INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11768, 11768, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a meeting of US Congress members that \"victory\" in Gaza and \"getting\" Hamas\' senior leadership in the enclave are only \"a few weeks away.\"</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday, Netanyahu told a bipartisan group from the US Congress, “We’ve killed many senior leaders [of Hamas], including number four in Hamas, number three in Hamas. We’ll get number two and number one. That’s victory. Victory is within reach. It’s a few weeks away,\" reports CNN.</div><div><br></div><div>Hosting the congressional delegation in Jerusalem, which the Prime Minister\'s Office claimed was organised by the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Netanyahu said it was \"very important to maintain bipartisan support\" but \"especially in these trying times.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu stated that Israel \"had no choice\" but to enter Rafah because its \"very existence is on the line.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister stated that Israel has had a \"remarkable alignment\" with the Biden administration since the October 7 Hamas attack, but they have fundamentally opposing views on an Israeli incursion into Rafah, the report said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has received international condemnation before of its planned onslaught on the southern Gaza city, where over one million Palestinians are currently taking shelter. Netanyahu had previously stated to the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could \"just move\" out of Rafah and \"move with their tents.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"There is all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah,\" Netanyahu remarked. \"People can move up or down,\" he continued.</div><div><br></div><div>Disagreements regarding the possible invasion of Rafah and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza have strained relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this week, Netanyahu postponed a scheduled government trip to Washington in protest over the United States\' abstention from a UN Security Council vote that allowed a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza to pass, the report also said.</div><div><br></div><div>The resolution, proposed by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, demanded an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into Gaza.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 09:19:59', '2024-03-28 09:19:59'),
(11769, 11769, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the use of non-lethal weapons has increased in recent days compared to the past, leading to a decrease in death toll along Bangladesh-India border.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"We have long been discussing with India. When I visited India recently, we discussed the issue with much importance so that non lethal weapons are used along the border. Now, compared to the past, use of non lethal weapons has increased,\" he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister described the recent border killings in Lalmonirhat and Naogaon and mentioned that flag meeting was held between Border Guard Bangladesh and Border Security Force.</div><div><br></div><div>There was a protest from the BGB side, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan said they want to see no such incident in the border areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) have agreed to bring down the border casualties of Bangladeshi nationals to zero by enhancing joint patrolling, vigilance, intensifying public awareness programme, preventing criminals or inhabitants from crossing border and sharing information, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Since BGB and BSF are in engagement, he said, they think problems can be solved there.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 09:38:53', '2024-03-28 09:38:53'),
(11770, 11770, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday described Yunus Centre\'s \"lying\" and Professor Muhammad Yunus\' receiving an award from an Israeli sculptor \"very unfortunate.\"</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I am very surprised.....it\'s very unfortunate,\" he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>He said there was no single word of protest from Prof Yunus when people including children and women are killed in Gaza when there is crimes against humanity.</div><div><br></div><div>\"In this situation in Gaza, Prof Yunus received an award from an Israeli. What is this? What does it mean? Is it not supporting Israeli killings in Gaza?\" Hasan asked.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Prof Yunus was not awarded by the UNESCO but it was lies spread by Yunus Centre.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan said it is not the first time Yunus Centre did it but they did spread same falsehoods in the past.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury on Wednesday said the UNESCO did not confer “The Tree of Peace” award to Nobel laureate Professor Yunus.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohibul, who is also the Chairman of the Bangladesh UNESCO Commission, made the statement to reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>He said \"Dr Yunus was conferred the \'Tree of Peace\' award by an Israeli sculptor, upon invitation from the Ganjavi Foundation in Azerbaijan.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said that Dr Yunus’ claim that he received the award from UNESCO is untrue.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The information propagated by the Yunus Centre regarding the UNESCO award is inaccurate and misleading,\" said the minister. \"It is imperative that we set the record straight and ensure that such misinformation does not tarnish the reputation of our country. An explanation will be sent to the UNESCO headquarters regarding this matter as it is humiliating for Bangladesh.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The minister also warned of legal repercussions if the Yunus Centre persisted in spreading false claims about the UNESCO award. He emphasised the need for immediate cessation of such misleading information to prevent further damage to the reputation of both Dr Yunus and Bangladesh on the international stage.</div><div><br></div><div>However, comments from the Yunus Centre were not immediately available. - unb</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 10:09:24', '2024-03-28 10:09:24'),
(11771, 11771, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid has made history as the first Bangladeshi umpire to join the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The announcement follows the International Cricket Council\'s (ICC) annual review.</div><div><br></div><div>A selection panel made up of ICC General Manager Cricket Wasim Khan (Chair), Sanjay Manjrekar (former player and commentator), Tony Hill (retired umpire), and Mike Riley (consultant officiating expert) chose Sharfuddoula for the promotion.</div><div><br></div><div>Since joining the International Panel in 2006, Sharfuddoula has extensive experience, having officiated 10 men\'s test matches, 63 men\'s ODIs, 44 men\'s T20Is, 13 women\'s ODIs, and 28 Women\'s T20Is.</div><div><br></div><div>He has also participated in major tournaments like the ICC Women\'s Cricket World Cups (2017 and 2021), the ICC Men\'s Cricket World Cup 2023, and the ICC Women\'s T20 World Cup 2018, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“It is a great honour to be named on the ICC Elite Panel. To be the first from my country on the panel makes it extra special, and I look forward to justifying the faith shown in me,” as Sharfuddoula was quoted by the ICC.</div><div><br></div><div>“I would like to thank the ICC and the BCB for backing me and my other colleagues for all their help and guidance. I would also like to thank my family and friends for standing by and supporting me,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 10:43:53', '2024-03-28 10:43:53'),
(11772, 11772, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Oil prices increased on Thursday due to supply concerns fueled by Russia’s decision to implement output cuts and the unsuccessful attempts to bring about a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>International benchmark Brent crude traded at $85.70 per barrel at 10.46 a.m. local time (0746 GMT), a 33% rise from the closing price of $85.41 per barrel in the previous trading session.</div><div><br></div><div>The American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $81.72 per barrel at the same time, an 0.45% increase from the previous session that closed at $81.35 per barrel.</div><div><br></div><div>Ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to bolster oil prices by increasing the risk of supply disruptions.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian drone attacks on the Novoshakhtinks plant, the biggest oil refinery in southern Russia, sparked supply concerns with major oil routes coming under threat, boosting prices due to fears of output cuts in Russia, one of the world\'s biggest producers.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the failed attempts for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza escalated tensions in the Middle East, where most of the global oil resources are located, causing supply concerns.</div><div><br></div><div>The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Monday demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>While Hamas welcomed the move, Israel rejected the truce demand and vowed to continue its offensive until \"total victory\" is achieved.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel\'s decision also triggered concerns that the Houthis will continue their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, one of the world\'s busiest maritime routes for oil and fuel shipments.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the strengthening of the of the US dollar against other currencies limited further price rises with expectations of a demand curb.</div><div><br></div><div>The US dollar index increased by 0.14% to 104.48. A strong dollar is projected to limit demand by making oil more expensive for foreign currency users.</div><div><br></div><div>Data showing that US commercial crude oil and gasoline inventories increased last week also reflected weak demand and limited the upward movement of prices.</div><div><br></div><div>The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced that commercial crude oil inventories in the country increased by about 3.2 million barrels last week, while gasoline inventories increased by about 1.3 million barrels. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 10:54:17', '2024-03-28 10:54:17'),
(11773, 11773, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Met office forecast rains or thundershowers in Dhaka and six other divisions of the country in&nbsp; 24 hours commencing&nbsp; 9 am on Thursday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at one or two places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions,” said a Met office bulletin, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 11:19:16', '2024-03-28 11:19:16'),
(11774, 11774, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Thursday approved a total of 11 development projects including Tk 3,059-crore one to construct 674 Union Parishad complex bhabans in 322 upazilas.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The approval came from the Ecnec meeting presided over by Prime Minister and Ecnec chairperson Sheikh Hasina at the NEC conference room in the city’s Sher-e Bangla Nagar area.</div><div><br></div><div>Planning Minister Maj Gen (Retd) Abdus Salam briefed reporters after the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The total estimated cost of 11 projects is Tk 8,425.52 crore (only additional cost of revised projects is incorporated here). Of the cost, Tk 7,939.87 crore will be drawn from the government’s fund, while Tk 485.65 crore from foreign sources.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the projects, seven are new while three are revised schemes. Besides, one project got the Ecnec’s nod to extend time, not cost.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the project factsheet, Union Parishad Complex Bhaban Construction (Phase-III) will be implemented at 674 unions of 322 upazilas in 62 districts by December, 2028.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the fresh projects, the rural infrastructure development in the districts of greater Rangpur region will be implemented at the cost of Tk 2,500 crore in 35 upazilas of five districts by June 2028.</div><div><br></div><div>The other new five projects include Bangladesh Chancellery Bhaban and Residential Bhaban Construction at Cairo in Egypt involving&nbsp; TK 165.97 crore, upgrading and widening Kashinathpur-Dashuria-Natore-Rajshahi-Nababganj-Kansat-Sonamajjid-Baliadighi Border (N-06) National Highways (Nababganj Part) with Tk 481.89 crore, development of Infrastructures to enhancing capacity and fish production in the existing government fish farms with Tk 371.32 crore, improvement of Fish Landing Centre of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox’s Bazar with Tk 232.83 crore; and Establishment of Bangladesh Handloom Board Complex at Mirpur in Dhaka with Tk 115 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>The three revised projects are Collection of 20 Meter Gauge Diesel Electric Locomotives and 150 Meter Gauge Passenger Carriages for Bangladesh Railways (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 288.07 crore (now cost Tk 2,157.68 crore), Promoting Resilience for Vulnerable through Access to Infrastructure, Improved Skills and Information (Provati) (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 166.83 crore (now cost Tk 924.51 crore); and establishment of full-fledged Cancer, Cardiac and Kidney Treatment Centres in 8 divisional cities (1st revised) with extra cost of Tk 1,044.61 crore (now cost Tk 3,433 crore).</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the meeting cleared Relocation of Bangladesh Betar Shahbagh Complex to Agargaon in Dhaka, and its construction and modernization (3rd revised) project, just extending time not cost. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 11:36:06', '2024-03-28 11:36:06'),
(11775, 11775, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh and Qatar want to expand the existing ties with broader cooperation in the areas of manpower, energy, trade and investment following the planned visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Bangladesh next month.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The two countries are in discussion to finalise nearly a dozen of cooperation documents which will be signed during the visit, said a source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>The two-day visit is likely to take place on April 21-22, he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The two sides are now working on the MoUs and agreements that will be signed after the Emir’s meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already held an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss various aspects of the visit.</div><div><br></div><div>In March last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha.</div><div><br></div><div>She sought increased energy, particularly LNG, from Qatar to meet the energy demands.</div><div><br></div><div>The State of Qatar recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign State on March 4, 1974 following the 2nd OIC Summit held in February 1974.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh opened its diplomatic mission in Doha on June 25, 1975. The State of Qatar reciprocated by opening its diplomatic mission in Dhaka in 1982.</div><div><br></div><div>Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Qatar are based on mutual respect, shared values, common religious ground, shared culture, and tradition.</div><div><br></div><div>People-to-people contacts bolstered by more than four hundred thousand Bangladeshi workers who are highly appreciated as disciplined and hardworking is one of the dominant features of bilateral relations, according to the MoFA.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh and Qatar consider each other as brotherly countries and important development partners in materialising Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 and Qatar’s vision 2030. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 12:57:01', '2024-03-28 12:57:01'),
