br></div><div>A manhunt is under way for Fito, who had been serving a 34-year sentence for organised crime, drug trafficking, and murder.</div><div><br></div><div>The 44-year-old is believed to have escaped just hours before police arrived to conduct an inspection of the Guayaquil prison where he was held.</div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday, officials said another narco boss – Los Lobos leader Fabricio Colon Pico – also escaped since his arrest last Friday for alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Ecuador’s attorney-general.</div><div><br></div><div>Unrest has broken out at several penitentiaries, and yesterday the SNAI prisons authority said 125 guards and 14 administrative officers were being held by inmates in five cities.</div><div><br></div><div>Unverified videos circulating on social media purported to show captives armed with knives executing at least two guards.</div><div><br></div><div>The SNAI has not commented on the images.</div><div><br></div><div>The security forces in turn have sent out videos of numerous prison raids since Sunday, with hundreds of inmates amassed in courtyards in their underwear, hands on their heads.</div><div><br></div><div>Noboa had vowed on Monday to “not negotiate with terrorists nor rest until we return peace to all Ecuadorans.”</div><div><br></div><div>Drug violence has taken a heavy toll on the South American country since it became a key stop on the US and Europe-bound cocaine trade.</div><div><br></div><div>The murder rate quadrupled from 2018 to 2022 and a record 220 tonnes of drugs were seized last year.</div><div><br></div><div>Since February 2021, clashes between prisoners have left more than 460 dead, many beheaded or burnt alive. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 10:46:55', '2024-01-10 10:46:55'),
(10786, 10786, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Jatiya Party Chairman and newly elected Member of Parliament from Rangpur-3 Golam Mohammad Quader on Wednesday said he was in the opposition party and wants to stay the same.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The feeling of coming to Parliament is always good. In that sense, it is a matter of pleasure to come to Parliament again,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Just after he took oath as the MP, GM Quader was about the opposition party in the newly elected Parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>He replied, \"I don\'t know exactly what the rule is. But we were in opposition, and want to be in opposition. We are public welfare oriented and we want to do what is good for the people.”</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the protests in the party office over the alleged failure of leadership he said, these are pre-planned things.</div><div><br></div><div>“Some people are trying to tarnish our party\'s image. What had been done was done in consultation with everyone,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question about the party getting fewer seats this time he said that things don’t remain the same all the time.</div><div><br></div><div>“This election was not the right election. In some cases it was good. But in most cases, our activists have been harassed in various ways and polling booths were captured,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>GM Quader also said that the election did not really reflect his party’s popularity or its base with the people.</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiya Party secured only 11 seats this time compared to 23 bagged in the 2018 election, according to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 10:55:45', '2024-01-10 10:55:45'),
(10787, 10787, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Israeli army early on Wednesday announced one more Israeli soldier was killed and another seriously injured in fighting with Palestinian groups in the central Gaza Strip.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli public broadcaster KAN identified the slain soldier as Sgt. First Classm Elkana Newlander, 24, a combat medic in the 99th Division, who was killed in fighting yesterday in the central Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 186 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli ground operation in Gaza on Oct. 27.</div><div><br></div><div>The death toll of the Israeli army since the start of the Israeli onslaught against Gaza on Oct. 7 has risen to 520.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing at least 23,210 Palestinians, and injuring 59,167 others, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 11:08:17', '2024-01-10 11:08:17'),
(10788, 10788, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An attack, which was later claimed by a Sunni Muslim extremist group, killed a policeman in restive southeastern Iran today, state media reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sistan-Baluchistan province, where the attack took place, is one of the few mainly Sunni provinces in Shiite-dominated Iran and has seen persistent unrest involving drug-smuggling gangs and rebels from the Baluchi ethnic minority as well as jihadists.</div><div><br></div><div>“In an exchange of fire this morning between forces from a police station in Rask and members of an armed group, one of the policemen was killed,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.</div><div><br></div><div>The news agency said the firefight lasted around three hours before the arrival of police reinforcements prompted the assailants to withdraw.</div><div><br></div><div>The attack was claimed by the jihadist group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) in a brief statement on its Telegram channel. Jaish al-Adl was formed in 2012 and is blacklisted by Iran as a “terrorist” group.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the second deadly attack on security forces in Rask claimed by the group in recent weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 11 officers were killed in a similar attack on a police station in the town before dawn on Dec 15.</div><div><br></div><div>Sistan-Baluchistan province borders Pakistan and Afghanistan and has long been regarded as a key access point for militant groups, drug smugglers, and irregular migrants.</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, interior minister Ahmad Vahidi announced new measures to firm up security along the porous border, following twin suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group that killed more than 90 people at a high-profile state event in the southern city of Kerman.</div><div><br></div><div>Vahidi said authorities had identified “priority points to block along the border”. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 11:25:53', '2024-01-10 11:25:53'),
(10789, 10789, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Expelled Awami League presidium member elected from Tangail-4 (Kalihati) constituency and former minister, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, said that it is not his intention to “turn up the heat,” rather he says what he feels is right.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Latif Siddiqui said this to reporters after taking oath as a member of the 12th Parliament, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that he does not go beyond the relevant topic.</div><div><br></div><div>“I say what I believe is right, even if it seems wrong to others. I don’t say anything beyond that. And I don’t mean to just turn up the heat,” Latif Siddiqui said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 11:32:08', '2024-01-10 11:32:08'),
(10790, 10790, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Both oil benchmarks saw modest rises on Wednesday, fueled by optimism over US demand, as investors braced for impending economic data signaling the Federal Reserve\'s (Fed) next policy shift, despite the robust US dollar capping gains.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The international benchmark crude Brent traded at $77.84 per barrel at 0717 GMT, a 0.32% increase from the closing price of $77.59 a barrel in the previous trading session on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>The American benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), traded at the same time at $72.53 per barrel, up 0.40% from Tuesday\'s close of $72.24 per barrel.</div><div><br></div><div>The American Petroleum Institute (API) late Tuesday announced an estimated decline of nearly 5.2 million barrels in US crude oil inventories, against the market expectation of a draw of 1.2 million barrels.</div><div><br></div><div>If the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms the stock fall when it releases actual oil stock data later on Wednesday, prices are expected to rise further in the hopes of strengthening demand in the world’s largest oil-consuming country.</div><div><br></div><div>Investors are also keenly awaiting the US Bureau of Labor Statistics\' release of the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Jan. 11. This critical indicator of consumer inflation could heavily influence the Federal Reserve\'s upcoming interest rate decisions.</div><div><br></div><div>In their latest meeting in December, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) acknowledged that the central bank had made clear progress on cooling inflation. However, officials noted that inflation was still above the committee\'s longer-run goal and that there was a risk that progress toward price stability could stall as inflation approaches the Fed\'s 2% target.</div><div><br></div><div>The Fed\'s decisions will be data-dependent, with a focus on inflation and economic indicators. Fed officials, meanwhile, are signaling a potential shift towards rate cuts this year, depending on the trajectory of inflation and economic data.</div><div><br></div><div>The Fed\'s next meeting will be held on Jan. 30-31, and experts expect the policymakers\' approach to be careful and data-dependent.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the strengthening dollar has played its part in restraining crude oil gains. Higher US yields and the country\'s robust economic performance have bolstered the dollar\'s value, which in turn is making oil, priced in dollars, more expensive for holders of other currencies.</div><div><br></div><div>Further dampening oil price momentum is Saudi Arabia\'s strategic move to cut its crude oil prices by $2 a barrel for its Asian clients, a response to calls for more competitive pricing amid intense rivalry in the region. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 11:50:02', '2024-01-10 11:50:02'),
(10791, 10791, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#6ba54a\">Bangladesh Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday declared from now on none can hinder the advancement of the country as her party is resuming power again following its landslide victory in the January-7 general election.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Since Awami League can come to power again, none can disrupt the current progress of Bangladesh anymore,” she said while addressing a rally at historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Awami League arranged the rally in observance of the historic homecoming day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the 1971 Liberation War.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Hasina, who presided over the programme, said many wanted to stop this election, but failed.</div><div><br></div><div>“The voter turnout is 41.8 percent in this election even after there were attempts to prevent the voters from casting their votes, which is a very big matter, \" she said, adding that a particular party was trying to resist the election when AL and its like-minded parties joined it.</div><div><br></div><div>She said none can question the 12th parliamentary election as it was held in fair, free and neutral manners.</div><div><br></div><div>“None can say that the votes were cast at night instead of daytime in this election. None has the power to say anything that the votes were rigged because the election was held in very transparent, free and neutral manners,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>.AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, its presidium members Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Qamrul Islam, among others, spoke at the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Obaidul Quader on AL’s behalf greeted Sheikh Hasina with flowers as she is going to be the five-time prime minister through AL’s landslide victory in the January-7 general election.</div><div><br></div><div>On January 10, 1972 Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh returned to independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi after 290 days of confinement in Pakistan jail during the country’s Liberation War. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 13:25:29', '2024-01-10 13:25:29'),
(10792, 10792, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The United Nations (UN) has reiterated its call to all parties in Bangladesh to reject any form of violence and ensure that everyone’s human rights and rule of law are fully respected.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I think, as we’ve told you earlier, the Secretary-General calls on — and very publicly — for all parties to reject all forms of violence and to ensure that everyone’s human rights and everyone’s access to the rule of law are fully respected,\" Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric told reporters during a regular briefing in New York on January 9, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that it is essential for the consolidation of democracy and economic prosperity in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>\"And he’s, of course, concerned about reports of the violence that we’ve seen,\" said the Spokesperson.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 15:28:55', '2024-01-10 15:28:55'),
(10793, 10793, '<div><font color=\"#3984c6\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Mohammad Shahabuddin has invited Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to form the government as she has gained the confidence of the majority of the members of the Parliament.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>The invitation came after she went to meet him at the Bangabhaban on Wednesday afternoon, said Press Secretary to the president Joynal Abedin.</div><div><br></div><div>On her arrival at Bangabhaban in the afternoon, President Shahabuddin welcomed the premier with a bouquet.</div><div><br></div><div>The press secretary told the news briefing that during the meeting, President Shahabuddin conveyed his sincere greetings and warm congratulations to Sheikh Hasina for having absolute victory in the 12th national elections.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that this victory is a reflection of public opinion to continue the trend of democracy and development of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The head of the state said that through this election, the people have given a verdict in favour of independence, the spirit of liberation war, development and progress.</div><div><br></div><div>President Shahabuddin hoped that under the leadership of premier Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will become a smart Bangladesh as well as the golden Bengal of Bangabandhu\'s dream.</div><div><br></div><div>Alongside, President Shahabuddin wished the prime minister all success.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting, the prime minister expressed her gratitude to the people of the country for giving Awami League a landslide victory in the national elections. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 15:32:21', '2024-01-10 15:32:21'),
(10794, 10794, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh has retained the status of the top exporter of garment items in the UK market in consideration of quantity in the period of January–October 2023.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) revealing the UK’s import data showed Bangladesh exported 178.39 million kilogrammes (kgs) of garment items to the UK while China shipped 159.25 million kg.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan told UNB that considering the performance of the UK sourcing countries, China is at the top. It is followed by Bangladesh, Turkey, India, and Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh had secured its position as the top garment supplier in Europe in terms of volume (quantity) in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our position in the UK market remains the same because, in 2022, the UK\'s imports from Bangladesh exceeded imports from China, and this trend continues in the first 10 months of 2023,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Bangladesh\'s share of the UK\'s total apparel imports is 23 percent in terms of value and 28 percent in terms of volume, said Faruque.</div><div><br></div><div>“So far, we have been able to secure our position through potential cost savings, timely product delivery, and maintaining quality, which has kept us ahead of the competition in the fashion world,” said BGMEA President.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the UK market still has opportunities as they approach the saturation point, and the global trade policy and competitive landscape will change over the coming decades. The key to capturing more global market share and sustaining growth will be to shift to higher-value products and higher-value markets by acquiring capabilities in backward and forward linkage industries.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh can add higher value by moving into the mid-high price segment of the market, where a T-shirt or a polo shirt can fetch higher FOB revenue only because of the complex process (e.g., advanced fabrication, embroidery, printing, even functionality), he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Incidentally, it would also like to mention that, considering the average price of UK apparel imports, Bangladesh offers the lowest price compared to other competitors, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our average price is 21.39 percent lower than China, 32 percent lower than Turkey, and even 26.75 percent lower than India. This not only proves that we are not competitive in the global market, but at the same time, our absence in the mid-high price segment of the market is starkly evident. At this point, we need to strategise to capture the mid-high price segment to take the industry forward,” said BGMEA President.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 15:52:08', '2024-01-10 15:52:08'),
(10795, 10795, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will return home from Evercare Hospital on Thursday (11 January) after receiving treatment for over five months, said her physician and party vice-chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Madam (Khaleda) will be taken back home tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. The medical board has decided to discharge her from the hospital,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Zahid said the medical board has also decided to provide Khaleda with necessary treatment at her Gulshan\'s residence from Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>“All preparations have been made there in this regard,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 9 last year, she was admitted to the Evercare Hospital as she suddenly fell sick. The BNP Chief has been undergoing treatment there since then for various health complications.</div><div><br></div><div>The 78-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 26, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.</div><div><br></div><div>The US doctors--Hamid Rabb, Christos Georgiades, and James P. A. Hamilton from Johns Hopkins University\'s School of Medicine--went to Bangladesh on October 25 and decided to complete the TIPS procedure after assessing Khaleda’s health condition and test reports.</div><div><br></div><div>TIPS is a procedure that involves inserting a stent (tube) to connect the portal veins to adjacent blood vessels that have lower pressure. This relieves the pressure of blood flowing through the diseased liver and can help stop bleeding and fluid backup. A TIPS also relieves the high blood pressure in the portal vein (called portal hypertension) that often occurs in the setting of liver cirrhosis.</div><div><br></div><div>Khaleda’s doctors have been recommending sending Khaleda abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP chief’s family also sought permission from the government on different occasions, but the Law Minister said Khaleda has no scope to go abroad for treatment as she was released on conditions suspending her sentence in corruption cases.</div><div><br></div><div>Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.</div><div><br></div><div>Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years\' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.</div><div><br></div><div>Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, on condition that she stays in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 16:07:00', '2024-01-10 16:07:00'),
(10796, 10796, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The year 2023 has been monumental in the realm of health and medical science. As we continually strive to overcome health challenges, the relentless pursuit of medical advancements has yielded significant breakthroughs. These innovations not only promise enhanced healthcare but also showcase the power of science in improving lives globally. In this article, we delve into the top eight medical breakthroughs of 2023, each a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the scientific community.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Biggest Medical Breakthroughs of 2023</div><div>A Leap Forward in Alzheimer’s Disease Management</div><div>In a ground-breaking development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Leqembi, a monoclonal antibody, in July 2023. This medical breakthrough targets the core cause of Alzheimer\'s disease – the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain. These plaques, formed by abnormally proliferating proteins, disrupt neural synapses and cause memory loss. Leqembi intervenes by inhibiting plaque formation, thus preserving cognitive function.</div><div><br></div><div>A pivotal study revealed that administering Leqembi early could delay severe Alzheimer’s progression by up to 30 years, marking a significant stride in medical science.</div><div><br></div><div>Advancing Brain Science with Comprehensive Mapping</div><div>In a collaborative effort, an international team of over 20 scientists achieved a significant medical breakthrough by mapping the brain of a fruit fly, a process that spanned five years.</div><div><br></div><div>This achievement surpasses previous efforts which were limited to simpler organisms with fewer synapses. The complexity of the fruit fly’s brain, comprising around 3000 neurons and half a million synapses, parallels aspects of machine learning mapping, hinting at broader applications in understanding complex brains and advancing AI technologies.</div><div><br></div><div>Deciphering the Mystery Behind Greying Hair</div><div>A team from New York University made significant strides in understanding hair greying. Their research focused on melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in hair follicles. They discovered that these cells cease to traverse the full length of the hair with age, leading to greying. This insight into the melanocyte lifecycle opens up potential medical advancements for reversing the greying process, a development that holds both cosmetic and scientific significance.</div><div><br></div><div>Unveiling the Bacterial Role in Cancer Progression</div><div>A pivotal study published in the Nature journal revealed that certain bacteria can assist cancer cells in evading anti-cancer drugs, marking a crucial medical breakthrough. This discovery challenges the previous assumption that cancer cells operate independently. The bacteria achieve this by breaking down the medication before it reaches the cancer cells. This insight has led to significant alterations in existing anti-cancer medication protocols, highlighting the intricate interplay between microbiology and oncology.</div><div><br></div><div>AI-Driven Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer</div><div>Danish scientists leveraged AI to significantly advance pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Utilizing medical records of 6.2 million patients, they developed an algorithm that identified disease patterns preceding pancreatic cancer.</div><div><br></div><div>This model successfully anticipated 24,000 patterns in patients who later developed pancreatic cancer. When applied to U.S. veterans, the algorithm correctly identified 4,000 cases three years before clinical diagnosis, a monumental step in early cancer detection and treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>Pioneering Gene Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy</div><div>2023 saw a major advancement in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe condition impacting children. This medical breakthrough involves replicating the gene responsible for producing dystrophin, a protein essential for muscle integrity and growth. This gene therapy signifies hope for affected individuals, offering a potential route to mitigate muscle wastage and irregular muscle formation.</div><div><br></div><div>Innovating Treatment for Postpartum Depression</div><div>The FDA\'s approval of a new oral medication for postpartum depression marks a significant advancement in mental health treatment. This drug, effective in just three days, offers a convenient and efficient alternative to traditional psychotherapy and intravenous infusions, enhancing postpartum care and support for new mothers.</div><div><br></div><div>Enhancing Pulmonary Embolism Treatment</div><div>The development and FDA approval of the Bashir Endovascular catheters represent a major medical breakthrough in treating pulmonary embolism, a leading cause of cardiovascular deaths. These catheters, equipped with microneedles, facilitate blood flow through clots while enabling targeted anti-clot medication delivery. This innovation promises more efficient, less invasive treatment options for patients.</div><div><br></div><div>Concluding Thoughts on Medical Advancements</div><div>As we embrace another year, the remarkable medical breakthroughs of 2023 stand as beacons of hope and innovation. These advancements not only underline the ongoing evolution in medical science but also spotlight the relentless pursuit of knowledge and technology in bettering human health. Each breakthrough, from Alzheimer\'s management to AI-driven cancer diagnosis, signals a new era in medical science, where the integration of technology and research continues to revolutionize healthcare and save countless lives. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-10 16:14:32', '2024-01-10 16:14:32'),
(10797, 10797, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#3984c6\">The United States has said \"nothing has changed\" about their desire to see that the aspirations of Bangladeshis are met.</font></span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"We obviously still believe in the importance of viable, vibrant democratic institutions all over the world,\" National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters during a media briefing at White House on January 10.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh is set to see the formation of a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s foreign friends and partners have already congratulated the Prime Minister and her party, Awami League, on election victory.</div><div><br></div><div>India, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the OIC, and other South Asian countries have congratulated her, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties,\" US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller earlier said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 08:56:55', '2024-01-11 08:56:55'),
(10798, 10798, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) central office in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan was reopened on Thursday morning, nearly two and a half months after closure following clashes with police during the party’s grand rally on October 28, 2023.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Some BNP leaders and activists, led by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, unlocked the collapsible gate of the office around 10:42am.</div><div><br></div><div>They entered the office while shouting various slogans in the name of party founder Ziaur Rahman and Chairperson Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>“We entered BNP’s central office by breaking the lock. A massive rally was foiled through a brutal crackdown by the government’s subservient law-enforcement agencies on October 28…later police locked the office,” said Rizvi.</div><div><br></div><div>He said BNP’s standing committee members, led by Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, will hold a press conference — on the national election held on January 7 — at the office at 3 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said they will now clean the office for holding the press meet.</div><div><br></div><div>After the party’s grand rally was foiled halfway through on October 28 at Nayapaltan amid clashes with police, the collapsible gate of the BNP\'s office was closed with the deployment of a huge number of law enforcers in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>Members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) marked the areas in front of the main gate of the BNP office with the crime scene tape inscribed with \"Do not cross” to collect evidence for investigation into severe political violence.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the CID\'s Crime Scene Unit collected evidence from the site and later removed the crime scene tape.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the clashes, law enforcers launched a crackdown on senior BNP leaders and activists, and arrested BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and several other leaders, forcing most of them to go into hiding to avoid arrest.</div><div><br></div><div>Though thousands of BNP leaders and activists brought out a Victory Day rally on December 16 in Nayapaltan, they did not reopen their central office.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP finally reopened the office four days after the 12th parliamentary election that was boycotted by most opposition parties. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 09:01:05', '2024-01-11 09:01:05'),
(10799, 10799, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#634aa5\"><b>Cold weather conditions are likely to prevail across the country due to fog, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said today.</b></font></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Lowest temperature in the country today was recorded at 10.3°C, at Nikli in Kishoreganj, according to the Met Office.</div><div><br></div><div>Temperature may rise after two days on Saturday, said Afroza Sultana, assistant meteorologist of BMD.</div><div><br></div><div>Moderate to thick fog may occur over the country during midnight to morning and it may continue till noon in places, the Met Office said.</div><div><br></div><div>In Dhaka, the temperature was recorded at 14.2°C today.</div><div><br></div><div>Air navigation, inland river transport and road communication may be disrupted temporarily due to fog.</div><div><br></div><div>Night temperature may fall slightly over the country and day temperature may fall slightly over the southern part and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>UNB’s Kurigram correspondent reported that daily life is disrupted in the district due to bone-chilling cold.</div><div><br></div><div>People on the streets were seen lighting fires to keep themselves warm as the sun remains invisible due to dense fog.</div><div><br></div><div>The temperature was recorded at 11.5 degrees Celsius today in the district, said Subal Chandra Sarkar, in-charge of Rajarhat Weather Observatory, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“The cold day situation may prevail for two more days,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 09:08:19', '2024-01-11 09:08:19'),
(10800, 10800, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, has been elected as the President of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA, and UNOPS for 2024 at the elections held at United Nations Headquarters.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The member states also elected the Ambassadors of Colombia, Germany, Romania and Ethiopia as Vice-Presidents of the Executive Board.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>With this election, Bangladesh takes up the Presidency of the Executive Board of these three very important agencies of the United Nations.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As the President of the Board, Bangladesh will be able to contribute further to the work of the UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS, who have specific mandates to support the countries achieve the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh will also be able to work closely with the other board members and the leaderships of these three vital UN Agencies and provide them with strategic guidance.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In his inaugural statement, Ambassador Muhith thanked the members of the Executive Board for electing him as the President. He also expressed his appreciation to UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS for their remarkable contributions in empowering people around the world and advancing their development aspirations.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“In the context of the difficult challenges that the development agenda of the United Nations suffered due to the pandemic and ongoing humanitarian and climate crises, UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS need to prepare themselves to deliver better, based on new and reinvigorated multilateral commitments and through coordinate efforts and engagement with all stakeholders,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“And the Executive Board will remain ready to provide those agencies with necessary direction and resources so that they can continue to be at the forefront of all such efforts,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The election of Ambassador Muhith as the President of the Board comes as a demonstration of the trust and confidence Bangladesh enjoys in the UN as well as recognition of Bangladesh’s unique success in achieving sustainable development through innovative means under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>Since joining this Mission as the Permanent Representative in July 2022, Ambassador Muhith has served as the Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the President of the Executive Board of UN-Women and the Vice-President of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS.</div><div><br></div><div>The Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS, composed of 36 members, was created by General Assembly resolution in 1993.</div><div><br></div><div>The Executive Board superseded the 48-member Governing Council on 1 January 1994.</div><div><br></div><div>The Executive Board is responsible for providing inter-governmental support to and supervision of the activities of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS in accordance with the overall policy guidance of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council, and the responsibilities set out in the United Nations Charter. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 09:34:29', '2024-01-11 09:34:29');
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(10801, 10801, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">The Papua New Guinea government worked to restore order Thursday after at least 15 people were reportedly killed during rioting and looting that left the country’s two biggest cities in flames.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The unrest began in the capital, Port Moresby, on Wednesday after hundreds of police officers, soldiers, prison staff and public servants walked off their jobs in protest over a pay dispute.</div><div><br></div><div>The Papua New Guinea government attributed the pay cut to an administrative glitch.</div><div><br></div><div>Similar riots also caused damage in Lae, the second-biggest city in the southwestern Pacific country. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that at least 15 people died in Port Moresby and Lae.</div><div><br></div><div>An additional 180 defense personnel flew into Port Moresby on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Tensions in the country have risen amid high unemployment and increased living costs.</div><div><br></div><div>Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said Port Moresby was “under stress and duress” but that violence had eased.</div><div><br></div><div>“Police were not at work yesterday in the city and people resorted to lawlessness — not all people, but in certain segments of our city,” Marape said in a news conference on Thursday. ”(The) situation report as of this morning shows tension in the city has subsided.”</div><div><br></div><div>Many shops and banking services were closed Thursday as business owners repaired damage.</div><div><br></div><div>Papua New Guinea is a diverse, developing nation of mostly subsistence farmers where some 800 languages are spoken. It is in a strategically important part of the South Pacific. With 10 million people, it the most populous South Pacific nation after Australia, which is home to 26 million.</div><div><br></div><div>Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appealed for calm. He said his government had not received any requests for help from its closest neighbor.</div><div><br></div><div>Papua New Guinea and Australia last month signed a bilateral security pact.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our high commission in Port Moresby are keeping a very close eye on what is occurring there, making sure Australians are looked after,” Albanese told reporters Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Papua New Guinea struggles to contain escalating tribal violence and civil unrest in remote regions and has a long-term aim to increase its police numbers from 6,000 officers to 26,000. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 10:49:13', '2024-01-11 10:49:13'),
(10802, 10802, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Sheikh Hasina was on Thursday sworn-in as the prime minister of Bangladesh for the fourth consecutive term – the fifth overall - after she led her Awami League party to a massive victory in last weekend’s parliamentary election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>President Mohammed Shahabuddin conducted the oath of office and secrecy to the 76-year-old prime minister at a ceremony watched by foreign diplomats, high civil and military officials and elite of the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The oath-taking ceremony took place a day after the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) unanimously elected Hasina as the Leader of the House paving the way for her to become the prime minister for an overall fifth term, a record in Bangladesh history.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, the elder daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won from the Gopalganj-3 parliamentary with a huge margin in the January 7 election. She never lost from this seat in her home district since her first contest in 1986.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana survived the August 15, 1975 mayhem that saw the assassination of Bangabandhu along with most members of his family. They were then on vacation in Germany. From Germany the two sisters, the only survivors of Bangabandhu’s family, went to India for about six years of exiled life.</div><div><br></div><div>Still in exile in India Hasina was elected the president of Awami League at the age of 34. She returned home from India on May 17, 1981 and immediately launched a campaign against the rule of military ruler Ziaur Rahman for restoration of democracy.</div><div><br></div><div>Later she led a pro-democracy movement against the autocratic rule of HM Ershad leading to her downfall in 1990. However, in the general election held in 1991 the Awami League lost to its arch rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>The Awami League, led by Hasina, won the June 1996 parliamentary elections returning to power for the first time since the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2001 Hasina became the first leader to step down peacefully after serving full five-year term in office and handed over power to a caretaker administration as per the constitution. Her party though was defeated in the 2001 election conducted by a caretaker government.</div><div><br></div><div>She again led her party to an absolute win in the 2008 election overseen by a military-backed interim government. She took office for the second time in 2009. She also won the next three elections in 2014, 2018 and the latest on January 7, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2014, Hasina’s party won 153 of the 300 parliamentary seats without a contest thanks to a BNP-led opposition boycott. Though BNP joined the 2018 polls, it was tainted by allegations of massive irregularities, denied by the Awami League. The BNP also stayed away from the January 7 polls after the government rejected its demand to hold the vote under a neutral caretaker administration.</div><div><br></div><div>The January 7 election the Awami League secured 222 seats. The independent candidates, largely from AL bagged 62 and the Jatiya Party, led by GM Quader, got only 11 seats. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 15:27:16', '2024-01-11 15:27:16'),
(10803, 10803, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A total of 36 ministers took oath as members of the new cabinet on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to the ministers held at Bangabhaban at 7pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, 25 members of the parliament took oath as ministers while 11 as state ministers.</div><div><br></div><div>A gazette notification, signed by Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain, was issued in regards to their appointment this evening, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The 25 ministers are: AKM Mozammel Haque (Ministry of Liberation War Affairs), Obaidul Quader (Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges), Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun (Ministry of Industries), Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (Ministry of Home Affairs), Dr. Hasan Mahmud (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Dr. Dipu Moni (Ministry of Social Welfare), Tajul Islam (Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives), Farooq Khan (Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism), Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali (Ministry of Finance), Advocate Anisul Haq (Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs), Abdus Shaheed (Ministry of Agriculture), Sadhan Chandra Majumder (Ministry of Food), RAM Ubaidul Mokhtadir Chowdhury (Ministry of Housing and Public Works), Abdur Rahman (Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock), Narayan Chandra Chanda (Ministry of Land), Abdus Salam (Ministry of Planning), Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel (Ministry of Education), Farhad Hossain (Ministry of Public Administration),&nbsp; Faridul Haque Khan (Ministry of Religious Affairs), Zillul Hakim (Ministry of Railway), Saber Hossain Chowdhury (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change), Jahangir Kabir Nanak (Ministry of Textiles and Jute), Nazmul Hasan Papon (Ministry of Youth and Sports), Yeafesh Osman (Ministry of Science and Technology) and Dr. Samanta Lal Sen (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, Yeafesh Osman and Dr. Samanta Lal Sen will serve as technocrat ministers.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Mohammad A. Arafat took the oath as the State Minister for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Other ministers who also took oath include Zunaid Ahmed Palak (Information and Communication Technology Division), Nasrul Hamid (Power Division), Simeen Hossain (Rimi) (Ministry of Women and Children Affairs), Rumana Ali (Ministry of Primary and Mass Education), Ahsanul Islam (Titu) (Ministry of Commerce), Shafikur Rahman Chowdhury (Ministry of Expatriates\' Welfare and Overseas Employment), Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury (Ministry of Shipping), Zahid Farooq (Ministry of Water Resources), Kujendra Lal Tripura (Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs), and Mohibbur Rahman (Ministry of Labour and Employment).</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 15:48:57', '2024-01-11 15:48:57'),
