INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8718, 8718, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Amitabh Bachchan who keeps sharing insights from his personal and professional lives on Kaun Banega Crorepati, recently talked about working with his son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai on the song Kajra Re. Amitabh recently returned as the host of the show\'s 15th season. In the latest episode, a contestant asked him about Mirza Ghalib and the veteran ended up talking about Aishwarya.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the episode, after a question about Ballimaran, Amitabh said, \"Usmein hum teeno the. Tab Aishwarya humari bahu nahi thi, ab ban gayi hai. Gaane me bahu thi, Abhishek the aur hum the. Uss gaane mein bol the (Kajra Re had all three of us. Aishwarya wasn’t my daughter-in-law then, but she is now. She was my daughter-in-law in the song. It had lyrics about Ballimaran).” Amitabh further requested the crew of the show to play Kajra Re on the screen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kajra Re</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Directed by Shaad Ali, Kajra Re featured Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek and Aishwarya dancing together for the first time. The song was from the film Bunty Aur Babli, which had the father-son duo alongside Rani Mukerji in the lead. It released in 2005. Kajra Re was one of the highlights of the film, which became even more popular when the news of Abhishek and Aishwarya\'s wedding broke.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abhishek and Aishwarya tied the knot on April 20, 2007, in a private ceremony. They became parents to their first child, a daughter they named Aaradhya, on November 16, 2011.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aishwarya was last seen in Mani Ratnam\'s Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 and is yet to announce her next project. Abhishek\'s latest outing is R Balki\'s Ghoomer, which was released on August 18. The sports drama has Shabana Azmi, Saiyami Kher and Angad Bedi, and revolves around the inspiring tale of a paraplegic sportsperson (played by Saiyami Kher) who excels as a cricketer under the guidance of her coach (played by Abhishek).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amitabh, on the other hand, will be next seen in Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film is produced by Vyjayanthi Movies. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-25 23:02:27', '2023-08-25 23:02:27'),
(8719, 8719, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Shahid Captain M Mansur Ali Foundation today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Executive members of the foundation led by its Chairman Shehrin Selim Ripon, and its General Secretary Advocate Mujibur Rahman placed a floral wreath at the mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of Bangladesh\'s independence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">M. Mohammad Rezaul Karim, son of Mansur Ali, Sirajganj Sadar upazila and Kazipur upazila Awami League leaders and activists, among others, were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A special doa was offered seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15, 1975 carnage as well as martyrs of the War of Liberation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A special prayer was also offered wishing for longevity of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foundation chairman Shehrin Selim Ripon signed the visitors\' book there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-25 23:40:27', '2023-08-25 23:40:27'),
(8720, 8720, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After laying the wreath, the mayor stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of Bangladesh\'s independence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sylhet Metropolitan Awami League President Bir Muktijoddha Masiuddin Ahmed, Sylhet District Awami League President Alhaj Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, its General Secretary Nasir Uddin Khan, Tungipara Municipality Mayor Sheikh Tozammel Haque Tutul, London Chhatra League General Secretary Sajeeb Bhuiyan and a large number of Awami League leaders and activists, among others, were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A special doa was offered seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15, 1975 carnage as well as martyrs of the War of Liberation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A special prayer was also offered for longevity of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">SCC Mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury signed the visitors\' book there. BSS\\</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-25 23:49:48', '2023-08-25 23:49:48'),
(8721, 8721, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 10 persons died after a fire that broke out inside a stationary train compartment in Madurai railway station in the wee hour of Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Southern Railway said that an \"illegal gas cylinder\" caused the fire. Southern Railway said that an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh has been announced to the family of deceased, as reported by PTI. Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha told reporters that 55 people have been rescued.</div><div><br></div><div>“Today early morning at 5:30 am there was a fire accident in the coach which was halted here at Madurai railway station...They were pilgrims &amp; were travelling from Uttar Pradesh. This morning when they tried to make coffee &amp; tried to lit the gas stove, there was a cylinder blast. 55 people have been rescued &amp; as of now, we have retrieved nine bodies...Rescue operation is underway…,\" she told reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the Southern Railway release, the fire broke out at 5.15 am on Saturday and the Fire service personnel who arrived at the spot half an hour later put down the blaze by 7.15 am.</div><div><br></div><div>The Southern Railway has also issued helpline numbers: 9360552608, 8015681915 to share the information related to the fire incident and causalities.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement issued by the Railways, it said, \"This is a private party coach that was attached at Nagercoil Junction yesterday (Aug 25) by train no. 16730 (Punalur-Madurai Exp). Party coach was detached and kept at Madurai Stabling line. The passengers in the private party coach have illegally smuggled gas cylinder and this has caused the fire. Many passengers had got out of the coach on noticing fire. Some passengers had got down at platform itself,\" the release said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The party coach had started their journey from Lucknow on 17th August. They are scheduled to return to Chennai tomorrow by Tino. 16824 Kollam Chennai Egmore Ananthapuri express. And return to Lucknow from there. Any individual can book party coach using IRCTC portal. They are not allowed to carry any inflammable material like gas cylinder. The coach is to used only for transportation purpose, the statement read. - Source: Mint</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-26 20:27:39', '2023-08-26 20:27:39'),
(8722, 8722, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sunny Deol-starrer \"Gadar 2\" has crossed Rs 400 crore mark at the domestic box office, the makers said Wednesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Directed by Anil Sharma, the film is a sequel to the 2001 blockbuster \"Gadar: Ek Prem Katha\". The movie, a Zee Studios production, released in theatres on August 11.</div><div><br></div><div>In a press note, the makers said \"Gadar\" 2 collected Rs 12.10 crore on Tuesday that took its box office numbers to Rs 400.70 crore net.</div><div><br></div><div>They claimed that \"no other Indian film has amassed over Rs 10 crores net on second weekdays\".</div><div><br></div><div>Set in 1971, \"Gadar 2\" follows Tara Singh (Deol)\'s journey to Pakistan to rescue his son, Charanjeet Singh, played by Utkarsh Sharma, from the Pakistani Army. It also features Ameesha Patel, Manish Wadhwa and Gaurav Chopra.</div><div><br></div><div>The first film was set during the Partition. Source: ANI</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-26 21:18:21', '2023-08-26 21:18:21'),
(8723, 8723, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">More than 5 lakh leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League(BCL) from different parts of the country will participate in the student rally at Suhrawardy Udyan scheduled for September 1, said its president Saddam Hussein on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Saddam Hussein announced this at a press conference arranged by the party at Modhur Canteen of Dhaka University at 11 am.</div><div><br></div><div>It is going to be a historic student gathering where Prime Minister&nbsp; and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will join, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our politics is based on ideals and rules of the constitution.&nbsp; We do not believe in politics of violence, \" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"From this student rally, the students and the representatives of the young generation will express their disbelief against anti-liberation forces.&nbsp; At the same time, students will take an oath to ensure absolute victory of Sheikh Hasina in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Saddam added.</div><div><br></div><div>The BCL president said Bangladesh Chhatra League believes that the September 1 student rally will be an ultimatum to BNP-Jamaat, the eternal enemy of this country and people,&nbsp; war criminals, militants and terrorist.</div><div><br></div><div>The rally was primarily scheduled for August 31 but later it was rescheduled to September 1 considering public hassles as it is the last day of the week and there is a public exam on August 31, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>BCL general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan said, \"We going through a very crucial time. This is time to determine our future and the future of country. At this crucial time we are going to arrange a huge student rally at historical Suhrawardy Udyan on September 1.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on August 18, an extended general meeting&nbsp; of BCL was held to take preparation&nbsp; for the student rally. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-26 22:02:11', '2023-08-26 22:02:11'),
(8724, 8724, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Rescue ship Ocean Viking has saved 438 migrants in distress in the Mediterranean over the last two days, the organisation that runs it, SOS Mediterranee, said on Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The rescues took place in international waters off the coasts of Libya and Tunisia, the France-based NGO said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the day, the NGO said that on Thursday it had \"rescued 272 people\" of 23 different nationalities from three boats in the central Mediterranean, the most perilous maritime crossing in the world for the migrants.</div><div><br></div><div>Those rescued included \"32 unaccompanied minors, nine babies and five people with disabilities\", said the organisation, which is based in Marseille, on the French Mediterranean.</div><div><br></div><div>Later Friday, it said it had rescued another 166 people when it \"went to the aid of a number of boats in distress\".</div><div><br></div><div>Those onboard were evacuated \"in coordination with the Italian coast guards in the search and rescue area between Tunisia and Lampedusa\".</div><div><br></div><div>The tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, located just 90 miles (145 kilometres) from Tunisia, is the first port of call for many migrants seeking to make the treacherous sea journey to Europe from North Africa.</div><div><br></div><div>In total, \"438 rescued people are currently on board\", SOS Mediteranee said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ocean Viking was \"heading towards Genoa\" in northern Italy because the Italian authorities had ordered them to go to the distant port to disembark the migrants, the group added.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 2,013 people have died or gone missing so far this year attempting to cross the central Mediterranean, according to the United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration.</div><div><br></div><div>That is significantly higher than its figure for the whole of 2022, which was 1,417.</div><div><br></div><div>In June, one sinking alone in the western Mediterranean cost the lives of at least 82 people, one of the deadliest incidents involving migrants in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>In July, the Italian authorities detained the Ocean Viking for 10 days at Civitavecchia, after questioning the vessel\'s safety standards, before finally releasing it. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 00:16:30', '2023-08-27 00:16:30'),
(8725, 8725, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>On Sunday, the nation will observe the 47th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Unanimously revered as the ‘Rebel Poet’ - Kazi Nazrul Islam is considered a pioneer for his enormous contributions to Bengali literature.</div><div><br></div><div>Marking his 47th death anniversary, different organisations and institutions will organize multiple programmes throughout the day commemorating the life and works of the great poet,</div><div>Dhaka University teachers, students, officials and employees will gather at the Aparajeyo Bangla in Kala Bhavan premises alongside DU vice-chancellor Professor Dr Akhtaruzzaman on Sunday at 6:15 am.</div><div><br></div><div>From there, they will visit the poet\'s tomb with a procession, offer wreaths and recite Fateha.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Awami League will also gather at the poet’s tomb with a procession and prayer session at the graveyard of Nazrul at 7am.</div><div><br></div><div>Cultural institution Chhayanaut will organise a special cultural tribute programme at its auditorium in Dhanmondi at 7pm. The event will be simultaneously broadcasted on its Facebook group and YouTube channel.</div><div><br></div><div>Several television channels including Bangladesh Television (BTV), radio stations including Bangladesh Betar and online platforms will broadcast special programmes commemorating the life and works of the national poet.</div><div><br></div><div>Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his revolutionary and spectacular literary works in the then-Indian subcontinent, was born in Churulia village of Bardhawan in West Bengal, India, in 1899.</div><div><br></div><div>Nazrul had a brief 21-year literary career, during which he produced 2,600 songs, 600 poems, three books, and 43 essays, according to the Kabi Nazrul Institute.</div><div><br></div><div>In his early childhood, he had to work as a caretaker and as a muezzin in a mosque to support his family when his father passed away. He was forced to leave school at age nine in order to work for a professional \"Leto\" song team in Churulia, West Bengal.</div><div><br></div><div>While working with the group, he became familiar with Bangla and Sanskrit literature. A year later, he went back to school and enrolled at Matharun English School, but due to his financial hardship, he dropped out once more in Class VI.</div><div><br></div><div>After some time, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him under his wing and enrolled him in Class VII at Darirampur School near his house in Trishal, Mymensingh.</div><div><br></div><div>Within a few years of beginning his military service in the British Army in 1917, Nazrul embarked on his literary career. He wrote his cult classic poetry \"Bidrohi\" (The Rebel) in 1921 and founded \"Dhumketu\" (The Comet), a monthly journal, in 1922.</div><div><br></div><div>Due to his frequent nationalist involvement in the Indian Independence Movement, Nazrul found himself in the clutches of colonial British authorities. He wrote the \"Rajbandir Jabanbandi\" (Deposition of a Political Prisoner) while he was incarcerated.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>His works later inspired the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, and his poems inspired many Bengali netizens and nationalists to revolt against the oppression of Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Freedom, humanity, love, and revolution are recurring themes throughout Nazrul\'s remarkable literary creations. He was against radicalism and all sorts of caste, gender, and religious prejudice.</div><div><br></div><div>Nazrul also published short stories, novels, and essays, although his songs and poems have received the most praise from critics. He is renowned for his liberal use of Arabic and Persian terms in his writings and for popularizing Bengali ghazal melodies.</div><div><br></div><div>He invented his own musical genre known as \"Nazrul Geeti,\" which consists of almost 4,000 songs he penned and composed the music for, many of which were released on vinyl and HMV records.</div><div><br></div><div>When Nazrul was 43 years old and suffering from an unidentified illness, he started to lose his voice and his memory in 1942. His condition was later discovered to be \"Pick\'s disease,\" a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease, by a medical team in Vienna.</div><div><br></div><div>At the invitation of the Bangladeshi government and then President and the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Nazrul\'s family migrated to Bangladesh and settled in Dhaka in 1972. The government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the status of \"national poet\" in the same year.</div><div><br></div><div>He was awarded the honorary DLitt by Dhaka University in 1974 and received the Ekushey Padak in 1976, for his legendary contribution to Bangla literature and culture,</div><div><br></div><div>On August 27, 1976, the rebel poet breathed his last in Dhaka and was buried next to a mosque at the Dhaka University campus, fulfilling a wish he had made in one of his poems. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 01:49:38', '2023-08-27 01:49:38'),
(8726, 8726, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Nine more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Saturday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 537 this year.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>During the period, 1,960 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, DGHS said.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the new patients, 833 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside the capital--indicating a worsening situation across the country, according to DGHS.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 8,232 dengue patients, including 3,846 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>So far, the DGHS has recorded 1, 12,184 dengue cases and 1, 03,411 recoveries this year.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) urged swift action as dengue cases surge in Bangladesh, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“The higher incidence of dengue is taking place in the context of an unusual episodic amount of rainfall, combined with high temperatures and high humidity, which have resulted in an increased mosquito population throughout Bangladesh,” WHO said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 02:07:31', '2023-08-27 02:07:31'),
(8727, 8727, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>FIFA suspended Luis Rubiales as president of Spain\'s football federation on Saturday for kissing Spanish Women\'s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, and banned him from making contact with her.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"(We) decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level,\" said world football\'s governing body in a statement, explaining it would last 90 days, pending their disciplinary proceedings. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 02:11:15', '2023-08-27 02:11:15'),
(8728, 8728, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday said that Bangladesh will lose if Sheikh Hasina is defeated in the upcoming national election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina must win to save the country’s poor people, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, came up with the remarks while addressing a food distribution programme organised marking the 48th martyrdom anniversary of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka’s Mirpur on Saturday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina,” he said, putting forward a question: who is a more competent prime minister than Sheikh Hasina in the country?</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP want the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, people don’t want Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, caretaker government and dissolution of the parliament,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Terming the BNP as a party of terrorism, corruption and killing people, he feared that the opposition party will erase the Awami League in a night if they come to power again.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP will swallow up the liberation war and democracy and turn the country into Pakistan and Afghanistan if they can grab power, the Awami League leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>Chaired by Dhaka North Awami League President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, lawmaker Aga Khan Mintu, Organising Secretary of the party’s central committee Mirza Azam and Dhaka north unit’s General Secretary SM Mannan Kochi among others spoke at the event. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 03:18:51', '2023-08-27 03:18:51'),
(8729, 8729, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In-space manufacturing may sound like science fiction but it’s happening already, albeit on a very small scale. It’s a fledgling market that analysts and several startups are projecting will take off.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“If you look at pharma, semiconductors, beauty and health products and potentially food in the sense of like new crops, we estimated the market to be above $10 billion at some point in 2030, depending on the speed of maturation,” said Ilan Rozenkopf, a partner at McKinsey.</div><div><br></div><div>Space offers a unique environment for research and development because its higher levels of radiation, microgravity and near vacuumless state allows companies to come up with new manufacturing methods or materials that are not possible on Earth.</div><div><br></div><div>The practice is not entirely new. The International Space Station has hosted several experiments from academics, government agencies and commercial customers for things such as growing human tissue, making purer semiconductors and developing new or better drugs. In the 2024 fiscal-year budget, President Joe Biden even set aside $5 million for NASA to pursue cancer-related research on the ISS.</div><div><br></div><div>But access to the ISS has always been competitive and interest continues to grow. Now, several space startups see an opportunity to satisfy in-space manufacturing demand using compact space factories. One company is Varda Space Industries in Southern California. Varda’s mission is to help pharmaceutical companies improve their drugs or come up with new drug therapies by taking advantage of the unique properties of space, and then return those materials back to Earth.</div><div><br></div><div>This occurs when super-saturated protein solutions are essentially evaporated to form a solid so scientists can study a protein’s structure.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Understanding the crystal structure of a protein can help scientists get a better idea of disease mechanisms, identify drug targets and optimize drug design. Think drugs that have less side effects, are more effective or can withstand a greater array of conditions such as not needing to be refrigerated.</div><div><br></div><div>Years of research have shown that protein crystals grown in space are much higher quality than those grown on Earth. The plan is not to make the entire drug in outer space, just what is known as the primary active pharmaceutical ingredient, or the portion responsible for the therapeutic effects of a drug.</div><div><br></div><div>“You’re not going to see us making penicillin or ibuprofen or these types of very generic mass consumption targets, given the amount of crystalline you need to create is far beyond our current capabilities,” said Delian Asparouhov, co-founder and president of Varda Space Industries. “But there is a wide set of drugs that do billions and billions of dollars a year of revenue that actively fit within the manufacturing size that we can do even on our current manufacturing facility.”</div><div><br></div><div>Covid vaccine administered, “the actual total amount of consumable primary pharmaceutical ingredient of the actual crystalline mRNA, it effectively was less than two milk gallon jugs.”</div><div><br></div><div>Across the Atlantic in Cardiff, Wales, Space Forge is working on designing its own in-space factory to manufacture next-generation semiconductors. Space Forge’s goal is to make semiconductor substrates using materials other than silicon to manufacture more efficient, higher performing chips.</div><div><br></div><div>“This next generation of materials is going to allow us to create an efficiency that we’ve never seen before,” said Andrew Parlock, managing director of Space Forge’s U.S. operations. “We’re talking about 10 to 100 X improvement in semiconductor performance.”</div><div><br></div><div>Just like with pharmaceuticals, the secret sauce to achieving this type of performance improvement in semiconductors lies in creating the perfect crystals in space. These types of advanced chips are important for industries such as 5G and electric vehicles. Similar to Varda, Space Forge plans to manufacture only part of the chips in space.</div><div><br></div><div>“Once we’ve created these crystals in space, we can bring them back down to the ground and we can effectively replicate that growth on Earth,” said Josh Western, CEO and co-founder of Space Forge. “So we don’t need to go to space countless times to build up pretty good scale operating with our FAB partners and customers on the ground.” Source: CNBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 03:46:58', '2023-08-27 03:46:58'),
(8730, 8730, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam hit solid half centuries against some tight Afghanistan bowling to take Pakistan to 268-8 in the third and final one-day international in Colombo on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Rizwan scored 79-ball 67 with six boundaries and a six while Azam knocked four boundaries and a six in his 86-ball innings of 60 to anchor Pakistan\'s innings after they won the toss and batted.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan have already won the series with wins in the first match by 142 runs and one wicket in the second -- both played in Hambantota.</div><div><br></div><div>The Rizwan-Azam pair added 110 runs for the third wicket to steady the innings after pacer Gulbadin Naib removed openers Fakhar Zaman (27) and Imam-ul-Haq (13) to hit Pakistan at the start.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan stuttered in the middle overs with four wickets lost in the space of just 27 runs, including Azam\'s wicket who scored his 28th half century.</div><div><br></div><div>Saud Shakeel was run out for nine and Shadab Khan for just three as Pakistan were left struggling at 189-6.</div><div><br></div><div>Agha Salman (38 not out) and Mohammad Nawaz (30) added 61 for the seventh wicket as Pakistan added 80 in the last ten overs.</div><div><br></div><div>Salman hit four boundaries and a six in his 31-ball quickfire knock, reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>Naib was the pick of Afghanistan bowlers with 2-36.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 04:04:10', '2023-08-27 04:04:10'),
(8731, 8731, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday left Johannesburg for home after wrapping up her South Africa visit to attend the 15th BRICS Summit.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>She attended the summit held on August 22-24 at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.</div><div><br></div><div>A regular flight of the Emirates Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members departed from the OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa at 2pm (local time).</div><div><br></div><div>PM\'s younger sister Sheikh Rehana and only daughter Saima Wazed are accompanying her.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh High Commissioner to South Africa Noor-E Helal Saifur Rahman saw the premier off at the airport.</div><div><br></div><div>The flight is scheduled to land at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), Dhaka at 8:40 am (BD time) on August 27 after a brief stopover at the Dubai International Airport in UAE.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, South Africa unit Awami League (AL) leaders met the prime minister at her place of residence Hotel Hilton Sandton in Johannesburg before she left for the airport on way home.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister arrived in Johannesburg on August 22 to attend the summit.</div><div><br></div><div>South Africa hosted the historic summit of BRICS nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the first BRICS Summit hosted in person since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions.</div><div><br></div><div>President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazil\'s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended it.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 23, the prime minister delivered a speech as the chief guest at the \"Bangladesh Trade and Business Summit\" jointly organized by Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).</div><div><br></div><div>Later, she attended the \"Bangladesh Envoys Conference\" organized by Bangladesh ambassadors stationed in African countries.</div><div><br></div><div>In the afternoon, she had a bilateral meeting with Chinese President XI Jinping at the Hotel Hilton Sandton.</div><div><br></div><div>At the evening, the prime minister joined a cultural programme and \"State Banquet\" hosted by the current chair of BRICS and the South African president.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 24, she addressed on behalf of Bangladesh as a member of the \"New Development Bank of BRICS\" at the Friends of BRICS Leaders Dialogue (BRICS-Africa Outreach and the BRICS Plus Dialogues) comprising representatives from 70 countries.</div><div><br></div><div>On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, bilateral meetings between Sheikh Hasina and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Tanzania Dr Saima Sulluhu and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi were held at Sandton Convention Centre.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>A meeting was also held between Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina and President of the New Development Bank Dilma Vana Rousseff at the same venue.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>During the meetings, the five dignitaries highly praised Bangladesh\'s remarkable development under Sheikh Hasina\'s prudent leadership, Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen said in a media briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>At the evening, she met the Bangladeshi expatriates living in South Africa. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 04:06:05', '2023-08-27 04:06:05'),
(8732, 8732, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">One of Ukraine\'s most celebrated fighter pilots and two other airmen have been killed in a mid-air crash.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Andrii Pilshchykov won fame taking part in dogfights over Kyiv during the early phase of Russia\'s invasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ukrainian military called the airmen\'s deaths \"painful and irreparable\" losses, and paid tribute to Pilshchykov as a pilot with \"mega knowledge and mega talent\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The crash involved two L-39 training planes flying over northern Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An investigation is under way into whether flight preparation rules were not correctly followed, resulting in Friday\'s crash in Zhytomyr Oblast. The region is west of the capital, Kyiv, and hundreds of miles from the frontline.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the deaths in his nightly video address, saying that his country would \"never forget anyone who defended the free skies of Ukraine\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last autumn, as Russia launched hundreds of cruise missiles and drones at Ukraine, Pilshchykov - who flew under the call-sign \"Juice\" - spoke to the BBC about the pressure he felt as a MiG-29 fighter pilot tasked with trying to intercept the deadly weapons before they struck.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Intercepting the cruise missiles, your mission is to save the lives on the ground, to save the city. If you are not able, it\'s a terrible feeling that somebody will die. Somebody will die in minutes and you didn\'t prevent that,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also spoke of his lifelong \"dream\" to join the Ukrainian air force which he saw as his \"mission\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Melaniya Podolyak, a friend of Pilshchykov, also confirmed his death, posting an image of his air force badge on social media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The crash and deaths are a major upset for Ukraine as it prepares to receive up to 61 F-16 fighter jets from its allies, in a bid to step up its counteroffensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed that English-language training for Ukrainians on operating F-16s would begin in Texas in September, with flight training expected to begin in October in Arizona. Meanwhile, other Western allies are preparing to start training Ukrainians later this month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The training to fly F-16s is expected to take around five months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The American decision earlier this year to supply F-16 jets represented an about-turn. This is because the US and its Nato allies - who had earlier ruled out the move - had feared this would lead to further escalation with nuclear-armed Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A spokesman for Ukraine\'s Air Force, Yurii Ihnat, paid tribute to Pilshchykov in a statement posted on his Facebook page.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A year ago in the USA, Andrii met with American government officials, brought up the urgent needs of the Air Force, was in constant contact with Californian pilots, and was the main driver of an advocacy group promoting many decisions on the F-16s [supply],\" Ihnat said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"During the war, he gave dozens of interviews to Western media because he knew English well, and the most important was the topic of conversation: what can and should be talked about for Ukraine!</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You can\'t even imagine how he wanted to fly on an F-16... but now that American planes are actually on the horizon, he will not fly them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Andrii Pilshchykov was not just a pilot, he was a young officer with great knowledge and great talent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He was an excellent communicator, the driver of reforms in Air Force aircraft, a participant in many projects. I often supported his crazy ideas, which gave incredible results!\" BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 12:54:39', '2023-08-27 12:54:39'),
(8733, 8733, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">One person died and 46 were injured after two blasts at a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) station in Romania.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The injured included 26 firefighters who rushed to the scene, following the first explosion near the capital Bucharest on Saturday evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shortly after, a second blast sent a mushroom cloud billowing into the sky, rocking the forecourt in Crevedia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities said at least eight of the injured had been severely burnt. They plan to send four to hospitals abroad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">People within a 700-metre (almost half a mile) radius have been evacuated from the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The area is still dangerous... there is a risk of another explosion at another tanker,\" said Raed Arafat, head of Romania\'s emergency department, quoted by the AFP news agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Romania\'s President Klaus Iohannis described the explosions as a \"tragedy\" and said he was \"profoundly saddened\" by what had happened.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An investigation must quickly be launched to see if rules were broken. I ask the authorities to take urgent measures for the injured so that these tragedies won\'t happen again,\" he wrote on Facebook. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 13:12:38', '2023-08-27 13:12:38'),
(8734, 8734, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home this morning after attending the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg of South Africa.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She attended the summit held on August 22-24 at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A regular flight of the Emirates Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:32am after a brief stopover at the Dubai International Airport in UAE.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM\'s younger sister Sheikh Rehana and only daughter Saima Wazed accompanied her.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the flight departed from the OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa at 2pm on August 26 (Johannesburg time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before that, South Africa unit Awami League (AL) leaders met the prime minister at her place of residence Hotel Hilton Sandton in Johannesburg.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister arrived in Johannesburg on August 22 night to attend the BRICS Summit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Africa hosted the historic summit of the BRICS nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was the first BRICS Summit hosted in person since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazil\'s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 23, the prime minister delivered a speech as the chief guest at the \"Bangladesh Trade and Business Summit\" jointly organized by Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, she attended the \"Bangladesh Envoys Conference\" organized by Bangladesh ambassadors stationed in African countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the afternoon, she had a bilateral meeting with Chinese President XI Jinping at the Hotel Hilton Sandton.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the evening, the prime minister joined a cultural programme and \"State Banquet\" hosted by the current chair of BRICS and the South African president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 24, she addressed on behalf of Bangladesh as a member of the \"New Development Bank of BRICS\" at Friends of BRICS Leaders Dialogue (BRICS-Africa Outreach and the BRICS Plus Dialogues) comprising representatives from 70 countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, bilateral meetings between Sheikh Hasina and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Tanzania Dr Saima Sulluhu and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi were held at Sandton Convention Centre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A meeting was also held between Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina and President of the New Development Bank Dilma Vana Rousseff at the same venue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meetings, the five dignitaries highly praised Bangladesh\'s remarkable development under Sheikh Hasina\'s prudent leadership, Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen said in a media briefing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the evening, she met the Bangladeshi expatriates living in South Africa. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 14:02:42', '2023-08-27 14:02:42');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8735, 8735, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Lionel Messi came off the bench and scored as Inter Miami began their push for the Major League Soccer playoffs with a 2-0 win at New York Red Bulls on Saturday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After a week in which Miami won the Leagues Cup and reached the final of the US Open Cup, Messi was left on the bench by coach Gerard \"Tata\" Martino but came into the game on the hour mark.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Argentine World Cup winner had limited involvement after entering with former Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets but made his mark on his regular season debut with an 89th minute goal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jordi Alba acrobatically hooked the ball into the box to Messi who twisted and turned then slipped a sublime pass with the outside of his foot to Benjamin Cremaschi whose low first-time cross was tapped in by the seven-times Ballon d\'Or winner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi has now scored 11 goals in nine appearances in all competitions since joining Inter Miami.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He\'s unbelievable, every day it\'s something new, on and off the field,\" said Miami\'s 19-year-old defender Noah Allen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He\'s an amazing person to play with and I am so blessed to play with him.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Martino had indicated that several of his players were in need of a break after an intense run of eight games inside a month and stuck to his word with his team selection, to the disappointment of the capacity crowd at Red Bull Arena.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A makeshift Miami had taken the lead in the 37th minute when Noah Allen played in a cross from the left and Paraguayan Diego Gomez was given time to turn and then slot home a left-foot effort.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Miami keeper Drake Callender had to make a series of saves to keep his side in the lead but with Red Bull pressure mounting, Martino opted to bring on his star man and the momentum of the game inevitably shifted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The win lifts Miami off the bottom of the Eastern Conference and reduces the gap to the last playoff sport to 11 points with 11 games remaining.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Cincy bounce back -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati bounced back from their US Open Cup last four loss to Miami on Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over New York City.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aaron Boupendza nodded the Ohio side ahead in the 6th minute and Junior Moreno doubled the lead in the 52nd minute with a side-foot finish at the end of a swift counter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A 59th minute header from Nick Hagglund wrapped up the win for Cincinnati who remain 11 points clear of second-placed Philadelphia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Philly enjoyed a 3-1 win at Wayne Rooney\'s D.C. United with all their goals coming in the first half through Mikael Uhre, Jack McGlynn and a penalty from Hungarian international Daniel Gazdag.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The New England Revolution, third in the East, fell to a 1-0 loss at Montreal with George Campbell grabbing the 86th minute winner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Champions Los Angeles FC suffered a surprise 2-1 loss at Charlotte with former Burnley midfielders Ashley Westwood and Scott Arfield on target for the North Carolina side.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Westwood opened the scoring with a clever finish at the near post in the 29th minute before Mario Gonzalez levelled for LAFC in the 67th only for Arfield, a recent signing from Scotland\'s Rangers to grab the 75th minute winner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was a day of surprises in the Western Conference where leaders St.Louis City fell to a 2-1 defeat to Orlando City with Facundo Torres settling the encounter with a stoppage time penalty after Anthony Markanich handled in the box. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 14:33:03', '2023-08-27 14:33:03'),