(11776, 11776, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said in matters concerning climate change and sustainability, all development partners should come on a single platform to prevent resource fragmentation. To maximize resource utilization, duplication and overlapping should be minimized. With numerous challenges and existential threats posed by climate change, securing resources, both financial and for capacity building, is essential.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Environment Minister said this as the chief guest at the Dissemination Workshop for the Country Environmental Analysis 2023, Building Back a Greener Bangladesh, hosted at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Environment minister said the nation\'s health is paramount, and the government is committed to enhancing air and water quality. Priority interventions for climate action are being sequenced, and the government is actively formulating a time-bound plan. Policy adjustments will be made as necessary to address emerging needs. During the workshop, Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury emphasized the importance of sustainable practices and highlighted initiatives aimed at fostering a greener future for Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Abdoulaye Seck, the World Bank\'s Country Director for Bangladesh and Additional Secretary (Environment) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest&nbsp; and Climate Change also spoke among others.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss strategies for environmental preservation and sustainable development.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The workshop featured presentations and discussions on key findings from the Country Environmental Analysis 2023 report, focusing on challenges and opportunities in advancing environmental conservation efforts. Participants engaged in productive dialogue, exchanging ideas to address pressing environmental issues and promote eco-friendly practices across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/R/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 13:28:30', '2024-03-28 13:28:30'),
(11777, 11777, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said 80 per cent of BNP leaders and activists faced torture unleashed by the ‘fascist’ Awami League government.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They can’t retain power without unleashing torture and suppressing people. Their first victim of suppression is BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and she is fighting for,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mirza Fakhrul said these at a programme of distribution Eid gift among families of the victims of enforced disappearance on behalf of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman organised by Aamra BNP Paribar (We are BNP Family) held at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He said when BNP started movement against the fascist government or one-party rule or one woman’s rule, aiming to establish people’s right and democracy, they started repression on the BNP men.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They have created such an environment of fear where no one can talk, write freely,” he alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fascist regime’s repression reached such a level that the opposition leaders and activists’ family member including father, mother, son, daughter and wife were not spared, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After getting bail, the victims shared the experience of inhuman torture in prison like uprooting their nails, breaking their legs and so on. The most pathetic was they could not get any treatment, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Urging unity of all forces BNP secretary general said, “As a democratic political party we are doing more than our capacity to free the country from this horrible situation.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said, there is no alternative to forge unity like 1969, 1971, 1990 where people fought against fascist, autocrat regime to restore democracy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 14:34:23', '2024-03-28 14:34:23'),
(11778, 11778, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The work of Improving Urban Governance and Infrastructure Project (IUGIP) is continued in full progress. Minister for the Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives Tajul Islam inaugurated the “Launching workshop “ of the project earlier this week.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The LGRD Minister, Chief Engineer of Local Government Engineering Department and Members of the donor agencies expressed their satisfactions over the progress of the project.</div><div><br></div><div>The work of the project is ongoing against a work order of Tk 850 crore has already been given by floating tenders for 112 packages under work of Tk 1200 crores. The tender evaluation of the remaining work of Tk 350 crore is now under process. Besides, the supply of equipment contract of 6 packages valued Tk 120 crore will be completed by June this year, according to LGED sources.on the other hand three categories of consulting firm like MDS, GICD &amp; IVA are also recruited.</div><div><br></div><div>The project is being implemented with the financial support of donor agencies ADB and AFD. The objectives of the project is to achieve a planned, inclusive, and sustainable urbanization. Under the project, infrastructure development and management efficiency of municipalities will be increased through ‘result based lending’ strategy in 63 municipalities across the country.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The operation and maintenance activities of another 25 municipalities comes from UGIIP-3 have also been taken up. The financial cost of the project has been estimated at $ 602 million. Out of which Bangladesh Government will provide financial assistance of $100 million, ADB $302 million and AFD $200 million, the sources added.</div><div><br></div><div>The project was approved by the ECNEC on June 20, 2023 and is scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2028. At least 900 km of drains, 1500 km of roads and 7 Community facilities including climate resilient &amp; inclusive public space will be constructed under this project.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The development of poor settlements will also be ensured through the participation of 50 per cent women of the municipality in the construction work. Rezaul Islam was the first Project Director of the project while Md.Abdul Bareque was appointed as new Project Director of the project on January 2 this year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to this Correspondent, Project Director Abdul Bareque said the work is going on full swing.</div><div><br></div><div>He expects that the project will be completed in the stipulated time.</div><div>Sources in the ADB &amp; AFD emphasized on inclusive development through construction of infrastructure for the poor under the IUGIP project.</div><div><br></div><div>The sustainable development is not possible by keeping them out of development facilities. Besides, they also mentioned that development of management system and construction of climate resilient projects are prerequisites for sustainable development, sources added</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/R/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-28 18:21:56', '2024-03-28 18:21:56'),
(11779, 11779, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In a step towards global trade compliance, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has undertaken a comprehensive review of Bangladesh\'s tariff regime, identifying 60 tariff lines where current customs duties and associated charges surpass the bound rates established in the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of its initial measures, customs duties on 6 items have been reduced, signaling Bangladesh\'s commitment to aligning its trade practices with international standards.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The initiative, detailed in an official document, sets forth a plan to gradually adjust these rates to fall within the WTO-agreed bound tariffs by 2026. Bound tariffs represent the maximum most-favored nation (MFN) tariff rate a country commits to at the WTO, serving as a ceiling that applied tariffs cannot exceed. This regulatory framework ensures that trade policies remain predictable and stable, providing security for traders and investors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Countries typically negotiate bound tariffs during their accession to the WTO or through subsequent trade negotiations, setting these rates higher than their applied tariffs to retain policy flexibility. However, exceeding these bound rates without proper adjustments can lead to international disputes and demands for compensation, emphasizing the importance of adherence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The recalibration effort by Bangladesh reflects a broader trend among WTO members, where developed, developing, and transitioning economies have significantly increased the proportion of imports with bound tariff rates, enhancing global market stability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, the government has resolved to eliminate the minimum import price requirement, already removing it from 55 items with a strategic plan to phase it out entirely from the remaining 130 products by 2026. This move aims to simplify the import process and foster a more competitive market environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The document outlines a cautious approach to tariff reduction, ensuring that local industries are not adversely affected and that revenue mobilization remains robust.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NBR\'s strategy involves a careful balancing act, prioritizing the protection of domestic sectors while advancing the country\'s export competitiveness.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This progressive adjustment of customs duties and the abolition of the minimum import price underscore Bangladesh\'s efforts to integrate more seamlessly into the global trading system, promoting economic growth and development in alignment with WTO commitments. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 06:53:41', '2024-03-30 06:53:41'),
(11780, 11780, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">N.C. State’s Jannah Eissa and UC Irvine’s Diaba Konate are bringing visibility and inspiration to some Muslim women by wearing hjiabs while they play basketball.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>They aren’t the first women to do it in NCAA Tournament play, but with record viewership and attendance they are certainly getting noticed.</div><div><br></div><div>“Representation really matters,” said Konate, whose team lost in the first round of the tournament to Gonzaga. “Just having people, young Muslim women wearing the hijab, we’re not there yet. Just seeing us play, I think it makes me really happy because I used to have people that I was looking up to. Now having people that look up to me makes me happy.”</div><div><br></div><div>Konate admires Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who made NCAA history by being the first to wear a hijab in college basketball when she played for Memphis a decade ago. Abdul-Qaadir was instrumental in getting FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, to overturn its own ban on headgear in 2017.</div><div><br></div><div>Former UConn player Batouly Camara, who was one of the first to wear a hijab in Spain’s LF1 league, has enjoyed seeing Eissa and Konate represent their religion.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s truly inspiring to witness these two Muslim athletes competing at the highest level. This tournament serves as a significant moment, shining a spotlight on the best teams simultaneously with their faith,” said Camara, who founded the non-profit organization Women And Kids Empowerment (WAKE) in 2017. “It sends a powerful message to girls worldwide, affirming that they belong on the sports field, regardless of economic class, race, culture and more.”</div><div><br></div><div>Konate started 31 of 32 games for UC Irvine, averaging 7.5 points and nearly four assists. She moved to the U.S. from France after receiving a scholarship from Idaho State. She transferred to UC Irvine as a junior.</div><div><br></div><div>She’d like a chance to play in a hijab at home in France, where she won two medals playing on their youth teams. But currently, the French Federation of Basketball prohibits the wearing of “any equipment with a religious or political connotation.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Being French and hosting the Olympics, it really hurts to not be able to be ourselves,” said Konate, who first started wearing the hijab in 2020. “Hopefully, it changes.”</div><div><br></div><div>Eissa and Konate have never met, but are aware of each other.</div><div><br></div><div>“I just know there’s another woman wearing a hijab,” Eissa said. “I just saw a post about two days ago. I was so happy there are other people.”</div><div><br></div><div>Eissa, who turned 18 in February, was a walk-on at N.C. State. She joined the team after trying out in September. She didn’t play much this season — appearing in 11 games and hitting one 3-pointer.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this season, a group of young Muslim girls came to her game. They also showed up a few more times to support her.</div><div><br></div><div>“I’d love to say I was a role model to them. Never thought I could be a role model for someone I didn’t know,” said Eissa, who grew up in Cairo before coming to N.C. State. “Never knew one person could make such an impact. They were so young girls and girls my age looking up to me and I was so happy.”</div><div><br></div><div>Eissa chose N.C. State because her father got his PhD there and her two older sisters attend the university, reports AP</div><div><br></div><div>She said when having a bad day or an off day, she’d remember her young fans and it would bring a smile.</div><div><br></div><div>“If they see someone giving them hope, I’m happy that I’m the person to give it to them,” Eissa said. “I want to make it as far as I can for the image of women in hijabs.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 07:02:31', '2024-03-30 07:02:31'),
