INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10483, 10483, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North Korea fired what appeared to be a long-range ballistic missile on Monday, South Korea and Japan said, its second missile launch in less than 12 hours as Pyongyang condemned a US-led show of force against the nuclear armed state.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The missile was fired from an area near the capital Pyongyang toward the sea off the North’s east coast and flew about 1,000 km (621 miles), South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan’s coast guard said the suspected missile fell into the sea west of Hokkaido about an hour after launch.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan’s NHK broadcaster said the missile reached a maximum altitude of more than 6,000 km (3,728 miles), citing government officials.</div><div><br></div><div>NHK reported officials as saying it was likely an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which would underscore the North’s efforts to advance its arsenal with longer range weapons that could potentially reach the mainland United States.</div><div><br></div><div>A missile fired at a lofted trajectory with such an apogee likely means the projectile is capable of reaching 15,000 km (9,321 miles) on a normal trajectory, according to expert analysis of previous North Korean long-range missile test launches.</div><div><br></div><div>The area near the international airport serving Pyongyang is where the North previously launched ICBMs and is suspected to be the location of a missile assembly facility.</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, South Korea’s deputy national security adviser said the North may be readying to launch an ICBM this month, declining to provide any details.</div><div><br></div><div>Monday’s missile launch came after North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday night, flying about 570 km and falling into the ocean.</div><div><br></div><div>North Korea followed up that launch with a fiery statement condemning the United States for orchestrating what it called a “preview of a nuclear war,” including the arrival of a nuclear-powered submarine in South Korea on Sunday. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-18 15:02:31', '2023-12-18 15:02:31'),
(10484, 10484, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh has been ranked as the top source of knitwear, one of the two major for the European Union (EU) markets for the first time.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The robust performance can be attributed, in part, to strategic investments in higher value-added items, particularly in the active-wear segment.</div><div><br></div><div>Recent data from the European Union\'s statistics agency, Eurostat, showed that Bangladesh has secured its position as the leading source of knitwear for the EU during the period of January to September 2023, said Faruque Hassan, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), according to a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s knitwear imports to the EU surpassed those of any other country, both in terms of dollar value and weight, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the nine-month span, the EU imported knitwear, which is one of the two major components of the worth a staggering US$ 9 billion from Bangladesh, outpacing the imports from China, which stood at US$ 8.96 billion. Additionally, in terms of weight, Bangladesh exported 571 million kilogramme (KG) of knitwear to the EU, compared to China\'s 442 million KG. This significant achievement underscores Bangladesh\'s dominance in the European knitwear market, said the BGMEA president.</div><div><br></div><div>The country\'s duty-free, quota-free access to the EU for most products, under the Everything But Arms scheme, has undoubtedly contributed to the country\'s competitive edge in the European market.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the impressive volume and weight figures, it is worth noting that in terms of overall clothing imports, China still holds the lead, with the EU importing 1.33 billion kilograms of clothing from Bangladesh and 1.31 billion kilograms from China in 2022, said Faruque.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s success extends beyond knitwear, as it also stands out in other apparel categories. Notably, Bangladesh has been the global leader in EU denim sourcing since 2014, followed by Turkey and Pakistan. In 2020, Bangladesh topped the list of sourcing countries for denim in the USA, surpassing Mexico by a significant margin, the release also said.</div><div><br></div><div>While the nation briefly lost its top spot in cotton apparel exports to the USA to Vietnam in the second half of 2023, Bangladesh remains a formidable player, securing a 14.55% share of the US cotton apparel market valued at US$ 47.50 billion in 2022. Industry insiders are optimistic that Bangladesh will reclaim its position in the cotton apparel category in the US market by the end of the next year.</div><div><br></div><div>The success in the EU knitwear market and other apparel categories solidify Bangladesh\'s standing as a major player in the global textile industry, with strategic investments and favorable trade schemes propelling the nation to new heights in the competitive international marketplace, added the BGMEA president in his statement circulated in the press. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-18 15:19:24', '2023-12-18 15:19:24'),
(10485, 10485, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in a gas cylinder blast in a building in Pakistan\'s southern port city of Karachi, the rescue service said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Salman Naseer, an official of the rescue organization Edhi Foundation, told Xinhua that the accident took place in Machar Colony area when new gas cylinders were being shifted to a shop of cylinders beneath a double-story residential building.</div><div><br></div><div>Soon after the blast, the building suddenly turned into rubble, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The locals of the area immediately started rescuing the trapped people and were then joined by the rescue workers, Naseer said, adding that up to 15 trapped people had been recovered while at least one was still under the rubble. - Xinhua</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-18 15:46:16', '2023-12-18 15:46:16'),
(10486, 10486, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran on Monday said it is the people of Bangladesh and the country’s institutions who can decide how the election should be held, noting that no one has the right to issue any judgment on how the election should be held.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Elections are important for every country. Every country has its own method and system. You have everything. It is a decision to be taken by the people, otherwise what is the meaning or concept of independence and sovereign nation,\" he said while responding to a question at a function.</div><div><br></div><div>The former Indian diplomat said it is for the people to decide who they should elect and it is for the institutions to decide how the election will be held. “I don\'t think anyone has the right or no one has been given the mandate in today\'s world to issue judgements on how... We wish you all the best in this endeavor,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The daily Bhorer Kagoj hosted the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Memorial Lecture-2023 on \"Bangladesh-India relations: Role Model of Relations\" at a hotel in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Pankaj said Indian wishes that the election process goes as per the wish of the people, and it goes peacefully so that it does not lead to instability.</div><div><br></div><div>He said India is also a big democratic country, but it is not exporting democracy to other countries.</div><div><br></div><div>He said what’s important is that the people of Bangladesh realize the best way forward when it comes to elections.</div><div><br></div><div>“You have your institutions. Do the best that you can. Believe in yourself and accept whatever results come out of elections. I do not think it is for any country in the world, including India, to talk about how elections should be conducted either in Bangladesh or any other country,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Former Ambassador Tariq Karim also spoke at the event moderated by Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta.</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the milestones that the two countries achieved together over the last 15 years, Pankaj Saran said there will always be “unfinished agenda” in any relation including that between Bangladesh and India.</div><div><br></div><div>The former envoy mentioned four reasons behind describing the relation as a success and said there has been political will on both sides. “Political will is an essential condition for success.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said there is peace on the border with significantly less number of criminal activities and security concerns are addressed.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking ahead, Pankaj said the two countries need to work in a number of areas including poverty alleviation, more employment creation, reducing trade imbalance, addressing climate challenges, opportunities in exploring the blue economy and border management. “We have to deal with issues directly.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said the two countries have problem of illegal migration and the both sides should be talking about it candidly.</div><div><br></div><div>Pankaj said both sides should have stakeholders for a broad-based relationship and people have to be the beneficiaries, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Tariq Karim laid emphasis on working together to address the pending issues and said there is scope to work on climate front apart from addressing the issues of the common rivers. “There are still some problems. We have to address them.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said what happens in India affects Bangladesh and what happens in Bangladesh will affect India.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-18 16:11:34', '2023-12-18 16:11:34'),
(10487, 10487, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should work in unison to establish peace in Gaza.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She made the remarks when Ambassador of Qatar to Bangladesh Seraya Ali Mahdi Saeed Al-Qahtani paid a courtesy call on her at the official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting, they discussed the Gaza issue, said PM\'s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim while briefing reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>“The OIC member countries will have to work unitedly to establish peace in Gaza,” the premier was quoted as telling the envoy.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting, the Qatar envoy handed over an invitation letter toll Hasina to attend the 8th Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) to be held on March 4-6, 2024 in Qatar.</div><div><br></div><div>Receiving the invitation letter, the PM said if she wins the upcoming national election to be held on 7 January next, she would join the exhibition.</div><div><br></div><div>The exhibition takes place in every two years under the patronage of Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.</div><div><br></div><div>About the Gaza issue, Seraya Ali Mahdi Saeed said this year his country didn’t celebrate its national day on December 18 and sent the celebration budget of US$ 50 million to the people of Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>In this context, the PM said Bangladesh also sent relief items including dry foods and clothes for the Palestinians.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that the Palestinian physicians who graduated from Bangladesh were also imparted security training here, she said the doctors are now working in hospitals there in Palestine.</div><div><br></div><div>The Qatar ambassador said the world can know the situation of Gaza as Qatar-based Al Jazeera media network is broadcasting news on the Gaza issue.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh premier expected the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani would visit Bangladesh in 2024.&nbsp; “We look forward to welcoming His Highness the Emir at the earliest,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Emir of Qatar accepted an invitation to visit Bangladesh from the president of Bangladesh in May 2020.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;The prime minister thanked the Qatar authority for its initiatives on the Gaza issue.</div><div><br></div><div>PM’s Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM’s Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 08:59:23', '2023-12-19 08:59:23'),
(10488, 10488, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Calling it a planned act of sabotage by a certain quarter, BNP today demanded an immediate impartial judicial inquiry into the incident of setting the Dhaka-bound Mohanganj Express train on fire.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also said this kind of heinous and atrocious crime is only possible with the help of anti-people forces.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who set fire to a train at Tejgaon in Dhaka today and took the lives of four passengers are undoubtedly inhuman. It’s not possible without the involvement of special quarters,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said there is deep suspicion among the public whether this incident was carried out as a ploy to divert public attention away from the ongoing democratic movement.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Saboteurs are the enemies of humanity. I’m deeply concerned over this barbaric and heartbreaking incident and I strongly condemn it. We demand an impartial judicial inquiry into the incident,\" Rizvi said.</div><div><br></div><div>He strongly demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the miscreants involved in the Mohanganj Express fire incident.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of those who were killed and speedy recovery of the injured.</div><div><br></div><div>At least four people including a child were killed as miscreants set fire to the Dhaka-bound Mohanganj Express train in the capital\'s Tejgaon Railway station area early Tuesday, just an hour before today’s hartal called by BNP and likeminded opposition parties began.</div><div><br></div><div>Three carriages of the train were set on fire around 5:04 am and the firefighters tame the blaze around 6:45 am, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 09:49:40', '2023-12-19 09:49:40'),
(10489, 10489, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Those who are enforcing hartals and blockades are behind today’s arson attack on a train in Tejgaon, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman has said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“You all know that a political party is destroying lives and property in the name of hartals and blockades, and primarily police believe that the arson attack on a train in Tejgaon today is also a part of this,” he said while talking to reporters at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>“I want to say that those who called hartals and blockades are behind the arson attack on a train. Those who have committed such crimes before have been arrested and they have given such statements,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to Gazipur train derailment, the DMP chief said that one person died in the incident as miscreants cut off the train track. “I would say the man was killed because of this. I want to call every death caused by such acts of sabotage ‘murder’,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Police believe that those behind these incidents are part of the hartals and blockades, and certainly central decision is involved. Followers of the party are carrying out the attacks through their men, said the DMP commissioner.</div><div><br></div><div>After talking to a person who was injured in today’s arson attack on the train, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital, we learnt that perpetrators – in the guise of train passengers – carried out the attack.</div><div><br></div><div>“According to the victim, a seat was first set on fire which soon spread and passengers started to run. Some were jumping out of the train through the windows, some through doors. As the attack was carried out at dawn, many were asleep,” said Habibur.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question on whether the attackers were following orders of any leader abroad as many leaders are in jail, the DMP chief said, “Those who are calling hartals, carrying out arson attacks and sabotage, they are doing these as per the order of their leader living abroad through his local agents. It’s clear as daylight.”</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to another query, Habibur said necessary steps will be taken to ensure deployment of law enforcers in each train compartment to avert such incidents, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Railway authorities have taken an initiative to deploy law enforcers on train, the DMP chief said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 10:07:15', '2023-12-19 10:07:15'),
(10490, 10490, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, on behalf of Bangladesh, attended the condolence event on the demise of the Emir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on Monday evening in the Gulf country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister was granted an audience with the new Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen conveyed deep condolences and sympathies from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Mohammed Shahabuddin for the bereaved members of the royal family and the friendly people of Kuwait.</div><div><br></div><div>He also conveyed warm greetings to the new Emir from the prime minister and president on his assumption of the office of the Amir of the State of Kuwait.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen recalled the great contribution of the late Amir to the welfare of the Bangladeshi community in Kuwait and to the strengthening of the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Kuwait.</div><div><br></div><div>He also extended an invitation from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit Bangladesh, to which the new Emir responded positively.</div><div><br></div><div>The Kuwaiti Emir thanked the foreign minister and his delegation for attending the condolence event and lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her dynamic leadership in transforming the people\'s lives in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen led a four-member delegation to the condolence event including the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Kuwait, Director General (West Asia) and Director (FMO) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>The delegation was received and seen off by high officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Momen returned to Dhaka Tuesday morning. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 10:52:29', '2023-12-19 10:52:29'),
(10491, 10491, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Japanese scientists have succeeded in creating the world\'s first mental images of objects and landscapes from human brain activity by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, local media reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The team of scientists from the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) and other organizations was able to produce rough images of a leopard, with a recognizable mouth, ears and spotted pattern, as well as objects like an airplane with red lights on its wings, Kyodo News reported Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>The technology, dubbed \"brain decoding,\" enables the visualization of perceptual contents based on brain activity, and could be applied to the medical and welfare fields, the report said.</div><div><br></div><div>During research, participants were shown 1,200 images of objects and landscapes, with the relationship between their brain signals and the images analyzed and quantified using functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI. The same images were input into the generative AI to learn their correspondence with the brain activity.</div><div><br></div><div>The technology could be used in the development of communication devices and to gain an understanding of the brain mechanisms of hallucinations and dreams, according to the researchers.</div><div><br></div><div>QST researcher Kei Majima said humans have used microscopes and other devices to view a world that was invisible to the naked eye, but they have not been able to step inside a person\'s mind, noting this is the first time for humans to peer inside another person\'s mind.</div><div><br></div><div>The findings were published recently in the online edition of the international scientific journal Neural Networks, according to XINHUA reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 11:05:27', '2023-12-19 11:05:27'),
(10492, 10492, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 111 people were killed in a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in a mountainous region in northwestern China, the country’s state media reported on Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The official Xinhua News Agency said that 100 people died in the province of Gansu and another 11 in the neighboring province of Qinghai in the quake, which occurred just before midnight on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 200 people were injured, Xinhua said, 96 in Gansu and 124 in Qinghai. The quake struck in Gansu’s Jishishan county, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the provincial boundary with Qinghai.</div><div><br></div><div>The US Geological Survey put the quake’s magnitude at 5.9.</div><div>State broadcaster CCTV reported that there was damage to water and electricity lines, as well as transportation and communications infrastructure.</div><div><br></div><div>The earthquake was felt in Lanzhou, the Gansu provincial capital, about 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) southwest of the capital of Beijing.</div><div><br></div><div>University students in Lanzhou rushed out of their dorms, according to a social media post that had images showing young people standing outside.</div><div><br></div><div>Tents, folding beds and quilts were being sent to the disaster area, CCTV said. It quoted Chinese leader Xi Jinping as calling for an all-out search and rescue effort to minimize the casualties.</div><div><br></div><div>Last year in September, at least 46 people were reported killed in a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that shook China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, triggering landslides and shaking buildings in the provincial capital of Chengdu, where 21 million residents were under a COVID-19 lockdown.</div><div><br></div><div>China’s deadliest earthquake in recent years was a 7.9 magnitude quake in 2008 that killed nearly 90,000 people in Sichuan. The temblor devastated towns, schools and rural communities outside Chengdu, leading to a years-long effort to rebuild with more resistant materials. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 11:56:08', '2023-12-19 11:56:08'),
(10493, 10493, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will kick off her party’s election campaign on Wednesday through visits to the shrines of saints Shahjalal and Shah Paran in Sylhet.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to the party and PMO sources, PM Hasina will arrive here on Wednesday morning and then offer ziarat at Hazrat Shahjalal’s mazar followed by ziarat at Hazrat Shah Paran’s mazar.</div><div><br></div><div>In the afternoon, she is scheduled to hold a public rally at the Government Alia Madrasha ground in launching ruling Awami League party’s campaign for the January 7 polls to elect the country’s 12th parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak and other central leaders visited the rally venue on Tuesday noon. Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury and leaders of the district and metropolitan Awami League were also present.</div><div><br></div><div>To make the rally successful, a divisional representative meeting was held at a convention hall in Sylhet city in the presence of about a dozen central leaders including Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif on December 13. Awami League leaders of four districts of Sylhet division were present at the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>At the meeting, all the Awami League candidates of 19 constituencies in the division contesting with the party’s election symbol, boat, were instructed to bring at least 10,000 people each in the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the leaders and activists of Awami League have become enthusiastic centering the arrival of the prime minister in Sylhet. Meetings and campaign rallies are going on at different parts of the city.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding PM Hasina\'s visit and public rally in Sylhet, Metropolitan Awami League Joint General Secretary Azadur Rahman Azad said Sheikh Hasina starts election campaign from the holy land Sylhet every time. This time is no exception.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The news of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s visit to Sylhet has created enthusiasm not only among the party leaders and activists but also among common people. We are hopeful that the election fever will intensify across the country after seeing the public rally in Sylhet,” he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, president of Sylhet district Awami League, said all preparations have been taken to hold a large public rally marking the PM’s arrival in Sylhet and leaders and activists from every district and upazila of the division will join the rally.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Realizing that BNP-Jamaat made a mistake by not taking the election train, they are now conspiring to reduce voter turnout on January 7. They are trying to create fear among the people by arson attacks,” he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury said the people of Sylhet are ready to welcome Sheikh Hasina. “We are ready to follow the directives of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.”</div><div><br></div><div>The 12th parliamentary election will be held on January 7, 2024 as Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal announced the polls schedule on November 15.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 11,96,91,633 voters throughout the country are eligible to cast their votes.</div><div><br></div><div>The last parliamentary election was held on December 30, 2018, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 12:40:12', '2023-12-19 12:40:12'),
(10494, 10494, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia said Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had attempted to attack Moscow with a drone, but said defenses destroyed the unmanned aerial vehicle with debris falling outside the center of the capital.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The nearly two-year conflict between Moscow and Kyiv has seen both sides launch drones at each other’s towns and cities, with Ukraine announcing daily that it destroyed Iranian-designed drones in overnight attacks.</div><div><br></div><div>Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin initially announced the drone attack over the Russian capital without claiming whether Kyiv was responsible or saying where the drone had been launched from.</div><div><br></div><div>The defense ministry later blamed Kyiv and said air defense systems had downed the drone it said was targeting “facilities” in Moscow, with elaborating.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed by the air defense forces on duty over the territory of the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region,” the defense ministry said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sobyanin said that according to preliminary information he received the debris that fell had not resulted in any material damage or injuries to bystanders.</div><div><br></div><div>“Emergency services specialists are working at the scene,” he added in a statement to residents of the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>Moscow’s Vnukovo airport said it was temporarily pausing accepting arrival flights, citing “reasons beyond the airport’s control.”</div><div><br></div><div>The attack on Moscow comes hours after the defense ministry said it had downed several Ukrainian drones over the southern region of Bryansk on the border with Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Moscow blamed Ukraine for a spate of aerial attacks on the Russian capital earlier this year when drones hit the Kremlin and repeatedly targeted the city’s financial district. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 13:32:32', '2023-12-19 13:32:32'),
(10495, 10495, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A clear message has been sent to all candidates to hold the election in a free, fair and acceptable manner, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“The administration has made it clear that it will remain neutral in the election and make it free and fair,” the CEC said, while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with 36 candidates of six constituencies in Rangpur at the Rangpur Circuit House.</div><div><br></div><div>“If the candidates of the political parties or the independent candidates are not sincere and aware, fail to gain the mutual trust among them and do not behave properly, then it will be tough to hold a free, fair and neutral election. This message has been sent to all on behalf of the Election Commission,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>However, candidates are hopeful about holding free, fair and neutral elections.</div><div><br></div><div>Election Commissioner Rasheda Sultana, EC Secretary Jahangir Alam, Rangpur Division Commissioner Habibur Rahman, Deputy Inspector General of Rangpur range Abdul Baten, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Maniruzzaman, District Returning Officer, Mobashwer Hasan were present there. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 13:45:04', '2023-12-19 13:45:04'),
(10496, 10496, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has denounced the use of arson by any political party as a means of advancing its political agendas or protests.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The recent horrifying incident involving the deaths of four individuals, including a three-year-old child, in an arson attack on a train, fire assaults on public transport, and sabotage on rail tracks have prompted TIB to call for an immediate cessation of destructive political maneuvers that result in the loss of innocent lives and state assets, according to a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>The tragic incident at the Tejgaon rail station in Dhaka, where miscreants set fire to three compartments of the Mohanganj Express on Tuesday morning, resulting in the killing of four individuals, including a mother and a young child, is of grave concern.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Such incidents cannot be isolated, and any arson attacks, sabotage of rail infrastructure, or similar actions in the lead-up to the national parliamentary election cannot be justified as legitimate expressions of democratic rights or protests, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The act of burning people alive can never be a means of promoting political agenda. No political party should use such means at the expense of human lives. It is unjustifiable to try to serve a political purpose capitalizing on violence that kills people,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, TIB executive director, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“The normalization of use of force and violence in Bangladeshi politics is concerning. This growing distancing of politics and political parties from public welfare, fixating solely on power, intensifies the ongoing bankruptcy in our political landscape. Using human lives as a means to achieve political goals has regrettably become a prevailing political culture in our country. We urgently call upon all concerned to refrain from any use of force and abstain from politics that leads to loss of life, particularly in the run-up to the election. This is critical to prevent the rise of undemocratic forces,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 15:36:54', '2023-12-19 15:36:54'),
(10497, 10497, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League nominated candidate for Dhaka-3 constituency Nasrul Hamid has alleged that BNP is carrying out arson attacks and killing people to thwart the 12th National Election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“BNP has lost the opportunity to measure their popularity by not coming to the election. In fact, they have withdrawn from the election because of their lack of public involvement. Now they are conspiring to thwart the election through terrorism,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Nasrul was speaking at a courtyard meeting held at Birbaghair Government Primary School in Ward-8 of Konda union of Keraniganj on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This morning, four innocent people, including a child, were killed by setting fire to a train. The common people will answer this with a ballot revolution on January 7,” said the AL candidate.</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP\'s arson attacks have been going on in Keraniganj for some time. The people resisted them. These arsonists have no popularity, no public base, so they are trying to create fear in the minds of the people. If they had popularity, they would have proved themselves through voting,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Keraniganj Upazila Parishad Chairman and South Keraniganj Thana Awami League President Shahin Ahmed, General Secretary ME Mamun, Konda Union Parishad Chairman Faruk Chowdhury were present at the time, among others. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 15:40:09', '2023-12-19 15:40:09'),
(10498, 10498, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed profound shock and sorrow at the loss of lives&nbsp; in a strong earthquake in northwestern China.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a condolence letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sheikh Hasina said, \"As a longstanding friend of China, the People and the Government of Bangladesh also join me in expressing their earnest sympathies at the hardship inflicted on the friendly Chinese people by this natural catastrophe.\"&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She also prayed for the early recovery of the injured people.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister expressed her confidence that China will successfully continue its rescue efforts under President Xi’s close guidance and and will soon restore normalcy to the lives of the people of Gansu Province. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 16:00:45', '2023-12-19 16:00:45'),
(10499, 10499, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader today said those who are responsible for killing four people including a child by setting fire to a moving train won\'t be spared.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The arson attack on a moving train in Bangladesh was as like as those attacks are being carried out on Palestinians by Israeli forces. The arsonists won\'t get spared,\" he said while inaugurating a \"victory procession\" in front of IEB auditorium adjacent to the historic Suhrawardy Udyan here.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the victory procession was brought out from there and it ended at the historic Bangabandhu\'s Dhanmondi-32 residence after parading. AL\'s Dhaka City South unit organized it.</div><div><br></div><div>AL joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Dhaka south city mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Jubo League chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Swechchhasebak League president Gazi Mesbaul Hossain Shachchu, Dhaka City South AL general secretary Humayun Kabir, Dhaka-10 constituency AL nominee actor Ferdous Ahmed and Dhaka-16 seat\'s AL nominee Ilias Uddin Mollah also spoke.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader warned of building strong resistance if voters are obstructed from going to polling centres.</div><div><br></div><div>Terming fugitive convict BNP leader Tarique Rahman as fake, the AL general secretary said no movement will be waged in Bangladesh at his call as a foreign survey revealed 70 percent of people are eagerly waiting to vote in favour of Sheikh Hasina\'s party, reports BSS.</div><div><br></div><div>So, those who will obstruct voters from going to polling centres will be resisted, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader hoped the people would give their verdict on January 7 against arson terrorism and corruption.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina raised voice against Israeli aggression and the killing of Palestinians but the BNP-Jamaat clique is keeping mum on the issue.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 16:02:39', '2023-12-19 16:02:39'),
(10500, 10500, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russian society has unified in support of the offensive in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is running in an election expected to prolong his rule until 2030, said Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Maybe this is the most important: the general consolidation of all the forces of society,” Putin said at a meeting of the defense ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>He went on to thank “everyone who helps our fighters at the front, transfers money, sends cars and drones and body armor” and praised a “patriotic spirit of solidarity.”</div><div><br></div><div>Since the offensive began in February 2022 the Kremlin has outlawed any opposition to its assault on Ukraine, which is presented as an existential fight against the West.</div><div><br></div><div>Once again Putin accused Western countries of using Ukraine as a proxy to wage a war against Russia, and questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian nation.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said Russian military equipment proved its “superiority” over Western weapons, pointing to the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive that Kyiv launched this summer after stockpiling armaments provided by the West.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia has increased its own production, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu detailed, with the economy pivoting to fulfil the needs of the armed forces.</div><div><br></div><div>Shoigu gave an extensive presentation of the numbers of losses in the Ukrainian armed forces, equipment destroyed and territory gained by his troops, but as usual did not mention any death toll on the Russian side.</div><div><br></div><div>The front line has hardly moved since the Russian retreat from Kherson in November 2022 but Moscow’s troops are on the offensive again after the Ukrainian counteroffensive failed. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 16:14:26', '2023-12-19 16:14:26'),
(10501, 10501, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and BioNTech are suing the governments of Poland and Hungary alleging they failed to pay for vaccines ordered during the Covid pandemic, lawyers said today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>EU member countries ordered vaccines for their population through a joint purchase scheme, and so the companies are bringing their case before the courts in Belgium, the European Commission’s host country.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the law firm representing Poland in the case, the US and German companies are demanding that Poland pay a debt of 5.6 billion zlotys, or €1.3 billion, plus interest.</div><div><br></div><div>Hungary is also accused of breach of contract, but a source close to the case told AFP that Budapest faces a much smaller claim of €60 million for three million vaccine doses.</div><div><br></div><div>Pfizer confirmed the cases were underway but would not confirm the sums demanded, reports AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Pfizer and BioNTech are seeking to recover money owed for Covid-19 vaccine orders which were contractually agreed with these governments, as part of their contract to supply the European Union signed in May 2021,” the two companies said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 16:16:55', '2023-12-19 16:16:55'),
(10502, 10502, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he reminded the US of its historical responsibility to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“During a meeting with (US President Joe) Biden, I reminded the US of its historical responsibility. How can the world shout louder about the need to stop Israel,” Erdogan told journalists on Tuesday aboard his plane returning from Hungary.</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan stated that the US responsibility is to persuade Israel to abandon this “brutality,” to stop this “massacre in Gaza.”</div><div><br></div><div>“For weeks, humanity has been saying ‘enough’ both at the UN and in the squares of countries. This outcry resonated in front of the White House and even in the US Congress.</div><div><br></div><div>“The US must now stop turning a deaf ear to these calls. Israel is not only striking Palestinians and Gaza; it is hitting humanity. History will judge and condemn those who remain silent. Unfortunately, justice will not be achieved solely through calm in Gaza,” Erdogan added.</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan said that the rightful ones are the Palestinians “who, over the years, have faced the occupation of their country, witnessed the seizure of their homes by terrorists, and have borne the cost for years to safeguard their land.”</div><div><br></div><div>He added that it is time to convey this to those who have stopped listening to Palestinians and to take the necessary actions for the punishment of the culprits.</div><div><br></div><div>“Today, if we participated in the Riyadh Summit, it was for that reason. If we attended Doha, it was for that reason. If meetings continue to be held there in the future, my colleagues and I will be present for the same reason,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Accountability for war crimes</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan stated that those who disregarded Türkiye’s announcement regarding Netanyahu\'s departure, along with everyone finding it difficult to recognize, will observe his departure.</div><div><br></div><div>“Nonetheless, stepping down from his role will not provide him salvation,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will actively seek justice through legal means to hold those responsible accountable for the suffering of the oppressed,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>“Everyone involved in this genocide, not just Netanyahu, will be held accountable for the war crimes they have committed in the eyes of the law. In Israel, strong voices against the Netanyahu administration are starting to rise. For example, the incident of hostages being killed by Israel has increased the level of public outrage. The ultimate avenger is Allah,” he further added.</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan reiterated his stance that Hamas is not a terrorist organization but a political party, therefore they are engaged in the struggle for their rights as a political party.</div><div><br></div><div>He reminded that he brought together Al-Fatah and Hamas leaders, namely Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud Abbas, in his office, adding: “There is no situation where Al-Fatah and Hamas cannot meet. They are in talks, and it is possible for these talks to progress further,” Erdogan added.</div><div><br></div><div>The president also said that there is much Türkiye has done and can do regarding Hamas and Al-Fatah meeting, adding that it is crucial for Fatah and Hamas to “coexist peacefully.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Currently, our main concern is how many of the wounded and sick from Gaza we can bring to our country and provide treatment in our facilities. After that, once a resolution is reached, the attacks will end, and our agenda will shift to the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Gaza,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that it’s a must for all Islamic countries to participate in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Gaza. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-19 16:22:21', '2023-12-19 16:22:21'),
(10503, 10503, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP has announced a “non-cooperation movement” against the government starting today, and the opposition party has urged people of the country to boycott the January 7, 2024 election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>During a virtual press briefing, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that their party’s acting chief Tarique Rahman has announced the movement, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said BNP is urging people from all walks of life and the administration not to cooperate with the government from today.</div><div><br></div><div>He added that BNP is urging people not to pay taxes from now on.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said that BNP is calling upon the countrymen to consider whether depositing their money in banks is secure or not.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 08:50:51', '2023-12-20 08:50:51');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10504, 10504, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, today vehemently criticized BNP-Jamaat for inciting a wave of terrorist and militant activities against citizens of the country. This campaign, she asserts, aims to disrupt the upcoming national election scheduled for January 7, 2024.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She accused the BNP-Jamaat of acting on directives from London, asserting that people of Bangladesh would not tolerate such crime.</div><div><br></div><div>Asserting the constitutional right of citizens to vote, Sheikh Hasina declared that no one should obstruct or harm others for exercising their voting rights. Her comments came during interaction with reporters following her visit to Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine in Sylhet.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister emphasized that Bangladesh rejects all forms of militant and terrorist acts. She expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh would eventually reject those responsible for such actions.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing the recent arson attacks on trains, she issued a stern warning to the perpetrators, emphasizing that such criminal acts would be met with decisive action. Sheikh Hasina criticized the BNP-Jamaat clique’s attempts to derail the election and prevent voter participation but noted the public\'s overwhelming support for the electoral process.</div><div><br></div><div>“People are not responding to BNP’s strikes. What will they will gain through such destructive activities? Rather people will hate them ultimately,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting her party’s past successes, she recounted the Awami League’s election victories in 2009, 2014, and 2018, attributing them to the party’s commitment to meeting the people’s basic needs.</div><div><br></div><div>“Rest of the needs will be fulfilled Inshallah if in the January 7 election people of Bangladesh cast their votes for the ‘boat’ symbol, and if we can from the government again. We will ensure a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. And no one will be without an address, home, and land,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina also touched on her government’s goal of bringing happiness to the impoverished, in line with the vision of the Father of the Nation, and mentioned the country’s recent elevation to developing nation status.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding BNP’s decision to abstain from the election, she questioned the necessity of resorting to violent tactics like arson attacks, which she labeled as “terrorist and militant activities.” She condemned the BNP-Jamaat alliance’s history of violence, including recent attacks on civilians, police, and journalists.</div><div><br></div><div>Emphasizing the democratic process within the Awami League, she stated that the party allows all members to participate in elections, leaving the choice of MPs to the electorate, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>She emotionally condemned the tragic death of a mother and child in yesterday’s arson attack on a train in Dhaka, questioning the morality of such violence. “There is nothing painful... How can a human being do this to another?”</div><div><br></div><div>She reiterated her stance against fear tactics used to disrupt elections, referring to similar unsuccessful attempts in 2013 and 2014.</div><div><br></div><div> </div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 09:03:02', '2023-12-20 14:35:11'),
(10505, 10505, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">New Zealand comfortably chased down Bangladesh\'s challenging total of 291 to win the second BAN vs NZ ODI by seven wickets and clinch the three-match series with one match remaining. The victory was fueled by composed half-centuries from Henry Nicholls (95) and Will Young (89).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Soumya Sarkar was the undisputed star for Bangladesh, smashing a career-best 169 – the highest ODI score by any Asian batter on New Zealand soil. However, his heroics were not enough to compensate for the lack of support from the rest of the batting lineup. Apart from Soumya and a fighting 45 from Mushfiqur Rahim, the middle order collapsed, leaving Bangladesh\'s total short of a truly threatening one.</div><div><br></div><div>William O\'Rourke and Jacob Duffy, with three wickets each, were the standout bowlers for New Zealand, effectively restricting Bangladesh\'s late flourish.</div><div><br></div><div>In response, the Kiwis\' chase was a clinical affair. Nicholls and Young laid the foundation with a commanding century partnership, taking the pressure off the middle and lower order. The wicket, admittedly offering little assistance to the bowlers, further aided their dominance.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s bowling lacked penetration on a traditionally batter-friendly surface. Debutant leg-spinner Riashad Hossain failed to pick up a wicket. Hasan Mahmud was the best Bangladeshi bowler in this match with two scalps, but his expensive spell, 57 runs in 7 overs, reflected the overall struggles of the Bangladeshi attack.</div><div><br></div><div>The final match of the BAN vs NZ ODI series will be played on December 23, followed by a three-match T20I series commencing on December 27. Both Bangladesh and New Zealand will be looking to end the tour on a high note in the remaining matches. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 09:23:44', '2023-12-20 09:23:44'),
(10506, 10506, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Customs officials arrested a woman with over eight kg of gold, worth Tk 6.57 crore, from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday night.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The arrestee was identified as Rekha Parvin.</div><div><br></div><div>Rekha reached Dhaka from Dubai via an Emirates flight around 11 pm, said Farhana Begum, assistant director of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Circle, on Wednesday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Tipped off, a team of customs officials challenged Rekha while she was passing through the green channel of the airport.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, they seized 69 gold bars, one gold chain, and six gold bangles after searching her and her handbag.</div><div><br></div><div>A case was filed in this connection. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 09:33:31', '2023-12-20 09:33:31'),