(10804, 10804, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has chosen an experienced politician - Mohammed Hasan Mahmud - to oversee her government\'s foreign policy- friendship to all, malice towards none - in a changed scenario globally amid intensified geopolitics and big powers rivalry.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Mahmud, who served as Information and Broadcasting Minister in the last tenure, has been appointed as next foreign minister.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The portfolio was distributed after the oath-taking ceremony at Bangabhaban on Thursday evening.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Mahmud replaced AK Abdul Momen.</div><div><br></div><div>He was elected from Chattogram-7 this time though he was elected the Jatiya Sangsad member from Chittagong-6 constituency during 2008–2018.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He was appointed as the state minister for foreign affairs in January 2009 in Sheikh Hasina\'s cabinet but 6 months later he was moved to the position of state minister for environment and forests.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In November 2011, he was promoted to the full minister of environment and forest. Dr. Hasan, who ran in the general elections from Chittagong-6 constituency, pledged to take initiative to rebuild Mariamnagar embankment to save all the unions from the Karnaphuli erosion. He also said that he would try to make Rangunia free of terrorists and would build road and other infrastructures.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Hasan was elected from Chittagong-7 constituency in the 10th parliamentary elections in 2014 and in the 11th parliamentary elections in 2018. He became the Information Minister in the fourth cabinet of Sheikh Hasina in the Eleventh Parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Mahmud completed his BSc Honours and Masters in Chemistry from Chittagong University (CU) in 1987 and 1989 respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister obtained his higher degree on international politics from Geneva in 1996. He did another post-graduation in Environmental Science from Breeze University of Brussels in Belgium in the same year.</div><div><br></div><div>He obtained his PhD degree in Environmental Chemistry from Limburg University in the years of 2000-2001. He has been involved with politics since his student life. He was the senior vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) unit at CU in 1986 and president in 1989-90.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Hasan performed as the general secretary of Belgium chapter of Awami League (AL) since 1995 until he returned home in 2001.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He had been the assistant personal secretary (APS) to AL Chief Sheikh Hasina since November 2001.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, he was also the central secretary for forest and environment affairs of the party.</div><div><br></div><div>During 1996–2001, Mahmud served as the political and parliamentary affairs adviser to then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>Political Background:</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Hasan Mahmud is also Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League and served as Secretary, Publicity &amp; Publications, Bangladesh Awami League (December 2012 to 2019).</div><div><br></div><div>He has been actively performing political activities since his student life. He was involved in politics both at home and abroad bearing a very successful leadership background at local and national level politics.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1977, he was involved with student league of Zamal Khan ward in Chattogram City.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1978, he started his political career as General Secretary of the Bangladesh Student League at Government Intermediate College, Chattogram.</div><div>In 1979, he was elected as the founding General Secretary of Bangladesh Student League of Government Hazi Mohsin College, Chattogram.</div><div><br></div><div>He was also in charge of educational Secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan Student League.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1986, he took over the responsibility of Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Student League at Chattogram University.</div><div>In 1988, he became the President of Bangladesh Student League at Chattogram University.</div><div><br></div><div>Under his able leadership, All-Party Student Unity got a landslide victory in the election of Chattogram University Students Union in 1990.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1992, Dr. Mahmud became the youngest member of Bangladesh Awami League, Chattogram North District.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1992, he went to Brussels, Belgium for higher study.</div><div><br></div><div>He served as an elected President of Bangladesh Students Association as well as International Students Association represented by more than 60 countries while studying at Birje University during 1993-94 and 1994-95 respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1993 and (1995-2000), he was in charge of Senior Vice-President and General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Belgium respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2001, Dr. Hasan Mahmud was appointed as special assistant to the Leader of the Opposition and President of Bangladesh Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2002, he was appointed as Secretary, Environment and Forest affair’s of Bangladesh Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2007, when the President of Bangladesh Awami League Sheikh Hasina was arrested by the Army backed government, Dr. Hasan Mahmud worked as the spokes man of the party and it was much appreciated by the workers and followers.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2008, He was elected as Member of the Parliament (MP) for the first time as defeating the Political leader Salahuddin Kader Chodhury.</div><div><br></div><div>In (2009-2013), He was appointed as Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest. Prior to this appointment, he was appointed as State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment and Forest respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>Being the youngest member in the working committee of Bangladesh Awami League, he was nominated as Environment affairs secretary in 2002.</div><div><br></div><div>Special Award:</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Hasan Mahmud, MP is a well-known environmentalist both in home and abroad. He was awarded with the “Certificate of Honorable Mention” by Green Cross International”- an Environmentalist organization for his strong role of global climate change.</div><div><br></div><div>As the President of Parliamentary Standing Committee of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of National Parliament he worked very successfully to tackle the country’s environmental and climate threatening issues. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 16:03:57', '2024-01-11 16:03:57'),
(10805, 10805, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Former US president Donald Trump arrived at a New York court today to observe closing arguments in a civil fraud trial that could hobble his business empire, as a threat against the judge overseeing the case prompted the court to bolster security.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The New York Times reported that authorities in suburban Nassau County responded to a bomb threat at the home of Justice Arthur Engoron, who has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism.</div><div><br></div><div>A court spokesman confirmed that Engoron had been threatened and a Nassau County spokesman confirmed that police had responded to a security incident at a residence at 5.30am local time, without providing further details.</div><div><br></div><div>Security has been an issue throughout the months-long trial. Engoron’s top staffer faced threats after Trump criticised her as politically biased, prompting the judge to issue a gag order barring him from disparaging court staff. Trump was fined US$15,000 for twice violating the order.</div><div><br></div><div>Most recently, Engoron yesterday denied Trump’s bid to deliver his own closing arguments after the former president would not accept ground rules barring him from making a “campaign speech.”</div><div><br></div><div>Trump has criticised the trial as a “witch hunt” and complained that he was not being allowed to make his case.</div><div><br></div><div>“I really have no rights,” Trump said as he arrived at the court. “We’ll see whether or not the judge allows me to speak.”</div><div><br></div><div>The state is seeking nearly US$370 million in penalties from the former US president for overstating his net worth to banks.</div><div><br></div><div>The lawsuit by New York’s attorney-general Letitia James alleges Trump and his associates inflated the value of his assets by billions of dollars to secure better loan terms and other financial benefits for more than a decade.</div><div><br></div><div>Some onlookers cheered and chanted “Thank you, James” as she arrived at the courthouse.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the November election, has denied wrongdoing. He has complained that the trial is interfering with his campaign but has used occasional court appearances to rally support with inflammatory remarks to news cameras assembled outside.</div><div><br></div><div>Republican voters in Iowa and New Hampshire will be the first to decide their preferred nominee this month in contests that are seen as bellwethers for the wider race.</div><div><br></div><div>The lawsuit is one of many legal troubles Trump faces, though none have diminished his commanding lead over party rivals.</div><div><br></div><div>Engoron presided over the trial in Manhattan and will issue a verdict at a later date without a jury. He found Trump liable for fraud in September, leaving the trial to focus largely on how much money Trump should surrender as ill-gotten gains.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump has appealed Engoron’s prior order and is almost certain to appeal any verdict against him, which could delay a final judgment for many months to a year or more.</div><div><br></div><div>Throughout the trial, the state’s lawyers sought to show that Trump consistently overvalued many of the towers, golf clubs, and other assets that burnished his reputation as a business mogul before he entered politics.</div><div><br></div><div>During defiant and meandering testimony in November, Trump defended the valuations of his properties, boasted of his business acumen, and accused James and Engoron of being political partisans.</div><div><br></div><div>The trial featured a tense face-to-face reunion between Trump and his one-time lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who had not seen his former employer in person since their acrimonious break five years ago. Cohen said Trump directed him to change asset values on his financial statements to arrive at whatever arbitrary net worth he desired.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump’s lawyers said Cohen lacked credibility because of his past felony convictions and open animosity toward Trump. That was the basis for one of their several bids for an immediate verdict in their favour, all of which Engoron denied.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump’s adult children Donald Jr, Eric, and Ivanka Trump also testified, saying they had little or no involvement in preparing their father’s financial statements while running the Trump Organization. All three have denied wrongdoing.</div><div><br></div><div>Unlike her brothers, Ivanka Trump is not a defendant.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump faces four potential criminal trials this year. He has been charged in Washington and Georgia for his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss, in Florida for his handling of classified documents, and in New York for hush money he paid to a porn star.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump has pleaded not guilty in all those cases. - Reuters</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-11 16:14:39', '2024-01-11 16:14:39'),
(10806, 10806, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid homage&nbsp; to the martyrs of the Liberation War, a day after taking oath to form the government for the fourth consecutive term and fifth overall.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hasina as the prime minister first placed a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at Savar, on the outskirts of the capital city around 11 in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Flanked by the new cabinet colleagues the PM also placed another wreath at the altar of the National Memorial.</div><div><br></div><div>After laying the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice for the independence of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute, while bugle played the last post on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Sheikh Hasina signed the visitors’ book kept on the National Memorial premises.</div><div><br></div><div>PM\'s younger sister Sheikh Rehana was also present.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister with her new cabinet members earlier in the morning paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi in the capital in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina took oath as the prime minister for the fifth term,foure&nbsp; days after the Awami League secured a landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7 bagging 222 parliamentary seats out of 298.</div><div><br></div><div>President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Sheikh Hasina and her new ministers at Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7.06pm on Thursday. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-12 07:13:00', '2024-01-12 07:13:00'),
(10807, 10807, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">The new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his mausoleum marking installation of her government for the fourth consecutive term and the fifth overall.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister first paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his grave in Tungipara.</div><div><br></div><div>A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute, while bugle played the last post on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Flanked by the new cabinet colleagues, Hasina, also the Awami League president, placed another wreath at the altar of the mausoleum.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina joined a special munajat and offer fateha seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, she placed another wreaths taking leaders of Kotalipara and Tungipara Awami League.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Awami League registered a landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7 bagging 222 parliamentary seats out of 298, according to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 09:18:02', '2024-01-13 09:18:02'),
(10808, 10808, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said, “They (the opposition) are looking towards their foreign friends to ensure that this government cannot stay in power. However, our Prime Minister does not care about any sanctions or visa policies.”</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He made these remarks during an exchange of views with journalists after paying tribute at the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation in Tungipara, Gopalganj.</div><div><br></div><div>At this time, he also mentioned that the opposition is hoping for sanctions like those in Cambodia. “But our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina does not worry about these sanctions or visa policies.” According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 09:42:15', '2024-01-13 09:42:15'),
(10809, 10809, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Around 4.5 kg of gold was recovered from underneath the seat of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram by National Security Intelligence (NSI) and customs detectives on Saturday morning.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Joint Director of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID), Md Saifur Rahman, confirmed the matter.</div><div><br></div><div>Acting on a tip-off, NSI and CIID officials raided Biman\'s BG-152 flight from Sharjah that landed at the airport around 8:40 am on Saturday, said the CIID official.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, they recovered the gold wrapped in four packets from underneath the seats of the aircraft.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 69 gold bangles, 11 chains, two lockets, and three rings weighing 4.5 kg, or 385.93 tolas, were found in the four packtes.</div><div><br></div><div>CIID officials said the market value of the gold is around Tk 3.85 crore, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Legal action is being taken regarding the matter, they said.&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 10:37:18', '2024-01-13 10:37:18'),
(10810, 10810, '<div>Hebrew news site, Walla, said late Friday that 4,000 Israeli soldiers have become disabled since the beginning of the war against the Gaza Strip in October, with estimations suggesting that the number could rise to 30,000.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The country is preparing to receive a large number of disabled Israeli soldiers, and after 100 days of the war, around 4,000 soldiers have already been acknowledged as having disabilities,\" it said.</div><div><br></div><div>The site considered Hamas\' attack on Oct. 7 as having \"led Israel into a war that it had not previously experienced in terms of the number of soldier injuries, but more importantly, the injuries are extremely severe.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Thanks to the devoted and high-quality care provided by rescue teams and medical teams, those with severe injuries survive,\" it said.</div><div><br></div><div>The site added that the Israeli army \"does not provide all data about the wounded to the public, for fear that it will lower people\'s morale.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Currently, about 4,000 soldiers (with disabilities) have been recognized according to classification 3, meaning they are entitled to all treatments and rights enjoyed by a disabled person in the Israeli army without being officially recognized in this way,\" said Walla.</div><div><br></div><div>It noted that salaries are being paid to injured soldiers and their treatment without the need to prove anything and that the rehabilitation process \"will begin soon to reintegrate them into life.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The site quoted Idan Kaliman, chairman of the Israel Defense Forces Organization for the Disables, who said: \"I have been in the organization for 30 years, and I have never encountered such a large number of severely wounded individuals. There are many wounded with amputated limbs, blindness, or paralysis.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Kaliman pointed out that there are \"many wounded who have had their limbs amputated, as well as those who were blinded and paralyzed.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army announced the conscription of 360,000 reservists in the ongoing war against the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, while the ground operation began Oct. 27.</div><div><br></div><div>As of early Friday, the number of officers and soldiers killed in the ranks of the army since the beginning of the war hit 520, including 186 since the start of the ground war in Gaza. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 11:18:53', '2024-01-13 11:18:53'),
(10811, 10811, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 135 Palestinians have been killed and 312 others injured in the last 24 hours, as the Israeli forces continued their onslaught on the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said on Saturday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The Israeli occupation (forces) committed 12 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 135 deaths and 312 injuries during the past 24 hours,” a ministry statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian death toll from the Israeli army\'s ongoing attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7 has risen to 23,843, with 60,317 injured, it added.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities claim the attacks by Hamas have killed around 1,200 Israelis.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicines. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 13:33:51', '2024-01-13 13:33:51'),
(10812, 10812, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Algeria described the US-British airstrikes in Yemen on Friday as a \"dangerous escalation\" that will undermine UN “efforts to find a solution to the conflict” in the country.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement the \"deep concern and regret\" about the airstrikes \"that targeted several cities in the sisterly Republic of Yemen.\"</div><div><br></div><div>It emphasized that the security of the Red Sea cannot be resolved by ignoring the clear relationship between the attacks on commercial ships by the Houthis and the massacres committed by Israel in Gaza for the last three months.</div><div><br></div><div>The statement said the Algerian government is against military interventions that could have catastrophic consequences for world peace.</div><div><br></div><div>It called on all parties to cease escalating the problem disproportionately and dangerously and to delve into the roots and real causes of the crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>US and British warplanes carried out airstrikes on targets in the cities of Sanaa, Hodeidah and Taiz in Yemen early Friday. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 13:49:40', '2024-01-13 13:49:40'),
(10813, 10813, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Russian energy giant Gazprom announced on Saturday that it set a new record for daily gas deliveries to China on Jan. 12.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The supply via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline has again exceeded the company\'s daily contractual obligations,\" the company said in a statement, without specifying how many hydrocarbons were supplied.</div><div><br></div><div>Gazprom said deliveries via the Power of Siberia are made under the terms of a bilateral long-term agreement with Chinese energy company CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation).</div><div><br></div><div>The Power of Siberia pipeline, built by Gazprom in Eastern Siberia between 2015 and 2019, transports natural gas from Russia\'s Yakutia region to China. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 14:08:20', '2024-01-13 14:08:20'),
(10814, 10814, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#634aa5\">Russia has said the leadership of Bangladesh should be recognised for creating favourable conditions for the free expression of voters’ will despite external attempts to influence the election outcome.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"External attempts to influence the election’s outcome were observed, as we mentioned on November 22 and December 15, 2023,\" Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on the parliamentary elections and appointment of a new government in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Local observers and over 200 international observers, including those from Russia, have confirmed the legitimacy of the election and its adherence to generally accepted standards, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Andrey Shutov, a member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, headed the Russian delegation in Bangladesh during the election.</div><div><br></div><div>On January 11, a new government was formed in Bangladesh, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being reappointed to the position she previously held.</div><div><br></div><div>President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin extended their congratulations to her on assuming office.</div><div><br></div><div>The ruling Bangladesh Awami League secured 222 out of the 300 seats in the parliament, winning the majority of votes.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful outcome of the election,\" said Maria Zakharova, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, she said, some opposition parties chose not to participate in the election process.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 14:25:00', '2024-01-13 14:25:00'),
(10815, 10815, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A brilliant former law student of Rajshahi University (RU), who claims to have topped both his undergratuate and post-graduate classes, announced he is returning the prizes he received from the government for outstanding academic performances, including the ‘Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal Award’.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Md Nurul Huda, who is currently practicing in the Supreme Court as a lawyer, framed his action as a surrender in the face of the \'corruption, irregularities and nepotism\' he encountered in the teacher recruitment process at RU, when he tried to join its law faculty and pursue a career in academia.</div><div><br></div><div>He also announced that he would return RU’s gold medal award on the same ground.</div><div><br></div><div>Former student Md Nurul Huda came up with the announcements at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Huda said he \"lost to the graft and nepotism in the recruitment of teachers\" when applying for a post in the university, despite securing outstanding results in his Honours and Masters.</div><div><br></div><div>He stood first in both LLB and LLM examinations and secured a CGPA of 3.64 out of 4.</div><div><br></div><div>He obtained the ‘University Gold Medal’ in 2017 and the ‘Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal’ in 2018.</div><div><br></div><div>Calling education the backbone of a nation, he alleged that financial transactions, nepotism and irregularities in such important issues as recruitment of teachers in the universities, can only spell the destruction of the country\'s education system.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am rejecting the Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal protesting corruption, irregularities and nepotism in the recruitment of teachers in different universities of the country, including Rajshahi University,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Relaying his own experience with corruption in the recruitment process for three teachers for his department in 2018, Huda alleged that the then pro vice chancellor (Pro VC) and also one of the members of the recruitment board, Chowdhury Mohammad Jakaria, proposed a recruitment scheme that would generate kickbacks for a clique within the faculty.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, another member of the recruitment board and the then chairman of the law department, Prof Abdul Hannan, took Tk 2 lakh from him as loan, he alleged.</div><div><br></div><div>Though the then-VC Abdus Sobhan,who was chairing the recruitment board, was informed about the issue, he didn’t take any action, Huda alleged.</div><div><br></div><div>“On the recommendation of the recruitment board consisting of questionable and privileged members, three teachers were appointed, all of whom had worse results than me,” said Huda, now a practising lawyer instead of perched in the academic world.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that the investigation committee of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has declared the recruitment board illegal, Huda and his wife appeared before the investigation committee formed under the direction of the Prime Minister\'s Office and the Ministry of Education in September 2020, and submitted evidence of the teacher recruitment business and various irregularities.</div><div><br></div><div>The UGC investigation committee\'s report said the allegations of teacher recruitment trade and various irregularities were proved while calling the recruitment board an illegal entity.</div><div><br></div><div>The committee’s report also recommended cancellation of the appointment of 34 teachers, including VC Abdus Sobhan\'s daughter and son-in-law, who were appointed according to the teacher recruitment policy of 2017.</div><div><br></div><div>The UGC mentioned in the report that even the Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal recipients have to run behind the teachers, or transact money for the appointment of teachers.</div><div><br></div><div>Yet after three years of publication of the investigation report by UGC, no visible steps were taken to address the situation, including no action against those involved in corruption.</div><div><br></div><div>Calling it tantamount to rejecting the Prime Minister\'s Gold Medal, Huda confirmed there were no further consequences for the perpetrators of a diabolical recruitment scheme in the education sector, leading to his actions today, in a mark of protest. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 14:39:22', '2024-01-13 15:58:27'),
(10816, 10816, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said their party is formulating fresh programmes to gear up the movement demanding a fresh election under a non-partisan government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Surely, we’re (thinking of) various programmes...our leaders are sitting almost every day...we’ll inform you once our programmes are finalised,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also said their party is still continuing its movement with various programmes. “We have the political parties with us... we have issues to talk to them... we will talk to everyone and formulate the fresh programmes, and then inform you.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the ruling party is now celebrating by forming a government with illegal entities. “Such a festival of the ruling party will one day be the festival of the people through their (AL’s) defeat and through their fall.\"</div><div><br></div><div>New AL govt is \"blackest artificial regime\": Rizvi</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said that the ruling party is rejoicing by depriving the people of their right to vote by conducting one-sided elections, just as ferocious and bloodthirsty animals like wolves and lions catch prey and feast on it.</div><div><br></div><div>“The pleasure they take in preying on people will one day lead to dire consequences for them. On that day the people will be victorious,” he warned.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said people\'s justified movement for justice and democracy will never go in vain. “It is a record of history and it is a testimony of history. The people are not defeated...evil forces can restrain the wave of people for a while but they won’t be able to stop it.</div><div><br></div><div>He alleged that their party’s jailed leaders and workers have been staying in a suffocating atmosphere as the prisons have become Hitler\'s concentration camps.</div><div><br></div><div>“The highest level of oppression has been applied there (in jails), taking away all basic human rights of (the prisoners belonging to the opposition parties),” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also claimed jailed senior BNP leaders, including its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas and Amir Khosru Mahmud</div><div><br></div><div>“The highest record number of people died in custody in a few weeks. Sheikh Hasina\'s jail is only comparable to the brutal persecution of Hitler\'s concentration camps,\" the BNP leader observed, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>He said the dummy government felt the warmth of illegal power by unleashing the law enforcers against the common people, but the farmers, labourers, day laborers and low-income people are going through serious ordeals due to shivering cold, especially in the northern part of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“I call upon the rich people and the leaders and workers of BNP to stand by the helpless people,” Rizvi added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 15:14:23', '2024-01-13 15:14:23'),
(10817, 10817, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the new tenure of her government would give foremost priority on keep rolling the development spree alongside containing the price hike of essential commodities and increasing people’s purchasing power.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Our prime task would be keep continuing the ongoing development, contain price of essentials and increase purchasing power of the people,” she said while speaking at a post-election greetings and views exchange meeting with leaders and activists of her constituency (Gopalganj-3) in Tungipara at Awami League office here.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League won 12th parliamentary election with landslide victory and formed the government for fourth consecutive term.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that there is no scarcity of food items in the market, she said, “I don’t see any major problem in rural areas, however people of limited income group living in capital Dhaka are suffering due to higher prices of various items.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina, also President of Awami League, observed that a vested quarter is responsible for price increase to multiply the sufferings of the people, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>She also laid emphasis on increasing production and strengthening supervision on supply chain.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 15:47:36', '2024-01-13 15:47:36'),
(10818, 10818, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the prime task of her new government will be to continue the development trend, control the price hike and enhance the purchasing power of the people.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while speaking at a post-election greetings exchange meeting with leaders and activists of her own constituency (Gopalganj-3) in Tungipara at Awami League office here.</div><div><br></div><div>“I do not see any major problem in rural areas, but the people who have limited income and people in Dhaka city are suffering more with the prices of various items,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also the chief of the ruling Awami League, said that there is no scarcity of food in the market.</div><div><br></div><div>“But it seems that some are intentionally increasing prices of essentials to harass people. We have to increase our supervision properly for this. We have to increase our production,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She apprehended that another blow over the global economy might come due to the attack on Houthis in Yemen by the USA and the UK.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that conspiracy against her government is still on.</div><div><br></div><div>“This conspiracy is divided into two parts. In one group are the killers or their perpetrators, war criminals whose trial was ensured, and they are hatching a conspiracy. Another one is from the international level,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said that 90 percent people of the country are muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>“And I am a woman. Being a woman I am in power for five times that is not being accepted by many countries,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that due to the geographical position many countries have their evil eyes on Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>She asserted that she will not allow anyone to unleash terrorist attacks on another country sitting in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are an independent and sovereign country, we will move independently, we might be small in size, but we have a huge population, and they are my biggest strength.”</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that there was a conspiracy for preventing her from coming to power again.</div><div><br></div><div>“They will put ( in power) anyone who will be under their extreme control so that they would play with this country. People of the country gave a befitting reply to that through the election,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that it was natural that BNP would not participate in the election.</div><div><br></div><div>“It was known. Where is their leader? They have no one as leader. But BNP wanted to foil the election,\" she stated. In this connection she mentioned about the arson terrorism by BNP.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister mentioned about the heinous acts of setting fire to trains that caused deaths of innocent people.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said that the new government has to move with utmost caution in the coming days.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to BNP’s criticism of forming cabinet quickly, she said that what would have been the justification for delaying the formation of the cabinet.</div><div><br></div><div>“We never hesitate to take decision. We knew election will he held, it was planned what will we do if we win the election or lose in the election, why should we take time, why will I waste time,” she asked.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that she wanted to use every single day as she wanted to continue the development spree of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>She sought blessings from everyone to defy all kinds of conspiracies for the continuation of country’s development to materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to establish Golden Bengal free from hunger and poverty. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-13 15:52:48', '2024-01-13 15:52:48');
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(10819, 10819, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today acknowledged the significant burden placed on low and middle-income people due to the escalating prices of daily essentials. He assured that the government is committed to maintaining the affordability of these commodities.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has emphasized the need for concerted efforts to keep commodity prices at a manageable level, ensuring they remain within the purchasing capacity of the public,” Quader stated during a press briefing at the Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing Transportation and Infrastructure Challenges</div><div><br></div><div>The road transport and bridges minister also highlighted the government’s primary challenge of restoring order on the roads. “Despite the inauguration of the Padma Bridge and Dhaka Metro Rail, road discipline is yet to be achieved. We have devised a plan which, once implemented, should restore order,” he commented, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader encouraged collective efforts towards national development and touched upon the recent election. “Contrary to the scepticism of many, we have successfully conducted the elections. We anticipate further challenges, but we stand unafraid and ready to face them,” he declared.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 11:09:17', '2024-01-14 11:09:17'),
(10820, 10820, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday directed the administration to expedite development works in the next five years.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We’ve been elected for five years. But our time is very fixed. So, I want our development works to be expedited so we can take the country forward further,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier made directives while exchanging views with the field-level government officials at her residence at Tungipara in Gopalganj.</div><div><br></div><div>She asked the field administration to consider the returns from a development project while designing and undertaking it.</div><div><br></div><div>“When you undertake any project, you must keep in mind what would be its return and how much the country and the people would be benefited, if the project is implemented,” said Hasina adding that she doesn’t take any project just only for spending money.</div><div><br></div><div>She said many countries have slipped from the track of a developing country, but Bangladesh didn’t as it has successfully overcome many obstacles and could keep a stable position in different parameters of being a developing country.</div><div><br></div><div>“So, we’ve to take preparation accordingly (for the journey as a developing country),” she said.</div><div>Taking a swipe at the critics of her government, the PM said some people and a class of people are there who don’t feel good with anything. “Most of them are very known to me. I’ve known about their activities from my student life,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said conspiracies continue against Bangladesh not only locally but also internationally. “So, don’t be upset seeing and hearing these. I am telling all about it in advance,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She asked all not to pay heed to the negative remarks against the country, rather have determination, confidence and a sense of self-esteem to continue doing whatever is necessary for the welfare of the country and the people and the development of the common people.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that many countries couldn’t think that Bangladesh would be so developed and advanced in the last 15 years, she said adding that many are envious seeing the success and development of Bangladesh in the recent years.</div><div><br></div><div>“So, don’t be worried, hesitating and reneged seeing these (rumours and negative remarks against Bangladesh). You will have to go ahead with self-confidence,” she said, pointing at the government officials.</div><div><br></div><div>Many plots and conspiracies were there to stop the January 7 election, the PM said. She expressed her gratitude to the people for their spontaneous participation in the election.</div><div><br></div><div>She extended her thanks to the Election Commission, public administration and law enforcement agencies, including armed forces for their roles in holding the 12th parliamentary election.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM directed the field administration to implement the social safety programmes properly, to ensure waste management up to union level to protect the environment, develop every upazila in a planned way and campaign further among the common people about the universal pension scheme.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that the government now provides Tk 45,000 crore subsidies to the gas and electricity sector, she stressed the need for enhancing the electricity tariff gradually not mounting inflation.</div><div>She said the cost of electricity production is very high but the electricity is given at a subsidised rate.</div><div><br></div><div>Saying that Bangladesh has already signed an agreement with India for trading in rupee, Hasina put emphasis on trading with few more countries in their currencies in order to reduce dependency on dollars. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 12:34:42', '2024-01-14 12:34:42'),
(10821, 10821, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The new season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is just around the corner, and the teams have already started gearing up for the biggest domestic cricketing event, commencing on January 19 in Dhaka.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A total of seven teams are participating in this year’s BPL. There was speculation of increasing the number of the teams, but that did not materialize.</div><div><br></div><div>While the shadow of past mismanagement allegations lingers, a beacon of hope shines – the BPL will have the Decision Review System (DRS) from the get-go, promising fairer on-field battles.</div><div><br></div><div>Durdanto Dhaka, a newcomer to the event, started their preparation on Sunday. Khaled Mahmud, their head coach, conducted the first practice session. Comilla Victorians, the BPL giants, also held their practice session on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our main goal is to secure a place in the last four,” Khaled Mahmud said. “And to win the title, you will also need the favor of your luck.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that his team doesn\'t have the big stars this time, but he is taking it as a big challenge. “It’s anybody’s game,” he said. “Taskin (Ahmed), and Shoriful (Islam) are in our team. If they can perform well, we can challenge any team.”</div><div><br></div><div>To accommodate all participants, BPL teams are practicing at different venues this year, as the BCB academy ground alone wouldn\'t suffice. BKSP, a ground more than one and a half hours drive away, is also a venue for practice for a team.</div><div><br></div><div>BPL will kick off in Dhaka, then it will travel to Sylhet before coming back to Dhaka and then traveling to Chattogram. The final phase will be played in Dhaka again.</div><div><br></div><div>In the league phase, every team will take on each other in two matches. After that, the top two teams will take on each other in the first Qualifier match. Winners will advance to the final, and the loser will take on the winner of the Eliminator, which will be played between the top third and fourth teams, in the Qualifier 2. The final of this year\'s BPL will take place on March 1 in Dhaka\'s Mirpur. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 13:39:45', '2024-01-14 13:39:45'),