(11781, 11781, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Türkiye\'s national defense minister on Friday received a delegation of US members of Congress from the House Armed Services Committee in the capital Ankara, according to an official statement.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"National Defense Minister Yasar Guler received Mike Rogers, chairman of the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, Ranking Member Adam Smith, and members Salud Carbajal and Veronica Escobar. US Ambassador to Ankara Jeffry L. Flake was also present at the reception,\" the National Defense Ministry said on X.</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting is expected to address Türkiye\'s national security concerns \"at the highest level,\" with a particular focus on issues including counter-terrorism and US support for the PKK/YPG terrorist organization.</div><div><br></div><div>The two sides are also expected to discuss Türkiye\'s acquisition of the F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits process, awaiting US congressional approval.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Visit to parliament</div><div><br></div><div>The delegation also paid a visit to Türkiye\'s parliament building, where they met with lawmakers on the legislature\'s Committee on National Defense.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the committee\'s Chairman Hulusi Akar said there were no problems in the procurement process for the fighter aircraft and kits, adding:</div><div><br></div><div>\"Necessary agreements and contracts have been made. Our Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has had meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ... This now stands before us as a project being followed up on and agreed upon in a normal manner, with no issues.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Akar said that during the meeting, the Turkish side had underlined \"the need for cooperation against the presence of PKK/YPG terror group in northern Syria and Iraq, as well as against the ISIS/Daesh presence.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"We expressed the necessity of working together as two allies,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>On the matter of Israel\'s ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip, Akar said they highlighted the \"urgent need to prevent the deaths of children, women, and innocent people,\" adding that Türkiye harbors no \"hostility towards Israel\'s existence.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He said they also discussed other regional issues, including the Mediterranean and Greece, as well as the Southern Caucasus nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia.</div><div><br></div><div>Akar said they \"stressed the importance of Armenia accepting the hand that has been extended for peace,\" adding that the discussion was \"very positive and constructive.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"We agreed to continue discussions by meeting in Türkiye or the US,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Expressing his satisfaction with the US delegation\'s visit, Akar said it provided an opportunity for the sides to express themselves face-to-face after a long period.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We hadn\'t been able to come together for a while. I hope from now on, for the benefit of our countries, NATO, regional institutions, peace, stability, and for mutual exchange of views and visits for the resolution of some issues between Türkiye and the US in our region, we will continue,\" Akar said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also conveyed his condolences for those who lost their lives in the recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the US city of Baltimore.</div><div><br></div><div>For his part, the US Armed Services Committee Chairman Rogers said the talks mostly focused on security-related matters, expressing particular interest the in Turkish side\'s views on how the Russia-Ukraine war could be resolved.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Talks with presidential chief adviser</div><div><br></div><div>Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay also hosted a visiting delegation from the energy, trade, financial services, and budget committees of the US House of Representatives, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The strategic framework for energy, energy security, and cooperation opportunities between Türkiye and the United States has been discussed,” the ministry said on X.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan\'s chief adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic also met with the US delegation in Istanbul.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides the four members of Congress and Ambassador Flake, US Consul General in Istanbul Julie Eadeh was also present at the meeting at the Dolmabahce Office.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting, developments in US-Türkiye relations, as well as regional and international affairs were discussed.</div><div><br></div><div>The sides also discussed the fight against Daesh/ISIS and extremism, the PKK and its organized criminal activities, the Russia-Ukraine war, Palestine, focusing on the ongoing humanitarian crisis and Israeli attacks there.</div><div><br></div><div>Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan had received the delegation on Thursday, according to the Foreign Ministry. Turkish National Intelligence Organization chief Ibrahim Kalin was also scheduled for a subsequent meeting on Friday with the group of US lawmakers, security sources said. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 07:47:50', '2024-03-30 07:47:50'),
(11782, 11782, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The test run of a train on Bhanga-Rupdia route began on Saturday from Bhanga junction in Faridpur district as part of Padma Bridge Rail Link project.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The train left for Jashore’s Rupdia from Bhanga around 8:41 am in the morning, said Bhanga Rail Station master Zillur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md Shakhawat Hossian was the locomotive driver of the train and it will run with 120 km speed, he said adding it took only one hour to reach Rupdia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The train will leave for Bhanga from Rupdia rail station on March 31 and it will run on the route for some days on an experimental basis, said Zillur.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A festive mood is prevailing among people over the operation of the train service on Bhanga-Rupdia route.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The trial train run is under the observation of Bangladesh Army and high officials concerned of the Rail project.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Already, a train on Dhaka-Jashore route has launched and the last portion of the project is Bhanga-Jashore which is 87.32 km long.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 14, 2023, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the construction work on a rail link between Dhaka and Jashore under the ‘Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project.’</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The railway line is being constructed in three phases (plus a 3km link being built between Dhaka and Gandaria): 37km Gandaria-Mawa section, a 42km Mawa-Bhanga section, and an 87km Bhanga Junction-Jashore section. Some 43.2km of loops, siding and Y-connections bring the total track length to 215.2km.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The entire railway project from Dhaka-Jashore is scheduled to be completed by June, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There will be 20 stations from Dhaka to Jashore, of which 14 are new and 6 are already there. The previous stations are also being modernised. Once completed, trains will be able to run at a speed of 120 to 130 kilometres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">According to the railway sources, the Padma Bridge Rail Link project, a 172-km railway link being built to connect capital Dhaka to Jashore in the country’s south-west, is on course to be completed in June 2024. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 08:02:40', '2024-03-30 08:02:40'),
(11783, 11783, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh\'s most accomplished cricketer, finds himself at the center of a swirling debate regarding his commitment to the national team. His return to the team for the second Test starting tomorrow against Sri Lanka, after missing earlier matches in the series, has reignited questions about his priorities and the impact his sporadic appearances have on the team.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The left-handed all-rounder last appeared in a First-Class match a year ago, during a Test against Ireland in Dhaka. Now, after a year-long hiatus from the longest format of cricket, he is set to play another Test without any intervening First-Class appearances. He has not played any international matches in 2024, despite Bangladesh having played seven matches. While the reasons for his absence remain unclear, his abrupt end to the 2023 World Cup was due to a finger injury, which also caused him to miss the home Test series against New Zealand and the subsequent away T20I and ODI series against the same opponent following Bangladesh\'s disastrous World Cup outing.</div><div><br></div><div>Shakib\'s undeniable talent and past contributions are unquestioned. He is a genuine all-rounder, capable of winning matches with both bat and ball. However, in recent years, his appearances for the national team have been inconsistent, with breaks taken for personal reasons, injuries, and even political activities (while the Bangladesh team was busy playing against New Zealand in New Zealand late last year, Shakib was actively campaigning for the national election in his constituency, Magura district). This inconsistency has led to a sense of unease and frustration among fans and experts alike.</div><div><br></div><div>During the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shakib faced an eye issue that required medical attention. This issue reportedly affected him during the World Cup, contributing to his lean batting display, as he hinted in an interview with a cricket website. Despite this, he continued playing in the BPL, leading to rumors that he would take a break after the tournament. However, even before the BPL concluded, he contradicted earlier statements from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) by claiming that he had no issues with his eyes.</div><div><br></div><div>Ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, Shakib declared himself available, and the BCB promptly included him in the squad. This sudden turnaround has raised eyebrows and fueled the perception that Shakib dictates his own terms when it comes to playing for the national team. With his standout performances over the years, he made himself a difficult figure to criticize, though, the performance doesn\'t.</div><div><br></div><div>His absence from the earlier matches of the Sri Lanka series was attributed to personal activities, including brand endorsements. While these pursuits are understandable, their prioritization over national duty has left some questioning his commitment.</div><div><br></div><div>Shakib\'s leadership during the 2023 World Cup, which he himself acknowledged as one of Bangladesh\'s worst performances in the tournament, also comes under scrutiny. The team lost seven out of nine matches, including a shocking defeat to the Netherlands. This poor showing has led some to question his captaincy and ability to lead the team effectively.</div><div><br></div><div>Now, with his return for the second Test, Shakib\'s intentions and potential contribution are under the microscope. Is he returning to be the savior of a struggling team who lost the first Test by a margin of over 300 runs, or will his sporadic appearances further disrupt the rhythm and morale that the team is trying to build?</div><div><br></div><div>There are arguments to be made on both sides. On the one hand, Shakib\'s talent and experience are undeniable assets to the team. His presence can boost the morale of the players and provide much-needed stability in the batting and bowling departments. On the other hand, his inconsistent availability can disrupt team dynamics and make it difficult for the team management to build a cohesive unit.</div><div><br></div><div>Ultimately, the question of whether Shakib, in recent years, is a savior or disruptor for the Bangladesh national team remains open. His performance in the upcoming Test and his future commitment to the team will be crucial in determining the answer. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 08:13:32', '2024-03-30 08:13:32'),
(11784, 11784, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Bangladeshi man was killed and two others were wounded in firing by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members early Saturday along Lalmonirhat border in Kaliganj upazila.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased is Murali Chandra, 44, son of Shusheel Gidal of North Balapara area and the injured are Mizanur Rahman and Liton Mia, residents of neighboring Chandrapur area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to BGB, members of a patrol team of 75-Chitrakot BSF camp opened fire on some Bangladesh cattle traders along the border, leaving Murali dead and two others injured, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imtiaz Kabir, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kaliganj Police Station, confirmed the matter .</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lt. Colonel Md. Mofazzal Hossain Akand, commander of Lalmonirhat 15 BGB battalion, said that a flag meeting was held between the two countries over the death of the Bangladeshi national in BSF firing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 08:21:47', '2024-03-30 08:21:47');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11785, 11785, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An 8-year-old girl was the lone survivor after a bus full of pilgrims making their way to a popular Easter festival in rural South Africa slammed into a bridge on a mountain pass and plunged into a ravine before bursting into flames, killing all 45 others onboard.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was a tragic reminder of how deadly South Africa\'s roads become during the Easter period, when millions crisscross the country during the long holiday weekend. Authorities repeatedly warn motorists of the danger and had issued multiple messages urging caution just a day before Thursday\'s horrific crash.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The girl somehow survived after the bus carrying worshippers from neighboring Botswana careened off the bridge, fell more than 150 feet (50 meters) and caught fire as it hit the rocks below, according to authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The girl was in a stable condition in the hospital after being admitted with serious injuries and was \"in safe hands,” an official with the local health department said Friday. Details of her injuries were not released.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Forensic investigators retrieved what they believed were 34 of the 45 bodies but couldn\'t be certain of the exact number, reflecting the gruesome nature of the crash. Many of the victims trapped inside the bus were burned beyond recognition, authorities said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, an official with the Limpopo provincial health department, said only nine of the bodies recovered were likely to be identifiable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the victims, who appeared to all be from Botswana, were on their way to the rustic town of Moria in Limpopo province for the Easter weekend pilgrimage that attracts hundreds of thousands of followers of the Zion Christian Church.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The church has its headquarters in Moria and it was the first time the full pilgrimage was being held since the COVID-19 pandemic. Worshippers flocked to the small town which features a giant star — the church’s emblem — and the words “Zion City Moria” painted in white on a hillside.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The church was formed in South Africa in the early 1900s as a Christian denomination that also retains some African traditions. It has an estimated 7 million followers across the southern African region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ramathuba said South African authorities had asked church leaders from Botswana to come and help identify the victims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Good Friday and Easter Monday are national holidays in South Africa and many of its neighbors, when millions travel into, out of and across the nation. For some South Africans, it’s a chance to return to their home towns and villages from jobs in the cities. Migrants also travel back to their home countries to see family. Some, like the pilgrims that died on Thursday, make religious trips.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road travel can be treacherous; South Africa\'s Road Traffic Management Corporation reported that 252 people died in road crashes between Holy Thursday and Easter Monday last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities said it appeared the bus driver lost control and the vehicle slammed into the barriers along the side of the bridge and then went over the edge. The driver was among the dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South African Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga was in Limpopo province attending a road safety campaign when she was informed of the “devastating news” of the crash, according to the national Department of Traffic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ramathuba said she had been at an Easter prayer meeting when she was called to the crash scene on the Mmamatlakala bridge near the town of Mokopane, which is about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of the South African capital, Pretoria.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I attended the scene of the accident, but now our focus as the health department is on the brave little survivor. She is in safe hands in a hospital with experts looking after her,” Ramathuba told reporters. She declined to give details of the child\'s injuries, but authorities released a photograph of the child lying in a hospital bed and being examined by a doctor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ramathuba also declined to say if the child\'s parents or other family members were on the bus, saying authorities needed time to trace and inform families of the dead, who were mostly in Botswana.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, forensic investigators worked through the wreckage amid the rocks and steep cliffs. At least 11 bodies were believed still inside what was left of the charred bus, which was almost crushed flat, reports AP&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We were at the scene,” said local resident Simone Mayema, who said he was one of the first to arrive after the crash. “We tried to help (but) there was nothing we could do because there was flames.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 09:05:02', '2024-03-30 09:05:02'),