(10507, 10507, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United States has maintained a tight-lipped stance in response to recent statements made by Russia regarding American involvement in Bangladesh’s political affairs, especially surrounding the contentious pre and post-election landscape.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>During a press briefing in Washington on December 19, a journalist questioned the US State Department’s position on comments made by Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Zakharova had previously raised concerns about potential US interference in Bangladesh’s democratic process. In response, US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller stated, “We support a free and fair election in Bangladesh,” but declined to comment further.</div><div><br></div><div>Zakharova’s remarks suggested the likelihood of US actions in Bangladesh following the election, reminiscent of interventions similar to the “Arab Spring,” should the election results not align with US interests. She said, “If the results of the people’s will are not satisfactory to the United States, attempts to further destabilize the situation in Bangladesh along the lines of the ‘Arab Spring’ are likely.”</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, AK Abdul Momen, also chose not to comment on the escalating geopolitical back and forth between the United States and Russia, stating, “We don’t want to be dragged into any problem,” when questioned about Russia’s latest remarks.</div><div><br></div><div>The briefing took a somber turn when a reporter highlighted a tragic incident in Bangladesh, where arsonists attacked a Dhaka-bound express train, resulting in the death of four individuals, including a woman and her three-year-old child. The reporter pressed Miller on the Biden administration’s stance on these victims of political violence.</div><div><br></div><div>Miller responded to the query, saying, “I’m just not familiar with that specific incident and don’t have a comment on it.” This lack of awareness about the incident at the State Department briefing underscores the complexities and challenges in international responses to domestic political crises. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 10:25:48', '2023-12-20 10:25:48'),
(10508, 10508, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said the upcoming 12th parliamentary election will be competitive and fair.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The Election Commission and the candidates are trying to create a conducive environment for a competitive election. If we can create a competitive environment, voters will come to the polling centers,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The EC chief made the remarks while talking to reporters after exchanging views with all the candidates of six constituencies in Rajshahi district at the conference room of Rajshahi circuit house on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>CEC Habibul Awal said the candidates highlighted their issues during the discussion and guidelines on how to resolve them have been given to the administration and law enforcement agencies, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“The candidates are being encouraged to ensure the election\'s fairness, and credibility. Their cooperation is sought to foster open communication and maintain mutual relationships, thus promoting a free and fair electoral process,” said the CEC.</div><div><br></div><div>He assured journalists that everyone\'s collective efforts will ensure a successful election.</div><div><br></div><div>“You have played an important role in ensuring transparency in elections. The election will be successful with all of our efforts. We want to hold a fair election,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 10:40:44', '2023-12-20 10:40:44'),
(10509, 10509, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday launched her party’s election campaign with a clarion call to the people to vote for the ruling Awami League candidates so they win to serve the common people.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister, who heads the Awami League, was addressing a huge public meeting at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa Ground organised by local unit of the ruling party.</div><div><br></div><div>The huge crowd burst into cheers and raised their hands when Hasina asked them “Will you cast your votes for them (AL candidates)? Let your hands rise and promise me.”</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the day the premier offered prayers at the shrines of sufi saints Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran on the outskirts of Sylhet city.</div><div><br></div><div>In her rally speech Hasina once again attacked opposition BNP branding them as looters, killers, corrupts and embezzlers of orphans’ money.</div><div><br></div><div>These elements, the PM said, are burning people alive in a bid to thwart the election slated for January 7 next.</div><div><br></div><div>She requested all to build resistance against arson terrorism that burns people alive.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that BNP-Jamaat clique wants to snatch away people’s lives, and they want to foil the polls by preventing people from casting their votes.</div><div><br></div><div>“Where do they get such courage? There is a black-sheep sitting in London gives order and some people are here to play with fire. ……their hands will be burnt in that fire,” she said. She was obviously referring to Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of BNP, who lives in London, UK.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina denounced BNP and Jamaat as a nexus and said they thought the government would cave in to their arson terrorism.</div><div><br></div><div>“They thought that with some incidents of arson attacks the government will be fallen. The thing is not that much easy,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that the mass people are getting benefits of the result of Awami League being in the power.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our aim is to build poverty-free developed Golden Bangla and for that purpose I am working on vigorously,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina mentioned that she has nothing to lose, as she has lost everything including father, mother, brothers and everything.</div><div><br></div><div>“The only younger sister of mine and I had survived. Losing everything and depriving my small children from their motherly love I had returned to Bangladesh in 1981 just to fulfill my father’s dream which was to build the country with the spirit of the Liberation War,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said that her government has taken a plan to build smart Bangladesh. That will mean smart government, smart people, smart economy and smart society.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh will be a modern technology-based country that will have a sustainable economy, Merit-based education, advanced society, righteous and transparent Bangladesh is what we want to build,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting different development projects implemented by the government in last 15 years, she said that if AL is voted to power again it will carry out feasibility to introduce metro rail in Sylhet, river bank development to prevent flood, install double-track rail line on Dhaka-Sylhet route, construct another bridge beside Keane Bridge, conduct dredging on Kushiara, Manu and other rivers as well as is now doing expansion of Sylhet Osmani International Airport and dredging of Surma River after 50 years.</div><div><br></div><div>At the outset, local singers performed traditional songs of Sylhet to welcome Sheikh Hasina and his younger sister Sheikh Rehana.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Rehana was also present at the dais.</div><div><br></div><div>Arriving on the dais both Hasina and Rehana waived national flag at the cheering crowd. In response the crowed also waived mini flags they carried.</div><div><br></div><div>AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, AL nominate candidate for Sylhet-I constituency and foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, presidium member Syeda Jebunnesa Huq, Sylhet city corporation mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, advisory council member Nurul Islam Nahid, joint general secretary and education minister Dipu Moni, organising secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, and noted actress Tarin Jahan also spoke.</div><div><br></div><div>With Sylhet City AL President freedom fighter Masuk Uddin in the chair, its general secretary Professor Zakir Hossain and District AL general secretary Nasir Uddin conducted the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>The entire Sylhet region, centring the rally, wore a festive mood while the local people as well as leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League and associate bodies cheered the arrival of their party chief ahead of the national polls.</div><div><br></div><div>Pinning upon the public rally, which is also formal beginning of election campaign, the entire Sylhet turned into a town of euphoria.</div><div><br></div><div>The city wore a festive look while people of all strata of life as well as leaders and activists of AL looked joyous.</div><div><br></div><div>Although the premier was scheduled to join the rally at 3 pm, hundreds of thousands of people thronged into the rally ground since early morning and within few hours the ground filled to the brim.</div><div><br></div><div>Many even arrived overnight to secure a place of their choice.</div><div><br></div><div>The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty places, meaning the city turned into human sea hours before arrival of the prime minister on the boat-shaped stage.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Since the morning, common people, including women were seen marching towards the venue in procession chanting slogans “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and holding colourful placards, banners, festoons, and wearing colourful T-shirts, cap on heads, head bands, drums, election symbol boat as well as national and party flags.</div><div><br></div><div>A large number of women, many in smiling faces, stood in queues for hours outside gates to get into the meeting venue.</div><div><br></div><div>Jubilant members and supporters of Awami League joined the rally from adjoining districts by buses, pickup vans, motorcycles, while many others walked or came in processions. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 13:23:59', '2023-12-20 13:23:59'),
(10510, 10510, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday lambasted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for its call for non-cooperation towards the government ahead of Jan. 7 election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The minister raised questions over the potential consequences of the BNP’s call for non-cooperation by saying what will happen if power and gas connections are cut off for not paying bills.</div><div><br></div><div>His remarks came in response to the BNP\'s call for citizens to suspend payment of taxes, rent, and utility bills for water, gas and electricity.</div><div><br></div><div>In a virtual press briefing, BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that their party’s acting chief Tarique Rahman has announced the non-cooperation movement from Wednesday. He also urged the people from all walks of life and the administration not to cooperate with the government as part of their call for non-cooperation.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi also asked the people not to pay taxes to the government exchequer from now on.</div><div><br></div><div>The home minister reacted sharply to the BNP’s call.</div><div><br></div><div>\"My question is, if the electricity goes off from their homes, if the water supply stops, as they want non-cooperation, then what will happen? Do they not understand the repercussions of suspending gas, electricity, and water bills? They need to consider the impact on the agencies like WASA and power departments, which serve other customers as well,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He claimed that the BNP\'s decision to boycott the upcoming election was fueled by a realisation that the people of the country had turned away from them.</div><div><br></div><div>\"And the people of this country know them, the people of this country have never responded to these calls. Our people will cast their votes in the election on time and the Election Commission will present a fair and beautiful election,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"You have been observing for some time now…I have always been saying that they know for sure that the people of this country will not vote for them, the people of this country have turned away from them by their activities,\" added the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>The home minister also accused the BNP of attempting to create chaos in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Acts of sabotage have been persistent since October 28, involving incidents such as setting buses on fire…and more recently, uprooting railway tracks,\" he said, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>\"You witnessed the tragic death of four individuals in a train engulfed in flames. Previously, a similar incident occurred in the Gazipur area. They continue to carry out these acts of sabotage,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The prime minister will come to power with the people\'s mandate, and she thinks the people\'s mandate is the only way to change the government,” he said.</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 14:34:03', '2023-12-20 14:34:03'),
(10511, 10511, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">India will look into any information it receives on its alleged links to a foiled plot to murder a Sikh separatist leader in the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Financial Times newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The issue comes at a delicate juncture for both India and the Biden administration in the United States as they try to build closer ties in the face of shared concerns about China’s growing power.</div><div><br></div><div>“If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it,” Modi told the paper, as he played down any impact on diplomatic ties with Washington because of the issue.</div><div><br></div><div>“If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law.”</div><div><br></div><div>Last month the US Justice department said an Indian government official had directed the plot, and unveiled charges against a man accused of orchestrating the attempted murder.</div><div><br></div><div>India expressed concern about the linkage and dissociated itself from the plot, saying it would formally investigate the concerns of the United States, and take ‘necessary follow-up action’ on the findings of a panel set up on Nov. 18.</div><div><br></div><div>US officials have named the target of the attempted murder as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and dual citizen of the United States and Canada.</div><div><br></div><div>Pannun is the general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, a group that India labelled an “unlawful association” in 2019, citing its involvement in extremist activities. Subsequently, in 2020, India listed Pannun as an “individual terrorist.”</div><div><br></div><div>News of the US plot came two months after Canada said it was looking at credible allegations linking Indian agents to the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Sikh separatist, in a Vancouver suburb.</div><div><br></div><div>India fiercely rejected Ottawa’s accusations.</div><div>Modi said India and Washington shared a “mature and stable partnership.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Security and counter-terrorism co-operation has been a key component of our partnership,” he said. “I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries.” - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 14:41:08', '2023-12-20 14:41:08'),
(10512, 10512, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Malaysia barred on Wednesday any Israeli or Israel-bound ships from docking at its ports, as outrage continues to rise over the growing Palestinian death toll in Gaza.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Public protests in support of Palestine have been regular in Malaysia since the beginning of the Israeli onslaught on Gaza in October.</div><div><br></div><div>Health officials in the Palestinian enclave estimate the daily strikes have since killed nearly 20,000 people — most of them women and children.</div><div><br></div><div>Malaysia’s immediate ban on ships from Israeli shipping company ZIM, as well as any vessels bearing Israel’s flag, was announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.</div><div><br></div><div>“These sanctions are a response to Israel’s actions disregarding basic humanitarian principles and violating international law through continued massacres and atrocities against Palestinians,” he said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“Malaysia also imposes a ban on any ship heading to Israel from loading cargo at Malaysian ports. These restrictions are also with immediate effect.”</div><div><br></div><div>Anwar said ZIM’s ships were allowed by the government to dock in Malaysia from 2002 onwards.</div><div><br></div><div>ZIM is the 10th largest shipping container company in the world, according to a publicly available online record by shipping intelligence provider Alphaliner.</div><div><br></div><div>The record placed the Haifa-based company in Israel with a 598,081 20-foot container capacity — a 2.1 percent global market share as of Dec. 20.</div><div><br></div><div>Malaysia has no formal relations with Tel Aviv, while it has long been vocal in its support for Palestinian independence.</div><div><br></div><div>It does not allow its citizens to use their passports to enter Israel and has barred Israelis from entering its territory.</div><div><br></div><div>Collins Chong Yew Keat, foreign policy and security strategist from the University of Malaya, said the shipping ban came as part of Malaysia’s consistent stance against Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>International pressure was mounting against the war and there was a “growing tilt toward the condemnation of Israel’s actions,” he told Arab News.</div><div><br></div><div>“The ban on Israeli ships is just another expected move made as a message of the unwavering stance of Malaysia on this issue.” - Arab&nbsp; News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 14:44:49', '2023-12-20 14:44:49'),
(10513, 10513, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Finally, natural gas is going to be supplied to different industries in Dhaka and adjoining areas from Bhola in the current month in CNG (compressed natural gas) form.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid will inaugurate the launching of the venture by private firm Intraco, a leading CNG station operator in the country, at a function on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The Intraco signed a contract on May 21 this year with state-owned Sundarban Gas Company Limited (SGCL) to supply gas to different industries in Dhaka and adjoining areas including Gazipur and Tangail.</div><div><br></div><div>Under a 10-year contract, the Intraco Refuelling Station Ltd will bring the gas from southern district Bhola in CNG form by large trailers, each having 4000 cubic meters and sell it to the industries at Tk 47.50 per unit (1000 cubic feet).</div><div><br></div><div>As per the contract, local firm Intraco Refuelling Station Ltd will initially supply 5 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) gas and later 20 mmcfd gas to the private industries.</div><div><br></div><div>State-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) is extracting gas from the Bhola field. However, nothing was mentioned about the rate of the gas to be sold to the industries.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Both the Bapex and SGCL are subsidiaries of state-owned Petrobangla, the principal petroleum corporation, responsible for dealing with both upstream and downstream production and supply.</div><div><br></div><div>The Intraco Refuelling Station has been selected for the contract under the Promot Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act, 2010.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, about 2576 mmcfd gas is being supplied across the country in which 2076 mmcfd gas is being produced from 22 gas fields in the country, while about 500 mmcfd gas is being imported from abroad to meet the demand of about 4000 mmcfd, leaving a deficit of about 14024 mmcfd.</div><div><br></div><div>The two Bhola gas fields have around 200 mmcf production capacity, while the production hovers between 80-85 mmcf.</div><div><br></div><div>Therefore, around 120 mmcf surplus capacity remains unused in the eight wells of the Shahbazpur and Bhola gas fields.</div><div><br></div><div>Due to the lack of pipeline and transmission facilities, the government was unable to supply the surplus gas from the Bhola field to other energy-hungry industrial zones in Dhaka and elsewhere. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 14:52:33', '2023-12-20 14:52:33'),
(10514, 10514, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have displaced more than 90% of the territory’s population, the UN Palestinian refugee agency said Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Over 60% of the infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed or damaged,” the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is a staggering and unprecedented level of destruction and forced displacement, taking place in front of our eyes,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 19,667 people have been killed and 52,586 others injured ever since, according to health authorities in the enclave.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while more than 130 hostages remain in captivity. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 15:51:29', '2023-12-20 15:51:29'),
(10515, 10515, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A member of Israel’s Knesset (parliament) has called for dismissing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he has become a “burden” for the state.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“It pains me to say these words in the midst of the war, but it seems there is no other option,” Meirav Cohen, a member of “There is a Future” Party led by opposition leader Yair Lapid, said in a video posted on X.</div><div><br></div><div>“When the prime minister fails and continues to fail, proving that he is not qualified for the position, that he is the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time, he must be replaced immediately.\"</div><div><br></div><div>“The British people taught us that when they replaced their Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain on May 10, 1940, after about 9 months of the outbreak of World War II,” added Cohen, a former minister of social equality.</div><div><br></div><div>“Netanyahu is a failure,\" the Knesset member said. \"Netanyahu, as Prime Minister, has become a millstone around the neck of the state and Israeli society.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu is facing growing criticisms over his failure to acknowledge responsibility for a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>A recent opinion poll by the Lazar Research Institute for Israeli daily Maariv found that only 27% of Israelis believe that Netanyahu is the right person to run the government.</div><div><br></div><div>The survey found that 49% of Israelis, or about half, believe that Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party, is the best figure to lead the country’s government.</div><div><br></div><div>Many Israelis expect that post-war investigations into the Hamas attack will spell the end of Netanyahu\'s political career.</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu was elected prime minister in late 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>On Sunday, opposition leader Lapid called for fresh elections amid the ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, killing at least 19,667 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 52,586 others, according to health authorities in the enclave.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins with half of the coastal territory\'s housing stock damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million people displaced within the densely-populated enclave amid shortages of food and clean water.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while more than 130 hostages remain in captivity. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 15:56:28', '2023-12-20 15:56:28'),
(10516, 10516, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>&nbsp;Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have launched missiles and drones at cargo ships in the Red Sea, warned today that they would strike back if attacked by US forces.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“If the Americans intend to escalate further, get more involved and commit foolishness by targeting our country … we will target them,” said rebel leader Abdel-Malek al-Huthi.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will make American battleships, American interests and American navigation a target for our missiles and drones,” he said in a speech broadcast on the rebel’s Al-Masirah television.</div><div><br></div><div>His comments came after the US said it was building up a multinational naval task force to protect vessels transiting the Red Sea from Houthi attacks carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>The US aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower has entered the Gulf of Aden, according to a US navy spokesman.</div><div><br></div><div>The rebels have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels, according to the Pentagon, from the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country.</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthis say their strikes on passing container ships are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza war raging between Israel and Hamas since Oct 7.</div><div><br></div><div>In his latest speech, the Houthi leader warned states against joining the new taskforce, saying it would threaten their interests in the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>“When you involve yourselves with the Americans in the service of Israel, you are implicating your people in every sense of the word,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier yesterday, a top Houthi official warned that any nation that acts against the Yemeni rebels will have its ships targeted.</div><div><br></div><div>“Any country that moves against us will have its ships targeted in the Red Sea,” Mohammed Ali al-Huthi said in a televised interview with Iran’s Al-Alam television.&nbsp; Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 16:06:54', '2023-12-20 16:06:54'),
(10517, 10517, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Police recovered the body of a seven-year-old girl who was killed after rape in a relative’s house at Tongi in Gazipur on Wednesday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Police arrested the victim’s paternal cousin Jony and his father in this connection.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, deputy commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), said the victim came to the house of her aunt in the Morkun area of Tongi two days ago.</div><div><br></div><div>The sixteen-year-old accused raped her after taking her to a jungle and subsequently killed her, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, she was buried in the jungle while a general diary was lodged in this connection, the police official said, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Jony and his father were arrested in this connection, and the body was recovered from the jungle following the statement of the cousin, the official added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-20 16:59:43', '2023-12-20 16:59:43'),
(10518, 10518, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations of 2024 will begin on February 15.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board chairman Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar confirmed the matter to UNB over phone on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The schedule of the examinations will be published on the website, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in August, Education Minister Dipu Moni announced that the SSC and equivalent exams of 2024 will be held in February while the HSC and equivalent exams in April, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>For the past several years, the authorities concerned had to rearrange the academic calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disaster, but it will be fully set from the next year, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 08:24:30', '2023-12-21 08:24:30'),
(10519, 10519, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh wants peace and stability instead of conflict to keep the wheel of development going.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He said this while talking to journalists as he began his election campaign (December 21, 2023).</div><div><br></div><div>“We don’t want any conflict. We want peace and stability, and continuation of democratic trend,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen, who is contesting from Sylhet-1 constituency, said the country has witnessed an unprecedented development over the last 15 years and that development needs to remain undisturbed.</div><div><br></div><div>He said people of this country sacrificed their lives for establishing democracy, justice and human rights.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Momen said BNP made a mistake and they should have joined the election to boost their credibility as a political party, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“They have lost a chance and their acceptability is also lost,” he said, referring to killing policemen and arson attacks on both private and public properties since October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that BNP lacks leadership and maturity, Momen said politics is for the welfare of people and the country, not for their destruction.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister said the people with much enthusiasm will come to the polling centers to cast their votes freely.</div><div><br></div><div>“To increase voters’ presence, we will go everywhere,” he said, noting that many educated people refrain from casting their votes.</div><div><br></div><div>“I will request them to come to vote. I won’t ask them to vote for me. They can vote for their preferred candidates. We want a fair election, free of violence. We want to show the world a model election,” Momen said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, he said, “I thank them. They can do one thing. In New York, the hourly wage is 15 dollars. If they can make it 45 dollars and create a model, we can follow them. People in America are suffering due to high inflation.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 10:00:12', '2023-12-21 10:00:12'),
(10520, 10520, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Myanmar’s military has likely perpetrated indiscriminate attacks on civilians and used banned cluster munitions in its fight against ethnic minority insurgents, Amnesty International said on Thursday, calling for an investigation of suspected war crimes.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The junta is facing its biggest battlefield challenge since its 2021 coup, with coordinated rebel attacks on military posts in Shan state, bordering China, and in western Rakhine state.</div><div><br></div><div>An air strike in Shan state earlier this month used bombs that were most likely cluster munitions, Amnesty said in a statement, citing evidence analyzed by its weapon investigator.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), one of three groups in the rebel “Three Brotherhood Alliance,” the attack killed a resident and injured five people.</div><div><br></div><div>Civilians in Pauk Taw, Rakhine state, suffered looting, arbitrary arrests, inhumane treatment and torture, Amnesty said citing interviews with 10 civilians.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Myanmar military has a blood-stained resume of indiscriminate attacks with devastating consequences for civilians, and its brutal response to a major offensive by armed groups fits a longstanding pattern,” said Matt Wells, director of Amnesty’s Crisis Response Programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters could not independently verify the report and the junta’s spokesperson, Zaw Min Tun, could not be reached for comment. He has denied state forces target civilians in operations he called legitimate actions against “terrorists.”</div><div><br></div><div>More than 300,000 people have fled the fighting that erupted in late October, with more than 2 million displaced overall since the coup, according to the United Nations.</div><div><br></div><div>The coup unraveled a decade of democracy and reform, with anger over a sweeping military crackdown fueling a resistance movement and an intensification of fighting with ethnic minority rebels.</div><div><br></div><div>China last week said it mediated a cease-fire between the rebels and the military, although the alliance said its campaign would continue.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement issued before the Amnesty report, the alliance said the military regularly threatened civilians including through arbitrary arrests, use of human shields, and torture.</div><div><br></div><div>Separately on Thursday, the New York-based Human Rights Watch accused one rebel alliance group of abducting and forcibly recruiting fleeing civilians in Shan state.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) is violating the laws of war,” said Elaine Pearson, its Asia director.</div><div><br></div><div>“Civilians should be able to seek safety from fighting without fearing that the Myanmar military or ethnic armed groups will force them into their armies.”</div><div><br></div><div>The MNDAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 10:05:21', '2023-12-21 10:05:21'),
(10521, 10521, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called for maintaining peace during campaign for the upcoming January 7 national election with a warning that even her own party members won’t be spared if found involved in any conflict.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Don’t interfere in another’s rights. In case of any conflict, even if men from my party get engaged in it, they won’t be spared. I will take proper action against them. Keep it in mind,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, the president of ruling Awami League, sounded the strong warning while addressing the rallies in five districts --Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Natore, Pabna and Khagracchari – through a virtual platform from Awami League Office at Tejgaon in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the people will cast their votes in the 12th parliamentary election as it is their constitutional right. “We want the people to exercise their voting rights freely. They can pick and vote for whoever they want. The person who gets their votes will become the winner,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL President said it will have to strengthen the democracy further. Otherwise, the development Bangladesh so far has witnessed will be spoiled.</div><div><br></div><div>Pointing at AL’s rival candidates, she said, “Yes, we opened the election (for its rival candidates). There are candidates with \'boat\' symbol, independent contenders and contestants from other parties in the race. Everyone should go to the people. The candidates who get votes would be elected.”</div><div><br></div><div>The premier sought votes for her party’s electoral symbol ‘boat’ in the election saying that the people had gained the independence of the country in 1971 by voting for this symbol. Now the people have got economic emancipation and Bangladesh gained the status of a developing nation by voting for boat.</div><div><br></div><div>“If we want to continue the development trend, it is the Awami League who will have to ensure the welfare of the people by forming the government,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM asked all the candidates and their supporters to run in the election peacefully so that none can raise any allegation regarding the polls and voters turn up in big numbers at the polling stations.</div><div><br></div><div>“There must be participation of the people and voters in the election. It doesn’t matter which party joins or does not join the election. BNP doesn’t join the election for one reason and there is no scope of vote-rigging here,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Since BNP failed to do so (rig votes) in 2008, they now always want to thwart and boycott the election. It is their wish and it is the matter of their respective party, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Run in the election in a fair manner. All (candidates) should carry out campaigns freely and let the people vote for and pick the candidates of their choice. So, our democracy will be strengthened further,” said Hasina, who is seeking to bring her party to power for the fourth consecutive term.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL president extended her thanks to all who joined the national election.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the people ousted BNP leader Khaleda Zia from the power on charge of vote-rigging in 1996 and then she again tried to steal votes in 2006 by enrolling some 1.23 crore fake voters in the voter list.</div><div><br></div><div>“Now it is very unfortunate that we’re to hear the words (lessons) of democracy and fair votes from those who were driven out on two occasions on charge of vote-rigging,” she said, adding that It is Awami League that had given back the voting rights to the people.</div><div><br></div><div>“In this upcoming election, all of you will have to be careful so that none can harm the people by resorting to terrorism and militancy. I would like to urge all to be vigilant in this regard,” said the PM.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 12:47:08', '2023-12-21 12:47:08');
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(10522, 10522, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Finally, Intraco, a CNG refueling station operator, started supplying natural gas to different industries in Dhaka and adjoining areas from Bhola in CNG (compressed natural gas) form.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Energy and Mineral Resources Secretary Md Nurul Amin inaugurated the launching of the supply at a function at Sonargaon Hotel in the city on Thursday while Petrobangla chairman Janedra Nath Sarker and Intraco Group chairman Hakim Ali also spoke on the occasion.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Initially, our gas will go to an industry in the Dhamrai area in Manikganj after bringing from Bhola,” said Mohammed Riyadh Ali, managing director of Intraco Group, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Intraco signed a contract on May 21 this year with state-owned Sundarban Gas Company Limited (SGCL) to supply gas to different industries in Dhaka and adjoining areas including Gazipur and Tangail.</div><div><br></div><div>Under a 10-year contract, the Intraco Refuelling Station Ltd will bring the gas from southern district Bhola in CNG form by large trailers, each having 5000 cubic meters and sell it to industries at Tk 47.60 per unit (1000 cubic metre).</div><div><br></div><div>As per the contract, local firm Intraco Refuelling Station Ltd will initially supply 5 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) gas and later 20 mmcfd gas to the private industries.</div><div><br></div><div>State-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) is extracting gas from the Bhola field.</div><div><br></div><div>Both the Bapex and SGCL are subsidiaries of state-owned Petrobangla, the principal petroleum corporation, responsible for dealing with both upstream and downstream production and supply.</div><div><br></div><div>Officials of Intraco informed that they are purchasing per cubic metre of at Tk 17 from the SGCL and selling it at Tk 47.60 per cubic metre to industries after meeting expenses of compression, transportation and decompression.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re using a large cascade truck trailer to bring the gas from Bhola by road via Padma Bridge to Dhaka,”said Saiful Islam Chowdhury, a top official of Intraco.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Petrobangla chairman Janedra Nath Sarker said the industries which face low pressure will get this gas to address the problem.</div><div><br></div><div>The Intraco Refuelling Station has been selected for the contract under the Speedy Increase of Power and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act, 2010.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, about 2576 mmcfd gas is being supplied across the country in which 2076 mmcfd gas is being produced from 22 gas fields in the country, while about 500 mmcfd gas is being imported from abroad to meet the demand of about 4000 mmcfd, leaving a deficit of about 14024 mmcfd.</div><div><br></div><div>The two Bhola gas fields have around 200 mmcf production capacity, while the production hovers between 80-85 mmcf.</div><div><br></div><div>Therefore, around 120 mmcf surplus capacity remains unused in the eight wells of the Shahbazpur and Bhola gas fields.</div><div><br></div><div>Due to the lack of pipeline and transmission facilities, the government was unable to supply the surplus gas from the Bhola field to other energy-hungry industrial zones in Dhaka and elsewhere. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 12:50:24', '2023-12-21 12:50:24'),
(10523, 10523, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>&nbsp;Hungary believes European Union funding to Ukraine must not be granted from the EU’s budget and a “sensible” timeline should be set for any financing for Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I am convinced that to give Ukraine €50 billion from the EU budget for five years…That’s a bad decision,” Orban told a news conference.</div><div><br></div><div>All 27 EU states except Hungary agreed last week to start accession talks with Ukraine despite its invasion by Russia, bypassing Orban’s opposition by getting him to leave the room during the summit when the decision was made. Orban confirmed it was German chancellor Olaf Scholz who suggested this solution.</div><div><br></div><div>But leaders could not overcome Orban’s resistance to revamping the EU budget to channel €50 billion to Kyiv and provide more cash for other tasks such as managing migration.</div><div><br></div><div>EU leaders, who would prefer a deal backed by all members but also have a plan B, are expected to revisit the issue at an emergency summit on Feb 1, 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>“They want to give the money to Ukraine from inside the EU budget, Hungary wants to give it outside the EU budget. They have the possibility – if we don’t agree on this – to resolve this outside the budget but don’t have the option of resolving this from the EU budget without Hungarian approval,” Orban said.</div><div><br></div><div>“They have the possibility, 26 members to resolve this with a joint loan outside the budget. If this comes up we will consider what we say.”</div><div><br></div><div>The EU could continue to help with a workaround that involved a deal between 26 members and Ukraine, which would also deny Budapest access to linked EU funds, such as on migration.</div><div><br></div><div>The EU has suspended a large chunk of funds for Hungary over concerns Budapest had damaged democratic checks-and-balances in the country. The EU unlocked some of those funds last week saying Budapest had implemented a reform of its judiciary but about €20 billion still remain frozen.</div><div><br></div><div>When asked today, Orban said Hungary would not want to link the issue of suspended EU funds for Budapest over rule of law issues with financing to be given to Ukraine, reports Reuters.</div><div><br></div><div>“We do not want to link financial assistance to be given to Ukraine with any Hungarian financial issues…this would also violate the EU principle of loyal cooperation,” Orban said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 13:05:51', '2023-12-21 13:05:51'),
(10524, 10524, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>&nbsp;The World Health Organization said today that northern Gaza has been left without a functional hospital due to a lack of fuel, staff, and supplies.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Only nine out of 36 health facilities were partially functional in the whole of Gaza, according to the WHO. All these facilities are concentrated in the enclave’s south.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are actually no functional hospitals left in the north,” Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative in Gaza, told reporters via video link from Jerusalem.</div><div><br></div><div>“Al-Ahli (Hospital) was the last one but it is now minimally functional; still treating patients but not admitting new ones.”</div><div><br></div><div>Describing it as a “shell of a hospital”, Peeperkorn said Al-Ahli resembled a hospice providing very limited care. About 10 staff, all junior doctors and nurses, continue to provide basic first aid, pain management, and wound care with scant resources, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Until two days ago, it was the only hospital where injured people could get surgery in northern Gaza and that was overwhelmed with patients needing emergency care,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“There are no operating theatres anymore due to the lack of fuel, power, medical supplies, and health workers, including surgeons and other specialists.”</div><div><br></div><div>The bodies of victims from recent Israeli attacks were lined up in the hospital’s courtyard because they could not be given safe and dignified burials, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to Al-Ahli Hospital, northern Gaza had only three other minimally functioning health facilities – Al-Shifa, Al-Awda, and Al-Sahaba which Peeperkorn said were sheltering thousands of displaced people.</div><div><br></div><div>Some patients at Al-Ahli had been waiting for surgeries for weeks or if they had been operated on, they faced the risk of a post-operation infection due to lack of antibiotics and other drugs, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>“All these patients cannot move and need to be transferred urgently to have a chance to survive,” he said, reiterating the WHO’s call for a humanitarian ceasefire.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is needed now to reinforce and restock remaining health facilities, deliver medical services needed by thousands of injured people and those needing other essential care, and, above all, to stop the bloodshed and death. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 13:43:33', '2023-12-21 13:43:33'),
(10525, 10525, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Hamas demands the release of three top Palestinian leaders in any hostage swap deal with Israel, according to Israeli media on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hamas insists Marwan Barghouti, Ahmed Saadat and Abdullah Barghouti be on the list of prisoners to be released in any new deal, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.</div><div><br></div><div>Barghouti, 64, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, is most favored to chair the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority after President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Palestinian opinion polls.</div><div><br></div><div>He was arrested by Israel in 2002 and slapped with five life sentences.</div><div><br></div><div>Barghouti “can change the face of the Palestinian Authority,” the newspaper said.</div><div><br></div><div>Saadat, Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), was arrested in 2008 and slapped with a 30-year jail term in connection with the killing of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi in 2001.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdullah Barghouti is a top Hamas leader and was slapped with multiple life sentences for a spate of attacks against Israelis.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel refused to include the three leaders in a previous prisoner exchange deal with Hamas in 2011, which saw the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in return for over 1,000 Palestinian detainees.</div><div><br></div><div>There was no immediate comment from the Israeli government on the report.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Cairo on Wednesday amid Egyptian efforts to mediate a new hostage swap deal between the Palestinian group and Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>During a week-long humanitarian pause in Gaza last month, Hamas released 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners in exchange for 240 Palestinians, including 71 women and 169 children.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 130 Israelis are held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip following its cross-border attack on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since the Hamas attack, killing nearly 20,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 52,586, according to health authorities in the enclave. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 14:03:03', '2023-12-21 14:03:03'),
(10526, 10526, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “become a threat to Israel,” the former speaker of the parliament, Knesset, said on Thursday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu must step down even without waiting for elections, ex-speaker and member of the Knesset from “There is a Future” opposition party, Mickey Levy, said in an interview with the Israeli newspaper Maariv.</div><div><br></div><div>“He is focused solely on himself. All his actions are geared towards preserving his personal interests, far surpassing the interests of Israel,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Levy claimed that even within the Likud (the party that Netanyahu leads) there is complete dissatisfaction with his behavior. Those who fear speaking openly say that the man (Netanyahu) has concluded his journey and is causing serious harm to the party.</div><div><br></div><div>Levy emphasized that a government inquiry committee should have been formed to investigate Israel\'s most significant failure on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>“Netanyahu cannot continue as the prime minister after this failure and we must head to elections,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Will it happen?\" he questioned, saying that he cannot believe that Netanyahu will do it willingly (holding elections) because he is not the one who takes responsibility. “This man (Netanyahu) is detached from reality.”</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu faces widespread criticism within Israeli circles due to the failure to detect the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 and the way he is handling the issue of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 14:43:24', '2023-12-21 14:43:24'),