(10822, 10822, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ruling out any external pressure, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will stick to its foreign policy principle – “friendship to all, malice towards none” – against the backdrop of a divided world.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“All the countries in the East and the West have expressed their willingness to work with us, with the government. At the end of the day, they are our development partners and we will work together,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Maritime Affairs Unit Secretary Rear Admiral (retd) Khurshed Alam were present at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>Meeting reporters for the first time after taking oath as the foreign minister, Hasan said the world is gradually becoming divided and it is a challenge in this changing scenario.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from forging deeper friendships with all the countries, he said the government values their concerns, too.</div><div><br></div><div>“There had been many pressures centering the election. The election was held overcoming all those pressures. We never allowed us to feel any pressure from anyone. We will work together with all,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, he said they will have no problem in working together with all as Bangladesh has willingness to get closer to all. “We want to be with all. That is our strength.”</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister laid emphasis on sending skilled manpower abroad, addressing the problems of the expatriates and encouraging them to send remittance through formal channels.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the government needs to strengthen its economic diplomacy to expand its export market and explore new markets.</div><div><br></div><div>He reiterated that at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government’s cabinet in Bangabhaban, all the ambassadors and high commissioners based in Dhaka, including those from the US, UK and the European Union (EU), were present.</div><div><br></div><div>“They all came to congratulate the current government,” said the new foreign minister.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Hasan said each country has its own “perspective and narrative,” and the government of Bangladesh values those perspectives and narratives.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s a very important ministry. It is a challenge,” he said about his new role.</div><div><br></div><div>FM Hasan said the elections were free and fair as described by international observers.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will work with all the countries – call it the West or East – for the development of our country. We believe in friendship to all and malice to none,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the election was held in a free and fair manner with the wider participation of voters in a festive atmosphere.</div><div><br></div><div>He said huge foreign observers including from the US, EU, OIC, Commonwealth, Japan and Saarc countries observed the polls and acknowledged the polls as “free and fair” with enthusiastic participation of voters.</div><div><br></div><div>“There were many barriers but the observers came to accept the polls,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister, quoting a US observer, said there are always discussions and questions about the election, and even in the US.</div><div><br></div><div>“Ministry of Information was a challenge. I met that challenge with your help. It\'s definitely a challenge in the global context and the fact that there are wars going on in different parts of the world now,” said the foreign minister while responding to a question, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, they have taken the country forward by facing all the challenges.</div><div><br></div><div>“Prime Minister has entrusted me with the responsibility of foreign ministry. Insha Allah, facing this challenge, we will move the country forward and brighten the country’s image, improve relations with the East and the West,” the foreign minister said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 14:07:54', '2024-01-14 14:07:54'),
(10823, 10823, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP on Sunday alleged that ordinary citizens of the country are suffering in the face of high inflation caused by the ‘corruption, plunder and foul play’ of the government and pro-regime business syndicate.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also alleged that Awami League remains in power by relying on foreigners after committing election crimes.</div><div><br></div><div>“Prime Minister of the illegitimate government said prices have marked a rise due to the Russia-Ukraine War and Israel\'s attack on Palestine…I would like to say that price in other countries of the world did not rise for any reason, including the Ukraine War,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said the current ‘authoritarian regime’ is indulging in widespread corruption and looting in Bangladesh in the name of ‘strange development’ by snatching all the rights of the people.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s now universally accepted that mega-corruption is happening in the name of mega-projects in Bangladesh. People belonging to the ruling party have looted all the banks. The prices of all products are now skyrocketing because of the syndicate of ministers and pro-ruling party businessmen,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi also accused the ruling party of siphoning off lakhs of crores of taka abroad from the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“A kg of potatoes can’t be bought at the price of a kg of rice. Even in this vegetable season, there are no vegetables below Tk 100 per kg…the prices of onions and green chillies have skyrocketed. People are selling their children due to hunger pangs. But the ruling party leaders are least bothered abnd rather mocking the hungry people.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He said the country\'s economy is being repeatedly hit hard because of widespread corruption and money laundering by the government.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi slammed Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for his comment that the BNP is looking at foreign friends to unseat the government with sanctions ‘like in Cambodia’.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I would like to tell Mr Obaidul Quader that it is not BNP but Awami League that has been in power depending on foreigners…there is a big power behind them. The prime minister formed the government by leaning on this power,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said Awami League fears losing power after forming a dummy government through a dummy election, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“The people have shown you (govt) the red card on January 7 to drive you out of the field completely. Voters didn’t join that one-party one-sided fake election,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said the questionable election has not been accepted anywhere – at home or abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>“The United Nations, international organisations and countries that are partners in our development have also demanded to cancel the farcical election and arrange a new election,” Rizvi added.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 14:23:13', '2024-01-14 14:23:13'),
(10824, 10824, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The chilly weather of winter brings cold waves which can harm children. During the cold months, keeping children safe from flu, colds and other kinds of winter sickness becomes a struggle for their parents. One effective way to enhance a kid’s immune system is by treating it with nutritious homemade soups. Here are some tasty soup recipes that cater to your child\'s health needs.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>10 Delicious Soups to Strengthen Kids\' Immunity This Winter</div><div>Creamy Broccoli and Cheddar</div><div>Enjoy the nutritional benefits of Creamy Broccoli and Cheddar Soup, a blend of fresh broccoli, butter, cheddar, and milk. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, broccoli enhances immunity. The soup provides essential nutrients, including calcium, supporting bone health. To make this comforting bowl, gently sauté fresh broccoli florets in butter, adding a creamy mix of cheddar and milk until velvety smooth.</div><div><br></div><div>This velvety creation is both satisfying and nourishing, offering a wholesome strategy to fortify your child against winter ailments. Incorporating broccoli\'s goodness, it contributes vitamins A and C. Relish a warm bowl of this nutrient-packed soup, making it a delicious yet health-conscious choice.</div><div><br></div><div>Hearty Chicken and Vegetable</div><div>Nourish your child with the wholesome goodness of the Chicken and Vegetable Soup. Packed with essential nutrients, this recipe combines protein-rich chicken with an array of nutritious vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions in a hearty broth. To prepare, gently simmer the chicken with the vibrant vegetable mix until it reaches perfection.</div><div><br></div><div>The dish is rich in vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C. These vitamins contribute to a strengthened immune system. Additionally, the soup provides essential minerals like iron, supporting the body\'s metabolic processes and maintaining energy levels. This nutrient-dense soup is not only comforting on winter evenings but also serves as a robust defence against seasonal illnesses.</div><div><br></div><div>Spinach and Chicken Soup</div><div>Enjoy the nourishment of Spinach and Chicken Soup, a delicious mixture designed to enhance both taste and health. Combine spinach with chicken for a nutrient-rich infusion. Simmer these ingredients, allowing the flavours to merge into a comforting soup. Serve with lemon.</div><div><br></div><div>Beyond its delicious taste, this soup is a rich source of iron from spinach, essential for maintaining healthy blood. Chicken contributes essential proteins necessary for the growth and immune function of children. Together, they create a fortifying concoction that delights the taste buds of youngsters and strengthens cold resistance too.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Nourishing Coconut Carrot Lentil</div><div>Savour the health benefits of Nourishing Coconut Carrot Lentil Soup, combining protein-packed lentils, carrots, and velvety coconut milk for a wholesome infusion. Simmer the ingredients to meld flavours seamlessly. Together, they create a nourishing symphony that boosts your child\'s immunity, ensuring good health in winter.</div><div><br></div><div>This creation acts as a strong defence against winter ailments, with essential proteins, vitamins B and C, and coconut milk adding a creamy texture rich in healthy fats. This nutrient-dense delicious soup provides nutrients, making it a health-conscious choice for your child.</div><div><br></div><div>Tomato and Basil Delight</div><div>Savour the health benefits of Tomato and Basil Delight Soup, a nutritious fusion designed to boost immunity. Simply combine tomatoes with aromatic basil, simmering until the flavours mix seamlessly.</div><div><br></div><div>This soup is a powerhouse of nutrients, providing essential vitamins such as vitamin C from tomatoes. Basil contributes additional vitamins, including vitamin K, essential for bone health. Together, they create a nourishing concoction that supports your child\'s immune system with every serving.</div><div><br></div><div>Sweet Potato and Turmeric Soup</div><div>Dive in the nourishing embrace of Sweet Potato and Turmeric Soup, a winter wellness remedy. Combine sweet potatoes with the turmeric and simmer until the flavours harmonise into a comforting amalgam. This soup is a vigorous shield against winter sickness.</div><div><br></div><div>Sweet potatoes contribute vitamins A and C, while turmeric provides anti-inflammatory benefits. Together, they form a golden potion that not only pleases the palate but also strengthens your child\'s immunity in the seasonal chill. A bowl of sweet potato soup is the epitome of healthful winter indulgence.</div><div><br></div><div>Pumpkin Spice Comfort</div><div>Indulge in the nutritional richness of Pumpkin Spice Comfort Soup, a blend that combines the benefits of pumpkin with seasonal spices. Simmer pumpkin until tender, infusing it with a medley of spices. This soup is a potent defender against winter sickness.</div><div><br></div><div>Pumpkin is rich in essential vitamins, particularly vitamin A, vital for immune function and vision. The warming spices add not only a delightful aroma but also potential therapeutic benefits. Together, they create a comforting infusion that supports your child\'s immunity during the chilly season.</div><div><br></div><div>Mushroom Magic Elixir</div><div>Delight in the rich flavours of Mushroom Magic Elixir Soup, a culinary composition that combines various mushrooms. Prepare by simmering mushrooms until their flavours meld into a satisfying symphony.</div><div><br></div><div>This soup is a powerful shield against winter sickness. Mushrooms are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin D, which supports immune function. Enjoy the umami-rich goodness of this soup for a comforting and fortifying experience amidst seasonal challenges.</div><div><br></div><div>Apple and Cinnamon Cheer</div><div>Experience the heart-warming Apple and Cinnamon Cheer Soup, a fusion that combines the sweetness of apples with the warmth of cinnamon. Simmer fresh apples until tender, infusing the broth with aromatic cinnamon.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This soup is an ally against winter sickness. Apples bring essential vitamins, particularly vitamin C, known for its immune-boosting properties. Cinnamon adds an antioxidant-rich element. Together, they create a comforting amalgamation that is tasty and healthy too. It fortifies your child\'s immunity, ensuring a healthy winter season with every spoonful.</div><div><br></div><div>Swedish Blueberry Soup</div><div>Swedish Blueberry Soup is an exotic delight that captures the essence of blueberries. Simmer fresh blueberries, sugar, and a hint of lemon for a delightful winter wellness tonic.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from its enticing taste, the soup serves as a defender against winter sickness. Blueberries, rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, strengthen the body’s cold resistance system. Embrace the Swedish tradition and enjoy the sweet, tangy warmth of this soup with each comforting sip.</div><div><br></div><div>Bottom Lines</div><div>A bowl of warm, nourishing soup is the ultimate comfort in winter. Incorporating the above-mentioned 10 immunity-boosting soup recipes into your children\'s winter diet is a flavourful and nutritious way to safeguard their health. From hearty chicken to antioxidant-rich berries, these soups ensure a well-rounded approach to fortifying their immune systems.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So, why wait? Try these delectable concoctions, and watch your children relish not only the taste but also the health benefits. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', '<p>Recipes for Children<br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 14:30:48', '2024-01-14 14:30:48'),
(10825, 10825, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>India’s main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi today began a new cross-country march from a troubled northeastern state, aiming to generate political momentum to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in general elections due by May.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, or Unite India Justice March, comes weeks after Gandhi’s Congress party suffered shock defeats in elections in three states, puncturing the mood of the opposition which intends to challenge Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</div><div><br></div><div>Gandhi walked for 3,500km from the southern tip of India to Kashmir in the north, ending a 135-day march in January 2023 in a move to help revive the Congress and his popularity.</div><div><br></div><div>The latest march, setting off from remote northeastern Manipur state will cover 6,713km over 66 days, passing through 15 states, with some of the journey via car.</div><div><br></div><div>Gandhi decided to start in Manipur, a state that has witnessed fierce fighting since last year.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 180 people have died and thousands were displaced in clashes that erupted after a court order suggested privileges granted to minority Kukis also be extended to majority Meitei community.</div><div><br></div><div>“I was determined that the march should begin in Manipur…as we understand the pain, loss, hurt and sadness you have been through,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Congress ahead of the march said it is not a political campaign, but the list of concerns that will be highlighted during the march – unemployment, poverty, democracy and diversity and the BJP’s “politics of hatred and violence” – are key election issues for the opposition.</div><div><br></div><div>Opposition groups led by Congress last year formed a 28-party alliance called INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) to jointly fight the BJP in national elections but it has been riven by differences over giving up seats to field a common candidate against the BJP.</div><div><br></div><div>Gandhi’s latest march will pass through states which are strongholds of key INDIA partners and the extent of their participation will indicate the health of the opposition, analysts said. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 14:42:19', '2024-01-14 14:42:19'),
(10826, 10826, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Four migrants died overnight and a fifth was in critical condition today after trying to reach Britain from northern France despite freezing temperatures, the French maritime authority said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The group was attempting to reach a vessel off Wimereux when their small boat got into difficulty around 2am local time, the maritime prefecture told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have four dead migrants and one migrant in a critical condition at the hospital in Boulogne-sur-mer,” said one official.</div><div><br></div><div>A tugboat patrolling the coast went to the rescue and found the bodies, the first reported migrant deaths on the Channel in 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>The region around Calais, the jumping-off point for the shortest crossing to England, has long been a magnet for migrants.</div><div><br></div><div>More than two decades after the closure of a Red Cross centre in Sangatte, hundreds of people still live in tents and makeshift shelters near Calais and Dunkirk, hoping for a chance to make the crossing hidden in a truck or aboard a small boat.</div><div><br></div><div>The boats are a political priority for the British government and a bone of contention with France, as tens of thousands of people a year have been making the dangerous crossing.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the British government nearly 30,000 migrants crossed the Channel from mainland Europe to Britain in small boats in 2023, an annual drop of more than a third.</div><div><br></div><div>In November 2021, at least 27 people drowned when their dinghy capsized. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 14:44:50', '2024-01-14 14:44:50'),
(10827, 10827, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">&nbsp;A volcano erupted in southwest Iceland today, posing an immediate <b>threat to a nearby fishing town that had been evacuated over fears of an outbreak, authorities said.</b></span><b><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Early morning live streams from the site showed fountains of molten rock spewing from fissures in the ground, the bright orange lava flow glowing against the dark sky.</div><div><br></div><div>The eruption began north of the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated yesterday for a second time over fears that an outbreak was imminent amid a swarm of seismic activity, authorities said.</div><div><br></div><div>Iceland in recent weeks sought to build barriers of earth and rock to prevent lava from reaching Grindavik, but the latest eruption appeared to have penetrated the defences.</div><div><br></div><div>“According to the first images from the coast guard’s surveillance flight, a crack has opened on both sides of the defences that have begun to be built north of Grindavik,” the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“Lava is now flowing towards Grindavik. Based on measurements from the coast guard’s helicopter, the perimeter is now about 450m from the northernmost houses in the town,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the second volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland in less than one month and the fifth outbreak since 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, an eruption started in the Svartsengi volcanic system on Dec 18 following the complete evacuation of Grindavik’s 4,000 residents and the closing of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular tourist spot.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 100 Grindavik residents had returned in recent weeks before yesterday’s renewed evacuation order, according to local authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Iceland’s civil protection agency today said it had raised its alert level to ’emergency’, the highest on a three-level scale, signaling an event had begun that could cause harm to people, communities, property or the environment.</div><div><br></div><div>Lying between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, two of the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hot spot as the two plates move in opposite directions. - Reuters</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 14:46:56', '2024-01-14 14:46:56'),
(10828, 10828, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pope Francis on Sunday called all forms of war a \"crime against humanity,\" stressing that war is \"not the way to resolve\" conflicts.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"War itself is a crime against humanity. People need peace. The world needs peace,\" Francis said during his Sunday Angelus prayer, according to Vatican News.</div><div><br></div><div>\"At the beginning of the year, we exchanged wishes for peace, but weapons have continued to kill and destroy,\" he lamented.</div><div><br></div><div>The pontiff urged \"people who have power over these conflicts\" to realize that war is \"not the way to resolve them.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"We must educate for peace,\" Francis said. \"It seems that we are not yet — all of humanity — with a sufficient education to stop every war. Let us always pray for this grace: to educate for peace.\" - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 14:48:51', '2024-01-14 14:48:51'),
(10829, 10829, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh will have to continue progressing overcoming the conspiracies.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Conspiracies and plots never end. So, we’ll have to move forward facing the conspiracies,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier was addressing a post-election greetings and views exchange with leaders and activists of Kotalipara AL and associate bodies at her own constituency (Gopalganj-3) on Kotalipara Upazila premises here.</div><div><br></div><div>She said there is a lot of work to do in the future. The Awami League government has been able to transform the country into Digital Bangladesh and change the fate of the people of Bangladesh. “We’ll have to make it (the progress) sustainable and take it forward further,” she added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Describing her Gopalganj-3 constituency (Tungipara-Kotalipara) as her stronghold,&nbsp; Hasina said she can confront any sort of conspiracy anywhere as she has a stronghold.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the people of Bangladesh are the source of her power and she successfully faced the conspiracies with this power. “The development trend of Bangladesh will continue in future as well, \" she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The people of every village will enjoy all urban facilities,” she said, adding that her government will build the villages under the “My Village My Town” programme.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said the government won’t make any compromise in punishing the arsonists and their masterminds in order to prevent recurrence of such heinous acts in future.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re taking action and will take action against them…. We’re also arresting the order-givers so that none can kill people by burning and commit such heinous acts in future,” she said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>PM\'s younger sister Sheikh Rehana, Sheikh Helal Uddin MP and Sheikh Salauddin Jewel were present on the dais. Kotalipara AL President Babu Bhabendranath Bishwas chaired the function, while its general secretary Aynal Hossain Sheikh conducted it.</div><div><br></div><div>AL advisory council member Akram Uddin Ahmed, Gopalganj Awami League president Mahbub Ali Khan and PM\'s political representative in her Gopalganj-3 constituency Shahidullah Khandaker also spoke at the programme, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>She came to Tungipara on Saturday and joined a post-election greetings and views exchange meeting with leaders and activists of Tungipara Awami League and associate bodies at Tungipara Awami League office.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, she spent the night at her own home in Tungipara, and on her way back to Dhaka joined the programme in Kotalipara.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-14 14:51:30', '2024-01-14 14:51:30'),
(10830, 10830, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi on Monday (January 15, 2024) congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her reelection and wished to enhance the existing bilateral relations further for mutual benefits.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“I extend my warmest congratulations to Your Excellency on winning the general elections that took place recently in your country, securing a new term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh,” Sisi said a letter sent to the Bangladesh Prime Minister.</div><div><br></div><div>The Egyptian president continued that her reelection reflects the confidence and trust Bangladeshis have in her able leadership to achieve further progress, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Seizing this good opportunity, it is my pleasure to acknowledge that Egypt and Bangladesh share a long history of friendship and cooperation, and I am confident that the bilateral relations between our two countries will continue to grow over the coming years for the mutual benefit of our peoples,\" Sisi said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Reiterating my congratulations, please accept my sincerest wishes for the best of your well-being and continued success and for the welfare and prosperity of the friendly people of Bangladesh,” the Egyptian President added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 09:04:16', '2024-01-15 09:04:16'),
(10831, 10831, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said China is ready to work with Bangladesh to expand new cooperation in a wider range of areas.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He mentioned higher levels of connectivity, renewable energy, the Blue Economy, financial stability, digital empowerment, scientific and technological innovation, agriculture and food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable development as areas of cooperation.</div><div><br></div><div>\"With joint efforts, we will achieve common development and promote together the building of a community with a shared future for mankind,\" said Ambassador Yao in an article.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ambassador said the two nations are set to embrace a historic opportunity to further elevate bilateral relations and friendly cooperation in various fields by 2025, the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the past 52 years since its independence, Bangladesh has always been committed to exploring the path of modernization in line with its own national conditions, and has made commendable achievements, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ambassador said China hopes that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the new Bangladeshi government will lead the people to proceed faster and steadier on the path of national prosperity and rejuvenation.</div><div><br></div><div>On January 11, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier of State Council Li Qiang sent congratulatory messages to Sheikh Hasina on her reelection as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The Chinese leaders expected that the two countries would make joint efforts to further implement the important consensus President Xi Jinping reached with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Johannesburg, South Africa last August, enhance political mutual trust, promote traditional friendship, further synergize development strategies, and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, so as to uplift the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new height.</div><div><br></div><div>China and Bangladesh are both developing and populous countries at a critical stage of their respective development and revitalisation, said the Ambassador.</div><div><br></div><div>China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world, forging a broader international consensus, proposing more effective solutions and enhancing the practicality and guidance for building a community with a shared future for humankind.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We advocate that the multipolar world should be equal, that is, to insist on the equality of all countries, oppose hegemony and power politics, oppose the monopoly of a few countries in international affairs, and effectively promote the democratisation of international relations,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>International issues should be resolved through consultation among all countries, and the future and destiny of the world should be in the hands of all countries, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Building a community with a shared future for humankind underscores the general trend of history and the direction of the people’s hearts, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“More and more countries have come to realize that the future of the world should be jointly controlled by all countries, and created by all of us hand in hand,” added the Ambassador.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 10:06:23', '2024-01-15 10:06:23'),
(10832, 10832, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An ethnic armed group in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine said it has taken control of a town bordering India and Bangladesh, marking the latest loss for the military government as it battles rebellion in several parts of the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Myanmar is in the throes of an insurgency on multiple fronts, where allied anti-junta groups backed by a pro-democracy parallel government have seized control of several military posts and towns.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the biggest challenge the junta has faced since it mounted a coup against an elected government in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA) said late yesterday it had conquered Paletwa, a port town on the Kaladan River that is key to trade with neighbouring countries.</div><div><br></div><div>“Regarding border stability issues, we will cooperate at our best with neighbouring countries,” said AA spokesman Khine Thu Kha in a statement, adding the group will take over administration and law enforcement in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesman for the junta did not respond to a request for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters could not independently verify the AA’s claim.</div><div><br></div><div>The fall of Paletwa in the west comes after another rebel group in the Three Brotherhood Alliance took Laukkai town in Shan state on the border with China.</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, the junta agreed a ceasefire with that group, the TNLA, for the region bordering China.</div><div><br></div><div>The talks were held in the Chinese city of Kunming and facilitated by Chinese officials.</div><div><br></div><div>But yesterday, the rebel alliance said junta forces are breaching the ceasefire agreement, launching attacks in several townships in Shan state. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 10:46:36', '2024-01-15 10:46:36'),
(10833, 10833, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Hundreds of thousands of people on France’s Indian Ocean island of Reunion hunkered down in their homes under a strict lockdown today as a devastating storm that has already left one dead started to rip through the territory.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Cyclone Belal hit Reunion, one of France’s overseas territories that span the globe from the Caribbean to the Pacific, moving in from the northwest packing “extreme winds”, according to Meteo-France.</div><div><br></div><div>“The eye of the storm is passing over the Reunion Island, starting from the northern part,” the meteorological service said in its latest public bulletin.</div><div><br></div><div>It had previously said that Belal is not, however, expected to become an intense tropical cyclone.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re into the hard part,” prefect Jerome Filippini, the island’s top Paris-appointed official, told France Inter.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will have a difficult and dangerous Monday”.</div><div><br></div><div>While initial damage was still moderate “one homeless person who had not taken shelter” died as a result of the storm in the western settlement of St Gilles, the prefecture said.</div><div><br></div><div>In preparation for gusty winds that could exceed 250kph in the highlands, authorities hoisted the violet-level alert, indicating imminent danger, at 6am, putting all 870,000 inhabitants, including the emergency services, on strict lockdown.</div><div><br></div><div>“All circulation is formally prohibited for any reason whatsoever, and until further notice,” the official statement said. Even security forces have been prohibited from moving.</div><div><br></div><div>Reunion, known as La Reunion in French, is located east of Madagascar and has a population of almost 900,000.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Stay at home’</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities urged islanders to stock up on food and water and stay indoors for 36 hours.</div><div><br></div><div>They were told not to leave home “for any reason”, unplug all devices, not use tap water and only use the telephone for an emergency.</div><div><br></div><div>Expecting waves up to 13m to 15m high, the entire coastline was put on alert.</div><div><br></div><div>Many balconies and gardens had been cleared of any objects that could be carried away or broken, and shopkeepers took in removable signs.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are not going to play heroes, we were told to stay at home,” Jules Dafreville, who lives in the capital St-Denis, said yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>“I returned in the middle of the afternoon and I don’t plan to come out before … Tuesday morning.”</div><div><br></div><div>The island’s main airport said it was suspending flight operations.</div><div><br></div><div>French president Emmanuel Macron took to social media yesterday to urge residents to stay indoors.</div><div><br></div><div>“Be careful, stay at home,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Devastating winds’</div><div><br></div><div>The last major cyclone to hit Reunion was in 2014.</div><div><br></div><div>But speaking about the dangers of the current storm, authorities evoked Cyclone Firinga in 1989, which destroyed hundreds of homes and dumped record-breaking rain.</div><div><br></div><div>Meteo-France warned of a possible “lull” as the eye of the storm tracked over the island, but added, “this should not be understood as the end of the cyclone”.</div><div><br></div><div>“Quite the opposite, as the winds will pick up again in completely different directions,” said Celine Jauffret at the forecasting service.</div><div><br></div><div>The weather service warned that winds could exceed 200kph on the coast and 250kph or more in the highlands.</div><div><br></div><div>“These are destructive and devastating winds that could cause major damage,” said Sebastien Langlade, head of forecasting at Meteo-France Reunion.</div><div><br></div><div>Residents were also warned to beware potentially flooded rivers.</div><div><br></div><div>Six emergency health centres were set up for people requiring treatment, in addition to the 142 accommodation centres across the country for people to use in the event of flooding.</div><div><br></div><div>Olivier Blondet, manager of two restaurants and a nightclub in St-Denis, prepared his three establishments for the worst.</div><div><br></div><div>He fixed the sofa on his terrace to the railings and removed blunt objects, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re trying to make sure there’s absolutely nothing that can come off the ground and be thrown onto the windows or walls,” he said on BFMTV.</div><div><br></div><div>In St-Denis, around 20 homeless people were taken to a shelter. According to AFP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 10:49:21', '2024-01-15 10:49:21');
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(10834, 10834, '<div><b><font color=\"#311873\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday issued warning against entertaining any sort of corruption and irregularities in any public sector, including public procurement.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>“I will not tolerate any kind of corruption and irregularity to ensure transparency and accountability in all areas including government procurement,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister conveyed the stern message while delivering her introductory speech at the maiden cabinet meeting of the new government held at her office (PMO).</div><div><br></div><div>She said that transparency and accountability of government activities must be ensured.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Special attention should be given to government revenue expenditure, public procurement and transparency must be ensured with accountability. I will not tolerate any kind of corruption and irregularity here,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that corruption is not good for any country.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We will use whatever resources we have appropriately. We will proceed by maintaining financial discipline,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said that Bangladesh has limited resources, but a huge population.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We have to ensure welfare of the people with our limited resources,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Directing to ensure transparency in the social security sector, the prime minister said that attention should also be paid to make sure that the right people are getting the old age and social security allowances.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, the fifth-time prime minister of the country, asked the parties concerned to take measures to bring drugs under control.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the inflation, she said that the prices of the various commodities are high but there is no shortage of the items.</div><div><br></div><div>She stressed the need for controlling&nbsp; the inflation saying \"Only then the common people of Bangladesh will get the benefits of growth,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that the government since 2009 has been able to bring down food inflation from 12 per cent to nine per cent.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“All others fell to 8 percent. But we have to reduce it further,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that farmers are happy when food prices rise.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“But the consumers suffer. The pressure is on them. It has to be balanced, we have to act very quickly on how to make it consistent,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She reiterated her call to check wastage of public money, even in taking any kind of development project and maintain austerity in every sphere of life.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina asked authorities concerned to put the price manipulators under strict surveillance.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she referred to upcoming Ramadan, and said only a limited number of groups import food products.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“They also always want to play a game here. In that case we have to take our own preparations,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that the products that needed most during Ramadan should be maintained at tolerable price and they should be available in the market and the supply should be uninterrupted, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Appropriate measures should be taken in this regard,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She also put emphasis on the implementation of the election pledges. She asked to diversify the export items and find new markets.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 11:16:35', '2024-01-15 11:16:35'),
(10835, 10835, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Turkish police detained Israeli footballer Sagiv Jehezkel and were questioning him today over a message he displayed on his wrist during a top tier match alluding to the passage of 100 days since the Oct 7 Hamas attack in Israel, state media said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Turkish justice minister Yilmaz Tunc said prosecutors were investigating Jehezkel on a charge of “inciting people to hatred and hostility” for displaying a note written on his bandaged wrist saying “100 days, 7.10”, alongside a Jewish Star of David emblem.</div><div><br></div><div>Jehezkel, 28, held his clenched fist aloft to display the message after scoring a goal for his team, the southern Turkish club Antalyaspor, against Trabzonspor in Turkey’s Super Lig yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>Antalya prosecutors launched an investigation into Jehezkel “due to his ugly gesture supporting Israel’s massacre in Gaza after scoring a goal” Tunc said on social media platform X.</div><div><br></div><div>State-owned Anadolu news agency said the process of taking the player’s statement was continuing, citing Antalyaspor’s spokesman saying lawyers were working on annulling his contract.</div><div><br></div><div>Fighters from the Islamist group Hamas stormed through Israeli communities on Oct 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 240 hostages.</div><div><br></div><div>The subsequent war reached 100 days yesterday, with Israeli tanks and aircraft hitting targets in southern and central Gaza amid fierce gun battles in some areas.</div><div><br></div><div>The Gaza health ministry said the death toll from Israeli strikes is almost 24,000, with more than 60,000 wounded.</div><div><br></div><div>Rallies in support of the hostages still being held in Gaza were held in Israel and elsewhere yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>Turkey has been a fierce critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, launched in response to the Oct 7 attack. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 11:20:54', '2024-01-15 11:20:54'),
(10836, 10836, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has invited his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud to visit New Delhi at a mutually convenient time.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma extended the invitation on behalf of the Indian External Affairs Minister on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud accepted the invitation and told him that he would visit Delhi soon. He revealed he plans his first bilateral visit to India.</div><div><br></div><div>The visit aims to further strengthen diplomatic ties, with the exact date to be decided later.</div><div><br></div><div>Additionally, Mahmud is set to embark on a multilateral tour to Uganda this week</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting with the Indian High Commissioner marked Hasan Mahmud\'s first diplomatic engagement since assuming the office of foreign minister.</div><div><br></div><div>He noted the successful holding of the 12th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on January 7, which was free, fair and participatory, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>He also noted that international elections observers and media who visited Dhaka to cover elections expressed their satisfaction over the election process.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Mahmud mentioned that BNP is resorting to arson in the name of movement and protests and no discussions can be held with ine who patronizes this kind of heinous activities.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The new foreign minister thanked the government of India and Dr. Jaisankar for their Messages of Congratulations.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar congratulated Dr Hasan Mahmud on his appointment as the new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>“Look forward to working to further deepen the India-Bangladesh Maitri (friendship),” he said in a message shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 14:32:21', '2024-01-15 14:32:21'),