(11786, 11786, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In Bangladesh, motorcycles, with their ease of navigation and cost-effectiveness, have become a popular mode of transport. However, this preference comes with a significant drawback: motorcycles are at the epicenter of the nation’s road safety crisis. While there was a hopeful decrease in motorcycle-related accidents in the past year compared to 2022, these two-wheelers remain the most common protagonist in the tragic tales of road accidents across the country. The situation is dire, with not only deaths being a common outcome but an increasing number of individuals suffering life-altering injuries, including the loss of limbs.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR), a vigilant civic organization, illuminates this pressing issue with alarming statistics: from 2020 to 2023, 33-40% of all annual road accidents involved motorcycles. This figure has been on a distressing upward trajectory since the start of this year. According to the NCPSRR, the daily average ranges from 8 to 10 fatalities in 10 to 12 motorcycle accidents—a grim statistic that often escapes the attention of the national media spotlight.</div><div><br></div><div>The heart of this crisis is attributed to the presence of underage, unskilled, and unlicensed drivers on the roads. The lack of stringent enforcement by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and the police has been pinpointed as a contributing factor. Ashis Kumar Dey, the general secretary of NCPSRR, doesn’t mince words when he lists the reasons behind the spike in motorcycle accidents: the proliferation of motorcycles, including many that are unlicensed, and reckless driving habits are significant contributors. Dey strongly believes that both law enforcement and the regulatory body, BRTA, need to intensify their efforts.</div><div><br></div><div>To combat this escalating problem, Dey proposes a comprehensive crackdown on underage and unlicensed riders and unregistered motorcycles. He advocates for the implementation of mobile courts across all districts for three consecutive months, a bold strategy aimed at curtailing the rampant violations contributing to road safety hazards.</div><div><br></div><div>The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) adds a quantitative dimension to the discourse with its annual report, revealing that in 2023, 6,524 individuals, including 974 women and 1,128 children, lost their lives in 6,911 road accidents across the country. Motorbike riders and pillion passengers comprised a staggering 38.12% of these fatalities.</div><div><br></div><div>Delving deeper into the data, RSF provides a comparative analysis of motorcycle accidents and fatalities over recent years, presenting a grim narrative of increasing incidents and loss of lives, peaking in 2022. However, a glimmer of hope emerges from the 2023 statistics, showing a 14.83% decrease in accidents and a 19.54% drop in fatalities compared to the previous year. Despite this positive trend, Saidur Rahman, executive director of RSF, remains cautious, warning that this decrease should not be prematurely celebrated as a sign of sustained improvement in road safety.</div><div><br></div><div>Rahman further elaborates on the challenges at hand, pointing out that motorcycles constitute 71% of all motor vehicles in the country, with a significant portion of these riders being teenagers and young adults. This demographic exhibits a pronounced disregard for traffic laws, exacerbated by a lack of stringent monitoring and enforcement, leading to reckless behavior and tragic outcomes.</div><div><br></div><div>The discourse takes a critical turn as Rahman highlights the frequent clashes between motorcycles and larger vehicles such as trucks, covered vans, and buses. The drivers of these larger vehicles often lack the necessary skill or are overworked, contributing to their involvement in accidents with motorcycles. The inadequacy of the public transport system and the chronic issue of traffic congestion have further popularized motorcycles as a preferred mode of transport, despite the associated risks.</div><div><br></div><div>In a noteworthy development, Rahman acknowledges the role of increased awareness and the efforts of highway police in the recent decline in motorcycle accidents. Abu Raihan Md Saleh, Joint Commissioner (Traffic-North) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, supports this view, attributing the reduction in accidents to the rigorous enforcement of traffic laws. Saleh’s remarks underline the police’s commitment to curbing reckless riding, unregistered bikes, and license violations, although this has led to complaints from bikers about perceived overzealous policing.</div><div><br></div><div>Saleh also emphasizes the crucial role of parental responsibility in preventing underage and inexperienced individuals from taking to the roads on motorcycles. He expresses optimism that with heightened vigilance from parents and guardians, the trend of motorcycle accidents can be further curbed.</div><div><br></div><div>This multifaceted crisis of motorcycle safety in Bangladesh calls for a concerted effort from all stakeholders: law enforcement, regulatory bodies, civic organizations, and the community at large. The statistics and stories paint a clear picture of the challenge ahead, yet they also offer a blueprint for action. By addressing the root causes of motorcycle accidents and implementing targeted safety measures, Bangladesh can hope to navigate its way out of this perilous situation, making its roads safer for everyone. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 09:47:01', '2024-03-30 09:47:01'),
(11787, 11787, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality continued to be in the \'unhealthy\' zone this morning.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>With an air quality index (AQI) score of 154 at 9:01 am, Dhaka ranked 7th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div><br></div><div>India’s Delhi, Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 173, 170 and 161, respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>An AQI between 101 and 150 is considered \'unhealthy\', particularly for sensitive groups while an AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ and an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div><br></div><div>In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 10:10:29', '2024-03-30 10:10:29'),
(11788, 11788, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) continued their demonstration on Saturday against the alleged activities of Bangladesh Chhatra League activists on the campus where student politics is prohibited.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They boycotted all sorts of academic activities for the second consecutive day and demanded stricter action against those students who tried to revive student politics on the campus ignoring the ban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They gathered in front of Dr. M A Rashid administrative building in the the morning chanted slogans against student politics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 11, 2019, Buet authorities banned student politics after Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was beaten to death by a group of Chhatra League (BCL) activists at the university\'s Sher-e-Bangla Hall in the early hours of October 7.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid protests of general students, Buet authorities cancelled the hall allocation of Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi, a student of 21st batch of Civil Engineering department and also a member of BCL central panel, but no decision was taken about his expulsion as per the demand of the students.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protesting students gave an ultimatum to the university authorities seeking expulsion of Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi within 2 pm today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also demanded expulsion of those students whom they identified&nbsp; by analysing CCTV footages. They are ASM Anas Ferdous (ID: 1818004), Mohammad Hasin Arman Nihal (ID:2106101), Aniruddha Majumdar (ID:2106079), Zohirul Islam Emon (ID:2112031) and Sayem Mahmud Sajedin Rifat (ID: 2106126) for violating the rules of the university.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the students asked the university authorities to clarify its stance regarding the entrance of BCL men in the midnight and use of the seminar room for political purposes as it requires permission from Directorate of Students\' Welfare (DSW).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The students also sought resignation of Director of Student Welafare for ‘failing to do his duty and violating the regulation of the university’. They also declared to continue boycott of academic activities till March 31.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Buet authorities assured the protesting students of forming a probe to investigate the matter on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the midnight on March 28, BCL president Saddam Hussain along with other leaders and activists entered Buet campus when Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi, an executive member of BCL central panel, was present and allegedly played vital role in the entering of&nbsp; the BCL men.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, some leaders and activists of the newly formed BCL committees gave floral wreaths to the president, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of the gatemen of Buet seeking anonymity also confirmed the matter of using the auditorium in the midnight of March 28 by BCL leaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"34\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 10:57:49', '2024-03-30 10:57:49'),
(11789, 11789, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Gas supply in the country is expected to improve to some extent from the next week as a floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU), known as LNG terminal, is scheduled to resume operation from April 3 after end of its routine maintenance work.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to official sources, one of the two FSRUs went into maintenance programme last month, leading to a decline in the gas supply to the national grid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a result, the country’s gas supply came down by 500 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) to about 2,655 from.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the two FSRUs set up in Maheshkhali, one having 650 MMCFD capacity is owned and operated by US-based Excelerate Energy and another, having 500 MMCFD capacity, is owned and operated by Summit Group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Recently, the FSRU, owned and operated by Summit Group, came back from the maintenance programme and is now ready for operation. We hope it will resume operation from April 3 as per schedule,”&nbsp; Engr. Md. Kamruzzaman Khan, Director (Operation &amp; Mines), told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said resuming operation of the Summit’s FSRU will increase the gas supply by 500 MMCFD to the national grid which will improve the overall supply situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">said currently, Petrobangla can get a maximum 650 MMCFD gas supply from one FSRU. “But after Summit FSRU’s resumption of supply, we will get 1100-1150 MMCFD gas,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Petrobangla officials, however, said despite the Summit FSRU’s comeback, the country will continue to suffer from the gas crisis as there will remain a huge gap between gas demand and supply.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country’s gas demand is about 4000 MMCFD when FSRU will resume operation it will be able to increase the supply to maximum 3150, another official of Petrobangla said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Industries in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj have been experiencing an acute gas shortage for long due to the shortage in supply.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most of the industries in Gazipur do not get adequate supply of gas during their operational periods, the most crucial hours during which their machines need to be running. Inadequate supply manifests in the form of low pressure gas flow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Low pressure gas flow is akin to low voltage electricity - many appliances won\'t run, even though an electric charge is present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Due to the lack of gas supply, production in various factories is being disrupted and some&nbsp; are on the verge of shutting down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the ongoing gas crisis, important machines like generators and broilers in the dyeing section of the factories are not operating. This has been posing a great risk for the industries to continue their production and pushing them towards huge financial losses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Industry insiders said there are more than 300 factories in Kaliakoir and other areas in Gazipur.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All these industries have been suffering from the nagging gas crisis and some of them have already suspended their productions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each of the industries has more than 1000 workers. But following the gas crisis, they have to reduce their production target while some of them use CNG at a higher cost to continue their operations. - unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 11:21:37', '2024-03-30 11:21:37'),
(11790, 11790, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted another round of airdrop of humanitarian assistance into northern Gaza Friday to provide relief to civilians affected by the ongoing war.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The joint operation included two C-17 U.S. Air Force aircraft, and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S humanitarian assistance supplies,\" CENTCOM said on X.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The planes dropped over 46,000 US meal equivalents into northern Gaza, it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"During today\'s mission, approximately 26 bundles landed in the sea,\" it said. \"U.S. Central Command does not assess civilian harm or damage to infrastructure at this time but continues to monitor the situation\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pentagon previously said that safety is a \"top priority\" when planning the airdrops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In early March, the Department of Defense announced that it will undertake an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza to deliver up to 2 million humanitarian aid meals per day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack by Hamas which killed nearly 1,200 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nearly 32,500 Palestinians have since been killed and 74,900 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave\'s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 11:26:48', '2024-03-30 11:26:48'),