(8736, 8736, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A key ally of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally resigned Saturday, delivering a blistering attack on his successor in her resignation letter.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former culture minister Nadine Dorries announced her intention to resign 11 weeks ago but had remained as member of parliament while she investigated why she was not given a seat in the upper house of parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her resignation letter, Dorries accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of abandoning \"the fundamental principles of Conservatism\" and said \"history will not judge you kindly\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dorries was unexpectedly not awarded a seat in the upper chamber of parliament, the House of Lords, in Johnson\'s resignation honours list. He rewarded fellow Brexit die-hards and even those implicated in the \"Partygate\" scandal that contributed to his downfall last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The omission prompted accusations from Johnson\'s camp of meddling from Sunak and Downing Street.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her letter, which she released on social media, Dorries accused Sunak of leading attacks on her resulting in \"the police having to visit my home and contact me on a number of occasions due to threats to my person.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The clearly orchestrated and almost daily personal attacks demonstrates the pitifully low level your government has descended to,\" she wrote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also attacked his record in Government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Since you took office a year ago, the country is run by a zombie parliament where nothing meaningful has happened,\" she wrote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You have no mandate from the people and the Government is adrift.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Resignation honours lists, in which key political allies of outgoing prime ministers are rewarded, are normally waved through by their successor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Political revenge -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunak\'s spokesman told reporters earlier it was \"entirely untrue\" that the prime minister or officials removed names from Johnson\'s list before it was sent to a House of Lords vetting committee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The row in June over the honours prompted the resignation as MPs of both Nigel Adams, who was also omitted from the list, as well as Johnson himself.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the same time Dorries announced her intention to resign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Political observers have interpreted the resignations as Johnson\'s revenge on Sunak for forcing him out of office last July after \"Partygate\" and a string of other scandals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Johnson resigned as an MP claiming a stitch-up by political opponents on a cross-party inquiry probing whether he lied to parliament over the Covid lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resignations meant Sunak\'s Tories had to face by-elections at a time when they were trailing in the polls to the main opposition Labour party and ahead of a general election next year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Conservatives lost Adams\' seat but held on to Johnson\'s constituency, aided by Labour mayor Sadiq Khan\'s contentious expansion of a vehicle pollution tax to outer London.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government now faces the prospect of another by-election, possibly within weeks, although Dorries\' 24,000 majority in her constituency might prove more difficult for the Labour opposition party to overturn than Adams\' 20,000 majority. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 14:36:31', '2023-08-27 14:36:31'),
(8737, 8737, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Kylian Mbappe dominated his first home start of the season, scoring twice as Ligue 1 champions Paris-Saint Germain defeated last season\'s runners up Lens, 3-1, on Saturday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a meeting of two teams winless in their first two league matches, PSG emphatically put their season back on track.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victory lifted them to fourth, two points behind leaders Monaco, who drew on Friday, and Marseille who won earlier Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'d always like things to go the way they did tonight, but in football there are always surprises,\" said PSG coach Luis Enrique.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There was a Champions League rhythm,\" the Spaniard said. \"My players were very brave and against a team that defends well. We created a lot of chances.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mbappe, making his first home start since being reinstated to the team following a contract dispute, posed a threat from the start.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the first half, he had one shot saved by goalkeeper Brice Samba and another cleared off the line by Kevin Danso before Marco Asensio scored his first goal for the club in the 44th minute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PSG\'s Portuguese midfielder Vitinha surged up the field before moving the ball on to Warren Zaire-Emery who passed to Asensio just outside the box.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Spaniard curled a left foot shot in off the base of the post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mbappe added a ferocious second after 51 minutes, meeting a return pass from Lucas Hernandez with a first-time side-foot shot from the edge of the box that rocketed past Samba.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mbappe forced another good save from Samba as PSG dominated possession.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On a rare Lens counter-attack, Elye Wahi, the club\'s record signing, who came on after 57 minutes, outpaced the home defence and forced a sprawling save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ousmane Dembele, making his first PSG start since moving from Barcelona, lashed an opportunity for a first goal for the club wide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mbappe added a second in the 90th minute with a shot from near the penalty spot that took two deflections on its way into the net.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As PSG\'s defence relaxed, Wahi forced another flying save from Donnarumma before Morgan Guilavogui scored with the last kick of the match, his shot deflecting in off Milan Skriniar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In the second half, we opened up and if you open up against this team, things happen too quickly. We didn\'t give up but there was too much difference between the two teams,\" said Lens coach Franck Haise.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Marseille jumped to second place after ending visiting Brest\'s winning start to season with a lacklustre 2-0 victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Knocked out of the Champions League in the third qualifying round by Panathinaikos at the start of the month, Marseille\'s rebuilt squad had a week to prepare.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The hosts started brightly when Chancel Mbemba opened the scoring with a header from Jordan Veretout\'s impeccable free kick after three minutes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Brest, who had opened the season with two wins, dominated the rest of the half and squandered a string of chances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In the first half we weren\'t organised properly, we lost too many balls and Brest were better,\" said Marseille coach Marcelino, who took over in the summer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The introduction of Vitinha from the bench lifted Marseille who stretched their lead after 65 minutes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ismaila Sarr met a cross from Renan Lodi to score for the first time since arriving from Watford in the summer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vitinha created two golden chances for Veretout and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was wasteful throughout.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It got better in the second half and after the second goal, we were the Marseille we want to be,\" said Marcelino. \"If we\'d been bad throughout, I\'d be worried.\" AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 14:40:16', '2023-08-27 14:40:16'),
(8738, 8738, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North Korea has moved to further open up from strict pandemic-era isolation, with state media reporting Sunday that citizens living abroad have been allowed to reenter the country.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State-run KCNA said that the State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters had announced that \"citizens abroad have been allowed to return home\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Those returned will be put under proper medical observation at quarantine wards for a week,\" the report said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It added that the decision had been made \"in reference to the eased worldwide pandemic situation.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea shut its borders in early 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but there have been increasing signals the country has moved towards reopening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese and Russian officials attended a military parade in Pyongyang last month -- the first foreign dignitaries to visit the country in years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last week a delegation of athletes was allowed to attend a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan, while state-run Air Koryo made its first international commercial flight in three years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The flight arrived Tuesday morning at Beijing\'s Capital Airport, with AFP reporters only seeing two North Koreans -- recognisable by their distinctive badges bearing the faces of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il -- come through the arrival gate. Neither spoke to media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another Air Koryo flight bound for Pyongyang departed just after 1:00 pm, a tracking website showed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency published photos of a number of North Koreans lining up to check luggage for that flight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about the flights, China\'s foreign ministry said that it had approved restarting commercial air travel between Beijing and Pyongyang.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"During the summer and autumn flight season... the Chinese side approved flight plans for passengers such as the Pyongyang-Beijing and Beijing-Pyongyang routes of Air Koryo,\" foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing on Monday. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 14:43:08', '2023-08-27 14:43:08'),
(8739, 8739, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka’s air ranked 8th most polluted among cities around the world this morning, according to Air Quality Index (AQI).</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The air in Dhaka city was categorised as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, with an AQI score of 117 at 8:35 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesia’s Jakarta, India’s Delhi and Uganda’s Kampala occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 169, 167, and 164 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 14:56:45', '2023-08-27 14:56:45'),
(8740, 8740, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Eleven Syrian military personnel were killed, and 20 others were injured on Saturday in a rebel attack in the country\'s northwestern province of Idlib, a war monitor reported.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attackers carried out an assault and detonated explosive devices concealed in tunnels beneath Syrian army positions in the southern countryside of Idlib, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The observatory said the attackers are from factions including the Ansar al-Tawhid group and the Turkestan Islamic Movement, both affiliates of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tension has been brewing between the HTS and the Syrian army, with both sides exchanging fire in northern Syria.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A day earlier, seven HTS members were killed by the army forces in the western countryside of Aleppo in northern Syria, according to the observatory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, Syrian forces intercepted and shot down three weaponized drones dispatched by the HTS in the northwestern provinces of Idlib and Hama, according to the state news agency SANA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the same day, Russian airstrikes conducted in the Idlib region killed eight HTS militants, according to the observatory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">HTS, previously known as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, has established control over a large swathe of Idlib. XINHUA</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 15:16:30', '2023-08-27 15:16:30'),
(8741, 8741, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The new president of the country’s apex trade body, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), has already written to Bangladesh Bank asking for opportunities for businesses struggling to pay instalments against loans to turn around their fortunes before declaring them as loan defaulters.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also believes heightened inflation is a global issue, rather than unique to Bangladesh, as prices of daily essentials and energy prices have witnessed spikes across the world, including the USA and Europe.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh is trying to curb inflation, but the global supply chain disruption creates crises on the supply side, which is the cause of the price hike in some cases, he pointed out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking to UNB, Mahbubul Alam gave his opinions on different issues including inflation, the dollar crisis, export diversification, and the challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alam was elected as the new president of the FBCCI as a leader of the Sammilito Oikko Parishad, for the 2023-25 tenure. The election was held on July 31 and he took charge as president on August 14. He also serves as President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry (CCCI).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beyond his business acumen, Mahbubul Alam has received recognition in the form of CIP (Trade) and CIP (Industry) Awards from the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh. He is also a committed philanthropist, contributing to various social causes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Internationally, he is the recipient of a \"Certificate of Merit\" from the World Customs Organization.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alam said in the present economic reality, suppose an entrepreneur has 12 factories; among them one or two will have fallen into problems, but the other 10 would be running well. In this situation, if the business group was declared as defaulter, the entrepreneur would not run the other factories, and a large number of employees would lose their jobs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He acknowledged that in the last two years, a huge volume of loans went into default as many businessmen are not paying their instalments. The FBCCI president said, the federation (FBCCI) has already written a letter to the Bangladesh Bank (BB) to not declare any company as defaulter without understanding the reality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He suggested running the factories as an option to get a return. He opposed wholesale declaration of loan defaulters rather than giving opportunities to improve.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alam agreed that the businessmen have to return the loan money, otherwise the banks will be in trouble.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the dollar crisis, the FBCCI president emphasised enhancing remittance earnings by sending more skilled human resources abroad, along with the unskilled manpower already being sent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also urged the government to develop a system through which remittances could be sent easily to Bangladesh using legal channels from the Middle East and other areas of the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alam, the owner of Chattogram-based M/S Alam Trading, also emphasised enhancing the capacity of foreign missions of Bangladesh so that those missions can arrange trade fairs to display different traditions and non-traditional products as part of the export diversification campaign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding SDG achievement, the FBCCI president said the capacity of domestic businesses must increase to compete with global manufacturers in the age of free trade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alam said, “Despite different types of obstacles and unfavourable environment, the entrepreneurs of Bangladesh have survived and continued running their businesses even during the Covid-19 pandemic period.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The FBCCI president emphasised massive research and innovation activities involving youths for Bangladeshi companies to cope with the requirements of the 4th Industrial Revolution,</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, he doesn’t buy into the hype that Artificial Intelligence or machine learning will affect employment in Bangladesh, as he believes many jobs still exist that require a human hand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The FBCCI president also focused on increasing domestic rearing of chicken, pigeons, cows, and goats which will help to meet a large portion of the consumption demand for eggs, milk, and meat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is not possible to supply readymade products, eggs, meat, milk, and other essential items to everyone, he said. Some people have to develop self-dependency when it comes to agricultural items, he pointed out. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 16:04:28', '2023-08-27 16:04:28'),
(8742, 8742, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A United States military aircraft crashed during drills in Australia\'s Northern Territory on Sunday with around 20 people on board, according to local media.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Australia\'s Defence Department confirmed the Osprey vertical takeoff aircraft had been carrying US \"defence personnel\", and said that it appeared no Australian soldiers were involved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"At this critical early stage, our focus is on the incident response and ensuring the safety of those involved,\" the department said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The aircraft was involved in drills near the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin, and several people have reportedly been rescued, according to Australian public broadcaster ABC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An emergency services incident map for the Northern Territory said there had been an \"aircraft crash\" on Melville Island, some 60 kilometres (37 miles) north of the Australian mainland on Sunday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Osprey was taking part in the Predators Run exercises, a joint series of warfighting drills held between the US and Australian militaries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ospreys are tilt-rotor aircraft that combine the vertical takeoff ability of a helicopter with the speed of a turboprop plane, according to the US Air Force. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 17:33:29', '2023-08-27 17:33:29'),
(8743, 8743, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A man and his child were dead and two people were injured in a landslide caused by heavy rains in Sholoshahar area of Chattogram early today.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased Md Sohel, 35, and his daughter Bibi Jannat, 7, were residents of IW Colony — for low income families — in Sholoshahar area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Locals said the port city experienced heavy rains on Saturday night and early today which caused the landslide in the area. A heavy chunk of a hill fell on Sohel’s tin-roofed house when they were asleep.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nur Alam Ashiq, in-charge of Chattogram Medical College Hospital police outpost, said two people who sustained injuries in the landslide were brought to the hospital where physicians declared them dead around 7:35 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Chattogram Fire Service Control Room, on getting information of a landslide, a team rushed to the spot and rescued four people from under the debris of a house and sent them to hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deaths due to landslides in the hilly Chattogram, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Cox’s Bazar during the monsoon are reported every year. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 17:53:48', '2023-08-27 17:53:48'),
(8744, 8744, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An aircraft incident involving U.S. military personnel occurred mid-morning on Sunday during an exercise in Australia\'s Northern Territory, Australia\'s Defence Ministry said, while a broadcaster said there were no reports of deaths.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sky News Australia reported a v-22 Osprey helicopter with about 20 U.S. Marines on board had crashed off the coast of Darwin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said multiple military personnel had been rescued from an aircraft crash on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin, and that there were no reports of fatalities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defence personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved,\" the ministry said in an emailed statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said the incident occurred on Melville Island north of Darwin during Exercise Predator’s Run 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was previously scheduled to hold a press conference at 0520 GMT, his office said. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 18:16:21', '2023-08-27 18:16:21'),
(8745, 8745, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today called for stamping out the poisonous trees of the communal forces for developing a modern and civilized nation.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have to eliminate the poisonous trees of the communal forces from the country by motivating with the non-communal spirit inspired with the ideology of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam”, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ruling party leader said this while replying to the query of a&nbsp; &nbsp;journalist after paying tribute at the graveyard of the National Poet of his 47th death anniversary in the city here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Quader added : “Communalism is still a hindrance on the way of progress&nbsp; and growth of an independent nation…so, we have to be united against these evil forces.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To mark the day, the senior ruling party leader urged those people who are truly Bangalees would have to be motivated with the non-communal spirit, adding “we will have to pledge on the day that we must have to wipe out the poisonous trees of the communalism under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Remembering the incidents occurred in the month of August, the minister said it is a tragic period for the Bengali nation , even national poet&nbsp; Kazi Nazrul Islam also passed&nbsp; away during this month. The poet will remain in our heart forever”, he told the journalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Nazrul&nbsp; is still relevant to us and even was in before”, he noted.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier,&nbsp; Quader at first paid tribute on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the grave of the National Poet at Dhaka University, and later&nbsp; along with the central leaders on behalf of the ruling Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awami League presidium member Kazi Jafar Ullah, Dr Mostafa Jalal Mahiuddin and Shahjahan Khan, Joint General secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretary Ahmad Hossain, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Abdus Sabur, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, among others, were present. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 18:50:17', '2023-08-27 18:50:17'),
(8746, 8746, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The 47th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his limitless contributions to Bangla literature, is being observed in a befitting manner across the country today.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also celebrated as the ‘Rebel Poet’, Kazi Nazrul Islam is considered a pioneer in Bangla literature.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Marking his 47th death anniversary, several organisations and institutions are holding multiple programmes throughout the day commemorating the life and works of the great poet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka University teachers, students, officials and employees gathered at the Aparajeyo Bangla on Kala Bhaban premises alongside DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Akhtaruzzaman early in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">From there, they visited the poet\'s grave with a procession, offered wreaths and recite Fateha. Moreover, recitation of the holy Quran will be held at the university’s central mosque following Asr prayers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Awami League also paid tributes at the poet’s grave with a procession and prayer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Awami League (AL) delegation led by its General Secretary Obaidul Quader paid homage to the poet on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the party.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader urged all to be imbued with the ideologies of the National Poet to uproot communal forces from the country as they are the barriers towards development and advancement of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A delegation of the BNP led by senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also paid tribute to the Rebel Poet at his grave.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cultural institution Chhayanaut will organise a special tribute programme at its auditorium in Dhanmondi at 7 pm. The event will be simultaneously aired on its Facebook group and YouTube channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several television channels, including Bangladesh Television (BTV), radio stations, including Bangladesh Betar, and online platforms are broadcasting special programmes commemorating the life and works of the National Poet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his revolutionary and spectacular literary works in then-undivided India, was born in the Churulia village of Bardhaman in West Bengal, India, in 1899.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nazrul had a brief 21-year-long literary career, during which he produced 2,600 songs, 600 poems, three books, and 43 essays, according to the Kabi Nazrul Institute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his early childhood, he had to work as a caretaker and as a muazzin in a mosque to support his family when his father passed away. He was forced to leave school at the age of nine in order to work for a professional \"Leto\" music group in Churulia, West Bengal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While working with the group, he became familiar with Bangla and Sanskrit literature. A year later, he went back to school and enrolled at Matharun English School, but due to financial hardship, he dropped out once more in Class six.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After some time, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him under his wing and enrolled him in Class seven at Darirampur School in Trishal, Mymensingh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Within a few years of beginning military service in the British Army in 1917, Nazrul embarked on his literary career. He wrote the classic \"Bidrohi\" (The Rebel) in 1921 and founded \"Dhumketu\" (The Comet), a monthly journal, in 1922.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Due to his nationalist stance in the Indian Independence Movement, Nazrul found himself in the clutches of colonial British authorities. He wrote \"Rajbandir Jabanbandi\" (Deposition of a Political Prisoner) while he was incarcerated.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His works later inspired the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, and his poems inspired many to revolt against the oppression of Pakistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Freedom, humanity, love, and revolution are recurring themes throughout Nazrul\'s remarkable literary creations. He was against radicalism and the constraints of caste, gender, and religious prejudice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nazrul also published short stories, novels, and essays, although his songs and poems have received the most praise. He is renowned for his liberal use of Arabic and Farsi terms in his writings and for popularizing Bangla ghazals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He invented his own musical genre known as \"Nazrul Geeti,\" which consists of almost 4,000 songs he penned and composed music for, many of which were released on vinyl and HMV records.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 1942, when Nazrul was 43 years old and suffering from an unidentified illness, he started to lose his voice and memory. His condition was later discovered to be \"Pick\'s disease,\" a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease, by a medical team in Vienna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the invitation of the Bangladeshi government and then President and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Nazrul\'s family migrated to Bangladesh and settled in Dhaka in 1972. The government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the status of \"National Poet\" in the same year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was awarded the honorary DLitt by Dhaka University in 1974 and he received the Ekushey Padak in 1976, for his legendary contribution to Bangla literature and culture,</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 27, 1976, the Rebel Poet breathed his last in Dhaka and was buried next to the mosque on Dhaka University campus, fulfilling a wish he had made in one of his poems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 19:14:56', '2023-08-27 19:14:56'),
(8747, 8747, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Three constables were killed and three others injured after a train hit a police van in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The incident took place in Sitakunda upazila at Fakirhat Level Crossing in Solimpur Union on Sunday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The identities of the deceased and injured could not be known yet.</div><div><br></div><div>Officer-in-charge (OC) (Investigation) Abu Syed, of Sitakunda Police Station, confirmed the matter to media.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-27 21:28:06', '2023-08-27 21:28:06'),
(8748, 8748, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In response to the floods in Bangladesh earlier this month, the European Union has released €300 000 to assist the flood-affected population in the Southeast region of the country.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The aid will focus on the Bandarban region, as one of the hardest-hit districts.</div><div><br></div><div>The funding will be used to provide emergency cash assistance to allow beneficiaries to immediately cope with their urgent needs, mainly in terms of food and shelter.</div><div><br></div><div>The funding will be managed by the UN’s World Food Program (WFP), which will coordinate operations in the area with the Bangladesh Red Cross in order to ensure the largest possible coverage, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>Since 5 August, heavy rainfall has caused flash floods and landslides in the Southeast of Bangladesh, with a particularly harsh impact on Bandarban, where around 80% of the municipal area was flooded.</div><div><br></div><div>The floods have severely impacted food security, causing widespread damage to food stocks and harvests, as well as the death of livestock and loss of livestock’s feed.</div><div><br></div><div>Individual shelters in the most affected areas have also experienced extensive damage. In Barbadan alone, it is estimated that 15,600 homes have suffered severe damages.</div><div><br></div><div>This new funding comes in addition to the over €30 million provided by the EU this year in humanitarian aid to Bangladesh, notably in response to the Rohingya refugee crisis, but also to reduce the impact of natural hazards.</div><div><br></div><div>In May, after devastating Cyclone Mocha hit the coastline of Bangladesh, the EU responded though the IFRC Pilot Programmatic Partnership with €350 000 for immediate assistance to affected people, both in the refugee camps and among the host population.</div><div><br></div><div>For both Cyclone Mocha and the recent floods, the EU’s department for civil protection and humanitarian aid operations (DG ECHO) activated an Anticipatory Action project through WFP, allowing 5,300 households in Teknaf District to have access to multi-purpose cash transfer ahead of the two disasters. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 00:45:14', '2023-08-28 00:45:14');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8749, 8749, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Sunday said there is no reason to be disheartened over Bangladesh not being included in the BRICS block of developing economies as it remains a part of the New Development Bank (NDB).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“There are many issues — political and regional, and there is the issue of maintaining balance,” he told reporters while responding to a question.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign secretary said if they look at the tangible outcome of BRICS over the last 15 years, only NDB is visible. “You can assess that. Since we remain a part of the NDB, there is no reason to feel disheartened.”</div><div><br></div><div>Masud Bin Momen said this is the first phase and Bangladesh hopes to be included in the next phase. “In the meantime, we also got time to some extent.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said there was an effort to make a geographical balance and there were more interested countries but they also did not get (BRICS) membership. “It’s an ongoing process.”</div><div><br></div><div>Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia were the six countries invited to join the BRICS at the just concluded summit.</div><div><br></div><div>These countries are set to join BRICS from January 1, 2024, to make an 11-nation bloc.</div><div><br></div><div>The announcement came after two days of talks at the summit in Johannesburg involving Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the discussions virtually.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the BRICS Summit at the invitation of South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.</div><div><br></div><div>BRICS is a consensus-based organization that needs all members to agree on decisions.</div><div><br></div><div>The bloc was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009 and South Africa joined in 2010.</div><div><br></div><div>BRICS currently represents around 40% of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the world’s GDP, with that is set to increase, according to AP.</div><div><br></div><div>BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of the Global South. All five current members and dozens of developing countries represented at the recent summit repeatedly called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the IMF and the World Bank. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 03:36:50', '2023-08-28 03:36:50'),
(8750, 8750, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The government has so far spent Tk400 crore on dengue treatment this season, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The government is providing dengue treatment free of cost in government hospitals and spending an average of Tk50,000 per patient in the country, the minister disclosed at a discussion meeting on how to combat dengue at a city hotel in the capital this afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Zahid Maleque said that 70 percent of the dengue patients have received treatment in the country\'s government hospitals. And the remaining 30 percent received treatment in private hospitals.</div><div><br></div><div>Generally, two types of dengue patients are treated in hospitals. Some of them require platelets and ICU service and some are cured only by taking medicine, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the risk to women, the health minister said that though the women are affected less compared to last year but dying more.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Women are dying more because they delay getting treatment. Maybe they are not being noticed. Of the total patients, 65 percent are male patients in the country,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 65 percent of total deaths from dengue this year are female patients, the health minister informed.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister also said that half of the dengue patients are outside Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>So far, the DGHS has recorded 1, 12,184 dengue cases this year, the highest ever.</div><div><br></div><div>Among others, Dr. Anwar Hossain Howlader, Secretary of the Health Services Department of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Khurshid Alam , director general of DGHS, Additional Director General Professor Dr. Ahmedul Kabir, were also present on the occasion. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 04:03:27', '2023-08-28 04:03:27'),
(8751, 8751, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China\'s summer this year has seen both extreme heat and devastating floods.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And the flooding this time around has struck areas where such weather has been unheard of, with scientists - blaming climate change - warning that the worst is yet to come.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'ve never seen a flood here in my whole life,\" says 38-year-old Zhang Junhua, standing next to a vast patch of rice, now completely useless. \"We just didn\'t expect it.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His family and friends are safe, he says, because they were given plenty of warning to get to higher ground, but everyone in his village now has some tough months ahead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What\'s more, the devastation in north-east China\'s Heilongjiang Province has had a major impact on food supplies for the whole country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This month, 40% of the area\'s famous Wuchang rice crop has been wiped out, visibly flattened by the volume and speed of the water. Places which should appear lush and green are today brown and dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The fields where we planted our crops were all submerged. We can\'t plant again this year,\" says another farmer, Zhao Lijuan, as she smiles and tries to be philosophical about the impact on her community.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The losses are incalculable. We have tens of thousands of acres of rice fields here,\" the 56-year-old says, adding: \"When I saw the water come here, I cried. It laid waste to everything and I am scared the typhoons will be back.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 81 people have been killed in the recent floods, including some trying to rescue others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the economic pain has been much wider, in a country already struggling to recover following three years of strict coronavirus control measures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And, if the government wants to measure the immediate cost of not addressing climate change urgently, it need look no further than its own statistics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a little over a decade, the number of floods being recorded in the country has increased tenfold.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the summer of 2011, there were six to eight monthly floods listed in China. Last year, more than 130 were recorded in July and 82 in August.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Dr Zhao Li from Greenpeace East Asia, the increase in flood numbers can be partially explained by China developing better systems to monitor and record flood data.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But she says global warming is still clearly a major contributing factor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Warmer temperatures can enhance evaporation rates, resulting in more moisture in the atmosphere,\" she says. \"This increased moisture content can lead to more intense rainfall and more frequent and severe storms, including hurricanes and cyclones.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Greenpeace study from two years ago, using UN climate panel mapping, found that more heatwaves and extreme rainfall would effectively extend summer by one month during this century in the provinces around Beijing and Shanghai. In the Pearl River delta, it would be by more than 40 days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese government\'s own Meteorological Administration officials have reported that extreme high temperatures and extreme precipitation have definitely increased since the mid-1990s.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, in the face of potential catastrophes, Dr Zhao Li from Greenpeace warns that human beings are not ready for what is just around the corner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are not prepared for extreme weather events. Recent experiences from the floods underline that,\" Dr Zhao says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s an immense and perhaps unrealistic task to upgrade all infrastructure to be able to face a flood that is the worst in hundreds of years. However, climate change is bringing those once-a-century events into rotation with a frequency that shows we will soon have to control a disaster again.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials in China tried to ease the impact of recent floods by using a system of dams of waterways to change their direction. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 12:58:29', '2023-08-28 12:58:29'),