(10527, 10527, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The European Court of Justice (CJEU) on Thursday ruled that the FIFA and UEFA rules on prior approval of interclub football competitions, such as the Super League, are contrary to the EU law.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The FIFA and UEFA rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions are unlawful,\" a statement from the court said. \"There is no framework for the FIFA and UEFA rules ensuring that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Similarly, the rules giving FIFA and UEFA exclusive control over the commercial exploitation of the rights related to those competitions are such as to restrict competition, given their importance for the media, consumers and television viewers in the European Union,\" the court added.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the court, a competition such as the Super League project \"must not necessarily be approved\" and the rules of FIFA and UEFA on approval, control and sanctions \"must be held to be unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The European Super League was a proposed competition project held between 12 European football clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Juventus, Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid) in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>The International Association of Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) objected to the project, threatening to impose sanctions on clubs and players who might decide to participate. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 14:45:34', '2023-12-21 14:45:34'),
(10528, 10528, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">German authorities have seized $64.5 million worth of Captagon drugs after more than a year-long investigation into the activities of a Syria-linked gang, officials said on Thursday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Around 461 kilograms (1,000 pounds) of addictive Captagon pills were seized during custom inspections, as well as searches conducted at the properties of the suspects in recent months, prosecutors and investigators said in a joint statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“The street value of the over 3.2 million Captagon tablets seized is approximately $64.5 million. The four accused, Syrian nationals between the ages of 33 and 45, are in custody,” officials said, adding that a large part of the drugs were intended to be shipped to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.</div><div><br></div><div>The investigations were carried out by Aachen public prosecutor’s office and Essen customs investigation office, and the biggest seizure was made when 324 kg (714 Ibs) of Captagon pills were confiscated in a warehouse, according to the statement. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 14:47:24', '2023-12-21 14:47:24'),
(10529, 10529, '<div><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report on Thursday slammed Meta, the umbrella company that runs social media and messaging titans Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, for “silencing voices in support of Palestine.”</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Meta’s content moderation policies and systems have increasingly silenced voices in support of Palestine on Instagram and Facebook in the wake of the hostilities between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups,” said the 51-page report, titled Meta’s Broken Promises: Systemic Censorship of Palestine Content on Instagram and Facebook.</div><div><br></div><div>“Human Rights Watch found that the problem stems from flawed Meta policies and their inconsistent and erroneous implementation, overreliance on automated tools to moderate content, and undue government influence over content removals,” HRW also said in an article – which provides details on the findings of the report – published on its website.</div><div><br></div><div>“Human Rights Watch reviewed 1,050 cases of online censorship from over 60 countries. Though they are not necessarily a representative analysis of censorship, the cases are consistent with years of reporting and advocacy by Palestinian, regional, and international human rights organizations detailing Meta’s censorship of content supporting Palestinians,” the HRW said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the HRW report, there are six key patterns of censorship, “each recurring in at least 100 instances: content removals, suspension or deletion of accounts, inability to engage with content, inability to follow or tag accounts, restrictions on the use of features such as Instagram/Facebook Live, and ‘shadow banning’,” a term denoting a significant decrease in the visibility of an individual’s posts, stories or account without notification.</div><div><br></div><div>“In over 300 cases, users were unable to appeal content or account removal because the appeal mechanism malfunctioned, leaving them with no effective access to a remedy,” the HRW said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the HRW, Meta is using its “Dangerous Organizations and Individuals” (DOI) policy “sweepingly to restrict legitimate speech around hostilities between Israel and Palestinian armed groups.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Meta also misapplied its policies on violent and graphic content, violence and incitement, hate speech, and nudity and sexual activity. It has inconsistently applied its ‘newsworthy allowance’ policy, removing dozens of pieces of content documenting Palestinian injury and death that has news value,” the rights group said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to HRW, Meta has also failed in its commitment to make changes in its ways to enforce content moderation.</div><div><br></div><div>“In 2022, in response to the investigation’s recommendations as well as guidance by Meta’s Oversight Board, Meta made a commitment to make a series of changes to its policies and their enforcement in content moderation. Almost two years later, though, Meta has not carried out its commitments, and the company has failed to meet its human rights responsibilities,” HRW said, referring to an independent investigation that found that the company’s content moderation in 2021 “had an adverse human rights impact on the rights of Palestinian users,” and also adversely affected “the ability of Palestinians to share information and insights about their experiences as they occurred.”</div><div><br></div><div>Palestinian social media activists have long been complaining about bias by social media platforms as they face growing restrictions, with many contents being blocked or removed.</div><div><br></div><div>The Sada Social Center, an organization dedicated to monitoring and documenting digital violations against Palestine content online, said social media platforms removed thousands of posts and accounts since Oct. 7, the day fighting erupted between Hamas and Israel. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 14:49:22', '2023-12-21 14:49:22'),
(10530, 10530, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Additional Commissioner  (Crime and Operations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mahid Uddin on Thursday said security has been increased though there is no information or threat of attack. </span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He made the remark in response to a question from reporters after inspecting the security system of metro rail from Uttara to Agargaon in the capital on Thursday afternoon. </div><div><br></div><div>The DMP official said that the authorities concerned have already been requested to take immediate step to install baggage scanners, archways and detect explosive substances as metro rail is an important communication establishment.</div><div><br></div><div>This security measure is part of DMP\'s best efforts to keep everyone safe in the city, the DMP official added. </div><div><br></div><div>When asked whether there is any threat of sabotage act on metro rail, Mahid said, “Saboteurs do not commit any crime after informing others. However, there is no information or threat of attack. We are increasing security every day at every location. Not just metro rail. We try to ensure safety in every place including railway stations, bus stations and roads. We do not expect any sabotage. We want everyone\'s cooperation, awareness,” he added, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>When asked about setting fire on a passenger train in Tejgaon, he said, \"Our work is going on. Video footages have already been collected and the investigation is underway. Time is yet to come to make any comment,” he added. </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 14:52:19', '2023-12-21 16:21:43'),
(10531, 10531, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chinese earthquake survivors recovered in hospital as rescue teams rushed to deliver supplies on Thursday, the third day since the country’s deadliest quake in years killed 135 people.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The toll rose from the previous day’s 134, state news agency Xinhua said, as rescuers continued to search for victims buried as the soil liquified in northwestern Qinghai Province.</div><div><br></div><div>Almost 1,000 were injured across Qinghai and neighbouring Gansu province after the strong, shallow tremor hit the region on Monday night.</div><div><br></div><div>At the Jishishan County People’s Hospital in Gansu, near the epicentre of the quake, doctors attended to survivors with mild injuries on Thursday, administering intravenous drips and examining X-rays in buildings visibly damaged by the tremor.</div><div><br></div><div>“I really want to go home,” one patient, a middle-aged woman waiting to receive surgery on her injured leg, told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“But my place has been destroyed, so I wonder where I can go,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“People are still worried about the aftershocks, they can’t sleep well because there is no safe place”, a Jishishan county official told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>The US Geological Survey said Monday night’s magnitude-5.9 quake struck at 11:59 pm with an epicentre about 100 kilometers from Gansu’s provincial capital, Lanzhou.</div><div><br></div><div>Dozens of smaller aftershocks followed and officials warned that tremors with a magnitude of more than 5.0 were possible in the next few days.</div><div><br></div><div>Rescuers from across the country appeared to have reached more survivors in rural Gansu overnight, with AFP reporters seeing that large numbers of government-issued blue tents had been put up in Jishishan to replace improvised shelters built by residents immediately after the quake.</div><div><br></div><div>In Qinghai province, 12 people remain missing after a “sand boil” disaster on Tuesday buried people alive and in Zhongchuan Township, according to Xinhua.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 15:08:54', '2023-12-21 15:08:54'),
(10532, 10532, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Three soldiers were killed in India-administered Kashmir during a gunbattle in the disputed Himalayan territory, the army said Thursday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Two army vehicles were conducting an operation in Rajouri district south of Srinagar, the region’s biggest city, when they were fired upon by rebel forces, a defense spokesperson told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“Troops sustained 3 fatal and 3 non-fatal casualties,” the spokesperson added.</div><div><br></div><div>Army operations were continuing in the area and further details of the incident were “being ascertained,” they said.</div><div><br></div><div>Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since both countries gained independence in 1947, with each claiming the high-altitude territory in full.</div><div><br></div><div>The fighting comes just days after India’s top court upheld a 2019 decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to revoke the limited autonomy of the Muslim-majority territory.</div><div><br></div><div>Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>The conflict has left tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and militants dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, five Indian soldiers and two suspected rebels were killed in the region.</div><div><br></div><div>India blames Pakistan for backing the militants, a charge Islamabad denies, saying it only supports a Kashmiri struggle for the right to self-determination. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 15:16:28', '2023-12-21 15:16:28'),
(10533, 10533, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a High Court order that directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to accept and dispose of the bail petitions of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in connection with 10 cases.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Justice M Enayetur Rahim, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division of the SC, passed the order following a petition filed by the state challenging the HC order.</div><div><br></div><div>The Chamber Judge also sent the petition to its full bench and fixed January 15 to hear in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin , A M Mahbub Uddin Khokan, and Advocate Sagir Hossain Leon appeared in the court on behalf of Mirza Fakhrul, while Attorney General A M Amin Uddin, Deputy Attorney General Md Sarwar Hossain and Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.</div><div><br></div><div>Eleven cases were filed at Paltan and Ramna police stations on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice\'s residence during a BNP rally on October 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain why Fakhrul should not be granted bail in a case filed over the attack on the Chief Justice\'s residence.</div><div><br></div><div>He sought bail in the remaining 10 cases. But on December 12, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court of Dhaka rejected the bail petitions.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, a writ petition was filed with the HC on December 14.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the petition, a High Court bench on December 18 directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Courts in Dhaka to accept and dispose of the bail petitions of BNP Secretary General in the nine cases as Mirza Fakhrul was shown arrested in one of the cases filed with Paltan police.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP secretary general was arrested in a case on October 29.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, a bail petition was filed with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka. The court sent him to jail rejecting his bail petition. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 15:38:19', '2023-12-21 15:38:19'),
(10534, 10534, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Hijackings, missile strikes and drone assaults on ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have forced AP Moller-Maersk, a Danish shipping and logistics giant, and Hapag-Lloyd, a German shipping and container transportation company, to pause shipments through the Red Sea.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Their decisions, announced on Friday, are a sign that major corporations are taking the security situation in the Red Sea increasingly seriously. But the consequences might also be felt by the world’s oil markets and the cost of energy that consumers need to bear – though the extent of any disruption might depend on how major global players respond to the looming crisis, said experts.</div><div><br></div><div>Maersk said in a statement that its decision stemmed from the company’s concerns about the “highly escalated security situation in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden” over the past few weeks. Recent missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels represent a “significant threat to the safety and security of seafarers,” it said.</div><div><br></div><div>Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd together operate almost a quarter of the world’s shipping fleet.</div><div><br></div><div>The growing insecurity in the Red Sea is a result of Israel’s war on Gaza which began on October 7. Since Israel’s bombardment of the Palestinian enclave began 10 weeks ago, the Houthis have attacked at least eight ships in the Bab el-Mandeb, the strait separating Eritrea and Djibouti on one side from the Arabian Peninsula on the other.</div><div><br></div><div>Only 29km (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, the Bab el-Mandeb is a vital route for international trade –10 percent of the world’s seaborne crude flows through this strait – meaning any disruptions become a global problem.</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthis have been targeting vessels which are at least partly owned by Israelis or by anyone shipping cargo to Israel via the Red Sea. In November, the group said it had taken over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, which it claimed was Israeli owned. But Israel described it as a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo vessel with no Israeli nationals on board. That ship was headed for India.</div><div><br></div><div>The rebels, who have been in control of large parts of Yemen since 2014, have promised to continue carrying out such attacks until a full ceasefire is implemented in Gaza. This is part of a strategy aimed at raising the costs for the US and others of supporting Israel in various ways.</div><div><br></div><div>Such hostilities also serve to demonstrate that the Houthis are a force with staying power in Yemen and an increasingly bold and determined part of the so-called “axis of resistance”. This also includes Hamas in Gaza, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the Syrian government and various Syrian and Iraqi non-state actors backed by Tehran. - Al Jazeera&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-21 15:40:54', '2023-12-21 15:40:54'),
(10535, 10535, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Nations wants to see a full investigation into the arson attack on a moving train recently that claimed four lives, including a mother and her child.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"I think it is incumbent on the authorities in Bangladesh to fully investigate the source and to bring those responsible to justice,\" Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, told reporters in a regular briefing in New York on December 21.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN extended its condolences to all victims of the arson attack.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh’s foreign ministry yesterday said that in the Mohanganj Express derailment incident, the local administration, police, and fire departments responded \"swiftly\" to the derailment caused by the removed rail tracks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two suspects have been apprehended, linked to the sabotage, said the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Investigations suggest that this act was premeditated, with meetings held to plan this deadly act. This sabotage is a direct attack on the state and its people, aiming to disrupt the upcoming election and the nation\'s progress,\" said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, Stéphane Dujarric also said they call for \"free and fair\" elections in Bangladesh where people can vote without any sort of intimidation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Obviously, we may have things to say after the elections, but our position remains unchanged,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the government and people of Bangladesh \"stand firmly\" against terrorism and acts of violence as the election draws near.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They are determined to uphold peace and continue the country\'s socio-economic development, despite these challenges,\" said the MoFA on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, MoFA Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin in a weekly briefing on Thursday afternoon said nine countries have confirmed to observe the 12th national parliamentary election scheduled for January 7.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India, Japan, Sri Lanka, China, Russia, Japan, Uzbekistan, Mauritius, Georgia and Palestine are sending observers, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">OIC, Commonwealth and Arab Parliament will also observe the elections, she mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A four-member EU expert panel is already in Dhaka to observe the election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A diplomatic source told UNB that NDI-IRI small team will also observe the polls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After failing to gain popular and political support, a faction of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and their allies have intensified their efforts to enforce a blockade, aiming to create significant impediments to the upcoming election, the foreign ministry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This strategic move by the BNP has led to a disturbing increase in vandalism and arson attacks across the country, according to the ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Their supporters have engaged in these destructive acts to instill panic and exert undue pressure on the government to concede to their controversial demands, the foreign ministry 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, '2023-12-22 10:01:50', '2023-12-22 10:01:50'),
(10536, 10536, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Human rights groups and independent bodies in the UK have condemned London, asserting its complicity in Israel\'s alleged war crimes by continuing arms sales.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>They argue that failure to cease weapon exports to Israel, deemed in violation of international humanitarian law, warrants scrutiny and criticism.</div><div><br></div><div>The Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and the human rights organization, Al-Haq, in Ramallah, have initiated legal action against the UK.</div><div><br></div><div>They accuse the UK of disregarding demands to halt arms sales to Israel, citing violations of international law.</div><div><br></div><div>Al-Haq and GLAN have taken legal in the High Court, alleging persistent neglect of written requests to halt the arms sales.</div><div><br></div><div>The application provides details on Israel\'s policies, including attacks on civilians, infrastructure and facilities like hospitals and schools, as well as forced displacement and hunger-inducing measures.</div><div><br></div><div>The independent International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) and civil society group, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) have voiced support for the initiative.</div><div><br></div><div>The case accuses the UK of complicity in Israel\'s violations of international law and war crimes.</div><div><br></div><div>Complicity is aiding and abetting war crimes</div><div><br></div><div>ICJP\'s Legal Affairs Officer, Dania Abu Elhaj, told Anadolu that the UK has approved military export licenses to Israel totaling at least £474 million ($601 million) since 2015, covering items such as warplanes, missiles, tanks, small arms and ammunition components.</div><div><br></div><div>Elhaj pointed out that approximately 15% of components used in Israel\'s bombing of Gaza with F-35 aircraft are supplied by the UK.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The F-35 aircraft is currently being used to bombard Gaza at the moment, helping kill thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians and bombards civilian infrastructure and houses,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This complicity entails the aiding and abetting of the war crimes that are being conducted right now before our very own eyes on the ground. So we believe politicians who are providing moral support and any material support provided to Israel may be held accountable for aiding and abetting the commission of these crimes.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We believe the UK should not be granting any licensing agreements for its businesses to provide weapons to Israel or to any regimes actually that commit the scale of atrocities that we\'re witnessing today happening in Gaza. UK has a legal obligation to abide by its own strategic arms licensing criteria, which is what the submission submitted by ICJP, GLAN and Al Halq provides,\" she stressed.</div><div><br></div><div>Elhaj highlighted the UK\'s obligation to halt arms trade with countries posing a risk of serious violations of international law or using weapons to breach international legal standards.</div><div><br></div><div>Demanding UK refrain from providing any support to Israel</div><div><br></div><div>Elhaj said Al-Haq and GLAN, with ICJP\'s support, have commenced a legal examination of the Strategic Arms Licensing Criteria between the UK and Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>She urged a review of the UK\'s Strategic Arms Licensing Criteria related to Israel and urged London to refrain from supplying any material support or components used in warplanes or weapons that may facilitate crimes against the Palestinian people.</div><div><br></div><div>\"When it comes to our expectations of judicial review, we have seen in 2009 the UK suspending arms trading with Israel in light of Operation Cast Lead. We have also seen the UK review its licensed arms exports to Israel in 2014 and within that review, there was a suspension of the arms export to Israel until the review was conducted,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have also seen the UK admit in 2009 that their British-made arms had been used by Israel and they had misused the equipment and that this conclusion would inform future license applications,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Elhaj emphasized the need for accountability, stating that those responsible for war crimes and mass atrocities must be held accountable for their actions.</div><div><br></div><div>She said if politicians disregard the need to uphold the rule of law, courts should intervene for justice.</div><div><br></div><div>\'UK is materially and actually contributing to hell on earth that\'s happening in Gaza\'</div><div><br></div><div>Katie Fallon, CAAT advocacy coordinator, told Anadolu that the UK provides military and political support to Israel</div><div><br></div><div>\"UK is materially and actually contributing to the hell on earth that\'s happening in Gaza right now,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"With the components that are being used in deaths that are dropping bombs, with the range of different other types of equipment, but the second kind of part of that is this military support is an indication of the political support that we\'ve seen.”</div><div><br></div><div>Fallon stated that CAAT received confirmation from civil society organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), about the violation of international humanitarian law and the commission of numerous war crimes.</div><div><br></div><div>\"What the law says is that if there\'s a risk that they may facilitate or contribute to these violations, then we have to start so we believe we\'re well past that threshold and that the government needs to immediately stop issuing licenses, halt all new licenses, and particularly end any open licenses that are used to supply arms to Israel,\" she stressed.</div><div><br></div><div>Being complicit in international humanitarian law violations is participating in horror in Gaza</div><div><br></div><div>Fallon emphasized that CAAT\'s call is for an immediate cease-fire and halt arms exports.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I think the other thing that we need they clearly is that by being complicit in violations of international humanitarian law, if a government is contributing, it\'s complicit in the specific horrors that we\'re seeing in Gaza,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fallon also emphasized that giving any country a free pass to commit violations against civilians weakens global adherence to international law. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-22 15:53:58', '2023-12-22 15:53:58'),
(10537, 10537, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The managing directors (MDs) of commercial banks and financial institutions are dealing with higher stress levels due to rising defaulted loans and pressure to provide loans to unworthy companies.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Four MDs, of three banks and one financial institution, have resigned in recent times, unable to work under such pressure.</div><div><br></div><div>Economist Ahsan H Mansur told UNB that this situation hints that MDs are not able to work independently or follow the Bank Company Act.</div><div><br></div><div>“When professionalism is prioritised and the bank is performing well, the MD of such a bank would never try to resign,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, echoed Dr Mansur, saying that many MDs feel that no one can stop the influential persons from engaging in illegal practices.</div><div><br></div><div>He said this is a sign of a disaster in the banking sector. So the central bank has to wake up to save the financial sector.</div><div><br></div><div>The MDs of Bank Asia, South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce (SBAC) Bank, Padma Bank, and Aviva Finance resigned within a short time recently.</div><div><br></div><div>Among them, the MDs of Padma Bank and SBAC Bank returned to their positions following the intervention of Bangladesh Bank, but the resigned MDs of Bank Asia and Aviva Finance did not return. The process of appointing new MDs has started in these two institutions.</div><div><br></div><div>Bank Asia MD Arif Billah Adil Chowdhury resigned on July 26. Padma Bank MD Tarek Riaz Khan stepped down in September. In the same month, South Bengal Agriculture and Commerce Bank (SBAC) Bank\'s MD Habibur Rahman also submitted his resignation letter. Abdul Jabbar, MD of Aviva Finance, a non-banking financial institution, was the last to resign.</div><div><br></div><div>The resignations triggered a fear of instability in the sector.</div><div><br></div><div>To prevent unrest, top officials of the central bank called the resigned MDs and, in some cases, the chairman and held urgent meetings with them. In these meetings, the MDs who resigned were urged to return to their duties.</div><div><br></div><div>The MDs were also assured that the central bank would protect them if the Board of Directors intervened in performing their duties. SBAC Bank MD Habibur Rahman returned to duty before the Central Bank started this process.</div><div><br></div><div>Padma Bank MD Tarek Riaz Khan returned to his old position on November 19. Meanwhile, Bank Asia MD Arif Billah Adil Chowdhury\'s resignation was not accepted. But he refused to return to work.</div><div><br></div><div>The process of replacing him with Meghna Bank MD Sohail RK Hussain has started, which is awaiting approval from the central bank.</div><div><br></div><div>The MD of Aviva Finance did not return to his duties despite the efforts of the central bank. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 08:42:21', '2023-12-23 08:42:21'),
(10538, 10538, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday urged candidates to strictly follow the electoral code of conduct.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Follow electoral code strictly and to come out of the belief that irregularities must be done in the voting field,” he said while speaking at a view exchange meeting with the election candidates at Returning Officer’s auditorium in Barishal, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We want to ensure a free, fair and neutral election and won’t spare anyone if they try to obstruct it,” the CEC added.</div><div><br></div><div>If there is an allegation of vote rigging in any polling booth then the Election Commission will suspend balloting in the polling station, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Barishal Divisional Commissioner Shawkat Ali presided over the meeting while Election Commission Secretary Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Barishal Range Deputy Inspector General Jamil Hasan, Police Commissioner Jihadul Kabir, returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam were present there.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 09:28:52', '2023-12-23 09:28:52');
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(10539, 10539, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel has said in a highly volatile world market economic slowdown, geo-political crisis, global trade policy shifts, climate action and ESG priorities, disruptive technologies and supply chain or inventory management may continue to be the major issues in the coming year.</b></span><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"For us the strategy for the next decade should be investment in backward linkages, technology, complex skills development, and continuing the sustainability momentum,\" said Rubel, also Additional Managing Director, Denim Expert Ltd.</div><div><br></div><div>He said initiatives towards green transformation must be accelerated and supported.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Going global is our next agenda, where virtual marketplace can serve as a strategic avenue, particularly for the SMEs,\" Rubel wrote in an article titled \"Beyond Challenges: Comprehensive recap of Bangladesh ready-made garment industry in 2023.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"As we are ready to set our foot in 2024, poised to embark on a new chapter; we can confidently say that 2023 was a pivotal year for us. Despite wresting with twofold challenges, domestic and international, we have successfully overcome them and emerged stronger,\" he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Rubel said, \"Going forward, not only in 2024 but also in next decade, we have to continue the momentum of our achievements\"</div><div><br></div><div>Achieving excellence in products, fiber, and markets diversification and value addition are the key opportunities for this sector.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We need to develop our capacity in backward and forward linkage industries.&nbsp; At the same time, we need to focus on innovation, technological up-gradation, design and skill development, and overall business capabilities,\" Rubel said.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the RMG industry leader said the uncertainty persists as the advanced economies are struggling with inflation and recession as well as the crisis of pandemic is still haunting our economy.</div><div><br></div><div>Geopolitical issues like Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Hamas conflict has created an additional layer of adversity.</div><div><br></div><div>The escalation of inflation has hit pinnacle of record with 8.8% in 2022 which was 4.7% in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>The impact of this inflation continued into 2023 with 6.8%, affecting consumer demand for apparel in the United States and Europe. In the first 9 months of 2023, the overall import of the European countries declined by 12.08%, which has been recorded as 22.71% for the United States in January-October 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>Consequently, Bangladesh faced a 15.87% decrease in EU’s import and 24.75% decrease in the US market.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This pressure exerted a significant impact in the pricing dynamics of major clothing items, resulting in a notable 7%-9% decrease in our average unit prices,\" he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Nevertheless, the picture is not entirely bleak.</div><div><br></div><div>The ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh has started producing value-added garments, a strategic move that allowed us to maintain our average unit prices.</div><div><br></div><div>In parallel, amid the adversities, a number of accomplishments have been added to our success list.</div><div><br></div><div>Significant strides in circular fashion has been established, the number of LEED certified green garment factories by USGBC reached 206 including 76 platinum rated ones.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Despite the economic headwinds, as per the “World Trade Statistical Review” by WTO in 2022, Bangladesh has regained its ranking as the 2nd largest apparel exporter in the world with a 7.87% share of the global market.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh has already become the top denim-sourcing country for the U.S.A. &amp; EU. Now we are in close competition with the largest apparel exporter in China in the EU market, Rubel said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The RMG sector continues to thrive, reaching USD 47 billion in the last fiscal year 2022-23.</div><div><br></div><div>This is a new landmark in our history of RMG manufacturing, as we have exceeded the 40 billion dollar mark in 40 years of journey.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from the major markets EU &amp; USA, our export share in non-traditional markets has also doubled from 6.87% in FY2008-09 to 17.82% in FY2022-23.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>On the domestic front, there has been substantial infrastructure development, including the completion of the Padma Bridge and Railway Bridge, Metro Rail, Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Chattogram Elevated Expressway, Bangabandhu Tunnel (Karnaphuli), Dhaka-Cox\'s Bazar Train, Payra Sea Port, Terminal-3 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Matarbari Thermal Power Plant, and Rampal Coal Power Plant, he mentioned.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Challenges persisted throughout the year, as we encountered increased electricity and gas prices, a decrease in foreign currency reserve, and issues related to minimum wage review,\" Rubel mentioned.</div><div><br></div><div>The global attention on U.S. disclosures and European labor regulation has created additional pressure, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>\"However, we want to emphasise that even in the face of such challenges, we are taking all-out steps to make the industry sustainable and to take better care of our workers and community,\" he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"Looming LDC graduation poses another layer of challenge in our itinerary towards future growth, and we are committed to take astute measures,\" he added.</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 10:16:27', '2023-12-23 10:16:27'),
(10540, 10540, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League-nominated candidate for Magura-1, superstar cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, sought all-out support from all for the development of the constituency.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Shakib is busy with election campaign organised by the local unit of Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>He was seen seeking votes from local voters while visiting villages, unions and areas under the constituency that includes Atharokada, Raghabdair, Moghi union in Sadar upazila.</div><div><br></div><div>Massive crowds turned out to see the cricketer while some greeted Shakib with flowers.</div><div><br></div><div>He also urged people to exercise their franchise at the polling stations on January 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Magura Returning officer Abu Naser Beg said some 3,99,615 people — 2,00,707 males and 1,98,907 females — are scheduled to exercise their franchise under Magura-1 (Magura-Sripur) constituency.</div><div><br></div><div>Necessary training was provided to the election officials and staff, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Shakib submitted his nomination paper at the office of District Commissioner and District Returning Officer Mohammed Abu Naser Beg in Magura on November 30.</div><div><br></div><div>Shakib will contest the parliamentary election for the first time. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 10:18:58', '2023-12-23 10:18:58'),
(10541, 10541, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh\'s pace attack shredded New Zealand\'s batting on a green Napier pitch to record a historic nine-wicket win in the third and final one-day international on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Having been well beaten in the first two matches to cede the series, Bangladesh produced a remarkable form reversal at McLean Park to dismiss the hosts for just 98 in 34.1 overs.</div><div><br></div><div>The run chase was a procession, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scoring an unbeaten half-century as they coasted to 99-1 in 15.1 overs.</div><div><br></div><div>It was Bangladesh\'s first ODI win over the Black Caps on New Zealand soil, having lost the 18 previous fixtures.</div><div><br></div><div>Shanto\'s contribution began with him winning the toss and inserting the Black Caps on a green, bouncy surface which also offered sideways movement -- and his seamers responded.</div><div><br></div><div>Three of them picked up three wickets as New Zealand were skittled for their lowest total in 45 ODIs between the teams.</div><div><br></div><div>Tanzim Hasan Sakib (3-14) and Soumya Sarkar (3-18) both bagged career-best figures while Shoriful Islam\'s 3-22 included the scalp of top-scoring Will Young, caught in the gully for 26.</div><div><br></div><div>Young has been in superb touch in the series, scoring 105 and 89 in the wins in Dunedin and Nelson respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>Captain Tom Latham (21) put on 36 with Young for the third wicket but his dismissal -- clean bowled by Islam -- sparked a collapse which saw the last eight wickets fall for 40 runs, many of them to wayward shots.</div><div><br></div><div>There was an early blemish in the run chase when opening batter Sarkar -- who scored 169 in a losing cause in Napier on Wednesday -- was forced to retire hurt for four because of an eye problem.</div><div><br></div><div>Loose New Zealand bowling meant there were few problems from that point, with Shanto (51 not out) putting on 69 with opener Anamul Haque, who was the only batsman dismissed when edging paceman William O\'Rourke on 37.</div><div><br></div><div>O\'Rourke had earlier been struck for four successive boundaries by the free-hitting Shanto in the 11th over of the innings.</div><div><br></div><div>The teams will prepare for a three-match T20 international series, starting in Napier on Wednesday, according to AFP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 10:26:45', '2023-12-23 10:26:45'),
(10542, 10542, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said BNP could not dim the enthusiasm and mood surrounding the next general election despite resorting to arson attacks.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The government is taking stern action against arson terrorism. In fact, BNP\'s call to boycott the election has been fused (like a light bulb),” he said while exchanging views with journalists on contemporary issues at the YNT Centre at Dewanji Pukur Lane in Chattogram city on Saturday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>\"BNP has announced a non-cooperation programme out of its delusion. But its leaders and activists are not cooperating with this non-cooperation,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The foreigners to whom BNP used to repeatedly go for intervention are now saying that the election should be fair and no one should obstruct it. In other words, caretaker government, election-time government, all these issues are no longer there. Now everyone is discussing how to make the election fair,” said Hasan.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The recent UN statements and briefings said no one should obstruct the election, that is, there should be no violence. At the same time, the United States also said that they want to see a fair and peaceful election in the country, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our Prime Minister, Bangabandhu\'s daughter, has warned all not to resort to violence during the election and to hold the election in a free and fair manner. In fact, a beautiful and fair election is going to be held in the country. That\'s why the government is providing maximum support to the Election Commission,” added the AL leader.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 11:41:27', '2023-12-23 11:41:27'),
(10543, 10543, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Sheikh Hasina, president of the Awami League, on Saturday said that aspirants from her party are running in the January 7 parliamentary polls to help make the vote participatory and peaceful.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She was addressing six public rallies in as many districts simultaneously through video links from her party’s Dhaka office at Tejgaon.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, who is also the prime minister, explained why Awami League opened the electoral contest also to the party’s aspirants who failed to get the party’s tickets this time.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The reason behind this is that we want people’s participation in the election and they can cast their votes peacefully,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She asked all candidates including the party nominated candidates and the independent contestants to go to every door to seek votes.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who will win people’s votes will be the MPs,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The rallies, organised by Awami League, were held virtually at Public Library Filed in Kushtia, Wazir Ali School and College Field in Jhenaidah, Satkhira Government High School in Satkhira, Zilla Stadium in Netrokona, and Sheikh Russell Stadium in Rangamati district as well as Bamna and Patharghata upazilas in Barguna districts from Bangladesh Awami League Office.</div><div><br></div><div>She once again said that she wants the election to be held in a peaceful manner where voters will exercise their right properly.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We want to secure the democracy because if democracy prevails in a country that country advances rapidly and we have proved that,” said the AL chief.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that her party wants to sustain the country’s development momentum for the welfare of the people.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina once again castigated opposition BNP which is boycotting the next month’s balloting fearing it will be rigged by the Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>“BNP does not come in the election but in the name of resisting it they have unleashed arson terrorism like in 2013 and 2014. They are now out in the field with their dangerous face,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection she mentioned about the recent incidents of train fires and uprooting of tracks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She questioned about the leadership of BNP as Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman are both convicted in various cases, including corruption.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said that Tarique is doing fine in London playing gamble. “He is giving orders from there and BNP leaders are killing people in Bangladesh,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that although Kahleda is very sick, her son Tarique never came to see her.</div><div><br></div><div>If he has so much courage let him come to the country, she said adding that then the people of Bangladesh will avenge the killings of the innocents.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said that BNP is not at all a political party. Its ally Jamaat-e-Islami is a party of war criminals, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP is a terrorist party while Jamaat is the war criminals’ party, she said adding that&nbsp; “We have to keep the country free from war criminals and terrorists in order to continue the trend of development.”</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the country is not secured in the hands of terrorist BNP and war criminal Jamaat.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Because they don’t t believe in the country’s Independence and spirit of the War of Liberation I am urging all to save the country and the nation from these menaces,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina highlighted the successes of the successive Awami League governments since 2009.</div><div><br></div><div>As the Awami League has been in the power since 2009, the country has changed a lot in the last 15 years, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have attained the recognition as the developing nation. We will have to advance further,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the election will be fair, and people will choose their desired candidates through election, and democracy will be unhindered.</div><div><br></div><div>“My request to you all is we have to continue the democratic process, maintain the development spree,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister warned that the Awami League will not allow anyone to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh. “This has to be remembered.”</div><div><br></div><div>Senior party leaders were present in Dhaka Awami League office while the Awami League nominated candidates and other leaders attended from the six districts. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 14:16:11', '2023-12-23 14:16:11'),
(10544, 10544, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">After a break of 10 days, the BNP and like-minded parties are again going to enforce a day-long road-rail-waterway blockade across the country on Sunday to press home their demand for holding an inclusive election under a neutral government.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>It will be the 12th round of the blockade programme of the opposition parties since October 31, and the first one since the announcement of its non-cooperation movement against the government on December 20.</div><div><br></div><div>The blockade will begin at 6am and end at 6 pm on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing on Monday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called upon the country\'s people and the supporters of BNP and other opposition parties to observe the programme spontaneously to make it a success.</div><div><br></div><div>Vehicles of the newspapers or media, ambulances and vehicles transporting oxygen cylinders and medicines will remain out of the purview of the blockade.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said the fresh blockade programme is also meant to mount pressure on the government to quit,&nbsp; annul the election schedule for the 12th parliamentary polls, and release party leaders and activists, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.</div><div><br></div><div>He said other opposition parties, who have long been carrying out the simultaneous movement with the BNP, will also observe a similar programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi, on behalf of BNP, thanked the leaders of the opposition parties who conducted mass campaigns on December 21, 22 and 23 by distributing leaflets in different parts of the country urging people to boycott the ‘lopsided’ election slated for January 7 and to drum up public support in favour of the non-cooperation movement.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the opposition parties last enforced a 36-hour road-rail-waterway blockade across the country beginning on October 12.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP’s movement lost its momentum following clashes with law enforcers centring the party’s grand rally on October 28 as many senior leaders, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers.</div><div><br></div><div>However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 22 days in 11 phases and hartals for five days in four spells since October 29.</div><div><br></div><div>Finally, the opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 15:09:31', '2023-12-23 15:09:31'),