(10837, 10837, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today said that they have got huge public support in the January 7 election due to having confidence and trust of the people in her party.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Since we have a strong political party like the Awami League, we have gained support, confidence and trust of the people. This time election reflects the fact immensely,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister was first addressing a joint meeting of the AL\'s central executive council, advisory council and its associate bodies at the party\'s central office at Banganandhu Avenue here this afternoon after winning the January 7 election with landslide victory.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL President said the general people of the villages have trust on her party as their fate is changed whenever they assume power.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They (the people) have no trust in others (remaining political parties \" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>So, the Premier asked the party men to devote themselves to change the fate of the poor and distressed people and give them a better and beautiful life following the ideal of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have to meet the aspirations of them. We must&nbsp; bear in mind always on how&nbsp; can&nbsp; we change the fate of the general people&nbsp; making&nbsp; one from a day labourer to a farmer and how to give the poor people&nbsp; an improved life,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the absolute victory in the January 7 election, Sheikh Hasina said political organisation is the most important thing and nothing can be achieved without a party\'s support.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that strength is required to achieve any success, the Premier said, \"And our strength is the people of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Awami League and our associate organisations.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said that the government has successfully overcome the challenges of Covid-19 as it got the support of a political party such as the Awami League, reports BSS.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Whatever we do using administration, it is hard to achieve success without the support of any political organisation and people,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister, however, thanked the AL leaders and activists for entrusting her with the charge of the party president in 1981 that paved her return to the country from long-forced exile.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I have come to the AL office as it is my main root. So, I am here today. I may sit with all at the Ganabhaban. We have done everything, including the struggle and movement from there. I have a lot of memories of it,\" she said, giving a brief description of what she did after winning the election.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 14:58:00', '2024-01-15 14:58:00'),
(10838, 10838, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday predicted the current government would not be able to cling to power with the help of its foreign masters.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Sheikh Hasina thinks that she’ll stay in power with the patronage of her masters. Those days are over,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a doa and milad mahfil, the BNP leader said the country’s people showed \'signs of victory\' by boycotting the national election on January 7, resulting in low turnout. “You (govt) should grasp the pulse of the people from it.”</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiyatabdi Mohila Dal arranged the programme on the ground floor of the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office seeking the recovery of ailing party chairperson Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said the people are now in a movement and they will be there on the streets in the coming days to make the programme a success.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that Bangladesh has a history of protesting against injustice and overthrowing autocratic leaders eventually, Rizvi predicted Hasina\'s fate would be no different: “Sheikh Hasina\'s government will also be washed away…”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said the government shows the Padma Bridge and flyovers as signs of its development, \"while poor people sell their children to feed themselves\". He expects the people to be there on the streets again, to realise their demands and reclaim their rights.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi slammed Law Minister Anisul Huq for disputing a statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, that contained a warning that Bangladesh\'s democracy must not turn \'cosmetic\'.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister claimed Turk\'s statement in its entirety may have been uninformed.</div><div><br></div><div>“He (Huq) is a minister of Awami League government because he can lie. If he could tell the truth, Awami League would not have made him minister,\" he concluded.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Rizvi along with BNP leaders and activists brought out a procession in the city’s Shantinagar area demanding the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other jailed leaders and workers of the party. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 15:17:38', '2024-01-15 15:17:38'),
(10839, 10839, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A volcano that erupted in southwest Iceland for the second time in less than a month, setting fire to several houses in a fishing town, appeared to be less active early today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“A black day” read the front page headline of Icelandic daily Morgunbladid across an image of bright-orange lava fountains and houses burning in the town of Grindavik, some 40km southwest of the capital Reykjavik.</div><div><br></div><div>Molten lava flows reached the outskirts of Grindavik around noon yesterday, setting three houses alight, although the town was evacuated earlier and there was no immediate danger to people.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the second eruption on the peninsula of Reykjanes in four weeks and the fifth since 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>Live video footage today showed glimpses of orange lava still flowing to the surface but at smaller volumes, and further away from the town.</div><div><br></div><div>Geologists yesterday said magma corridors were believed to be flowing underneath the abandoned town, however, posing continued risk.</div><div><br></div><div>“Unfortunately (the lava) went a little bit more south than we had hoped for,” the head of Iceland’s civil protection and emergency management, Vidir Reynisson, told a press conference late yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>Nevertheless, the defensive barriers built to the north of Grindavik had helped divert the flows of lava to the west, away from the town, Reynisson said.</div><div><br></div><div>Residents of Grindavik, a town of some 4,000 people before it was evacuated in November, said it was difficult to watch televised images of the fires.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is serious, it’s basically as bad as it can possibly get. Although it might get even worse, who knows,” evacuated resident Jon Gauti Dagbjartsson told Reuters late yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>“I actually live in the house that I was born in and it’s a tough thought to think that this town might be over, and I would have to start all over somewhere else. But if that’s the case, then that’s exactly what we’ll do,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Icelandic government will meet today to decide on support for the people of Grindavik.</div><div><br></div><div>“We need to put a lot of extra efforts into finding more housing, suitable housing,” Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir said.</div><div><br></div><div>Located between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates, among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hot spot as the two plates move in opposite directions. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 15:25:41', '2024-01-15 15:25:41'),
(10840, 10840, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An explosion at a furniture workshop in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku today killed six people and injured two dozen others, officials said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Video footage shared by the emergencies ministry showed rescuers lifting a man from the smouldering rubble of a burnt out building, while firefighters combed the wreckage for survivors.</div><div><br></div><div>“The bodies of six people have been found and removed from the rubble,” the prosecutor’s office said.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 24 people were injured, three of whom were pulled from the rubble, it said earlier.</div><div><br></div><div>The cause of the blast was not immediately clear but prosecutors said they had launched a criminal investigation into a breach of “fire safety regulations”.</div><div><br></div><div>The incident came a week after a blaze at a maternity clinic in Baku left four infants dead, a case the president vowed to personally oversee.</div><div><br></div><div>In April 2022, a gas tank explosion at a nightclub in the capital killed one person and injured 37 others. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 15:50:58', '2024-01-15 15:50:58'),
(10841, 10841, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza reported on Monday more than 24,000 deaths in the war with Israel which has sent shockwaves across the region, as the fighting passed the grim 100-day milestone.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Deadly violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and along Israel\'s border with Lebanon as well as strikes by US forces and Iran-backed Yemeni rebels in the Red Sea have raised fears of an escalation beyond the Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>The war, sparked by Palestinian attacks on Israel, has created a humanitarian catastrophe for the 2.4 million people in the besieged strip, the United Nations and aid groups warn, and reduced much of the territory to rubble.</div><div><br></div><div>The health ministry in Gaza, ruled by Hamas since 2007, reported more than 60 \"martyrs\" overnight, in what the group\'s media office described as \"intense\" Israeli bombardment across Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>The Hamas government media office said two hospitals, a girls\' school and \"dozens\" of homes were hit.</div><div><br></div><div>Hospitals in Gaza have been hit repeatedly since the war erupted, and the World Health Organization (WHO) says most of them are no longer functioning.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli military accuses Hamas militants of operating out of civilian facilities or from tunnels under them, a charge the Islamist group denies.</div><div><br></div><div>AFPTV footage showed smoke billowing over Khan Yunis, southern Gaza\'s main city, as explosions could be heard from nearby Rafah, on the territory\'s southern border with Egypt.</div><div><br></div><div>The army said its forces had struck \"two terrorists loading weapons into a vehicle\" in Khan Yunis and raided \"a Hamas command centre\" there and seized weapons.</div><div><br></div><div>In central Israel, which has been largely spared the current violence, a suspected car ramming attack on Monday killed one woman and injured at least 12 other people, police said, announcing the arrest of two Palestinian men. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 16:00:50', '2024-01-15 16:00:50'),
(10842, 10842, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ukraine said today it had destroyed a Russian Beriev A-50 spy plane and an Ilyushin Il-22 airborne command post in the Sea of Azov area, dealing a blow to Russian military operations in occupied southern Ukraine.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Ukraine’s air force destroyed an enemy A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and an enemy IL-22 air control centre,” army chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi wrote on the Telegram messaging app.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am grateful to the air force for the perfectly planned and executed operation in the Azov Sea region!”</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters was unable to verify the statement independently.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian defence ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ukrainian defence ministry valued the A-50 aircraft at US$330 million.</div><div><br></div><div>Kyiv’s statements did not say how the planes had been destroyed.</div><div><br></div><div>The A-50, which first came into service near the end of the Soviet era, is a large Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft that can scan an area several hundred kilometres across for enemy aircraft, ships and missiles.</div><div><br></div><div>Some Russian military bloggers said the downing of the aircraft would be a huge loss for Russia’s air force, since there was a limited number of the planes in service.</div><div><br></div><div>“It will be another dark day for the Russian aerospace forces and air defence,” wrote Rybar, a blogger with nearly 1.2 million subscribers that supports and provides running commentary on Russia’s war in Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are not many A-50s. And the specialists operating them are generally rare. If an aircraft of this type is hit, the crew will not be able to escape.”</div><div><br></div><div>It was not clear how many A-50s Russia has in service.</div><div><br></div><div>London-based think tank IISS said in a 2021 report that Russia had nine A-50 aircraft in operation, including four modernised A-50U planes.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian defence ministry said early last year that the modernised A-50U had been carrying out missions during the war in Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>The aircraft, which goes by the Nato reporting name of Mainstay, can detect more than 300 targets simultaneously, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>It can detect and track a missile launch at a distance of 800km and ground and sea targets at 300km. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 16:11:03', '2024-01-15 16:11:03'),
(10843, 10843, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-1 to win the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Vinicius Junior scored twice in the seventh and 10th minutes and his third goal came from a penalty kick in the 38th minute at Riyadh\'s Al -Awwal Stadium.</div><div><br></div><div>The 23-year-old Junior became the first Brazilian to score a hat-trick against Barcelona for Real Madrid.</div><div><br></div><div>Robert Lewandowski made a classy-long range finish for Barca in the 33rd minute.</div><div><br></div><div>In the 64th minute, Rodrygo made the score 4-1 with a goal from close range.</div><div><br></div><div>Barcelona were down to 10 men after Ronald Araujo received a red card in the 71st minute.</div><div><br></div><div>The Supercopa de Espana, or Spanish Super Cup, is contested by the winners and runners-up of the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) and Spanish La Liga. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 16:19:28', '2024-01-15 16:19:28'),
(10844, 10844, '<div><b><font color=\"#311873\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Bangladesh Bank (BB) will announce its next monetary policy on Wednesday for the second half of the fiscal year 2023-24 to tame inflation and ease exchange rate pressure.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>As part of the preparation, the draft of the monetary policy was approved at the central bank board meeting on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>Officials who attended the board meeting told UNB that the exchange rates would not be real market-based in the upcoming monetary policy as the foreign exchange market is not stable yet.</div><div><br></div><div>The government policymakers instructed to keep the market under control by following the crawling peg system.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“Crawling pegs help control currency movement, especially when there are&nbsp; threats of devaluation. The purpose of crawling pegs is to provide stability,” said an official of the BB involved in the preparation of the monetary policy statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The monetary policy will focus on controlling&nbsp; the growing inflation, which has been a burning issue over the last eight months.</div><div><br></div><div>Economist and co-founder of PRI Dr Sadiq Ahmed, Director General of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Research (BIDS) Binayak Sen, and Chairman of the Economics Department of the Dhaka University Masuda Yasmin are in the monetary policy committee. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-15 16:47:44', '2024-01-15 16:48:05'),
(10845, 10845, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the absolute win of Awami League in the January 7 election was the victory of Bangladesh, its people, and continuation of democracy and development.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister was addressing several hundred expatriate Awami League leaders from across the globe gathered at her official residence Ganabhaban to congratulate her on her party\'s fourth consecutive win in the parliamentary election</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, who is also the chief of ruling Awami League, said that her government has been able to ensure people\'s right to vote in this month\'s election. </div><div><br></div><div>“We have ensured the constitutional right of the people,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said that the election was highly competitive as Awami League has opened the contest to all.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have given our electoral symbol boat to our candidates and asked others from the party to participate in the election whoever were interested,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about BNP which did not participate in the election, she questioned how will they come to the election. </div><div><br></div><div>“In 2008 election BNP with their 20 party alliance got 30 seats only while AL alone bagged 233 seats,” she added. That election was held under a neutral caretaker government.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she mentioned that many people thought in 2008 that BNP is equal to Awami League considering the organisational strength. </div><div><br></div><div>“But it was proved wrong in 2008 election,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>After that, she said, BNP never wanted election. They insread unleashed arson attacks killing people and set fire to trains to foil the elections, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“The more they (BNP) unleash the arson attack the more people will reject them. They know that they were rejected by the people,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that\'s  why  BNP does not want to participate in the election.</div><div><br></div><div>“Rather they wanted to spoil the election and looked to the illegal way to be in the power,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 08:55:40', '2024-01-16 15:43:06'),
(10846, 10846, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In a bold initiative to ensure medical compliance and public safety, Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen has directed immediate closure of all unregistered hospitals, diagnostic centers, and clinics. Addressing the media at the Secretariat, the minister emphasized the urgency of this action, citing both the need for medical safety and the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dr Sen, taking a personal tone, revealed, “I myself have been a victim of an unlicensed hospital. Therefore, I will not tolerate such negligence.” His stern message was clear: unauthorized medical facilities must voluntarily cease operations or face severe consequences from the health ministry. This directive aligns with his previously declared position against corruption and malpractice in the healthcare sector.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing Ayan’s tragic death</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the severity of consequences, the health minister discussed the heart-wrenching case of child Ayan’s death. “The incident of Ayan’s death is deeply tragic. We are awaiting the investigating committee’s report, and rest assured, appropriate actions will follow,” Dr Sen assured.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the day, Ayan’s father, Shamim Ahmed, accompanied by family members, met with Minister Sen at the Secretariat. They presented a detailed account of the events leading to Ayan’s untimely demise, alongside a call for a thorough and fair investigation into his death.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Ahmedul Kabir, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), affirmed that the crackdown on unregistered entities is imminent. “It’s mandatory for all, including United Health Service, to be duly licensed. We have a considerable number of registered facilities, but being large-scale doesn’t exempt anyone from compliance,” he stated.</div><div><br></div><div>Rising COVID-19 Concerns and Preventive Measures</div><div><br></div><div>In the wake of identifying new COVID-19 variants and increasing infections in countries including India, the health minister expressed his deep concern. He urged high-risk groups to minimize public gatherings and called for universal mask usage. In a significant public health initiative, the government plans to administer the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 1.25 crore people this year, with a long-term goal of reaching 2.5 crore people over two years. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 09:16:03', '2024-01-16 09:16:03'),
(10847, 10847, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Iran said late Monday it had launched strikes against a “spy headquarters and gathering of anti-Iranian terrorist groups” shortly after missiles hit an upscale area near the U.S. consulate in Irbil, the seat of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The security council of the Kurdish regional government said in a statement that four civilians were killed and six injured in the strikes.</div><div><br></div><div>Peshraw Dizayi, a prominent local businessman with a portfolio that included real estate and security services companies, was killed in one of the strikes along with members of his family, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, by former Iraqi member of parliament Mashan al-Jabouri, who said that one of the missiles had fallen on Dizayi’s “palace, next to my house, which is under construction on the road to the Salah al-Din resort.”</div><div><br></div><div>Other regional political figures also confirmed Dizayi\'s death.</div><div><br></div><div>Soon after, a statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on state media said it had struck “terrorist operations” including Islamic State targets in Syria “and destroyed them by firing a number of ballistic missiles.” Another statement claimed that it had hit a headquarters of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, in the Kurdish region of Iraq.</div><div><br></div><div>The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility earlier this month for two suicide bombings targeting a commemoration for an Iranian general slain in a 2020 U.S. drone strike. The attack in Kerman killed at least 84 people and wounded an additional 284 at a ceremony honoring Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, Iran accused Israel of killing a high-ranking Iranian general, Seyed Razi Mousavi, in an airstrike on a Damascus neighborhood.</div><div><br></div><div>An Iraqi security official said Irbil was targeted with “several” ballistic missiles but did not give further details. An official with an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia said 10 missiles fell in the area near the U.S. consulate. He said the missiles were launched by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity.</div><div><br></div><div>A U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that had not been made public said the U.S. tracked the missiles, which hit in northern Iraq and northern Syria, and no U.S. facilities were struck or damaged in the attacks. The official said initial indications were that the strike were “reckless and imprecise.”</div><div><br></div><div>In 2022, Iran claimed responsibility for a missile barrage that struck in the same area near the sprawling U.S. consulate complex in Irbil, saying it was retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard.</div><div><br></div><div>The strikes come at a time of heightened tensions in the region and fears of a wider spillover of the ongoing war in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have launched near-daily drone attacks on bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, which the groups have said was in retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel, and in an attempt to force U.S. troops to leave the region. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 10:05:52', '2024-01-16 10:05:52'),
(10848, 10848, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Five members of a family suffered burn injuries as miscreants set a house on fire in Dhaka’s Keraniganj early today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Aminul Islam, additional superintendent of police, said miscreants set the house of one Julhas on fire by pouring petrol at 4 am. They also locked the door from the outside.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Julhas along with his two children and two other family members sustained burn injuries in the fire.</div><div><br></div><div>Hearing their screams for help, neighbours rescued them with burn injuries.</div><div><br></div><div>On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire.</div><div><br></div><div>The injured were taken to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.</div><div><br></div><div>Police are trying to arrest the arsonists, said Aminul Islam, according to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 10:20:44', '2024-01-16 10:20:44'),
(10849, 10849, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#085294\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is headlining a frenzied first full day of the World Economic Forum\'s annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, where top officials from the United States, the European Union, China, the Middle East and beyond will also take center stage Tuesday.</font></span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Zelenskyy will endeavor to keep his country\'s long and largely stalemated defense against Russia on the minds of political leaders, just as Israel\'s war with Hamas, which passed the 100-day mark, has siphoned off much of the world\'s attention and sparked concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East.</div><div><br></div><div>Conversations with prime ministers of Qatar and Jordan will bookend the day\'s most visible events, with speeches by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the United States national security adviser Jake Sullivan in between.</div><div><br></div><div>Zelenskyy, once reticent about leaving his war-torn country, has recently gone on a whirlwind tour to try to rally support for Ukraine\'s cause against Russia amid donor fatigue in the West and concerns that former U.S. President Donald Trump — who touted having good relations with Putin — might return to the White House next year.</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, Zelenskyy made a stop in Switzerland\'s capital of Bern, where President Viola Amherd pledged her country would start working with Ukraine to help organize a “peace summit” for Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Zelenskyy is following that up with his first trip to Davos as president after speaking by video in previous years. He hopes to parlay the high visibility of the event into a bully pulpit to showcase Ukraine\'s pressing needs, and allies will be lining up: A morning, invitation-only “CEOs for Ukraine” session will precede his afternoon speech.</div><div><br></div><div>The corporate chiefs will hear “what kind of immediate assistance is needed” and lay out how private and public sectors can help Ukraine rebuild one day, forum organizers say. The session will draw NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and U.S. envoy for Ukraine\'s economic recovery, Penny Pritzker, among others.</div><div><br></div><div>Later Tuesday, leaders of some of Ukraine’s key European allies — Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno — will participate in a session on the “horizons” for Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>The theme of the meeting in Davos is “rebuilding trust,” and it comes as that sentiment has been fraying globally: Wars in the Middle East and Europe have increasingly split the world into different camps.</div><div><br></div><div>While the geopolitical situation has oozed gloom, businesses appear more hopeful — in part from prospects that artificial intelligence can help boost productivity. Leading Western stock indexes shot up in 2023, and falling inflation raised hopes of a decline in interest rates.</div><div><br></div><div>The consulting firm PwC, in its 27th annual CEO survey, said economic optimism has doubled among executives over the past year — even if the prospects over the next decade appear less certain. With the pressure from climate change and technology like artificial intelligence, a growing number of executives say they are worried their businesses would not be viable in 10 years without reinvention.</div><div><br></div><div>AI is a major topic over the week in Davos, with a key talk by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella — whose company has invested billions in ChatGPT maker OpenAI — among the sessions planned Tuesday. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 10:32:40', '2024-01-16 10:32:40'),
(10850, 10850, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\"><br></font></b></span></div><div><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Houthi rebels fired a missile, striking a U.S.-owned ship Monday just off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, less than a day after they launched an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle, later claimed by the Houthis, further escalates tensions gripping the Red Sea after American-led strikes on the rebels. The Houthis\' attacks have roiled global shipping, amid Israel\'s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, targeting a crucial corridor linking Asian and Mideast energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal onward to Europe.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which oversees Mideast waters, said Monday\'s attack happened some 110 miles (177 kilometers) miles southeast of Aden. It said the ship’s captain reported that the “port side of vessel hit from above by a missile.”</div><div><br></div><div>Private security firms Ambrey and Dryad Global told The Associated Press that the vessel was the Eagle Gibraltar, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier. The U.S. military\'s Central Command later acknowledged the strike.</div><div><br></div><div>“The ship has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its journey,” Central Command said.</div><div><br></div><div>Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack in a recorded television address that aired Monday night.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Yemeni armed forces consider all American and British ships and warships participating in the aggression against our country as hostile targets,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The vessel is owned by Eagle Bulk Shipping, a Stamford, Connecticut-based firm traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In a statement to The Associated Press, the company said the strike caused “limited damage to a cargo hold but (the ship) is stable and is heading out of the area.”</div><div><br></div><div>“All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured,” the firm said. “The vessel is carrying a cargo of steel products. Eagle Bulk management is in close contact with all relevant authorities concerning this matter.”</div><div><br></div><div>Satellite-tracking data analyzed by AP showed the Eagle Gibraltar had been bound for the Suez Canal, but rapidly turned around at the time of the attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Central Command said it detected a separate anti-ship ballistic missile launch toward the southern Red Sea on Monday, though it ”failed in flight and impacted on land in Yemen.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The U.S. Maritime Administration, under the Transportation Department, also issued a warning of a continuing \"high degree of risk to commercial vessels” traveling near Yemen.</div><div><br></div><div>“While the decision to transit remains at the discretion of individual vessels and companies, it is recommended that U.S. flag and U.S.-owned commercial vessels” stay away from Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden “until further notice,” the advisory said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sunday\'s missile launch toward the American warship also marked the first U.S.-acknowledged fire by the Houthis since America and allied nations began strikes Friday on the rebels following weeks of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthi fire in the direction of the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer operating in the southern reaches of the Red Sea, Central Command said.</div><div><br></div><div>The missile came from near Hodeida, a Red Sea port city long held by the Houthis, the U.S. said.</div><div><br></div><div>“An anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthis did not acknowledge that attack.</div><div><br></div><div>It wasn’t presently clear whether the U.S. would retaliate for the latest attacks, though President Joe Biden has said he “will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”</div><div><br></div><div>The first day of U.S.-led strikes Friday hit 28 locations and struck more than 60 targets with cruise missiles and bombs launched by fighter jets, warships and a submarine. Sites hit included weapon depots, radars and command centers, including in remote mountain areas, the U.S. has said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthis have yet to acknowledge how severe the damage was from the strikes, which they said killed five of their troops and wounded six others.</div><div><br></div><div>U.S. forces followed up with a strike Saturday on a Houthi radar site.</div><div><br></div><div>Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.</div><div><br></div><div>Even the leader of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group, Hassan Nasrallah, obliquely referenced the widening Houthi attacks on ships in a speech Sunday, saying that “the sea has become a battlefield of missiles, drones and warships” and blaming the U.S. strikes for escalating maritime tensions.</div><div><br></div><div>“The most dangerous thing is what the Americans did in the Red Sea, (it) will harm the security of all maritime navigation,” Nasrallah said.</div><div><br></div><div>Though the Biden administration and its allies have tried to calm tensions in the Middle East for weeks and prevent any wider conflict, the strikes in the Red Sea threaten to ignite one.</div><div><br></div><div>It\'s also affecting shipping for the Middle East nation of Qatar, one of the world\'s top natural gas suppliers. Three liquid natural gas tankers that had recently loaded in Qatar and were bound for the Suez Canal remain idling off Oman, while another coming from Europe to Qatar remains off Saudi Arabia. QatarEnergy and government officials did not respond to a request for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government-in-exile that the Houthis are fighting, sought to distance itself from the attacks on Houthi sites as it tries to maintain a delicate détente with Iran and a cease-fire it has in Yemen. The Saudi-led, U.S.-backed war in Yemen that began in 2015 has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.</div><div><br></div><div>The American military did not specifically say the fire targeted the Laboon, following a pattern by the U.S. since the Houthi attacks began. However, U.S. sailors have received combat ribbons for their actions in the Red Sea — something handed out only to those who face active hostilities with an enemy force. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 10:49:41', '2024-01-16 10:49:41'),
(10851, 10851, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Two planes collided on an airport runway in Japan on Tuesday, in second such incident this month.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The planes belonged to Korean Air and Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific which had passengers on board and the incident occurred at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaida, public broadcaster NHK reported.</div><div><br></div><div>Cathay Pacific said that its plane was \"on ground\" with passengers aboard when the incident happened.</div><div><br></div><div>More details to follow.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this month, at least five crew members were killed when a Japan Coast Guard aircraft and a Japan Airlines passenger plane collided at Tokyo airport. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 11:39:45', '2024-01-16 11:39:45');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10852, 10852, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The UK Maritime Trade Operations organization said it received reports of a missile hitting a ship southeast of Yemen’s southern city of Aden, shortly after residents in the central province of Al-Bayda and neighboring Abyan province reported seeing a missile fired from a Houthi-controlled area.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>UKMTO “has received a report of an incident 95NM South East of Aden, Yemen. Master reports port side of vessel hit from above by a missile,” the agency said.</div><div><br></div><div>The warning came roughly an hour after locals in Abyan’s Lawdar district — which is close to the missile’s supposed launch site — reported seeing a missile launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Al-Bayda’s Mukayras fly over their neighborhoods.</div><div><br></div><div>“The missile was launched at around 3:55 p.m. from a hilly position held by the Houthis in Mukayras, and residents heard an explosion and observed missile smoke in the sky,” Mohsen Al-Markhi, a journalist from Lawder, told Arab News by telephone.</div><div><br></div><div>Another missile launched by the Houthis exploded near a village in the southern province of Al-Dhale on Monday, only hours after the US shot down a Houthi missile aimed at a US Navy ship in the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>Residents in the Jahaf district reported a massive explosion on Monday after a ballistic missile fell in a hilly part of the district.</div><div><br></div><div>Locals sent Arab News a video of a large ball of dust and smoke rising from the site after the missile blasts.</div><div><br></div><div>Residents say the missile was not targeting their neighborhoods and landed before it reached its intended target.</div><div><br></div><div>Yemen’s Defense Ministry news site reported that the ballistic missile was fired from the Houthi-controlled Al-Jaefri village in Al-Dhale and detonated in an area between two minor villages in Jahaf.</div><div><br></div><div>Since the start of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea in November, residents across Yemen, primarily those living in or near Houthi-controlled territory, have reported seeing Houthi missiles and drones flying over their areas, while others exploded near their farms after failing to reach their targets.</div><div><br></div><div>This comes as the US Central Command said that an anti-ship missile launched by the Houthis was shot down by a US fighter aircraft near Yemen’s coastal city of Hodeidah before reaching its target, the USS Laboon naval destroyer.</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthis pledged retaliation for the US and UK raids on regions under their control on Friday, adding they would not back down from assaults on any Israel-bound ships in the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Houthis, their efforts are intended to push Israel to lift its siege of Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>In Sanaa, the Houthis said that Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi called the leader of the militia’s Supreme Political Council, Mahdi Al-Mashat, to denounce the UK and US strikes on Yemen and to urge them to continue their attacks on ships en route to Israel via the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>“Raisi emphasized that Yemen’s move to safeguard international navigation and prohibit Israeli ships or those traveling to occupied Palestine from passing was courageous and prudent,” the official Houthi news agency quoted Raisi as saying to Al-Mashat.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, head of the militia’s Supreme Revolutionary Committee, said many ships had reported their destinations to them and alerted them that they had no ties with Israel while sailing through the Red Sea to avoid attacks following Houthi instructions to do so last week. He called on all such ships to follow suit.</div><div><br></div><div>In a post on X, Al-Houthi said: “We greet ships sailing through the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab, and the Arabian Sea that announce ‘We have no relationship with Israel.” - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 11:51:02', '2024-01-16 11:51:02'),
(10853, 10853, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh’s State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, announced a commitment to ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to consumers by 2026. This statement came during a discussion with reporters on Tuesday about the power and energy sector\'s advancements, potential, and obstacles.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Having achieved the milestone of 100 percent electricity coverage, Hamid noted the government\'s focus is now on providing continuous power and gas supply by 2026. He highlighted that Bangladesh currently imports 20 percent of its gas, utilizing 80 percent from domestic sources, with no immediate plans to increase imports.</div><div><br></div><div>The exploration of gas in deep sea areas could significantly bolster the energy division, Hamid mentioned. He acknowledged the existing challenges, particularly the ongoing gas shortage, attributing it to reliance on a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). Hamid assured that the current gas crisis is temporary, partly due to reduced pressure during severe winters.</div><div><br></div><div>Plans are underway to operationalize the FSRU soon, which is expected to add 400 mmcf of gas to the system. Additionally, another FSRU is set for renovation, with an aim to maintain uninterrupted gas supply starting next March. The minister revealed plans to incorporate two more FSRUs around 2026 and 2027 to meet the anticipated gas demand of 6,000 MMCF in 2027.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamid expressed optimism about domestic gas exploration, noting that most drilled wells have discovered gas. He emphasized the Bhola to Barishal gas pipeline as a top priority, with activities commencing this year. Gas from Bhola, currently supplied in CNG form, is expected to increase and be fully operational by mid-March next year.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bibiyana gas field also holds promise, with the minister expressing confidence about significant gas findings there. The immediate goal is to drill around 46 wells by mid-2025, followed by an additional 100 wells. This exploration is projected to add 500 mmcf of gas from domestic sources between 2024 and 2025.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamid concluded with a hopeful note on the Bibiyana field, which potentially harbors about 1.6 tcf of gas, further enhancing the nation\'s energy security and self-reliance. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 12:28:02', '2024-01-16 12:28:02'),