(8752, 8752, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">French authorities are to ban the wearing in school of abaya dresses worn by some Muslim women, the education minister said on Sunday, arguing the garment violated France\'s strict secular laws in education.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It will no longer be possible to wear an abaya at school,\" Education Minister Gabriel Attal told TF1 television, saying he would give \"clear rules at the national level\" to school heads ahead of the return to classes nationwide from September 4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The move comes after months of debate over the wearing of abayas in French schools, where women have long been banned from wearing the Islamic headscarf.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There have been reports of abayas being increasingly worn in schools and tensions within school over the issue between teachers and parents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Secularism means the freedom to emancipate oneself through school,\" Attal said, describing the abaya as \"a religious gesture, aimed at testing the resistance of the republic toward the secular sanctuary that school must constitute.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You enter a classroom, you must not be able to identify the religion of the students by looking at them,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A law of March 2004 banned \"the wearing of signs or outfits by which students ostensibly show a religious affiliation\" in schools.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This includes large crosses, Jewish kippas and Islamic headscarves.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Unlike headscarves, abayas -- a long, baggy garment worn to comply with Islamic beliefs on modest dress -- occupied a grey area and faced no outright ban until now</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The debate has intensified since a radicalised Chechen refugee beheaded teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown students caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, near his school in a Paris suburb in 2020.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The CFCM, a national body encompassing many Muslim associations, has said items of clothing alone were not \"a religious sign\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The announcement is the first big move by Attal, 34, since he was promoted this summer to handle the hugely contentious education portfolio.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Along with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, 40, he is seen as a rising star who could potentially play an important role after Macron steps down in 2027. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 13:01:38', '2023-08-28 13:01:38'),
(8753, 8753, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A white man wearing a mask and firing a weapon emblazoned with a swastika gunned down three Black people Saturday in what the sheriff described as a racially motivated attack in Jacksonville, Florida. The shooter, who had also posted racist writings, then killed himself. Here\'s what is known about the killings:</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The shooting happened Saturday afternoon at a Dollar General store in New Town, a predominantly Black neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. The store is near Edward Waters University, a historically Black school with about 1,000 students. The school said the man was spotted on campus by a security guard shortly before the shooting and asked to leave when he refused to identify himself. He was seen putting on his bullet-resistant vest and mask before he drove away. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said Sunday that it does not appear that he intended to attack the school.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ryan Palmeter, 21, who lived in neighboring Clay County with his parents. Sheriff Waters said Palmeter had been involved in a 2016 domestic violence incident that did not lead to an arrest and was involuntarily committed for a 72-hour mental health examination the following year. Palmeter used two guns — a Glock handgun and an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. Waters said they were purchased legally earlier this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angela Michelle Carr, 52, who was shot in her car outside; store employee A.J. Laguerre, 19, who was shot as he tried to flee; and customer Jerrald Gallion, 29, who was shot as he entered the store. No one else was injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Racism. During the attack, Palmeter texted his father and told him to break into his room and check his computer. There, the father found a suicide note, a will and racist writings from his son. The family notified authorities, but by then the shooting had already begun, the sheriff said. Officials say there were writings to his family, federal law enforcement and at least one media outlet. At least one of the guns had swastikas painted on it. Sheriff Waters said that the shooter made clear in his writings that he hated Black people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the shooting, the school was put on lockdown for several hours and the students were kept in their dorm rooms for their safety. The school says no students or staff were involved in the shooting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">REACTION FROM AROUND THE NATION:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon: “We must be clear, it was not just racially motivated, it was racist violence that has been perpetuated by rhetoric and policies designed to attack Black people, period.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan: “I’ve heard some people say that some of the rhetoric that we hear doesn’t really represent what’s in people’s hearts, it’s just the game. It’s just the political game. Those three people who lost their lives, that’s not a game. That’s the reality of what we’re dealing with. Please let us stop viewing each other as pieces on a game board, and let us please start to see each other’s humanity. “</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">READ: 3 US Marines killed, 20 injured in an aircraft crash in Australia during a training exercise</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rudolph McKissick, senior pastor of the historic Bethel Church in Jacksonville: “As it began to unfold, and I began to see the truth of it, my heart ached on several levels.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: “This guy killed himself rather than face the music and accept responsibility for his actions. He took the coward’s way out.\" —</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">LaTonya Thomas, a Jacksonville resident riding a charter bus home after the 60th anniversary commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom: “It made the march even more important because, of course, gun violence and things of that nature seem so casual now. Now you have employees, customers that will never go home.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Attorney General Merrick B. Garland: \"No person in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence and no family should have to grieve the loss of a loved one to bigotry and hate. One of the Justice Department’s first priorities upon its founding in 1870 was to bring to justice white supremacists who used violence to terrorize Black Americans. That remains our urgent charge today. The Justice Department will never stop working to protect everyone in our country from unlawful acts of hate.” AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 13:58:27', '2023-08-28 13:58:27'),
(8754, 8754, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ex-US President Barack Obama has written a letter of support for Dr Muhammad Yunus, expressing his hope that the Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist can continue to do his \'important work\'.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank, shared an image of the letter signed by Obama on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I have long been inspired by your efforts to empower people through offering them the means to lift their families and communities out of poverty. As I said when having the opportunity to meet you in the White House in 2009, your work has inspired millions to imagine their own potential,” said the letter from the 44th president of the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“During this period, I hope it gives you strength to know that many whose potential you invested in, and those of us who care about a more equitable economic future for all, are thinking of you, and I hope that you continue to have the freedom to do your important work,” it reads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The current US president, Joe Biden, served eight years over two terms as vice president to Obama, who is still thought to wield tremendous influence within the ranks of the Democrat party in particular, and US politics in general.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also on Sunday, 34 eminent citizens of the country expressed \'deep concern\' over the government’s motives through a series of recent developments that have gone against Bangladesh\'s first and till now only Nobel laureate, in a case filed with Dhaka\'s No.3 Labour Court.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 20, a full bench of the Appellate Division cleared the way for the criminal case to continue against Dr Yunus and his co-defendants, by rejecting a petition to prevent the case from proceeding. The trial commenced two days later.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement circulated to news outlets, the group of concerned citizens called upon the government to stop all sorts of harassment against Dr Yunus. It notes his lawyers\' contention that the allegations brought in the case are civil in nature, yet the government has pursued a criminal case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The government’s role in disposing of the case with abnormal haste has become evident recently,\" the statement said. It also alleges that Dr Yunus has already been subjected to harassment in the case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harassing him in the garb of legal and administrative measures is hampering his work and sending a negative message to the world, the statement adds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to case documents in the public domain, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) visited Grameen Telecom and uncovered various violations of the labour law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They said 101 workers were supposed to be made permanent, but were not. Workers\' and welfare funds were not constituted. Additionally, 5% of the dividends of Grameen Telecom was supposed to accrue to the workers, but that didn\'t happen, the case filed by the DIFE in September 2021 alleged.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Yunus chaired the Board of Trustees of Grameen Telecom, which is registered as a trust. The others accused in the case are his fellow trustees Ashraful Hasan, Md Shahjahan and Noor Jahan Begum. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 14:00:36', '2023-08-28 14:00:36'),
(8755, 8755, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">While sports fanatics of the sub-continent gear up for the India versus Pakistan blockbuster in Asia Cup in cricket, India\'s Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan produced a thriller of a contest in the early hours of Monday in Budapest, leaving fans on the edge of their seat, in the men\'s javelin final at World Athletics Championships which eventually ended in both the players scripting history.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Separated by less than a metre in the nail-biter, Neeraj became India\'s first ever gold medallist at the World Championships while Nadeem, who finished second, became the very first medallist for Pakistan in the history of the competition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After opening the summit clash with a foul attempt, Neeraj soared to the gold medal position with his best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt. Nadeem, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, shrugged off a slow start to pose a stiff competition with his season-best throw of 87.82 m in his third attempt which immediately saw him take the second position. The two remained intact at the top of the table till the very end with Czech Republic\'s Jakub Vadlejch securing the bronze with the best throw of 86.67 m.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the historic gold medal win, Neeraj and Nadeem shared a hug. Later, as the Indian and Jakub posed in front of the cameras with their respective flags, as it has been the ritual, Nadeem was missing from the frame. The silver medallist was left with the Pakistan flag, but Neeraj, in a million-dollar act, invited him for the photographs as the pair stood together with the Indian flag behind.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was the first time India had as many as three participants in the final with Kishore Jena (best of 84.77 m) having finished fifth while DP Manu (best of 84.14 m) finished sixth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India now has medals of all colours with Neeraj being the owner of two of them. He had bagged the silver medal at the World Championships last year. Before his two medals, India\'s last medalist was Anju Bobby George, in the 2003 World Championships, getting a bronze for the women\'s long jump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the win, Neeraj is now an Olympic champion and the reigning World Championships gold medallist, making him only the second Indian after the legendary shooter Abhinav Bindra -- to simultaneously hold the Olympics and Worlds title. Bindra had won the World Championships title when he was 23, and the Olympics gold at 25. He is also the third javelin thrower in the history to hold the Olympics and World Championships titles at the same time after the iconic Jan Zelezny of Czech Republic and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 14:17:53', '2023-08-28 14:17:53'),
(8756, 8756, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">\"Calcium and Vitamin D are the most common nutrients associated with preventing osteoporosis:, but there is a whole array of other nutrients that contribute to building and maintaining strong bones! Here are some lesser-known heroes of osteoporosis nutrition,\" writes Nutritionist Lovneet Batra in her recent Instagram post.(Freepik)</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Magnesium: It is incorporated into the bone matrix and is thought to contribute to bone strength.&nbsp; (Unsplash)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Potassium: Promotes renal calcium retention and protects against bone loss by maintaining an acid-base balance. (Pixabay)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant in fruits and vegetables may reduce oxidative stress and inhibit bone resorption(Unsplash)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Phosphorous: Adequate intake of phosphorus is essential for bone formation during the growth ages, because low serum phosphate levels limit the formation and mineralization of bone. Plus, low serum phosphorus levels can be regarded as an indicator of malnutrition, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis and fracture. (Pixabay)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vitamin K: A vitamin present in green leafy vegetables, it helps maintain bone health through its role in the carboxylation (activation), of important bone proteins.(Unsplash)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zinc: Part of the structure of more than 200 enzymes and is essential for the normal synthesis of collagen and bone mineralization.(Unsplash)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vitamin B12: Necessary for synthesis of DNA, may stimulate osteoblast activity and bone formation. Other B vitamins connected with B12, in metabolic pathways include folate and vitamin B6.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Protein: Protein intake can positively affect bone health through the absorption of calcium, and increased secretion of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) as well as lean body mass.(Unsplash) HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 14:21:31', '2023-08-28 14:21:31'),
(8757, 8757, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former member of Awami League Central Working Committee, former president of Mymensingh district Awami League, former religious affairs minister and valiant freedom fighter Principal Motiur Rahman.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said that Motiur Rahman was a dedicated leader of Bangladesh Awami League.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Motiur Rahman performed his organisational duties, remaining steadfast to the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the politics of the Awami League — defying uncountable inducement and repeated imprisonment,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said that Motiur Rahman, who led the Mymensingh district Awami League for more than three decades, served as a trainer and successful organiser of freedom fighters during the Liberation War.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2022 for his outstanding contribution in the Liberation War.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The death of Principal Motiur Rahman is an irreparable loss to the party, and I lost a faithful political companion with his demise,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Premier prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Principal Motiur Rahman and expressed her deepest sympathy to the bereaved members of his family. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 14:52:50', '2023-08-28 14:52:50'),
(8758, 8758, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 154 at 9:30 am today, Dhaka ranked 3rd on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the AQI, Dhaka’s air quality was categorised as ‘unhealthy’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Arab Emirates\' Dubai and Indonesia’s Jakarta occupied the first two spots on the list, with AQI scores of 176 and 167, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 15:28:51', '2023-08-28 15:28:51'),
(8759, 8759, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Mohammed Shahabuddin has expressed profound shock at the death of former religious affairs minister and freedom fighter Motiur Rahman.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a condolence message on Monday, the President said that the nation will forever remember Motiur Rahman\'s contributions to the Liberation War and education sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that the country suffered an irreparable loss at the death of the Ekushey Padak awardee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The president prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Veteran Awami League politician Motiur Rahman breathed his last around 11 pm on Sunday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mymensingh at the age of 81.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Born in 1942 in Akua village in Mymensingh Sadar upazila, he served as a member of the advisory committee of the Bangladesh Awami League until his death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, he taught at Nandina College in Jamalpur and later at Nasirabad College in Mymensingh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He founded Alamgir Mansur Mintu Memorial College in 1969 and served as its principal until 2002.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Motiur Rahman was a two-time MP, nominated by Awami League for Mymensingh-4 constituency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2014, he was appointed the minister of religious affairs. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 16:20:32', '2023-08-28 16:20:32'),
(8760, 8760, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Tropical Storm Idalia formed Sunday in the Caribbean, buffeting southeastern Mexico with wind and rain, as forecasters predicted it will strengthen to a hurricane before reaching Florida later in the week.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm, which is not forecast to make landfall in Mexico, will travel across the Gulf of Mexico before reaching northwest Florida, the US National Hurricane Center said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Idalia will create \"increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds along portions of the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle beginning as early as Tuesday,\" the NHC warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is considerable spread in the model intensity guidance, ranging from minimal to major hurricane status before landfall on the northeast Gulf coast,\" the NHC added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At 2100 GMT Sunday, Idalia was swirling in the Caribbean, headed northeast with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour, the NHC said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancun and other coastal tourist resorts, Idalia dumped rain and put a damper on one of the last weekends of summer vacation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Storm surge and hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Florida\'s coast and scattered flash flooding can be expected, the NHC said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Heavy rainfall is meanwhile expected across parts of the eastern Yucatan in Mexico and western Cuba.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last weekend, Hilary, which at one point rose to a Category 4 hurricane on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale, hit the state of Baja California on Mexico\'s Pacific coast as a tropical storm, causing one death and damaging infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hurricanes hit Mexico every year on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 16:58:13', '2023-08-28 16:58:13'),
(8761, 8761, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The body of a one and half years old boy, who went missing after falling into a canal in waterlogged Agrabad area of Chattogam city after heavy rains, has been recovered after 17 hours.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The body was recovered around 9 am on Monday, said Kafil Uddin, an officer of Agrabad Fire Station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased was identified as Yashin Arafat, son of Saddam Hussain of the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the boy fell into an unprotected drain in waterlogged Agrabad area while playing on the street outside the house.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On information, fire service officials started a rescue operation but failed to trace him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire service diving team and city corporation cleaning staff launched the rescue operation again on Monday morning and recovered the body around 9am, added the fire service officer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The body was handed over to the family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on August 7, a college student named Nipa Palit died after falling into an open drain in Islamiahat Badamtala area of Chattogram City Corporation as the road went under water after heavy rains. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 17:11:46', '2023-08-28 17:11:46'),
(8762, 8762, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">New Zealand have given captain Kane Williamson a two-week deadline to prove his fitness for the one-day World Cup starting in October, head coach Gary Stead said Monday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The batsman tore the cruciate ligaments in his right knee playing for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League in April.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 33-year-old has recovered well and is batting in the nets, with a place in New Zealand\'s 15-man squad now in sight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'ve got about two weeks from now until we name that side,\" Stead told New Zealand media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re going to give him every chance to use that full amount of time. He\'s in full rehab mode, he\'s back batting in the nets again, which is great to see.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He\'s progressing really well, but there\'s a lot of work for him still to do to make sure he gets where we need him to be.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Williamson has scored more than 6,500 runs in one-day international cricket and led New Zealand in their nail-biting defeat to England in the 2019 World Cup final.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">New Zealand play England in their opening game of the World Cup in Ahmedabad on October 5.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of his recovery bid, Williamson is with the squad on their white-ball tour of England.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Of course we want him at the World Cup, but there is that bigger picture that we want Kane Williamson fit for the rest of his career,\" added Stead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There will be honest conversations that Kane and I will have around exactly where he is at.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All-rounder James Neesham has withdrawn from the Twenty 20 squad for the series against England, which starts Wednesday, to return home ahead of the birth of his first child. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 17:14:59', '2023-08-28 17:14:59'),
(8763, 8763, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 13 people were killed after heavy rains lashed central Tajikistan, the latest natural disaster to hit the mountainous Central Asia country, the presidency said Monday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deaths occurred in areas just south and east of the capital Dushanbe, where storms on Sunday had caused \"mudslides, falling rocks and landslides\" in around a dozen districts, a spokeswoman for the country\'s emergencies ministry told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Because of the heavy rains, a natural catastrophe happened yesterday and caused the deaths of 13 people, including 11 in Vahdat and two in Rudaki district,\" the office of President Emomali Rahmon said in a brief statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Risks of further landslides \"remain high\", the ministry spokeswoman said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tajikistan, the poorest of ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia, is vulnerable to natural catastrophes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In February, dozens of avalanches as well as landslides and rockfalls struck Upper Badakhshan, an autonomous region in the south bordering Afghanistan, China and Kyrgyzstan that is surrounded by the Pamir Mountains. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 18:46:38', '2023-08-28 18:46:38');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8764, 8764, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday assured that relevant authorities of Bangladesh will give due consideration to a proposal of Danish shipping and logistic giant Maersk Group for constructing and operating a new container terminal at Laldia of Chattogram.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister made the assurance when Chief Executive Officer of the Maersk Group Robert Maersk Uggla along with Danish Charges D’Affaires in Bangladesh Andres B Karlsen called on her at her office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister\'s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Over 50 Danish Companies are working in Bangladdsh, and Maersk Group is now interested to construct and operate APM terminal at Laldia,”&nbsp; Hasina said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said that a national committee has been formed to formulate logistic policy for the development of ports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard, she mentioned that two ports- Chattogram and Mongla are already in operation while the government is developing another named Paira Port and it will will come in to operation soon.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“India, Nepal and Bhutan have been given opportunities to use these ports for the mutual benefits,” the prime minister said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There will be many opportunities and advantages in the ports particularly in the Paira port, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pointing out contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman&nbsp; for the development and welfare of the nation, Sheikh Hasina said, the great leader struggled throughout his life for the economic emancipation of the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the Maersk Group CEO said, there are great potentials in the areas of container shipping and logistic support in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maersk Uggla welcomed vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to establish smart Bangladesh and said it will be reflected in Chattogram sea port, according to the press secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He expressed keenness to invest for the development of port and logistic supports in Bangladesh saying there are many opportunities in this sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this context, the Maersk Group CEO mentioned that H&amp;M, M&amp;S, Walmart and other big companies are interested to import more RMG products from Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that there are many opportunities to diversify cooperation, while the Danish government is very much supportive in the logistic policy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Chairman of Chattogram Port Authority Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail were present. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 19:04:18', '2023-08-28 19:04:18'),
(8765, 8765, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rajinikanth\'s Jailer on Sunday crossed the ₹600 crore mark worldwide. As per film trade analyst Manobala Vijayabalan, Jailer has grossed ₹607.29 crore globally. Moreover, the action film has collected an estimated ₹315.95 crore nett in India in all languages so far, as per a report by Sacnilk.com.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Jailer grosses over ₹600 crore</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per Sacnilk.com, on Sunday, Jailer collected an estimated ₹7.5 crore nett in India in all languages. The Tamil film, which has been dubbed in Hindi, Kannada and Telugu and was released on August 10, entered the ₹600 crore club on day 18 of its release. The film is reportedly only the second Tamil film after 2.0 (2018) to achieve this feat; Jailer grossed ₹10.25 crore worldwide on its third Sunday in theatres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">On Monday, Manobala wrote on X (earlier known as Twitter), “Jailer worldwide box office. ₹600 Jailer. HOUSEFULL shows even on 3rd Sunday helps the film to go past the magical ₹600 crore mark on the 18th day... 2.0 was the FIRST film to enter this club from Tamil Cinema on the 10th day of its run. Week 1 – ₹450.8 crore. Week 2 – ₹124.18 crore. Week 3 Day 1 – ₹7.67 crore, Day 2 – ₹6.03 crore, Day 3 – ₹8.36 crore. Day 4 – ₹10.25 crore. Total - ₹607.29 crore.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>About Jailer</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Rajinikanth film, directed by Nelson, also stars Vasanth Ravi, Tamannaah Bhatia, Yogi Babu, Ramya Krishnan and Vinayakan in key roles. The film also marks the Tamil debut of Kannada superstar and late actor Rajkumar\'s son Shiva Rajkumar. Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal also makes a special appearance in the film, as does Jackie Shroff.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rajinikanth was last seen in the 2021 film Annaatthe, co-starring Nayanthara, Khushbu and Keerthy Suresh. The actor recently celebrated Jailer\'s box office success at a bash in Chennai that was attended by the film\'s cast and its makers. Pictures of a special cake from the success party were shared online, along with inside photos from the celebration. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 19:15:40', '2023-08-28 19:15:40'),
(8766, 8766, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Biman Bangladesh Airlines is working to expand its international routes to enhance air connectivity for Bangladeshi passengers, Managing Director and CEO of the national flag carrier, Shafiul Azim, has said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We have taken initiatives to operate flights on some important routes across the globe including to New York, Chennai, Bengaluru, Los Angeles, Rome, Male, and Guangzhou.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Biman CEO shared the information during an exclusive interview with UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“Gradually we will be able to start flights on these routes. We are evaluating and working on how to start flights on each of these routes within the shortest possible time,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Biman currently operates regular flights to 19 destinations around the world. “We have a fleet of 21 aircraft including Dreamliners. Ten new aircraft are being purchased from Airbus,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>New aircraft from Airbus will facilitate the expansion of routes and will open up new directions in coordination with other countries, the Biman CEO hoped.</div><div><br></div><div>With the addition of the new aircraft, the number of flights on popular routes can also be increased, which would in turn create a more competitive market and help in reducing ticket prices.</div><div><br></div><div>The Biman CEO said, “We are working on expanding our network not only in Asia but also in western countries, especially in Europe.”</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Biman has already done everything to launch direct flights from Dhaka to New York, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He further said some formal work is going on with Civil Aviation, Federal Aviation Authority and their Department of Transport.</div><div><br></div><div>If everything goes well, all activities regarding flight operations on the new routes, including New York, are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Gulf Air have recently started a partnership – set to revolutionise travel between Bangladesh and the Gulf region.</div><div><br></div><div>As a result, passengers can travel from Dhaka to Bahrain and Bahrain to Dhaka with onward connection to Chattogram and Sylhet via both airlines (Biman and Gulf Air).</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, it will benefit both airlines through enhanced operational efficiency and shared expertise in the aviation industry, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are starting flights to Narita (Tokyo), Japan from September 1. Chennai is also being considered as a destination. Apart from this, we are going to resume flights to Guangzhou in China by the middle of September. Besides, we are trying to establish communication and code sharing with other countries through Narita in Japan,” the Biman CEO said.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the launch of flights to Japan, he said that Bangladesh has very good bilateral relations with Japan, and they have investments here.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are launching a direct Dhaka-Narita (Tokyo) flight from September 1, 2023 and it is a major achievement for us,” the Biman Bangladesh Airlines CEO said, adding, “Bangladeshi students are going to study in Japan and Japanese businessmen are coming here. Besides, many people travel to Japan from neighbouring countries. We have a good air network with the West compared to the East. Through Dhaka-Narita (Tokyo) direct flights, a new horizon will open,” CEO Azim added.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Biman will take initiative for improvement of the Bangladesh-Japan tourism sector, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, “we are moving forward with marketing strategies so that passengers from neighbouring countries can travel to and from Japan via Dhaka,” the Biman Bangladesh Airlines CEO added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 21:42:07', '2023-08-28 21:42:07'),
(8767, 8767, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court set October 26 for submitting probe report in a graft case filed against former chief justice Surendra Kumar Sinha by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Judge (in-charge) Faisal Atiq Bin Kader of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge\'s Court set the date as investigation agency Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) couldn\'t submit the report today.</div><div><br></div><div>The ACC on March 31, 2022, filed the case under sections 4 (2) and 4 (3) of the money laundering prevention act and section 5 (2) of the anti-corruption act.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case documents, Ananta Kumar Sinha bought the house at a cost of around Taka 2.40 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>As the ACC couldn\'t identify any legal source of the money paid for the home, it believes that the money was earned illegally or laundered from Bangladesh. - BSS</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-28 21:48:47', '2023-08-28 21:48:47'),
(8768, 8768, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Cabinet on Monday gave the final approval to the draft of Cyber Security Act, 2023, keeping the offences under its four sections as non-bailable.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The offences are related to intrusion into key information infrastructures, damaging computers and computer systems, cyber terrorist activities, and hacking related crimes.</div><div><br></div><div>The approval came from the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The draft cyber security act has been designed to replace the existing Digital Security Act, 2018.</div><div><br></div><div>\"In the draft law, the offences under four sections are non-bailable, the offences under the remaining sections are bailable,\" said Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain while briefing reporters after the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“The intrusion into important information infrastructures and others are in the section-17, while damaging computers and computer system are in the section-19, cyber terrorist acts and committing such crimes are in the section-27, and hacking related crimes are in the section-33,” he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Cabinet Secretary said the already filed cases will run under the existing law– Digital Security Act as a provision was incorporated in the proposed law.</div><div><br></div><div>In the draft cyber security act 2023, the offences and punishment provisions have been cited in the section 17-33.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 07, the Cabinet in principle approved the cyber security act 2023 with a total of 60 sections.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the Cabinet meeting on Monday also cleared the draft of National Parliament (Reserved Women Seat) Election (Amendment) Act, 2023, raising the security money for a candidate to Tk 20,000 from Tk 10,000 and extending the election timeframe to 90 days from the existing 45 days.</div><div><br></div><div>The draft law was placed to harmonise the provisions related to security deposit and election timeframe of the National Parliament (Reserved Women Seat) Election 2004 with the provisions of other laws, said Mahbub Hossain.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that each MP candidate from a general constituency needs to deposit Tk 20,000 as security money and the election to a vacant constituency needs to be arranged within 90 days as per the laws, he said adding that now the same provisions were proposed in the draft law.</div><div><br></div><div>The Cabinet in principle approved the draft of Land Reform Act, 2023 keeping a provision that any individual can’t be owner of more than 60 Bighad lf arable land with few exceptions.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, another new provision was incorporated in the proposed law regarding modernisation of land management and database, said the top bureaucrat.</div><div><br></div><div>The proposed law was framed bringing some changes in the Land Reform Ordinance, 1984, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The punishment for violating the law was raised to Tk one lakh in fine or one-month jail from the existing Tk 2,000 fine,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Now no individual can be the owner of 60 Bighas of land anymore in the future, said Mahbub Hossain.</div><div><br></div><div>The Cabinet in principle approved the draft of Dr MA Wazed Miah Agricultural University Act, 2023 to establish a university in Natore.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting gave the final approval to the draft of Trade Organisation (Amendment) Act, 2023 subjected to vetting by the Legislative Division, aiming to bring some changes in the existing law of 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>In case of any problem to hold the election, the existing committee of any trade organisation can continue its operation till one year after expiry of its tenure in line with the draft law, said the Cabinet Secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>But now the committee can run operations till six months after the expiry of its tenure in such circumstances as per the existing law, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Cabinet cleared the draft of New Development Bank, 2023 subjected to vetting of the Legislative Division in order to give the legal protection of the bank and its activities in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh has recently become a member of the New Development Bank, a multilateral bank established by the BRICS states. The share of Bangladesh in the bank is one percent.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, the Cabinet gave the final approval to the drafts of the Land Crime Prevention and Remedy Act, 2023 and National Foundation for Development of Disabled Persons Act, 2023, while it approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Patent Act, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting endorsed the draft Memorandum of Understanding to be signed between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates on entry visa requirements. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 02:53:04', '2023-08-29 02:53:04'),
(8769, 8769, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Three US marines who were killed in a fiery helicopter crash during a military drill in Australia have been identified.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The MV-22B Osprey came down on a remote island north of Darwin on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Captain Eleanor LeBeau, 29, Corporal Spencer Collart, 21, and Major Tobin Lewis, 37, were killed and the 20 other people on board - all US marines - were injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cause of the crash remains under investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement on Tuesday, the commanding officer of the Marine Rotational Force Darwin said the force was \"deeply saddened\" by the loss of such \"respected and beloved\" marines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capt LeBeau - originally from Illinois - was piloting the Osprey and had served in the marines for five years, while Cpl Collart - from Virginia - enlisted in 2020.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maj Lewis - from Colorado - was a highly decorated leader with over 15-years\' experience in the marines, and was the executive officer on board the aircraft.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and with all involved,\" Colonel Brendan Sullivan said, adding that his team remained focused on ongoing recovery and investigative efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The aircraft had been participating in Predators Run, a training exercise involving 2,500 troops from the US, Australia, the Philippines, East Timor and Indonesia, when it crashed on Melville Island.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Soon after, air traffic control were heard discussing a \"significant fire\" at the site, according to audio obtained by local media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All 20 marines who survived the crash were taken to hospital. One remains in a critical condition, and another two are in hospital but stable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incident is the second fatal helicopter crash during joint exercises in northern Australia in less than a month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 29 July four Australian soldiers died after their 45 MRH-90 Taipan crashed off the coast of Queensland while participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre, the largest bilateral military training exercise between Australia and the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest incident is one of several recent crashes involving an Osprey - a helicopter and turbo-prop plane hybrid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Four marines were killed in a crash in Norway last year, and three others died in 2017 when their aircraft clipped the back of a transport ship off northern Australia. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 03:37:37', '2023-08-29 03:37:37'),