(10545, 10545, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Saturday revealed that more than Tk 92,261 crore has been siphoned off from the country’s banking sector through various scams over the past 15 years from 2008 to 2023.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The independent think-tank disclosed the information in a media briefing titled \'Economy of Bangladesh 2023-24: Ongoing Crisis and Actions\' at its Dhanmondi office in Dhaka on Saturday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>The funds were plundered through 24 scams in the banking sector from 2008 to 2023, CPD said.</div><div><br></div><div>CPD noted that during the last several years, the banking sector has encountered several irregularities perpetrated by numerous business conglomerates and individuals, resulting in the misappropriation of substantial sums of money from several banks, amounting to thousands of crores of taka.</div><div><br></div><div>“CPD has compiled published news reports of 24 major irregularities in the banking sector from 2008 to 2023, which add up to an astronomically large amount of more than BDT 922.61 billion or more than BDT 92,261crore,” it said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the CPD, the decision and disbursement of a significant number of loans are made under the guidance and directives of higher authorities within the bank.</div><div><br></div><div>Unfortunately, it has been observed that small borrowers have been subjected to legal consequences, including imprisonment, in instances where they fail to fulfil their financial obligations. However, large defaulters continue to remain unscathed, it observed.</div><div><br></div><div>The current state of the banking industry is precarious as it is plagued by fraudulent activities and irregularities. The incidents indicate a notable lack of proactive measures by the authorities to address the issue and establish a sense of order within the sector.</div><div><br></div><div>Fahmida Khatun, the executive director of CPD, briefed the media about the prevailing economic crises and probable ways out, while distinguished fellow Mustafizur Rahman, research director Khondaker Golam Moazzem, and senior research fellow Towfiqul Islam responded to the media queries. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 16:23:40', '2023-12-23 16:23:40'),
(10546, 10546, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League nominated candidate for Sylhet-1 constituency, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, on Saturday predicted that Awami League-nominated candidates will win all the seats in Sylhet in the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“There is no scope to underestimate any candidate; no election is easy. All seats will be contested. People will vote in a festive atmosphere,” he told journalists after an election campaign at Sobhanighat kitchen market area in Sylhet city in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>There is no pressure on the government centring the election. The grassroots leaders and activists are working to ensure and boost voter turnout in the polling centres, said Momen.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the day, he exchanged greetings with voters and sought votes for the boat symbol.</div><div><br></div><div>If re-elected, he assured of developing Sylhet as an enlightened, harmonious, and advanced city.</div><div><br></div><div>Professor Zakir Hossain, general secretary of the Sylhet Metropolitan unit of Awami League; Tapan Mitra, Sylhet AL agriculture and cooperatives secretary, were present at the time, among others. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 16:25:50', '2023-12-23 16:25:50'),
(10547, 10547, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Around 300 Indian nationals who were on board a plane grounded in France on suspicion of human trafficking were being cared for on Saturday in the hall of an airport in the eastern region of Marne while an investigation was ongoing, a local official said.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Marne emergency services had installed makeshift beds for the 303 stranded passengers, gave them access to toilets and showers and provided meals and hot drinks at Vatry airport, a spokeswoman for the Marne prefect’s office said.</div><div><br></div><div>Officials from the Indian general consulate were visiting them regularly, she added in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The flight, which was operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines, landed at Vatry on Thursday for a technical stopover en route from Dubai when French police intervened, the Marne prefect’s office said on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>It said a judicial investigation into the conditions and purpose of the trip had been launched, with a unit specializing in organized crime investigating suspected human trafficking.</div><div><br></div><div>AFP reported the passengers on the grounded plane, which was bound for Nicaragua, included 13 unaccompanied minors.</div><div><br></div><div>The Paris public prosecution office said on Friday that two people were held for questioning, adding that authorities had been tipped off by an anonymous informant.</div><div><br></div><div>It gave no further information on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>A lawyer representing Legend Airlines said on Saturday the plane’s crew had been released after questioning.</div><div><br></div><div>“The members of the crew have been questioned, the questioning has ended and they are all free to move. None has been put in custody,” Liliana Bakayoko told BFM TV.</div><div><br></div><div>The flight was chartered by a “trusted” client, Bakayoko said, adding that it was a non-European company which the airline did not want to name.</div><div><br></div><div>Legend Airlines did not understand why the plane had been grounded, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Indian embassy in Paris and the Indian foreign ministry did not immediately reply to request for comment on Saturday. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 16:29:33', '2023-12-23 16:29:33'),
(10548, 10548, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Russian ambassador to the US said on Saturday that the latest Washington sanctions are aimed at intimidating Moscow\'s trade partners.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Anatoly Antonov pointed out in a comment on the embassy\'s Telegram account that the majority of the latest restrictions are directed against organizations in third countries.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Most of the decisions announced by the US Treasury Department are directed against organizations in third states. Under the guise of geopolitical slogans, there is a desire to intimidate our partners and force them to cut off mutually beneficial ties with the Russian Federation,\" he stressed.</div><div><br></div><div>US President Joe Biden on Friday signed a decree aimed at tightening sanctions against Russia and providing for the possibility of imposing restrictions on financial institutions that, according to Washington, carry out transactions in the interests of the Russian military-industrial complex.</div><div><br></div><div>The US Treasury Department later announced that it is imposing a ban on the import of some categories of Russian fish and fish products.</div><div><br></div><div>Antonov also questioned the US inability to understand that \"their reckless actions strengthen the artificial division of the world market\" and harm their interests.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They (the US) undermine the status of the dollar jurisdiction in the eyes of the Global South, and their satellites,\" he noted.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, Washington\'s sanctions negate the possibility of restoring a mutually respectful dialogue between Russia and the US, he said. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-23 16:40:38', '2023-12-23 16:40:38'),
(10549, 10549, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The country’s power and energy sectors have been hit by severe cash crunch, especially the US dollars, piling up a huge backlog in payment of their import bills, official sources said this week.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to official sources, the sectors’ cumulative outstanding bills have now jumped to about $5 billion of which the backlog amount in the power sector is about $4 billion (about Tk 43,093 crore) and remaining 1 billion is in the energy sector.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid also admitted the severity of the crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>“Actually the crisis is not of local currency. Somehow we can manage it. But the main crisis is of dollar. We’re not getting dollar from Bangladesh Bank as per our needs,” he told UNB this week.</div><div><br></div><div>He noted that the power and energy sectors need at least $1 billion a month to meet payment obligations.</div><div><br></div><div>\"But we’re just getting less than half of that,” he said, adding, “As a result, cumulative outstanding is rising every month”.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Sources said that the two main state-owned organisations\' energy sector – Petrobangla and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporations have to spend huge amounts to import primary fuels like crude and refined petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>Petrobangla also needs to pay foreign gas companies like Chevron to purchase natural gas to meet the local demands. All are paid in foreign currencies.</div><div><br></div><div>Similarly, the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has to purchase electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) in dollars.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, it has to import 2500 MW of electricity from India of which 1500 MW is coming from Adani power plant.</div><div><br></div><div>Sources familiar with the situation said that under the existing arrangement, the BPDB pays some large IPPs like SS Power, Payra, Rampal and Adani in foreign currency while the other IPPs are paid in local currency but they are allowed to convert the payment in foreign currency as deals’ obligation.</div><div><br></div><div>“Each day we need at least 40 million US dollars from Bangladesh Bank to meet our payment obligation. But we’re getting 5-7 million dollars a day”, a top official of the BPDB told UNB, wishing anonymity as he is not authorised to talk to media.</div><div><br></div><div>Officials at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division said the Petrobangla and BPC also need huge foreign currency, particularly the US dollar to continue its petroleum and gas imports and also to buy gas from foreign gas companies.</div><div><br></div><div>According to BPC’s Annual Report, the total import of petroleum products was about 6.86 million metric tons and the total expenses of import was US$ 6 billion (equivalent to Tk 62,132.61 crore) in fiscal 2022-23.</div><div><br></div><div>For the financial year 2023-24, the BPC planned to import more petroleum products than the previous fiscal, officials said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Petrobangla has also to import over 5 million metric tons from Qatar Gas, Oman Trading, and the Spot market spending US$ 4.5 billion. It has also to pay US giant Chevron to buy gas from its three gas fields where unpaid bills now stand at $300 million due to backlog in payment.</div><div><br></div><div>Nasrul Hamid said his ministry has regularly been negotiating with the Bangladesh Bank to get more dollar supply.</div><div><br></div><div>“But the central bank only advises increasing the price of electricity, gas and petroleum which is not frequently possible for a political government”, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also informed that his ministry was planning to receive a loan from Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to ease the situation, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“But the central bank is not supporting the idea”, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 08:45:07', '2023-12-24 08:45:07'),
(10550, 10550, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) admission test for the next academic year will be held on February 9, 2024.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The decision was taken at a meeting on the MBBS and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) admission tests for the academic year 2023-24 held at the Health Ministry on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque presided over the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the MBBS admissions test for the 2022-23 session was held on March 10, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 1,39,217 applicants competed for 11,122 seats in the medical college admission test. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 09:18:56', '2023-12-24 09:18:56'),
(10551, 10551, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said no one will be allowed to gain advantage by burning people and thwarting election in Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“It won’t be allowed on the soil of Bangla that they gain advantage by burning people and stopping election,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier made this remark while exchanging greetings with the Christian community at her official residence Ganabhaban to mark the Christmas Day to be celebrated on December 25.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangabandhu’s youngest daughter Sheikh Rehana was also present.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina condemned the perpetrators of arson violence and their commanders saying that burning people alive is a great sin unaccepted by any religion.</div><div><br></div><div>She said if anyone needs to gain public support, they can raise their commitments before the masses to make the welfare and development of the people.</div><div><br></div><div>About Palestine, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the premier said it is very unfortunate that the place has now come under a bloody attack. Attacks are being carried out even on hospitals. None, even young babies and women, are spared from the attacks, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Turning to Bangladesh, Hasina said, “It is also unfortunate for us that we see some people here in our country who kill people through arson violence to achieve political goals.”</div><div><br></div><div>She said these people uprooted the rail tracks and set train coaches on fire to kill the people. “I don’t know what type of politics it is that the people are killed burning them alive. Why is this game of fire? If anyone has ideology and political programmes, they can go to the people and raise these before them,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that a mother and a baby in her lap were burnt alive to death in a recent train fire, the PM said, “We don’t want to see such a pitiful scene. What are they gaining by harming and burning people to death to achieve their political goals? It is my question. We want such violence to be stopped.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina extended her Xmas greetings to the Christian community on the occasion of the Christmas Day 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>At the function, Christmas carols and patriotic songs were performed by the members of the Christian community.</div><div><br></div><div>Archbishop of Dhaka Archdiocese Bejoy Nicephorus D\'Cruze and President of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rozario jointly handed over the Christmas greeting card to the prime minister.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister also cut an Xmas Day cake in the event presided over by Nirmal Rozario.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan, Vice President of Bangladesh Christian Association Jewel Aarong, MP, Advocate Gloria Jharna Sarker, MP, Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder, President of Bangladesh Christian League Daniel Nirmal D\' Costa and General Secretary of Bangladesh Christian Association Hemonta I Corraya, among others, spoke on the occasion. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 09:29:49', '2023-12-24 09:29:49'),
(10552, 10552, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Miscreants set a bus on fire at Postogola of Jurain area in the capital on Sunday during the blockade enforced by the BNP and like-minded parties.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The miscreants set fire to the bus of ‘Raida Paribahan’ around 2:40 pm near Salauddin Pump, said Talha Bin Jashim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence\'s media cell, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>According to reports, Two firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze at 2:53 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 11:41:03', '2023-12-24 11:41:03'),
(10553, 10553, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said those who are boycotting the national election do not believe in reality and they lack leadership quality.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I think they have weaknesses in terms of leadership. They are not realistic at all. They would have come to elections to judge their position if they believed in reality. I think their leadership has made a bad decision,” he said while carrying out his election campaign in Sylhet-1 constituency.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said they want a competitive election and they see all the candidates equally. “If a large number of voters cast their votes, the acceptability of the election will be increased.”</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister said they will tell their people to vote for \"Boat\" if they want to see the continuation of ongoing development, rule of law and democracy.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said those who are involved in arsons and destruction of public and private properties and carrying out attacks on policemen will get a lesson.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is not politics. This is terrorism. We can’t promote terrorism. There is no room for terrorism in the world,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister also exchanged views with the journalists and said the mass media is the key to development, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said he keeps working as per the roadmap of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build Sonar Bangla.</div><div><br></div><div>He said people are eagerly waiting to cast their votes in the upcoming national election.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 13:09:52', '2023-12-24 13:09:52'),
(10554, 10554, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">After nearly four months of celebrations, Filipino Catholics started on Saturday evening their main Christmas feast — for many, the most awaited time of the year.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Philippines has the longest Christmas festive season in the world. It formally begins on Dec. 16, when people start to go to the first of nine pre-dawn masses, but in many households, the festive season kicks off in September and runs through October, November, and December.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We call it the ‘ber-months’ because traditionally, during these ‘ber months’ the climate becomes cooler,” said Nestor Castro, a professor of anthropology at the University of the Philippines.</div><div><br></div><div>“On the radio, you would hear Christmas carols already starting in September.”</div><div><br></div><div>Most often, the first voice to bring the songs is that of Jose Mari Chan, one of the country’s most renowned balladeers who is popularly dubbed as the King of Philippine Christmas Carols.</div><div><br></div><div>“He has been an icon with regards to Christmas carols. So, once you hear his songs, you know it’s already the Christmas season and this is played on the radio even in shopping malls and other places,” Castro told Arab News.</div><div><br></div><div>Around that time, department stores also start to stock their shelves with Christmas items and Christmas decorations begin to pop up in public places. At home, people begin to hang ornamental paper lanterns known as parols.</div><div><br></div><div>“These are Christmas lanterns. It’s a five-pointed star lantern with two tails wrapped in colored Japanese paper, and now we have plastic versions as well as capiz shells. And we have parols made from Pampanga, which are giant electric lanterns,” Castro said.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s a Christian symbol, but the design of the parol is unique to the Philippines.”</div><div><br></div><div>The parol is traditionally hung at the windows of houses and along the streets. It symbolizes the star of Bethlehem that guided the three magi, or the three kings, to the newly born Jesus.</div><div><br></div><div>For nine consecutive days, until Christmas Day, Philippine Catholics attend early morning mass and are treated to puto bumbong, purple rice cakes, which are traditionally sold by street vendors only during the season.</div><div><br></div><div>On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, Filipinos gather with their families for the Noche Buena.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is a Spanish word that means ‘good night’ or ‘prosperous night.’ This is when family members gather together and share a meal on Christmas Eve, and there will be certain types of food that are specially served during the Noche Buena. So, you don’t normally eat this on a regular occasion, but only on special occasions,” Castro said.</div><div><br></div><div>Noche Buena dinner comes after Midnight Mass. For Felinor Baltazar, attending it was something she would never miss.</div><div><br></div><div>“Because that’s when you welcome the birth of Jesus Christ,” she said. “For most Catholics, Christmas is not complete if you do not attend the Midnight Mass. Since I was a child, we have been doing that. Then, when you get home, that’s when you share the meal for the Noche Buena with the whole family.”</div><div><br></div><div>For the family of Priam Nepomuceno, a government worker, it was the most important day of the year.</div><div><br></div><div>“We always look forward to our get-together. Filipinos are family oriented and what brings the family closer together is holidays and food, and food related to holidays,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re keeping the family tradition of getting together for this special occasion and you can’t be absent.” - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 13:21:29', '2023-12-24 13:21:29'),
(10555, 10555, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Japanese-owned chemical tanker struck Saturday off the coast of India was targeted by a drone “fired from Iran,” the Pentagon said, a sign of expanding risks to commercial shipping beyond the Red Sea.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>It was the first time the Pentagon has openly accused Iran of directly targeting ships since the start of Israel’s war on the militant group Hamas, which is backed by Tehran.</div><div><br></div><div>The attack came amid a flurry of new drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on the vital Red Sea shipping lane since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, with the group claiming to act in solidarity with Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday’s Indian Ocean attack took place around 10 am local time (0600 GMT) and caused no casualties aboard the vessel, a Pentagon statement said, adding that a fire was extinguished.</div><div><br></div><div>The US military “remains in communication with the vessel as it continues toward a destination in India,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>The drone strike occurred 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) off the coast of India, it said, adding that no US Navy vessels were in the vicinity.</div><div><br></div><div>The Pentagon statement said the MV Chem Pluto ship flew under a Liberian flag and was operated by a Dutch entity, although the ship is owned by a Japanese company.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambrey, a maritime security firm, said the “chemical/products tanker... was Israel-affiliated” and had been on its way from Saudi Arabia to India.</div><div><br></div><div>The Wall Street Journal reported that the Dutch company operating the MV Chem Pluto “is connected to Israeli shipping tycoon Idan Ofer.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Indian navy said it had responded to a request for assistance.</div><div>“An aircraft was dispatched and it reached overhead the vessel and established safety of the involved ship and its crew,” a navy official told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“An Indian navy warship has also been dispatched so as to provide assistance as required.”</div><div><br></div><div>There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the strike.</div><div>Last month, an Israeli-owned cargo ship was hit in a suspected drone attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Indian Ocean, according to a US official.</div><div><br></div><div>The Malta-flagged vessel managed by an Israeli-affiliated company was reportedly damaged when the unmanned aerial vehicle exploded close to it, according to Ambrey. - AFP&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 13:23:19', '2023-12-24 13:23:19'),
(10556, 10556, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Christmas shoppers in Central London were urged by hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters not to purchase items from Israeli-linked fashion stores, Sky News reported on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Over 400 demonstrators marched from Soho Square, across Oxford Street, Regent Street and into Carnaby Street, where they grouped outside the Puma store, with many chanting: “Shut it down.”</div><div><br></div><div>Puma was printed on a list of brands to boycott on leaflets that the demonstrators handed out as the sportswear brand sponsors the Israeli national football team.</div><div><br></div><div>During the march, protestors waved Palestinian flags, played music, let off smoke colored red, black, green and white, and held banners showing solidarity with Gaza, while some blocked the Puma store’s entrance.</div><div><br></div><div>Another targeted store was fashion giant Zara, which had earlier this month removed an online advert following complaints it contained images resembling the Israel-Hamas war.</div><div><br></div><div>Two Zara branches were targeted by the protesters, who were heard shouting: “Zara, Zara, you can’t hide, stop supporting genocide.”</div><div><br></div><div>Security guards shut down the Zara stores and kept them guarded.</div><div><br></div><div>Police said no arrests were made during the march, which was organized by the direct action group Sisters Uncut, which campaigns against gender-based violence.</div><div><br></div><div>As the demonstration started from Soho Square, protesters chanted “Free Palestine.” Distributed leaflets read: “No Christmas as usual in a genocide. The UK is complicit.</div><div><br></div><div>“Don’t fund genocide in Palestine. Boycott Israel.”</div><div><br></div><div>As protestors marched toward Oxford Street, traffic came to a standstill.</div><div><br></div><div>“The protest was a pre-planned event by Sisters Uncut — yes, we have a policing presence there. The march has now moved from Oxford Street and it is fully open. There have been no arrests,” said a Met Police statement. - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 13:39:21', '2023-12-24 13:39:21');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10557, 10557, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>&nbsp;Russian bombardment killed four people and injured nine over 24 hours in the frontline southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, the region’s governor said today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Russian forces fired 71 shells at Kherson from yesterday to this morning, hitting the city centre, residential areas, medical and educational institutions and “critical infrastructure facilities”, Oleksandr Prokudin wrote on Telegram.</div><div><br></div><div>“As a result of Russian aggression, four people died and nine others were wounded, including one child.”</div><div><br></div><div>Prokudin said an 87-year-old man and his 81-year-old wife were among the victims after an artillery shell hit a residential building.</div><div><br></div><div>Rescuers found a third male victim under rubble, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine recaptured Kherson following several months of Russian occupation in November last year.</div><div><br></div><div>It is now a regular target for Moscow’s forces based on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River, which became a natural frontline as the conflict slowed to a war of attrition.</div><div><br></div><div>Separately, Ukraine’s air force today said it had intercepted all but one of 15 drones launched by Russia overnight. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 13:59:26', '2023-12-24 13:59:26'),
(10558, 10558, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China’s capital Beijing has broken its record for hours of sub-zero temperatures in December dating back to 1951, after a cold wave swept swathes of the country and brought blizzards in its wake, sending temperatures towards historic lows.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Northern and northeastern parts of the country have experienced a record-breaking chill since last week, with some areas in the northeast hitting -40°C and below as biting cold air flowed down from the Arctic.</div><div><br></div><div>As of today, a weather observatory in Beijing had recorded more than 300 hours of below-freezing temperatures since Dec 11, the most for the month since records began in 1951, according to state-backed Beijing Daily.</div><div><br></div><div>The capital has also endured nine consecutive days of temperatures below -10°C in this period, the Beijing Daily added.</div><div><br></div><div>Several cities in the central Chinese province of Henan, southwest of Beijing, are in the grip of a winter heating supply crunch, with thermal power suppliers in the city of Jiaozuo under pressure to ensure supplies.</div><div><br></div><div>Heating boilers at JiaoZuo WanFang Aluminum Manufacturing, one of the major suppliers in the city, have broken down, leaving some areas in urgent need of more heat supply, state media reported today.</div><div><br></div><div>The supplier is scrambling to fix the malfunction and expects to resume supply on Dec 26, state media reported, without specifying the number of boilers that have broken down.</div><div><br></div><div>JiaoZuo WanFang Aluminum did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from Reuters.</div><div><br></div><div>The city will suspend heat supply for most businesses except essential service providers such as hospitals and senior centres to prioritise residential heat usage.</div><div><br></div><div>However, some residential compounds will still be affected during the device maintenance period, the media reports added.</div><div><br></div><div>Two other cities in Henan – Puyang and Pingdingshan – have already suspended heat supply to government departments and administrative institutions to prioritise residential usage, the local governments said, citing extremely cold weather.</div><div><br></div><div>The weather forecast shows temperatures in the three cities hitting sub-zero today.</div><div><br></div><div>Temperatures in several other areas in Henan would plunge to a low of -15°C over the weekend, the central province’s weather authority said yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>Warm air is expected to flow from the country’s north to south lifting temperatures from the weekend, reports Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As of 2pm today, temperatures in many areas in central and eastern China had rebounded somewhat, with temperatures in some areas rising by more than 10°C, China’s weather authority said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 14:02:48', '2023-12-24 14:02:48'),
(10559, 10559, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Iranian navy has taken delivery of cruise missiles with a range of 1,000km as well as reconnaissance helicopters, state media reported today, as the US accused Iran of a drone attack on a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“The Talaeiyeh cruise missile has a range of over 1,000km and is a smart missile that can change targets mid-mission,” state media cited the head of Iran’s navy, Shahram Irani, as saying.</div><div><br></div><div>Reconnaissance helicopters, drones and marine cruise missiles were among new weapons added to the navy’s arsenal, Irani said, adding that “all of this equipment has been designed and produced by Iran’s military industry”.</div><div><br></div><div>Although western military analysts say Iran sometimes exaggerates its capabilities, Iranian-made missiles and drones are a key element in Tehran’s military hardware.</div><div><br></div><div>The US department of defence said yesterday that a drone sent from Iran struck a Liberian-flagged chemical tanker in the Indian ocean, an incident highlighting rising regional tensions and a new risk to shipping lanes in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent action in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Iran yesterday denied US accusations that it was involved in planning attacks by Yemen’s Tehran-aligned Houthi movement on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 14:06:54', '2023-12-24 14:06:54'),
(10560, 10560, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that the war in Gaza was exacting a “very heavy price” as the toll of Israeli soldiers killed in fighting with Hamas mounted.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“This is a difficult morning, after a very difficult day of fighting in Gaza … The war is exacting a very heavy price … but we have no choice but to keep fighting,” he said in a statement, after the army announced 14 soldiers had been killed in the Palestinian territory since Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are continuing with full force until the end, until victory, until we achieve all of our goals: the destruction of Hamas, the return of our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will never again constitute a threat to the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said.</div><div><br></div><div>Since Israel’s ground assault began on Oct 27, the military has lost 153 soldiers in the Palestinian territory, including 10 yesterday, making it one of the deadliest days for the army. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 14:15:30', '2023-12-24 14:15:30'),
(10561, 10561, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>British home secretary James Cleverly is facing calls to quit after joking about spiking his wife’s drink with a date rape drug, German news agency dpa reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Cleverly apologised for his “ironic joke” at a reception held at the office of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. It came just hours after the home office announced plans to crack down on spiking.</div><div><br></div><div>But women’s rights group, Fawcett Society, said the comments were “sickening” and called for Cleverly to resign.</div><div><br></div><div>Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid said it was vital for ministers to take the problem of spiking seriously.</div><div><br></div><div>Cleverly told female guests at the Downing Street event that “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night” was “not really illegal if it’s only a little bit”, the Sunday Mirror reported.</div><div><br></div><div>Cleverly also laughed when he said the secret to a long marriage was ensuring your spouse was “someone who is always mildly sedated so she can never realise there are better men out there”.</div><div><br></div><div>The home secretary met his wife, Susie, at university and the couple has two children.</div><div><br></div><div>Conversations at Downing Street receptions are usually understood to be “off the record” but the Sunday Mirror decided to break that convention because of Cleverly’s position and the subject matter.</div><div><br></div><div>Allies of Cleverly said his comments were made in a private setting but he recognises they were inappropriate.</div><div><br></div><div>Cleverly has previously described tackling violence against women and girls as a “personal priority” and called spiking a “perverse” crime.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesman for the home secretary said: “In what was always understood as a private conversation, James, the home secretary tackling spiking, made what was clearly meant to be an ironic joke – for which he apologises.”</div><div><br></div><div>But Fawcett Society chief executive Jemima Olchawski said: “It’s sickening that the senior minister in charge of keeping women safe thinks that something as terrifying as drugging women is a laughing matter.</div><div><br></div><div>“No wonder women don’t feel safe. We know that ‘banter’ is the excuse under which misogyny is allowed to thrive.</div><div><br></div><div>“How can we trust him to seriously address violence against women and girls? We deserve better than this from our lawmakers and Cleverly should resign.”</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, Women’s Aid said: “We rely on political leaders to take action to end violence against women and girls, and the misogyny that underpins it. It is vital that spiking survivors see ministers treating the subject seriously and not downplaying the reality so many women face.”</div><div><br></div><div>Senior Labour figures also condemned Cleverly’s “appalling” comments.</div><div><br></div><div>Ministers have pledged to modernise the language used in legislation to make clear spiking is a crime and announced a series of other measures as part of a crackdown.</div><div><br></div><div>But they stopped short of making spiking – when someone puts drugs into another’s drink or directly into their body without their knowledge or consent – a specific offence.</div><div><br></div><div>Between May 2022 and April 2023, there were 6,732 reports of spiking in England and Wales – including 957 reported incidents of needle spiking.</div><div><br></div><div>On average, police receive 561 reports of spiking a month, with the majority being made by women typically after incidents in or near bars and nightclubs, according to a home office report. - Bernama</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 14:17:50', '2023-12-24 14:17:50'),
(10562, 10562, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said that the voting percentage across the country will be announced every two hours on January 7, the day of the National Parliament election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He disclosed this information to journalists after exchanging views with the members of the law enforcement agencies on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said, “On the day of voting, the nationwide voter turnout rate will be announced every two hours. If it is observed that some 30% votes were cast at 2:00pm at a place while 90% votes were cast at 3:00pm, then it would not be credible.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He said this while interacting with the law enforcers at field level at Advocate Tarek Smriti Auditorium in Mymensingh city today.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 15:01:55', '2023-12-24 15:01:55'),
(10563, 10563, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Election Commission (EC) has requested Public Administration Ministry to declare January 7 as a general holiday on occasion of the 12th Parliamentary Election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"As the 12th national election is scheduled to be held on January 7, it is necessary to declare the day as a general holiday,\" said a release signed by Deputy Secretary of Election Management Atier Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>The letter also sought directives to take necessary steps for declaring January 7 as a general holiday.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the 12th parliamentary election of the country will be held on January 7.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC came up with the announcement for the next election schedule while addressing the nation on November 15.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the constitution, the tenure of the current government will end on January 29, 2024. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 15:38:06', '2023-12-24 15:38:06'),
(10564, 10564, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A local leader of BNP was shot to death by his rivals over a land dispute in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased was identified as Nurul Mostafa Bazal, 58, senior vice-president of Baroierdhala union unit BNP and son of Mujibul Haque of Paschim Lalanagar Subedar Bari in the upazila.</div><div><br></div><div>Md Kamal Uddin, officer-in-charge of Sitakunda Model Police Station, said Bazal had an enmity with Touhidul Islam, who was wanted in several cases.</div><div><br></div><div>At 7:30 pm, Bazal and Touhidul locked into an altercation over the issue.</div><div><br></div><div>At one stage, Touhidul stabbed Bazal with a sharp weapon and opened fire on him, leaving him injured.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, he was taken to Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared him dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Police are trying to arrest Touhidul as he is wanted in 18 cases, ‍reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the local unit BNP claimed that Bazal was murdered over political issues.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-24 15:50:21', '2023-12-24 15:50:21'),
(10565, 10565, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Describing Christmas as a time for celebration, reflection, and unity, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said the celebration serves as a reminder of the universal values of love, compassion, and unity that bind people together.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"It brings together people of diverse backgrounds in the spirit of love and understanding. In extending our heartfelt wishes to the Christian community around the world, we are reminded of the significance of peace and compassion during this festive season,\" he said in a message on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>In recognizing the significance of this occasion, Momen said the poignant reality faced by Christians in Palestine cannot be ignored.</div><div><br></div><div>The West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza are home to an estimated 50,000 Christian Palestinians, as noted in the US State Department\'s international religious freedom report for 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This Christmas, we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian Christians, acknowledging the unique challenges they navigate. Our thoughts are with them during this season, and we extend our deepest sympathies,\" Momen said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us draw inspiration from his teachings of love and compassion. May the spirit of Christmas guide us towards a world where understanding and unity prevail,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"In the face of adversity, may the light of hope illuminate our path and encourage positive change. May the spirit of Christmas inspire us to reach out to those in need, extend a helping hand, and sow the seeds of hope,\" Momen mentioned, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“As we embrace the festive season, characterized by joy and goodwill, it is my privilege to convey our sincere wishes for a Merry Christmas to the Christian community worldwide. Wishing you and your loved ones a Christmas filled with joy, peace, and goodwill,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 09:05:28', '2023-12-25 09:05:28'),
(10566, 10566, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Four people died and two others injured when a train crashed into a sand-laden truck on Shambhuganj level crossing in Mymensingh’s Sadar upazila on Monday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.</div><div><br></div><div>The accident occurred around 2:15 pm when the Dhaka-bound ‘Balaka Express’ train from Mohonganj in Netrakona slammed into the truck while it was passing the level crossing, leaving four people dead on the spot and two others injured, said officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, Anwar Hossain.</div><div><br></div><div>The train dragged the truck up to 100 feet from the level crossing.</div><div><br></div><div>The injured were taken to a local hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>It has not been ascertained yet whether there was any gateman on the level crossing when the accident occurred, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Train communication on Mymensingh-Bhairab, Mymensingh-Mohanganj and Mymensingh-Chattogram route remained suspended following the accident.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 09:27:12', '2023-12-25 09:27:12'),
(10567, 10567, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>People in south-western district Bagerhat have been grappling with dense fog since Sunday night that has thrown normal life out of gear.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Due to dense fog, visibility is significantly reduced, hampering the movement of people and vehicles. Transports move cautiously with illuminated headlights, causing delays in reaching their destinations.</div><div><br></div><div>Individuals venturing out of their homes during this period encounter difficulties, with visibility remaining limited until 10 am. Consequently, many are compelled to stay indoors, avoiding the challenges posed by the adverse weather conditions.</div><div><br></div><div>Farmers expressed concerns about potential damage to Boro paddy seedbeds and potato fields due to the persistent fog.</div><div><br></div><div>Shangkar Kumar Majumder, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bagerhat, said t if the dense fog persists, it could adversely affect the Boro paddy seedbeds, and there is also a risk of insect infestation in the potato fields. Farmers have been provided with suggestions to mitigate these issues.</div><div><br></div><div>Harun-Or-Rashid, officer-in-charge of Mongla Meteorological Observatory, said dense to moderate fog has enveloped the region since Sunday night, covering various areas of the district.</div><div><br></div><div>Visibility is severely limited within 100 meters or more, making it challenging for people and vehicles, he said adding that the district\'s lowest temperature was recorded at 16.5 degrees Celsius, and it is predicted that similar foggy condition&nbsp; may persist on Tuesday. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 09:40:50', '2023-12-25 09:40:50'),
(10568, 10568, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Archbishop of York has cautioned Israel against embarking on a “journey of revenge” in his article for The Telegraph on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Rev. Stephen Cottrell emphasized the dangers of “endless cycles of reprisals” and the fallacy of believing in the principle of “might is right.”</div><div><br></div><div>Referencing the Chinese philosopher Confucius, he said: “When you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves: one for your enemy and one for yourself.”</div><div><br></div><div>His statement, while not directly referencing the Israel-Gaza war, came as the UN voted on whether to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel’s relentless bombardment has killed over 20,000 people, many of whom are civilians.</div><div><br></div><div>Cottrell also drew upon the words of Martin Luther King, writing: “Violence begets violence, hate begets hate, and toughness begets a greater toughness. It is all a descending spiral, and the end is destruction — for everybody. Along the way of life, someone must have enough sense and morality to cut off the chain of hate.”</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in December, the House of Bishops released a statement condemning the loss of Palestinian civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as unjustifiable.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, the archbishop expressed that amid war’s chaos and a world plagued by political extremism and corruption, divine guidance is still present. However, he warned that “anyone hoping for a message combining instant justice with the extermination of tyranny and divine retribution is likely to be disappointed.” - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div>&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 09:45:01', '2023-12-25 09:45:01'),