(10854, 10854, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq said on Tuesday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps\' (IRGC) allegations cited as reasons for attacks in Erbil city are \"baseless.\"</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The counterterrorism unit of KRG mentioned on Facebook that on Monday at 11.30 p.m local time (2030GMT), the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted several civilian residential areas in Erbil with a large number of ballistic missiles, resulting in killing four civilians and injuring six others.</div><div><br></div><div>The announcement dismissed the IRGC\'s claim that the attacks were aimed at the \"headquarters of anti-Iranian groups,\" as groundless.</div><div><br></div><div>It emphasized that attacks on Erbil have consistently been carried out with unfounded pretexts, asserting that Erbil has never posed a threat to any party and has remained a stable location.</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the attacks as a \"clear violation of Iraq and the KRG\'s sovereignty,\" it called on the Iraqi central government and the international community not to remain silent against this crime.</div><div><br></div><div>Following reports of missile and drone attacks in various locations in Erbil, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps had claimed that they had targeted the \"headquarters of anti-Iranian terrorist groups and spies\" in the region. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 13:20:43', '2024-01-16 13:20:43'),
(10855, 10855, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel has said new universities shouldn\'t burden themselves with running undergraduate-level courses at the start of their journey</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Why are the new universities conducting undergraduate courses from the start? Undergraduate courses of the government colleges should be monitored and postgraduate courses will be done separately by the university,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said this while exchanging views with Bangladesh Bishwabidyalay Parishad, an organization of vice-chancellors of public universities, at the auditorium of the International Mother Language Institute in the capital\'s Segunbagicha on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>The start is a challenging time for a new university, the education minister said. “We should do research development from there with a full setup.”</div><div><br></div><div>Nowfel said in 2014, the prime minister asked to ensure academic monitoring by bringing all colleges or centenary colleges under the respective university. He advised the vice-chancellors of all public universities to take steps in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Open University is monitoring non-formal education across the country, then why can\'t Chittagong University monitor Chittagong College? Once upon a time, it did. If there was the capacity to do it before, then now the system should increase further, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has included seven colleges in Dhaka University on her own initiative. There may be challenges there, too. We are overcoming that challenge. Students blocked the road. But we didn\'t move,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The quality of the seven colleges has improved. If Dhaka University can work on academic standard monitoring, why can\'t other universities?” He indicated that the ministry will do so if the law is to be amended in these cases.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Referring to the prime minister\'s directives, the education minister said all the universities are at the district level, the government colleges in those districts, their academies will do the work of monitoring.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 13:39:29', '2024-01-16 13:39:29'),
(10856, 10856, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said the BNP-Jamaat alliance has always tried to put the country in trouble but assured that all their evil designs will go in vain.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We want to take the country forward by deepening our excellent relations with all - in the East and West. Nothing bad will happen to Bangladesh despite the evil designs of the BNP. A cow never dies with the prayers of a vulture,” the Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League told reporters after his arrival at Shah Amanat International Airport.</div><div><br></div><div>This is his first visit to Chattogram, from where he is elected, after being appointed as the Foreign Minister.</div><div><br></div><div>Leaders of Chattogram metropolitan, north and south units of AL jointly welcomed the new foreign minister with flowers outside the airport.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said the national election has attracted international attention and has been accepted by the international community as evidenced by the fact that many election observers came to Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>He said observers from the United States of America, NDI, IRI, European Union, SAARC, OIC and Commonwealth countries and other organisations have come to Bangladesh for the election.</div><div><br></div><div>“They all expressed their opinion simultaneously and described the election as free and fair. This election saw relatively less violence than other elections. This is the biggest thing,” the foreign minister observed.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Hasan Mahmud said the country’s foreign friends are interested in Bangladesh’s election and that is why they went to the Election Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>“I saw in the newspapers that they are satisfied with the information given by the Election Commission,” he said, adding that a free and fair election was held in Bangladesh in a festive atmosphere with massive participation of the people.</div><div><br></div><div>Most of the registered political parties participated in this election, said the foreign minister.</div><div><br></div><div>“You know, on election day, it was very cold and foggy. That\'s why the voter turnout is around 42 percent. If it wasn\'t for the fog and cold, more votes would have been cast. BNP has tried to create panic among the people by setting trains on fire in an effort to obstruct and resist this election. But people were not afraid, people spontaneously went to cast their votes,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, the minister said it is not a big thing to become a minister but to get people\'s love and respect is the most important thing for a politician, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We can make the country\'s image brighter. We can advance the development efforts of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through further improved and closer relations with all the East-West countries,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Recognizing that everyone in his constituency has worked hard, the minister said, \"I have tried for the last 15 years to become the MP of the people. I never considered who voted for me or not. As a candidate, I have always been a candidate of Awami League, but I have tried to work as an MP for all people. I want to work as an MP for all people in this new journey.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 14:22:02', '2024-01-16 14:22:02'),
(10857, 10857, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An Israeli lobby group was behind the sacking of a journalist at Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), a report claimed on Tuesday citing a coordinated campaign which includes messaging on WhatsApp.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>It has triggered an in-house protest with staff threatening to walkout.</div><div><br></div><div>Award-winning journalist and author Antoinette Lattouf was terminated by ABC last month for sharing on Instagram a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Palestine\'s besieged enclave of Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>The global rights watchdog released a report on how starvation was used as ‘a weapon of war’ by the Israeli government in Gaza. ABC also published a news item about the HRW report.</div><div><br></div><div>“The ABC sacked broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf after a high-level and coordinated letter-writing campaign from pro-Israel lobbyists that directly targeted the corporation’s chair, Ita Buttrose, and managing director David Anderson,” daily Sydney Morning Herald found in an investigative report which includes “dozens of leaked messages from a WhatsApp group called Lawyers for Israel.”</div><div><br></div><div>The report reveals that the Israeli lobby “repeatedly wrote to the ABC demanding Lattouf be sacked, and threatened legal action if she was not.”</div><div><br></div><div>Lattouf legally challenged her termination, calling it “not a win for journalism or critical, fair thinking.”</div><div><br></div><div>She is crowdfunding to support her court case in Australia which has seen widespread support for Palestinians.</div><div><br></div><div>While the ABC has denied Anderson was behind Lattouf, the broadcaster has told court that the journalist was removed “because she ignored a direction from managers and shared a controversial social media post from Human Rights Watch.”</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday, some 80 staff met at the ABC’s Ultimo headquarters in Sydney and sought meeting with managing director David Anderson.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched a deadly onslaught on the Gaza Strip since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, killing at least 24,100 people and injuring 60,834 others. Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed.</div><div><br></div><div>​​​​​​​Elaine Pearson, Asia director at HRW, criticized ABC\'s move to terminate Lattouf.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Journalists should be encouraged to amplify human rights reporting, not penalised for doing so,\" Pearson said on X. Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 14:45:47', '2024-01-16 14:45:47'),
(10858, 10858, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Education authorities in any district can shut down schools in case the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, said the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in a circular on Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to the circular, “A cold wave is sweeping different parts of the country and as a result the educational activities are being seriously hampered. The regional deputy directors in consultation with the district education officers can keep the educational institutions under secondary level shut if the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius in any district.”</div><div><br></div><div>The institutions which will be shut due to low temperature will remain closed until the temperature rises above 10 degrees Celsius. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 14:54:16', '2024-01-16 14:54:16'),
(10859, 10859, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday predicted the current government would not be able to cling to power with the help of its foreign masters.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Sheikh Hasina thinks that she’ll stay in power with the patronage of her masters. Those days are over,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a doa and milad mahfil, the BNP leader said the country’s people showed \'signs of victory\' by boycotting the national election on January 7, resulting in low turnout. “You (govt) should grasp the pulse of the people from it.”</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiyatabdi Mohila Dal arranged the programme on the ground floor of the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office seeking the recovery of ailing party chairperson Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said the people are now in a movement and they will be there on the streets in the coming days to make the programme a success.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that Bangladesh has a history of protesting against injustice and overthrowing autocratic leaders eventually, Rizvi predicted Hasina\'s fate would be no different: “Sheikh Hasina\'s government will also be washed away…”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said the government shows the Padma Bridge and flyovers as signs of its development, \"while poor people sell their children to feed themselves\". He expects the people to be there on the streets again, to realise their demands and reclaim their rights.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi slammed Law Minister Anisul Huq for disputing a statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, that contained a warning that Bangladesh\'s democracy must not turn \'cosmetic\'.</div><div><br></div><div>The law minister claimed Turk\'s statement in its entirety may have been uninformed.</div><div><br></div><div>“He (Huq) is a minister of Awami League government because he can lie. If he could tell the truth, Awami League would not have made him minister,\" he concluded.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Rizvi along with BNP leaders and activists brought out a procession in the city’s Shantinagar area demanding the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other jailed leaders and workers of the party. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 15:08:26', '2024-01-16 15:08:26'),
(10860, 10860, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The final season of \"Succession\" dominated the Emmy Awards on Monday, scooping six prizes including best drama, at a nostalgic gala honoring television\'s past and present that was delayed by four months due to Hollywood strikes.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The HBO show about the back-stabbing dynastic battles of a powerful media family won awards for stars Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen, while \"The Bear\" topped the comedy awards and \"Beef\" led in the limited series section.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This is a show about family, but it\'s also about when... partisan news coverage gets intertwined with divisive right-wing politics,\" said \"Succession\" creator Jesse Armstrong.</div><div><br></div><div>\"After four seasons of satire, as I understand it, that\'s a problem we have now fixed,\" he joked, on the night that Donald Trump won the Iowa Republican caucuses.</div><div><br></div><div>Accepting their best actress and actor prizes, both Snook -- who was pregnant during the show\'s final season -- and Culkin paid tribute to their babies, with Culkin joking to his wife, \"I want more... you said maybe, if I win!\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Succession,\" which had already won best drama series twice previously, had entered the night with a whopping 27 nominations, including a record three of the six nominees for best actor.</div><div><br></div><div>It also won for best writing and directing.</div><div><br></div><div>Jennifer Coolidge, the sole returning star for the Sicily-set second season of satire \"The White Lotus,\" won for best supporting actress.</div><div><br></div><div>Coolidge thanked \"all the evil gays,\" in a nod to her character\'s memorable storyline in which she befriended a flamboyant, yacht-owning group of men with sinister intentions.</div><div><br></div><div>The Emmys, which are the small screen\'s equivalent of the Oscars, typically take place in September.</div><div><br></div><div>But organizers opted for an unusual January slot this time around, correctly gambling that the entertainment industry strikes would be over, and that actors would be free to attend.</div><div><br></div><div>Stars and guests from Harrison Ford to Joan Collins walked the red carpet into the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles for the ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>- Vintage comedy -</div><div>Celebrating its 75th year, the Emmys featured multiple skits paying homage to beloved classic shows on elaborate sets.</div><div><br></div><div>Stars like Kelsey Grammar and Ted Danson appeared on a set emulating the beloved famous Boston bar from \"Cheers,\" while \"The Sopranos\" actors Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli presented an award from the mob drama\'s psychiatrist office.</div><div><br></div><div>Other shows getting nostalgic reunions included \"Grey\'s Anatomy\" and \"Ally McBeal.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The organizers\' decision to hark back to television\'s golden days came in stark contrast with the gala\'s recent struggles, as the Emmys\' audiences have plummeted.</div><div><br></div><div>Last year\'s telecast was watched by just 5.9 million -- lower even than the 2020 \"pandEmmys\" lockdown edition that was broadcast from an empty theater -- and it was competing Monday with an NFL playoff game and the Iowa vote.</div><div><br></div><div>Plus this time, there was the confusion of honoring seasons of shows that aired months before.</div><div><br></div><div>The delay meant votes were cast back in the summer, for nominated shows that premiered as long as 18 months ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Most notably, \"The Bear\" -- which took viewers behind the scenes of a dysfunctional Chicago restaurant -- won six awards on Monday including the top comedy prize.</div><div><br></div><div>Stars Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach won for best actor, supporting actress and actor, and the show also won writing and directing prizes.</div><div><br></div><div>But the ceremony honored the show\'s intense debut season, which premiered way back in June 2022. At the next Emmys ceremony, taking place this September, the show\'s even more acclaimed and ambitious second season is eligible.</div><div><br></div><div>Quinta Brunson won for best actress in a comedy for \"Abbott Elementary.\"</div><div><br></div><div>- Limited series -</div><div>Netflix\'s \"Beef\" dominated the limited series categories, for shows that run only a single season, with five prizes including best limited series, writing and directing.</div><div><br></div><div>Its stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun took lead acting prizes, playing road-rage drivers locked in a rapidly escalating feud.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Dahmer -- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story\" co-star Niecy Nash-Betts won best supporting actress, while Paul Walter Hauser won for best supporting actor for \"Black Bird,\" another dark true crime series.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver\" won best scripted variety series, and variety series writing.</div><div><br></div><div>Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers paid tribute to the late Norman Lear for \"changing American culture,\' from a set modeled on one of his many hit shows, \"All In The Family.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The annual \"In Memoriam\" section honored TV stars who died in the past year including Angela Lansbury, Richard Roundtree, Harry Belafonte, 25-year-old \"Euphoria\" actor Angus Cloud and \"Friends\" star Matthew Perry. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 15:37:12', '2024-01-16 15:37:12'),
(10861, 10861, '<div><font color=\"#311873\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said BNP did not participate in the January 7 election in fear of defeat and has been searching for dark ways to assume power being rejected by the people time and again.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>\"They know they are boycotted by the people. That is why, they don\'t want to take part in the election. So, they are searching for different ways to go to regain power by destroying the electoral process. They are now looking for the ways of darkness bypassing the path of light which is election,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister was addressing expatriate Awami League leaders and activists at her official Ganabhaban residence here.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina asked the expatriates to stay alert against conspiracies saying that the plots are still being hatched.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They (BNP-Jamaat clique) are now demanding to cancel the election,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to 2008 parliamentary election, the premier said the BNP-Jamaat alliance got only 30 seats while the AL alone bagged 233 seats.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Since then, they don\'t want any election. They have been setting fire on buses, launches, trains and burning people to death. The more they do terrorist activities and arson violence, the more the people reject them,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina came down heavily on the BNP as they have been doing politics with their party office.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They lock their office and then unlock it. They have lost the keys of their office and ways also and they are now becoming pedestrians of the lost way,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP has one virtue and that is arson terrorism, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said BNP are skilled to create trap to kill people referring to withdraw fishplates of the railway track in which several persons were killed.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the BNP had distributed leaflets among the people urging people to boycott the election alongside with conducting the violence.</div><div><br></div><div>But, the people have casted their balloting spontaneously rejecting their plea to not going to polling centres.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Not only this time (January 7 election), the people have rejected them time and again. They did not take part in the election fearing to lose,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister thanked the people as they voted spontaneously and sent her party to power again.</div><div><br></div><div>She continued participation of women in large numbers in the election a great achievement of the AL awareness campaign to make people understand that casting votes is their constitutional and civic rights.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she mentioned that a 130-year-old woman exercise her voting franchise in the January 7 election.</div><div><br></div><div>Quoting the old women, she said, \"I want to vote Hasina.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She continued: \"Getting the trust and confidence of the people in me is my great achievement.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said the victory of Awami League in the election is the victory of the people and democracy as well.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The victory is also the victory of continuation of the democracy and continuation of the development,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>They have realized that the government is the servant of the people after Awami League assumed power, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I will work as a public servant not as a Prime Minister to change the fate of the people being a daughter of the Father of the Nation,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said there is no scarcity of food, reached electricity to every house and transformed Bangladesh into a digital Bangladesh since the Awami League had been in power in the last 15 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Now, the people of Bangladesh want more developed and improved life.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We will turn Bangladesh into a poverty and hunger free developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041 in the spirit of the Liberation War as envisioned by the Father of the Nation,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister recalled with due respect the contribution of the expatriates in each of the democratic and progressive movement and in building the nation</div><div><br></div><div>She said the expatriates played great role in forming public opinions in favour of independent Bangladesh during the War of Liberation in 1971, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>\"I thank you all as the remittance you send to Bangladesh is the main driving force of our economy,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, The premier urged the all Bangladeshi expats to take part in the universal pension scheme to secure their future.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-16 15:48:46', '2024-01-16 15:48:46'),
(10862, 10862, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday said he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh in the coming months on issues of mutual importance.&nbsp;</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He mentioned climate change, expanding business opportunities, and other areas of cooperation to advance the relations.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"I look forward to working very closely in the coming months to advance our mutual interest,\" he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He said it was an opportunity to talk about the future of the US-Bangladesh relationship.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the Foreign Minister met EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley.&nbsp; - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 08:45:39', '2024-01-17 08:45:39'),
(10863, 10863, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#311873\">In a harrowing incident early this morning, a ferry operating on the Daulatdia-Paturia route tragically capsized near No 5 ghat in the Manikganj district of Bangladesh. The mishap, involving the ferry ‘Rajanigandha’ with nine trucks onboard, led to the disappearance of one individual, identified as Humayun Kabir, the 39-year-old second driver of the vessel.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence, reported that the ferry sank around 8:16 am. Following the incident, local fire service divers were promptly dispatched to the site and succeeded in rescuing six individuals from the perilous waters.</div><div><br></div><div>The exact cause of the ferry’s capsizing remains unclear at this early stage of the investigation.</div><div><br></div><div>In a display of coordinated effort, the Bangladesh Navy has also joined the ongoing rescue operations, as confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), reports UNB. The search continues for the missing ferry driver, Humayun Kabir, with rescue teams working tirelessly against the clock in the hope of a safe recovery.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 10:48:42', '2024-01-17 10:48:42'),
(10864, 10864, '<div><font color=\"#634aa5\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Qatar and France said Tuesday they have mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas to allow the delivery of medications to around 45 of the more than 100 Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza. This marks the first agreement between the warring sides since a weeklong cease-fire collapsed in late November.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>In Yemen, the U.S. launched the third strike in recent days against the Houthi rebel group, according to a U.S. official. The Houthis have attacked shipping in the crucial Red Sea corridor, saying they seek to halt Israel’s war in Gaza against Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>In northern Gaza, Palestinian militants battled Israeli forces and launched a barrage of rockets from farther south. In the past 24 hours, the bodies of 158 people killed in Israeli strikes have been brought to hospitals, bringing the Palestinian death toll to 24,285 people, Gaza\'s Health Ministry said Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>In Israel, around 1,200 people were killed during Hamas\' Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war and saw some 250 people taken hostage by the militants. Accoridng to media reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 11:50:31', '2024-01-17 11:50:53'),
(10865, 10865, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#6ba54a\">Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Wednesday said they are eyeing a \"step change\" in their relations with Bangladesh in the next five years deepening the ties in core areas.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I think in the next five years we would be really seeing a step change in our relationship,\" he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.</div><div><br></div><div>The ambassador said the relationship between Bangladesh and the EU will be driven by the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).</div><div><br></div><div>He said this Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is much more political in nature than the existing agreement that they have with Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>\"That mainly premised on the development cooperation. Of course development cooperation is still a part of what we do in Bangladesh. You know we had our first political dialogue a year ago and that covers international affairs as well,\" said the ambassador.</div><div><br></div><div>He said it is important they have that mature discussion on the respective foreign policy not just about what is important in their immediate bilateral relations but what is happening in the wider world and how Bangladesh and the EU can influence things of shared priorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Of course that includes the Middle East and the Ukraine conflict, said the envoy.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Whiteley said, \"We have made our statement and the election happened and we made our statement on that.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding his meeting with the foreign minister, Whiteley said the meeting was a very much of forward looking discussion about how now they build the bricks of a modern relationship with Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>\"That’s of course involves foreign policy issues. We will be seeing of course in due course with the other ministers, in areas where we directly engaged with the government of Bangladesh which was a very wide ranging,\" he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I had the very good first meeting with the foreign minister, a very wide ranging discussion. It’s very good to welcome a foreign minister who knows Europe very well,\" Ambassador Whiteley said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Of course he has very strong connection with Belgium which is the headquarters of the EU. He studied there and knows Europe well and how Europe functions,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The ambassador said they widely discussed on how they can take forward the Bangladesh-EU relations and there was a lot on their agenda.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are going to start negotiating a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement very soon, which is very wide ranging new generation agreement, we only have one of that in South Asia, covering all different policy areas of collaboration,\" Whiteley said.</div><div><br></div><div>They also talked about the broad global situation - what is happening in the Middle East, the Ukraine conflict, the Russian aggression in Ukraine, which is of course a huge priority for the EU.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We talked about the Rohingya crisis. So all of areas where we have the long-standing cooperation with Bangladesh; where of course collaboration will continue for many years to come,\" said the ambassador.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It was a very successful first meeting and very dynamic discussion,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question Whiteley said they still have their election expert mission in town. \"You know they haven’t left yet. They will be making a report that will be made public thanks to the agreement of the government of Bangladesh (for agreeing).\"</div><div><br></div><div>It is a question of making sure that they put the relations on the right path in the years to come, Whiteley said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Of course we will work on the recommendations of that report which we did with our last expert mission, is supposed to be to support, engagement where it’s wanted, where this partnership needs. So that’s what relationships are all about, working together on shared concerns,\" said the EU envoy.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have many priorities you know and for us here, set our priorities for development engagement and of course renewable energy, the global gateway flagship project we discussed that with the minister,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh is one of the few countries for the Global Gateway flagship programme around the world. “This is where we will make a test case of our cooperation through helping Bangladesh reach its goal of generating energy from renewable sources and look forward to take enough for it,\" said the EU envoy, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, on Rohingya issue, he added he never sees it as a forgotten crisis. \"It’s huge shared priority.\"</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 12:14:46', '2024-01-17 12:14:46'),
(10866, 10866, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Amidst the ongoing mild cold wave, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted rainfall in various regions, including Dhaka.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Over the next 24 hours – starting from 9 am today (January 17, 2024)– rain is anticipated in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions. The Met office has highlighted a likelihood of rain in one or two places within these areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, rain is likely to occur at one or two places over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions on Thursday, according to the forecast of BMD.</div><div><br></div><div>The forecast also includes the possibility of moderate to thick fog covering the country from night through to morning, potentially persisting until noon in some areas. This foggy condition may lead to temporary disruptions in air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication.</div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday witnessed the country’s lowest temperature at 9.4 degrees Celsius in Bandarban. As the country experiences this cold wave, the weather in other parts of Bangladesh is expected to remain mainly dry, with temporary partly cloudy skies.</div><div><br></div><div>Temperature fluctuations are also predicted, with the night temperature likely to increase by 1-2 degrees Celsius, and a slight rise in the daytime temperature across the country, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The prevailing foggy conditions might also contribute to cold day scenarios in various places throughout Bangladesh. Citizens are advised to stay updated with the latest weather reports and plan their activities accordingly.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 12:39:28', '2024-01-17 12:39:28'),
(10867, 10867, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has congratulated his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud on his appointment to the post of Foreign Minister.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“The Russia-Bangladesh relations are based on the solid foundation of friendship laid during the period of struggle of the East Bengal people for independence,” he said in a message.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian Foreign Minister said they look forward to the continuation of productive interaction between the foreign offices of the two countries for the benefit of further strengthening the bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic and other practical areas.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian foreign minister wished Dr Mahmud sound health and success at his responsible post.&nbsp; - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 13:09:56', '2024-01-17 13:09:56'),
(10868, 10868, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#6ba54a\">Bangladesh’s&nbsp; 12th&nbsp; parliamentary election was unfree and noninclusive, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Wednesday in its primary findings on the January 7 balloting.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The overall experience including gains and losses are ominous for the future of Bangladesh’s democracy and democratic election, which are contradictory to the spirit and dreams of the glorious liberation war and independence,” according to the report revealed at a press conference at the anti-graft organisation’s office in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Exeuctive Director of TIB Iftekharuzzaman spoke at the event.</div><div><br></div><div>The TIB conducted the survey in 50 out of 300 constituencies under its 12th&nbsp; National Parliament Election Process Tracking.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The country’s main opposition, led by BNP, boycotted the polls after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government refused to accept its demand that the vote be held under a non-partisan caretaker administration.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the report “The election was not free and inclusive due to mutually contradictory and intransigent positions of the two largest political parties.”</div><div><br></div><div>“The state of hostage of the future of democracy to this contradictory agenda and intransigence-driven conflict has been further exacerbated.” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>It said “The agenda to ensure continued stay in power through one-sided election has been successfully achieved, the legality of which may not be challenged, or may not hold if challenged. But in terms of political integrity, democratic and moral values this success will remain ever debatable.”</div><div><br></div><div>The key elements of the concept of democratic election and national international good practices like free, inclusive and above all, the precondition of a level playing field for free, open and unrestricted competition were not met, said the report.</div><div><br></div><div>The report also highlighted the role of the Election Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“The Election Commission,” it said, “sometimes by compulsion in the name of Constitutional and legal compulsion and on occasions by design, played the role of a key catalyst for the realization of the agenda of the one-sided election. Other state institutions, especially law enforcement agencies and administration were also used to play, or played the same role in similar ways.”</div><div><br></div><div>“It has once again been proved that the zero-sum game of electoral politics in the country has no relevance to political ideology. Despite being an election without any meaningful political opponent, where fabricated competitions were staged between the ruling party nominated candidates and against its own ‘independents’ and those of other protégé parties, violations of electoral code of conduct have been pervasive including unhealthy rivalries and violent hostilities which had nothing to do with political ideology or public interest,” said the report, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The report concluded that “Finally, as ominous the experience around the Twelfth Parliament Election is for democratic future of Bangladesh, it is going to be a test case of lessons on what countries and peoples around the world with democratic aspirations would need to do and avoid, especially in terms of democratic backsliding and related electoral strategies and innovations.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 13:20:46', '2024-01-17 13:20:46');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10869, 10869, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#634aa5\"><b>Pakistan said today that Iran carried out an airstrike on its territory that killed two children after Tehran launched attacks in Iraq and Syria against what it called “anti-Iranian terrorist groups”.</b></font></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan denounced the strike, near the nations’ shared border late yesterday, as “completely unacceptable”, saying it was unprovoked.</div><div><br></div><div>Iranian news agency Mehrnews said the “missile and drone response” targeted the Jaish al-Adl group’s headquarters in Pakistan, calling it “another decisive step taken by Iran in response to the aggression against the security of our country”.</div><div><br></div><div>Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is blacklisted by Iran as a terrorist group and has carried out several attacks on Iranian soil in recent years.</div><div><br></div><div>The strike came after Iran launched missile attacks on “spy headquarters” and “terrorist” targets in Syria, and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region.</div><div><br></div><div>The Iranian strikes add to multiple crises across the Middle East, with Israel waging a war against Hamas in Gaza and pro-Palestinian Houthi rebels in Yemen attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, Iran’s defence minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said Tehran would set “no limits” to its security.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammad Hosseini, deputy president for parliamentary affairs, said Pakistan had been warned “that they must prevent the entry into Iran of people who kill large numbers of people, it was natural to have the reaction of the Islamic Republic”.</div><div><br></div><div>China, close partners of Iran and Pakistan, urged restraint, with foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning saying both should “avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension”.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan’s official statement did not specify where the strike took place, but Pakistani media said it was near Panjgur in southwest Balochistan province, where the two nuclear-armed countries share a sparsely populated border of nearly 1,000km.</div><div><br></div><div>Hours before the strike, Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar had met Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.</div><div><br></div><div>“This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>It said the strike caused the “death of two innocent children while injuring three girls”. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 13:35:42', '2024-01-17 13:35:42'),
(10870, 10870, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli airstrikes killed nine Palestinians in two locations in the occupied West Bank today, medics said, and the military described at least five of the dead as fighters suspected of planning an imminent attack.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Among territories where Palestinians seek statehood, the West Bank has seen a surge of violence in parallel to the Gaza war that erupted on Oct 7 with a shock cross-border killing and kidnapping spree by Islamist Hamas in southern Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>The airstrike on a car in Balata, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, killed five members of a local cell of fighters that planned a large-scale, imminent attack on Israelis, the military said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>It gave the name of the leader, who was among the dead, as Abdullah Abu Shalal. Palestine’s president Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction said five of its members were in the car, including Abu Shalal.</div><div><br></div><div>Hours later, an airstrike in the central West Bank city of Tulkarm killed four Palestinians, medics said. The military spokesman confirmed that an operation was underway in Tulkarm but did not immediately provide details. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 13:39:16', '2024-01-17 13:39:16'),
(10871, 10871, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#085294\">France’s controversial new culture minister, Rachida Dati today said that she plans to run for Paris mayor in 2026, only days after joining President Emmanuel Macron’s reshuffled government.</font></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dati’s arrival was the biggest surprise in last week’s cabinet shake-up that saw 34-year-old Gabriel Attal take over as prime minister.</div><div><br></div><div>Up until her appointment, Dati was a long-standing member of the opposition conservative LR party and is the mayor of the French capital’s chic 7th district that is home to most French ministries, the country’s parliament, and many foreign embassies.</div><div><br></div><div>She also served as justice minister under right-wing president Nicolas Sarkozy from 2007 to 2009.</div><div><br></div><div>But as soon as she accepted the cabinet post from Macron, LR leader Eric Ciotti announced her exclusion from the party.</div><div><br></div><div>“My objective is Paris,” Dati told the RTL broadcaster. “That’s what I’ve always said.”</div><div><br></div><div>“My wish is to unite everybody who wants change in Paris, I am determined,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dati, a 58-year-old of Moroccan-Algerian origin, was defeated by incumbent Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, a socialist, in the capital’s last municipal election in 2020.</div><div><br></div><div>Some analysts have speculated that Macron tapped Dati for the culture ministry post so she would run for mayor in the name of his own centrist alliance and finally take city hall after two-and-a-half decades of socialist control.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Macron yesterday told a televised news conference that he had not discussed Dati’s possible mayoral candidacy with her and at the weekend she denied press reports that suggested she had made an electoral pact with Macron.</div><div><br></div><div>But her announcement comes at the same time that Macron announced plans for electoral reform in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, saying the mayor in those cities should be elected directly and no longer by an electoral college made up of city councillors.</div><div><br></div><div>Dati has called the current system “anti-democratic”, saying there was “no reason why Parisians can’t choose their mayor”.</div><div><br></div><div>Until now, Dati had been vocal in criticising figures from left and right who defected to Macron’s centrist alliance, which in 2021 she said consisted of “traitors” and amounted to “nothing without Emmanuel Macron”.</div><div><br></div><div>She was also charged in 2021 with corruption and abuse of power in connection with payments she received from the Renault-Nissan group, an automaker. But Macron responded that it was not the first time ministers in his government had faced charges and the presumption of innocence must prevail. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 13:58:09', '2024-01-17 13:58:09'),