(8770, 8770, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for his military to be constantly ready for combat to thwart its rivals\' plots to invade his country, state media said Tuesday, as the U.S., South Korea and Japan held a trilateral naval exercise to deal with North Korea\'s evolving nuclear threats.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.S. and South Korean militaries have been separately holding summer bilateral exercises since last week. North Korea views such U.S.-involved training as an invasion rehearsal, though Washington and its partners maintain their drills are defensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kim said in a speech marking the country’s Navy Day on Monday that the waters off the Korean Peninsula have been made unstable \"with the danger of a nuclear war” because of U.S.-led hostilities, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He cited the U.S. drills with its allies, the deployment of more powerful U.S. weapons assets in the waters near the Korean Peninsula, and a recent U.S.-South Korean-Japanese summit where an agreement to boost defense cooperation was reached to counter North Korea\'s nuclear program. Kim called President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida “the gang bosses” of the three countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The prevailing situation requires our navy to put all its efforts into rounding off the war readiness to maintain the constant combat alertness and get prepared to break the enemy’s will for war in contingency,” Kim said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tuesday’s South Korean-U.S.-Japanese drills in international waters off South Korea’s southern Jeju island involved naval destroyers from the three countries. The training was aimed at mastering procedures for detecting, tracking and sharing information about incoming North Korean missiles, South Korea’s navy said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.S. and South Korean militaries began the 11-day bilateral drills on Aug. 21. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield training is a computer-simulated command post exercise. But they included field exercises this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korea typically responds to U.S.-South Korean military drills with its own missile tests. Last Thursday, its second attempt to launch a spy satellite into space failed. The day the drills began, KCNA said Kim had observed the test-firings of strategic cruise missiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has carried out more than 100 weapons tests, many of them involving nuclear-capable missiles designed to strike the U.S. and its allies South Korea and Japan. Many experts say North Korea ultimately wants to use its boosted military capabilities to wrest greater concessions from the U.S.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The North’s testing spree has forced the U.S. and South Korea to expand their drills, resume trilateral training involving Japan and enhance “regular visibility” of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula. In July, the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in four decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this month, the leaders of the U.S., South Korea and Japan held their first-ever stand-alone trilateral summit at Camp David. During the meeting, they announced they intend to put into operation by year’s end the sharing of real-time missile warning data on North Korea and hold annual trilateral exercises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kim has been pushing hard to expand his nuclear arsenal and introduce a slew of sophisticated weapons systems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During his Navy Day speech, Kim said that military units of each service would be given new weaponry in line with the government’s decision to expand the operation of tactical nuclear weapons. He said the navy would become “a component of the state nuclear deterrence carrying out the strategic duty.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This suggests North Korea would deploy new nuclear-capable missiles to its navy and other military services.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State media reports and photos showed Kim visiting the navy headquarters with his daughter, reportedly named Ju Ae and aged about 10. It was her first public appearance since mid-May. Kim has brought her to a series of public events since November, sparking speculation about her political status.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Korean officials say Kim hasn\'t anointed her as his heir. They believe Kim likely attempts to use his daughter\'s public appearance as a way to show his people that one of his children would one day inherit his power in what would be the country’s third hereditary power transfer. AP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 03:47:32', '2023-08-29 03:47:32'),
(8771, 8771, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka has once again topped the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality, with an AQI of 174 at 9:20 am today.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The air was classified as \'unhealthy\', according to the air quality and pollution (city) ranking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\' while 201-300 is \'very unhealthy\', and 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Arab Emirates\' Dubai and Indonesia\'s Jakarta occupied the second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 166 and 160, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 03:50:00', '2023-08-29 03:50:00'),
(8772, 8772, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The overall number of Covid-19 cases around the world has now crossed 694 million.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the latest global data, the total Covid-19 case count is 694,499,245, while the death toll reached 6,910,960 this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US has reported 107,992,789 Covid-19 cases so far, while 1,173,422 people have died from the virus in the country — both highest counts globally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India reported a single-day rise of 44 new Covid-19 cases, according to Union Health Ministry data.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Active cases currently stand at 1,502, according to the data updated at 8 am on Saturday.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the ministry data, the Covid-19 case tally was recorded at 4,49,96,963.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, France and Germany have registered 40,138,560 and 38,428,685 Covid-19 cases so far, occupying the third and fourth positions in the world number-wise, and 167,642 and 174,352 people have died in the European countries, as per Worldometer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh reported 21 more Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Monday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the new numbers, the country\'s total caseload rose to 2,045,307, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,476 as no new fatalities were reported during this period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The daily Covid-19 case test positivity rate stands at 2.14 percent as 983 samples were tested. The recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.41 percent and 1.44 percent, respectively. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 03:54:16', '2023-08-29 03:54:16'),
(8773, 8773, '<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Brazilian police are investigating after nine bodies -- most charred and at least three belonging to children, according to local media -- were discovered in two rural homes.</span><br></p><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, two partially, and two others not at all, a statement from police in the northeastern Bahia state said Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A child who survived was taken to hospital with severe burns, it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police did not elaborate on the causes of death nor the focus of the criminal investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bodies were found at two houses in Mata de Sao Joao, some 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the state capital, Salvador.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police have interviewed neighbors and victims\' family members and friends.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The news website G1 evoked the possibility of a settling of scores between rival drug gangs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bahia state last year recorded 6,600 murders -- the second highest rate in Brazil at 47.1 per 100,000 inhabitants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The national average is 23.4 per 100,000 according to a public safety watchdog. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 04:00:34', '2023-08-29 04:00:34'),
(8774, 8774, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Atletico Madrid dismantled city rivals Rayo Vallecano 7-0 in Monday night with a ruthless display and their largest ever away win in La Liga.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring early on, before his strike partner Memphis Depay netted the second from close range from Saul Niguez\'s cross.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Atletico lost the Dutch forward to injury in the first half, but Nahuel Molina slid home the third to kill the game before half-time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Substitute Alvaro Morata netted in the 73rd minute and then again after Angel Correa grabbed the fifth, with Marcos Llorente finishing the rout late on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"We had a great game from the start, with a lot of intensity,\" Antoine Griezmann told Movistar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They\'re three important points and I\'m very happy with the team\'s work today.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Atletico\'s emphatic victory took them second in the table, two points behind leaders Real Madrid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rayo had started the season well, with two wins in their first two matches, but were brought crashing back down to earth by Diego Simeone\'s side.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They were better in every way,\" said Rayo midfielder Oscar Valentin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are not this bad -- we just have to continue and forget about what happened today.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Getafe snatched a 1-0 home win over Alaves, their first triumph of the season. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 04:34:23', '2023-08-29 04:34:23'),
(8775, 8775, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a press conference this afternoon&nbsp; to apprise the media of the outcome of her recent visit to South Africa.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The press conference will be held at her official Ganabhaban residence at 4pm on Tuesday,\" said Prime Minister\'s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim yesterday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday last, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home after attending the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg of South Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She attended the Friends of BRICS Leaders Dialogue (BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue) in Johannesburg on August 22-24 at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 05:01:24', '2023-08-29 05:01:24'),
(8776, 8776, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A strong, deep 7.1-magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks rattled Bali and other Indonesian islands on Tuesday, the USGS reported, sending panicked tourists into the streets but causing no major damage.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The quake struck at a depth of around 515 kilometres off the northeastern coast of Bali at around 3:55 am local time (1955 GMT Monday), according to the US Geological Survey.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tremors were felt across Bali, and also in the nearby islands of Lombok and Sumbawa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bali residents said a second aftershock sent \"longer and stronger\" tremors than the first.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When the first earthquake struck, I woke up my husband. Not long after that, the second earthquake struck, so we immediately took our children outside,\" said Ardylla Yuliacitra, 31.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The first earthquake made me sway like on a boat, and the second made my house tremble.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The USGS reported a 5.4-magnitude and a 5.6-magnitude aftershock within minutes of the initial quake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hotels evacuated their guests as staffers checked beaches for fear of a possible tsunami.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We calmed (guests) and provided mineral water and towels for those who were evacuating. Then after 15 to 20 minutes, when things felt safe, the staff invited guests to return to their rooms,\" said Nimas Ayu, spokesperson of the Artotel hotel in Bali\'s eastern Sanur area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The epicentre was 181 km northeast of the Gili islands off Lombok, a short boat ride from Bali.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesian authorities ruled out a tsunami and said no immediate damage was reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our teams are carrying assessments as they are still collecting reports from the people,\" the Bali disaster mitigation agency said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesia experiences frequent earthquakes due to its position on the Pacific \"Ring of Fire\", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In November, a 5.6-magnitude quake hit the populous West Java province on the main island of Java, killing 602 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A major earthquake off Indonesia\'s Sumatra island on December 26, 2004, set off an Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people as far away as Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 05:04:20', '2023-08-29 05:04:20'),
(8777, 8777, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US and Chinese officials will hold a fresh round of talks on contentious trade issues Tuesday, the third day of a visit to Beijing by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Raimondo\'s trip to China is the latest by a senior US official in recent months as Washington seeks to defuse tensions with the world\'s second-largest economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday she met with commerce minister Wang Wentao, with the two sides agreeing to set up a working group to iron out the laundry list of trade disputes between them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also agreed to set up what Washington called an \"export control enforcement information exchange\" -- described as a platform to \"reduce misunderstanding of US national security policies\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The information exchange will convene for the first time at Beijing\'s Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, Washington said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement on the talks, the Commerce Department said that \"Secretary Raimondo emphasized the importance of ensuring open lines of communication between the United States and China and took concrete steps to deliver on that goal\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Beijing painted a less rosy picture, saying Wang had raised \"serious concerns\" over Washington\'s trade curbs on Chinese businesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those included \"US Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, its semiconductor policies, restrictions of two-way investment, discriminatory subsidies, and sanctions on Chinese enterprises\", Beijing\'s commerce ministry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington defends the policies as necessary to \"de-risk\" its supply chains.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Wang warned they \"run counter to market rules and the principle of fair competition, and will only harm the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Raimondo is set to meet with vice premier He Lifeng and culture minister Hu Heping on Tuesday, and pay a courtesy visit to Premier Li Qiang.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will then head to China\'s economic powerhouse Shanghai, before leaving the country on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Healthy competition\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Raimondo is one of a number of senior US officials to visit China in recent months -- part of an effort by Washington to improve its working relationship with its largest strategic rival.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Relations between the two countries have plummeted to some of their lowest levels in decades, with US trade curbs near the top of the list of disagreements.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This month, Biden issued an executive order aimed at restricting certain US investments in sensitive high-tech areas in China -- a move Beijing blasted as being \"anti-globalisation\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The long-anticipated rules, expected to be implemented next year, target sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sought to reassure Chinese officials about the expected curbs during a visit to Beijing last month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And Raimondo on Monday told Chinese officials that while there was \"no room to compromise or negotiate\" on US national security, \"the vast majority of our trade and investment relationship does not involve national security concerns\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We seek healthy competition with China. A growing Chinese economy that plays by the rules is in both of our interests,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In June, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Beijing, where he met President Xi Jinping and said progress had been made on a number of key sources of contention. US climate envoy John Kerry also visited China in July. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 05:45:11', '2023-08-29 05:45:11'),
(8778, 8778, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Farmers and agricultural experts expect optimum output of country’s second major crop aman rice through introducing supplementary irrigation in view of late monsoon rains in parts of north and northwestern regions.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Lesser than expected rainfall in late July and early August had initially exposed farmers in the two regions to uncertainty about this year’s aman production, which was particularly crucial this year due to global grain supply challenges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But they (famers) were quick enough to opt for supplementary irrigation using the irrigation pumps as advised by concerned government bodies and agriculture experts,” Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) director general Dr M Shahjahan Kabir told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Farmers at several areas said aman seedlings grew older as they waited for rainfall to soften the soil reducing their quality a little but enhanced production was expected to cover the quality issue with the use of supplementary irrigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I was forced to plant aman seedlings of over 20 days old on 10 kathas of land after days of waiting for rain. It increased my farming cost, but I expect yield to high in volume to cover the cost,” a farmer of Babutoli village of Mymensingh said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BRRI chief said the use of irrigation pumps instead of natural rains could raise the aman production cost as high as 5 percent but it was crucially needed for the country’s food security in view of the global scenario.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to meteorological department records the country this year witnessed 35-50 percent less rainfall than usual during the season though parts of Bangladesh like southeastern port city of Chattagram saw 28 percent higher than natural downpour inundated twice.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Agriculture extension department (DAE) officials said over 77 percent plantations were completed on an average by now across the country while at places 97 percent of cultivation areas were covered.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“We are expecting 1.65 crore tonnes of aman output (this year)”, DAE director general Badal Chandra Biswas said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">DAE earlier set a production target of 1.71 crore tonnes of aman in 2024 while the last year’s actual production was 1.63 crore tonnes. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 06:11:25', '2023-08-29 06:11:25');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8779, 8779, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Mohammed Shahabuddin today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Kazi Shahid Ahmed, publisher and editor of the now-defunct newspaper \"Dainik Ajker Kagoj\", founder of Gemcon Group and prominent sports organizer.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a condolence message, he recalled with respect the contribution of Kazi Shahid to the field of journalism in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The nation will remember him with due respect for long,\" the Head of the State said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 07:35:45', '2023-08-29 07:35:45'),
(8780, 8780, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Kazi Shahed Ahmed, publisher and editor of the now defunct Ajker Kagoj newspaper and Chairman of Gemcon Group.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a condolence message on Tuesday, the Foreign Minister said Kazi Shahed Ahmed was a pioneer in modern journalism and played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era in the sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was a successful business entrepreneur, sports organiser, and literary enthusiast.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kazi Shahed also made a notable contribution in literature and left several literary works for the countrymen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The nation will remember his outstanding contribution with deep respect, Momen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kazi Shahed Ahmed breathed his last at 7:15 pm on Monday. He was 83.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Born in Jashore in 1940, Kazi Shahed was one of the founding platoon commanders of the Bangladesh Military Academy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He started his business career with the establishment of Gemcon Group in 1979. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 07:59:36', '2023-08-29 07:59:36'),
(8781, 8781, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved by establishing a ceasefire and maintaining the status quo, French President Emmanuel Macron said.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved through a mere ceasefire that would confirm the actual situation on the ground. In that case, it would mean preparing for another war. There [needs to be] a lasting peace based on respect for Ukraine\'s sovereignty and international law,\" Macron pointed out, addressing an annual conference of French ambassadors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The French leader called on diplomats to step up efforts to pave the way for \"lasting peace,\" adding that Paris would continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Kiev and \"work to restore Ukraine.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Paris meeting brings together the heads of French diplomatic missions in 160 countries and the country\'s representatives to 15 international organizations. TASS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 08:02:46', '2023-08-29 08:02:46'),
(8782, 8782, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday suspended former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sentence in the Toshakhana case and ordered his release from jail.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A division bench of the IHC, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Tariq Mehmood Jahangir, announced the much-anticipated reserved decision, The Express Tribune reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court said that the copy of the judgement will be available shortly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, the counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the defendant in this case, concluded his arguments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary Frontier Constabulary is present inside and outside IHC premises, The Express Tribune reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Separately, the former premier’s sisters Aleema and Uzma Khan also reached the court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, a petition has been submitted on behalf of the PTI chief by his lawyer Suleman Safdar, praying to the court to restrain the Federal Investigation Agency, National Accountability Bureau and the police from arresting him in any other case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan’s legal team has requested the court to hear this plea today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the IHC bench resumed hearing the case on Monday, ECP’s counsel Amjad Pervaiz presented detailed arguments responding to the points raised by Khan’s lead counsel Latif Khosa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the first hearing of the case on August 25, Khosa had argued that Imran’s sentence should be suspended in view of an unauthorized filing of a complaint by the ECP; lack of jurisdiction; the fact that Imran was sentenced to only three years in prison; that the trial court deprived him of the right of defence and that it delivered the order without hearing arguments about the complaint’s maintainability. THD</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 08:55:05', '2023-08-29 08:55:05'),
(8783, 8783, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Years of disrupted schooling have left Ukrainian children struggling to learn language, maths and reading skills in the wake of the pandemic and Russia\'s invasion, the United Nations warned Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Youngsters within the country and refugees forced to flee abroad are now facing a fourth straight year of disruption, the UN children\'s agency, UNICEF, said, as the school year begins in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Continued attacks on education inside Ukraine and low-level enrollment in refugee-hosting countries have left many of Ukraine\'s 6.7 million three-to-18-year-olds struggling to learn, said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF\'s regional director for Europe and central Asia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They are showing signs of widespread learning loss, including a deterioration in Ukrainian language skills, reading and mathematics, she said after visiting the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Inside Ukraine, attacks on schools have continued unabated, leaving children deeply distressed and without safe spaces to learn,\" De Dominicis said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Not only has this left Ukraine\'s children struggling to progress in their education, but they are also struggling to retain what they learnt when their schools were fully functioning.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UNICEF cited survey data which found around half of teachers reporting a deterioration in students\' Ukrainian language proficiency, mathematics skills and foreign language abilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And it said enrollment data showed only one third of children were learning fully in-person, with a third learning completely online and the remainder through a mixed approach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UNICEF said online learning could help in the short-term but was not a proper long-term replacement for in-person teaching, considered critical for social development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The agency cited national survey data showing that two thirds of pre-school-age children were not attending, rising to three quarters in frontline areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Schools\' crucial wartime role -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UNICEF said Ukrainian refugee children were facing another uncertain academic year, with more than half not enrolled in national education systems across seven host countries, citing language barriers, difficulty in accessing school and overstretched education systems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While some may be attempting to study online, \"some refugee children may have completely abandoned their education\", the agency said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In times of crisis or war, schools provide far more than a place of learning,\" said UNICEF.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They can provide children who have already endured loss, displacement and violence with a sense of routine and safety, a chance to build friendships and get help from teachers.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They can also provide access to nutrition, vaccines and support services, it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UNICEF said it was working with partners in Ukraine and host countries to help increase access to quality learning, including through rehabilitating schools and providing catch-up classes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It has a target of supporting 300,000 children at risk of learning losses in Ukraine over the coming school year. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 09:16:49', '2023-08-29 09:16:49'),
(8784, 8784, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said Bangladesh has an independent judicial process.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They can observe the process,” he told reporters regarding those who wrote a letter in favour of Nobel laureate Dr Yunus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The state minister wanted to know whether allegations against any person cannot be investigated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They must have the guts and courage to accept the verdict,” he said, describing the development as “frustrating.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The state minister for foreign affairs also said calling for suspension of court proceedings is “unheard of” and mentioned that the court will take independent decision based on evidence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government did not and will not influence the judicial process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 160 global leaders, including over 100 Nobel laureates, wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressing their deep concern about the safety and wellbeing of Prof Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s first and so far, only Nobel laureate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Addressed directly to the PM, the letter is signed by Nobel laureates, elected officials, business figures, and civil society leaders. The signatories applauded Bangladesh’s remarkable progress since its independence in 1971. However, their collective concern arose from the “perceived threats to democracy and human rights” that have recently emerged within the country. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 09:42:50', '2023-08-29 09:42:50'),
(8785, 8785, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said no attempt was made from Bangladesh to become right now a member of BRICS as it was more interested in joining the bloc\'s New Development Bank.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“We didn’t have any such thought that we would get the membership right now or we would obtain the membership going there for the first time (on the first attempt). We neither made any such attempt nor told anyone (for it),” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said this while addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganabhaban on the outcome of her recent visit to South Africa and her participation in the 15th BRICS Summit there.</div><div><br></div><div>BRICS, is a grouping of the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. However, the BRICS leaders in the recent summit in South Africa expanded the grouping with a decision to include six more countries as members. They are Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that she had meetings with all the heads of BRICS states and governments during her visit to South Africa, Hasina said, “We didn’t go to tell anyone to make us a member (of BRICS) right now.”</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said she knew that questions would arise in this regard particularly from the opposition parties that Bangladesh failed to obtain the membership despite making attempts.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is not right that Bangladesh wants something, but will not get it. We’ve at least raised our dignity on the international stage. So, we’ve this scope,” she said, replying to a question from reporters over BRICS membership.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the BRICS President told her that they would add more countries as its members in phases.&nbsp; When the membership would be given next time, if Bangladesh wants it could apply for it , she added.</div><div><br></div><div>“So, we’ll think of it at that time. We told the President when we get the scope, we’ll become a member,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said her government’s goal was to join the New Development Bank and joined it as there is a flexibility over the dealing of currencies.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’d a larger focus on it (bank). There is no binding that all dealings will be based on dollars. A larger flexibility is there. So, we’re more interested for it (joining the bank),” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM attended the summit in Johannesburg on August 22-24 at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. According to UNB reportsd&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 13:11:35', '2023-08-29 13:11:35'),
(8786, 8786, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan remained in prison on Tuesday despite his graft conviction being suspended, his lawyers said, claiming that a \"manipulation of justice\" was keeping him behind bars.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Khan\'s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said the Islamabad High Court overturned a lower court\'s decision to jail him for three years, a judgment that kept him from contesting upcoming elections.</div><div><br></div><div>His lawyers said he was granted bail and they were initially hopeful he would be released from Attock Jail, a century-old prison around 60 kilometres (40 miles) west of Islamabad, where the 70-year-old has been held for three weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>However, they said on Tuesday afternoon Khan remained in detention because of a previous arrest, made in secret, over a case alleging he had leaked classified state documents.</div><div><br></div><div>One of his lawyers told reporters outside the prison, which was surrounded by patrolling police units, that Khan was \"on judicial remand\" and would appear before a special court in Islamabad on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"He was arrested prior to today\'s court ruling. The exact date of his arrest remains unclear,\" another lawyer, Gohar Khan, told AFP by phone.</div><div><br></div><div>Another, Muhammad Shoaib Shaheen, said \"his legal team was intentionally left uninformed and kept in the dark\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"This constitutes a manipulation of justice,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Countless devotees\' -</div><div>Khan\'s three-year sentence was handed down this month by a judge who found him guilty of failing to properly declare gifts he received while in office.</div><div><br></div><div>That was only one of more than 200 legal cases that have embroiled Pakistan\'s most popular politician since he was ousted by a parliamentary vote last year.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan, a former cricket star, has also been previously denied bail in at least nine other cases, including three in anti-terrorism courts and six in the district courts in Islamabad.</div><div><br></div><div>Rights monitors say authorities use vexing and repetitive legal proceedings as a tactic to quash dissent in Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Pro-PTI lawyers chanted \"Release Imran Khan!\" and \"Khan your devotees are countless!\" outside court as initial news of his sentence suspension broke.</div><div><br></div><div>The party later said nine activists had been arrested outside Attock Jail.</div><div><br></div><div>- Khan behind bars -</div><div><br></div><div>The charismatic Khan claims his ousting and subsequent legal cases have been orchestrated by the powerful military establishment to deny him a second term.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan was also briefly jailed on graft charges in May, sparking days of civil unrest, but since then his PTI party has been targeted by a major crackdown that has vastly diminished his street power and seen most of his senior leadership jump ship or be locked away.</div><div><br></div><div>Islamabad said it was targeted by \"anti-state\" violence during the backlash over that arrest.</div><div><br></div><div>But rights groups say authorities used overly broad anti-terror laws to suppress PTI, while the domestic media reported pressure to censor or smear Khan on the airwaves.</div><div><br></div><div>While Khan was imprisoned this month, Pakistan\'s parliament was dissolved at the request of his successor Shehbaz Sharif to pave the way for a caretaker government that will usher in elections.</div><div><br></div><div>No date for the polls has been announced.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan surged to power in 2018 on a wave of popular support, an anti-corruption manifesto and the backing of the powerful military establishment.</div><div><br></div><div>When he was ousted in April 2022, analysts said it was because he lost the support of the same generals who handed him the keys to power.</div><div><br></div><div>He was replaced by a shaky coalition of the dynastic parties that have historically ruled Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>But, as an opposition politician, he waged an unprecedented campaign against the influential generals, who have staged at least three successful coups leading to decades of martial law. According to AFP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 15:46:01', '2023-08-29 15:46:01'),
(8787, 8787, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Referring to a recent statement made by 160 global dignitaries for suspending legal cases filed against Dr Muhammad Yunus Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the judiciary of Bangladesh is quite independent and law will take its own course.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“If the gentleman (Dr Yunus) had so much self-confidence that he had committed no crime, he would not be begging for a statement at that international level,” she said in reply to a question at a news conference at Ganobhaban, her official residence.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM asked those who made the statement to send international experts and lawyers to assess all documents to see whether there is any injustice or inconsistency there.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our country has laws, courts and labour laws, labour courts. The laws will take their own courses,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said they (the dignitaries) should send the experts and lawyers to go through all the documents of their client to see if there is any wrongdoing or wrongful prosecution. “If they send the experts and lawyers, many more things will get revealed, which still remain untouched. Many such things will come out,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Participatory election means participation of people: PM</div><div>In reply to another question the prime minister said a participatory election means to her is the participation of people.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the people will vote in the election and those who will be elected in that election will come to the government.</div><div><br></div><div>“Whose participation to say participation now? Is it the vote of thieves or robbers? Or is it the participation of corrupt, money launderers, August 21 grenade attackers, killers of the father of the nation, war criminals of 1971? Is it what the people want?” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said it is absurd that the election would be valid only when they join it and otherwise it wouldn’t be. BNP got only 30 seats in the 2008 national election. Since then, they actually don\'t participate in elections anymore, rather they did just business by selling nominations</div><div><br></div><div>“Didn’t the people participate in the local government elections and many parliamentary by-elections spontaneously? People have participated in these. So, these were participatory elections,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM spoke to the media to explain the outcome of her recent South Africa visit to attend the 15th BRICS summit. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-29 15:51:49', '2023-08-29 15:51:49'),
(8788, 8788, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Reports from Russia say there has been a drone attack on the airport of the north-western city of Pskov.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The local governor said the military was repelling an attack. He uploaded video showing a large fire while an explosion could also be heard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An unconfirmed Russian media report says four Ilyushin 76 transport planes were damaged at the airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pskov is more than 600km (372 miles) away from Ukraine, close to the border with Estonia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine has not said it was involved in the incident but it rarely comments on attacks inside Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In recent weeks the country is believed to have increased its use of explosive drones to attack targets inside Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In other developments:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s military said its forces had destroyed four rapid Ukrainian boats carrying a total of about 50 soldiers in an operation on the Black Sea around midnight Moscow time (21:00 GMT). Ukraine did not comment immediately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Russian military said it had downed three Ukrainian drones over the southern region of Bryansk and one over the central region of Oryol</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s Tass news agency reported that airspace above Moscow\'s Vnukovo airport had been closed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The defence ministry is repelling a drone attack on Pskov\'s airport,\" Pskov regional governor Mikhail Vedernikov said on Telegram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Vedernikov, who said he was at the scene of the attack, added: \"According to preliminary information, there are no victims.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tass, quoting emergency services, reported the damage to the aircraft.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a result of the drone attack, four Il-76 aircraft were damaged,\" it said. \"A fire broke out and two planes burst into flames.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There were no immediate reports on other Russian state news agencies of planes being damaged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A drone attack on Russia\'s Belgorod region killed three people last week, hours after another drone hit central Moscow, Russian officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It came just days after a flagship Russian long-range bomber was destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike near the city of St Petersburg.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pskov region was previously targeted by drones in late May.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although Ukraine has not said it carried out specific drone strikes, President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously said that attacks on Russian territory are an \"inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process\" as the war with Russia continues. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 01:34:28', '2023-08-30 01:34:28'),