(10569, 10569, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Today Netflix is one of most popular international OTT giants and the most streamed online platform for entertainment. This renowned streaming platform continually enriches its content library with diverse originals and captivates audiences worldwide. In January 2024, several anticipated Netflix originals are set for release, promising many compelling shows and movies.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Must-watch Netflix English Originals Releasing in January 2024</div><div>Fool Me Once (Limited Series)</div><div><br></div><div>In the compelling crime, drama, and mystery series \"Fool Me Once,\" Maya Stern grapples with the haunting aftermath of her husband Joe\'s brutal murder. Her attempt to find closure leads her to install a nanny cam to safeguard her young daughter. However, her world is turned upside down when she witnesses a shocking sight - her deceased husband inside her own home.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Premiering on January 1, 2024 (UK), this series is based on Harlan Coben\'s novel \"Fool Me Once\" (2016). This gripping narrative unravels a chilling tale. Michelle Keegan portrays Maya Stern, and Joe is portrayed by Richard Armitage. The series explores a web of secrets, entwining Maya\'s family with a riveting plot involving Adeel Akhtar and Michelle Keegan.</div><div><br></div><div>The Brothers Sun (Season 1)</div><div>In the highly anticipated series \"The Brothers Sun (Season 1),\" the story unfolds when the leader of a Taiwanese triad falls victim to an assassin\'s bullet. This tragic event prompts Charles \'Chair Leg\' Sun, his eldest son, to journey to Los Angeles. His mission: safeguarding his mother and shielding his brother from the harsh realities of their family\'s past.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Set to premiere on January 4, 2024 (USA), this television series is the brainchild of creators Byron Wu and Brad Falchuk for Netflix. The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, Sam Song Li, and Highdee Kuan. The series promises a blend of action, dark humour, and familial revelations as Charles steers the complexities of protection and secrecy to shield his loved ones.</div><div><br></div><div>Good Grief</div><div>In the upcoming American comedy-drama film \"Good Grief,\" Dan Levy takes on the roles of writer, director, and lead actor in his directorial debut. The story revolves around Marc, who is shattered by the sudden loss of his husband, leading him on an emotional rollercoaster. Seeking solace and closure, Marc goes to Paris alongside his two closest friends.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Set to release in limited theatres on December 29, 2023, and will be available on Netflix on January 5, 2024. The main cast are Dan Levy, Ruth Negga, and Himesh Patel. The movie shows grief, friendship, and self-discovery.&nbsp; It offers a touching portrayal of resilience and personal growth amid life\'s most profound challenges.</div><div><br></div><div>Boy Swallows Universe (Season 1)</div><div>\"Boy Swallows Universe\" is adapted from Trent Dalton\'s semi-autobiographical novel. It presents a story set in 1980s Brisbane, following the journey of a smart young boy and his brother. Their family faces turmoil when torn apart by a drug lord. This suburban odyssey, slated for an eight-episode run, focuses on themes of love, redemption, and retribution.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Lee Tiger Halley, Christopher James Baker, and Phoebe Tonkin starred in the series. It is directed by Bharat Nalluri, Jocelyn Moorhouse, and Kim Mordaunt. The show is set to premiere on January 11, 2024, on Netflix. It is a coming-of-age narrative highlighting the resilience of a young boy navigating challenging circumstances.</div><div><br></div><div>Lift</div><div>\"Lift\" is an upcoming American heist comedy film set to hit screens on January 12, 2024, through Netflix. The movie is directed by F. Gary Gray and penned by Daniel Kunka. Its cast includes Kevin Hart, who also serves as a producer, alongside Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D\'Onofrio, Úrsula Corberó, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, and Sam Worthington.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The storyline follows a skilled thief, tempted by his ex-girlfriend and the FBI, to execute an unimaginable heist. This daring task involves his diverse international crew and aims to rob a 777-passenger flight journeying from London to Zurich. Viewers may expect a thrilling blend of comedy, action, and intrigue as this high-stakes adventure takes flight in a cinematic rollercoaster.</div><div><br></div><div>The Kitchen</div><div>\"The Kitchen\" is a British science fiction drama film set to captivate audiences upon its release on January 12, 2024, via Netflix. It is directed by Kibwe Tavares and Daniel Kaluuya. The narrative is set in a dystopian future London, where social housing has vanished.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The story revolves around Izi, portrayed by Kane Robinson, and Benji, played by Jedaiah Bannerman. They navigate life in The Kitchen, a resilient community unwilling to abandon their home.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Alongside Robinson and Bannerman, the film stars Hope Ikpoku Jr and Teija Kabs. Premiering initially at the 67th BFI London Film Festival on October 15, 2023, this film offers a poignant exploration of survival, community, and resistance against an oppressive societal backdrop.</div><div><br></div><div>Masters of the Universe: Revolution</div><div>One of the most awaited Netflix original animated series, \"Masters of the Universe: Revolution,\" is all set to make its debut on January 25, 2024. This action-packed animation serves as a sequel to the 2021 series, \"Masters of the Universe: Revelation.\" The movie is directed by Kevin Smith.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In this new standalone series, viewers can expect an exhilarating showdown between He-Man and Skeletor like never seen before. Featuring Chris Wood as He-Man, the show boasts an impressive cast, including Melissa Benoist, Mark Hamill, and William Shatner.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Teela, alongside He-Man and the Masters, embarks on a heroic journey to rescue Eternia from the clutches of darkness. Get ready for an epic adventure filled with action, battles, and the ultimate clash between good and evil!</div><div><br></div><div>Griselda</div><div>\"Griselda\" is an upcoming American crime drama streaming television miniseries set to premiere on Netflix on January 25, 2024. The series is directed by Andrés Baiz. This gripping show is based on the life of Griselda Blanco, a shrewd and determined Colombian businesswoman who rose to infamy as a notorious cocaine trafficker.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The series explores her journey, highlighting how she built one of the most profitable cartels in history. Starring Sofía Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Martin Rodriguez, and Juliana Aidén Martinez, \"Griselda\" promises a compelling blend of crime drama and biography. It will give an intriguing glimpse into the captivating yet tumultuous life of Griselda Blanco.</div><div><br></div><div>Bottom Line</div><div>The January 2024 lineup of English language Netflix originals boasts a diverse range of genres, from gripping thrillers to heartwarming dramas and adventurous fantasies. With each show offering a unique storyline and a stellar cast, it is expected that viewers can anticipate a captivating start to the new year in entertainment. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 09:52:43', '2023-12-25 09:52:43'),
(10570, 10570, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Palestinians said they felt “no joy” this Christmas as Israel bombed Gaza on Monday, with no end in sight to the war that Hamas says has claimed more than 20,000 lives.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Festivities were effectively scrapped in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, with few worshippers or tourists on the usually packed streets.</div><div><br></div><div>In the besieged Gaza Strip, the ministry of health said early Monday Israeli strikes had killed at least 18 people in the southern city of Khan Yunis, the center of recent fighting.</div><div><br></div><div>At a hospital in the city, Fadi Sayegh — whose family has previously received permits to travel to Bethlehem for celebrations — said he would not be celebrating Christmas this year.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is no joy. No Christmas tree, no decorations, no family dinner, no celebrations,” he said while undergoing dialysis. “I pray for this war to be over soon.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sister Nabila Salah from the Catholic Holy Church in Gaza — where two Christian women were killed by an Israeli sniper earlier this month according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem — struck a somber tone.</div><div><br></div><div>“All Christmas celebrations have been canceled,” she told AFP. “How do we celebrate when we are... hearing the sound of tanks and bombardment instead of the ringing of bells?“</div><div><br></div><div>The war broke out when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel on October 7 and killed about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, and seized 250 hostages, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas in response and its military campaign, which has included massive aerial bombardment. The campaign has killed 20,424 people, mostly women and children.</div><div>Pope Francis kicked off global Christmas celebrations on Sunday with a call for peace.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our heart goes to Gaza, to all people in Gaza but a special attention to our Christian community in Gaza who is suffering,” the Catholic leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>Vast areas of Gaza lie in ruins and its 2.4 million people have endured dire shortages of water, food, fuel and medicine due to an Israeli siege, alleviated only by the limited arrival of aid trucks.</div><div><br></div><div>Eighty percent of Gazans have been displaced, according to the UN, many fleeing south and now shielding against the winter cold in makeshift tents.</div><div><br></div><div>The head of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, called for an end to the suffering.</div><div><br></div><div>“A humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza is the only way forward,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “War defies logic and humanity, and prepares a future of more hatred and less peace.”</div><div><br></div><div>World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also renewed calls for a cease-fire, saying: “The decimation of the Gaza health system is a tragedy.”</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday the war was exacting a “very heavy price,” as the death toll of soldiers killed in the conflict continued to mount.</div><div><br></div><div>“But we have no choice but to keep fighting,” he said, adding: “This will be a long war.”</div><div><br></div><div>The army said Monday two more soldiers had been killed, taking to 17 the number of troops killed since Friday and 156 since Israel’s ground assault began on October 27.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus indicated that forces were close to gaining control in northern Gaza and that now “we focus our efforts against Hamas in southern Gaza.”</div><div><br></div><div>Two freed detainees and a medic said Sunday that Palestinians held by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip had suffered torture, a charged denied by the military.</div><div><br></div><div>The two men were among hundreds detained by Israeli forces over alleged links with Hamas during Israel’s ground offensive.</div><div>About 20 men released from Israeli custody “have bruises and marks of blows on their bodies,” Marwan Al-Hams, hospital director in the southern city of Rafah. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 10:03:27', '2023-12-25 10:03:27'),
(10571, 10571, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Sixteen people have been killed in an attack in northcentral Nigeria, where clashes between herders and farmers are common, the army said Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The attack occurred around midnight Saturday in the village of Mushu in the Plateau State, Captain Oya James told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>The region is on the dividing line between Nigeria’s mostly Muslim north and mainly Christian south and has for years struggled with ethnic and religious tensions.</div><div><br></div><div>It was not immediately clear what sparked the latest attack and who was responsible.</div><div><br></div><div>Security personnel were deployed to prevent any more clashes in the area, where tit-for-tat killings between herders, who are most often Muslim, and farmers, who are generally Christian, often spiral into village raids by heavily armed gangs, reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the latest attack as “barbaric, brutal and uncalled for” and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, his spokesman, Gyang Bere, told reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>“Proactive measures will be taken by government to curb the ongoing attacks on innocent citizens,” the governor said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 10:13:01', '2023-12-25 10:13:01'),
(10572, 10572, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Farmers and agriculture officials in Khulna district are expecting a bumper production of mustard as improved varieties of mustard were cultivated on a record amount of land this season.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mustard cultivation is gaining more popularity among the farmers in the district as they got good yield as well as good price of the winter crop last year.</div><div><br></div><div>This season 289 hectares of land have been brought under mustard cultivation in nine upazilas and in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The flourishing mustard crops have transformed the landscape, with farmers envisioning higher yields as they witness the blooming flowers.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to getting seeds and fertilizers as incentives, last year’s good yield motivated farmers to bring more land under mustard cultivation, said the officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension(DAE)&nbsp; who also hope that every mustard farmer will get more profit this year if the weather remains favourable.</div><div><br></div><div>According to DAE of Khulna district, mustard has been cultivated on 1,954 hectares of land in the district this season. Of these, mustard has been cultivated on 14 hectares in Daulatpur metropolitan area, 7 hectares in Labanchara, 305 hectares in Rupsha upazila, 250 hectares in Batiaghata upazila, 120 hectares in Dighalia upazila, 180 hectares in Phultala upazila, 420 hectares in Dumuria upazila, 160 hectares in Terokhada upazila, 28 hectares in Dacope upazila, 260 hectares in Paikgachha upazila and 210 hectares in Koyra upazila. Last year, mustard was cultivated on 1,665 hectares of land in the distict.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the DAE has provided 13,600 farmers with seeds and fertilizers for cultivation of 1,820 hectares of land in the district.</div><div><br></div><div>Each of the 50 farmers of Daulatpur metropolitan area, 50 farmers of Labanchara, 2,000 farmers of Rupsha upazila, 1,800 farmers of Batiaghata, 1,200 farmers of Dighalia, 1,400 farmers of Phultala, 2,300 farmers of Dumuria, 1,200 farmers of Terokhada, 300 farmers of Dacope, 1,800 farmers of Paikgachha and 1,500 farmers of Koyra was given one kg of seeds, 10 kg DAP fertilizer and 10 kg MOP fertilizer as incentives.</div><div><br></div><div>Mustard farmers Ansar Ali, Abdus Samad and Soluar Shahid of Gopalpur village in Paikgachha upazila said the mustard cultivated in their fields has been good and they were motivated by the Agriculture Office.</div><div><br></div><div>Paikgachha Upazila Agriculture Officer Ashim Kumar Das said, mustard cultivation was delayed due to delay in harvesting paddy. If farmers cultivate early varieties of paddy, they will be able to cultivate mustard on time after harvesting paddy, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Farmers are being encouraged to cultivate early varieties of paddy and mustard cultivation in the upazila has been good this year, he said, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Kazi Jahangir Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Khulna, said, farmers have been given incentives like last year to increase oil seed production. “Our field workers are constantly assisting the farmers with necessary advice. Hopefully, there will be a good yield and it will be helpful in meeting the demand of edible oil.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', '<p>mustard yield&nbsp;<br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 10:25:10', '2023-12-25 10:25:10'),
(10573, 10573, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman on Monday said there is no specific threat of sabotage acts during the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Casting vote is a democratic right of people and refraining from casting vote is also a democratic right. But obstructing voting is not a democratic right and it is the part of a constitutional responsibility of citizens to resist those involved in preventing people from balloting,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said these while talking to reporters after attending a view-exchange meeting with the councillors of Dhaka metropolitan city held at DMP headquarters.</div><div><br></div><div>The view-exchange meeting was organised so that no one can obstruct people from or discourage in exercising franchise, said the DMP boss.</div><div><br></div><div>The councilors said the people of their respective areas are interested to cast their votes spontaneously and they believe that people will come to cast vote , he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The DMP Commissioner said the councillors vowed to work with police in resisting the sabotage activities of some political parties.</div><div><br></div><div>Additional police commissioner of DMP AKM Hafiz Akter, Additional commissioner Dr Mahid Uddin and high officials concerned of police were present there. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 11:08:57', '2023-12-25 11:08:57'),
(10574, 10574, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Pope Francis on Sunday lamented that Jesus’ message of peace was being drowned out by the “futile logic of war” in the very land where he was born, as the pontiff led the world’s Roman Catholics into Christmas.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Francis, celebrating the 11th Christmas of his pontificate, presided at a solemn Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and spoke of the conflict in the Holy Land in his homily.</div><div><br></div><div>“Tonight, our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war, by the clash of arms that even today prevents him from finding room in the world,” Francis said.</div><div><br></div><div>The 87-year-old pontiff spoke hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to fight deeper into the Palestinian enclave of Gaza after his troops endured one of the worst days of losses of their ground war.</div><div><br></div><div>And in the city where Jesus was born, Palestinian Minister of Tourism, Rula Ma’ayah, said: “Bethlehem is celebrating Christmas with sadness and sorrow because of what’s happening in Gaza and in all the West Bank, all Palestinian territories.”</div><div><br></div><div>At the papal Mass for 6,500 people in St. Peter’s Basilica and more watching on screens in the square outside, Francis said the real message of Christmas is peace and love, urging people not to be obsessed with worldly success and the “idolatry of consumerism.”</div><div><br></div><div>He spoke of “the all-too-human thread that runs through history: the quest for worldly power and might, fame and glory, which measures everything in terms of success, results, numbers and figures, a world obsessed with achievement.”</div><div><br></div><div>Francis said that while many might find it hard to celebrate Christmas in “this world that is so judgmental and unforgiving,” they should try to remember what happened on the first Christmas.</div><div><br></div><div>“Tonight, love changes history,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Francis has made numerous appeals for a cease-fire in the conflict raging in Gaza and has called for the release of all hostages held by Palestinian militant groups.</div><div><br></div><div>Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both sworn to Israel’s destruction, are still believed to be holding more than 100 hostages from among 240 they captured during their Oct. 7 rampage through Israeli towns, when they killed 1,200 people.</div><div><br></div><div>Since then, Israel has besieged the Gaza Strip and laid much of it to waste, with more than 20,400 people confirmed killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run authorities, and thousands more believed dead under the rubble. The vast majority of the 2.3 million Gazans have been driven from their homes and the United Nations says conditions are catastrophic.</div><div><br></div><div>At noon (1100 GMT) on Monday, Francis will deliver his Christmas Day “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message and blessing. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 11:57:06', '2023-12-25 11:57:06'),
(10575, 10575, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">On the eve of her birthday, a 24-year-old software engineer in Tamil Nadu was chained, slashed with a blade and burnt alive by her former classmate who had undergone a sex change operation to marry her, police said today.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The disturbing incident unfolded in Thalambur near Kelambakkam, a quiet southern suburb of Chennai. According to police reports, 26-year-old Vetrimaran alias Pandi Maheswari, under the guise of a birthday surprise, blindfolded 24-year-old R Nandhini and subjected her to an unimaginable ordeal involving chains and petrol.</div><div><br></div><div>The unsuspecting victim, a native of Madurai and a software engineer, had been residing with relatives in Chennai. Vetrimaran, having changed his name from Pandi Maheswari, lured Nandhini into his deadly trap on the pretext of a birthday celebration.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They were friends and were living together in Chennai. No indication yet of any sexual assault. Whether Vetrimaran had displayed violent tendencies earlier is not clear. An investigation is on,\" Tambaram Police Commissioner Amalraj told NDTV.</div><div><br></div><div>Investigations revealed a dark turn in the relationship between the two. Having studied together in Madurai, Nandhini continued the friendship even after Vetrimaran underwent a sex-change operation. Both of them had worked together in a private IT firm in Thoraipakkam, further intertwining their lives, police said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to the police, the motive behind this gruesome act seems to stem from Vetrimaran\'s suspicion that Nandhini had developed an interest in others.</div><div><br></div><div>Vetrimaran reportedly invited Nandhini for what was supposed to be a birthday surprise, but the evening turned into a nightmare for the 24-year-old. According to the police, local residents discovered Nandhini, still chained and burning, and immediately rushed her to the hospital, where she died</div><div><br></div><div>The police swiftly apprehended Vetrimaran, who now faces charges of murder and is remanded to judicial custody. - NDTV</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 12:33:10', '2023-12-25 12:33:10'),
(10576, 10576, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Indian army has launched an investigation into the deaths of three civilians allegedly in military custody in Indian Kashmir, and moved senior officers from the disputed area, a military official said today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Residents in the area, which is claimed by India and Pakistan, said the civilians had been detained for questioning after rebels ambushed Indian army vehicles on Thursday, killing four soldiers.</div><div><br></div><div>The inquiry was ordered as a result of the civilians’ deaths, said the official, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media.</div><div><br></div><div>The ambush in the woods of Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir was the fifth major attack on Indian troops in recent months in the region, with 24 security force personnel killed.</div><div><br></div><div>India and Pakistan each control parts of Muslim-majority Kashmir, where rebels have fought Indian security forces since the 1990s.</div><div><br></div><div>Indian army chief Manoj Pande visited Poonch today to review the operational preparedness of the troops, said defence spokesman Suneel Bartwal.</div><div><br></div><div>“I have no knowledge about the inquiry ordered into deaths of civilians in Poonch,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan “strongly condemns” the deaths of the civilians, its foreign ministry said in a statement, calling for the people responsible to be held to account.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammad Sidiq, councillor of Topa Pir village, said nine people, including his 26-year-old shepherd nephew, were picked up by Indian troops on Friday for questioning.</div><div><br></div><div>“One of them was let off and eight others were tortured, and three, including my nephew Shoukat Ahmad, were killed,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>A grisly video of men purportedly being tortured by the army has gone viral on social media, causing widespread outrage in the region.</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters could not independently confirm the authenticity of the video.</div><div><br></div><div>Sidiq said the people tortured in the video were the men found dead near the ambush site, reports Reuters </div><div><br></div><div>“Where is the law and where is the justice? Is this the reward we get for supporting Indian troops here on the borders? I even get death threats for raising my voice against these three deaths,” Sidiq added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 13:03:01', '2023-12-25 13:04:30');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10577, 10577, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Floods caused by intense rainfall have affected tens of thousands of people in Thailand’s deep south, officials said today, with some roads and railway lines forced to close.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>At least a dozen schools in the provinces of Yala and Narathiwat have been forced to close, while footage from the region showed homes and shops inundated with murky brown waters and residents taking refuge on upper floors.</div><div><br></div><div>The heavy rains have also caused problems at sea, with at least seven boats sunk in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea since Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>The kingdom’s state railway company said track subsidence meant that trains heading south to the Malaysian border were stopping at Yala, 100km away.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities have warned residents in the provinces to be ready to evacuate if the floods get worse. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 13:18:24', '2023-12-25 13:18:24'),
(10578, 10578, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Ambassador to Egypt Samina Naj presented her credentials to President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on December 17.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>On the same day, ambassadors of some 20 countries, including Bangladesh, also handed over their credentials at the Presentation of Credential Ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh Ambassador was taken from Bangladesh House in a motor procession to the Presidential Palace.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Bangladesh Embassy in Egypt, two Chamberlains first took the ambassador to the Presidential Palace Garden and the national anthem of Bangladesh was played by the orchestra guard. During the period, the Bangladesh ambassador was awarded guard of honour.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador Samina Naz greeted the Egyptian President with \'Salam\' and introduced herself. She handed over the identity card given by the President of Bangladesh to the President of Egypt.</div><div><br></div><div>The president of Egypt expressed hope that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Egypt will grow further. He termed Bangladesh as a sisterly country.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Expressing gratitude to the Egyptian President, Ambassador Naz conveyed the greetings of the Bangladesh President and the Prime Minister to him, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>She expressed strong hope that she will receive full support, encouragement and assistance from the President of Egypt during her tenure in Egypt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 13:40:10', '2023-12-25 13:40:10'),
(10579, 10579, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Turkey said today its air force “neutralised” 26 Kurdish fighters in strikes in Syria and northern Iraq in response to the killing of soldiers at the weekend, while authorities also detained dozens of pro-Kurdish opposition activists.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday, the defence ministry said 12 Turkish soldiers were killed during fighting with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, prompting Ankara to conduct a barrage of air strikes and operations in the region.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, it said initial findings showed that at least 26 rebels were “neutralised” in those strikes.</div><div><br></div><div>Ankara typically uses the term to mean killed.</div><div><br></div><div>Defence minister Yasar Guler also said yesterday that 30 PKK militants had been neutralised in an area of northern Iraq where Turkey carries out cross-border operations, bringing the total number of militants killed since the weekend to 56.</div><div><br></div><div>The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the US and the European Union, took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984.</div><div><br></div><div>Turkish forces regularly carry out strikes in neighbouring Iraq as part of its offensive against PKK militants based there.</div><div><br></div><div>Police also detained 52 people at a youth event organised by the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) – formerly known as HDP – in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, security sources said today.</div><div><br></div><div>Justice minister Yilmaz Tunc said on social media platform X that the suspects were charged with “praising crime and the criminal” and “spreading terrorist organisation propaganda”, and added arrest warrants were issued for others.</div><div><br></div><div>In response, DEM – the third biggest party in parliament – condemned the detentions as motivated by political interests and called for the detainees to be released immediately.</div><div><br></div><div>Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya later said that authorities had started investigations into 57 social media accounts accused of posting content against Turkey’s armed forces, and added four people had been detained as part of the operation.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those trying to sow seeds of discord among our people, praise terror, and insult our national and moral values will continue to be held accountable in front of the law,” Yerlikaya said on X.</div><div><br></div><div>President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government have repeatedly accused the pro-Kurdish opposition party of having links to the PKK, and authorities have arrested dozens of its officials over recent years.</div><div><br></div><div>The party denies accusations of links to rebels. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 13:45:24', '2023-12-25 13:45:24'),
(10580, 10580, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A festive mood has been prevailing among Awami League and its front and associate bodies\' leaders and activists, as well as the general public over the prime minister’s visit to Rangpur district for electioneering.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a bride of Pirganj and it is the father land of Prime Minister\'s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy. The Prime Minister is scheduled to come here and a festive mood has been prevailing there over PM’s visit there,” said Awami League Organizing Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi while talking to reporters after visiting the Pirganj Government High School ground on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>There will be a historic rally and huge public gathering tomorrow, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of her election campaigning, the Awami League President will address two public rallies in Pirganj and Taraganj upazilas of Rangpur district, Prof Majed Ali Babul, joint convener of the district AL unit confirmed on Sunday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>She will address an election rally at the college field in Taraganj upazila to support AL candidate Abul Kalam Md Ahsanul Haque from Rangpur-2 (Taraganj-Badarganj), he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the AL chief will join another election rally in Rangpur-6 (Pirganj) constituency arranged for the campaign of AL candidate Shirin Sharmin Choudhury, also speaker of Jatiya Sangsad.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Sheikh Hasina kicked off her election campaign on December 20 through visits to the mazars of saints Shahjalal and Shah Paran in Sylhet.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the preparation of the rallies, Professor Majed said, Rangpur district Awami League is always ready to receive PM Hasina and arrange any type of rally.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will complete all preparations in the meantime and we are expecting huge participation of the people in the Prime Minister\'s election rallies,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>On August 2 this year, the Prime Minister attended the public rally of Awami League organized at Rangpur Zilla School ground but she did not go to her father-in-law\'s house in Pirganj. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 14:11:58', '2023-12-25 14:11:58'),
(10581, 10581, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sheikh Hasina\'s government is needed not only for Bangladesh but also for regional stability, said Foreign Minister Dr Abdul Momen on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“There is an international effort to undermine stability in the Indo-Pacific region. One group is conspiring to wage a proxy war in the region by putting a gun on the shoulder of another. This will not happen if Sheikh Hasina is there,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister was addressing a discussion and views-exchange meeting as chief guest&nbsp; organized by Sylhet Agricultural University Chhatra League on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>“All countries in Europe are now economically affected by the proxy war in Ukraine. The whole of Europe is suffering from insecurity. Therefore, the stability of our country cannot be destroyed in any way. For this, there is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina. Youths and students have to be alert so that a confrontational situation does not arise centering the election,” said Momen.</div><div><br></div><div>Presided over by Sylhet Agricultural University unit president Ashiqur Rahman, the function was addressed, among others, by city Awami League vice-president Faizul Anwar Alaor and central BCL vice-president Joynal Abedin.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen started his day\'s election campaign by distributing leaflets at Naya Road in Sylhet city on Monday morning, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, he exchanged greetings with the public on the occasion of Christmas, the main religious festival of the Christian community, by cutting a cake at Presbyterian Church at Nayaroad at 11:30 am.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 15:56:34', '2023-12-25 15:56:34'),
(10582, 10582, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has surged to 20,674, the Health Ministry in the territory said Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra also said that 54,536 people had been injured in the months-long offensive.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel continues to bombard the Gaza Strip from the air and land in retaliation for an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with half of the coastal territory\'s housing damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million people displaced within the densely populated enclave, with shortages of food and clean water endemic. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-25 16:09:27', '2023-12-25 16:09:27'),
(10583, 10583, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#634aa5\">Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (December 26, 2023) requested all voters to go to the polling centres early in the morning and cast their ballots for \'boat\' to let her party serve them again.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The election will be held on January 7. Please go to the polling centres early morning with other voters and cast your votes for boat (the electoral symbol of Awami League,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while addressing a public rally at Taraganj Degree College.</div><div><br></div><div>Her younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present on dais.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that boat is the symbol of the boat of Prophet Nuh that saved the human race during the Great Flood.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“This boat gave your independence and developed your living standard,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Will you cast your votes for the boat? Promise me, please raise your hands,” she asked while the audience raised their hands and chanted slogans for the AL election symbol.</div><div><br></div><div>She also introduced Awami League nominated candidate for Rangpur-2 constituency Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahasanul Huq Chowdhury (Duke) at the rally and requested all to vote for him.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to numerous implemented development programmes of the government in the last 15 years, Hasina said that it was possible for the government as the people gave votes for her party in the last three elections.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said that there are some development programmes left unfinished to materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>These are to make the country free from homeless and landless people and eradicate poverty completely, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“All people will get beautiful lives, we are working towards that target,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that no one will be neglected in the country of Bangabandhu, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We want to take the country forward. Currently we have got the status of a developing country. Keeping that in mind, we want to make Bangladesh a developed country. This country will be developed only if the symbol boat remains in power,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said she has no parents and brothers.</div><div><br></div><div>“I have nothing to lose and nothing to gain. But you have to stay well, your life will be beautiful, my goal is that your children will get a beautiful life from generation to generation,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 09:04:02', '2023-12-26 09:04:02'),
(10584, 10584, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">One person was killed, two injured and a large landing ship called Novocherkassk was damaged in an overnight Ukrainian attack on the Crimean port city of Feodosia, Russia’s defense ministry and officials said.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Interfax news agency cited the Russian defense ministry as saying that Ukraine had used guided missiles launched by aircraft to attack Feodosia.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russia-installed governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said on the Telegram messaging app that one person had been killed and two injured as a result of the attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine carried out an attack on Feodosia in Crimea, resulting in a fire in the town’s port area, the Russian-installed head of Crimea said on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>“The port area is cordoned off. As of this moment, the detonations have stopped and the fire has been contained,” Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea, said on his Telegram messaging app at around 4:15 a.m. (0115 GMT).&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“All relevant emergency services are on site. Residents of several houses will be evacuated.” - Reuters&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 09:32:32', '2023-12-26 09:32:32'),
(10585, 10585, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia on Monday said its forces now fully controlled the town of Maryinka in eastern Ukraine, which President Vladimir Putin hailed as a “success” that would mean less shelling on the nearby Russian-held city of Donetsk.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Our assault units have today completely liberated the settlement of Maryinka,” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin in a meeting shown on state television.</div><div><br></div><div>Piles of rubble and gutted apartment buildings over a wide area could be seen in drone images shown on Russian television that were said to be of Maryinka.</div><div><br></div><div>“I want to congratulate you,” Putin told Shoigu.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is a success” which gives Russian troops “the opportunity to move into a wider operational area.”</div><div><br></div><div>Shoigu said the control of Maryinka would enable his soldiers to “move further in this direction” and “make it possible to protect Donetsk more effectively from strikes” from Ukrainian forces.</div><div><br></div><div>But Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesman for Ukraine’s army, said it was “incorrect” to claim that Maryinka was fully controlled by Russian forces.</div><div><br></div><div>“The fighting for Maryinka continues,” he said, adding that there were still Ukrainian soldiers within the borders of the district of Maryinka.</div><div><br></div><div>“The town is completely destroyed,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The claims could not be independently verified.</div><div><br></div><div>A counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces which started in June along the front line in the south and east of the country has largely petered out, with few successes.</div><div><br></div><div>Russian forces have increased pressure in recent weeks. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 09:37:20', '2023-12-26 09:37:20'),
(10586, 10586, '<div><font color=\"#f7ad6b\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b style=\"\">Chinese state media accused the Philippines on Monday of repeatedly infringing on China’s territory in the South China Sea, spreading false information and colluding with extraterritorial forces to cause trouble.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>The Philippines has relied on US support to continually provoke China, with such “extremely dangerous” behavior seriously harming regional peace and stability, China’s Communist Party mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, wrote in a commentary on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>The Philippines Foreign Ministry and a national task force handling the South China Sea did not immediately respond on Christmas Day to requests for comment on the report.</div><div><br></div><div>Tensions between Beijing and Manila have heightened in recent months as both sides trade accusations over a spate of run-ins in the South China Sea, including charges that China rammed a ship this month carrying the Philippine armed forces chief of staff.</div><div><br></div><div>China claims most of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. An international tribunal in 2016 invalidated China’s claim in a ruling on a case brought by the Philippines, which Beijing rejects.</div><div><br></div><div>In an unusually direct warning, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last week any miscalculation in the dispute with the Philippines would bring a resolute response from China, and called for dialogue to address “serious difficulties.”</div><div><br></div><div>The souring of bilateral ties coincides with Manila’s moves to bolster military relations with Japan and the United States, its former colonial power and defense ally of seven decades.</div><div><br></div><div>China expressed anger at the US this month for sending a navy ship into waters near the disputed area where China and the Philippines have had several maritime confrontations.</div><div><br></div><div>Washington has frequently used its defense treaty with Manila to “threaten” China, blatantly supporting Philippine violations of Chinese sovereignty and “peddling security anxieties,” the People’s Daily said.</div><div><br></div><div>That is “extremely irresponsible and dangerous,” said the commentary, written under the pen name Zhong Sheng, or “Voice of China,” often used to offer the newspaper’s views on foreign policy matters.</div><div><br></div><div>Mao Ning, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a regular news conference on Monday: “China will not weaken in its resolve to protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.</div><div><br></div><div>“That said, China’s door of dialogue remains open. We are ready to work with the Philippines to properly handle maritime issues through negotiation and consultation.” According to Reuters reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 09:43:39', '2023-12-26 09:43:39'),
(10587, 10587, '<div><font color=\"#3984c6\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Crude oil prices stayed in a narrow range on Tuesday\'s light trade over the Christmas holiday as markets weighed the prospect of supply disruptions in Red Sea trading routes.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>The international benchmark crude Brent traded at $78.99 per barrel at 0659 GMT, a 0.24% increase from the closing price of $78.80 a barrel in the previous trading session on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>The American benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), traded at the same time at $73.73 per barrel, up 0.23% from Friday\'s close of $73.56 per barrel.</div><div><br></div><div>Oil prices continue with some strength amid tensions in the Middle East, the region that holds most of the world’s oil reserves, and transport bottlenecks in the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>The Houthi group in Yemen declared that ships owned or controlled by Israeli enterprises would be attacked in retaliation for Israel\'s attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>The Red Sea is one of the most important trading routes in the world, as approximately 12% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal.</div><div><br></div><div>Gideon Golber, the director general of the Port of Eilat in southern Israel, said that the port\'s activity has plummeted 85% since the Houthis began attacks in the Red Sea on ships linked to or cooperating with Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>Following these Houthi attacks, several international companies, including the Italian and Swiss-owned Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Denmark-based shipper Maersk, German shipper Hapag-Lloyd, and France-based shipper CMA CGM, suspended all sailings in the Red Sea.</div><div><br></div><div>After the British energy company bp’s announcement that it would halt all tanker traffic in the Red Sea, concerns were raised that seaborn deliveries, which have so far mostly affected the transportation of goods, could expand to energy shipments.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the prospect of higher production next year suppressed oil price gains.</div><div><br></div><div>Both OPEC and the International Energy Agency warned in their recent respective market reports of this prospect.</div><div><br></div><div>Angola left the OPEC group over disagreements on output cuts, and the African country is now expected to ramp up its production. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 10:15:51', '2023-12-26 10:15:51'),
(10588, 10588, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Israeli army gathered dozens of Palestinian civilians in a playground in northern Gaza City after forcing them to take off their clothes.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a video shared on social media late Monday, Palestinian civilians, including children and the elderly, are seen being held by the Israeli army in a playground after being stripped down to their underwear.</div><div><br></div><div>The video also showed Israeli tanks\' barrels pointing at Palestinians in their underwear.</div><div><br></div><div>The fate of those Palestinians is unknown, as the Israeli army has not yet commented on the video.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing at least 20,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 54,536 others, according to local health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>On Nov. 10, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman revised the official death toll of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, lowering the figure to around 1,200 people, and since then, Tel Aviv has not provided any additional information about the casualties.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with half of the coastal territory\'s housing damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million people displaced within the densely populated enclave amid acute shortages of food and clean water. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 10:22:48', '2023-12-26 10:22:48'),
(10589, 10589, '<div><b><font color=\"#6ba54a\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bitcoin is in for a \"very explosive\" year in 2024, from exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to legislation and regulation in crypto assets, an expert told Anadolu.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"From the exchange collapses and corporate fallout of 2022, to the regulatory battles of 2023, the crypto industry is still here and growing,\" said Brandon Zemp, CEO of BlockHash LLC, a blockchain consultancy providing educational resources for small business owners, students, developers, and investors.</div><div><br></div><div>Bitcoin, as well as other cryptocurrencies and some stable coins, which are pegged to the value of a separate asset, crashed in 2022 amid several crises, including the bankruptcy of several companies and exchange platforms, causing turmoil in the market as a lack of regulation and accountability has shaken investor confidence in digital currencies and tokens.</div><div><br></div><div>The size of the entire crypto market plummeted to around $790 billion by the end of 2022 — down almost 65% from its $2.25 trillion close in 2021 as more than $1.4 trillion evaporated that year, according to data compiled by Anadolu. Once the world\'s third-largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume, FTX\'s collapse in late 2022 also led to a sudden meltdown in the crypto market.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Crypto is cyclical by nature. That\'s an inevitable fact. But many of the collapses have come as a result of overzealous, laser-eyed investors buying colorful JPEGs and creating vaporware for the sake of taking an investors money. Every industry attracts a similar crowd, especially when there\'s an opportunity to profit,\" said Zemp, who is author of the book, \"The Future Economy: A Crypto Insider’s Guide to the Tech Dismantling Traditional Banking.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO and founder of Bahamas-based cryptocurrency trading platform FTX, is currently on trial in a New York federal court, facing eight charges - conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud, standalone charges of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the US, as well as campaign finance violations.</div><div><br></div><div>After the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June filed 13 charges against Binance, the world\'s largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, the company agreed in November to plead guilty to criminal charges, forfeit $2.5 billion to the US government and pay a fine of $1.8 billion. Its CEO Changpeng Zhao pled guilty to several criminal charges in the US and resigned from his role. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 10:30:14', '2023-12-26 10:30:14'),
(10590, 10590, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 160 people have been killed in central Nigeria in a series of attacks on villages, local authorities said Monday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>It marks a sharp rise from the initial figure of 16 deaths in a clash between herders and farmers in Mushu, a village in the Bokkos local government area.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 113 people have been confirmed killed and more than 300 wounded people were transferred to hospitals in Bokkos, Jos, and Barkin Ladi, Monday Kassah, head of the local government in Bokkos, Plateau State, was quoted by AFP as saying.</div><div><br></div><div>A provisional toll by the local Red Cross reported 104 deaths in 18 villages in the Bokkos region.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 50 people were also reported dead in several villages in the Barkin Ladi area, according to Dickson Chollom, a member of the state parliament.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the worst outbreak of violence in Plateau since May when more than 100 were killed in farmer-herder clashes.</div><div><br></div><div>Armed attacks have been a major security threat in Nigeria\'s northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 10:49:46', '2023-12-26 10:49:46'),
(10591, 10591, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Beyoncé’s childhood home caught fire early on Christmas morning, though the family living there escaped safely.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The fire was reported at about 2 a.m. Monday and the Houston Fire Department arrived on the scene of the two-story brick house within three to five minutes, the Houston Chronicle reported.</div><div><br></div><div>“We had it contained in about 10 minutes,” Houston Fire Department District Chief Justin Barnes told the newspaper.</div><div><br></div><div>Beyoncé Knowles\' family bought the home on the 2400 block of Rosedale in 1982 and Beyoncé lived there until she was 5 years old. She was seen taking photos of the property when she was in her hometown for her Renaissance World Tour.</div><div><br></div><div>The home in the historic Riverside Terrace neighborhood was built in 1946.</div><div><br></div><div>A messages sent to Beyoncé\'s publicist was not immediately returned late Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>The cause of the blaze was under investigation. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 11:00:19', '2023-12-26 11:00:19'),