(10872, 10872, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 18 people have died after an explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand today, a rescue worker said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Eighteen found dead, confirmed,” the rescue worker said, revising his earlier estimate of 20.</div><div><br></div><div>The blast occurred at around 3pm local time near Sala Khao township, in central Suphan Buri province.</div><div><br></div><div>Police told AFP authorities were still checking the official death toll.</div><div><br></div><div>“There were deaths, we are checking how many people died,” police colonel Theerapoj Rawangban told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“We do not see more damage toward other houses or people who live in the (nearby) community,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>There was no indication of what may have caused the explosion.</div><div><br></div><div>Images shared by the local rescue service showed metal debris littered on the ground and a huge plume of black smoke.</div><div><br></div><div>Explosions at workshops producing firecrackers and other pyrotechnics are not uncommon in Thailand.</div><div><br></div><div>Ten people died, and more than 100 were injured, after an explosion in a fireworks warehouse in Sungai Kolok town in southern Narathiwat province last year.</div><div><br></div><div>The Southeast Asian kingdom also has a poor safety record in the construction sector and deadly accidents are common. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 14:05:02', '2024-01-17 14:05:02'),
(10873, 10873, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israeli tanks on Tuesday stormed back into parts of the northern Gaza Strip they had left last week, reigniting some of the most intense fighting since the New Year when Israel announced it was scaling back its operations there.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Massive explosions shook northern areas of Gaza from across the border with Israel — a rarity over the past two weeks after Tel Aviv announced a drawdown of forces from the area as part of a transition to smaller, targeted operations.</div><div><br></div><div>The rattle of gunfire reverberated across the border through the night. In the morning, contrails snaked through the sky as Israel’s Iron Dome defences shot down rockets fired across the fence.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel claimed its forces had killed “dozens” of Hamas fighters overnight in clashes in Beit Lahiya, on Gaza’s northern edge.</div><div><br></div><div>Health authorities said the last 24 hours of Israeli bombing had killed 158 people in the Palestinian enclave, raising their toll for the war to 24,285, with thousands more bodies feared lost in the rubble.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli bombardment has driven nearly all Gazans from their homes, some several times, and caused a humanitarian crisis, with food, fuel and medical supplies running low. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 14:22:34', '2024-01-17 14:22:34'),
(10874, 10874, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">South African international lawyers frequently appeared before the International Court of Justice in the 1960s. At the time, they were tasked with justifying their apartheid in Namibia. And they did. They argued that apartheid was good for everyone, that it prevented racial conflict and ‘decline’, that different people were at different stages of their development and so required different laws.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Their memorial to the court reads today like a banned subreddit containing “extensive references to the phenotypical characteristics of different tribes, the precise colour of their skin and the shape of women’s breasts” to justify what they called their policy of ‘separate development’.</div><div><br></div><div>How amazing that some decades later, black South African lawyers are arguing before the same court that a country that collaborated with their racist government should be held responsible for a genocide.</div><div><br></div><div>The applicant is South Africa</div><div>While some argue that it is a matter of shame that no Arab or Muslim state lodged the case, leaving the task to South Africa, I maintain that it is exactly this — that a non-Arab, non-Muslim nation and one which has overcome settler colonialism has brought this case — is what makes it so compelling.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel was a military ally of South Africa’s apartheid regime under some of the worst years of white rule. It even offered to sell nuclear weapons to the apartheid regime.</div><div><br></div><div>Once South Africa became democratic, its new government, the African National Congress and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation were so close their ties were referred to as fraternal. Yasser Arafat was one of the first leaders Mandela met after being released from prison in 1990 and he was one of the first foreign leaders to speak at South Africa’s newly democratic parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>The head of South Africa’s legal team, John Dugard, was UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine in the 2000s and notably said: “I’m a South African who lived through apartheid and I have no hesitation in saying that Israel’s crimes are infinitely worse than those committed by the apartheid regime of South Africa.”</div><div><br></div><div>There could be no better applicant for these proceedings than this former apartheid and colonised state and one against whom Israeli accusations of libel and anti-Semitism are less likely to stick.</div><div><br></div><div>The allegations are genocide</div><div>South Africa has alleged that Israel has committed a genocide against the Palestinian people. While most people understand genocide to mean mass killings of civilians, for international lawyers, it is a term of art.</div><div><br></div><div>Genocide requires the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, and religious group. It is possibly the most difficult international crime to prove because it requires the ‘special intent’ to destroy the group. Mass extermination without that special intent is a crime against humanity but it is not genocide. The term genocide was coined after the Second World War by Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin who wanted a category of crimes to denote the Holocaust where Jews were killed with the specific intent to annihilate them as a group. - Dawn</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 14:46:04', '2024-01-17 14:46:04'),
(10876, 10876, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Wednesday announced a contractionary monetary policy statement for the second half of the fiscal year 2023-24 to tame inflation.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The central bank’s priority is to control inflation at any cost. To do this we set a policy of controlling currency flow outside the bank for another step to curb the growing inflation,” said Abdur Rouf Talukder, governor of the central bank.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh has revised down the economic growth projection for FY 2023-24 to 6.5 percent from the initial 7.5 percent considering the ongoing challenges in the financial sector.</div><div><br></div><div>The authorities, however, revised the projection for inflation upwards to 7.5 percent from 6 percent as consumer prices persistently stayed high, according to the monetary policy statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The governor said that the central bank wants to bring down inflation to 7.5 percent by June. For this, the policy interest rate has been increased by 25 percentage points to 8 percent in the new monetary policy.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the monetary target is downgraded to curb money supply cutting down private sector credit growth to 10 percent for June from the existing target of 11 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the new policy, the interest rate is being increased from 7.75 percent to 8 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>As a result, the interest rate of the money, which other banks will borrow from the BB, will increase.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the central bank hints to increase the reverse repo rate (now called the Standing Deposit Facility or SDF) minimum interest rate by 75 percentage points from 5.75 percent to 6.50 percent. If there is surplus money in the market, the central bank withdraws the money through reverse repo.</div><div><br></div><div>The cap on the special repo or standing lending facility (SLF) interest rate in the policy interest corridor has been reduced by 25 basis points to 9.50 percent from 9.75 percent. This will reduce the cost of borrowing money from the BB during liquidity crises in banks.</div><div><br></div><div>The monetary policy announced for the first half of the current financial year (up to December) targeted private sector credit growth at 10.9 percent. But this target of credit growth like inflation has not been achieved. And till last November, credit growth in the private sector has been achieved at 9.90 percent, which is 1 percent less than the target. Accoridng to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 15:07:04', '2024-01-17 15:07:04'),
(10877, 10877, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court on Wednesday granted bail to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in another case filed in the capital\'s Paltan Model Police Station.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The same court also granted bail to BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury in two cases including one registered over the murder of police constable Amirul Islam Pervej.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Tahmina Haque granted them bail upon a bond of Tk 10,000 each.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on January 10, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sultan Sohagh Uddin granted bail to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in nine cases filed at the capital\'s Ramna and Paltan Model Police Stations.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul and 10 cases against Khasru over violence centring the BNP\'s October 28 rally in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Mirza Fakhrul, so far, has been granted bail in 10 out of 11 cases and Khasru in only two cases.</div><div><br></div><div>Lawyer Zainul Abedin said Fakhrul won’t be immediately released from prison as he is yet to secure bail in one more case.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 29, police filed a case with Ramna Police on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice\'s residence during the BNP rally on October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from Fakhrul, 59 BNP leaders and activists, including standing committee member Mirza Abbas, were accused in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul was arrested in the case on October 29 and has been in jail since then. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-17 15:50:03', '2024-01-17 15:50:03'),
(10878, 10878, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said that the report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) is “one-sided and anti-government.”&nbsp;</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“They (TIB) are agents of BNP,” he said at a press briefing at the Awami League president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi this afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>“TIB speaks in the tune of BNP. History says that they were always against Awami League. They speak for BNP. We could not find impartiality of their research,” said the AL leader.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are some organisations that talk about accidents. If a hundred die, they say five hundred died. TIB is like them. TIB and CPD said Padma Bridge is impossible. Filing a case doesn’t solve everything. Some are said for public perception. They will be dealt with politically,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>TIB in its report on Wednesday said Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary election was “not free and not inclusive.”</div><div><br></div><div>Quader acknowledged the existence of political tactics and conflicts within parties, asserting, “Conflicts are inherent in politics, and Awami League navigates through them under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The party remains united in addressing challenges wherever they arise.”</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing upcoming local government elections, Quader said, “Decisions regarding local government elections, including upazilas, and the use of party symbols will be finalized in the Awami League board meeting.”</div><div><br></div><div>When asked who would be the opposition party in the parliament, Quader responded, “Clarity on the opposition party will emerge once the session commences.”</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding commodity prices, Quader noted, “Sheikh Hasina has provided instructions on commodity prices. Ministries are formulating action plans based on the ground reality, including price control measures,” reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The press briefing was attended by AL Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, among other leaders.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 09:00:05', '2024-01-18 09:00:05'),
(10879, 10879, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pakistan’s air force launched retaliatory airstrikes early Thursday on Iran. The strikes in Sistan and Baluchestan province follow Iran’s attack Tuesday on Pakistani soil that killed two children in the southwestern Baluchistan province.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>The strikes imperil diplomatic relations between the two neighbors, as Iran and nuclear-armed Pakistan have long regarded each other with suspicion over militant attacks.</div><div><br></div><div>The attacks also raised the threat of violence spreading in a Middle East unsettled by Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iran also staged airstrikes late Monday in Iraq and Syria over an Islamic State-claimed suicide bombing that killed over 90 people earlier this month. Iraq has recalled its ambassador from Iran for consultations.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry described their attack as “a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes.”</div><div><br></div><div>“This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats.”</div><div><br></div><div>Several insurgent groups operate in Iran and Pakistan, including the Jaish al-Adl Sunni separatist group that was targeted by Tehran in its own strike. They all have a common goal of an independent Baluchistan for ethnic Baluch areas in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, as well as Iran’s neighboring Sistan and Baluchestan province, have faced a low-level insurgency by Baluch nationalists for more than two decades.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan named its operation “Marg Bar Sarmachar.” In Iranian Farsi, “marg bar” means “death to” — and is a famous saying in Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution used to refer to both the United States and Israel. In the local Baluch language, “sarmachar” means guerrilla and is used by the militants operating in the cross-border region.</div><div><br></div><div>A deputy governor of Iran\'s Sistan and Baluchestan province, Ali Reza Marhamati, gave the casualty figures from Thursday\'s strike in a telephone interview, saying the dead included three women and four children near the town of Saravan along the border in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province. He added that the dead were not Iranian citizens and acknowledged a separate blast near Saravan as well.</div><div><br></div><div>HalVash, an advocacy group for the Baluch people, shared images online that appeared to show the remains of the munitions used in the attack. It said a number of homes had been struck in Saravan. It shared videos showing a mud-walled building destroyed and smoke rising over the strike immediately after.</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday\'s development came a day after Pakistan recalled its ambassador to Tehran because of Tuesday\'s strikes by Iran inside Pakistan\'s southwestern Baluchistan province. Iran claimed it targeted bases for a militant Sunni separatist group. It drew strong condemnation from Pakistan, which denounced the attack as a “blatant violation” of its airspace and said it killed two children.</div><div><br></div><div>Iranian state television, quoting an anonymous official after the strike, said Tehran strongly condemned the attack and “demanded an immediate explanation” from Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>The risk of escalation remained Thursday as Iran’s military will begin a planned annual air defense drill from its port of Chabahar near Pakistan all across the south of the country to Iraq. The drill, Velayat 1402, will include live fire from aircraft, drones and air defense systems.</div><div><br></div><div>Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometer (560-mile), largely lawless border in which smugglers and militants freely pass between the two nations. The route is also key to global opium shipments coming out of Afghanistan.</div><div><br></div><div>For both Iran and Pakistan, the cross-border attacks renew questions about the preparedness of their own militaries, particularly their radar and air defense systems.</div><div><br></div><div>For Pakistan, such systems are crucial as tensions always remain at a low boil with India, their nuclear-armed rival. Their equipment has long been deployed along the frontier, rather than its border with Iran. For Iran, it relies on those systems against potential strikes by its main enemy, the U.S.</div><div><br></div><div>China, a crucial partner in both countries, had urged restraint. Beijing is a key regional player and has a major Belt and Road development in Gwadar port in Pakistan\'s Baluchistan province. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 09:09:24', '2024-01-18 09:09:24'),
(10880, 10880, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said informed quarters have questioned whether Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) published its report on the January 7 election in an effort to “give weapon” to anti-election and anti-democratic forces.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“It seems that there is a similarity in terms of language between what BNP says and what TIB is saying. It is our expectation that TIB will not work as a supportive force for the anti-election and anti-democratic forces,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister hoped that TIB will not turn into “a spokesperson for a group” and uphold its reputation without deviating from its neutral position.</div><div><br></div><div>The Awami League joint general secretary said he received several phone calls with questions about the TIB report.</div><div><br></div><div>Though TIB was supposed to do research on issues, in most cases they do not do any research, Hasan Mahmud claimed.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said the election was held in a festive atmosphere and international observers from the US, European Union, Commonwealth, OIC and others described it as “free and fair.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said it seems TIB came up with its report with refined remarks made by BNP leaders.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Mahmud said the Election Commission demonstrated a strong role with strict imposition of laws including cancellation of AL candidates and other measures.</div><div><br></div><div>“There was no appreciation of EC efforts in the TIB report,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The 12th parliamentary election was a one-sided one that was staged to appear competitive,” Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said in its report, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“It is an ominous sign regarding the future of democracy and democratic elections in Bangladesh,” said TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman at a press conference to share the findings of the anti-corruption watchdog’s study titled “The 12th Parliament Election Process Tracking.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 09:21:22', '2024-01-18 09:21:22'),
(10881, 10881, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted a dynamic weather pattern for the coming 72 hours, starting at 9 am today (January 18, 2024), impacting various regions of the country including Dhaka.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to a recent BMD bulletin, “Rain or thundershowers are expected in several areas, with Khulna and Barishal divisions likely to experience scattered showers. Isolated rain or thundershowers may occur in Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Chattogram divisions. Meanwhile, other regions can expect mainly dry conditions with temporary partly cloudy skies.”</div><div><br></div><div>The bulletin also warns of moderate to thick fog affecting many areas from midnight to morning. A mild cold wave is currently sweeping through the Rangpur division, as well as the districts of Kishoreganj and Noagaon, with potential to persist.</div><div><br></div><div>Dinajpur recorded the country’s lowest temperature today at 8 degrees Celsius.</div><div><br></div><div>Transport sectors, including air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication, face potential disruptions due to foggy conditions.</div><div><br></div><div>Temperatures are expected to fall slightly in the north-northeastern regions, while remaining relatively stable in other parts of Bangladesh, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Furthermore, the BMD anticipates “cold day conditions” in certain areas, highlighting the need for residents to prepare for a range of weather scenarios.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 09:54:35', '2024-01-18 09:54:35'),
(10882, 10882, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The European Union (EU) wants to take the partnership and cooperation with Bangladesh to a new height, said its ambasador said on Thursday (January 18, 2024).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador Charles Whiteley made the remarks while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>He also congratulated Hasina on her re-election as the prime minister for fourth consecutive term and the fifth overall.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The existing facilities which Bangladesh is currently getting in various sectors including environment, good governance, renewable energy and transportation under the Global Gateway will be further enhanced in the days to come,\" PM\'s Deputy Press Secretary Md. Noorelahi Mina said quoted Whiteley.</div><div><br></div><div>The ambassador mentioned that the EU had already given Bangladesh 407 million Euro during the recent Global Gateway Forum summit at Brussels in Belgium.</div><div><br></div><div>The EU envoy promised to continue the facilities given to Bangladesh under EBA (Everything but Arms) facilities.</div><div><br></div><div>He also pledged to continue the GSP plus facilities to Bangladesh, said the deputy press secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>The EU ambssador also highly praised the inititives taken by Hasina\'s government for the development of those with disabilities and the marginalised people.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Premier has expressed her satisfaction over the existing relationship between her country and the European Union over the last 50 years.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This relationship between Bangladesh and European Union will be elevated to a new height,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister thanked the EU for continuing support under the EBA and sought greater cooperation in different sectors including renewable energy under the Global Gateway programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and PM\'s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the meeting. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 10:11:13', '2024-01-18 10:11:13'),
(10883, 10883, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate Bobi Wine said today that police had surrounded his residence and put him “under house arrest” ahead of a planned protest.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Opposition politicians had planned demonstrations today against the poor condition of roads in Uganda, which is hosting two global summits in the coming days.</div><div><br></div><div>Wine, a popstar-turned-politician, said police and soldiers had barred him from leaving his home in Magere, north of the capital Kampala.</div><div><br></div><div>“The cowardly military &amp; police have surrounded our home and put us under house arrest, but the protest is on,” the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader said on X.</div><div><br></div><div>“Fix our roads! Free Political Prisoners! Free Uganda!”</div><div><br></div><div>Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, challenged veteran President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda’s last election in 2021, calling for an end to his iron-fisted rule.</div><div><br></div><div>Former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change opposition party said today that he too was not allowed to leave his house.</div><div><br></div><div>“Barricaded at home by the COWARDS! No turning back; we deserve better. Please do what you can, wherever you’re, with whatever you have, to show the terrible roads affecting you today,” he posted on X.</div><div><br></div><div>A police spokesman confirmed the “security deployment” outside the two residences.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have taken some measures to stop them from instigating some people to hold unlawful assemblies and political demonstrations,” Patrick Onyango, spokesman for Kampala Metropolitan Police, told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is security deployment at Bobi Wine and Dr Besigye’s homes not to arrest but as a preventive measure in line with police mandate.”</div><div><br></div><div>Opposition parties have accused the government of detaining homeless people and razing thousands of roadside kiosks in a clean-up drive ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement and G77+China summits in Kampala. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 10:25:18', '2024-01-18 10:25:18'),
(10884, 10884, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Pakistani airstrikes on Iran killed nine people in a border region in the Islamic Republic’s southeast today, state media reported, updating an earlier toll of seven dead.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Two men were also killed in the missile attack this morning in one of the border villages of Saravan, bringing the death toll to nine,” the official IRNA news agency said quoting Alireza Marhamati, deputy provincial governor of Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province.</div><div><br></div><div>Marhamati had earlier said that three women and four children were killed in the strikes.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan said it had today launched “a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province.</div><div><br></div><div>Iran’s interior minister Ahmad Vahidi said all the dead “were foreign nationals”, in a televised interview.</div><div><br></div><div>Iran’s Fars news agency said, without citing any sources, that those killed were “believed to be Pakistani nationals”.</div><div><br></div><div>Neither the minister nor Fars explained their presence there at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>Sistan-Baluchistan province is one of the few mainly Sunni Muslim provinces in Shiite-dominated Iran.</div><div><br></div><div>It has seen persistent unrest involving cross-border drug-smuggling gangs and rebels from the Baluchi ethnic minority as well as jihadists.</div><div><br></div><div>Iran condemned the strikes and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires “to protest and request an explanation from the Pakistani government,” according to a statement by foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani.</div><div><br></div><div>The attack took place two days after Iran carried out strikes against “terrorist” targets in Pakistan which left at least two children dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday, Pakistan had denounced the strikes near the countries’ shared border, recalled its ambassador from Iran, and blocked Tehran’s envoy from returning to Islamabad.</div><div><br></div><div>On Jan 10, the Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) jihadist group claimed an attack on a police station in the southeastern city of Rask which killed one officer. The group had carried out a similar attack in December, killing 11 police officers.</div><div><br></div><div>Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is blacklisted by Iran as a terrorist group and has carried out several attacks on Iranian soil in recent years.</div><div><br></div><div>The group said yesterday that it had killed a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Sistan-Baluchistan, IRNA news agency reported. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 11:00:36', '2024-01-18 11:00:36'),
(10885, 10885, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">A Japanese court today sentenced to death a man who was a minor at the time of his crime three years ago, in the first capital punishment case since the country lowered the legal age of adulthood, public broadcaster NHK and other media said.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Yuki Endo was 19 years old in 2021 when he stabbed the parents of a love interest and set fire to their home in Yamanashi prefecture, west of Tokyo, according to the reports.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the first death sentence to be given since Japan lowered the legal age of adulthood to 18 from 20 in April 2022, the reports said.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan and the US are the only Group of Seven nations that carry out capital punishment by methods including hanging in Japan and lethal injection in the US.</div><div><br></div><div>Unlike in the US, where execution dates are set in advance and made public, inmates in Japan are notified on the morning of their execution. The United Nations Committee against Torture has criticised Japan for “the psychological strain” on inmates and their families. - Reuters </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 11:32:40', '2024-01-18 11:32:58'),
(10886, 10886, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The number of North Korean defectors making it to the South tripled last year to 196 after a run of pandemic-linked lows, Seoul said today, with more elite diplomats and students seeking to escape.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Tens of thousands of North Koreans have fled to South Korea since the peninsula was divided by war in the 1950s, with most going overland to neighbouring China first, then entering a third country such as Thailand before finally making it to the South.</div><div><br></div><div>The number of successful escapes dropped significantly from 2020 after the North sealed its borders – purportedly with shoot-on-sight orders along the land frontier with China – to prevent the spread of Covid-19.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2021, only 63 people made it to the South, a more than 90% decrease from 2019, when 1,047 defectors arrived. Just 67 people arrived in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Last year, 196 defectors made it to South Korea, the country’s unification ministry said in a statement, a figure that remains well below the pre-pandemic average.</div><div><br></div><div>Women accounted for more than 80% of people who escaped the repressive nuclear-armed regime last year, and most defectors travelled via a third country, the ministry said.</div><div><br></div><div>There was also an upward trend in the defections of North Korean elites such as diplomats and students studying abroad, according to the ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have confirmed last year’s defections by the elite class were the highest in recent years,” it said.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 10 people from North Korea’s elite class fled to the South last year, the most since 2017, according to the Yonhap news agency.</div><div><br></div><div>Defecting by sea directly to the South is extremely rare and seen as far more dangerous than land routes, with only a handful of people making it across the de facto maritime border, the Northern Limit line.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2023, 13 defectors fled to the South by sea, the unification ministry said, noting it was indicative of “worsening situations in North Korea”.</div><div><br></div><div>All escapees who crossed the maritime border cited food shortages as driving their decision to flee, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>Pyongyang uses harsh words such as “human scum” when describing their citizens who have escaped. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 11:42:34', '2024-01-18 11:42:34'),
(10887, 10887, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russia launched 33 drones and two missiles at Ukraine overnight, with air defences destroying 22 drones, the Ukrainian military said on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The main areas of attack were the south and north. The Ukrainian Air Force and Defence Forces destroyed 22 enemy drones. Several more drones did not reach their targets,” Ukraine’s Air Forces said on the Telegram messaging app.</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters could not independently verify the Ukrainian air force’s report. There was no immediate comment from Russia.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian civilian and military authorities have not yet reported if the attack caused any casualties or damage. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 11:49:26', '2024-01-18 11:49:26'),
(10888, 10888, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Indian navy said today that it had rescued the crew of a US-owned vessel in the Gulf of Aden after an attack by Yemen’s Houthi movement as tensions in the region’s sea lanes disrupted global trade.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Following the attack on the US Genco Picardy late yesterday, the US military said its forces had conducted strikes on 14 Houthi missiles that “presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US navy ships in the region”.</div><div><br></div><div>Attacks by the Iran-allied Houthi militia on ships in and around the Red Sea since November have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and alarmed major powers in an escalation of the war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas fighters in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians and have threatened to target US ships in response to American and British strikes on the group’s positions.</div><div><br></div><div>India said it diverted a warship deployed in the region to rescue the 22 crew on board the Genco Picardy, including nine Indians. The crew were all safe and a fire on board the vessel had been extinguished.</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthi movement said its missiles had made a “direct hit” on the bulk carrier.</div><div><br></div><div>Shipping operator Genco confirmed the attack and said its vessel was hit by a projectile while it was transiting through the Gulf of Aden with a cargo of phosphate rock. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 12:59:22', '2024-01-18 12:59:22'),
(10889, 10889, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Indonesia’s defence minister Prabowo Subianto sent off the hospital aid ship KRI dr Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992 from the Indonesian navy’s Command of Military Sea Traffic in Jakarta today to bring aid for Gazans, reported Antara news agency.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The ship brings aid, such as food, clothing, mineral water, and medicines, from Jakarta to El Arish, a city in Egypt that borders Rafah in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is our proof of support to Palestinians in their struggle to defend themselves and achieve their independence. We continue to help with what we can do for them,” the minister remarked during the send-off ceremony accompanied by Indonesia’s navy chief of staff Admiral Muhammad Ali.</div><div><br></div><div>During the event, Subianto directly checked the readiness of the ship and personnel. He also spoke with Egypt 2024’s task force commander, Commodore Bimo Aji, who led the humanitarian mission to Palestine.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister admitted that the humanitarian mission was not an easy operation, as the Indonesian navy soldiers would be sailing through quite dangerous waters.</div><div><br></div><div>“This task is quite dangerous because they will pass through war areas, namely around the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, which is currently raging in open war,” he remarked.</div><div><br></div><div>He then expressed gratitude to Admiral Ali and other humanitarian agencies that helped this humanitarian operation.</div><div><br></div><div>“In the future, we will also continue our assistance to Palestine. We have planned to send planes to transport aid, ships, and provide continuous assistance. They really need it,” Subianto emphasised.</div><div><br></div><div>The KRI dr Radjiman has been docking in Jakarta since Nov 30, 2023, in preparation for sending aid to El Arish, Egypt, for the Palestinian people in Gaza. The hospital aid ship was initially planned not only to deliver aid but also to carry out health services on board and provide care to refugees from Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the permission given by the Egyptian government, so far, has only allowed the ship to deliver aid and make a friendly visit to El Arish, Egypt.</div><div><br></div><div>The ship, with 214 crew onboard, is scheduled to sail for 52 days from Jakarta via Batam to El Arish, Egypt, and return to Indonesia. The ship is also scheduled for a port visit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Of the 214 crew, 40 are members of the Indonesian navy’s special forces.</div><div><br></div><div>Assistance brought by the ship comprises 532 sacks of Pampers, 600 sacks of children’s clothing, 700 sacks and 500 boxes of adult clothing, 800 cartons of milk, 650 boxes of biscuits, 1,254 gallons and 1,700 boxes of mineral water, 460 boxes of medicines, 450 sacks of blankets, 450 sacks of jackets, and 470 boxes of instant noodles. - Bernama&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 13:14:56', '2024-01-18 13:14:56'),
(10890, 10890, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a probe had been launched into the case involving the surveillance of journalists, terming pressure against media personnel unacceptable.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Zelenskyy\'s remarks during an evening video address on Wednesday came after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said it was investigating the circumstances regarding illegal wiretapping and video recording of employees of a local news outlet, indicating that criminal proceedings have been initiated.</div><div><br></div><div>The SBU believes “independent and professional” mass media’s transparent and unimpeded work is “an important condition for the development of Ukraine as a democratic state,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bihus.Info news outlet earlier said its employees were under surveillance for months after a video appeared online showing some of its staff members using drugs during a New Year\'s party.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking about strategic discussions held during a meeting with the military leadership earlier in the day, Zelenskyy said \"Ukraine needs an ambitious, active perspective\" and the country should retain the initiative, adding: \"We want the end of the war to depend on Ukrainian actions and not the enemy\'s.”</div><div><br></div><div>Russia launched a \"special military operation\" in Ukraine nearly two years ago to \"demilitarize\" and \"denazify\" the former Soviet republic. The West, however, terms it aggression and has supported Kyiv through humanitarian, economic and military means.</div><div><br></div><div>That support, however, is said to be waning amid Kyiv\'s allegedly failed counteroffensive, changing Western political dynamics and a global focus on the Israeli-Hamas war. But Ukraine says it sees no sign of war fatigue among the allies. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 13:23:27', '2024-01-18 13:23:27');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10892, 10892, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Videos of world-renowned actors reading aloud the accusations against Israel regarding the alleged \"genocide\" in Gaza, during the initial hearing of the case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), have garnered thousands of views on social media platforms.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Actors of the TV series \"Crown,\" Khalid Abdalla and Tobias Menzies, and the actors of the TV series \"Game of Thrones,\" Charles Dance, Carice van Houten and Lena Headey were among the 29 actors featured in videos published on YouTube channel \"The Palestine Festival of Literature.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The videos were also watched hundreds of thousands of times on X.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, Israeli-born actor Adam Bakri and Jewish actor Wallace Shawn, as well as actress Cynthia Nixon, who participated in the hunger strike demanding a cease-fire in Gaza in front of the White House, were among those who appeared in front of the camera and read out the accusations.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel is currently facing a \"genocide\" case brought to the UN court by South Africa due to its attacks in Gaza - which are repeatedly described as a breach to international laws by the UN. Tel Aviv, however, denies accusations of genocide by claiming that it is only trying to protect its own people.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched a relentless military assault on Gaza after a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, which Tel Aviv says killed around 1,200 people.</div><div><br></div><div>During Israel’s military campaign, at least 24,448 Palestinians have been killed and 61,504 others injured, according to Palestinian authorities. The majority of the victims were children and women.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the UN, 85% of the population of Gaza is already internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 13:58:03', '2024-01-18 13:58:03'),
(10893, 10893, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP will celebrate the 88th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on Friday with due respect.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman, founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh president.</div><div><br></div><div>Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP on Wednesday announced a two-day programme to mark the birth anniversary of its founder.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the programmes, the party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on Friday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, will place wreaths at Zia\'s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, BNP arranged a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon in memory of Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes.</div><div><br></div><div>The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a message on the occasion paying deep homage to Zia, according to UNB reports.</div><div><br></div><div>He recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the country’s development and restoration of ‘multiparty democracy’.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 14:02:29', '2024-01-18 14:02:29'),