(11791, 11791, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The bodies of eight suspected migrants, believed to be victims of a boat accident, were found on a beach in southern Mexico\'s Oaxaca state on Friday, the prosecutor\'s office said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The victims were reportedly involved in an accident while traveling aboard a boat off the coast of Oaxaca,\" the prosecutor said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>It added that one man had survived the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>\"According to preliminary information, the people found may have been involved in a migration situation,\" the statement said, adding that the victims were believed to be \"of Asian origin\".</div><div><br></div><div>The shore where the bodies were discovered, Playa Vicente in San Francisco del Mar, sits along a route frequently used by people trying to reach the United States.</div><div><br></div><div>Thousands of undocumented migrants -- often fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries -- transit through Mexico each year trying to reach the US border.</div><div><br></div><div>According to official data, migrants apprehended last year while crossing Mexico included citizens of China, India and Uzbekistan.</div><div>The rising numbers of migrants have overwhelmed Mexican immigration facilities and shelters, while the government has come under increased pressure from the United States to tackle the issue, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 11:47:21', '2024-03-30 11:47:21'),
(11792, 11792, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said that the government hopes the United States authorities will take appropriate action if investigation finds New York Police Department officers guilty of “wrongfully” killing a Bangladesh youth.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Consul General of Bangladesh in New York went to the home of Win Rozario, a Bangladeshi youth who was shot by the police in the United States, and met the family. Speaking to the family, it appears that there was no need for the police to open fire. It is very sad. We regret the incident and an investigation is underway,” he told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NYPD officers fatally shot a youth in mental distress, wielding scissors, in his Queens home last Wednesday after he called 911. His family is now calling for justice over what they believe was a “wrongful killing”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the meeting of central leaders of Awami League with leaders of Rangpur division at the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital, the Foreign Minister replied to questions from reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a separate question, Hasan said efforts are underway to rescue MV Abdullah crew members and bring back the ship safely through communication with the Somali pirates.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I hope it will be resolved through discussion very soon. All the Bangladeshi sailors are in the cabin. They are fine. The pirates are not torturing them,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awami League Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud said that three military members of the rank of major, captain and sergeant of Myanmar have re-entered Bangladesh, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They are in the custody of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All Myanmar military personnel who entered Bangladesh earlier, including the three, will be sent back by sea soon, the Foreign Minister said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', '<p><b><i>Bangladeshi teen shot dead by NYPD officers</i></b><br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 11:53:46', '2024-03-30 11:53:46'),
(11793, 11793, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday alleged that the ruling Awami League&nbsp; doesn’t allow any opposition voice in the country.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said this while visiting the family of Rabiul Islam Nayan, jailed member secretary of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal Dhaka Metropolitan South, at his Moghbazar residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that it is natural that some people in Bangladesh will support Awami League, some will work for BNP or any other party.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh has fought for democracy, but it is now absent in the country. In these circumstances how shall we survive?,\" asked Moyeen Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He explained how Nayan\'s wife and his family members are being harassed for his political belief.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The family is not being allowed to move out elsewhere and police are constantly threatening them, said the BNP leader.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are urging the government&nbsp; to stop repression of opposition members,\" said Moyeen Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The people are now striving for democracy, right to vote and freedom of speech, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We demand that the government steps down paving way for holding a free, fair and participatory polls and ensure people\'s basic rights in the country,\" said the BNP leader.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the people of Bangladesh rejected the January 7 national polls as they did in 2014 and 2018, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">If AL wants to retain power by having people\'s love they have to ensure democracy, freedom of speech, right to vote for which the freedom fighters had&nbsp; sacrificed their lives in 1971, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We want to live in a free society for which we got separated from Pakistan. This is what the people of Bangladesh want,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, Replying to a reporter\'s query Dr Moyeen said BNP is fighting to go to power with popular votes, and not with backing of foreigners.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 12:54:30', '2024-03-30 12:54:30'),
(11794, 11794, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A college girl was allegedly raped by an Awami League leader of Tangail at gunpoint at his residence in Uttara area of the capital on Friday night.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victim filed a case under Women and Children Repression and Prevention Act against him with Turag police station early Saturday, said the police station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mostafa Anowar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Accused Golam Kibria alias Boro Monir, vice president of the Tangail city unit AL, took the girl to his flat in Priyanka city residential area (R/A) in Uttara and raped her there, according to the case statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Receiving a call from national emergency service 999, police rescued the girl from the flat on Friday night but didn’t find the accused there during the drive, the OC said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victim’s mother alleged that a woman was involved in the rape incident, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also alleged that police were dilly-dallying to take the case from Friday night and they were pressuring them to file a case against unidentified people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">OC Mostafa said legal action in this connection is underway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 13:18:36', '2024-03-30 13:18:36'),
(11795, 11795, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The university (BUET) administration agrees to the demands of the students and it requires time to follow due process to meet the demands, said Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) vice chancellor Satya Prasad Majumder.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The BUET VC said this while talking to media at his office on Saturday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Just before half an hour, BUET students ended their demonstration today, Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>They declared that they would boycott all academic activities, including term final exams scheduled to be held on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>BUET students demonstrated for the second day to press home their five-point demand, following a gathering of leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of ruling Bangladesh Awami League, on the BUET campus on Wednesday midnight, where student politics is banned.</div><div><br></div><div>The students demonstrated from 7:00am to 12:00pm on the campus on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>They alleged some outsider leaders and activists on Wednesday night entered the BUET campus and conducted political activities despite a ban on student politics after the murder of Abrar Fahad.</div><div><br></div><div>Civil Engineering department’s student Imtiaz Rabbi, BCL central committee member, is the main organiser of this political gathering.</div><div><br></div><div>The BUET campus was turbulent on Friday as the students registered a big protest.</div><div><br></div><div>The students demonstrated for five hours from 2:30pm to 8:00pm at a stretch placing a five-point demand.</div><div><br></div><div>They announced boycotting all the academic activities, including term final exams scheduled to be held on 30 and 31 March.</div><div><br></div><div>The demonstrating students updated their five-point demand.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Those are: expelling civil engineering department’s 21st batch student and BCL central committee member Imtiaz Rabbi permanently and cancelling his dormitory seat by 2:00pm today, as he was the main organiser of the political gathering on campus on Wednesday night violating the university’s rules; expelling five other students (ASM Anas Ferdous, Hasin Arman Nihal, Anirudh Majumder, Zahirul Islam, Sayem Mahmud) from their dormitories and from campus permanently; identifying those involved and ensuring their punishment; the administration has to issue a written notice for legal action against the entry of outsider political persons into the campus and implement it; resignation of the directorate of students\' welfare (DSW) for failing to discharge duties; a written undertaking about not taking any action to harass the demonstrating students.</div><div><br></div><div>After the demonstration of the students, the VC met newsmen. He said, \"We can expel Imtiaz from the dormitory. But the discipline committee has to call a meeting for term expulsion. An inquiry report will be required for the meeting of the discipline committee. The discipline committee cannot take any action without the inquiry report. If the punishment is given in this way, it will not stand in the court. So an inquiry will be required and the accused have to be given scope of self defence. We have to follow legal procedures. We have formed an investigation committee and it has started working. The six-member committee has time till 8 April. After receiving the investigation report, we will hear from the members of the committee.\"</div><div><br></div><div>About boycotting classes by the students, the VC said, \"We have not postponed the examination. They (students) boycotted it. They have not applied for the postponement of the examination. If they had applied, we would have considered it. They have made a mistake. The examination was held. But they were absent. As per the rule, the bell will ring whether the students come or not and this happened in BUET earlier. Later if they apply for examination, the academic council may consider.\"</div><div><br></div><div>When asked how BCL entered the BUET campus at midnight, Satya Prasad Majumder said, \"We will issue show cause notice to the security officer as to why he was allowed. He should not have allowed it. If anyone enters at midnight, it is illegal. Who has entered has to be identified. Punishment cannot be meted out before identifying. So it requires time. We will take legal action if any security guard allows outsiders.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Agreeing to the demands of students, the BUET VC said, \"It is not possible to implement demands in this way, by 9:00am or 2:00pm. What should be done to fulfill demands has been done. We will take action as per the rule when the inquiry report is submitted. We will not be able to do anything outside of the rule. If anyone is expelled out of the rule, that would not stand in the court. It requires time to do everything in accordance with the rules. As it is a month of Ramadan, extended time should have been given.\"</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the students of (Buet) continued their demonstration on Saturday against the alleged activities of Bangladesh Chhatra League activists on the campus where student politics is prohibited.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/R/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"34\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-30 14:12:30', '2024-03-30 14:12:30'),
(11796, 11796, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Cashless payments are adding to the joys of Eid shopping, traveling, Iftar and Sehri meals. Thanks to the hefty discounts offered by banks and mobile financial services (MFS) credit card holders are making best use of the facilities.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Banks keeping in mind the demand of different types of their customers, provide up to 80 percent discount, cashback, and buy one get one offers in purchasing products and services using credit and debit cards during this Eid festival.</div><div><br></div><div>Some banks are offering discounts on the purchase of various products including Eid clothes, shoes, and jewellery. In addition, iftar prices are discounted throughout the month of Ramadan. There are also many \'Eid gifts\' including buy one get one offers.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the people involved, the trend of increasing the prices of goods and services around the festival has been going on for a long time in Bangladesh. But with the passage of time, such a tendency is gradually decreasing; The picture is changing. Now in Bangladesh too, the prices of products are being discounted during the festival.</div><div><br></div><div>“Banks have added a new level in terms of discounts. They offer many benefits in avoiding cash, which discourages the risk of carrying cash and encourages purchases on cards. Banks have arranged special offers for their card holders,” Mashrur Arefin, Managing Director and CEO of City Bank told UNB while talking about Eid offers of banks.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that as many as 300 lifestyle stores offer up to 60 percent and more than 50 jewelery establishments offer up to 80 percent discount for their cardholders.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, customers will get up to 70 percent discount on online shopping payments. Besides, more than 130 restaurants have ‘buy one get one’ offer or up to 30 percent off on Iftar and Dinner.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from this, various offers have been announced on airfares for returning home and traveling abroad during Eid, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Encouraging a cashless society, currently, StanChart provides up to 60 percent discount, which is convenient to the customers in the use of seven types of credit cards to make Eid more enjoyable, said Sabbir Ahmed, head of consumer banking of StanChart.</div><div><br></div><div>“We hope our customers will go cashless to make the most of the benefits and privileges offered by our card offer\", he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Soumya Basu, Country Manager, Bangladesh, Nepal &amp; Bhutan of Visa told UNB, “We are on way to becoming a truly cashless Bangladesh with the rise of non-cash forms of payment.”</div><div><br></div><div>“During the holy month of Ramadan, we have witnessed that Visa cardholders continue to avail the benefits of digital payments – its convenience, inherent security, and speed – while they shop and spend online and offline,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We expect this trend of transacting digitally to accelerate in the days leading to Eid and are delighted to empower our cardholders with the security, ease of use, and power of the Visa network,” Soumya pointed out.</div><div><br></div><div>Moulude Hossain, Deputy General Manager, Strategy and Product, ‘Upay’ of UCB told UNB that upay has thousands of merchant points across the country so that our users can practice piety without any additional stress during the holy month of Ramadan and enjoy Eid festivity hassle-free.</div><div><br></div><div>To add further convenience to \"our users’ lifestyles, we have recently introduced UCB-upay co-branded prepaid card, which anyone can avail of even without having a bank account,\" he said,</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, upay brought the most exciting offers for its valuable users in Ramadan to double the joy of Eid festivity, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>More banks including Eastern Bank, Brac Bank, Bank Asia, NBRC Bank, AB Bank, and Islami Bank Bangladesh, among MFSs bkash and Naga dalo offer discounts in Eid in cashless shopping and travelling. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 08:11:20', '2024-03-31 08:11:20'),