(8789, 8789, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia said on Wednesday its forces had destroyed four Ukrainian boats carrying up to 50 troops in the Black Sea.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An aircraft \"destroyed four high-speed military boats with landing groups of Ukrainian special operations forces with a total number of up to 50 people\" in the Black Sea around midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT) Russia\'s defence ministry said in a statement on Telegram. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 03:12:24', '2023-08-30 03:12:24'),
(8790, 8790, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Coach Gerardo \"Tata\" Martino expects Lionel Messi to return to Inter Miami\'s starting lineup when they host Nashville on Wednesday, aiming to continue their push for a Major League Soccer playoff spot.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets both came off the bench in the second half of Saturday\'s 2-0 victory over Red Bulls in New York, Messi scoring another memorable goal despite his abbreviated minutes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Martino had said they both needed the rest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Argentine superstar Messi, who arrived to massive fanfare in July, had played eight games within a month for Miami in their triumphant Leagues Cup campaign and a US Open Cup semi-final win.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">But on Tuesday, Martino indicated the breather had been enough.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"The game he needed, the key game for him to have a bit of recovery was the last one in New York, the same with Busquets,\" Martino said. \"If there are no issues, he should start.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Messi\'s appearance off the bench marked his first MLS regular-season minutes and he didn\'t disappoint, delivering a delightful 89th-minute goal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Jordi Alba acrobatically hooked the ball into the box to Messi who twisted and turned then slipped a sublime pass with the outside of his foot to Benjamin Cremaschi whose low first-time cross was tapped in by the seven-times Ballon d\'Or winner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"I think it\'s the first time I\'ve watched an assist no less than 10 times ... I really can\'t understand how he saw Cremaschi,\" Martino said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Messi has now scored 11 goals in nine appearances in all competitions since joining Inter Miami, who are currently in 13th place in the Eastern Conference 11 points out of the last playoff spot with 11 games remaining. AFCoach Gerardo \"Tata\" Martino expects Lionel Messi to return to Inter Miami\'s starting lineup when they host Nashville on Wednesday, aiming to continue their push for a Major League Soccer playoff spot.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets both came off the bench in the second half of Saturday\'s 2-0 victory over Red Bulls in New York, Messi scoring another memorable goal despite his abbreviated minutes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Martino had said they both needed the rest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Argentine superstar Messi, who arrived to massive fanfare in July, had played eight games within a month for Miami in their triumphant Leagues Cup campaign and a US Open Cup semi-final win.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">But on Tuesday, Martino indicated the breather had been enough.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"The game he needed, the key game for him to have a bit of recovery was the last one in New York, the same with Busquets,\" Martino said. \"If there are no issues, he should start.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Messi\'s appearance off the bench marked his first MLS regular-season minutes and he didn\'t disappoint, delivering a delightful 89th-minute goal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Jordi Alba acrobatically hooked the ball into the box to Messi who twisted and turned then slipped a sublime pass with the outside of his foot to Benjamin Cremaschi whose low first-time cross was tapped in by the seven-times Ballon d\'Or winner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"I think it\'s the first time I\'ve watched an assist no less than 10 times ... I really can\'t understand how he saw Cremaschi,\" Martino said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Messi has now scored 11 goals in nine appearances in all competitions since joining Inter Miami, who are currently in 13th place in the Eastern Conference 11 points out of the last playoff spot with 11 games remaining. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 03:15:54', '2023-08-30 03:15:54'),
(8791, 8791, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">John Paul Nohelj has lived in Steinhatchee for two decades. For him, the northwest Florida town set among marshes and forests is paradise on Earth, and he won\'t leave -- despite being in the crosshairs of a churning hurricane.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Little does he care about the evacuation order issued by authorities for his county and several others along Florida\'s Gulf coast, where Hurricane Idalia is forecast to roar ashore early Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sitting on the porch of his creaky wooden home, Nohelj appears unfazed by what could be a looming disaster.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'ve lived on the coast of Florida my whole life and this is where I love to be,\" the 71-year-old, who breathes with the help of an oxygen tank, tells AFP Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If you live near the water, you\'re gonna get a wet butt once in a while,\" he says, downplaying the hurricane threat that has many of his neighbors scrambling to evacuate to safer regions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Steinhatchee is a quiet pocket of Florida. It has some 1,000 residents, lush trees, beautiful wooden homes and abundant water, notably the river that runs through town and into the nearby Gulf of Mexico.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Idalia is forecast to strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane by early Wednesday, gaining a force that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns could lead to catastrophic destruction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dozens of people in town were finalizing preparations before the storm made landfall. Most are evacuating the town and heading inland -- but not before trying to salvage some of their belongings and fortify their homes before leaving.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stephanie Moon, 37, has loaded as much furniture as she can into a moving truck with the help of friends. She lives alone across the river with her dog Molly, and decided pull up stakes and head to Georgia, the state just north of Florida where she aims to ride out the storm with relatives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I just hope our beautiful little town is still here after the hurricane, and that we come back to hopefully not a whole lot of devastation,\" she says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the town center, several residents hustle in and out of the only grocery store still open, Maddie\'s Market, next to a gas station. Like many houses, the storefront\'s windows are boarded up with plywood to protect them from gale-force winds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But there is another fear here: flooding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Storm surges could reach as high as 15 feet (4.5 meters) in this rural region of Florida known as the Big Bend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jody Griffis, co-owner of a local high and dry boat storage facility, joined several employees in a race against the clock.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They used forklifts to raise 25 boats to dry slots inside a huge building -- out of danger from potentially rising waters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I hope that this is still there when I get back on Thursday, and that nobody gets hurt,\" said the 56-year-old Griffis, who planned on retreating to safer ground but vowed to return for the inevitable post-hurricane clean-up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Such a commitment to the community is a hallmark of Steinhatchee, several residents said -- a value that will soon be put to the test with the hurricane\'s imminent passage. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 03:18:52', '2023-08-30 03:18:52'),
(8792, 8792, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russian officials accused Ukraine of targeting six Russian regions with drones early Wednesday in what appears to be the biggest drone attack on Russian soil since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine 18 months ago.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Drones hit an airport in the western Pskov region and started a massive fire there, the governor and local media reported. More drones were shot down over Oryol, Bryansk, Ryazan, Kaluga and the Moscow region surrounding the Russian capital, according to the Defense Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike in Pskov hit an airport in the region\'s namesake capital and damaged four Il-76 transport aircraft, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pskov regional Gov. Mikhail Vedernikov ordered all flights to and from the airport canceled Wednesday so damage could be assessed during daylight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Footage and images posted on social media showed smoke billowing over the city of Pskov and a large blaze. Vedernikov said there were no casualties, and the fire has been contained. Unconfirmed media reports said between 10 and 20 drones could have attacked the airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pskov was the only region where officials reported damage. Three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region, according to the Russian military, and two over the Oryol region, its Gov. Andrei Klychkov said. Two were downed over the Ryazan region, one more over Kaluga, and one more over the Moscow region, officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No damage or casualties were registered in those regions, although some Russian media cited residents of the Bryansk region as saying that they heard a loud explosion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also on early Wednesday, Russian-installed officials in the annexed Crimea reported repelling an attack of drones targeting the harbor of the port city of Sevastopol. Moscow-appointed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozzhayev said it wasn\'t immediately clear how many of the drones have been destroyed. It wasn\'t immediately clear if the attack caused any damage. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 03:21:57', '2023-08-30 03:21:57'),
(8793, 8793, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The men found dead in two wildfires that ignited in eastern Washington earlier this month have been identified, and the number of homes destroyed has been confirmed at more than 350.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carl Grub, 86, died on Aug. 18 near an intersection in Medical Lake west of Spokane in the area of the Gray fire, which started that day, according to a Friday news release from the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office. Grub\'s cause and manner of death is still pending.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Grub, with his brother, founded The Jensen Memorial Youth Ranch, where he taught kids interested in agriculture how to care for and raise livestock, KREM-TV reported. Earlier this year, the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane had been dedicated to Grub.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The world needs more people like Carl,” the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane wrote on its Facebook page. “He will be greatly missed.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Aug. 20, Alex Brown died in Elk, Washington, north of Spokane in an area burned by the Oregon fire. Brown, 49 died from thermal and inhalation injuries, and his manner of death listed as accidental.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fires sparked on Aug. 18 during critical fire weather conditions. The Gray fire started west of Medical Lake, prompting mandatory evacuations and burning around Interstate 90, closing it in that area for more than two days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 240 homes and 86 other kinds of structures were destroyed in the Gray fire, Lily Mayea, public information officer with Northwest Team 7 on the Gray fire, said Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The human-caused blaze has scorched 15.75 square miles (40.79 square kilometers) and was 85% contained as of Tuesday. Evacuations remain in place for some people, although none as of Tuesday were mandatory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Oregon fire began east of Elk and has burned 16.9 square miles (43.77 square kilometers) with 79% containment as of Tuesday. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, all evacuation notices connected to the Oregon fire have been lifted, said Bill Queen, public information officer with Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team 3 on the Oregon fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said 126 primary residences and 258 outbuildings were destroyed in the blaze.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gov. Jay Inslee on Aug. 19 declared a statewide emergency because of the two fires and others burning around the state. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 03:29:48', '2023-08-30 03:29:48'),
(8794, 8794, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh\'s opening batsman, Litton Das, has been ruled out of the ACC Asia Cup 2023 due to an unfortunate bout of viral fever. His absence has prompted a swift reshuffle in the Bangladesh squad, with Anamul Haque Bijoy stepping in as his replacement.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the development on Wednesday morning (August 30, 2023).</div><div><br></div><div>The opener\'s inability to travel to Sri Lanka with the Tigers’ Asia Cup squad and his ongoing struggle to overcome the lingering fever have ultimately led to his withdrawal from the much-awaited competition.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Selection Panel of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has called upon Anamul, a 30-year-old right-handed batter, to fill the void left by Litton.</div><div><br></div><div>An experienced campaigner, Anamul boasts an impressive track record, having featured in 44 ODIs and accumulating 1254 runs, including three centuries. His latest appearance in an ODI match for Bangladesh dates back to December last year when he faced India on the field.</div><div><br></div><div>Minhajul Abedin, Chairman of BCB’s National Selection Panel, shared insights into the thought process behind Anamul’s selection. \"He (Anamul) has been in the runs in domestic cricket, and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers programme. He was always in our consideration,\" Minhajul remarked.</div><div><br></div><div>Minhajul went on to explain, \"Due to Litton’s unavailability, we needed a top-order batter who could keep wicket, and Anamul got the nod.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka on August 31 in their opening Asia Cup match in Kandy. Following that, they will travel to Pakistan to play their second Asia Cup match against Afghanistan.</div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Bangladesh squad for 2023 Asia Cup:</b></div><div>Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy . UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 04:43:41', '2023-08-30 04:43:41');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8795, 8795, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka has topped the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality for the second consecutive day with an AQI of 176 at 8:58 am today (August 30, 2023).</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The air was classified as \'unhealthy\'.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\' while 201-300 is \'very unhealthy\', and 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesia’s Jakarta, India’s Kolkata and Pakistan\'s Lahore occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 163, 158 and 154, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 04:45:51', '2023-08-30 04:45:51'),
(8796, 8796, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Abdul Kuddus, Awami League lawmaker of Natore-4 constituency, died at a hospital in Dhaka today. He was 77.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kuddus, president of Natore district unit of Awami League, had been undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of United Hospital where he breathed his last at 7:22 am, said Shariful Islam Ramjan, general secretary of Natore district Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He left behind his wife, a son and a daughter, and a host of relatives to mourn his death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Saturday, the Awami League leader fell ill and was brought to Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He had been suffering from old age complications including respiratory problem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kuddus, a freedom fighter, was elected MP of Natore-4 constituency five times. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 05:05:57', '2023-08-30 05:05:57'),
(8797, 8797, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Eleven airline passengers and crew were hospitalized Tuesday following severe turbulence on a Delta flight from Milan to Atlanta, the US-based airline said.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Delta Care Team members are mobilizing to connect with customers on Delta Flight 175 that experienced severe turbulence before landing safely in Atlanta Tuesday,\" a spokesman said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our priority is taking care of our customers and crew who sustained injuries.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is unclear how many total people out of the 151 passengers and 14-member crew were injured beyond the 11 taken to hospital, or what the extent of the injuries are for those hospitalized.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Major Hurricane Idalia is currently whipping up fierce winds off the US Gulf Coast and forecast to make landfall in Florida early Wednesday, and another storm, Hurricane Franklin, is swirling in the Atlantic. But neither Delta nor the US aviation regulator attributed Tuesday\'s turbulence to the hurricanes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Federal Aviation Administration, which reported that the turbulence occurred some 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Atlanta airport, will investigate the incident, a spokesman told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Scientists have reported that so-called \"clear-air turbulence\" -- which is hard to predict and happens without obviously bad weather, typically occurring above 15,000 feet -- is becoming more frequent due to climate change. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 05:33:30', '2023-08-30 05:33:30'),
(8798, 8798, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">On the eve of India hosting the G20 summit in New Delhi, China released a so-called “standard map” coopting parts of eastern Ladakh as per the rejected 1959 line and Arunachal Pradesh in the Middle Kingdom apart from Taiwan and the South China Sea.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This cartographic expansion by Beijing duly amplified by Chinese propaganda through social media was immediately rebutted and rejected by the Modi government as Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and parts of Aksai Chin were occupied by Mao’s China in the 1950s even before the disastrous 1962 war. While India was signing the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954, China was building a highway linking occupied Tibet with occupied Sinkiang (called Xinjiang) through Aksai Chin with the then government rather oblivious to the facts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The timing of the release of the map by China clearly has ominous portends as it poses serious questions on whether President Xi Jinping is inclined to attend the G20 summit in the Indian capital or has other plans. We are told that China releases the standard map every year but it is the first time that India has lodged a serious protest with Beijing, rejecting the territorial claims of the Middle Kingdom.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The larger question is why did Beijing release the so-called standard map and get it amplified by its propaganda media through social media platforms ? The answer lies in the recently concluded BRICS summit in Johannesburg, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a brief interaction with President Xi Jinping at the leaders’ lounge of the summit. It is understood that China wanted a bilateral meeting with India on the sidelines of the summit and push for normalization of ties without conceding an inch on the pending problems of Depsang Bulge and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh. Given the schedule restraints of PM Modi, the formal meeting between the two leaders could not take place and was limited to a brief interaction only.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even during the brief interaction, PM Modi raised his concerns over the border issue, clearly indicating that the road to normalization of ties goes through disengagement and de-escalation on the East Ladakh border and resolution of the remaining two friction points.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is evident that President Xi Jinping is miffed with Prime Minister Modi’s unambiguous response that normal ties can only resume after PLA withdraws its forces from occupied Aksai Chin and that Indian Army’s patrolling rights are restored in Depsang Bulge and in CNN junction in Demchok. It is not very difficult to presume that China released the so-called standard map to teach India a lesson. It is another matter that the Modi government has totally rejected the Chinese territorial claims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By deliberately releasing the so-called standard map on the eve of G20, China has clearly indicated that it treats India as an adversary and will put coercive pressure on India for having close ties with the US and Quad powers. This means that China will keep the military pressure up all along the 3488 km LAC and also arm its tributary state Pakistan to put pressure on India’s western borders. With the PLA throwing both the 1993 and 1996 bilateral peace and tranquility agreements into dustbin by May 2020 transgressions in East Ladakh, India has to be prepared for the worst with China as Modi’s India has bigger ambitions than playing second fiddle to Communist China by becoming a regional power. India will respond to Chinese cartographical expansion in time. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 05:48:42', '2023-08-30 05:48:42'),
(8799, 8799, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United Nations human rights office says at least 183 people have been killed in clashes in Ethiopia’s Amhara region since July as Amhara fighters resist efforts by the federal government to disband them.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The U.N. office on Tuesday also said the human rights situation in Ethiopia is deteriorating, with more than 1,000 people reportedly arrested under a state of emergency declared early this month over the unrest.</div><div><br></div><div>“Many of those detained were reported to be young people of Amhara ethnic origin suspected of being Fano supporters,” the U.N. office said, referring to the name of the Amhara militia. “Since early August, mass house-to-house searches have reportedly been taking place, and at least three Ethiopian journalists covering the situation in the Amhara region have been detained.”</div><div><br></div><div>The U.N. statement said detainees have reportedly been held in improvised detention centres without basic amenities. It called for those arbitrarily detained to be released and for authorities to stop “mass arrests.”</div><div><br></div><div>The human rights office called for an end to the fighting as the military retakes towns that had been seized by the Amhara fighters and militia members flee into rural areas.</div><div><br></div><div>In one of the deadliest incidents, a health official earlier this month told The Associated Press that an airstrike on a crowded town square in the Finote Selam community killed at least 26 people. The federal government didn’t comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Amhara fighters had fought alongside the military in the two-year conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region that ended in November with a peace agreement. The conflict spilled into the Amhara region when Tigray forces at one point tried to approach the capital, Addis Ababa.</div><div><br></div><div>Ethiopia’s government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has struggled for years to contain various conflicts often along ethnic lines. The country, Africa’s second most populous, has long been seen as an important security partner in the Horn of Africa, but the government has criticized or limited outside efforts — including by U.N. investigators — to understand the toll of abuses in the conflicts. AP/UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 06:46:01', '2023-08-30 06:46:01'),
(8800, 8800, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Natore district Awami League (AL) President, Member of Parliament from Natore-4 (Gurudaspur-Baraigram) constituency and valiant freedom fighter Professor Abdul Quddus.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a condolence message, the prime minister said Abdul Quddus was a dedicated leader of Bangladesh Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Throughout his life, he (Quddus) has performed his organisational responsibilities by remaining steadfast to the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the politics of Awami League,\" she recalled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdul Quddus gained place in the hearts of the common people of his constituency as well as the entire Natore district, said Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The death of this valiant freedom fighter and Member of Parliament is an irreparable loss to the nation, and I lost a faithful political companion at the demise of him,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed her deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. BSS&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 07:27:00', '2023-08-30 07:27:00'),
(8801, 8801, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of AL lawmaker of Natore-4 constituency Abdul Quddus.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a message of condolence, the minister said, \"Quddus was a close associate of Bangabandhu\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was elected lawmaker for five times and he was a state minister of fisheries and livestock ministry during 1996-2001 AL tenure, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasan, who is now visiting London to attend Parliamentary Security Intelligence Forum, prayed of eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdul Quddus died at a hospital in Dhaka today. He was 77.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quddus, President of Natore district unit of AL, had been undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of United Hospital where he breathed his last at 7:22am. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 07:30:38', '2023-08-30 07:30:38'),
(8802, 8802, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security at the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Mira Resnick, is likely to be in Dhaka next week to discuss issues of mutual interest.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will likely arrive in Dhaka on September 4 as Bangladesh and the United States are taking preparations to hold the next round of security dialogue, a foreign ministry official told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Resnick oversees the Bureau’s Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers, which manages over $40 billion annually in government-to-government defense equipment transfers through Foreign Military Sales, Third Party Transfers, and Excess Defense Articles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Resnick is also responsible for the Bureau’s Office of Security Assistance, which manages approximately $6.5 billion in US security sector assistance annually; coordinates State Department oversight, planning, and input for over $9 billion in the Defense Department security sector assistance programs; and provides State Department input for Department of Defense planning and military activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The security dialogue covers a wide range of issues related to partnership between the two countries including strategic priorities and regional security issues, defense cooperation, civilian security cooperation, UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and countering violent extremism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh is likely to reiterate its call to return Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to Bangladesh to face justice. The Rohingya issue may also come up for discussion as a threat in the regional and global contexts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the 8th Security Dialogue held between the two countries at US Department of State in April last year, the two sides had “constructive discussions” on defence agreements like GSOMIA and ACSA as the US is keen to enhance security cooperation with Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) are “essential” to enable a closer defense relationship, expand opportunities for defense trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between the United States and Bangladesh. These issues are likely to come up for discussion as follow up, a diplomatic source told UNB. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 08:38:54', '2023-08-30 08:38:54'),
(8803, 8803, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday (August 30, 2023) made a courtesy call on Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandkar Golam Faruq.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Several concerns including recent anti-insurgency operations and arrests, law and order in Dhaka were discussed during the meeting.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The officials expressed hope that the two countries\' friendship and mutual cooperation will grow in the future.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Senior DMP officials and US Embassy officials were present at the meeting. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 11:09:44', '2023-08-30 11:09:44'),
(8804, 8804, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Transparency International Bangladesh has rejected the Cabinet-approved Cyber Security Act, 2023 and said&nbsp; freedom of expression and independent journalism will still be at risk.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The draft of the Cyber Security Act-2023 includes controversial sections of the controversial “Digital Security Act-2018”, although some changes have been made in terms of punishment and non-bailable clauses, TIB experts said during a presentation on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>If the draft becomes a law, a person will face legal harassment if he publishes opinions and information through digital media, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Advisor and Executive Management Professor Dr Sumaiya Khair were present at the press conference titled \"Digital Security Act and Draft Cyber Security Law: A Comparative Review\" at TIB Dhanmondi office.</div><div><br></div><div>TIB\'s Outreach and Communication Department Director Sheikh Manzur-e-Alam and Data Protection Officer Dr Md Tariqul Islam conducted the comparative review.</div><div><br></div><div>According to sections 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the proposed law, if the cyber security is threatened, the concerned authority will ask the BTRC to remove both the data and information and 8(2) states that if the law enforcement agencies believe that any information violates the economic activities, security, defence, religious values or public order of the country or incites racial hatred or hatred.&nbsp; If so, law enforcement agencies can take action.</div><div><br></div><div>There is no specific definition of these things in this law, so there is ample scope for interpretation and misinterpretation here. In this case, we have to rely on the explanation of law enforcement, which is very dangerous.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“After all, only the name of the Digital Security Act is being changed to the Cyber Security Act. We need to be able to monitor the crimes and frauds that are taking place in cyberspace without curtailing our freedom of expression,” the presentation said.</div><div><br></div><div>“According to the cyber security policy, security in cyberspace was talked about by 2021, but the cybercrime that has happened in the country so far shows that our technical skills have not increased and we have failed to ensure cyber security,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>While the proposed law has provided some hope for cyber security, after the draft was published, it appeared that the title had changed, but no changes had been made to the areas of concern, which is very disappointing.</div><div><br></div><div>TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, \"If the draft cyber security law is passed in the Parliament, there will be a huge risk of it becoming a black law like the Digital Security Act and thereby violating the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution.</div><div><br></div><div>“The elements of the draft law, such as the right to freedom of expression, freedom of speech, conscience, thought and media, remain in effect similar to the Digital Security Act. So it\'s not unreasonable to think that this, like its predecessor, is going to become a restrictive law,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“The situation shows that we are moving to the point of criminalising the rights to freedom of expression, speech and media clearly enshrined in the Constitution. Therefore, the level at which the law is in place cannot be acceptable,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He suggested reviewing the draft law in the light of international experience involving all stakeholders, including experts from the relevant sectors, civil society and the media. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 15:55:46', '2023-08-30 15:55:46'),
(8805, 8805, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River is getting ready for vehicular movement, as its 100 percent construction work has been completed so far.</b></span><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"Now the finishing touch is going on and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to open the tunnel in October next,\" said Project Director (PD) Md Harunur Rashid Chowdhury while talking to journalists.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"If everything goes well, the tunnel will be opened next October,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 14, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, constructed in Chattogram, on October 28.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>According to project details, the tunnel will directly connect the Chattogram Port with Anwara upazila, which will directly link Cox\'s Bazar with Chattogram.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Two tubes having 35-feet width and 16-feet height have been constructed within an 11-metre gap so that heavy vehicles can pass through the tunnel easily.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The length of the tunnel is 3.40 kilometres with an approach road of 5.35 kilometres alongside a 740-metre bridge linking the main city, port and western side of the river with its eastern side.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Bangabandhu\'s daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the boring work of the first tunnel tube on February 24, 2019.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping jointly laid the foundation stone of the tunnel on October 14, 2016. China Communications Construction Company Ltd is working as the contractor of the project.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The tunnel will connect the proposed Asian Highway with Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox\'s Bazar Highway along with reducing the distance by 40 km. Vehicles in this tunnel will run at a speed of 80 km per hour, according to the details of the project.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Bangabandhu Tunnel is being built at a cost of Taka 10,374 crore. The tunnel project is being implemented with joint funding from the governments of Bangladesh and China. The Exim Bank of China is giving a loan of Taka 5,913 crore with a two per cent interest rate while the Bangladesh government is funding the remaining portion. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 16:02:10', '2023-08-30 16:02:10'),
(8806, 8806, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Fiery centuries from Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, followed by a three-wicket haul from Shadab Khan guided Pakistan to a massive 238-run victory over Nepal in the opening match of Asia Cup 2023 on Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Opting to bat first, Pakistan lost some initial wickets but Babar and Iftikhar stabilized their side\'s innings.</div><div><br></div><div>Babar scored 151 while Iftikhar remained unbeaten at 109. Apart from them, Mohammad Rizwan also scored 44.</div><div><br></div><div>For Nepal, Sompal Kami scalped two wickets while Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC took one wicket each. Source: NDTV&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-30 16:13:15', '2023-08-30 16:13:15'),
(8807, 8807, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Army officers who seized power in a coup in Gabon on Wednesday have named General Brice Oligui Nguema as the West African state\'s transitional leader.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gen Nguema was earlier carried triumphally through the streets of the capital Libreville by his troops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deposed President, Ali Bongo, has appeared in a video at his home, calling on his \"friends all over the world\" to \"make noise\" on his behalf.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former French colony is one of Africa\'s major oil producers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Bongo\'s overthrow ended his family\'s 55-year hold on power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Army officers appeared on TV in the early hours of Wednesday to say they had taken power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They said they had annulled the results of Saturday\'s election in which Mr Bongo was declared the winner but which the opposition said was fraudulent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The officers also said they had arrested one of Mr Bongo\'s sons for treason.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Watch: Sitting in what he calls his residence, Ali Bongo calls on supporters to \"make noise\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Within hours, generals met to discuss who would lead the transition and agreed by a unanimous vote to appoint Gen Nguema, former head of the presidential guard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Crowds in Libreville and elsewhere celebrated the army\'s declaration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the coup was condemned by the UN, the African Union and France, which had close ties to the Bongo family.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There has long been simmering resentment of the Bongo family - it ruled Gabon for 55 years - and there has been public discontent over broader issues such as the cost of living.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"At first I was scared, but then I felt joy,\" a resident of Libreville, who requested anonymity, told the BBC. \"I was scared because of the realisation that I am living through a coup, but the joy is because we\'ve been waiting for so long for this regime to be overthrown.\" BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 01:44:52', '2023-08-31 01:44:52'),
(8808, 8808, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North Korea says it has fired two short-range tactical ballistic missiles to simulate nuclear strikes on military targets in South Korea.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State media said the tests had been conducted as a warning against the US deployment of strategic bombers to the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Korea reported two missiles landing in the sea.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The launches coincide with annual joint military drills held by South Korea and the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pyongyang has long denounced the drills as a war rehearsal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The North\'s army said the missiles had been fired late on Wednesday in a \"tactical nuclear strike drill simulating scorched earth strikes at major command centres and operational airfields\" in South Korea.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The drill is aimed to send a clear message to the enemies,\" the army added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The launches come a day before South Korea and the US end 11 days of combined military drills.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The drills involved at least one US B-1B strategic bomber flying above the Korean Peninsula, according to South Korean media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observed a drill on Tuesday preparing his top commanders for all-out war with the South, according to state media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The drill simulated repelling a sudden invasion, then launching a counter-attack to occupy \"the whole territory of the southern half\", the report said. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 02:48:51', '2023-08-31 02:48:51'),