(10894, 10894, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday said that the World Bank is ready to continue its help Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He was talking to reporters after a meeting with World Bank Country Director Abdoulaye Seck in his office at the Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>The finance minister said, “The president of the World Bank visited to the Rohingya camp. I took him there. The Rohingyas have not yet left, which is why there is that relationship. The World Bank works for Bangladesh. They want to help Bangladesh.”</div><div><br></div><div>Reply to a query about the fact that the World Bank wants reforms in the economy of Bangladesh, Ali said that they want reforms which are definitely needed.</div><div><br></div><div>However, he did not comment when asked where assistance was needed.</div><div><br></div><div>The finance minister said, “Let\'s see. Let\'s start working. We have a great relationship. They will continue to do so,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Abdoulaye Seck said that since the independence of Bangladesh, the World Bank provided USD $52 billion.</div><div><br></div><div>Another $16 billion in aid has been pledged. This assistance will be provided in various fields including education, health, energy and technology.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 14:46:00', '2024-01-18 14:46:00'),
(10895, 10895, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#397b21\">Bangladesh has called for greater unity and solidarity among the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member-states to ensure shared global prosperity.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>While speaking at the ministerial meeting of the NAM in Kampala, Uganda, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen referred to the statement of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the NAM Summit in Algiers in 1973 where Bangabandhu emphasised the principles of self-reliance and effective economic cooperation among the non-aligned countries which is still relevant after 50 years.</div><div><br></div><div>The two-day ministerial meeting on NAM ended on January 18 after finalizing the outcome document, Kampala Declaration and declaration on Palestine which are expected to be adopted in the 19th NAM Summit scheduled to be held on January 19-20.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will lead the Bangladesh delegation in the 19th NAM Summit, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Secretary also highlighted the progresses achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and mentioned that the people of Bangladesh re-elected her through a \"free, fair, peaceful and participatory\" election, to continue her march towards development and prosperity.</div><div><br></div><div>He also called for establishing effective mechanisms inside the NAM to help the NAM countries from LDC graduation and also to deal with the aftermath of the graduation.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Secretary also attended the meeting of the NAM Ministerial Committee on Palestine and reiterated Bangladesh’s unequivocal support for the legitimate right and just struggle of the Palestinian people for their freedom from Israeli occupation and oppression, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He also urged the members of the Movement to use all tools available to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-18 15:31:56', '2024-01-18 15:31:56'),
(10896, 10896, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally spoke Friday after a glaring, nearly four-week gap in direct communication during which fundamental differences have come into focus over a possible pathway to Palestinian statehood once the fighting in Gaza ends.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Biden and his top aides have all but smothered Netanyahu with robust support, even in the face of global condemnation over the mounting civilian death toll and humanitarian suffering in Gaza as the Israelis have carried out military operations in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>But the leaders\' relationship has increasingly shown signs of strain as Netanyahu has repeatedly rebuffed Biden\'s calls for Palestinian sovereignty, gumming up what the U.S. president believes is the key to unlocking a durable peace in the Middle East — the oft-cited, elusive two-state solution.</div><div><br></div><div>Neither side shows signs of budging.</div><div><br></div><div>Friday\'s phone call came one day after Netanyahu said that he has told U.S. officials in plain terms that he will not support a Palestinian state as part of any postwar plan. Biden, for his part, in Friday\'s call reaffirmed his commitment to work toward helping the Palestinians move toward statehood.</div><div><br></div><div>“As we’re talking about post-conflict Gaza ... you can’t do that without also talking about the aspirations of the Palestinian people and what that needs to look like for them,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.</div><div><br></div><div>The leaders spoke frequently in the first weeks of the war. But the regular cadence of calls between Biden and Netanyahu, who have had a hot-and-cold relationship for over three decades, has slowed considerably. Their 30- to 40-minute call Friday was their first conversation since Dec. 23.</div><div><br></div><div>Both sides are hemmed in by domestic political considerations.</div><div><br></div><div>The chasm between Biden, a center-left Democrat, and Netanyahu, who leads the most conservative government in Israel’s history, has expanded as pressure mounts on the United States to use its considerable leverage to press Israel to wind down a war that has already killed nearly 25,000 Palestinians.</div><div><br></div><div>There is also growing impatience with Netanyahu in Israel over the lack of progress in freeing dozens of hostages still held by Islamic militants in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is certainly a reason to be concerned,” says Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israeli relations at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, “The more and more we see political considerations dominating the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, which is likely to continue because of the upcoming presidential election and the weakness of both leaders, the more we will see them pulling apart.”</div><div><br></div><div>In their most recent calls, Biden’s frustration with Netanyahu has grown more evident, even though the U.S. leader has been careful to reaffirm his support for Israel at each step, according to U.S. officials who requested anonymity to discuss the leaders\' private interactions.</div><div><br></div><div>Yet, Biden, at least publicly, has not given up on the idea of winning over Netanyahu. Asked by a reporter on Friday if a two-state solution is impossible while Netanyahu is in office, Biden replied, “No, it\'s not.”</div><div><br></div><div>Aides insist Biden understands the political box Netanyahu finds himself in with his hard-right coalition and as he deals with ongoing corruption charges that have left the prime minister fighting for his freedom, not just his political future.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden, meanwhile, faces American voters in November, in a likely rematch with former President Donald Trump. Netanyahu and Trump forged a close relationship during the Republican’s term in office. Biden faces criticism from some on his left who believe he hasn\'t pushed the Israelis hard enough to demonstrate restraint as it carries out military operations.</div><div><br></div><div>Key Democratic lawmakers, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, this week warned that Netanyahu\'s position on statehood could complicate negotiations in the Senate on a spending package that includes military aid for Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>Expect Netanyahu to “use every trick that he has to keep his coalition together and avoid elections and play out the clock,” said Michael Koplow, chief policy officer at the Israel Policy Forum. ”And I’m sure that part of it is a conviction that if he waits until November, he may end up with Donald Trump back in the Oval Office.”</div><div><br></div><div>In recent weeks, some of the more difficult conversations have been left to Ron Dermer, a top aide to Netanyahu and former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., and Biden\'s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. The two top aides talk almost daily — sometimes multiple times during a day, according to a U.S. official and an Israeli official, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.</div><div><br></div><div>Other senior Biden administration officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, as well as senior advisers Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, have been at the forefront of the administration\'s push to engage the Israelis and other Middle East allies as the Biden-Netanyahu dialogue has become less constructive.</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu, who has opposed calls for a two-state solution throughout his political career, told reporters this week that he flatly told U.S. officials he remains opposed to any postwar plan that includes establishment of a Palestinian state.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister\'s latest rejection of Biden\'s push in that direction came after Blinken this week said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Israel and its Middle East neighbors had “a profound opportunity” to solve the generational Israel-Palestinian conflict. Asked if he thought Netanyahu was up to making the most of the moment, Blinken demurred.</div><div><br></div><div>“Look, these are decisions for Israelis to make,” Blinken said. “This is a profound decision for the country as a whole to make: What direction does it want to take? Does it see — can it seize — the opportunity that we believe is there?”</div><div><br></div><div>The Biden-Netanyahu relationship has seen no shortage of peaks and valleys over the years. As vice president, Biden privately criticized Netanyahu after the the Israeli leader embarrassed President Barack Obama by approving the construction of 1,600 new apartments in disputed East Jerusalem in the middle of Biden’s 2010 visit to Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu publicly resisted, before eventually relenting to, Biden\'s calls on the Israelis to wind down a May 2021 military operation in Gaza. And in late 2019, during a question and answer session with voters on the campaign trail, Biden called Netanyahu an “extreme right” leader.</div><div><br></div><div>The path to a two-state solution — one in which Israel would co-exist with an independent Palestinian state — has eluded U.S. presidents and Middle East diplomats for decades.</div><div><br></div><div>But as the war grinds on, Biden and his team have pressed the notion that there is a new dynamic in the Middle East in which Israel’s Arab and Muslim neighbors stand ready to integrate Israel into the region once the war ends, but only if Israel commits to a pathway to a Palestinian state.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden has proposed that a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority, which is based in the West Bank, could run Gaza once combat ends. Netanyahu has roundly rejected the idea of putting the Palestinian Authority, which is beset by corruption, in charge of the territory.</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu argues that a Palestinian state would become a launchpad for attacks on Israel. So Israel “must have security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River,” Netanyahu said. “That collides with the idea of sovereignty. What can we do?”</div><div><br></div><div>White House officials have sought to play down Netanyahu\'s public rejection of Biden\'s call for a two-state solution, noting that the prime minister\'s rhetoric is not new.</div><div><br></div><div>They hold out hope Israel could eventually come around to accepting a Palestinian state that comes with strong security guarantees for Israel, reports AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"I don’t think Biden has any illusions about Netanyahu,” said Daniel Kurtzer, who served as U.S. ambassador to Egypt during the Bill Clinton administration and to Israel under George W. Bush. “But I don’t think he’s ready to slam the door on him. And that’s because he gets the intersection between the policy and the politics.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 08:43:26', '2024-01-20 08:43:26'),
(10897, 10897, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The government is considering an effective framework to hold those spreading disinformation and rumours accountable.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"A framework on how to hold those who spread disinformation and rumors accountable is under consideration,\" State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mohammad A Arafat, said on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>In preventing propaganda, he said, the government is ensuring that freedom of expression and media is not hindered.</div><div><br></div><div>The information state minister made the announcement on X (formerly known as Twitter). According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 09:16:19', '2024-01-20 09:16:19'),
(10898, 10898, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said a survey is underway for extension of Dhaka Metro Rail from Uttara to Tongi.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He said this after inaugurating the Bangabandhu Corner at the DMTCL Building in Uttara’s Diabari.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said the construction work of metro rail’s Motijheel to Kamalapur part will be completed by June next year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A decision will be taken after discussion on extending service hours of metro rail on different days including Ijtema and Boi Mela, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“From today, metro rail started operating from Uttara North to Motijheel from 7:10 am every day except Friday and the last train from Motijheel will leave for Uttara North at 8:40 pm,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The headway during peak hours will be 10 minutes and during off-peak hours it will be 12 minutes, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“This afternoon, I will travel from Uttara North to Motijheel by metro rail. I also urge you to travel regularly on time-saving and environment-friendly metro rail,” the minister said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Maximum facilities for passengers will be ensured in metro rail. Six lines of the metro rail will be operational by 2030,” said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>“The greatest Bangalee of all time, the great architect of our independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, dreamt of building a Sonar Bangla. His daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s government is working relentlessly to materialize that dream,” Quader said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 09:34:50', '2024-01-20 09:34:50'),
(10899, 10899, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has called for peaceful settlement of disputes and promotion of culture of peace globally.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He made the call while speaking at the 19th NAM Summit in Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation in the 19th NAM Summit.</div><div><br></div><div>He referred to the statement of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the NAM Summit in Algiers in 1973.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister highlighted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is carrying forward Bangabandhu’s legacy of peace, development, and human rights with courage and determination.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Mahmud reiterated Bangladesh’s unwavering support to the oppressed people of Palestine and demanded justice for them.</div><div><br></div><div>He urged the world community to stand with Palestinians and use all tools available to support their cause.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister also urged all concerned to redouble efforts to ensure a sustainable solution to the Rohingya issue.</div><div><br></div><div>He underscored the need for a constructive and non-confrontational dialogue approach to promote peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The two-day Summit, inaugurated on Friday by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni as new Chair of the Movement, is expected to adopt the outcome document, Kampala Declaration and a declaration on Palestine.</div><div><br></div><div>On the sidelines of the NAM Summit, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud held a meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe.</div><div><br></div><div>They discussed Rohingya repatriation and other issues of importance between the two countries. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 13:00:20', '2024-01-20 13:00:20'),
(10900, 10900, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her re-election as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a congratulatory letter sent to the Prime Minister, Patricia said that she was encouraged by the vision that Sheikh Hasina outlined after assuming office, which emphasised the principles of transparency and accountability and she also recalled the exhortation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, of ‘friendship to all, malice towards none’.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The Secretariat stands ready to support you as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, in continuing your important work on these values,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“These values are mirrored in our Commonwealth Charter, which call for tolerance, respect and understanding and delivering the many facets of sustainable development,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Commonwealth Secretary General mentioned that she was pleased to have deployed a Commonwealth Expert Team of independent observers for the recent elections, led by the former Prime Minister of Jamaica,</div><div><br></div><div>Bruce Golding.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“I look forward to receiving the Team’s report with its findings and recommendations, and to an opportunity to discuss these with you,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Patricia said that Bangladesh is a treasured member of the Commonwealth family.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Our diverse nations are bound by the shared values that are reflected in our Charter, including those of peace, democracy, and sustainable development,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she mentioned that Bangladesh’s active engagement and leadership in the Commonwealth is greatly appreciated by its members, including on issues of oceans stewardship and climate change, digital innovation, trade and investment, youth, gender equality, and mental health.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We look forward to continuing and building on this collaboration, to support Bangladesh</div><div><br></div><div>in achieving its full range of priorities during your fifth term in office.”</div><div><br></div><div>She also said that she is conscious of the historical journey of Bangladesh for freedom, democracy and development.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“I also look forward to welcoming you back to Marlborough House in London, and</div><div><br></div><div>looking ahead, to meeting you at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government</div><div><br></div><div>Meeting (CHOGM), which will take place in Samoa in the week of 21 October 2024.” - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 13:05:34', '2024-01-20 13:05:34'),
(10901, 10901, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said a survey is underway for extension of Dhaka Metro Rail from Uttara to Tongi.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He said this after inaugurating the Bangabandhu Corner at the DMTCL Building in Uttara’s Diabari.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said the construction work of metro rail’s Motijheel to Kamalapur part will be completed by June next year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A decision will be taken after discussion on extending service hours of metro rail on different days including Ijtema and Boi Mela, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“From today, metro rail started operating from Uttara North to Motijheel from 7:10 am every day except Friday and the last train from Motijheel will leave for Uttara North at 8:40 pm,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The headway during peak hours will be 10 minutes and during off-peak hours it will be 12 minutes.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“This afternoon, I will travel from Uttara North to Motijheel by metro rail. I also urge you to travel regularly on time-saving and environment-friendly metro rail,” the minister said, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“Maximum facilities for passengers will be ensured in metro rail. Six lines of the metro rail will be operational by 2030,” said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>“The greatest Bangalee of all time, the great architect of our independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, dreamt of building a Sonar Bangla. His daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s government is working relentlessly to materialize that dream,” Quader said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 13:45:10', '2024-01-20 13:45:10'),
(10902, 10902, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pakistan and Iran \"agreed to de-escalate\" tensions Friday, Islamabad said, after trading deadly airstrikes on militant targets in each other\'s territory this week.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The rare military actions in the porous border region of Baluchistan -- split between the two nations -- had stoked regional tensions already enflamed by the Israel-Hamas war.</div><div><br></div><div>Iran carried out a missile and drone attack on what it called \"terrorist\" targets in Pakistan on Tuesday night, with Pakistan in turn striking militant targets inside Iran on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Tehran and said Iran\'s envoy -- on a visit home -- was blocked from returning to Islamabad.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations and the United States appealed for restraint, while China offered to mediate.</div><div><br></div><div>But after speaking by phone, Pakistan\'s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian agreed \"close coordination on counter terrorism and other aspects of mutual concern should be strengthened\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"They also agreed to de-escalate the situation,\" according to a summary of the conversation released by Islamabad\'s foreign ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>After the call, Amir-Abdollahian said in a statement \"the cooperation of the two countries to neutralise and destroy terrorist camps in Pakistan is essential\".</div><div><br></div><div>The muted rhetoric matched analysts\' predictions that both sides would seek to defuse the confrontation.</div><div><br></div><div>Tehran and Islamabad have both insisted they hit their own domestic militants sheltering on foreign territory.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The upshot of the new situation is that the two countries are seemingly and symbolically even,\" said Antoine Levesques, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.</div><div><br></div><div>- Border closure fears -</div><div>Meanwhile on Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar held an emergency security meeting with military and intelligence chiefs.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The forum reiterated the unflinching resolve that sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan are absolutely inviolable,\" said a summary released by Kakar\'s office.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Any attempt by anyone to breach it on any pretext will be responded with [the] full might of the state.\"</div><div><br></div><div>But the summit also said Pakistan and Iran should \"address each other\'s security concerns in the larger interest of regional peace and stability\".</div><div><br></div><div>Caretaker leader Kakar cut short his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland following the strikes, which came with national elections due in three weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>A collective death toll of 11 -- mostly women and children -- was reported from both sides of the border that bisects an arid region where militant movements have simmered for decades.</div><div><br></div><div>In the remote villages near the strike site in Panjgur district, where mobile signal is rarely available, farmers pieced together the events from reports passed on from visiting security officials who set up checkpoints in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Helicopters were flying overhead and going in the direction of where the Iranian strike hit, but we didn\'t know what had happened,\" Maulana Mohammad Sadiq, 42, the prayer leader of a small seminary around five kilometres (three miles) from where a missile hit, told AFP on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Villagers feared that deteriorating relations between the two sides could lead to border closures and cut off residents from Iranian trade, which the area relies on for employment and food imports.</div><div><br></div><div>\"If Iranians close the border, the people will starve and it will cause more militancy because youth will join the separatist organisations,\" said 55-year-old Haji Mohammad Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>Baluch separatists have been waging a low-level insurgency against Pakistani authorities from the largely ungoverned, impoverished region fighting for a better share of mineral resources.</div><div><br></div><div>Rights groups say the military\'s crackdown on the insurgency has included widespread enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.</div><div><br></div><div>Militancy has also risen sharply along Pakistan\'s border with Afghanistan further north, after the Taliban\'s return to power there in 2021. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 13:48:04', '2024-01-20 13:48:04'),
(10903, 10903, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">BNP’s senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday unequivocally said that the opposition parties who have been on a movement will not leave the streets until democracy is restored.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"We would like to say clearly that no other system except democracy will ever work in Bangladesh,” he said .</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a mass signature collection programme arranged by Nagorik Oikya in the capital, the BNP leader also said that the current Awami League government is ruling the country by the power of guns after usurping the state power.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s not only us who are saying this now, look at media around the world and look at the statements issued by different countries about the farcical election held on January 7. They echoed what we, the democratic opposition parties, have been saying for last few years about the farcical elections,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Moyeen, a BNP standing committee member, said that it is established at home and abroad that democracy is now dead in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>He said their party’s only goal is to bring democracy back to Bangladesh. “Inshallah, our movement for democracy will continue...we won’t leave the streets until we can restore democracy and the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh.”</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader expressed hope that every people of the country will join Nagorik Oikya’s mass signature programme against the farcical elections. He also urged the people&nbsp; to reject the current regime.</div><div><br></div><div>Nagorik Oikya launched the mass signature collection programme in favour of democracy and to disapprove the January-7 national election in front of the Jatiya Press Club.</div><div><br></div><div>The organisers said the signatures of the people of all walks of life will be collected in various places of Dhaka city and in districts and upazilas, and internationally through online as part of the party’s move to turn down the 12th parliamentary election and to justify the opposition parties’ demand for the restoration of democracy through a fresh election under a neutral government.</div><div><br></div><div>Nagrik Oikya&nbsp; President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said Awami League arranged a lopsided farcical election on January 7 as it is not capable of contesting a fair and inclusive election.</div><div><br></div><div>“That is why we have arranged this signature collection programme. We will try to reach not only 10 crore voters in Bangladesh, but also 17 -18 crore people of the country. Our&nbsp; programme—mass signature for democracy—will continue both offline and online,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Manna said they will also organise cultural programmes across the country in favour of democracy and to condemn the government formed by deceiving the country’s people.</div><div><br></div><div>Alongside the mass signature programme, he said their party together with other opposition parties will continue democratic programmes simultaneously on the streets.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is no reason for anyone to think that we left the streets as were collecting signatures,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are collecting signatures to strengthen the street movement. We are trying to build such a struggle that will force the usurper to bow down,” Manna said.</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 14:02:27', '2024-01-20 14:02:27'),
(10904, 10904, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An Israeli missile strike on Syria’s capital Damascus today killed a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and wounded others, a security source in the regional pro-Syria alliance told Reuters.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Syrian state media said a likely Israeli attack had targeted a building in the Mazzeh neighbourhood of Damascus, without giving further details.</div><div><br></div><div>Other local media in Syria reported explosions heard across the Syrian capital.</div><div><br></div><div>The security source, part of a network of groups close to Syria’s government and its major ally Iran, said the multi-storey building was used by Iranian advisers supporting President Bashar al-Assad’s government, and that it was entirely flattened by “precision-targeted Israeli missiles”.</div><div><br></div><div>There was no immediate comment from Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>Essam Al-Amin, head of the Al-Mowasat Hospital in Damascus, told local Syrian outlet Al-Watan Online that his hospital had received one corpse and three wounded people, including a woman, following today’s attack.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesman for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad told Reuters that no members of their group were wounded in the strike, following reports that some were at the bombed-out building.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has long pursued a bombing campaign against Iran-linked targets in Syria.</div><div><br></div><div>But it has shifted to deadlier strikes in the wake of the Oct 7 attack on Israel by fighters of the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamist group Hamas from Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>In December, an Israeli strike killed two Guards members, and another on Dec 25 killed a senior adviser to the Guards who was overseeing military coordination between Syria and Iran. According to Reuters reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 14:53:43', '2024-01-20 14:53:43'),
(10905, 10905, '<div><font color=\"#311873\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>&nbsp;A senior Hamas official dismissed today comments by US president Joe Biden about the possibility of Israel agreeing to the establishment of a Palestinian state.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>Biden said yesterday it was still possible that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu could agree to some form of Palestinian state after the two leaders spoke by phone for the first time in nearly a month, while Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza grinds on.</div><div><br></div><div>“The illusion that Biden is preaching about a state of Palestine and its characteristics does not fool our people,” Izzat al-Rishq, member of Hamas’s political bureau, said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“Biden is a full partner in the genocidal war and our people do not expect any good from him.”</div><div><br></div><div>Biden said after the call that it was possible that Netanyahu could become open to some form of two-state solution, raised for decades to end tensions in the Middle East.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are a number of types of two-state solutions. There’s a number of countries that are members of the UN that … don’t have their own militaries,” Biden told reporters after an event at the White House.</div><div><br></div><div>The call between Biden and Netanyahu came a day after the Israeli leader said he opposes allowing Palestinian sovereignty as the war in Gaza shows no signs of letting up.</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu has pledged to destroy Hamas and demilitarise Gaza following the Palestinian Islamist group’s Oct 7 attack on Israel, and is increasingly resistant to US pressure for a plan that includes any form of Palestinian statehood.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamas’s attack resulted in the death of about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has been conducting a relentless air and ground offensive that has killed at least 24,927 Palestinians, around 70 percent of them women, children and adolescents, according to Gaza health ministry figures. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 15:14:14', '2024-01-20 15:14:14'),
(10906, 10906, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Vietnam has jailed nearly 100 people on terrorism charges over shooting attacks last year on police headquarters in the country’s Central Highlands that left nine people dead, state media said today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Attackers on motorbikes stormed police and political offices in Dak Lak province in June last year in a rare incident of violent unrest in communist-ruled Vietnam.</div><div><br></div><div>At the end of a five-day trial at a prison where the accused have been held, 10 defendants were sentenced to life in prison while 90 others were given sentences ranging from nine months to 20 years, VNExpress reported.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the accused, 98 were charged with terrorism, one with hiding criminals and one with facilitating illegal immigration.</div><div><br></div><div>All are from ethnic minority groups indigenous to the Central Highlands, and the court accused them of seeking to “overthrow the state”.</div><div><br></div><div>Their ages range from 18 to 56.</div><div><br></div><div>Six defendants are on the run and were tried in absentia.</div><div><br></div><div>International arrest warrants have been issued for them.</div><div><br></div><div>VNExpress quoted the verdict as saying that the defendants had joined the Dega Soldiers group in early June 2023, gathering in the jungle for paramilitary training, including martial arts and bomb-making.</div><div><br></div><div>“The case was especially serious … with the terrorists aiming to overthrow the state, to establish the so-called Dega state,” it quoted the verdict as saying.</div><div><br></div><div>The court ruled that most of the defendants committed their crimes due to “lack of understanding”, blaming US-based reactionary groups for trying to lure, threaten or force them into the attacks.</div><div><br></div><div>The Dega are one of the ethnic minority groups from Vietnam’s Central Highlands, an area that has long been a hotbed of discontent over issues including land rights.</div><div><br></div><div>Communist authorities refer to followers of Protestantism in the Central Highlands as “Dega Protestants” – a group seeking autonomy from the state and linked to Montagnard political exiles in the US.</div><div><br></div><div>Montagnards – the collective name for various tribes in the area – sided with the US-backed south during Vietnam’s decades-long war.</div><div><br></div><div>Some are also calling for more autonomy, while others abroad advocate independence for the region.</div><div><br></div><div>After the deadly incident, police said they confiscated a total of 23 guns and rifles, two grenades, more than 1,000 bullets and other explosive devices.</div><div><br></div><div>Individuals are not allowed to own firearms in Vietnam and gun violence is extremely rare. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 15:16:47', '2024-01-20 15:16:47'),
(10907, 10907, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched a research satellite today, a minister said, putting it into a higher orbit in a new milestone for its aerospace programme that has faced western criticism.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The US has repeatedly warned Iran against such launches, saying the same technology can be used for ballistic missiles, including ones designed to deliver a nuclear warhead.</div><div><br></div><div>The Islamic republic says its satellite and rocket launches are only for civil or defence purposes, denying any ambition to develop a nuclear weapons capability.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Soraya satellite of the Iranian Space Organisation … was successfully launched with the Ghaem-100 satellite carrier of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” the official Irna news agency said.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is the first time that Iran has successfully placed a satellite in orbits higher than 500km,” Irna said.</div><div><br></div><div>The news agency cited telecommunications minister Issa Zarepour as saying that the satellite, which weighs about 50kg, was put in orbit 750km above Earth.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ghaem-100 carrier rocket is manufactured by the aerospace organisation of the powerful Revolutionary Guards.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the country’s first three-stage solid-fuel satellite launcher.</div><div><br></div><div>While Tehran has struggled with several satellite launch failures in the past, the successful launch of its first military satellite Nour-1, into orbit in April 2020, drew a sharp rebuke from the US.</div><div><br></div><div>Other western governments have voiced similar concerns about Iran’s aerospace programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Tehran has been under crippling US sanctions since Washington’s 2018 withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal which granted Iran sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear activities, designed to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 15:36:31', '2024-01-20 15:36:31'),
(10908, 10908, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A welcome ceremony was held after the arrival of Axiom Mission 3 crew at the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The seven-member station crew met the Ax-3 astronauts - Michael Lopez-Alegria, Walter Villadei, Marcus Wandt, and Türkiye\'s first-ever space traveler Alper Gezeravci.</div><div><br></div><div>The mission was launched from NASA\'s Kennedy Space Center, Florida at 4.49 p.m. ET Thursday (2149GMT) on a Falcon 9 rocket of private space exploration company SpaceX.</div><div><br></div><div>The crew, which docked at 5:42 a.m. EST (10:42 GMT), entered the ISS at 07.16 EST. The four-person team will conduct more than 30 scientific researches during their 14-day stay.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This is an incredibly exciting time for human spaceflight with the third private mission, which is allowing many more countries to participate in the scientific research and technology development that we do onboard this orbiting laboratory,\" ISS commander Andreas Mogensen told the ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have doubled the number of nationalities onboard the space station going from four to eight, which I think is a great testament to the international collaboration, which underpins this marvelous space station.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Türkiye\'s Gezeravci said he was happy to represent his country, and looked forward to contribute to science and research efforts.</div><div><br></div><div>Also speaking in Turkish, he expressed his gratitude to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, martyrs, the state and the nation for providing him the opportunity to enter space.</div><div><br></div><div>Lopez-Alegria, the leader of the Ax-3 mission, said: \"This is really a symbol of how Axiom in conjunction with NASA and other partners is working to expand human access to low Earth orbit.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"So many nationalities represented onboard and this is really symbolic of what we\'re trying to do to open it up not only to other nations, also to individuals to researchers,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Pilot Villadei said it was amazing to be up on the ISS and see how international collaboration has led to creating this outpost.</div><div><br></div><div>Crew member Wandt said it was great flying around and orbiting the Earth for 36 hours. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 15:55:43', '2024-01-20 15:55:43'),
(10909, 10909, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS), a passengers\' welfare platform, on Saturday demanded the government introduce 5,000 new high-quality buses on the streets under a company with the government\'s management by removing existing rickety vehicles from the capital .</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Secretary General of the BJKS Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury raised the demand in a press conference organised at the city\'s Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>In a written statement, he said that the current government has pledged that the country will join the ranks of developed countries by 2026.</div><div><br></div><div>The government is determined to improve the public transport system in Dhaka and elsewhere.</div><div><br></div><div>Quoting a JICA survey, the BJKS\'s secretary general said that there are currently 4 crore daily passenger trips in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>There is a huge scope for transport business, and the transportation system of the city can be changed overnight through bus service if only extortion is stopped and dedicated bus lanes can be introduced, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>There are examples of owning 600-800 buses of many transport companies in Bangladesh after they started plying on the streets with one bus.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the state transport agency BRTC is not able to operate buses under its own management and is leasing them out to private individuals and institutions. The number of these buses is decreasing due to lack of maintenance, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He urged the government, instead of bureaucracy in the management of BRTC, if BRTC can be managed by appointing managers with technical knowledge and experience in managing bus companies from the international market. it will play a major role in the passenger transport sector besides making BRTC profitable, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BJKS said that due to incompetence of leadership, inefficiency of management, lack of proper monitoring and monopolistic dominance of political contractors, corruption is going on, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The new government has made political commitment to establish good governance in these sectors.</div><div><br></div><div>”We want to see the reflection of this commitment of the government by ensuring quality and accountability in every project involving road, rail, sea and air,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-20 16:01:32', '2024-01-20 16:01:32');