(11797, 11797, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecasts rain or thundershower in parts of the country in 24 hours, starting from 9:00 am Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Rain or thundershower accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places in Mymensingh and Barishal divisions,” said a Met Office bulletin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Country’s highest temperature was recorded in Chuadanga at 36.5 degree Celsius in 24 hours till 6 am today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The highest rainfall, at 14 mm, was recorded in Kishoreganj’s Nikli. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 08:36:53', '2024-03-31 08:36:53'),
(11798, 11798, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A union parishad (UP) member was arrested over the gang rape of a female school student in Shariatpur’s Naria upazila on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liton Laskar, 50, is a member of Ward 3 of the Kedarpur Union Parishad of the upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liton and Sanjay Majumder, a part-time teacher of the school, called the victim to the library after the school closed on Sunday (March 24) and raped her, said Shariatpur Additional Superintendent of Police (Naria Circle) Ahsan Habib.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the police, Liton, who is the general secretary of the school\'s managing committee and a member of Kedarpur Union Parishad, had been harassing the girl for a long time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They threatened to kill the victim if she told anyone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After going home, the victim did not tell anyone at first, but on Thursday, she informed her mother and aunt. Later, the student was admitted to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Friday afternoon, the victim\'s mother filed a case at Naria Police Station, accusing Liton and Sanjay. Later, police arrested UP member Liton from the Mulfatganj area, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shariatpur ASP (Naria Circle) Ahsan Habib said efforts are underway to arrest the other accused, Sanjay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 08:55:44', '2024-03-31 08:55:44');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11799, 11799, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A number of students from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) are sounding the alarm over what they called a “worrying increase” in activities by the outlawed extremist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir. They reported a series of email campaigns throughout March, targeting hundreds of BUET students with what they described as “hate content.”</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a press briefing on the BUET campus on Saturday, a group identifying themselves as “general students” presented evidence of the emails. The content “decry the government as an obstacle to the establishment of Islamic rule,” and urge students to join efforts to overhaul the educational curriculum.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“These contents have been emailed to accounts of hundreds of current students in several phases throughout March, yet the issue seems to have been overlooked,” one of the students told media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They highlighted the efficiency with which Hizb ut-Tahrir activists have accessed a vast number of student email accounts, criticizing the university authorities’ apparent inaction. “It is alarming how Hizb ut-Tahrir activists got hold of such a large volume of email accounts, yet authorities remain reluctant to take any action,” they stated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Accusations have also been made against the Hizb-ut Tahrir and Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, for attempts to exploit student protests against campus politics for their gain. They referred to an earlier incident where some BUET students attended a secretive Islami Chhatra Shibir gathering in Sunamganj’s remote haor area, questioning the protesters’ silence on such matters, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They further referred to intimidation tactics along with criticism to alumni-led commemorative and national day tributes on campus, calling it a “biased stance”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"34\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 09:01:37', '2024-03-31 09:01:37'),
(11800, 11800, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Gas supply will remain suspended for emergency work on pipeline for 4 hours – from 10 am to 2 pm – in several Dhaka areas today.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The areas where gas supply is suspended include Khilgaon, Nandipara, Bashabo, Madartek, Goran, Sipahibagh, Rampura, Banasree, Mugda and Manda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adjacent areas may experience low pressure in gas supply, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd said, regretting the temporary inconvenience. According to UNB reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 09:12:59', '2024-03-31 09:12:59'),
(11801, 11801, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed a longtime aide and several advisers on Saturday in a continuing reshuffle while Russia unleashed fresh attacks overnight.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelenskyy dismissed top aide Serhiy Shefir from his post of first assistant, where he had served since 2019. The Ukrainian president also let go three advisers, and two presidential representatives overseeing volunteer activities and soldiers’ rights.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No explanation was given immediately for the latest changes in a wide-reaching personnel shakeup over recent months. It included the dismissal on Tuesday of Oleksii Danilov, who served as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Valerii Zaluzhnyi as head of the armed forces on Feb. 8. Zaluzhnyi was appointed Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom earlier this month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s air force said Saturday that Russia launched 12 Shahed drones overnight, nine of which were shot down, and fired four missiles into eastern Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia unleashed a barrage of 38 missiles, 75 airstrikes and 98 attacks from multiple rocket launchers over the last 24 hours, Ukraine\'s armed forces said in social media posts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two people were killed and one wounded in Russian shelling in Ukraine’s partially occupied Donetsk province, regional Gov. Vadym Filashkin said Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian energy company Centrenergo announced Saturday that the Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant, one of the largest thermal power plants in the eastern Kharkiv region, was completely destroyed following Russian shelling last week. Power outage schedules were still in place for around 120,000 people in the region, where 700,000 people had lost electricity after the plant was hit on March 22.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent days, causing significant damage in several regions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials in the Poltava region said Saturday there had been “several hits” to an infrastructure facility, without specifying whether it was an energy facility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the toll of Friday’s mass barrage of 99 drones and missiles hitting regions across Ukraine came to light on Saturday, with local officials in the Kherson region on Saturday morning announcing the death of one civilian. A resident of the Dnipropetrovsk region died in a hospital from shell wounds, according to regional Gov. Serhiy Lisak. - AP&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/fas</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 09:52:41', '2024-03-31 09:52:41'),
(11802, 11802, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The body of a member of Natore district women’s badminton team was recovered from a private female students’ hostel in Natore city last night.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased was identified as Nusrat Maria Boishakhi, daughter of Rakibul Mridha of Bahadur village under the district’s Singra upazila. Nusrat was a first year student of the local NS Government College.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The hostel’s residents informed that Nusrat had been staying in a room on the third floor of the hostel ‘Hafsa Chhatri Nibas’ in Uttar Borogachha area of the district since last January.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday night, after receiving no response from her for a long while, students informed the hostel owner Habibur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Being informed, local police and fire service broke into the room, and found Nusrat’s body hanging from the ceiling fan, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmuda Sharmin Neli, additional superintendent of police (Sadar circle), said she has already visited the spot and the reason behind the death would be known upon investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Primarily, it seems that she died by suicide, the police officer said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"38\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 10:08:23', '2024-03-31 10:08:23'),
(11803, 11803, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu said on Sunday that the first consignment of 1, 650 metric tonnes (MT) of onion will arrive in the county from India tonight.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He came up with the announcement while talking to reporters after a task force meeting on ‘commodity price and review of market condition’ at the conference room of the Commerce Ministry in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Onion will come from India tonight. Each kilogram of onion will be sold at Tk 40&nbsp; through open market sale (OMS) of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh in Dhaka and Chattogram within one day,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The state minister said 1, 650 MT of onion will come by the first train today and next consignments of imported onion will come in phases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has decided to import onion from neighbouring India through the G2G method after onion prices went up at the local market. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 11:01:02', '2024-03-31 11:01:02'),
(11804, 11804, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said there is no credit in projecting the country negatively at home and abroad.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He urged all to positively uphold the country, refraining from spreading propaganda.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s the responsibility of the media to call it white if it is white, and to call it black if it is black,\" said the Minister.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club hosted by International Relations Reporters Forum, Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin, International Relations Reporters Forum President Hasan Mahamud and General Secretary Mahamudul Haque Sujon also spoke at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister said that the opposition is working overtime to project Bangladesh negatively.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that some of their “paid agents” spread propaganda that creates confusion among people.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Mainstream media need to work against those who spread propaganda,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister referred to how the same group circulated propaganda centering the Padma Bridge and during the Covid-19 pandemic on vaccine issues.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Criticizing BNP for its call to boycott Indian products, Hasan said such politics does not bring any good for the country.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There can be criticism but not at the cost of the country’s image,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasan appreciated journalists for their efforts despite the profession facing multiple challenges, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Journalists work under pressure from multiple fronts. They are engaged in journalism as they love this profession. They are brilliant,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 13:40:23', '2024-03-31 13:40:23'),
(11805, 11805, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said the Awami League and their associate bodies embezzled people’s money in the name of development like quick rental, Padma Bridge, Metro Rail and flyovers.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“Not only AL and their associate bodies -Chhatra League, Jubo League, but also those who have supported AL shamelessly and helped it to suppress opposition are part of this looting, “he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He said these at an Eid gifts distribution programme organised by BangladeshJatiyayabadi&nbsp; Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) at BNP’s Nayapalton central office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He strongly criticised former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed’s role during BNP’s movement as he (Benazir) had tortured opposition leaders and activists brutally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“Today the nation has come to know he (Benazir) has built a haven on earth which beats the story of Alif Laila,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">How he has gained such a huge amount of wealth? Rizvi questioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Pointing at skyrocketing prices of commodities, he said purchasing of rice, pulse, oil, salt, fish, and meat has become difficult for common people, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Even people can’t arrange a drink to break their fast as lemon’s price has gone beyond their buying capacity, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">It is unbelievable that per kilogram date is being sold at Tk750 which is absolutely impossible for a day labourer or rickshaw puller to buy, Rizvi added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 13:57:01', '2024-03-31 13:57:01'),