(8809, 8809, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Yet another coup in Africa - just five weeks after Niger\'s President Mohamed Bazoum was taken hostage by the troops of his own presidential guard, Gabon\'s Ali Bongo also finds himself detained in his own residence.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A sudden statement on national television in the early hours of Wednesday, to declare Mr Bongo the winner of last Sunday\'s election, was followed within minutes by a second surprise broadcast, as a clutch of soldiers announced the seizure of power in the former French colony.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later in the day, as footage of celebrating crowds emerged - after the new junta had lifted the internet shutdown imposed by Mr Bongo\'s regime on the eve of the polls and maintained the shutdown throughout an opaque vote \"count\" - the deposed head of state appeared in an online video sent from his place of confinement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Looking bewildered, he appealed - in English - for friends outside to \"make noise\", in apparent hope that external pressure might reverse the shock turn of events, a prospect that seems remote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But even if Mr Bongo himself was caught unprepared by the coup, perhaps Africa and the world should not have been.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 26 July overthrow of Mr Bazoum in Niger gave ample warning that West and Central Africa\'s \"coup-epidemic\" had not run its course.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In January last year, it had been the turn of Burkina Faso\'s President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré to be deposed by soldiers - whose leader was then himself dethroned by lower ranking counterparts on 30 September, just eight months later.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And before that, 2021 had brought two coups in West Africa. In May, Col Assimi Goïta, already author of a previous military takeover in Mali, had staged a second putsch to reassert his own power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then in September Guinea\'s special forces fought their way into the Sékhoutouréyah palace in Conakry to take President Alpha Condé into custody.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And we should not forget Chad where, following the April 2021 death in battle of long-time strongman Idriss Déby Itno, a military council stepped in to ensure the succession of his son and, thus, the continuation of the regime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What on earth is happening in West and Central Africa - and in former French colonies in particular?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Six years ago the departure into exile of the electorally-defeated Gambian ruler Yahya Jammeh left every country in West Africa under multi-party constitutional rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the centre of the continent some authoritarian regimes survived, but the era of military takeovers seemed long past.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yet the past three years have seen seven coups in five countries - plus the strong-armed military assumption of power in Chad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are common factors that have, at the very least, created conditions in which soldiers have felt they can step in with relative impunity, and often with the support of a large slice of the urban population, especially frustrated young people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across much of West and Central Africa, younger citizens have become widely disenchanted with the traditional political class, even with those who have been legitimately elected to office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Such disillusionment is fuelled by a raft of issues - a shortage of jobs and even informal economic opportunities for both graduates and those less educated, perceived high levels of corruption and privilege among the elite, as well as resentment at the persistent influence of France in the many countries where it is the former colonial power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But there is also deep resentment at the way many civilian rulers manipulate electoral processes or constitutional rule to prolong their hold on power. The scrapping of presidential term limits - after controversial amendments to constitutions - is a source of especially sore feelings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And such abuses also undermine the moral authority of bodies such as the African Union - or the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), often labelled an \"incumbent presidents\' club\" - in seeking to force coup leaders to restore elected civilian rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Central African regional bloc to which Gabon belongs does not even have serious pretentions to establish or sustain governance standards across member states.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But while all these factors create a climate in which soldiers have felt increasingly emboldened about seizing power, claiming to offer a \"fresh start\", each coup has also been driven by specific national or narrow local motivations - and the takeover in Gabon is no exception. vBBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 02:51:15', '2023-08-31 02:51:15'),
(8810, 8810, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Hurricane Idalia tore into Florida at the speed of a fast-moving train Wednesday, splitting trees in half, ripping roofs off hotels and turning small cars into boats before sweeping into Georgia and South Carolina as a still-powerful storm that flooded roadways and sent residents running for higher ground.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All hell broke loose,\" said Belond Thomas of Perry, a mill town located just inland from the Big Bend region where Idalia came ashore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thomas fled with her family and some friends to a motel, thinking it would be safer than riding out the storm at home. But as Idalia\'s eye passed over about 8:30 a.m., a loud whistling noise pierced the air and the high winds ripped the building\'s roof off, sending debris down on her pregnant daughter, who was lying in bed. Fortunately, she was not injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was frightening,\" Thomas said. \"Things were just going so fast. ... Everything was spinning.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After coming ashore, Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach at 7:45 a.m. as a high-end Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph (205 kph). The system remained a hurricane as it crossed into Georgia with top winds of 90 mph (150 mph). It weakened to a tropical storm by late Wednesday afternoon, and its winds had dropped to 65 mph (100 kph) by Wednesday evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the eye moved inland, high winds shredded signs, blew off roofs, sent sheet metal flying and snapped tall trees. One person was killed in Georgia. No hurricane-related deaths were officially confirmed in Florida, but the Florida Highway Patrol reported two people dying in separate weather-related crashes just hours before Idalia made landfall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm was bringing strong winds to Savannah, Georgia, Wednesday evening as it made its way toward the Carolinas. It was forecast to pass over Charleston, South Carolina, early Thursday morning before turning east and heading out to the Atlantic Ocean.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Idalia spawned a tornado that briefly touched down in the Charleston suburb of Goose Creek, the National Weather Service said. The winds sent a car flying and flipped it over, according to authorities and eyewitness video. Two people received minor injuries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Along South Carolina\'s coast, North Myrtle Beach, Garden City, and Edisto Island all reported ocean water flowing over sand dunes and spilling onto beachfront streets Wednesday evening. In Charleston, storm surge from Idalia topped the seawall that protects the downtown, sending ankle-deep ocean water into the streets and neighborhoods where horse-drawn carriages pass million-dollar homes and the famous open-air market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Preliminary data showed the Wednesday evening high tide reached just over 9.2 feet (2.8 meters), more than 3 feet (0.9 meters) above normal and the fifth-highest reading in Charleston Harbor since records were first kept in 1899.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Florida had feared the worst while still recovering from last year\'s Hurricane Ian, which hit the heavily populated Fort Myers area, leaving 149 dead in the state. Unlike that storm, Idalia blew into a very lightly inhabited area known as Florida\'s \"nature coast,\" one of the state\'s most rural regions that lies far from crowded metropolises or busy tourist areas and features millions of acres of undeveloped land.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That doesn\'t mean that it didn\'t do major damage. Rushing water covered streets near the coast, unmoored small boats and nearly a half-million customers in Florida and Georgia lost power. In Perry, the wind blew out store windows, tore siding off buildings and overturned a gas station canopy. Heavy rains partially flooded Interstate 275 in Tampa and wind toppled power lines onto the northbound side of Interstate 75 just south of Valdosta, Georgia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Less than 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of where Idalia made landfall, businesses, boat docks and homes in Steinhatchee, Florida, were swallowed up by water surging in from Deadman\'s Bay. Police officers blocked traffic into the coastal community of more than 500 residents known for fishing and foresting industries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State officials, 5,500 National Guardsman and rescue crews were in search-and-recovery mode, inspecting bridges, clearing toppled trees and looking for anyone in distress.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Because of the remoteness of the Big Bend area, search teams may need more time to complete their work compared with past hurricanes in more urban areas, said Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You may have two houses on a 5-mile (8-kilometer) road so it\'s going to take some time,\" Guthries said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Weather Service in Tallahassee called Idalia \"an unprecedented event\" since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the island of Cedar Key, downed trees and debris blocked roads, and propane tanks exploded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">RJ Wright stayed behind so he could check on elderly neighbors. He hunkered down with friends in a motel and when it was safe, walked outside into chest-high water. It could have been a lot worse for the island, which juts into the Gulf, since it didn\'t take a direct hit, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It got pretty gnarly for a while, but it was nothing compared to some of the other storms,\" Wright said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Tallahassee, the power went out well before the center of the storm arrived, but the city avoided a direct hit. A giant oak tree next to the governor\'s mansion split in half, covering the yard with debris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Valdosta, Georgia, Idalia\'s fierce winds uprooted trees and sent rain flying sideways. Jonathon Wick said he didn\'t take the approaching hurricane seriously until Wednesday morning, when he awoke to howling winds outside his home. After rescuing his young nephews from a trampoline in their back yard where the water rose to his knees, he brought them to his car and was climbing into the driver\'s seat when a tree toppled right in front of the vehicle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If that tree would have fell on the car, I would be dead,\" said Wick, who ended up getting rescued by another family member.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One man was killed in Valdosta when a tree fell on him as he was trying to clear another tree out of the road Wednesday, said Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk. Two others, including a sheriff\'s deputy, were injured when the tree fell, Paulk said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 30,000 utility workers in Florida were gathering to make repairs as quickly as possible in the hurricane\'s wake. Airports in the region, including Tampa International Airport, planned to restart commercial operations either Wednesday afternoon or Thursday. By midday Wednesday, more than 900 flights had been canceled in Florida and Georgia, according to tracking service FlightAware.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Tropical Storm Idalia was about 60 miles (95 kilometers) west of Charleston, South Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said. It was moving northeast at 21 mph (33 kph).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials in Bermuda warned that Idalia could hit the island early next week as a tropical storm. Bermuda on Wednesday was being lashed by the outer bands of Hurricane Franklin, a Category 2 storm that was on track to pass near the island in the north Atlantic Ocean.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Joe Biden called the governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina on Wednesday and told them their states had his administration\'s full support, the White House said. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 03:18:15', '2023-08-31 03:18:15');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8811, 8811, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 169 at 8:58 am, Dhaka’s air was categorised as ‘unhealthy’.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered \'unhealthy\', particularly for sensitive groups while an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘very unhealthy’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesia’s Jakarta, Qatar’s Doha and India’s Kolkata occupied the first, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 175, 153 and 153, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The worsening air quality of Dhaka city is threatening the health status and life of its residents. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 03:52:23', '2023-08-31 03:52:23'),
(8812, 8812, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Idalia roared across Florida Wednesday as a dangerous and powerful hurricane, bringing potentially catastrophic storm surge to coastal communities and knocking out power to thousands as the storm swept through the southeastern United States.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As it barreled into neighboring Georgia, Idalia weakened to a tropical storm that nevertheless was drenching the region with up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain and bringing life-threatening inundations from rising water moving inland, officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">They described Idalia and its potentially deadly high-surging waters as a once-in-a-lifetime event for the area of northwest Florida most affected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While there were no immediately confirmed deaths, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stressed \"that very well may change,\" given the storm\'s magnitude.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State officials said first responders including search and rescue teams were operational, but warned it could take time to reach more remote areas blocked by fallen trees or high water.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Idalia struck as an \"extremely dangerous\" Category 3 hurricane in Florida\'s marshy, sparsely populated Big Bend area around 7:45 am (1145 GMT), the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm crashed ashore packing maximum sustained winds of approximately 125 miles (215 kilometers) per hour near the community of Keaton Beach, with a possible storm surge of up to 16 feet (about five meters) in some coastal areas, the NHC said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Though Idalia weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and eventually a tropical storm with winds of 70 miles per hour as it moved over Georgia, authorities warned residents of the aftermath, and the dangers of high tide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NHC said water levels were more than six feet above normal in Cedar Key, a string of Florida islands jutting into the Gulf of Mexico, and warned coastal waters were rising rapidly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mass evacuations were ordered for thousands of Floridians, although many defied authorities and hunkered down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Perry, a small town in Idalia\'s path, emergency crews were already cleaning up and residents who stayed behind were assessing the impact.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">John Kallschmidt, 76, struggled to push aside a pine tree that fell on the roof of his small wooden house.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It got pretty scary with all the trees blowing over and coming down,\" he told AFP. \"But it\'s the way it is, it\'s life in Florida. You have to get accustomed to this kind of thing.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In coastal Steinhatchee, about 20 miles south of Idalia\'s landfall, streets were mostly deserted, while the flooded main road appeared as an extension of the town\'s river.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Patrick Boland, 73, who was out surveying damage, said: \"It was a little windy, the trees were coming down in my front yard, but other than that, the house is fine.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Speedy storm -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the Tampa Bay area -- a metropolitan zone of some three million people -- streets were submerged and flood waters swept across yards.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Just north in the city of Tarpon Springs, residents waded, or even canoed, to safety as homes and apartments were inundated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">DeSantis told reporters that Idalia moved faster than some of the more disastrous hurricanes that have hit the state in which the eye of the storm idled along the coastline and caused death and severe destruction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some 250,000 customers in Florida and 230,000 in Georgia were without electricity as of 6:00 pm, according to tracking website PowerOutage.us.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Power was also out for about 14,000 customers in South Carolina, where hurricane warnings remained in effect Wednesday evening and the NHC has forecasted flooding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some Floridians though suggested they had dodged a bullet with Idalia\'s projected ferocity diminished.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We were really spared and blessed,\" Sheriff Robert McCallum of Levy County, just south of the landfall zone, told a briefing, saying the storm surge was \"not near what we had expected.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But President Joe Biden warned the threat was not over.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The impacts of the storm are being felt throughout the southeast,\" he said at the White House. \"We have to remain vigilant.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Federal Emergency Management Agency deployed more than 1,000 emergency personnel to the disaster zone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Idalia is the strongest storm... to make landfall in this part of Florida in over 100 years,\" FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Airport reopens -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tampa International Airport, which closed as Idalia approached, announced it reopened as of 4:00 pm for arriving flights, and that full service was set to resume early Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm dealt a glancing blow to Cuba before moving over the Gulf of Mexico, which scientists say is experiencing a \"marine heat wave\" -- energizing Idalia\'s winds as it raced towards Florida.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Record-breaking temperatures off Florida are expected to amplify Atlantic storms this season, with scientists blaming human-caused climate change for the overall warming trend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hotter sea surfaces impart more energy on the air above them, packing more punch into storm winds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"These storms are intensifying so fast that our local emergency management officials have less time to warn and evacuate and get people to safety,\" Criswell told the Wednesday press conference. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 03:55:13', '2023-08-31 03:55:13'),
(8813, 8813, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia on Wednesday vetoed an attempt to keep inside military-run Mali a team of UN experts who had charged that foreign forces -- a veiled reference to Moscow-linked Wagner mercenaries -- were involved in widespread abuses.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thirteen of the UN Security Council\'s 15 members backed a proposal that would have extended by one year targeted sanctions in Mali, which expire this week, and kept the experts in place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Russia exercised its veto power to block the proposal led by Mali\'s former colonial power France and the United Arab Emirates. China abstained.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, noted that the sanctions were first put in place in 2017 to support a peace agreement in the long-troubled Sahel country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is fundamentally important that UN Security Council sanctions deal purely with that issue and not be used as a means of foreign influence on Mali, and that is something that the panel of experts of the Security Council has been involved in,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Western powers accused Russia of retaliating after the panel spoke critically about actions by Malian forces and their \"foreign security partners\" -- a clear reference to Wagner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A report submitted to the Security Council in August said violence against women \"allegedly committed by the Malian Armed Forces and their foreign and local allies is systematic and organized.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sanctions without experts to monitor them would make the entire effort \"ineffective,\" US envoy Robert Wood said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Russia seeks to eliminate the panel of experts\' mandate to stifle publication of uncomfortable truths about Wagner\'s actions in Mali which require attention,\" Wood said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Too many people continue to suffer from the ongoing violence and due to Russia\'s actions, this Council has failed to renew some of the most important international initiatives for addressing this crisis,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Last-minute diplomacy fails -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The expiring sanctions ban travel and freeze assets of violators of a 2015 peace agreement. Implementation has been limited, with only eight people hit with sanctions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia had accepted an extension of the sanctions but insisted it would be for the last time and it sought an immediate end to the expert panel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diplomats at the Security Council broke away for a closed-door huddle but returned after failing to break the deadlock.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia put forward its own resolution, which it alone supported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wood called the Russian efforts \"disingenuous and lamentable,\" saying Moscow introduced an alternative resolution with no opportunity for discussion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nebenzia insisted that Russia offered a \"constructive approach and a sensible compromise\" but that Western powers ignored concerns of Moscow and Mali.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There was every chance and opportunity for this to work up until the last minute,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Emerging Russian ally -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mali has shifted sharply to Russia after back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, becoming one of the few nations to back Moscow at the United Nations over its invasion of Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mali\'s junta has kicked out French forces battling jihadists and UN peacekeepers, lacking government support, ended a decade-long mission in late June.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wagner -- whose leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was killed in a plane crash last week after leading a revolt against Russian President Vladimir Putin -- has been ruthless in its support of Malian and other African militaries that hire the group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN rights investigators say Malian troops and foreign forces -- presumed to be Wagner -- were behind the massacre of at least 500 people in the central Malian town of Moura in March 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malian junta had urged an end to the sanctions regime, saying a previous government\'s support for it to back the peace process was no longer relevant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But tensions have been rising between the government and the Coordination of Azawad Movements, which brings together predominantly ethnic Tuaregs who in 2012 mounted a revolt in northern Mali.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The draft resolution vetoed by Russia would have voiced concern over \"threats to the ceasefire\" and urged full cooperation with the UN peacekeepers as they move ahead with their departure by the end of the year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pointing to rising uncertainties in Mali, British envoy James Kariuki called Russia\'s veto \"reckless.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This will reduce the Council\'s oversight and engagement on Mali\'s peace process at a critical juncture,\" he said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 04:44:11', '2023-08-31 04:44:11'),
(8814, 8814, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">FC Cincinnati led the way into the Major League Soccer playoffs on Wednesday as the slim post-season hopes of Lionel Messi\'s Inter Miami took a hit with a goalless draw against Nashville.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Second-half goals from Luciano Acosta and Brandon Vazquez lifted Cincinnati to a 2-1 victory at Atlanta, where Colombian Edwin Mosquera\'s first MLS goal had put the hosts ahead in the 10th minute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victory was Cincinnati\'s first at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and took the Eastern Conference leaders to 57 points and the first berth in the MLS Cup playoffs with eight matches remaining in the regular season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Miami, meanwhile, made little headway in their unlikely bid to make the playoffs as they were held scoreless for the first time in the 10 games of the Messi era.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Argentine star had scored 11 goals in nine appearances since joining Inter Miami -- including their run to the Leagues Cup crown, in a US Open Cup semi-final and in his regular-season debut off the bench in New York on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The workload may have finally caught up with him on Wednesday as he was unable to work the magic again in front of another star-studded crowd at a blustery DRV PNK Stadium, where boxing great Floyd Mayweather and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino were among the spectators.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The draw left Miami 10 points out of the final playoff spot with 10 games remaining</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They travel across the country to take on MLS Cup champions Los Angeles FC on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi and former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets both started the game after coming off the bench in the 60th minute in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite controlling possession throughout a frustrating first half, Miami struggled to create real chances against Nashville\'s disciplined defense.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Miami fans were on the edge of their seats after Messi drew a foul on Nashville\'s Dax McCarty in the 60th minute and stepped up to take a free kick, but his effort to the bottom left corner was gathered in by Nashville goalkeeper Elliott Panicco.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nashville\'s Hany Mukhtar had a goal erased by an offside call in the 69th minute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi had another free kick from a dangerous position in the 83rd minute but his shot caromed harmlessly off the wall of defenders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Atlanta, Mosquera blasted home a deflected cross to put the hosts up early.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Acosta leveled the score with his 13th goal of the season in the 75th minute, spliting two defenders and playing a pass to Junior MOreno, who headed the ball down to Acosta who beat Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan with a one-time shot into the top corner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five minutes later Acosta collected the ball in midfield sent it out to Alvaro Barreal on the left wing. Barreal\'s cross found Vazquez, whose fifth goal of the season sealed Cincinnati\'s 17th victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cincinnati edged even closer to the MLS single-season points record of 73, set by the New England Revolution in 2021. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 04:49:53', '2023-08-31 04:49:53'),
(8815, 8815, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China\'s Baidu rolled out its ChatGPT rival ERNIE Bot to the public on Thursday, in a major leap for the country\'s tech sector as it aims to cash in on the global artificial intelligence gold rush.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese government introduced fresh regulations this month for AI developers, aiming to allow them to stay in the race with the likes of Microsoft and OpenAI but still tightly controlling information online.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ERNIE Bot is the first domestic AI app to be fully available to the public in China. It is not available outside the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are thrilled to share that ERNIE Bot is now fully open to the general public starting August 31,\" Baidu said in a statement on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In addition to ERNIE Bot, Baidu is set to launch a suite of new AI-native apps that allow users to fully experience the four core abilities of generative AI: understanding, generation, reasoning, and memory.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ERNIE Bot was released in March but its availability was limited.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By making it widely available, Baidu will be able to gain \"massive\" human feedback to improve the app at a swift pace, CEO Robin Li was quoted as saying in the statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Generative AI apps are trained on vast amounts of data as well as their interactions with users so they can answer questions, including complex ones, in human-like language.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rapid success of US-based OpenAI\'s ChatGPT -- which is banned in China -- sparked an international race to develop rival apps, including image and video generators, but also widespread alarm about the potential for abuse and disinformation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese generative AI apps must \"adhere to the core values of socialism\" and refrain from threatening national security and promoting terrorism, violence, or \"ethnic hatred\", according to the guidelines published this month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They included provisions for labelling AI-generated content and curtailing \"false and harmful information\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Service providers must also conduct security assessments and submit filings on their algorithms to the authorities if their software is judged to have an impact on \"public opinion\", according to the rules.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Baidu is one of China\'s biggest tech companies, but has faced competition from other firms such as Tencent in various sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to AI, it has also looked to grow its cloud computing business and develop autonomous driving tech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bloomberg reported that another Chinese tech titan, the Hong Kong-listed SenseTime, has also received a green light from Beijing for its service. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 05:01:48', '2023-08-31 05:01:48'),
(8816, 8816, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Donald Trump routinely overvalued his net worth by billions of dollars each year between 2011 and 2021, New York\'s attorney general alleged on Wednesday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In documents filed in support of an ongoing $250 million civil suit against the former president, state Attorney General Letitia James claimed that Trump and some of his associates submitted \"grossly inflated\" numbers to banks and insurers \"to secure and maintain loans and insurance on more favorable terms.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The scheme resulted in \"hundreds of millions of dollars in ill-gotten savings and profits,\" the documents alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">James\' lawsuit against the current Republican frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race dates back to last year, when she accused Trump, some of his children and the Trump Organization business of tax and financial fraud.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump and his children also stand accused of deflating the value of certain Trump Organization assets -- including golf clubs, luxury hotels and other properties -- to reduce taxes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The trial is due to start October 2, with a preliminary hearing September 22, though James, a Democrat, is seeking to have the court resolve the case before it goes to trial based on the documents submitted Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They allege Trump overstated his wealth each year between 2011 and 2021, including the years he was president, between 17 and 39 percent -- amounting to $812 million and $2.2 billion each year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Based on the undisputed evidence, no trial is required for the Court to determine that Defendants presented grossly and materially inflated asset values,\" to help them conduct \"business transactions and defraud banks and insurers,\" prosecutors argued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In January, the Trump Organization was fined $1.6 million by a New York judge in a criminal tax and financial fraud case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If James\' civil case against Trump goes to trial, it will be one more for the candidate to have to juggle while also zipping across the country on the campaign trail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump is facing four criminal trials for actions allegedly taken before, during and after his presidency -- state cases in New York and Georgia and two federal cases in Florida and Washington.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump has in the past denounced the case as a \"witch hunt,\" calling James, who is Black, \"racist.\"&nbsp; AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 05:20:05', '2023-08-31 05:20:05'),
(8817, 8817, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s participation at the G20 Summit in New Delhi will add yet another feather to the ‘Golden Chapter’ in Dhaka-Delhi ties.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We look forward to working together with G20 partners to find multi-dimensional solutions to the multiple crises plaguing our world,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the opening session of a discussion titled “G20 Summit: Dhaka to New Delhi”, at Foreign Service Academy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma and Ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin, who is discharging his responsibilities as the Bangladesh Sherpa for G20, spoke at the opening session. President of the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry and G20 Employer Advocate Selima Ahmad, MP, also spoke at the session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina’s participation at G20 Summit to add yet another feather to the ‘Golden Chapter’ in Dhaka-Delhi ties: Momen&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The recognition by G20 — under the Indian Presidency — that the status quo is no longer sustainable for multilateralism to function is a major turn-around, Momen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read more: Everyone will suffer if terrorism, corruption return the way they were prevalent during last BNP-Jamaat rule: Momen</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister hoped that Bangladesh can make visible and meaningful contributions to the G20 processes through multi-stakeholder participation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister has been invited to the Summit, and she guided the nature and level of engagements with the different G20 processes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister had participated in G7 Outreach Meetings in Japan and Canada in 2016 and 2018 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She recently attended the BRICS Outreach Summit in Johannesburg as one of the invited leaders from outside Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Her upcoming participation at the G20 Summit stands out for the fact that the invited leaders there get to share the discussion table along with the core G20 members,\" Momen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh’s participation at the upcoming G20 Summit also aligns with our value-driven diplomatic efforts to champion the cause of sustainable development globally,\" Momen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is to the credit of the Indian G20 Presidency that it has brought the issues of the Global South to the foreground, where it can count on Bangladesh as a willing partner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I acknowledge the call made the other day by my Indian counterpart Minister S. Jaishankar for a re-globalization that is more inclusive and diversified than the model that treats most countries in the Global South as mere recipients or consumers,\" Momen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh fully subscribes to the six thematic priorities identified by the Indian G20 Presidency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have already joined the global partnerships like International Solar Alliance, International Big Cat Alliance and Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructures — personally championed by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi,” Momen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they see merit in adopting his innovative ideas like Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) in their national context.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We hope to draw lessons from India’s massive roll-out of inter-operable digital public infrastructure for our own move towards building a smart government and economy. In turn, we believe we have crucial insights to share with the rest of the Global South on women-led development,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">There were three panel discussions on women-led development, lifestyle for environment and green development, and digital public infrastructure. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 05:40:48', '2023-08-31 05:40:48'),
(8818, 8818, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The World Bank on Wednesday approved $200 million to help Bangladesh improve primary healthcare services for treatment, prevention and referral for common illnesses including mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, and medical waste management in Dhaka North and South City Corporations, Chattogram City Corporation, and Savar and Tarabo municipalities.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Urban Health, Nutrition and Population Project will establish a network of primary health centers offering a broad range of health, nutrition, and population services along with a direct referral system with secondary and tertiary-level facilities. About 2.5 million children under five in these urban areas will receive services, according to a release from the WB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The credit is from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), which provides concessional financing, and has a 30-year term with a five-year grace period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The project will improve antenatal services for women, with a target of over 250,000 women receiving at least four checkups during pregnancy. It will also support hypertension screening and follow-up of about 1.3 million adults. To reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on medical care for the poor people, the project will renovate selected existing public health facilities, including government outdoor dispensaries, and family planning clinics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The project will also focus on environmental health and preventive services like mosquito control, medical waste management, and behavior change communication to promote healthy lifestyles to prevent illnesses and mitigate the effects of climate change and air pollution on human health.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It will support the development and implementation of a multi-sectoral strategy to manage infectious disease outbreaks in cities and municipalities. To prevent dengue, the project will introduce a climate-based dengue early warning system and outbreak response capacities as well as take measures to clear breeding sites.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said that Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in improving healthcare, particularly in rural areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But urban areas have limited public healthcare facilities. Hence, poor people and slum dwellers are often forced to turn to more expensive private healthcare. Further, with high population density, climate change, and rapid urbanization, new health challenges are emerging, including an increase of dengue cases, infectious and non-communicable diseases,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iffat Mahmud, Senior Operations Officer at the World Bank and Task Team Leader for the Project, said that the impact of climate change on mosquito-borne and infectious diseases is often overlooked. An overreliance on fogging or spraying targeting adult mosquitoes and untargeted larval control is not an efficient use of resources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“As mosquito lifecycle is influenced by climatic conditions, the project will strengthen the mosquito control laboratory and build capacities to implement innovative mosquito control measures and other community-based interventions,” the World Bank official said. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 06:21:31', '2023-08-31 06:21:31'),