(10592, 10592, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Marnus Labuschagne notched a gritty score of 44 not out to guide Australia through a rain-interrupted first day of play in the second test against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Invited to bat first by Pakistan captain Shan Masood, who won the toss in overcast conditions, Australia reached 187-3 at stumps.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan squandered a golden opportunity to put Australia on the back foot early, allowing openers David Warner (38 off 83 balls) and Usman Khawaja (42 off 101) to share a 90-run partnership on a pitch offering sideways movement for the seamers.</div><div><br></div><div>Warner, in his penultimate test, played a loose shot outside off stump on 38 in the final over before lunch and was caught at slip off the bowling of spinner Agha Salman.</div><div><br></div><div>The 37-year-old Warner, who scored 164 in the first test in Perth, was lucky to reach double figures Tuesday. Warner offered a regulation chance on 2 to first slip off the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi in the third over, but it was put down by Abdullah Shafique.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali said the tourists had a “good day as a bowling unit.\"</div><div><br></div><div>“The best thing is we did not give them enough runs, so I think we are a bit ahead of them,” Hasan said.</div><div><br></div><div>Unbeaten on 36 at lunch, Khawaja added six runs to his total before he guided a delivery from Hasan Ali to second slip at 108-2. Khawaja is the leading test run-scorer in 2023 with 1,210 runs at an average of 55.00.</div><div><br></div><div>Warner described Khawaja’s run-scoring feats in 2023 as “phenomenal.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Now he’s just playing like every game is his last. He’s going to play as long as he can,” Warner said of his opening partner’s roller-coaster career in and out of the test side.</div><div><br></div><div>“His last 12 months have been absolutely phenomenal. He can play as long as he wants to and feels comfortable.”</div><div><br></div><div>Rain interrupted play 37 minutes before the scheduled tea break, with Australia on 114-2 off 42.4 overs.</div><div><br></div><div>Play resumed almost three hours later, rewarding those fans among the first-day crowd of 62,167 at the MCG who had waited patiently for the rain to clear.</div><div><br></div><div>Steve Smith was given out LBW on 19 to the bowling of Afridi, but the former skipper successfully reviewed the decision as replays showed the ball was going over the stumps.</div><div><br></div><div>On 26, Smith was given not out following a caught-behind appeal from Aamir Jamal, but Pakistan successfully reviewed the decision as replays showed a faint edge.</div><div><br></div><div>Smith struck only two boundaries in his 75-ball knock, sharing a patient 46-run partnership with Labuschagne.</div><div><br></div><div>Travis Head was unbeaten on nine at stumps to join Labuschagne in the crease when play resumes Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Australia named an unchanged side Tuesday and Pakistan made three changes. Wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed was replaced by Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Khurram Shahzad was ruled out due to a rib injury.</div><div><br></div><div>Medium-pacer Faheem Ashraf was dropped as Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza returned to the side.</div><div><br></div><div>The third test in the three-match series is scheduled to begin Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Pakistan won its last test in Australia nearly 30 years ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Australia won the first test in Perth last week by 360 runs. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 12:54:10', '2023-12-26 12:54:10'),
(10593, 10593, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The total number of Bangladesh\'s mobile phone users hit over 190 million at the end of November this year, showed the latest statistics of the country\'s telecom regulator.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the number of subscribers in the South Asian country reached 190.36 million in November 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, Bangladesh has four mobile companies, three of which are foreign-backed cell phone operators.</div><div><br></div><div>The number of subscribers of mobile operators, Grameen Phone, Robi Axiata, Banglalink Digital Communications and Teletalk Bangladesh, stood at 82.14 million, 58.38 million, 43.38 million and 6.46 million respectively at the end of November, the BTRC data showed.</div><div><br></div><div>The number of Bangladesh\'s mobile phone subscribers stood at 180.20 million at the end of December 2022. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 13:56:59', '2023-12-26 13:56:59'),
(10594, 10594, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Christmas holiday, recognized as the birth of Jesus Christ, witnesses diverse celebration dates because of differences in Christian calendars.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Among the oldest Christian holidays, Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25 by adherents of the Gregorian calendar, including Protestants, Catholics, and some Orthodox Christians. In contrast, Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar commemorate the event on Jan. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Historically, pagan communities celebrated the \"rebirth\" festival on Dec. 25. However, the Church, after gaining influence in the 4th century, actively worked to establish Dec. 25 as the celebration day, asserting it as Jesus’ birthday.</div><div><br></div><div>Records trace the celebration of Jesus\' birth in the Roman Empire dating back to 325 or 336. The official recognition of Christmas began after Pope Liberius declared the night connecting Dec. 24 to Dec. 25 as Jesus\'s birthday during the final years of Byzantine Emperor Constantine\'s reign.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine\'s unprecedented shift</div><div><br></div><div>In a historic move, Ukraine has deviated from centuries-old traditions by officially celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25. Traditionally, Ukrainian Orthodox Christians have observed Christmas on Jan.7, following the Julian calendar.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law in July this year to move Christmas celebrations to Dec. 25, citing the goal to \"distance from Russian traditions.\"</div><div><br></div><div>However, many Orthodox Ukrainians are expected to continue celebrating the day on Jan. 7. The decision is seen as a political move to break away from the \"Russian heritage\" associated with the Jan. 7 celebration.</div><div><br></div><div>In a recent message, Zelenskyy extended Christmas greetings to the Christian world, emphasizing unity: “We all celebrate Christmas together. On the same date, as one big family, as one nation, as one united country. And today our common prayer will be stronger than ever.”</div><div><br></div><div>Calendar background</div><div><br></div><div>The Gregorian calendar, also known as the Christian or Western calendar, was adopted by Pope Gregory XIII on Oct. 4, 1582. The Gregorian calendar counts one year as 365 days and 6 hours, with the year 1 designated as the year of Jesus\' birth.</div><div><br></div><div>The Julian calendar was established in 46 BC and is named after Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. The Julian calendar introduces a 1-day drift every 128 years due to leap year calculation differences.</div><div><br></div><div>Christmas traditions worldwide</div><div><br></div><div>In the broader context of Christmas celebrations, traditions vary across countries. Families in countries like the UK, Germany, Ireland, France, US, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Albania, Norway, Finland, and Kenya gather for a Christmas meal on Dec.25. In Orthodox-majority countries like Georgia, Belarus, Russia, and Serbia, Christmas is celebrated on Jan. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>Children write letters to Santa Claus, listing the gifts they wish to receive. On Christmas day, gifts placed under the decorated Christmas tree are given to their recipients.</div><div><br></div><div>For small children, gifts and candies are placed inside giant stockings, and it is said that Santa Claus brings these gifts.</div><div><br></div><div>All churches affiliated with the Fener Greek Patriarchate celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, whereas the Armenian Orthodox Church in Türkiye celebrates on Jan. 6, commemorating the baptism of Jesus.</div><div><br></div><div>Coptic Christians in Egypt also observe a 43-day fast ending on Jan.7 as part of their Christmas celebrations. Moreover, in countries where Christians are a minority, such as Argentina, Brazil, Hungary, and Sweden, celebrations commence on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and last until Dec. 26.</div><div><br></div><div>Many countries with Christian minorities, including India and Malaysia, recognize Dec. 25 as an official holiday for Christmas.</div><div><br></div><div>This global diversity in Christmas celebrations reflects the rich tapestry of traditions, calendars, and historical influences that have shaped the observance of this significant Christian holiday worldwide. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"7\",\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 14:30:34', '2023-12-26 14:30:34'),
(10595, 10595, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#8c7bc6\">BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday said the country’s people have no interest in casting their votes in a ‘meaningless’ election billed for January 7.</font></span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He also raised a question if there is public support in the \'one-sided\' election, why the councillors have been given instructions by the police to bring voters to the polling stations.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters while distributing leaflets, containing BNPs\' call for boycotting the upcoming polls, among the pedestrians on the Motijheel to Dilkusha Road, Nazrul said, “People are not interested in voting as they know it\'s a meaningless election... It\'s not a vote and not an election.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He called upon the voters not to go to the polling stations in any situation on January 7. “Don’t cooperate with the regime which is playing a game with the lives and livelihoods of people.”</div><div><br></div><div>Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said why the dummy candidates are needed to bring people to the polling station. \"Why are beneficiaries of the government’s different programmes and facilities threatened that their cards will be cancelled if they don\'t cast their votes? Why have you used police to instruct the councillors to bring people to the polling stations?</div><div><br></div><div>He said people have already rejected the lopsided election and they will boycott the voting as well.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also questioned the justification of holding such an unacceptable election by spending several thousand crores of taka when the country’s economy and financial institutions are in dire straits, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We urge the government to stop this expenditure on this illegal election...it can’t be called an election where all candidates belong to Awami League. We don\'t want such an election,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said their party wants such an election where the people can freely exercise their right to vote and elect their representatives.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 14:47:50', '2023-12-26 14:47:50'),
(10596, 10596, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said voter turnout will be satisfactory in the upcoming 12th parliamentary election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“There is fear, yet I am saying that the voter turnout will be satisfactory,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader was briefing reporters after the European Union\'s election expert team held a meeting with Bangladesh Awami League regarding the election at the Dhaka District Awami League office in the capital\'s Tejgaon on Tuesday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The two-member EU team visited the Dhaka District Awami League office in the capital\'s Tejgaon this afternoon. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader led the party.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, briefing reporters, Quader said, “The EU team wanted to know about Bangladesh\'s preparation for the election. We talked about the violence of BNP\'s election debacle. BNP is responding to peaceful elections by resorting to violence.”</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the expulsion and suspension of membership for campaigning in favour of an independent candidate, the AL leader said, “Anyone of the party can campaign for an independent candidate,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“There\'s nothing wrong here. He was given the opportunity.&nbsp; The district-upazila committee does not have the right to expel anyone or suspend membership. They can only send recommendations to the Centre,” he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 15:45:28', '2023-12-26 15:45:28'),
(10597, 10597, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Kazi Habibul Awal, has stated that the Election Commission can ensure with 100% certainty that there will be no irregularities in the voting process on the night before the election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He emphasized that this commitment is non-negotiable, and to achieve this, ballot papers will be sent to polling centres early in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing participating candidates and officials in Chattogram on Tuesday, the CEC said \"We can guarantee with 100% certainty that whatever questions pointed out regarding the election and voting on the night before the election, it will not have any impact. For this reason, ballot papers will be dispatched to many centers on the voting day in the morning.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Even if ballot papers were sent 10 days or 10 months before the election, candidates will use their polling agents to check whether the ballot boxes at the voting centers are empty or not, and only then will they seal the boxes. In such a case, there will be no chance of any invalid ballot boxes entering the voting centers. Afterwards, we urge sending the ballot papers early in the morning for confidence and trust,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Polling agents at the voting centres will stand and ensure that the ballot boxes are empty. They will remain at the center until the end of the vote count and result announcement. Everything will be monitored to ensure accuracy. If the counting is done correctly, then we can be certain that the vote is fair and impartial,” he also said, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>CEC Kazi Habibul Awal further mentioned, \"If any disturbance or malpractice occurs during the voting, the presiding officer has been instructed to stop the voting. If the presiding officer fails to do so, upon being informed, we will intervene and stop the process. We have communicated with the OC, UNO, DC, and SP, and according to their statements, the election environment is good so far.\"</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 15:56:22', '2023-12-26 15:56:22'),
(10598, 10598, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Aiming to maintain overall peace and law and order in the country, Border Guard Bangladesh will be deployed across the country from December 29 ahead of the next parliamentary election alongside the Army, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“BGB will be in the field from December 29 and alongside it the Army will be there, so the situation will become more calm as well as peaceful,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question about the role of police regarding election violence across the country, the minister said “Election Commission are monitoring it regularly and they are sending us a list of those who they think need to be transferred and we transfer that individual instantly.\"</div><div><br></div><div>In a query, whether there is any political motive behind Army deployment, Asaduzzaman, said there is no political motive behind it. “People of the country do not believe in such kind of violence and threats that a party is doing to foil the election. Though, our Election Commissioner has taken steps to conduct the election safely.”</div><div><br></div><div>Answering another question, the Home boss said the Election Commission is demanding a list of vulnerable areas and police will send the list soon.</div><div><br></div><div>Claiming that so far, everything has been under surveillance by law enforcement agencies, the minister said “In the future, we will be able to control the situation. Two or one incident has occurred and the law enforcers have identified the culprits and arrested them.”</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question that the ruling party backed candidates are violating the electoral code of conduct taking advantage of the government power, the Awami League leader said “A festive mood has created on the occasion of the election and leaders and activists have done everything to make their respected candidate win. Sometimes, they themselves do not know that they are violating the electoral code of conduct, especially those who are new.” - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 16:00:43', '2023-12-26 16:00:43');
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(10599, 10599, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Pakistan court today ruled that ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s party can contest elections using its cricket bat logo, lawyers said, winning the jailed opposition leader a rare reprieve before polls due in February.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a nation where the adult literacy rate is just 58% according to World Bank data, election symbols are vital campaign tools for differentiating candidates on ballot papers.</div><div><br></div><div>But last week, the election commission stripped former cricket star Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of the right to use its icon.</div><div><br></div><div>“The election commission’s ruling against PTI, in which its election symbol, the cricket bat, was unjustly revoked through an illegal order, has been suspended,” said PTI lawyer Syed Ali Zafar.</div><div><br></div><div>“It has been further directed that our symbol be reinstated,” Zafar told reporters outside a high court in the northwestern city of Peshawar, where PTI lodged an appeal.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan’s election commission revoked PTI’s right to use the symbol in polls set for Feb 8 over the party’s failure to hold internal elections in accordance with its constitution.</div><div><br></div><div>But PTI said the decision was the latest legal hurdle erected in a campaign to prevent its 71-year-old figurehead from contesting re-election.</div><div><br></div><div>Hugely popular Khan was ousted last year after falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military leaders, then waging an unprecedented campaign of defiance against them.</div><div><br></div><div>He is currently jailed and facing numerous graft cases and allegations he leaked classified state documents, a crime carrying a prison term of up to 14 years or even the death penalty.</div><div><br></div><div>After his arrest this year sparked unrest, PTI has been the subject of a widespread crackdown, with leading party figures either jailed or forced to leave the party.</div><div><br></div><div>PTI turned in nomination papers for Khan on Friday, but they may be challenged on the basis of the electoral commission having disqualified him from office over a graft conviction earlier this year. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-26 16:07:06', '2023-12-26 16:07:06'),
(10600, 10600, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">President of Bangladesh Awami League Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday unveiled her party’s election manifesto with a pledge to give the people development, peace and prosperity, if elected.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Come, once again allow us to serve you by voting for BOAT, the election symbol of Bangladesh Awami League. You vote for us; we will give you development, peace, and prosperity,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier unveiled the AL\'s Election Manifesto 2024 with the slogan \'Smart Bangladesh where development shines accelerating employment’ at Pan Pacific Sonargoan Hotel ahead of the 12th Parliamentary election slated for January 7, 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>In the election manifesto, the ruling party made a number of commitments regarding different sectors, including to make Bangladesh a smart country by 2041, to expand employment opportunities, to take effective action against money launderers, to eradicate bribery and corruption at all levels of the state and society, to establish a universal health system, to introduce health insurance, and to strengthen the practice of transparency, accountability, good governance, and democratic values.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL president and the prime minister said right now, Bangladesh is standing in a transitional period. The country is going to join the ranks of developing countries from the list of least developed countries. This transition is an honour on one side and a huge challenge on the other hand, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The government formed by the January 7 election must have the capacity to face this challenge. Only the Awami League can face this challenge and take the country to new heights,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh will be established as a high-middle-income country by 2031 and a developed, prosperous, smart one by 2041 by the Bangladesh Awami League, the bearer of the spirit of the Liberation War,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said Bangladesh has been transformed in the last 15 years. Today\'s Bangladesh is by no means poverty-stricken or economically fragile. “I can unequivocally say that today\'s Bangladesh is a ‘Changed Bangladesh.’ Bangladesh is now a fast-paced country moving forward with its potential. Minor setbacks cannot hinder our economic progress today,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>As a continuation of the past, this time, the AL has prepared an implementable election manifesto by setting specific targets. “The continuity of the long-term action plans announced in the 2008, 2014, and 2018 election manifestos has also been maintained in the twelfth election manifesto,” said Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL chief briefly presented some points of the election manifesto regarding different sectors.</div><div><br></div><div>Transition from digital to smart Bangladesh:</div><div><br></div><div>AL announced the building of \'Smart Bangladesh as technological capabilities are essential to survive global competition in the fourth industrial revolution era. “If elected by the people\'s vote, we will make Bangladesh a hunger-poverty-free smart country by 2041, Inshallah,” said the PM.</div><div><br></div><div>Good Governance:</div><div><br></div><div>She said Awami League is always active in ensuring people\'s fundamental and democratic rights. “If we get elected and form the government, the practice of transparency, accountability, good governance, and democratic values will be strengthened in all aspects of state management,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL chief said her party is always vocal about the rule of law and human rights. “The independence and dignity of the judiciary will be preserved. Measures to ensure the independence and effectiveness of the National Human Rights Commission will continue,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Public welfare-oriented, accountable, efficient, and smart administration:</div><div><br></div><div>She said efforts will continue to create an efficient, enterprising, IT-based, corruption-free, patriotic, and public welfare-oriented administrative system through recruitment based on merit, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Building a people-friendly law enforcement force:</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Awami League has always worked towards establishing a modern, advanced, humane, and people-friendly law and order force. Due to this, the capacity of the law enforcement agencies has been immensely enhanced. “The law enforcement force of Smart Bangladesh will be made smart and modern,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Zero-tolerance policy against corruption:</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. To this end, the government has taken a concerted initiative with the people and is working to root out corruption from society. “To inculcate an anti-corruption attitude among the students, chapters on the evils of corruption and what to do to prevent corruption will be added to the education curriculum,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Freedom of Media:</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that Awami League government has ensured the free flow of information and freedom of media, Sheikh Hasina said arrangements will be made so that journalists don\'t face torture, intimidation, or false cases.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said she would not claim that they have always been 100% successful in running the government despite sincerity and devotion.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the Bangladesh Awami League does not believe in the politics of words. “We do what we say. The implementation of election manifestos of 2008, 2014, and 2018 is proof of that,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Due to the global economic turmoil caused by the wars and economic sanction and counter-sanctions, The Least developed and developing countries like Bangladesh are being forced to import products at higher prices, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>A massive depreciation of the domestic currency has led to an increase in inflation, which has an impact on commodity prices and people\'s lives. “Several times, despite multifaceted and all-out efforts, we have not been able to curb the rise in prices of daily necessities. This problem is not only for our country, but this problem is also for all rich and poor countries,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the government is trying to reduce the plight of the lower and lower-middle-class people through various initiatives, including expanding social safety net coverage. “We hope that we can overcome this obstacle very soon, InshaAllah,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL president said whenever the election comes, an anti-liberation, anti-Bangladesh, and anti-development circle becomes active with a leap of conspiracy. “They enter the field by using tricks or rigging or through the back door to come to power. If unsuccessful, they jump on the people in the spirit of revenge,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said they want to intimidate the public through arson, vehicle burning, bombing, sabotage, or terrorist activities. “This time was no exception. This time, they are also making conspiracies from abroad,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Realising that they will not get the people\'s mandate, they have already indulged in terrorist activities, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“As you resisted them in 2013-2016, let us collectively resist them this time. This anti-independence, anti-development vulture party will never again be able to wound Bangladesh with poisonous teeth and claws - let\'s take this oath in the month of victory,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said her government is responsible for all the mistakes made during the last 15 years of running the government. “Success is yours. Look at our mistakes with a forgiving eye. We promise to learn from past mistakes and conduct future activities according to your expectations,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>AL general secretary Obaidul Quader also spoke at the manifesto launching event, while convener of AL Election Manifesto Committee Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque delivered the welcome speech. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-27 08:34:24', '2023-12-27 08:34:24'),
(10601, 10601, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP’s senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Wednesday urged the country’s people not to be part of a lopsided and dummy election that is meant to extend the term of illegal power of the Awami League government.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"We call upon the people to resist and boycott a stage-managed game of dummy election. We tell you not to go to the polling stations to cast your votes. Your vote will not bring any change,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP leader said that the Awami League government illegally usurped power depriving people of their right to vote and elect their representatives.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“They’re once again trying to deprive us of our rights to elect the representatives of our choice. This government\'s strategy is to extend its term for another five years in the name of this one-sided election,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the government is doing an injustice to the country and its people with its move to stage a game in the name of election.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"You (people) won’t cooperate with this regime to do it. Let them (govt) do what they can, but you will not be its partner. If you can\'t prevent robbery, at least don\'t associate with robbery and don\'t cooperate in robbery. This is our request to you. Helping someone who does wrong is also wrong. That\'s why we urge you not to be part of the unfairness of the regime,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a platform of pro-BNP physicians, arranged the programme extending their support to BNP’s call for boycotting the national election slated for January 7.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>After the programme, Nazrul distributed leaflets among the pedestrians, as part of the BNP’s three-day mass contact programme to drum up public support in favour of election boycott and noon-cooperation movement.</div><div><br></div><div>He wanted to know the source of money of the millionaire candidates participating in the 12th parliamentary&nbsp; elections and the reason behind their sudden rise, repots UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the BNP leader said the majority of the candidates who are taking part in the election are millionaires. “Where do so many millionaires come from in Bangladesh?\"</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that thousands of crores of taka have been plundered from different banks over the last 15 years. \"The government knows who are behind it, but don’t arrest them as they belong to the ruling party.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-27 13:23:18', '2023-12-27 13:23:18'),
(10602, 10602, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League has unveiled its manifesto for the 12th National Parliamentary Election with a comprehensive plan to build a \'Smart Bangladesh\'. The manifesto places a significant emphasis on the youth and lays out both immediate goals and future plans for the nation\'s progress.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sajeeb Wazed, a key figure in the 2008 declaration of \'Digital Bangladesh\', has played a crucial role in shaping the technological aspects and strategies of the current manifesto. His involvement is seen as pivotal in establishing the foundation for a Smart Bangladesh, mirroring his influential role in the Digital Bangladesh initiative.</div><div><br></div><div>At the recent “Let\'s Talk with Sheikh Hasina” event organized by the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina discussed various aspects of the manifesto. She revealed that she had consulted with her son, Sajeeb Wazed, on the finer details of the Smart Bangladesh initiative.</div><div><br></div><div>Sajeeb Wazed, who played a significant role in the 2008 Digital Bangladesh vision, is expected to continue his involvement in implementing the Smart Bangladesh vision. During a “Let\'s Talk” session with youths in November, he engaged in discussions about the government\'s policies and strategies for building Smart Bangladesh and took note of several suggestions from them. These discussions are believed to have influenced his consultations with the Prime Minister.</div><div><br></div><div>At the “Let\'s Talk” event with the youth, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina listened to the aspirations and advice of the young participants, taking notes of their suggestions. The Awami League has crafted the manifesto with a primary focus on the opinions of the youth, addressing their employment opportunities, challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, economic development, and integration of youth in technological advancements. Following the successful implementation of the Digital Bangladesh initiative, the Awami League has now adopted a blueprint for the construction of Smart Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The manifesto showcases a commitment to harnessing the potential of the youth in driving the country towards a technologically advanced and economically prosperous future. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-27 13:29:06', '2023-12-27 13:29:06'),
(10603, 10603, '<div><font color=\"#3984c6\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Highlighting the importance of peace and stability for greater development, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said they do not want to see any proxy war in the region.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>“Our main goal is that we do not want to see any proxy war here. Problems remain there where we see proxy war despite having resources. Europe has fallen into proxy war and is facing challenges,” he told reporters, noting that there might be efforts to make the countries in the region weaker.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said Bangladesh has taken a leadership role in the region and other countries acknowledge this. “This is good for us.”</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister named countries like Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia, which are emerging as important partners in the region.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question on external pressure ahead of the next national election, Momen said they never felt any pressure but they want to make sure that the election is conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning India, the US and the European Union, Momen said they are Bangladesh’s friends and development partners.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have a long-standing relationship with these countries. We have multifaceted relations with them,” said the foreign minister.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said the US stood against Bangladesh during the war of Liberation in 1971 and sided with Pakistan, but the US started supporting Bangladesh since Bangladesh achieved its independence.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Otherwise, they (US) have been supportive to us. We have been maintaining very good relations with India since independence and the two countries are passing through a golden chapter&nbsp; in their relations. And the EU is a big market for us,” he explained.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question about the BNP, Momen said it is not a democratic party but a terrorists’ party. “Nobody likes terrorists. They have a lack of maturity.”</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister said they want continuation of the democratic trend in the country and do not want destruction of democracy. “We do not want terrorism. These are the goals of the Western countries. We are with them.”</div><div><br></div><div>He said they want to demonstrate that Bangladesh can hold a free, fair and acceptable election. “We are the only country where people sacrificed their lives for democracy.”</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Momen said the US should come forward and keep its commitment by applying their visa policy against those who are trying to obstruct the polls.</div><div><br></div><div>“I will be very happy if they really apply visa policy on those who will disrupt the polls. But it is their matter,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said they (BNP) are terrorists though they talk about democracy. “No one likes terrorists.”</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister said there is no reason to get panicked and this time the Election Commission is very strong. He urged all to come forward and cast their votes in festive mood, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Bangladesh has become a place of attraction for many due to its growing export, investment opportunities and its balanced foreign policy. “Our foreign policy has created a significant impact.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-27 13:32:17', '2023-12-27 13:32:17'),
(10604, 10604, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><font color=\"#3984c6\">Bangladesh etched their name in history books by securing their first-ever T20I victory on New Zealand soil on Wednesday.</font></span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Spearheaded by Shoriful Islam\'s three-wicket haul and Litton Das\'s anchoring unbeaten 42, the Tigers chased down a challenging target of 135 in Napier to clinch a momentous five-wicket win.</div><div><br></div><div>The chase wasn\'t without its hiccups. Bangladesh saw regular wickets fall, but Litton stood firm, guiding the team home with eight balls remaining.</div><div><br></div><div>Rony Talukdar (10) departed early in the second over. Najmul Hossain Shanto (19) started confidently but couldn\'t convert. Soumya Sarkar (22) also looked promising before Ben Sears dismissed him with a stunning delivery.</div><div><br></div><div>Towhid Hridoy (18) and Afif Hossain (1) fell in quick succession, but Mahedi Hasan (19*) remained unbeaten and hit the winning shot off Adam Milne.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Bangladesh\'s bowlers were on fire, restricting New Zealand to their lowest T20I total against them while batting first at home – 134 for nine.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahedi struck in the first over, and Shoriful rocked the Black Caps with two wickets in two deliveries in the second over, reducing them to a precarious 2 for 3. Mahedi and Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with two wickets each.</div><div><br></div><div>James Neesham (48) and Mitchell Santner (23) tried to rebuild the innings, but the total proved insufficient against Bangladesh\'s determined pursuit.</div><div><br></div><div>This historic win marks a remarkable turnaround for Bangladesh. Before this tour, they had never won a white-ball match in New Zealand. Now, they stand tall with two consecutive victories on Kiwi soil. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fasShoriful, Litton Lead Bangladesh to Historic T20I Win in New Zealand</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh etched their name in history books by securing their first-ever T20I victory on New Zealand soil on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Spearheaded by Shoriful Islam\'s three-wicket haul and Litton Das\'s anchoring unbeaten 42, the Tigers chased down a challenging target of 135 in Napier to clinch a momentous five-wicket win.</div><div><br></div><div>The chase wasn\'t without its hiccups. Bangladesh saw regular wickets fall, but Litton stood firm, guiding the team home with eight balls remaining.</div><div><br></div><div>Rony Talukdar (10) departed early in the second over. Najmul Hossain Shanto (19) started confidently but couldn\'t convert. Soumya Sarkar (22) also looked promising before Ben Sears dismissed him with a stunning delivery.</div><div><br></div><div>Towhid Hridoy (18) and Afif Hossain (1) fell in quick succession, but Mahedi Hasan (19*) remained unbeaten and hit the winning shot off Adam Milne.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Bangladesh\'s bowlers were on fire, restricting New Zealand to their lowest T20I total against them while batting first at home – 134 for nine.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahedi struck in the first over, and Shoriful rocked the Black Caps with two wickets in two deliveries in the second over, reducing them to a precarious 2 for 3. Mahedi and Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with two wickets each.</div><div><br></div><div>James Neesham (48) and Mitchell Santner (23) tried to rebuild the innings, but the total proved insufficient against Bangladesh\'s determined pursuit.</div><div><br></div><div>This historic win marks a remarkable turnaround for Bangladesh. Before this tour, they had never won a white-ball match in New Zealand. Now, they stand tall with two consecutive victories on Kiwi soil. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-27 13:37:10', '2023-12-27 13:37:10'),
(10605, 10605, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chattogram-11 (Bandar-Patenga) constituency’s independent candidate Ziaul Haque Sumon’s election camp was set on fire early Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The incident happened at the election camp set up beside the house of Abdul Mabud Sawdagar of Ward-39 in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>Eyewitnesses said they suddenly saw Sumon\'s election camp on fire around 4:00 am on Wednesday. The fire burned the south and east sides of the camp. However, no one knows who started the fire, as there was no one around the spot at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>“Neither I believe in violence nor do I advocate violence. I have become an independent candidate by capitalising on the love of the people of the area. I always tell my workers to avoid violence. I hope the administration will take legal action after a proper investigation into today\'s incident,” said Sumon.</div><div><br></div><div>EPZ Police Station Inspector (investigation) Zamal Uddin said, “The fence on both sides of the election camp was burned in the fire. The independent candidates\' supporters have accused the boat symbol supporters for the incident.\"</div><div><br></div><div>“The police did not find anyone on the spot. We are investigating who set the camp on fire, added the inspector.</div><div><br></div><div>The independent candidate did not file a case over the incident. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-27 15:59:58', '2023-12-27 15:59:58'),
(10606, 10606, '<div><font color=\"#6ba54a\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b style=\"\">BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said though the government has become “desperate\" to take voters to polling stations it is \"not getting any response from people.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters while distributing leaflets in the city’s Shantinagar area, he also claimed that people are \'quickly fleeing an area where they see ruling party candidates conduct electioneering.</div><div><br></div><div>\"People are not responding to the dummy and farcical election which is being organised by the illegal government and the subservient Election Commission in the country. The ruling party has become desperate to get people to the polling stations. They are going from house to house and issuing various threats,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of their party’s three-day programme, Rizvi along with some BNP leaders and workers distributed leaflets among the pedestrians urging them to boycott the national election billed for January 7.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the government is trying to make the entire country a hell by forcing people to take part in the one-sided election.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader said there is no enthusiasm among the voters anywhere in the country for the upcoming election, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“You won’t see any discussion in any area on voting among people. When they (AL leaders) conduct election campaigns in support of boat in any area, people quickly try to run away from there. The common people say it is not a vote, it is a drama of distribution of 300 seats,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said the government has spread panic among people all over the country by issuing various threats to force them to go to the polling stations on January 7.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“But we would like to tell the government that there is no point of issuing such threats like terrorists as people will not go to vote in dummy elections,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-27 16:09:02', '2023-12-27 16:09:02'),
(10607, 10607, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s prime tourist attractions, was closed today after staff went on strike, the tower’s operator said.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The strike on the 100th anniversary of the death of engineer Gustave Eiffel, who built the tower, was to protest about “the current way it is managed”, the hard-left CGT union said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The tower’s operator SETE was “headed for disaster”, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>The CGT said management was running the Eiffel Tower according to a business model that was “too ambitious and unsustainable” and that it said was based on an inflated estimate of future visitor numbers while under-estimating construction costs.</div><div><br></div><div>SETE apologised to visitors, advising anyone with electronic tickets for today “to check their email” for more information on their booking.</div><div><br></div><div>The Eiffel Tower – Paris’s most famous landmark – attracts nearly seven million visitors a year, around three-quarters of them foreigners, according to its website.</div><div><br></div><div>During the Covid pandemic numbers dropped sharply due to closures and travel restrictions, but recovered to 5.9 million in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>The CGT said the tower’s management was basing its future budget on 7.4 million annual visitors, although “this level has never been reached”.</div><div><br></div><div>Eiffel died on Dec 27, 1923, at the age of 91. - AFP </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-27 16:15:33', '2023-12-27 16:15:56'),
(10608, 10608, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP on Thursday extended the ongoing mass contact and leaflet distribution programme for another two days until Saturday to drum up public support in favour of the party’s call for boycotting the Januray-7 election and not cooperating with the Awami League government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a virtual press briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our mass contact and leaflet distribution programme is going on across the country. This program will continue across the country on Friday and Saturday,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader called upon the leaders and activists at all levels of their party and the like-minded parties and alliances to observe the programme for two more days for mobilising public support for boycotting the upcoming one-sided election, ongoing non-cooperation movement and the one-point demand for holding the polls under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP’s like-minded parties also announced a similar programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on December 24, the party announced a three-day mass contact and leaflet distribution programme beginning from Tuesday. The programme was supposed to end today (Thursday).</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP’s movement lost its momentum following clashes with law enforcers centring the party’s grand rally on October 28 as many senior leaders, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers.</div><div><br></div><div>However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days in four spells since October 29.</div><div><br></div><div>Finally, the opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 09:00:58', '2023-12-28 09:00:58'),
(10609, 10609, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A presiding officer in Cumilla has been served with a show cause notice for campaigning for the Awami League-nominated candidate for Cumilla-10 constituency AHM Mustafa Kamal, in the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mustafa Kamal is the current lawmaker from the constituency and also the finance minister of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Senior Assistant Judge Rajib Kumar Dev, chairman of the Election Search Committee of Cumilla-10 (Sadar South, Lalmai, and Nangalkot) constituency, served the show-cause notice on Wednesday to the accused, Md Abdul Halim.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdul Halim is a lecturer at Lalmai Upazila Principal Abul Kalam Majumder Women\'s College. He was directed to appear before the Election Search Committee on December 29 and reply to the notice.</div><div><br></div><div>When contacted, the accused college teacher refused to comment on the matter.</div><div><br></div><div>The notice said that according to information published in the media (social media) on Tuesday, Abdul Halim was seen campaigning with boat leaflets along with Kamal’s daughter and brother on Monday at Hazat Khola Bazar of Bhulin Uttar Union of Lalmai and asked people to vote for the boat symbol.</div><div><br></div><div>The notice also stated that Abdul Halim\'s actions were contrary to a free and fair election environment. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 09:04:11', '2023-12-28 09:04:11'),
(10610, 10610, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The 2022 Household, Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) has uncovered that approximately 37% of households resorted to borrowing from financial entities, NGOs, or acquaintances during January-December 2022 to meet their expenses.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>This figure marks a notable increase from 29.70% in 2016 and 32.03% in 2010. Rural areas showed a higher tendency towards loan dependence (39.35%) compared to urban areas (32.11%).</div><div><br></div><div>The survey indicates a growing reliance on loans and the depletion of savings among a significant portion of the population. This trend is attributed to escalating inflation and income shortages.</div><div><br></div><div>Eminent economist Dr. Ahsan H Mansur told UNB that the surge in loan dependency is due to the high inflation and job losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many still struggling to find suitable employment. He criticized the financial policies for exacerbating inflation, contrasting this with the successful inflation management in other South Asian countries.</div><div><br></div><div>Mansur expressed concern about the future, predicting a worsening of the income and expenditure situation due to rising prices of commodities and utilities.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, a noted macro-economist and public policy analyst, observed that alongside increasing debts, there was a noticeable rise in the rate of dissolving deposits among households.</div><div><br></div><div>He pointed out that post-COVID, people\'s incomes have not risen adequately, especially when considering inflation and the diminishing purchasing power of the local currency.</div><div><br></div><div>The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) released the final HIES 2022 report on Wednesday (December 27), revealing that the average loan amount per household was Tk 70,506 over 12 months, a significant increase from Tk 37,743 in 2016 and Tk 28,062 in 2010. The average loan per capita was Tk 17,366.</div><div><br></div><div>Urban households showed a higher average loan amount compared to their rural counterparts. In HIES 2022, the average urban household loan was Tk 1,31,395, against Tk 41,921 in rural areas. In contrast, the 2016 figures were Tk 59,728 (urban) and Tk 31,332 (rural), and in 2010, Tk 54,122 (urban) and Tk 21,804 (rural).</div><div><br></div><div>The BBS report also highlighted that 21.11% of the national population faced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2022. Additionally, the income Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, stood at 0.499 in 2022, up from 0.458 in 2010, indicating a growth in income disparity. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 10:25:06', '2023-12-28 10:25:06'),