(11806, 11806, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The government on Sunday set the automated retail prices of petroleum fuel for the month of April with effect from Monday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the new price, the diesel and kerosene will be sold at Tk 106 per litre instead of previous price at Tk 108.25, lowered by Tk 2.25 per litre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prices of octane and petrol have been kept unchanged at Tk 126 and Tk 122 per litre respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Energy and Mineral Resources Division set the new automated price through a gazette notification as per the government decision.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first automated price came into effect on March 7.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Issuing the gazette notification in this regard, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources in a clarification said that the new prices have been in line with the prices of the petroleum on the international market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the government on March 1 issued a “Fuel Pricing Guidelines” through a gazette notification to set an automated price for the petroleum fuel across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said the local prices will go up and down in line with the international price and every month such prices will be announced by the government for one-month tenure. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 14:05:12', '2024-03-31 14:05:12'),
(11807, 11807, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said that exemplary measures will be taken against wildlife trafficking and poaching in Bangladesh. Minister Chowdhury announced plans to implement harsher penalties for offenders, surpassing those in neighboring countries, and to bolster the Wildlife Crime Control Unit of the Forest Department. Additionally, he pledged to amend regulations for more effective enforcement.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment Minister Saber Chowdhury made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the Center for Research and Information convened on Sunday, 31 March 2024, at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss strategies for wildlife conservation and the prevention of illegal trafficking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Minister Chowdhury highlighted the importance of safeguarding wildlife, citing tigers as pivotal to the preservation of the Sundarbans. He expressed concern over Bangladesh\'s role as a transit point and domestic market for wildlife traffickers, underscoring the urgency of preventing unlawful activities. Furthermore, he stressed the imperative to protect the Chattogram Hill Tracts, a global biodiversity hotspot, through concerted efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Iqbal Abdullah Harun and senior officials of Centre for Research and Information were present on the occasion.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/R/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 15:01:02', '2024-03-31 15:01:02'),
(11808, 11808, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Detectives are investigating the incident that occurred in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said Harun or Rashid, Chief of Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DB chief came up with the information while talking to reporters on the BUET issue at his office in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about whether the Islami Chhatra Shibir is behind instigating the movement of the students, Harun, also the Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said “We are observing the situation and next steps will be taken after investigation.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The students of Buet have been staging demonstrations since Saturday against the alleged activities of Bangladesh Chhatra League activists on the campus where student politics is prohibited.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On March 28, BCL president Saddam Hussain along with other leaders and activists entered Buet campus when Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi, an executive member of BCL central panel, was present and allegedly played a vital role in facilitating the entry by the BCL men.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid protests of general students, Buet authorities cancelled the hall allocation of Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi, a student of 21st batch of Civil Engineering department and also a member of BCL central panel, but no decision was taken about his expulsion as per the demand of the students.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">On October 11, 2019, Buet authorities banned student politics after Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was beaten to death by a group of Chhatra League (BCL) activists at the university\'s Sher-e-Bangla Hall in the early hours of October 7. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"38\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 15:07:03', '2024-03-31 15:07:03'),
(11809, 11809, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that the government is closely investigating the recent incident at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), involving activists from the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Quader also expressed concerns over the potential for BUET to become a “breeding ground for negative political activities and militancy” if student politics are banned outright. “That day there were no political activities on BUET campus. And if I’m involved in politics, I can’t be on BUET campus — what kind of law is this?” — Quader stated during a dialogue with Chattogram division Awami League leaders and activists.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, made the remarks regarding the ongoing student protests at BUET. The situation intensified on March 28 when BCL president Saddam Hussain and others entered the campus, leading to the revocation of hall allocation for Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi, a BCL central panel member, by BUET authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>This incident underscores the tension following the tragic death of Abrar Fahad in October 2019, which resulted in a ban on student politics at BUET by the authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Furthermore, Quader reiterated the government\'s dedication to ensuring that the upcoming upazila parishad election is conducted freely and fairly. He urged party members to act responsibly and adhere to party discipline, cautioning against remarks that could jeopardize the party\'s integrity, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>In light of BNP leaders calling for boycotting Indian products and “restoration of democracy”, Quader dismissed these statements as empty rhetoric. “BNP is speaking the same language that Ayub Khan spoke in the Pakistan era. Now their issue is against India, and they’re trying to instigate an Indiaphobia.”</div><div><br></div><div>In response to BNP’s statement about the reserves, the minister said, “When BNP left power, Bangladesh\'s reserve was $3.5 billion. Now they are talking about reserves, when the reserve has exceeded $21 billion. This will increase further on the occasion of Eid.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 15:08:54', '2024-03-31 15:08:54'),
(11810, 11810, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh expects the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to extend greater support to accelerate the socioeconomic development of its people.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She conveyed the expectation to ADB Vice President (Sector and Themes) Fatima Yasmin who paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“Our main goal is the socioeconomic uplift of the country’s people and inclusive development. The government is attaching priority on the development of rural people,” the premier was quoted as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She told the ADB official that her government has focused on enhancing the purchasing power of the country’s people as it would help expand industrialisation and create more job opportunities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina mentioned the sectors like climate change adaptation, agriculture, river excavation and restoration where the Manila-based Asian Development Bank can increase its assistance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM called upon the ADP to take more people-centric projects so that a large number of people could benefit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fatima said Bangladesh is a top priority country for the ADB as the regional lender enhanced its support towards the South Asian country five times since 2009 to 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">She told the prime minister that ADB is keen to implement projects centering river restoration as well as river-based tourism, recreation centres and irrigation alongside prioritising climate change adaptation, human and social development, technical education and health sector projects, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Fatima served as the senior secretary in the finance division of Bangladesh before joining the ADB in September last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Economic Relations Division Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\",\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 15:15:20', '2024-03-31 15:15:20'),
(11811, 11811, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The cabinet committee on law and order on Sunday recommended extension of the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays by one day from April 9 to ensure hassle-free journey of holidaymakers.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The recommendation of the cabinet committee will be placed at the Cabinet meeting on Monday, said the committee chairman and also Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Depending on the sighting of Shawwal moon, the Eid-ul-Fitr is scheduled to be celebrated&nbsp; on April 10 or April 11 and the Eid holiday will be on April 10, 11 and 12.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 7, the people of the country will enjoy a holiday for holy Shab-e-Qadr and offices will remain open on April 8 and 9.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The proposal regarding the Eid holiday extension will be placed to the government on Monday, he said adding another proposal was sent to keep offices open on April 6(Saturday) instead of April 9.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the authorities concerned of banks have been asked to keep banks open in some industrial areas for payment of the salary of workers, said the minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Home minister will take steps in this regard after holding a meeting with the owners of factories so that the workers can get their wages, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Meanwhile, warning will be given to stop movement of unfit vehicles to mitigate sufferings of people. - unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 15:20:44', '2024-03-31 15:20:44'),
(11812, 11812, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli military strikes killed dozens of Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, health officials said, as Egypt hosted an Israeli delegation for a new round of talks in a bid to secure a truce with Gaza’s Hamas rulers.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The warring sides have stepped up negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a six-week suspension of Israel’s offensive in return for the proposed release of 40 of 130 hostages still held by Hamas militants in Gaza after their Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas has sought to parlay any deal into an end to the fighting and withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel has ruled this out, saying it would eventually resume efforts to dismantle the governing and military capabilities of Hamas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas would not be present at the talks in Cairo, an official told Reuters on Sunday, as it waited to hear from mediators on whether a new Israeli offer was on the table.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Israeli forces continued to blockade the two main hospitals, and tanks shelled areas in the middle and eastern areas of the territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Palestinian health officials said an Israeli air strike killed nine people in Bani Suhaila near Khan Younis, while another air strike killed four people in Al-Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Deir Al-Balah, health officials and Hamas media said an Israeli air strike hit several tents inside Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital, killing four people and wounding several, including some journalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Gaza City, Israeli forces continued to operate inside Al Shifa Hospital, the territory’s health ministry said. Residents living nearby said residential districts had been destroyed by Israeli forces near Al Shifa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I went out looking to buy some medicine from a pharmacy and what I saw was heart-breaking. Complete streets with buildings that used to stand there had been destroyed,” said Abu Mustafa, 49.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">.”..This is not war, this is genocide,” he told Reuters over the phone from Gaza City.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Like the rest of the 2.3 million population of Gaza, Abu Mustafa, a father of six, is struggling to provide his family with food in the north of the enclave, where the United Nations warned famine was imminent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve had enough, we sleep and wake up dreaming of a ceasefire that will end the war and preserve the lives of whoever remains in Gaza,” he said, refusing to give a name fearing Israeli reprisals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military (IAF) said forces operating in Al Shifa killed gunmen barricading the area and had found weapons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Several compounds used to launch anti-tank missiles and where snipers operated were struck by IAF aircraft” in the Rimal neighborhood near Shifa, the military said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It added that forces killed 15 gunmen in the central Gaza Strip and several in Khan Younis, including near Al-Amal hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel said it killed and detained hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen at Al Shifa during a raid. Hamas and medical staff deny any armed presence inside medical facilities, accusing Israel of killing and arresting civilians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the peace talks, Hamas also wants hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who were displaced from Gaza City and surrounding areas southward during the first stage of the war to be allowed back north.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, according to health authorities in the territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The war erupted after Hamas militants broke through the border and rampaged through communities in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Court on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel, accused by South Africa of genocide in Gaza, to take all necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies to the population. Source: Reuters&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-31 15:26:23', '2024-03-31 15:26:23'),