(8819, 8819, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In a collective plea for press freedom and human rights, 19 international organisations have urged the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to halt cases initiated under the Digital Security Act (DSA) against journalist Adhora Yeasmean.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This urgent appeal follows an investigation into Yeasmean\'s video report for a private TV channel RTV on alleged activities of the religious organization Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif, which led to accusations against her under the DSA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The coalition of organizations has also expressed alarm over reports of harassment targeted at Yeasmean by members of Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif. They allege that since mid-July, she has been subjected to unauthorized surveillance, threats, and intimidation. These actions are believed to be retaliatory against her investigative journalism. The coalition insists that authorities swiftly investigate these threats, hold the culprits accountable, and ensure the journalist\'s safety and psychological well-being.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The coalition also calls for Bangladesh to terminate the DSA investigation into Akramul Ahsan Kanchan, a co-accused in Yeasmean\'s report. Kanchan claimed that Shakerul Kabir, the leader of Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif, acquired local properties deceptively. The coalition views this legal backlash against journalistic sources as a threat to press freedom.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM), a platform of Bangladeshi journalists covering the country for various global media outlets, also endorsed the letter and urged authorities to drop any investigation into Adhora Yeasmin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“Press freedom is vital for a thriving democracy, allowing voices to be heard and truths to be revealed,” stated BJIM spokesperson Redwan Ahmed. “We urge Bangladeshi authorities to cease using the criminal justice system to harass or intimidate journalists and to drop charges against Adhora Yeasmin for her journalistic work.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid the January 2024 election, the groups stress free journalism without fear, noting the DSA\'s repeal but cautioning against the new Cyber Security Act\'s threats to expression. The coalition also calls for involving stakeholders to shape rights-respecting legislation, underscoring the need to drop charges against expression and release detainees under the DSA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Organisations who have signed the letter are Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19 South Asia, Asian Human Rights Commission, Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media, Capital Punishment Justice Project, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), Committee to Protect Journalists, Forum for Freedom of Expression, Bangladesh, Free Press Unlimited, IFEX, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Women’s Media Foundation, PEN America, PEN Bangladesh, PEN International, Reporters Without Borders, and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 07:14:23', '2023-08-31 07:14:23'),
(8820, 8820, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Shah Rukh Khan\'s Pathaan, which released earlier this year, was full of meta references about patriotism and his religious identity. The trailer of his next film, Atlee\'s Jawan, that dropped on Thursday, has indicated that this action thriller may be no different. The internet has particularly caught on to one dialogue because of its meta reference to the Aryan Khan arrest case.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shah Rukh Khan\'s ‘baap’ dialogue</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story of Jawan is rumoured to revolve around a father-son relationship, with Shah Rukh playing the double role. At one point in the trailer, Shah Rukh\'s father character says, “Bete ko haath lagane se pahle, baap se baat kar” (Deal with the father before you touch the son).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Obviously, this has got the internet drawing parallels to Shah Rukh\'s real life, when his son Aryan Khan was arrested in 2021 for possession of drugs. The investigation continued for weeks since it was a non-bailable offence, before he was released on bail. Later, Aryan was given a clean chit as Sameer Wankhede, an investigating officer on the case, was accused of asking for bribe from Shah Rukh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reactions to the ‘baap’ dialogue</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “\'Bete ko haath lagane se pahle, baap se baat kar\' This dialogue is personal. If You know, You Know… #JawanTrailer”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another posted, “This can\'t be a coincidence, right? Right when #ShahRukhKhan says \'bete ko haath lagaane se pehle, baap se baat kar\', Gauri\'s credit flashes on screen. Subtle message to...some people?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A third user wrote, more creatively, used a collage with memes of Sameer Wankhede. Another posted, “#ShahRukhKhan Giving Proper Belt Treatment To His Haters, Boycott Gang!! (two fire emojis) ‘Bete Ko Hath Lagane Se Pehle Baap Se Baat Kar’ #JawanTrailer”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jawan, directed by Atlee, also stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Sanya Malhotra, Sunil Grover, Ridhi Dogra, and Priyamani among others. It has a special appearance by Deepika Padukone and is produced by Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan\'s Red Chillies Entertainment. The film will release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on September 7. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 08:56:42', '2023-08-31 08:56:42'),
(8821, 8821, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Emotional equanimity or emotional balance is a way of finding the inner calm and peace and maintaining a composed emotional response to situations and things, especially the challenges and joys of life. Working towards emotional equanimity involves activating mindfulness, practicing calming techniques and finding the inner calm.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Explaining this, Therapist Andrea Evgeniou wrote, \"Emotional equanimity (a favorite term of mine) is about maintaining a sense of inner calm and balance, allowing for a more measured and thoughtful response to life\'s challenges and joys. It\'s a key concept in various spiritual and philosophical traditions, including Buddhism, and it plays a significant role in promoting overall well-being, resilience, and growth.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reaching emotional equanimity is a gradual process that involves cultivating mindfulness and developing emotional intelligence. Here are some steps and practices that can help you work toward inner balance.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Accepting the emotions: Every emotion is a natural response. Instead of suppressing them and calling them invalid, we should learn to become aware of them and accept them the way they are.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pause before reaction: The biggest mistake we make when faced with a difficult situation is reacting right there. The healthy way is to take a pause, become aware of the situation and respond to it mindfully.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Observe thoughts: We should learn to practice mindfulness where we can observe and accept our thoughts without being judgmental.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Practice non-attachment: We need to understand that everything is temporary – non-attachment should be practiced by clinging on to positive thoughts or resisting negative thoughts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gratitude: The sense of gratitude helps us to maintain emotional balance by shifting our perspective to look at the positive side of life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Empathy and compassion: Understanding that everyone goes through their set of challenges and difficulties will help us to be more empathetic and compassionate towards them. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"24\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 09:00:12', '2023-08-31 09:00:12');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8822, 8822, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Seventeen more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 593 this year.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>During the period, 2, 308 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div><br></div><div>Of the new patients, 950 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to DGHS.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 8, 378 dengue patients, including 3, 817 the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>So far, the DGHS has recorded 1, 23808 dengue cases, 11, 4837 recoveries.</div><div><br></div><div>The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 12:28:39', '2023-08-31 12:28:39'),
(8823, 8823, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Md Shahabuddin will visit Indonesia to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit to be held in Jakarta Convention Center on September 5-7.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen briefed the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday regarding President Shahabuddin\'s engagements in Jakarta.</div><div><br></div><div>Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has invited Bangladesh as chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Momen will accompany the President during the visit.</div><div><br></div><div>There will be a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh and Indonesia at the president-level, said the Foreign Minister, adding that two MoUs on cooperation in the areas of energy and health could be signed.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh is the current president of IORA.</div><div><br></div><div>Indonesian President Joko Widodo will chair 12 meetings during the 43rd ASEAN Summit.</div><div><br></div><div>The series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit will be held in plenary and retreat formats, including the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, the 24th ASEAN-the Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit, the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit, the 11th ASEAN-U.S. Summit, the ASEAN-Canada Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit, the 18th East Asia Summit, and 13th ASEAN-the United Nations Summit.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Plus Three Summit will be held on September 7.</div><div><br></div><div>A number of bilateral meetings between ASEAN leaders will also be held on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 12:36:23', '2023-08-31 12:36:23'),
(8824, 8824, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>As the nation gears up for the upcoming national election, a total of nine megaprojects encompassing roads, bridges, railways, and aviation are scheduled for inauguration within the tenure of the current government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The first and most visible of these is the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, to be followed in due time by the Metrorail project’s remaining segment, Purbachal Expressway, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (Karnaphuli Tunnel), Airport’s Third Terminal, Khulna-Mongla Rail Project, Cox\'s Bazar Rail Link, Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link, and Padma Bridge Rail Link.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Elevated Expressway</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the first phase of the project on September 2.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Elevated Expressway project director, AHMS Akhtar, told UNB that the construction of the expressway is being completed in three phases. Ninety-eight percent of the first part up to Banani and 54 percent of the work from Banani to Moghbazar have been completed, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The section from the Airport to Farmgate is ready for inauguration in September. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that on the occasion of the opening of the 11.5 km elevated expressway from Kaola to Farmgate on September 2, a rally will be held at the old grounds of the trade fair in Agargaon.</div><div><br></div><div>Metrorail</div><div><br></div><div>Metrorail’s Agargaon to Motijheel section is going to be inaugurated on October 20.</div><div><br></div><div>Obaidul Quader mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Agargaon to Motijheel section of the Metrorail on October 20, followed by a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital at 3pm on that day.</div><div><br></div><div>Additionally, the construction work of MRT Line 5 Northern Road will be inaugurated on September 16, with a gathering in Savar. From the last week of October, Dhaka residents will be able to travel from Uttara to Motijheel in just 38 minutes.</div><div><br></div><div>Karnaphuli Tunnel</div><div><br></div><div>The main construction of the Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram has been completed. This project is set to be inaugurated on October 28, marking Bangladesh\'s entry into the tunnel era.</div><div><br></div><div>Obaidul Quader announced that on the occasion of the inauguration of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel on October 28, a gathering will be held on the other side of the tunnel.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also inaugurate 140 bridges and 12 overpasses from the newly constructed road building on October 22. Additionally, the Vehicle Inspection Centre (VIC) will be inaugurated virtually, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Purbachal Expressway</div><div><br></div><div>The Purbachal Expressway will connect the rest of the city to the new city of Purbachal through a 12.3-kilometer-long, 12-lane expressway in the heart of the capital. Simultaneously, the Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Chattagram highways will experience reduced traffic congestion and improved communication with the eastern part of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Anisur Rahman Mia said that a 100-feet-wide canal is also being dug from Kuril to Balu river on both sides of this expressway. This effort aims not only to resolve traffic congestion in and waterlogging in the Bashundhara and Khilkhet area.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Rajuk, approximately TK 10,329 crore are being invested in this government-funded project. The project is nearing completion after 8 years since it was approved at the Ecnec meeting on September 22, 2015.</div><div><br></div><div>Third terminal of the airport</div><div><br></div><div>Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal (AVM) M Mafidur Rahman told UNB that the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will have a soft opening on October 7. The new terminal will be opened by the prime minister.</div><div><br></div><div>As it will be partially inaugurated on that day, passengers will be able to fully utilise the terminal by the end of 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>He further mentioned that approximately 85 percent of the terminal\'s construction work has been completed, with interior decoration currently underway. He expressed optimism that 90 percent of the project will be completed before the soft opening.</div><div><br></div><div>Cox\'s Bazar Rail Link Project</div><div><br></div><div>The direct rail link between Dhaka and Cox\'s Bazar is in its final stages of construction. As of now, 88 km of railway line has been laid from Dohazari in Chattagram to Cox\'s Bazar, with only 12 kilometres remaining. Currently, the overall progress of the project stands at 87 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>The inauguration of this railway project has been delayed due to the renovation of the Kalurghat bridge and railway damage caused by landslides in Bandarban.</div><div><br></div><div>Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said that flood-damaged sections are being repaired promptly, and an opening date will be announced soon.</div><div><br></div><div>Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link Project</div><div><br></div><div>This project, being implemented with the Indian line of credit, might be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi during her visit to India in September.</div><div><br></div><div>The Akhaura-Agartala project\'s progress has exceeded 90 percent, with the railway line fully laid.</div><div><br></div><div>The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this project was signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s visit to India in January 2010. The project, initiated in 2016, has been extended four times until June 2024. The total cost of the project is TK 477.81 crore, with government funding of Tk 57.5 crore andIndian debt of Tk 420.76 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>Khulna-Mongla Railway Line</div><div><br></div><div>As of now, 99% of the project has been completed.</div><div><br></div><div>Nurul Islam Sujan said that there will be a separate inauguration program during the Prime Minister\'s visit to India for the G20 summit.</div><div><br></div><div>This project is coming to an end 13 years after its approval at the Ecnec meeting in 2010.</div><div><br></div><div>Padma Bridge Rail Link Project</div><div><br></div><div>The Mawa-Bhanga section\'s progress stands at 96 percent, while the Dhaka-Mawa section is at 79 percent completion. The section up to Jessore’s Bhanga is also at 79 percent completion, with the inauguration planned for June 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>The estimated cost of the Padma bridge rail link is TK 39, 247 crores.</div><div><br></div><div>Nurul Islam Sujan told UNB that it will be officially inaugurated on a date chosen by the Prime Minister after September 20. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 14:21:16', '2023-08-31 14:21:16'),
(8825, 8825, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Thursday that the people should know about the masterminds of the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members in 1975.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Masterminds (Kushilabs) should be identified. We need to know who helped from behind the scenes as well as who were the beneficiaries of the killing,” the home minister said in Dhaka as he joined a discussion as the chief guest.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that justice has been delivered, but some of the killers are still at large.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have identified those killers who are still absconding, and we hope to bring them back to face justice,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that after the brutal killing of the Father of the Nation and his family members they had hoped to turn around when Bangabandhu\'s daughter Sheikh Hasina returned to the country in 1981.</div><div><br></div><div>“We kept in our hearts that Bangabandhu\'s murder will get justice. We have been able to see that,” the minister said.</div><div><br></div><div>He came up with the remarks while addressing the discussion meeting organised to mark the 48th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation and the National Mourning Day at Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh in the capital on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said that perpetrators have time and again targeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to kill her.</div><div><br></div><div>“There was another assassination attempt on Sheikh Hasina on August 21 in 2004. They tried to kill the prime minister (Sheikh Hasina) 21 times,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun said that Bangabandhu inspired people to participate in the war of independence with love and compassion.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that it was Bangabandhu’s love for the people to make it possible.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangabandhu had spent the best time of his life in prison during the Pakistan period. He loved the people of the country as he believed that an independent sovereign country was necessary for human development. So, he fought for freedom,” the IGP said.</div><div><br></div><div>The IGP said that they want to build smart police.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Prime Minister gave us everything including logistics. We are already working to eliminate terrorism and militancy. We have made this country investment-friendly by preventing and controlling militancy,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that once again the attempt is being made to take Bangladesh backwards.</div><div><br></div><div>“Every member of Bangladesh Police is determined to keep the situation under control. Bangladesh Police is ready to stop any mischief and any attempt to take the country backwards,” the IGP said.</div><div><br></div><div>He warned that strict action will be taken if there is an attempt to deteriorate the law and order situation.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Kabir Hossain, member of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust, presented a keynote speech in the programme organised by Bangladesh Police Service Association.</div><div><br></div><div>President of Bangladesh Police Service Association and Chief of&nbsp; Special Branch (SB) Additional IGP Md Monirul Islam presided over the programme. Senior secretary of the public security Division of the Home Ministry Md Mostafizur Rahman, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandkar Golam Faruq, RAB Director General M Khurshid Alam, General Secretary of Bangladesh Police Service Association, Superintendent of Police (SP) Dhaka District Asaduzzaman also addressed the function.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 16:19:47', '2023-08-31 16:19:47'),
(8826, 8826, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh faced a substantial batting collapse in their inaugural Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka on Thursday in Kandy.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Opting to bat after winning the toss, Bangladesh could only muster a total of 164 runs, losing all their wickets. The team\'s last four wickets fell for a mere two runs, painting a grim picture of their batting performance.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s opening pair, consisting of Mohammad Naim and debutant Tanzid Hasan Tamim, failed to lay a solid foundation. Tanzid faced a duck, while Naim managed a mere 16 runs from 23 balls.</div><div><br></div><div>Najmul Hossain Shanto, batting at number three, displayed some resilience by contributing 89 runs off 122 deliveries. However, the rest of the Bangladeshi batters struggled against the skillful Sri Lankan bowling attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Captain Shakib Al Hasan\'s contribution was limited to just 5 runs, and both Towhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim reached double-digit scores but couldn\'t sustain their innings.</div><div><br></div><div>Towhid fell victim to the bowling of Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka, missing the ball that went on to hit his stumps. Shanaka\'s successful appeal for an lbw decision after a review added to Bangladesh\'s woes. Mushfiqur was dismissed by a well-executed short ball from Matheesha Pathirana.</div><div><br></div><div>Towards the tail end of the batting lineup, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, and Taskin Ahmed struggled to provide the required contribution to the team\'s total.</div><div><br></div><div>In the end, Bangladesh was dismissed for 164 runs in 42.4 overs.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka\'s Pathirana proved to be the main tormentor, taking four wickets for 32 runs in 7.4 overs, while Maheesh Theekshana secured two wickets. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 17:04:50', '2023-08-31 17:04:50'),
(8827, 8827, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A special court on Thursday granted permission to Pakistan\'s embattled former prime minister Imran Khan currently held at Attock Jail to speak to his sons.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Khan, 70, had filed a petition before Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, seeking permission to speak to his sons Suleman Khan and Qasim Khan on the phone.</div><div><br></div><div>Judge Zulqarnain approved the plea and instructed the prison authorities to facilitate the telephonic conversation between the applicant and his sons in accordance with the law, the Dawn newspaper reported.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Instant application is allowed. Superintendent District Jail Attock is directed to make necessary arrangements for phone calls between the accused and his sons in accordance with jail rules and manual\", the judge said in his brief order.</div><div><br></div><div>The development comes a day after Judge Zulqarnain on Wednesday extended Khan\'s judicial remand till September 13 in a case related to the alleged disclosure of state secrets, dashing the former prime minister\'s hopes of quick release from jail despite being granted bail a day earlier in a corruption case.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the day, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) sought responses from the Law Ministry and other respondents on Khan\'s plea against the recent decision to move the cipher case hearing from Islamabad to Attock Jail.</div><div><br></div><div>IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, who presided over the hearing, asked: “Was the court venue shifted?” Khan\'s lawyer answered that the court designated to hear cases filed under the Secrets Act was that of a magistrate.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Authorising an anti-terrorism court judge to hear cases filed under the Official Secrets Act is wrong\", Khan\'s counsel asserted.</div><div><br></div><div>He urged the court to issue notices to the respondents seeking their response on the matter, which the chief justice allowed.</div><div><br></div><div>He requested the court to fix the next hearing for the coming week as it was an urgent matter, to which Justice Farooq agreed and adjourned the hearing till the next week.</div><div><br></div><div>The date for the next hearing has yet to be finalised.</div><div><br></div><div>The hearing of the case on Wednesday took place at Attock District Jail following approval by the Law Ministry amid security concerns expressed by the Interior Ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities decided on Tuesday to hold the hearing of the case inside the Attock jail where Khan has been kept since August 5 after his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan’s sentence was suspended by a two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday, but he was not allowed to walk free, as Judge Zulqernain hearing the cipher case ordered that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief be kept in prison and produced for hearing on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>His party has criticised the decision to conduct hearings in Attock jail.</div><div><br></div><div>In March last year, ahead of the vote of no-confidence that resulted in his ouster, Khan pulled out a piece of paper allegedly the cipher from his pocket and waved it at a public rally in Islamabad, claiming it was the evidence of an \'international conspiracy\' being hatched to topple his government.</div><div><br></div><div>However, during the interrogation with the joint investigation team (JIT) in the jail on August 26, Khan denied that the paper he waved at a public gathering last year was the cipher. He also admitted to losing the cipher, saying he couldn\'t recall where he kept it.</div><div><br></div><div>His principal secretary Azam Khan stated before a magistrate and the FIA that the Khan used it for his ‘political gains’ and to avert a vote of no-confidence against him.</div><div><br></div><div>The purported cipher (secret diplomatic cable) contained an account of a meeting between US State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, and Pakistani envoy Asad Majeed Khan last year.</div><div><br></div><div>Of late, Khan has come under increased scrutiny following the publication of a purported copy of the secret cable by the US media outlet The Intercept, with many in the previous government led by Shehbaz Sharif pointing fingers at the PTI chief for being the source of the leak. - PTI</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 17:20:12', '2023-08-31 17:20:12'),
(8828, 8828, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday said they \"remain concerned\" over the possibility that their overarching priorities with SDGs, climate action and humanitarian action may take a backseat on the global agenda with \"growing conflicts and military takeovers\" in different parts of the world.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"We count on the Indian G20 leadership to help arrest that possibility and add momentum to international collective action leveraging its global standing and outreach for the benefit of our One Earth and One Humanity,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at the closing session of an event titled “G20 Summit: Dhaka to New Delhi” at the Foreign Service Academy, the Foreign Secretary also emphasised on the importance of including the voice of the youths in shaping their shared future.</div><div><br></div><div>A student from the Department of Economic at Dhaka University also spoke at the event.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen spoke as the chief guest at the Inaugural session of the discussion.</div><div><br></div><div>Masud Momen said they are confident that the upcoming G20 Summit will help set the tone for critical issues facing the international community as the UN Secretary General leads them to the Summit of the Future next year.</div><div><br></div><div>In Bangladesh, he said, they look forward to sharing their perspectives at the upcoming multilateral forums as they navigate the current uncertain times in the global context with far-reaching ramifications in the national context.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Secretary said they shall continue to raise their voice for resilient and inclusive growth within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through fit-for-purpose reforms of multilateral institutions.</div><div><br></div><div>There were three panel discussions on women and development; green development and digital development.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We need to redouble our efforts in these and other fronts so that we can, not only reach our SDGs by 20230, but actually realise the vision of the Prime Minister’s 2041 aspiration of making a developed Smart Bangladesh,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Secretary said India has indeed made a paradigm shift in its G20 Presidency by bringing the mostly peripheral Global South to the front and centre of its agenda.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have witnessed a similar trend at the just concluded BRICS Summit in Johannesburg where the focus was preponderantly on Africa,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>These two Summit level meetings on the eve of the upcoming 78th session of the UN General Assembly perhaps signal a fresh move by the Global South to reinvigorate multilateralism in a way that truly reflects their cause, said Masud Momen, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>This year, the international community is expected to take stock of progress with Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Climate Agreement and Universal Health Coverage, among other issues, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-08-31 17:27:01', '2023-08-31 17:27:01'),
(8829, 8829, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">More than a dozen people nationally have been charged with threatening election workers by a Justice Department unit trying to stem the tide of violent and graphic threats against people who count and secure the vote.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Government employees are being bombarded with threats even in normally quiet periods between elections, secretaries of state and experts warn. Some point to former President Donald Trump and his allies repeatedly and falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen and spreading conspiracy theories about election workers. Experts fear the 2024 election could be worse and want the federal government to do more to protect election workers.</div><div><br></div><div>The Justice Department created the Election Threats Task Force in 2021 led by its public integrity section, which investigates election crimes. John Keller, the unit\'s second in command, said in an interview with The Associated Press that the department hoped its prosecutions would deter others from threatening election workers.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This isn\'t going to be taken lightly. It\'s not going to be trivialized,\" he said. \"Federal judges, the courts are taking misconduct seriously and the punishments are going to be commensurate with the seriousness of the conduct.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Two more men pleaded guilty Thursday to threatening election workers in Arizona and Georgia in separate cases. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department would keep up the investigations, adding, \"A functioning democracy requires that the public servants who administer our elections are able to do their jobs without fearing for their lives.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The unit has filed 14 cases and two have resulted in yearslong prison sentences, including a 2 1/2-year sentence Monday for Mark Rissi, an Iowa man charged with leaving a message threatening to \"lynch\" and \"hang\" an Arizona election official. He had been \"inundated with misinformation\" and now \"feels horrible\" about the messages he left, his lawyer Anthony Knowles said.</div><div><br></div><div>A Texas man was given 3 1/2 years earlier this month after suggesting a \"mass shooting of poll workers and election officials\" last year, charges stated. In one message, the Justice Department said, the man wrote: \"Someone needs to get these people AND their children. The children are the most important message to send.\" His lawyer did not return a message seeking comment.</div><div><br></div><div>One indictment unveiled in August was against a man accused of leaving an expletive-filled voicemail after the 2020 election for Tina Barton, a Republican who formerly was the clerk in Rochester Hills, Michigan, outside Detroit. According to the indictment, the person vowed that \"a million plus patriots will surround you when you least expect it\" and \"we\'ll … kill you.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Barton said it was just one of many threats that left her feeling deeply anxious.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I\'m really hopeful the charges will send a strong message, and we won\'t find ourselves in the same position after the next election,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Normally, the periods between elections are quiet for the workers who run voting systems around the U.S. But for many, that\'s no longer true, said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat who has pushed back against conspiracy theories surrounding elections.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I anticipate it will get worse as we end this year and go into the presidential election next year,\" Griswold said.</div><div><br></div><div>Griswold said the threats come in \"waves,\" usually following social media posts by prominent figures about false claims the 2020 election was stolen or blog posts on far-right websites. While the nation is more informed about the threats to election workers, she worries that there haven\'t been enough prosecutions and states haven\'t taken enough action to protect workers.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Do we have the best tools to get through the next period of time? Absolutely not,\" Griswold said.</div><div><br></div><div>Election officials note that there have been thousands of threats nationwide yet relatively few prosecutions. They say they understand the high bar to actually prosecute a case but that more could be done.</div><div><br></div><div>Liz Howard, a former Virginia election official now at the Brennan Center for Justice\'s elections and government program, called on the Justice Department to hire a senior adviser with existing relationships with election officials to improve outreach.</div><div><br></div><div>About 1 in 5 election workers know someone who left their election job for safety reasons and 73% of local election officials said harassment has increased, according to a Brennan Center survey published in April.</div><div><br></div><div>The task force has reviewed more than 2,000 reports of threats and harassment across the country since its inception, though most of those cases haven\'t brought charges from prosecutors who point to the high legal bar set by the Supreme Court for criminal prosecution. Communication must be considered a \"true threat,\" one that crosses a line to a serious intent to hurt someone, in order to be a potential crime rather than free speech, Keller said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are not criminalizing or frankly discouraging free speech by actions that we\'re taking from a law enforcement perspective,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The task force\'s work is unfolding at a time when Trump and other Republicans have accused the Biden administration of using the Justice Department to target political opponents, although the task force itself hasn\'t been targeted publicly by Republicans.</div><div><br></div><div>Many GOP leaders have sharply criticized the federal prosecutions of Trump and of rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and Trump himself faces a federal indictment in Washington, D.C., and a state indictment in Georgia over his efforts to overturn 2020 election results. He has denied wrongdoing and said he was acting within the law. A series of federal and state investigations and dozens of lawsuits have not uncovered any evidence the election was rigged.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump is the front-runner for the GOP nomination for president in 2024 and continues in his speeches and online posts to argue the 2020 election was rigged.</div><div><br></div><div>For many election workers, the threats have been a major driving factor to leave the job, hollowing out the ranks of experience ahead of 2024, said Dokhi Fassihian, the deputy chief of strategy and program at Issue One, a nonpartisan reform group representing election officials.</div><div><br></div><div>About 1 in 5 election officials in 2024 will have begun service after the 2020 election, the Brennan Center survey found, reports AP</div><div><br></div><div>\"Many are deciding it\'s just not worth it to stay,\" Fassihian told. </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 03:07:18', '2023-09-01 11:55:28'),
(8830, 8830, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the much-awaited elevated expressway\'s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport-Farmgate section for traffic tomorrow.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Prime Minister will inaugurate the expressway at a programme to be held at the old trade fair ground at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar here at 3.30pm tomorrow,\" project director of Dhaka Elevated Expressway AHMS Akter told BSS today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The airport-Farmgate section will be opened to traffic the next day of the inauguration, the official added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the length of this section is about 11.5 km. There are 15 ramps for boarding. Out of these, two ramps at Banani and Mohakhali will remain closed for the time being. The maximum speed limit for traffic on the expressway will be 60 km per hour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three wheelers, bicycles and pedestrians will not be allowed to move on the expressway, while motorbikes cannot run on it right now.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the road transport and bridges ministry fixed the toll rates for the Dhaka Elevated Expressway\'s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport-Farmgate section ranging from Taka 80 to Taka 400.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under category 1, the toll rate for car, taxi, jeep, sports utility vehicle, microbus (under 16 seats) and light truck (under 3 tonnes) for crossing the airport-Farmgate section from any point is Taka 80.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The toll rate for medium truck (up to six wheels) for crossing the route from any point is Taka 320 under category 2.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under category 3, the toll rate for truck (over six wheels) for crossing the route from any point is Taka 400. The toll rate for any bus (16 seated or above) for crossing the route from any point is Taka 160 under category 4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The total length of the elevated expressway is 46.73km covering Kawla, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Initially, the speed limit on the expressway will be 60km per hour and vehicles need 10 minutes to travel the 11km distance from the HSIA to Farmgate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an 11.5km mainline and 11km ramp, the length of the part will be 22.5km. Initially, 13 out of 15 ramps in this part will be opened. The ramps at Banani and Mohakhali will be opened once their construction is complete.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The total expenditure of the project is estimated at Taka 8,940 crore, while the viability gap funding is Taka 2,413 crore, which will be provided by Bangladesh government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) Company Ltd is the investor company. Italian Thai Development Public Company Ltd has 51 percent shares, China Shandong International Economic and Technical Co-operation Group (CSI) holds 34 percent while Sinohydro Corporation Ltd 15 percent shares.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the project, the first contract was signed on January 19, 2011 and the reviewed agreement was signed December 15, 2013 and the project completion period was July 2011-June 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Construction of the second phase Banani Railway Station to Moghbazar Railway Crossing is progressing fast.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the last 15 years, several infrastructure projects have been initiated in Bangladesh. Considering the size, budget, and economic impact, many of these projects have been termed mega-projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;The government has also identified a few of them as fast-track projects. Among these, the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Bangladesh\'s first metro rail project MRT Line-6 and Chandra-Elenga four-lane highway were completed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, the first and longest underwater road tunnel in South Asia, is expected to be ready for traffic soon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other projects-Padma bridge rail link, Chattogram-Cox\'s Bazar rail link, Rooppur nuclear power plant, Matarbari 1200MW coal-fired power plant, the Payra deep sea port, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Railway Bridge on the river Jamuna are extremely crucial to the country\'s economic growth and hence the key focus of the government now is their timely completion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the Awami League government came to power in 2009, it took up several monumental development projects with the view to transforming the country\'s communication, transport and power infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s government has introduced modern transport system Dhaka Metro Rail partially and opened the Padma Multipurpose Bridge and other mega projects. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 04:14:34', '2023-09-01 04:14:34'),