(10611, 10611, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In 2023, Bangladesh\'s readymade garment (RMG) industry marked a significant stride in sustainable fashion, with 24 of its factories achieving LEED certification.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the globally recognized green building rating system, underscores a commitment to environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.</div><div><br></div><div>This recent certification brings Bangladesh\'s total to 206 LEED-certified green factories, a testament to the country\'s dedication to green initiatives within the garments sector, according to BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel.</div><div><br></div><div>The BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) reports a breakdown of these certifications, with 76 achieving the highest, platinum rating, and 116 receiving a gold rating.</div><div><br></div><div>This progress is particularly notable in the context of the global apparel industry\'s increasing focus on sustainable practices.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the 24 newly LEED-certified factories, a majority, 16, were awarded the prestigious platinum rating, while the remaining 8 achieved a gold rating.</div><div><br></div><div>Standout performers in 2023 included S. M. Sourcing with 106 points and Green Textiles Limited Unit 4 scoring 104 points. Also noteworthy are Integra Dresses and Knit Asia Limited, both achieving 99 points, Lida Textile &amp; Dying Limited with 97 points, and Liz Fashion Industry Limited scoring 96 points, as detailed by BGMEA.</div><div><br></div><div>This achievement positions Bangladesh as a leader in the global sustainable fashion movement, with 54 out of the 100 LEED-certified green factories worldwide located in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>This includes 9 of the top 10, and 18 of the top 20 LEED-certified factories globally, according to BGMEA data.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Mohiuddin Rubel, director at BGMEA, highlights this as a potential catalyst for increased investment and partnership opportunities in the Bangladesh RMG industry.</div><div><br></div><div>The geographic spread of these certifications within Bangladesh further illustrates the RMG industry\'s widespread commitment to sustainability.</div><div><br></div><div>The majority of the 2023 certifications were in Gazipur (15 factories), followed by Dhaka (4), Chattogram (3), and Mymensingh (2). This regional distribution indicates a nationwide embrace of LEED principles in the Bangladesh garments sector.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, over 500 Bangladeshi factories are in the process of obtaining their LEED certification, signaling a robust and ongoing commitment to green practices in the Bangladesh RMG industry.</div><div><br></div><div>This move towards sustainable fashion not only aligns with global environmental goals but also positions Bangladesh as a forward-thinking leader in the green manufacturing space.</div><div><br></div><div>The significant increase in LEED-certified green factories within Bangladesh\'s RMG sector in 2023 is a clear indicator of the industry\'s commitment to sustainable fashion.</div><div><br></div><div>With the Bangladesh garments industry taking proactive steps to achieve LEED ratings, it sets a benchmark for environmental stewardship and positions the country as a key player in the global push for more sustainable manufacturing practices. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 12:13:56', '2023-12-28 12:13:56'),
(10612, 10612, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A court in Dhaka today sentenced former home minister and BNP’s Vice Chairman, Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Major (retd) Md Hafizuddin Ahmed and Major (retd) Md Hanif to jail for 21 months in a sabotage case filed with Gulshan police station in Dhaka.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury pronounced the judgement, BNP lawyer Zia Uddin Zia confirmed.</div><div><br></div><div>They were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment under one section of the case. In another section, they were jailed to one and a half years imprisonment and fined Tk 5,000 each; in default, they will have to suffer one month more in jail.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also sentenced five activists of BNP to three and a half years in jail in the same case.</div><div><br></div><div>They are: MA Awal Khan, Md Russel, Moinul Islam, Babul Hossain alias Babul, and Alamgir Hossain alias Raju.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, 11 accused were acquitted as the charges against them were not proved.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the case statement, the accused held an illegal rally in Mohakhali, Dhaka and obstructed police from conducting their duties on June 4, 2011.</div><div><br></div><div>They also attacked policemen, vandalised and torched the vehicles.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on April 29, 2014, Kamrul Hasan Talukdar, sub-inspector (SI) of Gulshan police station, submitted chargesheet in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>The court on April 25, 2022, framed charges, initiating the trial officially. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 12:47:25', '2023-12-28 12:47:25'),
(10613, 10613, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Thursday urged the country’s people to come forward in unison to foil the Awami League government’s efforts to stage a ‘game’ in the name of election.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"We appeal to the people of the country to boycott the upcoming polls since you have no scope to choose the candidates of your choice,” he said while distributing leaflets in front of the Jatiya Press Club.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP senior leader said the election slated for January 7 is just an evil attempt to extend the term of an illegal, corrupt, and looter regime. “You (people) say \'no\' to them (govt).&nbsp; You stand against them and foil this game in the name of election.”</div><div><br></div><div>Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the government which snatched people’s all rights is staging a farcical game in the name of a dummy election and democracy.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is no opportunity for the country’s people to express their opinions in this election boycotting by the opposition parties. There is no importance and scope to cast votes in the election which lacks any anti-government candidate. That is why the people of the country will boycott this election to protect their democratic rights,” he observed.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader once again urged the country’s people to join the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy and win the fight for free, fair, and impartial elections under a non-partisan government.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;\"Let\'s win the struggle for democracy and establish a Bangladesh that will be our Bangladesh, the Bangladesh of the people,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the last day of their party’s three-day mass contact programme, Nazrul along with some leaders and workers of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal distributed leaflets, containing the BNP’s call for boycotting the election, among the pedestrians in front of the Jatiya Press Club.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Leaders of BNP and like-minded opposition parties also distributed leaflets in different areas of the city to drum up public support for boycotting the unilateral national election.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked about his reaction to Awami League’s election manifesto, Nazrul said the ruling party announced its manifesto on Wednesday as part of a game in the name of the election. There are many tall talks in it. But yesterday (Wednesday) Dhaka city topped the list of cities across the world with the worst air quality. This is how they have become the role model of development. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 13:30:08', '2023-12-28 13:30:08'),
(10614, 10614, '<div><b><font color=\"#6ba54a\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Awami League (AL) Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked her party members to work for turning the upcoming general election festive and competitive in a peaceful atmosphere.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Since various types of local and international conspiracies against the election are there this time, it should be held amid a peaceful environment,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL president, who is also the prime ministrr, was addressing election rallies in six districts –Sherpur, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Chandpur, Narsingdi and Bandarban—through a virtual platform from AL Tejgaon Office here in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>She repeated her designation of opposition BNP as a terrorist party and Jamaat as a party of war criminals.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP and Jamaat are both boycotting the January 7 vote for fear of rigging.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said she doest not believe that the election won’t be a participatory one without the participation of BNP and Jamaat.</div><div><br></div><div>“The election will be participatory, if the people and voters come out and participate in the polls,” said Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the terrorist party, BNP, doesn’t believe in election and the party can’t do anything to ensure the welfare of the country. “They (BNP) can give nothing other than killing people and corruption,” she went on.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL chief said this time the election was opened (particularly for its rival candidates) so that candidates of boat symbols and other symbols can run in the polls.</div><div><br></div><div>“Here I would like to request you to maintain a peaceful environment and seek votes for respective symbols equally. The people will vote for the candidate of their choice,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Citing that AL declared its Election Manifesto 2024 on Wednesday last, she asked her party members to read the manifesto and seek the votes for the ‘boat’ symbol, raising the targets set in the manifesto before the people.</div><div><br></div><div>She said many plots are on regarding this election. The work of BNP is only to set offices on fire and foil the election.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said Bangladesh has witnessed a massive development since an elected, democratic government has been in power consecutively since 2009 to 2023. But the previous government couldn’t take the country even a single step forward, rather they took the country backward, reports UNB,</div><div><br></div><div>“Today we’ll have to continue the progress Bangladesh has achieved. If only the Awami League comes to power, it can uphold this pace of progress,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina sought votes for the “boat,” AL’s electoral symbol.</div><div><br></div><div>“If AL stays in power, the emancipation of all the people of this country including the poor would come and this country would be developed and prosperous,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, she also said her party members to go for a door-to-door campaign to seek their votes for the ‘boat’ symbol so that they can give her party scope again to serve them.</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 13:44:02', '2023-12-28 13:44:02');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10615, 10615, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Election Commission (EC) has approved 20,773 local election observers to oversee the election across the country in the next parliamentary election slated for January 7.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Of them, 517 observers got approval centrally while 20,256 in field level, said Shariful Alam, director (Public Relation) of the EC, on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The EC gave the approval according to the relevant law, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The central election observers can collect their identity cards and stickers for vehicles from the EC Secretariat while others have to collect cards and stickers from the offices of the returning officers, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>A committee will be formed with the returning officers and assistant returning officers, and they will provide the cards and stickers after proper examination following guidelines, said the PR director.</div><div><br></div><div>An election observer from approved organisations should submit their attested copies of the SSC or its equivalent examinations, one passport size and another stamp size photo and an application form to the returning officers and the assistant returning officers.</div><div><br></div><div>After scrutiny, the returning officers and the assistant returning officers will make a list of valid observers as per the guideline and provide identity cards and stickers, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>No one will be allowed to handover it to others and if any observer is found involved in any political party or is appointed as a polling agent by the local election agents or campaign committees, then no card can be issued by appointing him as an observer, said Shariful.</div><div><br></div><div>No one other than an authorised observer can travel in a vehicle with a sticker reading \'Election Commission Observer’, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 14:33:44', '2023-12-28 14:33:44'),
(10616, 10616, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Four people were dead and at least eight were injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a laguna on the Cox’s Bazar-Chattogram highway in Chakaria upazila of Cox\'s Bazar this morning.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The accident took place at Kalabagan area of Harbang union under Chakaria around 8:45 am, said Chiringa Highway Police Station In-charge, Sub-inspector Khokon Kanti Rodra.</div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were identified as Riduan, Abu Bakar, Joynal Abedin and Mohiuddin. The deceased are all from different areas under Harbang union.</div><div><br></div><div>The identities of the injured could not be known immediately.</div><div><br></div><div>SI Khokon Rodra said that a bus of Zakir Travel, which came to Cox\'s Bazar with picnic-goers, collided head-on with a Chattogram-bound laguna on the Cox’s Bazar-Chattogram highway. On information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies, according to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>The highway police seized the vehicles involved in the collision.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The bodies were handed over to the families, and the vehicles were taken into the custody of the highway police station, said SI Khokon.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 15:00:51', '2023-12-28 15:00:51'),
(10617, 10617, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks surged to 21,320 since Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the enclave said Thursday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said that 55,603 other people had been injured in the Israeli onslaught.</div><div><br></div><div>“At least 210 people were killed and 360 others injured in the last 24 hours,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The spokesman said that 312 medics were killed and 104 ambulances destroyed in Israeli attacks, while 23 hospitals and 142 health care centers were forced out of service.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, leaving it in ruins, with half of the coastal territory\'s housing damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million people displaced within the densely populated enclave amid acute shortages of food and clean water, reports&nbsp;</div><div>Anadolu Agency.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 15:14:51', '2023-12-28 15:14:51'),
(10618, 10618, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US House Republicans escalated their impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden on Wednesday, demanding the White House hand over documents related to the deposition of his son, Hunter.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>James Comer and Jim Jordan, the chairs of the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees, sent a letter to White House Counsel Edward Siskel demanding the White House submit \"all documents and communications sent or received by employees of the Executive Office of the President regarding the deposition of Hunter Biden.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Republican chairmen said they are seeking to determine whether the president worked to \"influence, obstruct or impede\" their committees\' proceedings.</div><div><br></div><div>“In light of an official statement from the White House that President Biden was aware in advance that his son, Hunter Biden, would knowingly defy two congressional subpoenas, we are compelled to examine as part of our impeachment inquiry whether the President engaged in a conspiracy to obstruct a proceeding of Congress,\" they wrote in a joint statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The lawmakers referred to comments from White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre during a Dec. 13 press briefing in which she said the president \"was certainly familiar with what his son was going to say.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The junior Biden had shown up to Congress that day after being subpoenaed for a closed-door deposition but insisted that any testimony he give before Congress be public in defiance of the lawmakers.</div><div><br></div><div>Hunter Biden said during a press conference on the Capitol grounds that he would testify publicly but did not want to do so behind closed doors out of concern that his words would be manipulated by Republicans. In response, Republicans said they would look into contempt proceedings.</div><div><br></div><div>Later that day, the House formally voted to authorize an impeachment inquiry into the president.</div><div><br></div><div>The party-line 221-212 vote saw all of the chamber\'s Republicans line up in support of the investigation, despite a lack of evidence that Biden has crossed a critical impeachment threshold, namely committing what the Constitution describes as \"high crimes and misdemeanors\" while in office. All Democrats were opposed.</div><div><br></div><div>But it is not at all clear into what matters the impeachment inquiry will delve. A roughly year-long investigation into the Biden family\'s business dealings has so far failed to produce solid evidence of wrongdoing. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 15:16:40', '2023-12-28 15:16:40'),
(10619, 10619, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Türkiye \"neutralized\" 59 PKK terrorists as part of anti-terror operations since Dec. 22, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking to local officials in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said: \"If terrorism has come to the point of ending within our borders today, the operations we carry out in Iraq and Syria are the key reason for this.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our red line is to uphold the principle of one nation, one flag, one homeland, one state under all circumstances, as this guarantees our national survival,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Türkiye will resolutely continue the anti-terror operations until the last terrorist is no longer a threat to the nation, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We continue our operations beyond our borders. We do not allow terrorists to tarnish our homeland with their dirty feet,\" Erdogan added.</div><div><br></div><div>Turkish intelligence is conducting highly successful operations against terrorist infrastructure and ringleaders in northern Syria, said Erdogan.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of critical 70 facilities, including oil refineries, belonging to the PKK terror group were destroyed, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Wherever there are such sources for them, we will destroy these sources, and we are destroying them. Along with all these, terrorists are also being eliminated,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Türkiye has built hundreds of kilometers of roads in northern Iraq for permanent base areas in the past years, said Erdogan, adding that conditions make it difficult to progress at the speed that is desired.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Hopefully, we will complete the infrastructures of our new base areas by the spring, and we will make terrorists unable to set foot there again.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Turkish authorities use the term \"neutralize\" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.</div><div><br></div><div>The recent anti-terror operations followed Friday\'s PKK terror attack that killed 12 Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq. Turkish airstrikes, since then, have destroyed dozens of terror targets in northern Iraq and Syria and “neutralized” senior terrorists.</div><div><br></div><div>PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Türkiye. It also has a Syrian branch, known as the YPG.</div><div><br></div><div>Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).</div><div><br></div><div>In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is PKK’s Syrian offshoot. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 15:22:14', '2023-12-28 15:22:14'),
(10620, 10620, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Gaza Strip is grappling with catastrophic hunger amid ongoing Israeli attacks, the UN Palestinian refugee agency said Thursday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\'\"Every day is a struggle for survival, finding food and finding water,” Thomas White, director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>White warned that “40% of the population are now at risk of famine.”</div><div><br></div><div>“The reality is, we need more aid. The only remaining hope is a humanitarian cease-fire,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 21,110 Palestinians have since been killed and 55,243 others injured, according to local health authorities, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave\'s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million people displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicines. According to Anadolu Agency reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 15:25:24', '2023-12-28 15:25:24'),
(10621, 10621, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) arrived today in Ethiopia on the second stop of his first trip abroad since war erupted with Sudan’s army in April.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mohamed Hamdan Daglo’s visits to Ethiopia and Uganda come as regional diplomats scramble to broker a meeting between the RSF commander and his rival, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.</div><div><br></div><div>The warring generals have not met face-to-face since the outbreak of fighting between their forces that has killed over 12,000 people by some conservative estimates, and forced millions to flee.</div><div><br></div><div>The RSF leader met in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed, who said the pair discussed “securing peace and stability” in Sudan.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement on X, Daglo said they “discussed the need to bring a swift end to this war, the historical crisis in Sudan, and how to best alleviate the hardships of the Sudanese people”.</div><div><br></div><div>It followed another high-level meeting in Uganda yesterday when Daglo met with President Yoweri Museveni.</div><div><br></div><div>Daglo is also expected to visit Kenya in coming days, a source close to the RSF told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>“After having visited Uganda and Ethiopia, Hemeti will go to Nairobi in order to try to rally the member states of Igad to his cause before going to Djibouti to meet general al-Burhan,” the source said, referring to Daglo by another commonly used name.</div><div><br></div><div>Igad, a bloc representing eight countries in the wider East Africa region, has been trying to bring al-Burhan and Daglo together since war erupted on April 15.</div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday, Djibouti’s foreign ministry said a meeting between the rivals planned for Dec 28 had been “postponed to early January 2024 for technical reasons”.</div><div><br></div><div>The UN Security Council last week voiced “alarm” at the growing violence in Sudan and the spread of fighting to areas previous considered a haven for those displaced by the conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>By the end of November, at least 12,190 people had been killed in the fighting, according to a conservative estimate from the Armed Conflict and Location Event Data project.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations says more than seven million people have been internally displaced by the war, while another 1.5 million have fled into neighbouring countries.</div><div><br></div><div>Both sides have been accused of war crimes. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 15:30:59', '2023-12-28 15:30:59'),
(10622, 10622, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b><font color=\"#085294\">Around 180 foreign observers from 35 countries have applied to the Election Commission to observe the next national election scheduled for January 7, 2024.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday, Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said their applications are being scrutinized.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, around 30 officials from various countries will come and observe the polls, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sabrin said journalists from international media outlets have also applied to the Election Commission to cover the polls.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The Election Commission is scrutinising through their due process. Once the process is done, their accreditation process will start,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Some of the journalists have been informed through email that they can apply for visa now, Sabrin said.</div><div><br></div><div>The MoFA Spokesperson said a media cell is also working to that end.</div><div><br></div><div>She said issues related to budget for managing the international observers are under consideration.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said they want to see a \"free, fair, non-violent and transparent\" election and achieve the goal to build a \"Smart Bangladesh\" ensuring peace and stability, according to unb reports</div><div><br></div><div>\"We want all from the entire world to come and see, and learn from us,\" he said on December 27, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 15:53:52', '2023-12-28 15:53:52'),
(10623, 10623, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Dhaka court on Thursday placed 11 people including president of Dhaka University Chhatra Dal on a four-day remand in a case filed under Special Power Act.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Tahmina Haque passed the order when DB inspector and also the investigating officer of the case produced them with a seven-day remand prayer for each.</div><div><br></div><div>Those who remanded were identified as Mehedi Hasan Palash, joint convener of Krishak Dal, Bahauddin Nobel, Jakir Hossain, Khandaker Nazrul Islam, Sumon, Rakibul Islam, Nurul Amin Payel, Kaikobad Hossain Kabir, Liton Hossain and Jahangir Alam.</div><div><br></div><div>Police arrested them from different parts of the capital on charges of attempting to foil the election on December 27.</div><div><br></div><div>Some 50,000 leaflets, bomb making materials, explosive substances, 15 crude bombs and five ‘chocolate’ bombs were recovered from their possession.</div><div><br></div><div>KM Mahbubul Alam, inspector of New Market Police Station filed the case under Special Power Act. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-28 16:15:52', '2023-12-28 16:15:52'),
(10624, 10624, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The southern riverine district of Barishal has been in a festive mood marking the visit of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her first to the area in five years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina, the president of ruling Awami League, is visting Barishal as part of her campaign tour ahead of January 7 general election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of AL leaders, including party\'s candidates and actvists, shouted slogans in favour of its election symbol, boat, as the party chief arrived here in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina will address an election rally at the historic Bangabandhu Udyan in the divisional headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Decorated with banners, posters and flags the city welcomed the PM.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although the premier was scheduled to join the rally at 3.00pm, hundreds of thousands of people thronged packed into the rally ground since early morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Within a few hours the ground filled to the brim as a good number of people were seen taking position around the ground overnight to secure their places.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty places long before she was to take the stage made after the shape of a boat.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since early morning, a stream of people, including women, were seen marching towards the venue chanting slogans “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and holding colourful placards, banners and festoons. Many of them wearing colourful T-shirts, cap on heads, head bands with drums, election symbol boat as well as national and party flags.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Women in large and small groups waited in queues outside the entrance to the venue with smiling faces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leaders and followers of Awami League and its associates bodies from different districts of Barishal division as well as adjoining districts joined the rally with a fleet of boats, reserve buses, pickups, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the prime minister started at 9am by road from her official residence Dhaka for Barishal to join the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">From Barishal, the premier will go to Tungipara, her birth place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday she has schedule to address two rallies in Tungipara and Kotalipara, and then on her way back to Dhaka she will address another rally at Kalkini in Madaripur. 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, '2023-12-29 08:33:44', '2023-12-29 08:33:44'),
(10625, 10625, '<div><b><font color=\"#3984c6\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A total of 1,432 workers were killed in Bangladesh due to different occupational accidents in 2023, said a local development organization.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>The organization called Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment Foundation (OSHE) revealed the statistics at a press conference in Dhaka on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the total, the highest number of causalities was in the transport sector with 637 deaths, followed by the day labourers\' sector at 220, the construction sector at 149, the agricultural sector at 146, and the manufacturing sector at 94, according to the OSHE report.</div><div><br></div><div>Also, 502 others were seriously injured in workplace incidents in 2023, compared to 228 last year, added the report.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the OSHE statistics, the institutional sector witnessed 329 deaths and 277 injuries in 2023, whereas the informal sector reported 1,103 deaths and 225 injuries.</div><div><br></div><div>It said the deaths of workers at workplaces increased in 2023 compared to the previous year, as 967 workers were killed in 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>The organization said it identified various causes for these workplace casualties, including road accidents, electrocution, fires, building collapses, lightning strikes, gas cylinder explosions, violence, and physical abuse of domestic workers.</div><div><br></div><div>The data from OSHE also shows that at least 9,263 people have been killed at workplaces from 2013 to Dec. 28 this year, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, OSHE officials said they prepared the report based on information gathered from local and national newspapers, online and television sources, spot reports by volunteers, and networks formed by trade unions and organization staff members.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 08:29:20', '2023-12-30 08:29:20'),
(10626, 10626, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A strong and shallow undersea earthquake shook part of Indonesia’s Aceh province on Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 5.9 earthquake was centered 362 kilometers (225 miles) east of Sinabang, a coastal town in Aceh province at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).</div><div><br></div><div>Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency said there was no danger of a tsunami but warned of possible aftershocks. The agency put a preliminary magnitude at 6.3. Variations in early measurements of quakes are common.</div><div><br></div><div>Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 270 million people, is frequently hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.</div><div><br></div><div>A magnitude 5.6 earthquake on Nov. 21 killed at least 331 people and injured nearly 600 in West Java’s Cianjur city. It was the deadliest in Indonesia since a 2018 quake and tsunami in Sulawesi killed about 4,340 people.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2004, an extremely powerful Indian Ocean quake set off a tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Indonesia’s Aceh province. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 08:32:57', '2023-12-30 08:32:57'),
(10627, 10627, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the people to give a befitting reply to the conspiracies by casting votes in January 7 parliamentary election in a peaceful manner</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“I want this election to be held in a very peaceful manner. Through the January-7 polls, we’ll give a befitted reply to conspiracies against the election so that none can play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh anymore,” said the prime minister.</div><div><br></div><div>She was addressing a grand election rally at Govt Sheikh Mujibur Rahman College Field in Tungipara Upazila under Gopalganj district.</div><div><br></div><div>She said many conspiracies continue and many ones from international level are also engaged in these conspiracies so that elections won’t be held in the country as they want to bring the third party here in power.</div><div><br></div><div>“What can the third party do? They can’t do any development of the country. You had seen what they did in 2007,” said Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that Israel carries out bombing attacks on even hospitals in Palestine, She said Tarique Zia is doing exactly the same thing by giving orders from London to launch attacks on ambulances, journalists and police here in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>She said this type of criminal act won’t be accepted in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>“If Allah wants and we can come (to power) winning the next election, it won’t be allowed that he gives orders to harm and kill the people of our country, staying in London. If necessary, he would be brought from there (to the country) and given punishment,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Seeking the votes for the AL\'s ‘boat’ symbol in the election, the AL president urged the voters to turn up in the polling stations and cast votes in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>“You, come to the polling stations and cast votes in the morning to show the world that we know how to hold the election in free, fair and neutral manners. We can do it. We can change the fate of the people of Bangladesh,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>On arrival of Hasina along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana at the venue, the supporters welcomed them, waving the national flags.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangabandhu’s two daughters – Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana-- also responded to them, waving the national flag from the stage.</div><div><br></div><div>AL presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, former chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Sheikh Kabir Hossain, noted actress Yeasmin Jahan Tareen (commonly known as Tareen) and actor Mir Sabbir also spoke at the campaign rally presided over by Tungipara Upazila AL President Sheikh Abul Bashar Khair.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Abu Naser’s family members --Sheikh Helal Uddin MP (Bagerhat-1), his wife Rupa Chowdhury, Sheikh Salauddin Jewel MP (Khulna-2), his wife Shahana Yasmin Shampa and Sheikh Jalaluddin Rubel, and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim’s son and also Jubo League joint general secretary Sheikh Fazle Naeem were introduced before the participants of the grand rally conducted by Tungipara upazila AL general secretary Md Babul Sheikh. ‍Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 08:50:37', '2023-12-30 08:50:37'),
(10628, 10628, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday he was \"very concerned\" about the growing threat of infectious diseases in the Gaza Strip.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"As people continue to be massively displaced across the south of Gaza, with some families forced to move multiple times and many sheltering in overcrowded health facilities, my WHO colleagues and I remain very concerned about the increasing threat of infectious diseases,\" Tedros said on X, formerly Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas -- considered a \"terrorist\" group by the United States and European Union --- in retaliation for the October 7 attack which left about 1,140 people dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 250 hostages were also taken during the attack, more than half of whom remain captive.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel\'s relentless aerial bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza have killed at least 21,320 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Tedros said that since mid-October until mid-December, people living in shelters had continued to fall sick.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that close to 180,000 people were suffering with upper respiratory infections, while 136,400 cases of diarrhoea have been recorded -- half of those among children aged under five.</div><div><br></div><div>The UN health agency chief said there had been 55,400 cases of lice and scabies; 5,330 cases of chickenpox; and 42,700 cases of skin rash, including 4722 cases of impetigo, reports AFP</div><div><br></div><div>\"WHO and partners are working tirelessly to support the health authorities to increase disease surveillance and control by supplying medicines, testing kits to support prompt detection and response to infectious diseases such as hepatitis, and trying to improve access to safe water, food, hygiene and sanitation services,\" added Tedros.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 08:58:20', '2023-12-30 08:58:20'),
(10629, 10629, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>All candidates of the upcoming national election are equal to police and there is no partiality from them, said Deputy Inspector General (Operation) of Police Md Anwar on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“To police all candidates are equal and directives are given so that all candidates get equal treatment in electioneering,” he said while speaking at a press briefing held at the police headquarters.</div><div><br></div><div>During the election, 1.89 lakh police members will perform their duties across the country, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, police will also perform duties with mobile teams, striking teams and the magistrates, said DIG Anwar, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Drive against illegal arms is going on and action is being taken instantly if found any information of clashes. Cases are being filed and police are also arresting those involved in the violence,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The main task of police is to maintain the situation suitable for electionand some policemen were transferred and withdrawn as per the directives of the Election Commission (EC), he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 09:13:37', '2023-12-30 09:13:37'),
(10630, 10630, '<div><b><font color=\"#085294\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Instead of giving any harsher programme on the occasion of 31st Night and the English New Year celebration, BNP on Saturday further extended the ongoing mass contact and leaflet distribution programme for two more days until Monday.</span><br></font></b></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a virtual press briefing, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the fresh programme which is meant to drum up public support in favour of the party’s call to boycott the Januray-7 election and not cooperating with the Awami League government.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our mass contact and leaflet distribution programme is going on across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow (Sunday) is the last day of the year and the next day is the first day of the New Year….usually many people celebrate these two days in different ways,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>Though the people in Bangladesh are not in a situation to celebrate the days in a joyous mood, he said the BNP decided to extend the mass contact and leaflet distribution programme for those by two days considering the interests of people, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said their party’s like-minded opposition parties will also observe a similar programme.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“The situation in Bangladesh is different... there is no joy in people\'s minds as they are living in panic in the country,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi recalled that the Awami League usurped power through unprecedented rigging and night-time ballot stuffing on this day on December 30, 2018. “We condemn it and express our hatred towards them.”</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Thursday, the party extended the ongoing mass contact and leaflet distribution programme until Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 24, the party announced a three-day mass contact and leaflet distribution programme beginning on December 26.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP’s movement lost its momentum following clashes with law enforcers centring the party’s grand rally on October 28 as many senior leaders, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers.</div><div><br></div><div>However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days in four spells since October 29.</div><div><br></div><div>Finally, the opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 11:07:59', '2023-12-30 11:07:59'),
(10631, 10631, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Saudi Arabia has ranked first in providing work opportunities to Sri Lankan expats in 2023, as more than 63,000 of them found employment in the Kingdom.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Every year, more than 200,000 migrant workers leave Sri Lanka to work abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>They are a main source of foreign exchange for the country, which since last year was gripped by its worst ever financial crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>P.M. Amza, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, estimated that in 2023 remittances amounted to over $7 billion, of which a significant portion was contributed by expat workers in the Kingdom.</div><div><br></div><div>“During the year 2023, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become the number one country, generating 63,000 employment (opportunities) for Sri Lankans,” he told Arab News on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>“Of the annual remittances amounting to $7-8 billion a year, a sizable portion has been generated from the Kingdom, which is in the region of 15 to 20 percent of the total remittances.”</div><div><br></div><div>Gulf Cooperation Council countries are a preferred choice for Sri Lankan workers, with Saudi Arabia being their key destination, lately also attracting skilled professionals to its megaprojects under Vision 2030.</div><div><br></div><div>These projects, in addition to a new employment scheme under the Skill Verification Program, were the main factors making the Kingdom increasingly attractive to Sri Lankans, according to Amza.</div><div><br></div><div>The SVP agreement signed in March aims to improve the professional competence of employees in the Saudi labor market and ease the recruitment process of skilled workers from the island nation.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the deal — which covers 23 professions — Saudi employers recognize accreditations issued by Sri Lanka’s Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>“The year 2023 has seen the qualitative and quantitative increase of employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in the Kingdom,” Amza said, adding that while half of Sri Lankan expats have been employed in the domestic sector, this year showed growth in the number of those working in the construction and hospitality sector.</div><div><br></div><div>“The signing of the agreement on the Skill Verification Program between the two countries has also contributed to this increase of skill and professional categories of employment, which stood as nearly 12,000 during 2023.” - Arab News</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 11:31:03', '2023-12-30 11:31:03'),