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(10910, 10910, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#e79439\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the exporters to be more sincere to bring back the money used for export purpose and maintain balance between import and export.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We need to urgently maintain balance in import and export. I will urge everyone to be more careful about that purpose,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while inaugurating the the month-long 28th edition of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) at Purbachal.</div><div><br></div><div>She also put emphasis on searching for new markets and products for the export basket to reduce dependency on handful of destinations.</div><div><br></div><div>“For that we need to look for new products, new destinations and markets abroad. We should not be dependent on one or two markets worldwide,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she mentioned that Bangladesh has to overcome various types of hurdles and barriers to send its export items worldwide.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also chief of the ruling Awami League, said that in its manifesto for January 7 election the Awami League projected export earnings at USD 150 billion by 2030.</div><div><br></div><div>“But for that we have to catch new markets, and our time is short. Above all, if we have fixed a target it will be easy to attain the target. We want to work like this way,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that jute products and combined jute-and-leather&nbsp; products have a huge market globally.</div><div><br></div><div>“We need to focus on this sector,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said that jute should get the opportunities as an agricultural product that are given to the garments sector, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“The opportunities we are giving to garments sector need to be provided in other sectors as well,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about the handicrafts, which has been declared as product of the year, she said that the government wants that this year handicrafts sector will increase the employment of women of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 08:59:53', '2024-01-21 08:59:53'),
(10911, 10911, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In the 21st century, Bangladesh has transformed into a formidable economic force. This metamorphosis is exemplified by its journey from a once aid-dependent nation in the 1970s to a self-sufficient and aspiring economic powerhouse. The key to this remarkable turnaround? Its people, especially the youth, representing a demographic dividend ready to be harnessed, Zaidi Sattar, economist and Chair of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, writes in WhiteBoard, a premier policy magazine.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Half a century ago, Bangladesh grappled with a food deficit and a population considered a burden. Fast forward to today, the nation boasts a food production of 40 million metric tons, showcasing its journey to self-sufficiency. The country’s economic stride is further marked by its graduation from a lower-middle-income country in 2015 to a developing country status set for 2026 by the United Nations.</div><div><br></div><div>This economic renaissance hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Wall Street Journal in 2010 wrote “Bangladesh, ‘Basket Case’ No More,” leading global investment firms like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to view Bangladesh as a new investment frontier, Sattar writes. Today, Bangladesh stands as the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, a remarkable feat considering its initial lack of a significant textile industry.</div><div><br></div><div>Development economist Amartya Sen lauded Bangladesh’s human development progress, outpacing its South Asian counterparts. Despite advancements, challenges like the low female labour force participation, at 40%, remain. Addressing this could further boost economic growth. The nation’s resilience is also evident in its self-funded mega-infrastructure, the 6.4 km Padma Bridge, highlighting its economic independence.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Bangladesh has maintained over a decade of macroeconomic stability, crucial for its current and future growth. The nation’s economic tale is one of balance, with agriculture providing food security and rural employment, while trade and industry propel its development forward, writes the economist.</div><div><br></div><div>The year 2022 posed significant challenges to global economies, including Bangladesh. However, its robust macroeconomic management over three decades allowed it to withstand shocks like the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting its resilience during global crises.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s economic strategy has been pivotal in its success. Since the 1990s, the country embraced an export-oriented trade policy, a shift from its previous inward-looking approach. This transition was influenced by the successful models of East Asian economies and has played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s development since 2010, Sattar is of the view.</div><div><br></div><div>The country’s export success, especially in clothing, is a testament to its effective use of comparative advantage. Embracing an export-led growth model, Bangladesh has seen consistent increases in GDP growth rates and a significant reduction in poverty rates. However, the nation must also focus on modernizing its tariff structure to diversify exports and further its development agenda.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking forward, Bangladesh’s economic story is not just about exports but also includes a strong role in global trade in services, bolstered by remittances from migrant workers. The country’s future competitiveness lies in developing world-class service industries, adapting to global trade trends, and adhering to international trading blocs’ disciplines.</div><div><br></div><div>As Bangladesh strides towards its graduation from the least developed country status, it faces the challenge of evolving its industrial policies in line with global trends. Its long-term Perspective Plan 2041 aims to transform Bangladesh into an advanced high-income economy, requiring strategic coordination between government and businesses.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s economic journey from a struggling nation to a promising global player is a story of strategic policy choices, resilience, and innovation. As the world anticipates the “Asian century,” Bangladesh is poised to be a significant player, showcasing its remarkable journey from struggle to prosperity, writes Sattar. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 09:15:17', '2024-01-21 09:15:17'),
(10912, 10912, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In an address today at the Awami League President’s office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, General Secretary of the party and Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader, dismissed the notion that the government is desperate for validation. “There’s no reason to believe that the elected government is in a desperate situation, waiting like a Chatok bird for someone’s recognition,” Quader declared.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He also criticized the opposition party, BNP, for their conduct. “BNP is burning in frustration and hatred, because a vast number of people have elected Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister, despite the party boycotting the election. Now, they are envious,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the government’s actions, Quader stated, “As a patriotic government, the Awami League is proactively managing commodity prices.” He warned against the BNP’s approach to protests, asserting, “If BNP resorts to violence under the guise of protest, our law enforcement agencies are prepared to act, and politically, we are ready to confront them.”</div><div><br></div><div>Quader also commented on the BNP’s recent activities: “BNP’s so-called movement is unclear and has become a laughing stock both domestically and internationally. We view their actions as attempts to undermine our democratic culture.”</div><div><br></div><div>He concluded with a stern warning: “While the BNP has the right to peaceful political activities, any acts of terrorism or public disruption will be met with appropriate legal action.”</div><div><br></div><div>The briefing was attended by other notable Awami League leaders including Organising Secretary BM Mozammel Haque and Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, highlighting the united front of the party in addressing current political challenges. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 09:32:33', '2024-01-21 09:32:33'),
(10913, 10913, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (January 21, 2024) inaugurated the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) at Purbachal.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Six foreign countries -- Turkey, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Iran -- alongside local companies are taking part in the 28th edition of the fair where exhibitors will showcase products.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister also declared Handicrafts Products as the product of the year for 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) AHM Ahsan were also present on dais.</div><div><br></div><div>The fair will continue from January 21 to February 20. The Ministry of Commerce and the EPB have been organising trade fairs since 1995.</div><div><br></div><div>The DITF usually commences on 1 January each year. However, the EPB postponed the fair due to the 12th national elections held on January 7.</div><div><br></div><div>The trade fair will run from 10 am to 9 pm daily and to 10 pm on weekends. The entry fee is Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children. Freedom fighters and the physically challenged people need no fee.</div><div><br></div><div>BRTC buses have been arranged from Farmgate and Kuril Biswa Road to the fair premises for the convenience of general visitors.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 330 stalls have been allotted along with 23 pavilions and 27 mini pavilions.</div><div><br></div><div>There will also be 15 food stalls of different categories which can accommodate up to 500 people.</div><div><br></div><div>There are also a prayer room, children\'s playground, media corner, office rooms, medical rooms, guest-rooms for officials, and stores.</div><div><br></div><div>The parking area can provide facilities for 500 vehicles. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 09:47:10', '2024-01-21 09:47:10'),
(10914, 10914, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A man and his son were killed in a collision between a motorbike and a three-wheeler, locally known as nasiman, on Sonahat land port road in Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram on Sunday morning.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were Shahidul Islam, 48, and his son Biplob Hasan, 25, hailing from Sarkartari village of the upazila.</div><div><br></div><div>Locals said the victims riding on the bike were going to their village home from Bhurungamari upazila sadar in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>The accident occurred when the three-wheeler crashed into the motorcycle coming from the opposite direction in Patershawari area, leaving the two critically injured, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>They were rushed to Bhurungamari Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared them dead upon arrival, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Bhurungamari police station’s Officer-in-Charge Ruhul Amin said poor visibility caused by dense fog might be the reason behind the accident.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 10:14:22', '2024-01-21 10:14:22'),
(10915, 10915, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said today at least 25,105 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since the war with Israel broke out on Oct 7.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>A ministry statement said some 62,681 people were also wounded in the fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the past 24 hours, the ministry said 178 people had been killed across the Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>“Dozens are still under the rubble,” the Hamas government media office said in a separate statement, - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Dozens of martyrs as well as people who were injured could not be transferred to hospitals due to the continued artillery shelling” on several areas of the southern city of Khan Younis and some other parts of the strip, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 10:54:02', '2024-01-21 10:54:02'),
(10916, 10916, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A passenger plane heading toward Russia has crashed in northern Afghanistan\'s Badakhshan province, Afghan television channel TOLOnews quoted an official as saying on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The plane crashed in the mountainous Topkhana area of Kuran-wa-Munjan district on Saturday evening, \"obviously due to a technical problem,\" said Badakhshan\'s provincial director for information and culture Zabihullah Amiri.</div><div><br></div><div>Read: Officials report at least 13 dead in shelling of a market in Russian-occupied Ukraine</div><div><br></div><div>A team has been sent to the area to spot the crashed aircraft, the official added.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdul Wahid Rayan, spokesman for Afghanistan\'s Ministry of Information and Culture, said on social media that the small aircraft was traveling to Moscow when it appeared to have an engine problem.</div><div><br></div><div>Russian aviation authorities have reportedly confirmed that a plane with four crew members and two passengers on board disappeared from a radar screen in Afghanistan\'s airspace on Saturday evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Read: 5 killed in Poland as plane crashes into hangar&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In Badakhshan, harsh winter weather and mountainous landscapes make it difficult for rescuers to reach the crash site. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 11:09:16', '2024-01-21 11:09:16'),
(10917, 10917, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) announced on Sunday that a mild cold wave is currently affecting several districts across the Dhaka, Rangpur, and Rajshahi divisions. This weather pattern is expected to persist, bringing lower temperatures and impacting daily life.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to the BMD’s latest weather bulletin, the districts experiencing this mild cold wave include Kishoreganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Panchagarh, and Kurigram. The bulletin noted the lowest temperature recorded at 9.5 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi, Pabna’s Ishwardi, and Naogan’s Badalgachi. Meanwhile, the highest temperature of 28 degrees Celsius was observed in Chattogram’s Sitakunda, mirroring the previous day’s reading.</div><div><br></div><div>The BMD classifies a mild cold wave as temperatures ranging from 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. A moderate cold wave is categorized by temperatures between 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, while a severe cold wave is indicated by temperatures falling below 6 degrees Celsius.</div><div><br></div><div>Furthermore, the weather report predicts moderate to thick fog coverage across the country from midnight to morning, potentially lingering until noon in some areas. The overall weather is expected to remain mainly dry, with temporary partly cloudy skies.</div><div><br></div><div>There might be a slight decrease in night temperatures over the north-northeastern part of Bangladesh, while a minor increase is forecasted for other regions of the country. Daytime temperatures are anticipated to stay nearly unchanged nationwide.</div><div><br></div><div>Residents, particularly in the northern regions, have been facing severe cold conditions in recent days, causing disruptions to normal life and activities. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 11:13:31', '2024-01-21 11:13:31'),
(10918, 10918, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#634aa5\">State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Sunday said gas supply situation will improve in Dhaka and adjacent areas in a day or two.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We hope, gas shortage in Dhaka will decrease and we’ll&nbsp; see improvement in a day or two,” he said while briefing reporters at his ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>He noted that both the&nbsp; floating storage and re-gasification units (FSRU) in the country have resumed operation and the&nbsp; situation is gradually improving.</div><div><br></div><div>“However, one of them will undergo scheduled maintenance soon,” he said adding that normally the gas supply experiences some problems during the winter.</div><div><br></div><div>“But the government has taken measures to increase the supply of LPG as the some 80 percent of the residential consumers now use this liquified gas,”he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said only consumers in Dhaka and adjoining areas use the pipeline gas while remaining use the LPG.</div><div><br></div><div>If the industrial consumers are deducted from the total consumers, the number of household consumers will be 25 lakh, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also informed that the government has a plan to install gas meters for all the consumers in next 3 years.</div><div><br></div><div>The country has been experiencing acute gas shortage since the start of the winter season. But the situation drastically deteriorated when one of the FSRUs experienced technical glitch on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>The FSRU was repaired and put on operation that led to slight improvement in gas supply to Chattagram and elsewhere.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, another SFRU, which was on a 45-day scheduled maintenance, also resumed operation leading to a further improvement in the supply.</div><div><br></div><div>But the gas crisis was not fully resolved .</div><div><br></div><div>Many areas in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur had been experiencing extreme gas crises or low pressure problems. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 12:22:44', '2024-01-21 12:22:44'),
(10919, 10919, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">All secondary-level schools in the northern district of Rajshahi have been declared closed for two days, starting from today (January 21, 2024), due to severe cold.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>All primary-level schools are also closed today, according to an official notification signed by Dr Sharmin Ferdous Chowdhury, deputy director (acting) of secondary and higher secondary education in Rajshahi zone.</div><div><br></div><div>Local meteorological department yesterday predicted that the district would experience less than 10 degrees Celsius temperature for the next two days (January 21 and 22).</div><div><br></div><div>Following the forecast, education officers of the district held a meeting yesterday and took the decision to keep the primary and secondary schools closed.</div><div><br></div><div>Saidul Islam, primary education officer of the district, told UNB’s Rajshahi correspondent that academic activity at the primary schools will remain closed only for Sunday but the offices will remain open as usual.</div><div><br></div><div>“Observing Sunday’s weather, the next course of action will be decided,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The district witnessed a fall of four degree Celsius temperature within a span of two days. The local Met Office yesterday recorded 9.8 degrees Celsius temperature against 13.8 degree Celsius a day before.</div><div><br></div><div>Dense fog blankets the whole district while wind has been blowing. As a result, a severe cold is being felt.</div><div><br></div><div>Rajib Khan, observer at Rajshahi Meteorological Observatory, said the minimum temperature in Rajshahi dropped to 9.6 degrees Celsius on January 13. The second lowest temperature of the season was recorded at 9.8 degrees Celsius at 7:30 am yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>On Friday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 13.8 degrees Celsius, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The temperature also decreased yesterday after dense fog had descended, he said, forecasting that such weather may persist throughout January.</div><div><br></div><div>On January 16, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) issued a circular saying that the education authorities in any district can close down schools in case the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the circular, “A cold wave is sweeping different parts of the country and as a result the educational activities are being seriously hampered. The regional deputy directors in consultation with the district education officers can keep the educational institutions under secondary level closed if the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius in any district.” - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 13:22:21', '2024-01-21 13:22:21'),
(10920, 10920, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday said that the total number of voters in the country now stands at 12 crore, 17 lakh and 75,450, as per the latest draft update.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>EC’s Assistant Director Arshadul Huq said there are 6,20,90,137 male voters and 5,96,84,389 female voters in the updated voter list.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the voter list act, the draft voter list is published on January 2 every year. However, the commission could not do so this year due to the recently held-12th parliamentary election.</div><div><br></div><div>This list will be in every upazila and thana election office of the country while objections regarding inclusion of foreigners, deceased individuals, and fake names in the draft list can be lodged there.</div><div><br></div><div>After disposal of objections, the EC will publish the final updated list on March 2 while the next upazila election will be held according to this list. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 13:26:15', '2024-01-21 13:26:15'),
(10921, 10921, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>&nbsp;A fire broke out at a Baltic Sea terminal belonging to Novatek, Russia’s largest liquefied natural gas producer, regional officials said today, amid reports of explosions and Ukrainian drone sightings in the area.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Ust-Luga complex, located on the Gulf of Finland about 170km west of St Petersburg, processes stable gas condensate into light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel, fuel oil and gasoil, according to Novatek’s website.</div><div><br></div><div>The port is used to ship processed products to international markets.</div><div><br></div><div>“There were no casualties as a result of the fire at the Novatek terminal in the port of Ust-Luga. The personnel were evacuated,” Alexander Drozdenko, the Leningrad region’s governor, said on the Telegram messaging app.</div><div><br></div><div>Russian news agencies reported that two storage tanks and a pumping station had been damaged, but that the fire had now been brought under control.</div><div><br></div><div>Drozdenko did not say what caused the blaze, but Russian news outlet Shot reported that local residents had heard a drone operating nearby followed by several explosions.</div><div><br></div><div>St Petersburg-based news outlet Fontanka said at least two drones were spotted in the sky flying towards St Petersburg before the terminal caught fire.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia and Ukraine have targeted each other’s energy infrastructure in strikes designed to disrupt supply lines and logistics, each side seeking to demoralise the other in a nearly two-year-old war that shows no sign of ending.</div><div><br></div><div>On Friday, a drone attack hit an oil depot in Russia’s western region of Bryansk, bordering Ukraine, for which Moscow blamed Kyiv.</div><div><br></div><div>That came a day after an attack on a Russian Baltic Sea oil terminal that Russian officials said was unsuccessful.</div><div><br></div><div>There was no immediate comment today from Ukraine on the Novatek incident.</div><div><br></div><div>Novatek did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Baza, a Russian news outlet known for its security services contacts, posted footage on Telegram of large flames shooting into the sky over what appeared to be an industrial complex.</div><div><br></div><div>Three international tanker ships were anchored near the fire, though there were no reports of damage to them, the Fontanka outlet said.</div><div><br></div><div>Drozdenko said a “high alert regime” had been introduced and that officials had gathered for an emergency meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>Novatek processed 3.4 million tons of stable gas condensate at the complex in the first half of 2023, according to the most recent data available, up 0.6% from the same period a year earlier. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 13:30:27', '2024-01-21 13:30:27'),
(10922, 10922, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza\'s family has officially confirmed the end of her marriage to Pakistani cricket star Shoaib Malik.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The confirmation surfaced a day after Shoaib posted images with his newlywed wife, Sana Javed, a Pakistani actress.</div><div><br></div><div>Sania and Shoaib had tied the knot in 2010, sparking immense interest among cricket fans, particularly from India and Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>“Sania has always kept her personal life away from the public eye,” reads a statement from the Mirza family. “However, today the need has arisen for her to share that Shoaib and she have been divorced for a few months now. She wishes Shoaib well for his new journey ahead!”</div><div><br></div><div>While Sania is currently engrossed in the commentary box at the Australian Open, Shoaib is busy playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).</div><div><br></div><div>Sania and Shoaib share parenthood of a son, who lives with Sania. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 13:32:48', '2024-01-21 13:32:48'),
(10923, 10923, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Ukrainian strike on a market in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine left 13 people dead and 10 more wounded today, said the head of the region, which is under Russian control.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Moscow-installed head of the Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin, said on Telegram that “at least 13 people were killed and 10 injured following a terrible bombing on a market”.</div><div><br></div><div>In a preliminary toll, Donetsk mayor Alexei Kulemzin had earlier reported eight dead in the shelling on the northeast of the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ukrainian city fell under the control of pro-Moscow separatists in 2014 and is regularly targeted by Kyiv’s forces, reports AFP</div><div><br></div><div>During the night of Jan 1 four people died and 13 were wounded, including journalists, in strikes on Donetsk, the Russian-controlled authorities said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 13:39:14', '2024-01-21 13:39:14'),
(10924, 10924, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Tens of thousands of people were expected to turn out again today to protest against the far-right AfD, after it emerged that party members discussed mass deportation plans at a meeting of extremists.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Some 250,000 demonstrators already gathered in cities across the country yesterday, according to estimate by public broadcaster ARD, with protesters carrying signs such as “Nazis out”.</div><div><br></div><div>Demonstrations were called in around 100 locations across Germany from Friday through the weekend, including in Munich and Berlin today.</div><div><br></div><div>Some 25,000 people were expected at the rally against the far-right in Munich, while another 10,000 were set to join a protest in Cologne, according to ARD.</div><div><br></div><div>Protesters are also set to gather in front of the German parliament in Berlin, and in cities in the east where the AfD has its strongholds.</div><div><br></div><div>The wave of mobilisation against the far-right party was sparked by a Jan 10 report by investigative outlet Correctiv, which revealed that AfD members had discussed the expulsion of immigrants and “non-assimilated citizens” at a meeting with extremists.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the participants at the talks was Martin Sellner, a leader of Austria’s Identitarian Movement, which subscribes to the “great replacement” conspiracy theory that claims there is a plot by non-white migrants to replace Europe’s “native” white population.</div><div><br></div><div>News of the gathering sent shockwaves across Germany at a time when the AfD is soaring in opinion polls, just months ahead of three major regional elections in eastern Germany where their support is strongest.</div><div><br></div><div>The anti-immigration party confirmed the presence of its members at the meeting, but has denied taking on the “remigration” project championed by Sellner.</div><div><br></div><div>But leading politicians including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who joined a demonstration last weekend, said any plan to expel immigrants or citizens alike amounted to “an attack against our democracy, and in turn, on all of us”.</div><div><br></div><div>He urged “all to take a stand – for cohesion, for tolerance, for our democratic Germany”.</div><div><br></div><div>Interior minister Nancy Faeser went so far as to say in the newspapers of the Funke press group that the far-right meeting was reminiscent of “the horrible Wannsee conference”, where the Nazis planned the extermination of European Jews in 1942.</div><div><br></div><div>Not only politicians, but church leaders and Bundesliga football managers have called on people to make a stand against the far-right.</div><div><br></div><div>Protesters first gathered last weekend in Berlin and Potsdam, where the extremist meeting was held, and have gathered pace since.</div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday, around 35,000 people gathered in the centre of Frankfurt, responding to the call to “defend democracy” against the AfD.</div><div><br></div><div>“Demonstrating against racism is a must,” protester Maria told AFP in Frankfurt, reports AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Germany has developed in such a way that racism occurs everywhere in Germany,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 14:27:23', '2024-01-21 14:27:23'),
(10925, 10925, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ghana has secured 600 million U.S. dollars in funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a 3-billion-dollar bailout program, the government announced late Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The IMF\'s decision came after Ghana clinched a deal with its official creditors a week earlier to restructure parts of its external debts, a critical requirement to unlock the second tranche of IMF funding.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Ghana\'s performance under the program has been strong. All the quantitative performance criteria for the first review and almost all indicative targets and structural benchmarks are on track,\" the IMF said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The 600 million dollars gives us additional fiscal space to support budget implementation in line with the program\'s requirements. We will continue to strengthen expenditure controls and improve revenue generation to improve our creditworthiness by 2026,\" said Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Attah.</div><div><br></div><div>Ghana, once ranked as one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, has been plagued by severe economic crises in recent years marked by rising inflation, exchange rate fluctuation, and soaring cost of living.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ghanaian government obtained approval for the 3-billion-dollar loan from the IMF last May, hoping to roll out a flurry of economic reforms to steer the economy toward recovery. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 14:37:47', '2024-01-21 14:37:47'),
(10926, 10926, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#634aa5\">BNP leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Sunday said the Awami League government will be forced to quit power at any moment as it has no ‘foundation’ and ‘public support’.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I would like to clearly say that this government was severely defeated through the farcical election on January 7. The ground under their feet has moved away,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader also said many people ask him whether this government will be able to stay in power for five more years after holding such an election.</div><div><br></div><div>“I would like to tell them even a day before their ouster the Ershad government did not know they would have to&nbsp; quit power in this way in 1990,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Moyeen, a BNP standing committee member, said people are the foundation of the government of a country. “As this foundation has slowly moved away, the Awami League is now standing on nothing. There’s no ground beneath their feet. This regime will be forced to leave at any moment.”</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), making the 88th birth anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Moyeen called upon the country’s people and the leaders and activists of the opposition parties to get ready to make more sacrifices to make their movement for the restoration of democracy and people’s right to vote a success.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“I would like to tell you (people) one thing that yes we have given blood and we have to give more blood. We’re in a movement on the streets and we have to be there on the streets. But this movement will be completely peaceful and systematic,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said their party believes that they will be able to restore democracy and people’s voting rights through a peaceful democratic movement, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We believe in rules and democratic processes…BNP does not believe in the politics of logi-baitha (stick-oars). This is the difference between Awami League and BNP,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-21 14:47:58', '2024-01-21 14:47:58'),
(10927, 10927, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A landslide in southwestern China’s mountainous Yunnan province early Monday buried 47 people and forced the evacuation of 200 more amid freezing temperatures and falling snow.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The disaster struck just before 6 a.m. in the village of Liangshui in the northeastern part of Yunnan province. Rescue efforts were underway to find victims buried in 18 separate houses, the Zhenxiong county publicity department said.</div><div><br></div><div>There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries. The cause of the landslide wasn’t immediately known, although photos showed snow was on the ground and continuing to fall.</div><div><br></div><div>Luo Dongmei, 35, was sleeping when the landslide struck, but she survived and was relocated to a school by local authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>“I was asleep, but my brother knocked on the door and woke me up. They said there was a landslide and the bed was shaking, so they rushed upstairs and woke us up,” Luo said.</div><div><br></div><div>Luo, her husband and their three children, along with many other residents, have been provided with food at the school but are still waiting for blankets and other protection from the cold weather, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Luo said she\'s been unable to contact her sister and aunt, who lived closer to the site of the landslide. “The only thing I can do is to wait,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Rescuers evacuated tourists last week from a remote skiing area in northwestern China where dozens of avalanches triggered by heavy snow trapped more than 1,000 people for a week. The avalanches blocked roads, stranding both tourists and residents in a village in Altay prefecture in the Xinjiang region, close to China’s border with Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan.</div><div><br></div><div>Landslides, often caused by rain or unsafe construction work, are not uncommon in China. At least 70 people were killed in landslides last year, including more than 50 at an open pit mine in the Inner Mongolia region. In 2021, 14 workers were killed when a tunnel under construction was flooded.</div><div><br></div><div>The landslide in Yunnan also came just over a month after China’s most powerful earthquake in years struck the northwest in a remote region between Gansu and Qinghai province. At least 149 people were killed in the 6.2-magnitude temblor that struck on Dec. 18, reducing homes to rubble and triggering heavy mudslides that inundated two villages in Qinghai province.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 1,000 people were injured and more than 14,000 homes were destroyed in China’s deadliest earthquake in nine years. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-22 08:39:14', '2024-01-22 08:39:14'),
(10928, 10928, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala has congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her re-election as the prime minister of Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I deeply value the friendly relations the Czech Republic and Bangladesh enjoy and I believe that we will continue to deepen and strengthen them to the mutual benefit of our countries,” Czech PM wrote in a congratulatory message to his Bangladeshi counterpart, said the PMO on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>He also assured Hasina of his country’s interest in developing cooperation further both on bilateral level and in international organisations in all areas of common interest, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“I wish you every success in your demanding work for the well-being of the people of Bangladesh,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina took office for the fourth consecutive term after sweeping this month\'s parliamentary polls.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-22 09:15:21', '2024-01-22 09:15:21'),
(10929, 10929, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said BNP is now spreading rumours at home and abroad by indulging in anti-government activities.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Rumour terrorism has been associated with their arson terrorism,” he said at a press briefing at the Awami League president\'s office in Dhanmondi in the capital this noon, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Commodity prices are rising all over the world. But they are spreading propaganda by saying this situation is a potential famine, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“If BNP had moved forward with positive politics, it would not have fallen so suddenly. In trying to topple the government, they have fallen into the pit of collapse,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the political party with the second highest number of seats in the electipn will be the main opposition party.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-22 10:33:15', '2024-01-22 10:33:15'),
(10930, 10930, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A man and his son were missing as a trawler with seven people, including the two, capsized in the Meghna River late last night.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The missing are Razzak Sardar and his son Parvez Sadar, from Mehediganj upazila of Barishal.</div><div><br></div><div>Those who have been rescued are Russell Sardar, Reaz, Shakil, Rubel, and Ratan Sardar.</div><div><br></div><div>Rescued Shakil said they sailed out for Barishal’s Mehediganj from Bhola’s Manpura upazila on a trawler carrying scrap objects on Sunday night.</div><div><br></div><div>At one stage, the front end of the trawler started sinking in the river due to heavy tide, forcing five out of the seven crew members to jump into the river, he said, adding that unfortunately the father and the son were stuck in the trawler.</div><div><br></div><div>Fishermen from other boats and trawlers rushed in and rescued the five, Shakil said, adding that the fishermen later called the emergency service 999, seeking assistance to rescue the father and the son.</div><div><br></div><div>Bhola River Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Bidyut Kumar Ghosh confirmed the matter, saying that a river police team is performing duty at the spot while a diver team of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) is conducting an operation to find the missing persons. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-22 10:39:09', '2024-01-22 10:39:09'),
(10931, 10931, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Coca-Cola, one of the country\'s leading beverage companies, has announced Ju-un Nahar Choudhury as the new Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bangladesh Limited. She is the first Bangladeshi to take on the role of Managing Director for this fortune 500 company.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In this role, Choudhury will work closely with bottling and business partners, customers and other external stakeholders in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>She started her career with Unilever as a management trainee in marketing, and left her mark in various roles including leading the team who won a Guinness world record for the nationwide ‘Lifebuoy handwashing washing campaign’ covering 86,000 youth simultaneously in over 60 locations, said the comps on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>She moved to Indonesia in 2014 with Reckitt Benckiser looking after the Dettol business. She also worked with Danone Indonesia as Head of Innovation and then joined aCommerce, an end-to-end ecommerce enabler present across seven ASEAN countries, as the FMCG director.</div><div><br></div><div>After spending eight years in Indonesia, Choudhury moved back to Bangladesh and joined Apex as marketing director in 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking on her appointment, Ju-un Nahar Choudhury, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Bangladesh said, “I am delighted to join the Coca-Cola system and partner with our bottling partners, Coca-Cola Bangladesh Beverages (CCBB) &amp; Abdul Monem Limited (AML), and other stakeholders to refresh our consumers in Bangladesh.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She also said, \"I am humbled to lead Bangladesh on this Coca-Cola journey and I am committed to steer our brands and franchise operations to new heights.”</div><div><br></div><div>Choudhury is the first woman to be appointed to this position in Bangladesh and will be replacing former Managing Director, Ta Duy Tung, who was appointed back in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Ajay Vijay Bathija, Vice President of Franchise Operations for Southwest Asia (SWA), said, “We welcome Ju-un to Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola Company reiterates its focus on building a sustainable business in an important market like Bangladesh. Ju-un joins at an exciting time of the company’s journey in the country and our partners will gain a great deal from her wide experience in FMCG and e-commerce.”</div><div><br></div><div>Coca-Cola is the first company in Bangladesh to launch 100% recycled PET bottles in Bangladesh. Coke Studio Bangla, as a digital music platform, boasts a YouTube channel with 2.86 million+ subscribers, surpassing the combined subscriber count of some of Bangladesh\'s biggest brands.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As per a socio-economic impact study, the Coca-Cola system in Bangladesh contributes to the continuous economic growth of the country and also supports nearly 22,100 jobs which consist of 833 direct jobs and 21,300 indirect jobs. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-22 10:59:44', '2024-01-22 10:59:44'),
(10932, 10932, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>All primary and secondary level educational institutions in Bogura were declared&nbsp; closed for Monday due to severe cold.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Shah Alam, senior observer of Bogura Met Office, said the district recorded the season\'s lowest temperature at 9.1 degrees Celsius at 9am.</div><div><br></div><div>A mild cold wave has been sweeping the district and it may persist this month, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Anwar Hossain, assistant headmaster of Bogura Zila&nbsp; School, said the school was declared closed following the directive from the district education office in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>District Education Officer Hazrat Ali said all secondary educational institutions have been declared closed and all upazila education offices have been informed about this.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>District Primary Education Officer Asaduzzaman Chowdhury said all primary schools in the district have been declared shut as the temperature dropped below 10 degree Celsius.</div><div><br></div><div>On January 16, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) issued a circular saying that the education authorities in any district can close down schools in case the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the circular, “A cold wave is sweeping different parts of the country and as a result the educational activities are being seriously hampered. The regional deputy directors in consultation with the district education officers can keep the educational institutions under secondary level closed if the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius in any district.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-01-22 11:48:07', '2024-01-22 11:48:07');