(8831, 8831, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume its much waited direct Dhaka-Narita-Dhaka flight tonight aspiring to make the&nbsp; Bangladesh Japan direct air connectivity as a profitable route.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The inaugural flight will take off from Dhaka\'s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:45pm local time and reach Narita International Airport in Japan on September 2 at 9:15 am local time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State minister for civil aviation and tourism M Mahbub Ali will inaugurate the inaugural flight as the chief guest while Japan ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori to be present.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biman Board of directors chairman Mostofa Kamal Uddin, Principle Secretary of the Prime Minister office Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, civil aviation and tourism secretary Md Mokammel Hossain, and Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman will also join the opening ceremony.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Dhaka-Narita could be a promising route for Biman Bangladesh Airlines as we are expecting passengers from our neighboring countries travelers apart from the local passengers,” Shafiul Azim, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh told BSS today.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Biman has already offer lucrative packages with more weight on baggage for its Narita route to attract travelers from Nepal and Kolkata.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides Bangladesh, there are about 41,000 Indians, and 1.40 lakh Nepalese nationals living in Japan. So, passengers from India and Nepal can fly to and from Japan via Dhaka in only six hours,\" Biman\'s chief said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, he said, currently many Japanese companies have been extending to their business here while numbers of Bangladeshi students are enrolling in different Japanese universities.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Ministry of Justice, Japan, till 2022, there were 20,954 Bangladeshis living in Japan.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Biman Chief said the national flag carrier is planning to carry its passengers to Australia, the west coast of the United States and Canada with the help of other carriers via Japan through code sharing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are exploring with other airlines interlinking or code sharing so that we can offer our passengers different routes beyond Japan like a 360 degree airline,\" Azim said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said currently Biman is working with Japan Airlines Ltd (JAL), All Nippon Airways and Air Canada for code sharing.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Code sharing is a marketing arrangement in which an airline places its designator code on a flight operated by another airline, and sells tickets for that flight. Airlines throughout the world continue to form code-share arrangements to strengthen or expand their market presence and competitive ability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biman will operate weekly three flights with Dreamliner 787-8 and 787-9 aircrafts.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The flight will depart from Dhaka every Friday, Monday and Wednesday and from Narita every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Currently the national flag carrier is negotiating with Airbus, to purchase 10 brand new planes from the European aircraft manufacturer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At present, Biman has a total of 21 aircraft in its fleet, of these, four are Boeing 777-300 ER, four are Boeing 787-8, two are Boeing 787-9, six are Boeing 737 and five are Dash 8-400 aircraft. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 07:01:46', '2023-09-01 07:01:46'),
(8832, 8832, '<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">“Due to the government\'s development programmes for the country, A\'s public support has increased more than before,” he said this while visiting the old trade fair ground on the eve of the inauguration of the Kaola- Farmgate section of Dhaka Elevated Expressway.</span><br></p><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the expressway on Saturday. It will then be opened to commuters on Sunday, according to project officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“AL government has proved through development activities that it keeps its words,” added Quader, also the General Secretary of the ruling party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Far from toppling the government, the BNP is worried about its own existential crisis,\" the AL leader&nbsp; said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Awami League is on alert to protect the lives and property of the people against&nbsp; terrorism or violence in the name of movement,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP leaders and workers do not have faith in the party’s programmes. It is not possible to wage a movement with black flags, added Quader. \"It becomes a mourining procession.\" UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 08:12:09', '2023-09-01 08:12:09'),
(8833, 8833, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sri Lanka has paid another $100 million in the second installment out of $200 million loan given by Bangladesh in a currency swap, a Bangladesh Bank spokesperson said on Friday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last month Colombo paid $50 million in the first installment of the loan repayment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh lent $200 million from its foreign exchange reserves to Sri Lanka during its economic crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The remaining $50 million is due to be repaid within the current year, said Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Mesbaul Haque.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh extended the dept repayment time to let Sri Lanka time to revive its economy. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 08:20:49', '2023-09-01 08:20:49');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(8834, 8834, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Applauding Bangladesh\'s leadership in promoting culture of peace, President of the General Assembly Csaba has highlighted that sustaining a culture of peace in the digital age entails nurturing an inclusive online space that encourages respect and tolerance.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This involves countering online hate speech and discrimination and addressing the risks of misusing new technologies without depriving those who require them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stressing the importance of collective involvement, he underscored that success hinges on robust multilateral cooperation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We can leverage digital media\'s power to raise global awareness about peace across diverse backgrounds, cultures and religions through dissemination of facts and encouraging healthy debates on various contemporary issues.”-said Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York while speaking at the High-Level Forum on Culture of Peace held at the United Nations Headquarters on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Convened by President of the General Assembly Csaba Korosi, the forum\'s inaugural session featured addresses from distinguished speakers, including the Under-Secretary General for Policy, Director of UNESCO\'s New York Office, and the Head of UN Affairs of ITU.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later a panel discussion was held under the theme, \"Promoting Culture of Peace in the Digital Era,” which was chaired by Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar, and participated by member states, observers and the civil society.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from Member States, expert speakers including the Secretary General\'s Tech Envoy, Rector of the University for Peace and representative of Google spoke in the panel discussion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Muhith emphasized the continued relevance of nurturing a culture of peace amid global challenges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As stated by our founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his maiden speech in the UN in 1974, peace is an imperative for the survival of mankind. It represents the deepest aspirations of men and women throughout the world. And this has shaped&nbsp; our enduring commitment to the cause of global peace and security and inspired us to introduce in 1999, the resolution on the Culture of Peace,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the theme of this year’s forum, Muhith said that while digital technologies have offered us unprecedented access to knowledge and opportunities, they have also unleashed a torrent of mis and disinformation, hate speech, xenophobic, intolerant and divisive narratives, amplified by the emergence of deep-fakes.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this context, he referred to the 2017 Rohingya exodus from Myanmar which was aggravated by dissemination of communal and xenophobic hatred against the Rohingya population.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Against this backdrop, he emphasized the critical importance of careful navigation in this digital landscape, particularly for young individuals. Neglecting caution, he warned, could jeopardize harmony we strive to attain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Acknowledging the detrimental impact of the digital divide on peace efforts, the envoy stressed the importance of ensuring equitable access to technology and promoting digital literacy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He urged the empowerment of individuals and communities to utilize digital platforms and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence for sustainable development and peace.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador also highlighted the unique challenges faced by women and girls online and called for the rectification of gender digital divide by establishing a safe and accessible digital platform for all.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Muhith concluded by urging the international community to harness technological advancements for peace-building while remaining vigilant against potential misuse in the digital realm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The forum gathered a large number of member states, UN,intergovernmental and the civil society representatives and all participants of the forum lauded Bangladesh\'s enduring leadership in promoting Culture of Peace. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 08:23:31', '2023-09-01 08:23:31'),
(8835, 8835, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday blasted countries around the world for not speaking up after the assassination of&nbsp; Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the members of his family on August 15, 1975.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When the conspirators killed Bangabandhu and other members of his family on August 15, 1975, no country in the world spoke of humanity. They didn\'t even send condolence messages about their deaths. Nowadays, many countries around the world keep singing the song of humanity. But they were silent when Bangabandhu and his family were killed,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Momen was addressing a discussion and Doa mahfil organised by the Bangabandhu Foundation on the occasion of National Mourning Day at Tejgaon College Auditorium in the capital on Thursday afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy Leader of the House Matia Chowdhury was present as the chief guest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the infamous Indemnity Act, the foreign minister said, \"There was a black law that prohibited the trial of Bangabandhu\'s murderers. Nowhere in the history of the world that I am aware of has there been such a \"black law\" that prevents the prosecution of murderers.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangabandhu, freed the country from the stigma by bringing the killers of her father and family members to justice after coming to power following 21 years of struggle,\" the minister said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the assassination of four national leaders inside Dhaka Central Jail on November 3, 1975, Momen said the aim of the killers was to completely root out those who believed in the spirit of freedom.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Drawing attention to a troubled period during the BNP-Jamaat government from 2001 to 2006, Momen detailed the rise of militancy and terrorism across the country around that time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"With the support of the government, notorious terrorists like Siddiqul Islam, alias Bangla Bhai, emerged. Sixty-three of the 64 districts of Bangladesh were bombed simultaneously. People were killed by bombing in courts during trials,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A foreign diplomat went to a shrine in Sylhet and was targeted in a grenade attack that killed three people, including police. More than 50 people, including the ambassador, were injured.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Momen cautioned that national and worldwide conspiracies similar to the one that occurred on August 15, 1975, were still being planned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the August 21 grenade attack against Sheikh Hasina, the foreign minister expressed his determination not to return to a time of fear and insecurity when citizens were afraid to leave their homes or send their children to school and college.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He urged support for Hasina\'s government, emphasising the collective responsibility to secure a better future for Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Executive President of the Bangabandhu Foundation, Advocate Dr Mashiur Malek, Principal of Tejgaon College, and Vice President of the Bangabandhu Foundation, Dr Harun-or-Rashid, among others, spoke on the occasion. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 08:27:37', '2023-09-01 08:27:37'),
(8836, 8836, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Inflation in crisis-hit Sri Lanka eased to 4.0 percent in August, the lowest since before last year\'s unprecedented financial crisis, official figures showed Friday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The island nation endured months of food, fuel and medicine shortages after a foreign exchange crunch that sparked widespread protests culminating in the ouster of its president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the crisis has since eased, with headline inflation down from 6.3 percent in July and 69.8 percent at its peak last September.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sri Lanka\'s central bank has said it expects the figure to continue its downward trend in the medium-term.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt last year but secured a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An IMF team is due in Colombo this month to review Sri Lanka\'s progress in repairing its ruined finances and to decide on releasing another $330 million loan tranche.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The international lender of last resort has said Sri Lanka\'s economy showed \"tentative signs of improvement\" but warned Colombo still needed to pursue further painful reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year\'s economic crisis sparked months of civil unrest that eventually toppled then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa after a mob of protesters stormed his compound.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His successor Ranil Wickremesinghe has doubled taxes, removed generous subsidies on energy and sharply raised prices to shore up state revenue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the latest such move, the government raised petrol and diesel fuel prices by up to 11.2 percent with effect from Friday. Inflation in crisis-hit Sri Lanka eased to 4.0 percent in August, the lowest since before last year\'s unprecedented financial crisis, official figures showed Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The island nation endured months of food, fuel and medicine shortages after a foreign exchange crunch that sparked widespread protests culminating in the ouster of its president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the crisis has since eased, with headline inflation down from 6.3 percent in July and 69.8 percent at its peak last September.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sri Lanka\'s central bank has said it expects the figure to continue its downward trend in the medium-term.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt last year but secured a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An IMF team is due in Colombo this month to review Sri Lanka\'s progress in repairing its ruined finances and to decide on releasing another $330 million loan tranche.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The international lender of last resort has said Sri Lanka\'s economy showed \"tentative signs of improvement\" but warned Colombo still needed to pursue further painful reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year\'s economic crisis sparked months of civil unrest that eventually toppled then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa after a mob of protesters stormed his compound.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His successor Ranil Wickremesinghe has doubled taxes, removed generous subsidies on energy and sharply raised prices to shore up state revenue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the latest such move, the government raised petrol and diesel fuel prices by up to 11.2 percent with effect from Friday. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 09:30:07', '2023-09-01 09:30:07'),
(8837, 8837, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russian air defences destroyed a drone approaching Moscow, the city\'s mayor said on Friday, a day after a similar attack on the capital.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow has been targeted by a barrage of Ukrainian drone attacks in recent weeks after Kyiv vowed in July to \"return\" the conflict to Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air defences near the Lyubertsy district on the southeast outskirts of the capital \"thwarted another attempt to fly a drone to Moscow,\" Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram, without naming an attacker.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There were no casualties or damage, according to initial reports. Emergency services are on the scene,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air traffic at Moscow\'s Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports was suspended, according to a Telegram post by the Russian daily newspaper Izvestia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday air defences in the Voskresensky district, about 60 kilometres (35 miles) from Moscow, destroyed a Ukrainian drone approaching the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air defences also destroyed a drone approaching Moscow on Monday, as well as two others over the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They destroyed another drone over the Bryansk region on Friday, regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said on Telegram, naming Ukraine as the attacker.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down over the Bryansk region. There were no casualties or damage,\" he said, adding that emergency services were on the scene.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the eastern Kursk region, the town of Kurchatov was attacked by two Ukrainian drones on Friday, but it was not clear whether the weapons hit their targets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An administrative building and a residential building were damaged,\" regional governor Roman Starovoyt said on Telegram, adding that investigators were headed to the scene to assess the extent of the damage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kurchatov is about 100 kilometres from Russia\'s border with Ukraine. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 09:32:27', '2023-09-01 09:32:27'),
(8838, 8838, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The BNP on Friday paid homage to its founder Ziaur Rahman marking the party\'s 45th founding anniversary.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, placed a wreath at Zia’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar grave around 10:30 am to pay tributes to him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also joined a special prayer (munajat) seeking salvation for Zia’s departed soul and the good health of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Vice-Chairmen Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Shahjahan Omar, Ahmed Azam Khan and AZM Zahid Hossain, Chairperson’s Advisers Abdus Salam, Amanullah Aman, Abul Khair Bhuiyan, Habibur Rahman Habib, senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joint secretaries general Khairul Kabir Khoko, Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel and publicity affairs secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne, were, among others, present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leaders and activists of different units and associate bodies of the party also laid wreaths at the late president’s grave. BNP and its associate bodies are celebrating the founding anniversary with various programs across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To mark the day, the party flag was kept hoisted atop the buildings of the BNP’s Nayapaltan office and other offices across the country in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies are scheduled to take out a colourful rally in front of BNP\'s Naypaltan central office at 3pm, marking the day. The rally will end near Rajdhani Market after parading through different roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party arranged a discussion on Thursday at Mohanagar Natya Mancha Auditorium in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP\'s associate bodies and all their units across the country will mark the day with due respect by holding various programs, including discussions and rallies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ziaur Rahman, a general-turned president, founded the party on September 1, 1978 with a 19-point charter to build a self-reliant Bangladesh. After his assassination on May 30, 1981, his widow Begum Khaleda Zia took over the party leadership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party had been in power four times and played the role of main opposition twice. It has been out of power for over 16 years since the 1/11 political changeover in 2007. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 09:34:41', '2023-09-01 09:34:41'),
(8839, 8839, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">As part of the anti-drug drives in the capital, members of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested a total of 55 people on charges of selling and consuming drugs during the last 24 hours till 6am today.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to a release issued by the DMP, police conducted these operations against the drug sellers and consumers in different areas under various police stations of the metropolis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also detained a total of 55 drug traffickers and recovered huge drugs from their possessions from 6am of August 31 to 6 am today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the anti-drug raids, police seized 34,016 pieces of contraband yaba tablets, 121 grams and 65 puria (small packet) of heroin, 14.500 kilograms of cannabis (ganja) and 112 bottles of phensidyle syrup from their possessions, the release added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police filed 36 separate cases against the arrestees in these connections with respective police stations under the Narcotics Control Act. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 11:50:04', '2023-09-01 11:50:04'),
(8840, 8840, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen hosted a high powered business delegation from the USA at the State guesthouse Padma on Wednesday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam was also present in the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US Bangladesh Business Council - headed by Chairman Kobos and Ambassador Atul Keshap consisted of top executives from the energy, power, equity, aviation, agro, food processing, Medicare and other major sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two sides discussed about the long term possibilities and prospects for business between the two countries and the mid term measures needed to be taken for realising the huge potential in these sectors, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two sides discussed about the possibility of trade, investment and technology transfers in the next two years from now and building on a stronger sub-regional growth trajectory and leveraging the Bay of Bengal frontiers. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 11:52:20', '2023-09-01 11:52:20'),
(8841, 8841, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Thousands of leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student body of the ruling Awami League (AL), On Friday gathered at historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka to attend their grand rally.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visiting the rally venue at noon on Friday, the UNB correspondent found thousands of leaders and followers of the organisation pouring into the venue from different parts of the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many arrived in the city by trains and buses from across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is due to address the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carrying banners, festoons, placards and portraits of the BCL and AL leaders, they shouted slogans against the BNP and Jamaat-Shibir politics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party fellows were chanting slogans saying ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina Sarkar, Bar Bar Darkar (Sheikh Hasina’s government needed repeatedly) and so on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Roads and alleys surrounding the Suhrawardhy Udyan were crowded with the BCL activists, halting traffic in the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BCL leaders set up a big stage on the Udyan ground and installed over 250 loudspeakers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rally is scheduled to formally begin at 3pm after Juma prayers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sudden rainfall could not stop the BCL leaders and activists from joining the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina, also president of the ruling AL, will address the programme as the chief guest and give directives to the BCL leaders and activists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BCL Central General Secretary Sheikh Waliur Rahman Enan told UNB that it will be the biggest rally ever held in recent times and they have taken all measures to success the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Law enforcing agencies including Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Rapid Action Battalion have taken sufficient measures to avoid any unexpected incident in and around the event venue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Patrolling teams of the police have been deployed in Shahbag, Paltan, Matshya Bhaban, Kakrail, Paribagh and other important points to ensure security of the attendees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, members of the intelligence agencies in plainclothes will remain deployed in and around the venue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speical measures were taken to keep traffic management normal around the venue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arriving leaders and activists were being allowed to enter the programme venue after scrutinizing them by the law enforcers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BCL central body is holding the grand rally in the memory of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 11:54:32', '2023-09-01 11:54:32'),
(8842, 8842, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Earlier this week, Armaan Malik and Aashna Shroff shared dreamy pictures from their proposal as they made their relationship official. Now, the newly-engaged couple has taken to Instagram to share a candid video from \'the most beautiful day of their lives\'. The singer posted the full video of his romantic song for Aashna, Kasam Se - The Proposal, on YouTube.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Armaan\'s promise to Aashna</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Singer Armaan Malik wrote along with the music video, “Kasam Se is a musical love letter to my better half. An ode to our love story. It’s a promise to her that no matter how difficult the circumstances, I’ll always be there holding her hand through it all. When you find your soulmate, your forever person – there’s no looking back. Aashna is the most special person in my life and I feel extremely lucky to spend the rest of my life with her. Here\'s to our forever!”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Armaan serenades his fiancé with Kasam Se</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The video opens with an excited Armaan saying into the camera, \"I can\'t wait because she has absolutely no idea! Let\'s go.\" Armaan revealed that the video was shot two months ago as he got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend of six years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The clip then showed the couple inside a car during a holiday abroad. Armaan was in a white suit, while Aashna, who is a fashion blogger, wore an embellished white dress with red and pink flowers. As he made his way inside the proposal venue, the singer smiled and said, \"What a nice, lovely day for proposing.\" Next, a shocked Aashna was escorted by someone to the proposal venue, and she said to Armaan, \"What are you doing? Hold on.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Armaan was then seen serenading his now-fiance as she stood in front of him covering her face and holding back tears. He played the guitar and sang an original track, Kasam Se. He then got down on his knee and asked Aashna to marry him. She, in turn, also got down on her knee and the two kissed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The video then gave glimpses from the couple\'s proposal photoshoot as the two hugged and kissed. Aashna also flaunted her huge diamond ring in the clip as she posed with Armaan. The two were then joined by their families and friends. The video ended with throwback videos of the couple over the years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Reactions to their proposal video</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Instagram user commented on Armaan and Aashna\'s joint Instagram Reels, \"Manifesting a guy, who sings for me like this.\" Another one said, \"The video we all were waiting for (crying emoji).\" A fan also wrote, The cutest video I have seen today, pure love.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 28, Armaan Malik and Aashna Shroff had shared beautiful pictures from their proposal. \"And our forever has only just begun,\" read the caption of their joint Instagram post. Celebs such as Varun Dhawan, Tara Sutaria and many others had congratulated the couple. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 12:00:51', '2023-09-01 12:00:51'),
(8843, 8843, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The well-being of our body and mind is important but frequently overlooked in our busy lives yet prioritising the active nurturing of our physical and mental health is vital for a satisfying and wholesome existence. Amid the numerous routes to a healthy lifestyle, certain age-old and natural solutions have endured, proving their efficacy in fostering wellness.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Pooja Kohli, Vice President at HempStreet, suggested five tried-and-true tips for enhancing men\'s health -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Hack 1: Increase Vitality with Balanced Diet</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Good health is rooted in a well-rounded diet, constructed upon an assortment of nourishing foods rich in nutrients. These encompass whole grains, fresh produce, lean protein sources, and wholesome fats. When ingested moderately each day, they furnish our bodies with the vital vitamins and minerals necessary for robust well-being. Integrating this dietary approach with appropriate hydration and controlled intake of processed foods and sugars contributes to a man\'s energy and cultivates a resilient immune system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Hack 2: Improve Stamina with Regular Exercise</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Consistent physical activity forms the foundation for a robust physique and a sound psyche. Men can enhance their endurance and cardiovascular well-being by participating in a workout regimen that incorporates aerobic activities, resistance training and flexibility exercises. Dedicating 30 minutes to moderate exercise, three to four times weekly, not only bolsters muscles, bones, and joints but also diminishes the likelihood of persistent ailments and enhances mental well-being. Discover an enjoyable activity that suits you – be it team sports or swimming – and seamlessly integrate it into your daily routine for a holistic and effortless lifestyle enhancement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Hack 3: Manage Stress for Mental Well-being</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The presence of stress has become an inevitable aspect of contemporary living, exerting profound effects on the physical and psychological well-being of men. Therefore, it is imperative to discover methods for effectively managing the everyday stressors that life presents. Neglecting this task can lead to the development of persistent stress, which opens the door to a range of other complications like feelings of unease, despondency, and sleeplessness. Participating in stress-alleviating practices like mindfulness, deep breathing routines or yoga can bring about a sense of tranquility and foster emotional balance. These approaches can be further enhanced through physical activity, cultivating enjoyable pastimes, sharing moments with cherished individuals and designating periods of personal relaxation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Hack 4: Restore Health with Sufficient Sleep</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For optimal physical and mental well-being, it is crucial for the body to obtain seven to nine hours of peaceful sleep per night. This enables the body to engage in vital functions like healing, hormone balance and memory reinforcement. Foster good sleep practices by establishing a cozy sleep setting, adhering to a regular sleep routine and reducing evening screen usage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Hack 5: Ayurvedic Medicine for Optimal Health</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ayurveda, the ancient medicinal tradition of India, offers a wealth of natural remedies aimed at promoting men\'s well-being. Throughout history, various supplements containing elements like ashwagandha, ginseng and cinnamon have been employed to bolster male sexual health and vigour. These meticulously crafted supplements hold the potential to address prevalent sexual health issues such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and diminished libido. When integrated into a health-conscious lifestyle, these types of supplements can amplify the closeness and satisfaction experienced in one\'s personal relationships.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maintaining your health is an ongoing journey that requires dedication and effort and by adopting these five tips, men can take a significant step towards improving their overall health and well-being. However, it is essential to acknowledge that individual health needs may vary and seeking professional advice is always recommended for optimal results. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"24\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-01 12:04:25', '2023-09-01 12:04:25'),
(8844, 8844, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Saturday said Bangladesh believes that cooperation and collaboration among countries in the Indo-Pacific region are essential for the shared prosperity of all.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Our Indo-Pacific Outlook is an attempt to tell the world that the region is for common prosperity, not just for those who live in it, but also for the whole world,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister was speaking at an international seminar on ‘Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook: Opportunities and Way Forward’ at BIISS auditorium.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Chairman of BIISS, AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, also spoke at the event.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies and Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies hosted the daylong seminar.</div><div><br></div><div>As a demonstration of the world’s renewed interest in the Indo-Pacific region, various Indo-Pacific strategies, visions, outlooks, guidelines have been introduced and advocated by countries/associations like the USA, EU, UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, India, ASEAN, Australia, Republic of Korea, Canada, Czech Republic, and Bangladesh at different points in time.</div><div><br></div><div>Asia Rebalancing Strategy, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), Trilateral Security Pact (AUKUS), Indo-Pacific Tilt, Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), Indo-Pacific Economic Forum for Prosperity (IPEF) have been adopted by countries centring on Indo-Pacific region to address the new security challenges as well as infrastructure, economic and technological developments in this region.</div><div><br></div><div>As a littoral state of the Bay of Bengal, the state minister said, Bangladesh’s appreciation of the Indo-Pacific narratives is based on her foreign policy dictum “Friendship towards all, malice towards none,” set forward by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>Shahriar Alam said a “free, open, peaceful, secure and inclusive” Indo-Pacific is essential for peace, security, stability and growth in the region and beyond, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“Thus, our Indo-Pacific outlook is not security-centric, rather we focus on inclusive development of this region. It is not about critical choices between the major powers,” the state minister for foreign affairs added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-02 06:18:58', '2023-09-02 06:18:58'),
(8845, 8845, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Water cannons were spouted while landing gears of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Dreamliner Boeing 787 Gangchil touched Narita international Airport\'s taxiway after 17 long years.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The national flag carrier received the water cannons reception at the airport, 60 kilometers east of Tokyo, as the Biman\'s first flight of direct Dhaka-Narita route BG 0376 arrived here at 9 am (local time) on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Water cannons reception is a traditional etiquette of aviation sector where airports welcome any new airline to its taxiway by washing the aircraft spouting water through water cannons from both side to show honor to the new airline.</div><div><br></div><div>Officials of Narita airport welcomed the Biman\'s delegation headed by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali at the airport lounge.</div><div><br></div><div>In a welcome ceremony at the lounge, the state minister expressed his hope that the Biman\'s direct connectivity to Japan will open new doors of trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between Bangladesh and Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the direct air connectivity will add value to the ties between Bangladesh and Japan while the two friendly countries have elevated its bilateral relations to strategic partnership during the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Tokyo.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The new flight will further strengthen the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan as the direct connectivity increases people to people contact between the two nations,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister hoped that the new flight would give a boost to Bangladesh-Japan bilateral trade and also attract Japanese tourists to visit exciting tourist spots of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahbub expressed his optimism to make the new route profitable to attract passengers from Nepal, Bhutan and north eastern states of India apart from Bangladeshi nationals.</div><div><br></div><div>Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Shafiul Azim said Biman has already offer lucrative packages with more weight on baggage for its Narita route to attract travelers from Nepal and Kolkata.</div><div><br></div><div>The Biman chief said the national flag carrier is planning to carry its passengers to Australia, the west coast of the United States and Canada with the help of other carriers via Japan through code sharing.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are exploring with other airlines interlinking or code sharing so that we can offer our passengers different routes beyond Japan like a 360 degree airline,\" Azim said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said currently Biman is working with Japan Airlines Ltd (JAL), All Nippon Airways and Air Canada for code sharing.</div><div><br></div><div>Biman working on reaching four destination - Los Angles, Vancouver, Sydney and Seoul- through code sharing.</div><div><br></div><div>Code sharing is a marketing arrangement in which an airline places its designator code on a flight operated by another airline, and sells tickets for that flight.</div><div><br></div><div>Airlines throughout the world continue to form code-share arrangements to strengthen or expand their market presence and competitive ability.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from expatriate Bangladeshi community, there are about 41,000 Indians, and 1.40 lakh Nepalese nationals living in Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Ministry of Justice, Japan, till 2022, there were 20,954 Bangladeshis living in Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>Biman will operate weekly three flights with Dreamliner 787-8 and 787-9 aircrafts.</div><div><br></div><div>The flight will depart from Dhaka every Friday, Monday and Wednesday and from Narita every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently the national flag carrier is negotiating with Airbus, to purchase 10 brand new planes from the European aircraft manufacturer.</div><div><br></div><div>At present, Biman has a total of 21 aircraft in its fleet, of these, four are Boeing 777-300 ER, four are Boeing 787-8, two are Boeing 787-9, six are Boeing 737 and five are Dash 8-400 aircraft. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-02 08:54:32', '2023-09-02 08:54:32'),
(8846, 8846, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Vehicles including cars; buses; minibuse; microbuses; small, medium and big trucks will be able to take the Dhaka Elevated Expressway every day from tomorrow (September 03, 2023) when it opens to traffic.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>However, motorcycles, bicycles and three-wheelers will not be allowed to ply on the elevated expressway.</div><div><br></div><div>Vehicles using the Dhaka Elevated Expressway will have to pay tolls, which will be collected in four categories.</div><div><br></div><div>Private cars, microbuses (&lt;16 seats) and mini-trucks (&lt;3 tonnes) will have to pay Tk 80; medium-sized trucks (up to 6 wheels) and large trucks with more than 6 wheels will pay Tk 320 and Tk 400 respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, all buses and minibuses with 16 or more seats will have to pay Tk 160 to ply the Kawla-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.</div><div><br></div><div>The authorities have set the speed limit at 60 km and it will take 10 minutes for a vehicle with a speed of up to 60 km per hour to reach Farmgate from Kawla.</div><div><br></div><div>The elevated expressway will serve as an alternative north-south route. It will connect Hemayetpur-Kadamtali-Nimtoli-Sirajdikhan-Madanganj-Dhaka-Chattogram Highway-Madanpur directly.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, vehicles from the south-western region and the eastern region of the country will be able to enter the north-western region directly without entering Dhaka thanks to the Elevated Expressway – reducing travel time and traffic congestion within the capital city. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-09-02 09:28:44', '2023-09-02 09:28:44');