(10632, 10632, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">For Bangladesh cricket fans, the sting of the Tigers\' early ouster from the 2023 ICC World Cup might still linger. But a broader look at the year reveals a different story, one of steady progress and improved performance.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Having endured a 2022 campaign marked by 17 victories in 46 international matches, 2023 saw the Tigers claw their way back into contention. The team upped its game, taking on 49 matches and clinching 24 wins, translating to a significant jump in win percentage – from 37% in 2022 to a commanding 49% this year (this stat does not include the last T20I between Bangladesh and New Zealand on December 31, 2023).</div><div><br></div><div>This upward trajectory speaks volumes about the Tigers\' growing maturity and resolve. They have battled seasoned opponents with renewed vigor, showcasing their talent across formats. While the World Cup might not have lived up to expectations, the overall picture for Bangladeshi cricket in 2023 is one of positive strides and increasing promise.</div><div><br></div><div>From Early Doubts to Determined Force:</div><div><br></div><div>The dawn of 2023 brought anxieties for Bangladesh\'s ODI fortunes. Facing the formidable England on home turf, the Tigers stumbled to two consecutive defeats, raising questions about their comfort in the format. The 132-run loss in the second match felt like a gut punch, solidifying these doubts.</div><div><br></div><div>But the then captain Tamim Iqbal\'s men had other plans. They channeled the home crowd\'s electrifying support in Chattogram, erupting in a 50-run victory against England in the third ODI. This win set the stage for a remarkable winning streak.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the win in Chattogram against England, Bangladesh embarked on an eight-match winning streak across formats on home soil— until Ireland flattened them in a T20I encounter.</div><div><br></div><div>After that defeat, Bangladesh won four matches on the trot, including a staggering 546-run victory against Afghanistan, who are now considered a tough opponent for any team in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>Tamim\'s 24-Hour Retirement Shock:</div><div><br></div><div>In the midst of the Afghanistan series, Tamim abruptly announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. Tears streamed down his face as he announced the decision, hinting at internal tensions within the team management. Whispers about his fitness comments and subsequent clashes with board president Nazmul Hasan swirled, but no explicit reason was given.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the curtain on this drama fell surprisingly quickly. Within 24 hours, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intervened, and Tamim, with considerable reluctance, withdrew his retirement. He would step away for a break, extending his absence till the Asia Cup, which he ultimately missed. Injury concerns, disputed by Tamim, became the official reason for his World Cup absence, adding a layer of ambiguity to the saga.</div><div><br></div><div>Shakib\'s Critique Fuels Tamim\'s Lack of Professionalism Debate:</div><div><br></div><div>On the eve of the World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan reignited the Tamim controversy in a television interview. He publicly questioned his teammate\'s professionalism, igniting a firestorm of debate nationwide. The interview became the most watched program on the channel, with social media amplifying the divide between Tamim supporters and detractors.</div><div><br></div><div>Critics claimed the interview created a volatile atmosphere, potentially contributing to Bangladesh\'s disappointing World Cup performance. Winning only two of nine matches, the Tigers fell short of expectations, leaving lingering questions about the impact of these off-field distractions on their focus and unity.</div><div><br></div><div>The Tamim-Shakib controversy remains an unresolved chapter in Bangladesh\'s 2023 cricketing story. While the on-field achievements deserve applause, the internal conflicts and public drama paint a complex picture of a year marked by turbulence as much as triumph.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s World Cup Disappointment:</div><div><br></div><div>Starting strong with a win against Afghanistan, Bangladesh\'s World Cup campaign quickly crumbled. Seven defeats, including an 87-run loss to the Netherlands, whom they typically dominate, marked a dismal performance, the worst in their cricketing history. Captain Shakib, visibly heartbroken, called it a \"worst World Cup performance,\" a stark contrast to the early optimism.</div><div><br></div><div>Further controversy flared when Shakib returned to Dhaka for batting practice with his childhood coach during the tournament. This raised questions about Shakib’s trust on the coaching staff. The incident, coupled with Shakib\'s earlier criticism of teammate Tamim Iqbal, painted a picture of potential internal disharmony.</div><div><br></div><div>Whether these off-field issues directly impacted the on-field catastrophe remains unclear. However, the timing of Shakib\'s actions and the team\'s subsequent downfall fueled the narrative of a fractured dressing room struggling with internal conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>The 2023 World Cup will be etched in Bangladesh\'s cricketing memory as a missed opportunity and a source of disappointment. Moving forward, the Tigers face the dual challenge of addressing their technical deficiencies and mending any internal fractures to rise from the ashes of this disastrous performance.</div><div><br></div><div>Young Tigers Roar with U-19 Triumph in Asia Cup:</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s cricketing future shines bright, illuminated by the recent achievements of its young guns. In 2023, the nation witnessed the historic rise of the U-19 squad, who captured their first-ever Asia Cup title. This victory, coming on the heels of their 2020 World Cup win, underscores the consistent caliber of talent produced by Bangladesh\'s cricketing pipeline. It\'s a testament to the system\'s ability to deliver future stars who will continue to elevate the country\'s cricketing standing.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Tigresses’ Victories Mark a Stellar Year:</div><div><br></div><div>The year 2023 saw Bangladesh\'s women\'s cricket team weaving a narrative of resilience and triumph. While early setbacks in the T20 World Cup and a series of losses in Sri Lanka cast shadows, the Tigresses roared back on home soil with a historic first-ever ODI victory against cricketing giant India. This landmark achievement, along with a bronze medal in the T20I category at the Asian Games and subsequent victories over Pakistan, cemented their rising prominence in the global arena.</div><div><br></div><div>Individual brilliance also marked the year. Fargana Hoque\'s record-breaking ODI centuries and Shorna Akter\'s meteoric rise in South Africa further highlighted the depth and potential of the squad. Although losses were encountered, the overall South Africa tour proved a resounding success. The consistent form of Fargana and Nahida in ODIs, coupled with skipper Nigar Sultana Joty\'s leadership in T20Is, paints a picture of a team brimming with talent and ready to rewrite the record books.</div><div><br></div><div>Breaking the New Zealand Barrier: Bangladesh Ends 2023 on a High Note</div><div><br></div><div>For Bangladesh cricket, white-ball victories in New Zealand had long been the elusive Holy Grail. Until, that is, the waning moments of 2023, when the Tigers finally shattered the drought in dramatic fashion.</div><div><br></div><div>Led by a young and determined team – with veteran Mushfiqur Rahim as the lone senior figure and Najmul Hossain Shanto stepping up as captain in Shakib\'s absence – Bangladesh arrived in New Zealand with a singular ambition: rewrite history. And rewrite it they did, in scintillating style.</div><div><br></div><div>The third ODI in Napier witnessed the breakthrough Bangladesh craved. Years of frustration melted away as they secured a historic victory, the first-ever white-ball win against the Kiwis on their soil. The momentum carried over into the T20I series, where Shanto\'s men sealed the opening match, adding another feather to their impressive cap.</div><div><br></div><div>Ending the year on such a triumphant note served as a potent symbol of Bangladeshi cricket\'s unwavering spirit and burgeoning potential. The New Zealand conquest, born from the hunger of youth and the leadership of a rising star in Shanto, marked a significant turning point in their cricketing journey. As they step into 2024, the Tigers carry the lessons learned and the confidence earned, ready to rewrite more chapters in their cricketing narrative. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 12:11:22', '2023-12-30 12:11:22'),
(10633, 10633, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Ukrainian strike on a residential building in the city of Belgorod left one person dead while a total of 32 drones were intercepted overnight including in the Moscow region, Russian authorities said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The strike on Belgorod, which is close to the border, killed one person and wounded four others, Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said, adding that the city’s water supply system was damaged in Friday’s attack.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian defense ministry said air defense systems destroyed a total of 13 missiles over the region, which borders Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Separately, the ministry said 32 drones had been intercepted and destroyed in the border regions of Bryansk and Kursk and also in Oryol and the Moscow region.</div><div><br></div><div>Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz had reported the destruction of a “drone-type aircraft” above the regional capital.</div><div><br></div><div>Belgorod city is 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which was heavily hit by Russian forces on Friday morning according to Ukrainian authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 30 people were killed and more than 160 wounded in Ukraine on Friday in a series of Russian strikes across the country, according to Kyiv. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 12:34:23', '2023-12-30 12:34:23');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(10634, 10634, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 14 Eurostar trains were cancelled today after flooding in tunnels in the southern UK, stranding thousands of passengers just ahead of New Year’s Eve.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The tunnels near Ebbsfleet International Station in Kent were inundated as the Met Office issued weather warnings for rain, snow, and ice across large parts of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Eurostar, which runs services from London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam via Ashford, midway between London and the southern English coast, apologised to customers for the disruption.</div><div><br></div><div>Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Southeastern Railway said, “No highspeed trains are expected to run today between St Pancras and Ashford International.”</div><div><br></div><div>“We are working to fix the flooding in the tunnels.”</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, Southeastern added that “flooding between Ebbsfleet International and London St Pancras International means that all lines are blocked.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”</div><div><br></div><div>It said flooding had affected both railway tunnels near Ebbsfleet, meaning both tunnels are closed.</div><div><br></div><div>“This means no trains can run between London St Pancras International and Ebbsfleet International,” Southeastern added.</div><div><br></div><div>The disruption comes after French unions ended a wildcat strike that had stranded holidaymakers and held up freight just days before Christmas.</div><div><br></div><div>The surprise walkout by workers that blocked the tunnel sparked hours of chaos at rail hubs in Paris and London.</div><div><br></div><div>Eurostar train services resumed on Dec 22 after an agreement was reached.</div><div><br></div><div>Eurotunnel unions said negotiations had yielded “results that satisfy us”.</div><div><br></div><div>Eurostar is owned 55.75% by French state-owned SNCF Voyageurs.</div><div><br></div><div>It almost went bankrupt during the Covid-19 pandemic but was saved with a €290-million bailout from shareholders including the French government. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 12:52:10', '2023-12-30 12:52:10'),
(10635, 10635, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">India’s prime minister Narendra Modi visited a holy town today to open fresh transport links catering to pilgrims for a new temple steeped in a history of sectarian violence.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ayodhya’s new shrine to Lord Ram will be formally unveiled next month on the grounds where a centuries-old mosque once stood before it was torn down by Hindu zealots more than three decades ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Millions are expected to visit the temple each year and its construction was a long-standing pledge of Modi’s ruling party.</div><div><br></div><div>“Today, if any country in the world today wants to reach great heights, it has to take care of its legacy,” Modi told an audience of thousands at a city rally.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is the new India that will both preserve its culture and focus on economic growth.”</div><div><br></div><div>Huge crowds turned out to witness Modi’s procession through the city, formally to open a new airport and upgraded road and rail services.</div><div><br></div><div>But his visit also had the air of a campaign stop, coming just months before national elections he is widely expected to win.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ayodhya temple, standing 50m in height and built at an estimated cost of US$240 million, has helped buttress his image as a custodian of India’s majority faith ahead of the vote.</div><div><br></div><div>Such is the excitement around the project that Modi appealed to Hindus to refrain from visiting the site on the day he is slated to preside over its inauguration next month.</div><div><br></div><div>“It won’t be possible for everyone to get here, and for this place to handle the numbers on the day,” he told the crowd.</div><div><br></div><div>“I appeal to everyone to celebrate it at your home and come to Ayodhya later.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hindus believe that Ram was born in Ayodhya around 7,000 years ago but that a mosque was built on top of his birthplace during the rule of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century.</div><div><br></div><div>The mosque was torn down by a mob in 1992 in a campaign backed by Modi’s party, triggering riots across the country that killed 2,000 people, mostly Muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>Its destruction was a hammer blow to the foundations of India’s secular political order, paving the way for the rise of Hindu nationalism to become the country’s dominant political force.</div><div><br></div><div>Muslim residents of Ayodhya, remembering the deadly riots that accompanied the demolition, have been wary of its renewed atmosphere of religious fervour.</div><div><br></div><div>But for many Hindus, the project is a means of restoring the city to the glory of its depiction in ancient Hindu texts. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 13:00:49', '2023-12-30 13:00:49'),
(10636, 10636, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Moscow and Ankara will continue expanding their political dialogue and productive cooperation in multiple spheres in 2024.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Congratulating his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a New Year message, published on the Kremlin\'s website, Putin noted that Russia and Türkiye \"have been quite effective in developing their multi-faceted cooperation\" over the past years.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The two countries worked together on major energy and infrastructure projects and facilitated efforts to settle regional conflicts. In 2024, Moscow and Ankara will continue expanding their political dialogue and productive cooperation in multiple spheres, which is expected to benefit their friendly nations and contribute to strengthening security and stability on the Eurasian continent,\" the message read.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia and Türkiye have been actively developing economic cooperation in many areas, including agriculture and energy sector. The two countries also set an ambitious goal of raising the bilateral trade turnover to $100 billion, and, according to assessments of the presidents, the two countries \"are successfully approaching\" the target. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 13:22:52', '2023-12-30 13:22:52'),
(10637, 10637, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Israeli army has killed 106 Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip in 84 days of continued intense attacks.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Gaza Media Office said another journalist was killed in an attack by the Israeli army on the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>It indicated that a Al-Quds TV journalist was killed in the attack, bringing to 106 the number of journalists killed in Gaza since Oct. 7.</div><div><br></div><div>In a previous statement, it said Israel intentionally killed journalists in Gaza to silence the Palestinian narrative, conceal the truth and prevent news and information from reaching regional and international public opinion. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 13:33:44', '2023-12-30 13:33:44'),
(10638, 10638, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prominent Economist Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed has said that social values have eroded severely at the individual level as competition for wealth has risen.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He said this at a discussion meeting titled \'Inclusive Development in Bangladesh Challenge and Opportunity\' organized by The Business Eye, at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Kholiquzzaman said, “The country has progressed a lot. There has been economic development. People\'s income increased; the poverty rate decreased. But the inequality in the country did not decrease at that rate.”</div><div><br></div><div>“In order to reduce this disparity, it is necessary to break the triangular power syndicate of politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen along with fighting corruption,” he pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>The eminent economist said Bangabandhu took all the measures for the development of the people, he focused on people-centered agriculture, and he focused on everything from education. But after Bangabandhu, it did not exist anymore.</div><div><br></div><div>“This economist said, we have moved out of human centricity and towards capital centricity. Till 2009 we were mired in poverty. Then in 2015, we became a middle-income country. Since then, there has been a lot of development in the country,” he pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>Former state minister Dr. Shamsul Alam said that the country\'s remittances have increased and Bangladesh has become a country with a $465 billion economy, from $72 billion.</div><div><br></div><div>“Poverty decreased; education rate increased. Inequality has increased somewhat due to the rapid growth of the country. The government has given importance to social security to reduce inequality,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Alam said, “We could not reduce inequality because of corruption. To reduce this inequality, corruption should be reduced. Similarly, taxes should be paid fairly. The government will adopt a zero-tolerance policy on corruption in the future. The government will be rigorous to both loan defaulters and bill defaulters.”</div><div><br></div><div>Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Dr. Atiur Rahman said that most of the development over 50 years has taken place in the last 15 years, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said that inclusive development took place in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, “98 percent of cotton is imported and the petrochemicals are 100 percent imported - despite this, Bangladesh is number two in the global market in terms of exports of cotton garments and number one in denim and knitwear.\"</div><div><br></div><div>A large portion of the population directly and indirectly are engaged with garment industries in the country, that is an example of inclusive growth, the BGMEA president added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 13:52:51', '2023-12-30 13:52:51'),
(10639, 10639, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday categorically said that Bangladesh won\'t accept any foreign meddling into the January 7 national polls.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She also sounded a strong warning that the conspirators against the election will suffer severe consequences.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who are plotting (here) to thwart the election will have to face proper punishment one day. And anyone from international level comes to poke nose into (our affairs), we’ll not accept it. Bangladesh didn’t accept it in the past,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL chief made this remark while addressing a campaign rally in Kotalipara upazila in Gopalganj district.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangabandhu\'s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana accompanied her sister Hasina at the rally in Kotalipara from a campaign rally in Tungipara.</div><div><br></div><div>Not mentioning the name of any foreign country that opposed the Independence of Bangladesh, the AL president said those powers failed during the Liberation War in 1971.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’ll show them that we can achieve victory in terms of economic progress,” she said, adding that Inshallah, Bangladesh would be taken to a glorified position by reducing the poverty rate further to a percentage which is lower than that of the rich countries.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM urged the new voters not to miss the chance of casting their first-time votes and give mandate for her party in the 12th parliamentary election for the sake of progress of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>She said those who are from the young generation and youth society and those who are first-time voters, should not spoil their maiden votes.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who are new voters will have to help Bangladesh to advance further on the development journey, maintaining the current pace of progress by casting vote for the \'boat\' symbol and creating scope for AL to form the government,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL president said her party believes that the power of youth means the advancement of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’ll build a skilled and smart youth society through generation of employment, ensuring vocational training, technical education, technological education and modern education for them,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that it is most unfortunate that BNP-Jamaat grouping started unleashing arson violence and killing the people, Hasina called upon all to resist such criminal acts.</div><div><br></div><div>“Catch those who burn, harm (people) or conspire to thwart the election and give them proper punishment, I would like to urge all to do it from your position and place,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that it is the right of people to cast votes, she said it is AL that has established the rights to votes and food today.</div><div><br></div><div>“I would like to request you all to stay awake so that none can play ducks and drakes with this country and the fate of this country anymore,” said Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>AL advisory council member Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP, Sheikh Helal Uddin MP, Sheikh Tonmoy MP, Sheikh Jewel’s wife Sheikh Shahana Yasmin Champa and AL joint secretary general AFM Bahauddin Nasim, among others, were present on the dais.</div><div><br></div><div>Kotalipara upazila unit AL president Bhabendra Nath Biswas presided over the rally that turned into a human sea.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Sheikh Hasina along with Sheikh Rehana joined another election rally at Kalkini Upazila in Madaripur in the afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing the mammoth rally at Kalkini Syed Abul Hossain University College ground, the AL president said BNP leaders Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman will be tried one day for killing many people by giving orders.</div><div><br></div><div>Reiterating that BNP is a terrorist party and Jamaat is a party of war criminals, she questioned what rights they have to do politics here in Bangladesh as they kill and burn people. “They are a party of killers,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Terming late Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Zia as killers,&nbsp; Hasina said, “No reign of these killers will be there anymore in this country. They will be tried on murder charges a day as they killed so many people in Bangladesh by giving orders,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL chief asked the people to cast their votes as early as possible on the balloting day as a large turnout of voters is important in this election.</div><div><br></div><div>“Cast your votes, going to the polling station in the morning on the polls day …. Today an international conspiracy is on against Bangladesh. They want to play ducks and drakes with Bangladesh. But we won’t let it be done,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She remembered that Syed Abul Hossain, former lawmaker elected from the constituency, was the communication minister when false corruption allegation in the Padma Bridge project was brought against the government.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“Today we’ve constructed Padma Bridge with our own finances,” she said, praying for the salvation of the departed soul of Syed Abul Hossain.</div><div><br></div><div>Focusing her government\'s success, the premier said today Bangladesh has changed in the last 15 years. Bangladesh has today witnessed development in every sector from economy to infrastructures, social safety net, education and health. “Bangladesh is now a changed Bangladesh,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Reiterating her call to the new voters to vote for boat symbol, Hasina said, “We want to build the young generation as the smart and skilled youth force.”</div><div><br></div><div>The AL chief introduced her party’s candidates -- Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury in Madaripur-1, Shajahan Khan in Madaripur-2 and Abdus Sobhan Golap in Madaripur-3— with the participants of the grand rally and sought votes for them in the January-7 election.</div><div><br></div><div>AL presidium member Shajahan Khan, AL joint secretary general AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Abdus Sobhan Miah, among others, spoke at the rally presided over by Kalkini Upazila AL unit vice president Abul Kalam Azad. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 14:01:58', '2023-12-30 14:01:58'),
(10640, 10640, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday said that the next general election will surely be free, fair and neutral and the Election Commission (EC) is determined to ensure that.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"It is possible to hold a free and fair election with the support we have received from the government, and the EC is determined to hold the 12th national election in a free, fair and neutral manner,” the CEC said.</div><div><br></div><div>Kazi Habibul made the remarks while exchanging views with the candidates of six Sylhet constituencies at Circuit House of the district on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Chaired by Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Abu Ahmed Siddique, EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam also spoke as special guest at the event where Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russell Ahmed was present, reports unb.</div><div><br></div><div>Kazi Habibul also said the EC has been sincerely working so that all candidates can get equal facilities in the election field, while election activities have been moving forward unabatedly with the cooperation of the government and sincerity of the local administration.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 14:16:31', '2023-12-30 14:16:31'),
(10641, 10641, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The administration of United States President Joe Biden has once again bypassed Congress to greenlight an emergency weapons sale to Israel, which has only intensified and broadened its attacks on the Gaza Strip despite growing international outrage.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination in less than a month, covering a $147.5m sale of equipment to Israel, the State Department said on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>“Given the urgency of Israel’s defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer,” it said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces.”</div><div><br></div><div>The package includes ancillary items, including fuses, charges and primers that Israel would require to make the 155mm shells that it had previously purchased, function.</div><div><br></div><div>Friday’s emergency determination, which is rare but has been used by at least four previous US administrations, means that a requirement for a potentially lengthy congressional review for foreign military sales will be bypassed.</div><div><br></div><div>Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane said it was important to point out the broader context of the messaging.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’ve been hearing from all the top Biden administration officials for weeks that it is time for Israel to move to a lower-intensity conflict. In essence, stop the mass bombing. Stop the mass deaths of civilians,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“So, in that context – knowing that is what they say they want – they are now selling to Israel the exaction munitions they need to continue a high-intensity campaign.” Source: Al Jazeera&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 15:40:42', '2023-12-30 15:40:42'),
(10642, 10642, '<div><font color=\"#634aa5\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b style=\"\">One person was killed, and 25 others were injured in a clash between two factions of the Awami League ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s rally in Barishal on Friday.</b></span><br></font></div><div><br></div><div>Siraj Sikder, 55, was killed on the spot. The injured were admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>The clash broke out between the two groups- supporters of AL-nominated candidate Shammi Ahmed and Pankaj Debnath- incumbent MP of Barishal-4 constituency who is running as an independent, at the entrance of the rally venue.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The deceased Siraj Sikder was president of Guabaria Union Krishak League of Hizla upazila. Both sides claimed that Siraj Sikder was their campaigner.</div><div><br></div><div>The clash was still ongoing when Sheikh Hasina got on the stage.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to witnesses, a large number of supporters of Pankaj Debnath, independent candidate of Barisal-4 constituency, came to Bangabandhu Uddyan around 3:30 pm. The followers of Awami League\'s International Affairs Secretary Dr. Shammi Ahmed, were already there.</div><div><br></div><div>Shammi is currently fighting a legal battle in the High Court to get back her nomination that was scrapped by the Election Commission on the grounds of dual citizenship.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>MP Pankaj said that he came to Barishal by launch with the Prime Minister to join the public meeting.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"My workers and supporters were attacked when they were entering the meeting ground. Siraj Sikder has been my worker since the beginning and has been working for the eagle symbol in the election,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Claiming that the attack was pre-planned,&nbsp; Pankaj said, \"They were ready at the entrance knowing that my supporters would come. As soon as they entered, they carried out the attack, one person was killed, and several others were injured.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Shammi Ahmed did not respond to repeated calls seeking comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Her campaigner, Syed Munir, a member of the Awami League\'s international affairs sub-committee, said, \"Siraj Sikder was our activist. He came to Barishal with Hizla Upazila Awami League President Tipu Sultan. Our people, including Siraj Sikder, were attacked when they were about to enter the rally venue, and he died on the spot,\" reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital\'s emergency department doctor Kamruzzaman Tuhin said, \"Siraj Sikder was brought dead to the hospital. Initially, we thought he died of a heart attack. It is not possible to say anything in detail without an autopsy.\"</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-30 15:52:30', '2023-12-30 15:52:30'),
(10643, 10643, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said changes are being made in the curriculum as the government wants to develop international standard education system in Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We want our country to move, keeping pace with the world. This is why the changes are being made in the curriculum (of the educational institutions),” she said while opening the free textbook distribution among students up to the secondary level for the academic year of 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>She opened the textbook distribution programme at an event at her office through handing over books to students of pre-primary, primary and secondary levels in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said she considers expenses against education as investment. “We\'ll allocate whatever needed for education,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>“How do the internationally renowned universities teach, and what curriculum and what method do they follow? We want to create that international standard education system in Bangladesh,” She went on.</div><div><br></div><div>She put emphasis on the practical learning-based education to create employment opportunities in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said she wants to develop a nation with modern technology-knowledge-based education and that from an early age and for this reason her government is giving importance to technical education and vocational training.</div><div><br></div><div>“We want to build a nation with modern-technology-knowledge-based education. We’ve already done everything for that,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister called upon the students to study attentively to develop them properly.</div><div><br></div><div>“We want to build the nation with versatile education. To build smart Bangladesh, we need a smart and skilled population the most,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Putting the importance of education to get rid of poverty, she said, “We want to make Bangladesh a poverty-free country. Only education can make a country free from poverty. That is why we have given the highest importance to education.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina wished all a Happy New Year on the eve of 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>The ministries concerned have taken necessary steps to distribute 30,70,83,517 copies of new textbooks among 3,81,28,324 students this year throughout the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The textbooks have already been sent to upazilas in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has so far distributed over 464,78,29,883 free textbooks among students up to secondary levels across the country since 2010.</div><div><br></div><div>Since 2017, the government has been distributing braille books among the blind students alongside distributing Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo and Sadri version books among the small ethnic students to study in their mother languages, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>With Education Minister Dipu Moni in the chair, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Jakir Hossain spoke at the function, while Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan delivered the welcome speech.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 09:00:05', '2023-12-31 09:00:05'),
(10644, 10644, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The hype surrounding Dhoom 4 centers on the legacy of the Dhoom blockbuster franchise. The engaging storyline, brilliant casting, and exciting thrilling action scenes of the Dhoom films mesmerised audiences since 2004. </b></span></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">After the success of 3 Dhoom movies, the expectations of fans about Dhoom 4 have been amped up. Various rumors have been circulated about its cast in recent years. Keeping up with this trend, there has been a lot of buzz recently about SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) starring in Dhoom 4. Let’s delve into the most recent updates on this high-octane action movie while scrutinizing the authenticity of the buzz.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhoom: A Successful Buddy-Cop Franchise</div><div>This creation by Aditya Chopra follows Jai Dixit, an assistant police commissioner, who, along with his partner Ali Akbar Fateh Khan, is on a mission to apprehend the world\'s most cunning thief.</div><div><br></div><div>This buddy-cop movie stands as the third-largest Bollywood film franchise in terms of box-office revenue. Throughout each part of the trilogy, the villains have consistently outshone the heroes in popularity. The narratives have delved into various dark realms, portraying bank robberies and thefts of priceless artifacts.</div><div><br></div><div>Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra have reprised their roles as Jai and Ali Akbar, respectively, in all three films. However, different renowned stars have portrayed the roles of the thieves in each iteration.</div><div><br></div><div>The first film featured John Abraham as the main antagonist, and Esha Deol as his assistant. The second installment showcased Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, while the third installment starred Aamir Khan as the villain. Sanjay Gadhvi directed the first two films, released in 2004 and 2006, while Vijay Krishna Acharya, the screenwriter of the entire Dhoom franchise, assumed the directorial reins for the third part. It hit theaters in 2013 as Yash Raj Films\' third project with Dhoom.</div><div><br></div><div>Shah Rukh Khan in Dhoom 4: Truth or Rumor?</div><div>Yash Raj Films has robustly addressed the speculation surrounding Akshay Kumar, making it unequivocally clear that, at that point, no formal agreement existed with any actor for Dhoom 4. Similar rumors had previously circulated about Ranbir Kapoor.</div><div><br></div><div>The rumor involving the “Bollywood Baadshah” is no exception. There were additional speculations about the Bollywood king collaborating with Baahubali-fame Ram Charan.</div><div><br></div><div>An Indian entertainment website\'s post on the potential cast further fueled social media discussions. Their argument centered on the positive reception of John Abraham\'s negative character in the recent film Pathan, suggesting a possible return of the actor to the franchise. Fans are eagerly anticipating Shah Rukh and John Abraham together in the latest sequel of this action-packed franchise.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the Dhoom production house has quelled these expectations, stating that no final cast has been confirmed for this film. SRK himself clarified that he has not yet received any offer for Dhoom 4. Abhishek Bachchan, the consistent lead actor in the series, echoed a similar sentiment, asserting that he would have been informed if work on the film had commenced.</div><div><br></div><div>As a result, Dhoom fans find themselves in a state of suspense, eagerly awaiting the revelation of their favorite villain.</div><div><br></div><div>Endnote</div><div>The point is, that the decision surrounding the production of Dhoom 4 is still undecided. In this sense, King Khan starring in the upcoming Dhoom film becomes seemingly inconclusive. However, neither SRK nor Aditya Chopra has officially approached each other on this matter. Nevertheless, fans would love to see their favorite hero in a villainous form anyway. - According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 09:29:44', '2023-12-31 09:29:44'),
(10645, 10645, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced eight people including BNP’s joint secretary general Moazzem Hossain Alal to three years in jail in a case filed for torching a bus in Dhanmondi during hartal in 2013.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Jashim passed the order.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also fined them Tk 10,000 each, in default, to suffer two months more imprisonment, said Mosleh Uddin Jashim, a counsel of Alal.</div><div><br></div><div>The other convicts are-Saiful Islam Nirob, former president of Jubo Dal, Abdul Quader Bhuiya Jewel, former president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Shafiqul Islam Masud, and secretary of Dhaka south unit Jamaat-e-Islami, Harun-or-Rashid, Obaidul Haque, Shahidul Islam Hira and Ibrahim Hossain.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the prosecution, a bus was set on fire on Sat Masjid Road in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi on December 1, 2013.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdullah Al Mamun, sub-inspector of Dhanmondi Police Station, filed the case.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 15, 2014, police submitted chargesheet against them. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 11:05:44', '2023-12-31 11:05:44'),
(10646, 10646, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has urged voters to come to polling stations and respond to anti-election conspiracies with their votes on the election day on January 7.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He made the remarks while addressing a street rally marking the election campaign in Chaprashirhat under Companiganj upazila of Noakhali on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>The Awami League leader is contesting from Noakhali-5 constituency (Companiganj and Kabirhat upazilas) with the ‘boat’ symbol.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Quader, also road, transport and bridge minister, alleged that BNP has set “an agent to murder a renowned leader. The directive came from London. Tarique Rahman doesn’t have courage, if he did he would come to the country.”</div><div><br></div><div>Recalling the August 15 assassinations and November 3 jail killings, Quader urged party leaders and activists to remain vigilant and resist all conspiracies.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing the ideology of the Awami League, the leader said that his party doesn’t believe in arms and ammunition, rather it believes in the strength of people.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that Sheikh Hasina would clinch victory for the fourth consecutive time in the January 7 election, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Obaidul Quader said, ”We will listen if foreigners give suggestions on the election, but we will not accept if they speak in BNP’s tune.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina’s Barishal rally proved that the people of the county have been waiting for the election and nobody has power to foil the election by hindrance, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 11:15:45', '2023-12-31 11:33:08'),
(10647, 10647, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that “all countries and institutions” ought to unite in their opposition to the killing of defenseless women and children in the Gaza Strip for a better future.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“All countries, institutions need to take a united stand against the killing of innocent children and women in Gaza,” Erdogan said in his video message on New Year eve.</div><div><br></div><div>“We hold hope for a better future for humanity. So-called democratic, freedom-loving countries must stop supporting bloody terrorists for this to happen,” the president said.</div><div><br></div><div>Beginning with the war between Russia and Ukraine, he stressed, sincere attempts should be made to put an end to conflicts that cause suffering for people and waste national resources.</div><div><br></div><div>“We need to see that wealth of societies, which has been exploited for centuries, their dignity trampled upon, is used for their future, prosperity, security,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan stressed that the goals for 2023 were just beginning as they are about to launch the real takeoff with Türkiye\'s Century in conjunction with 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>As the world faces global crises, he stressed, \"We will elevate the star of Türkiye by once again demonstrating our difference through production, employment, growth, and development,\" Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"From the fight against terrorism to economic traps, the fundamental purpose behind problems we face in areas is to obstruct the construction of great, powerful Türkiye,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 11:42:30', '2023-12-31 11:42:30'),
(10648, 10648, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said there is no information about any sabotage plan on the voting day of the 12th parliamentary election on January 7.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>However, the intelligence agencies will stay alert to prevent secret killings, the minister told reporters during a press briefing at the secretariat without elaborating it any further.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The BNP is always committing sabotage. They were born with violence, so they will keep doing it. Our security forces are aware of this. Our intelligence agencies are also working,” said Asaduzzaman Kamal.</div><div><br></div><div>The home minister said the BNP has failed to make any impact with their sabotage activities as the country’s intelligence agencies are working properly.</div><div><br></div><div>“I think the people of this country will resist them no matter what they do, the people of this country will not give them any scope. People don\'t want to go back to darkness,” said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>About Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader\'s comment that BNP may carry out secret killings, the minister said, \"The Road Transport minister and our party general secretary definitely have more information. He said it based on information. Our point is that our intelligence agencies are alert. We are trying to deal with any such incident before it happens,” reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Terming the anti-election campaign of BNP and like-minded parties as tantamount to sedition, the Home Minister said law enforcement agencies, and intelligence agencies are monitoring their campaign very closely.</div><div><br></div><div>“Election Commission is also looking into this. If these types of activities cross the limit, then surely a directive will come from the Election Commission. And then action will be taken according to the law.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 12:52:01', '2023-12-31 12:52:01'),
(10649, 10649, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The UN’s World Food Programme will increase food rations for all Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, months after severe aid cuts led to a rise in malnourishment in the refugee camps.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>WFP reduced food assistance to the Rohingya by 33 percent earlier this year to $8 a month per person, citing a lack of funding, despite malnutrition being already widespread in the Cox’s Bazar camps.</div><div><br></div><div>“The year 2023 was a tumultuous one for the Rohingya in Bangladesh, who lived through multiple fire outbreaks, cyclones, and, for the first time, ration cuts. The rapid deterioration of the food and nutrition situation in the camps is extremely worrying,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP country director in Bangladesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>WFP’s food assistance was cut twice in 2023, first in March when the value was reduced from $12 to $10, and again in June, when it was slashed to $8.</div><div><br></div><div>The UN body announced on Sunday that it will restore the critical food assistance to $10 per person per month from Jan. 1, 2024. To restore aid to the full amount, WFP said it needs $61 million to fill the current funding gap.</div><div><br></div><div>Malnourishment was a major problem in Cox’s Bazar even before the ration cut, with around 40 percent of children under 5 chronically malnourished, and 12 percent acutely malnourished.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have noticed a sharp increase in cases of severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition among the Rohingya,” Dr. Abu Toha Bhuyan, health coordinator with Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission, told Arab News.</div><div><br></div><div>“The $8 amount per month is very low for one person’s food requirements. As a result, the nutritional situation became very imbalanced. The children and the elderly are especially affected by malnutrition.”</div><div><br></div><div>The decline in food assistance is also affecting the immunity level of the Rohingya population, Bhuyan said.</div><div><br></div><div>“If people have a good immunity, they get less infected with different infectious diseases. Here, we experienced a rise in infectious diseases among the Rohingyas since their immunity was compromised due to less amount of food intake … Malnutrition has also severely impacted the growth of children.”</div><div><br></div><div>The challenging situation is an everyday reality for Monowara Begum, who has three children.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s very tough to manage the food for my … family with this little amount … With less amount of food, my children became very skinny and are suffering from different diseases, like flu, coughs, diarrhea, all through the year,” the 41-year-old told Arab News.</div><div><br></div><div>“Everything happened because of malnutrition and less immunity. Their growth is also affected, even though they are at a growing age,” she said.</div><div>“As a mother, it’s unbearable for me to see my children going hungry most days. I feel very upset with this situation.” - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 13:44:29', '2023-12-31 13:44:29'),
(10650, 10650, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The year 2023 proved lucky for Bollywood and Shah Rukh Khan led the way with Pathaan and Jawan. However, amidst high expectations, there were also some big titles that failed to capitalise on the great theatrical boom of Hindi movies post pandemic, ultimately falling flat at the box office.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Here is the list of some of the major hits and misses of 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>Hits: 1. Pathaan and Jawan: With the two action titles, Shah Rukh made a triumphant return to leading man roles after a gap of four years. Pathaan, directed by Siddharth Anand, released in theatres in January and shattered many box office records in the opening weekend and ended its theatrical run with a towering gross box office collection of over Rs 1,050 crore. It also starred Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, Jawan, a high-octane action entertainer from Tamil director Atlee. The pan-India film, which also featured Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi, turned out to be an even bigger hit, grossing Rs 1,150 crore globally to become the biggest hit of SRK\'s career.</div><div><br></div><div>2. Animal: It was one of the most memorable years of Ranbir\'s career with the actor delivering the third biggest but also the most divisive film of 2023 in Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga of Kabir Singh fame. The film drew criticism for its graphic content, extreme violence, and treatment of female characters but since its release on December 1, it has earned over Rs 880 crores in worldwide gross.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Gadar 2: A sequel to 2000 hit Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, the Anil Sharma-directed film reintroduced Sunny Deol to mass audiences. The movie, which released in August, turned out to be a surprise hit of the year with over Rs 680 crore in worldwide collection, according to trade websites. Sunny, 66, reprised his role of Tara Singh in Gadar 2, set years after the events of the first movie.</div><div><br></div><div>4. Tiger 3: Salman Khan returned as super spy Avinash Singh Rathore aka Tiger in the third part of his eponymous movie franchise. Directed by Maneesh Sharma, the film was released in November. Despite coming in theatres around the time of Cricket World Cup, the movie grossed over Rs 460 crore in worldwide collection. It also starred Katrina Kaif and Emraan Hashmi.</div><div><br></div><div>5. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani: Karan Johar\'s seventh full-fledged feature not only became one of the highest grossing films of the filmmaker\'s career, but is also his most talked-about and progressive movie till date.&nbsp; Released in July, the movie grossed over Rs 355 crore. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani featured Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt with great supporting acts by the likes of cinema veterans Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi.</div><div><br></div><div>Misses: 1. The Vaccine War: After the controversial-yet-highly-successful The Kashmir Files, Vivek Agnihotri released The Vaccine War in theatres in September. The movie revolved around Indian scientists and their quests to develop an affordable vaccine for India and the world. It earned Rs 14 crore at the box office, according to trade websites.</div><div><br></div><div>2. Tejas: Kangana Ranaut had another forgettable year as Tejas, which featured her as an Indian Air Force pilot, turned out to be a colossal disappointment at the box office. It was released in theatres in October and managed to earn around Rs 8 crore, trade websites reported.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Bholaa: Trade pundits were betting big on Ajay Devgn\'s Bholaa, the Hindi remake of Tamil hit Kaithi, but the audiences gave the film a cold shoulder. The film, which released in cinemas in March, earned over Rs 120 crore, just enough to cover its making cost. It was directed by Devgn and also starred Tabu.</div><div><br></div><div>4. Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan: Before Tiger 3, Salman had another big release in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, which made its debut in theatres in April, coinciding with the festival of Eid. Despite being headlined by a Bollywood superstar, the film underperformed at the box office, earning around Rs 180 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>5. Adipurush: The Om Raut-directorial, headlined by Baahubali star Prabhas, was one of the most anticipated titles but was plagued by many controversies. The film, also starring Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon, eventually grossed around Rs 390 crores, according to trade websites. - PTI</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-12-31 13:47:07', '2023-12-31 13:47:07');