(11813, 11813, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh\'s Finance Ministry is tackling what it identifies as one of its most formidable challenges: significantly amplifying public expenditure to catalyse sustained growth within the private sector.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An official document from the ministry underscores that, in comparison to other economies, Bangladesh\'s government spending as a percentage of GDP markedly trails, thereby emphasising the urgency to augment investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Data from the World Economic Forum and the IMF (as of April 2023), reveal Bangladesh\'s public expenditure at 13.1% of its GDP, a figure that stands in stark contrast to countries like France at 58.5%, Sweden at 46.8%, and even neighbouring India at 28.8%. This discrepancy highlights the room for growth in Bangladesh\'s fiscal strategy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government, aiming to elevate GDP growth and living standards, views the expansion of its expenditure as crucial. This ambition is supported by the progressive implementation of reforms in Public Financial Management. Historically, the government has gradually increased its spending relative to GDP, signaling a positive trajectory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Outlined in the \'Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26)\' from the Finance Division, the government\'s medium-term strategy is geared towards securing inclusive and high growth. This strategy is aligned with Bangladesh\'s Vision 2041, the 8th Five Year Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on priority sectors including infrastructure, industrial production, food security, job creation, healthcare, and education among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In anticipation of the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), significant allocations have been dedicated to human resource development, particularly in education and skills training. The fiscal projections set public expenditure targets at 15.2% for the 2023-24 fiscal year, 15.4% for 2024-25, and 16.2% for 2025-26.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The document further highlights Bangladesh\'s progression to a lower-middle-income country, with aspirations to attain upper-middle-income status by 2031. This ambition aligns with the developmental targets set within the 8th Five Year Plan and reflects the government\'s commitment to resuming the rapid economic growth witnessed pre-COVID-19 and pre-Russia-Ukraine war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government prioritised life and livelihood protection, adopting an expansionary fiscal policy and channeling additional funds into critical sectors.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the global political and economic instability, these measures have begun to show promise, with expectations of returning to pre-pandemic growth levels and policies aimed at promoting pro-poor and inclusive growth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">As Bangladesh looks forward, the Finance Ministry is set on formulating strategies to enhance pro-poor growth, stimulate both domestic and international private investment, bolster public investment, curb inflation, generate employment, and alleviate the balance of payment pressures. These objectives underscore a holistic approach to not only recovering from recent global challenges but also setting a solid foundation for long-term, sustainable development. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 08:06:33', '2024-04-01 08:06:33'),
(11814, 11814, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) forecasts that around 15 million individuals are poised to exit the greater Dhaka area, including Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayanganj city corporation areas, for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An estimated 60% of these holidaymakers, roughly nine million people, will opt for road travel, while the rest will utilise waterways and railways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The projection, released in a press statement by NCPSRR on Monday, sheds light on the massive seasonal migration and its implications on transportation and safety.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite admitting potential inaccuracies due to the lack of a comprehensive database, NCPSRR\'s general secretary, Ashis Kumar Dey, stated that the report was compiled from a variety of sources, including research data, civic groups, and transport sector organizations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The committee has voiced concerns over the possibility of increased public suffering and accidents on the roads, similar to previous years. Nevertheless, it acknowledged the government\'s significant efforts to facilitate smoother Eid travel for millions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Drawing from the latest census, the report details the population distribution within the Dhaka division, noting that about 75% of the country\'s garment factories are in Gazipur. Workers, who predominantly reside in the Gazipur region, contribute to the large-scale exodus during Eid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, significant populations in Narayanganj and adjacent districts add to the surge of travelers seeking to return to their native places for the Eid holiday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report highlights several challenges faced by travelers, including the inadequate capacity of the road transport sector to manage the massive flow of people within a week leading up to Eid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Issues such as the poor condition of long-distance roads, over 500 risky turning points nationwide, and the manual collection of tolls exacerbating traffic congestion are identified as major obstacles to smooth travel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite these hurdles, the NCPSRR remains optimistic that the implementation of government measures could alleviate some of the public\'s difficulties on the roads during this peak travel period. The focus now shifts to ensuring that these initiatives are carried out effectively to enhance the Eid travel experience for millions. According to UNB reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 08:43:02', '2024-04-01 08:43:02'),
(11815, 11815, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The High Court on Monday stayed the decision of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) authorities restricting politics on the campus.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice KM Zahid Sarwar passed the order after hearing a petition filed by Imtiaz Rahim Rabbi, also a Buet student and a leader of Chhatra League, whose hall allotment was cancelled recently amid students’ protest against the gathering of some BCL leaders on the campus defying ban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the decision of Buet authorities banning politics on the campus, taken in 2019, should not be declared illegal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Secretary to the Home Ministry, Buet Vice-Chancellor and its registrar were made respondents to the rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior Advocate Shaha Manjurul Haque stood for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Samrendra Nath Biswas and assistant attorney general Abul Kalam Khan Daud represented the state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Advocate Manjurul said with this order there is no bar to continue student politics on the campus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 7, 2019, Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was beaten to death by a group of Chhatra League (BCL) activists at the university\'s Sher-e-Bangla Hall in the early hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 11, same year, Buet authorities banned student politics on the campus. It also issued a notification in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 19 2023, the Buet authorities again issued a notice prohibiting students and teachers from participation in politics on the campus. They issued the notice following media reports about the names of the members of BCL Central Committee where some students of Buet also got some posts in the committee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday night , some BCL leaders including the president Saddam Hossain entered the campus, sparking anger among general students.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The staged demonstrations the following day protesting bid to revive political activities of BCL. They also held a press conference in front of Buet Shaheed Mianr on that day and continued their demonstration till Friday evening after taking position in front of the office of Directorate of Student Welfare on the campus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the authorities concerned cancelled the hall allocation of Imtiaz who allegedly played a vital role in facilitating the entry of the BCL men.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A probe body was formed in this connection and it was asked to submit its report within April 8. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 09:47:41', '2024-04-01 09:47:41');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11816, 11816, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Jamdani weavers are working round the clock at Noapara Jamdani palli in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj to make new and fashionable Jamdani sarees with hope of good sale during Eid.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visiting the Jamdani palli, the correspondent found that weavers are working relentlessly spinning the yarn with hands. The workers are not getting a chance to rest. This busyness runs from 5 am to 10 pm every day. Sometimes the clock goes past 10 pm to 11pm or even 12 pm. Such busyness is going on almost every day as Eid-ul-Fitr is around the corner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jamdani traders and BSCIC officials concerned expect a sale of Tk 150-160 crore on the occasion of Eid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to official sources, there are 407 entrepreneurs in 407 plots in the area under BSCIC Jamdani industrial estate. They have total 1,665 looms and about 3,500 people have been employed here. They have to do all the work without machines.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maidul Islam, who has been weaving sarees at Jamdani palli for 20-22 years, said that the work pressure has increased a lot due to upcoming Eid. “There is no opportunity to rest amid the pressure of work,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Weaver Nadeem said, “I have been weaving Jamdani sarees for 17 years. On the occasion of the upcoming Eid, the work has increased like every year. We want the work to increase. If the work increases, it will be good for the owners, financiers and workers.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shamim, a worker of Jamdani palli, said, “Earlier I used to come to the workplace at 9 am. Now I have to come at 5 am. Earlier I used to go home in the evening. Now I have to return home sometimes at 10 pm or 11 pm. Now the workload has increased.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ruhul Amin, owner of Junaid Jamdani Weaving, said, \"Our market is being destroyed due to Indian Jamdani. They weave jamdani by machine. They can sell at lower prices as their production costs are lower. But we can\'t. They can sell a saree for Tk 2000. But we need yarns of Tk 2000 to weave a Jamdani saree. We cannot sell a saree below Tk 5000.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Earlier we used to sell 100 sarees every month, but now our sales have reduced to half because of Indian sarees,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shah Alam, son of a Jamdani artisan family, said, “Now I see that Jamdani is sold online. But many people don\'t know about Jamdani saree. India\'s machine-made sarees are being sold as&nbsp; Jamdani. Actually those are not Jamdani sarees. If you want to buy original Jamdani sarees, you have to come to BSCIC.\", “Our Jamdani sarees are being exported. We are weaving new sarees&nbsp; targeting Eid. Now if you come to the palli, you will get a good saree,”he added, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zahirul Islam, officer of Rupganj Jamdani Industrial City, said that there are all kinds of entrepreneurs here. Some sell more and some less.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It can be assumed that those who have 15-20 looms will sell sarees worth Tk 1-1.5 crore during Eid-ul-Fitr. And those who have fewer looms will sell a little less. We are expecting total sales of Tk 150-160 crore this year in Jamdani Industrial Estate,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 10:02:18', '2024-04-01 10:02:18'),
(11817, 11817, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Demanding salary and Eid bonus, workers of Keya Knit Composite Limited in Konabari Jarun area of Gazipur blocked a road earlier today.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sumon Mia, administrative officer of the factory, said the workers are owed salary for the month of February. It has been announced that all their dues will be paid before Eid. Still, they did not join work and took to the streets, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>KM Ashraf Uddin, officer-in-charge of Konabari Police Station, confirmed the matter, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Police went to the spot and asked them to move away from the road. After talks with the workers, they were taken to the factory, and the situation is normal now, the OC said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 10:39:44', '2024-04-01 10:39:44'),
(11818, 11818, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday said student politics on the university campuses is not the problem, the concern is over the control of a single student organision on the campuses.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Buet authorities will take decision whether they will allow student politics on the campus or not. Because of that (Abrar Fahad killing) the Buet authorities had banned student politics on the campus, they will see whether such situation is still continuing or not and take decision accordingly,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said these while talking to reports after visiting injured BNP Natore district unit’s join convener Dewan Shahin at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Dewan Shahin recently got seriously injured in an attack allegedly by some Awami League men.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member,&nbsp; said the situation at Jahangirnagar University is worse where Bangladesh Chhatra League secretary Manik had celebrated ‘rape century’. “It was stigma for the nation. But&nbsp; AL considers this shame as ornaments.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They are behaving recklessly with the support of the administration, he alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said ruling Awami Legue (AL) is staying in power unleashing atrocities and by using muscle power against oppositions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the last 15 years Natore BNP leaders have been facing inhuman torture by AL men. “Despite oppression the leaders and activists did not leave BNP. The scenario of torture on BNP men across the Bangladesh is same to Natore,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Terming AL as an isolated political party, Gayeshwar said without terrorist activities they (AL) could not survive in politics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In this situation we have to raise our voice and get ready to give reply to their brutality,”he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question from reporters, the BNP leader said the government is waiting to hear the death news of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said, “I guess sweetmeat will be distributed at Gano Bhaban once they hear her death news.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have nothing to expect from this government. But what they are doing with the BNP Chairperson will be considered as a planned murder,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 10:53:46', '2024-04-01 10:53:46'),
(11819, 11819, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury said the government is working committedly for climate adaptation actions by spending 3.5 billion dollars every year. But actually, 9 billion dollar is needed for adaptation activities.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said collaboration among Government, NGOs and international development partners are important in this regard.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said government will empower communities, particularly women, to overcome&nbsp; climate challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment Minister said these while launching UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)\'s the Nature-Based Adaptation Towards Prosperous &amp; Adept Lives &amp; Livelihoods in Bangladesh (NABAPALLAB) project at a national program held at Hotel Intercontinental, in the Capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Minister Chowdhury said two critically important ecological areas, namely the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, and Hakaloki Haor, a vital breeding ground for birds and fish, will be worked on to be protected.&nbsp; Surrounding communities will be collaborated with to minimize disruptions to these habitats while providing training in income generation and natural disaster preparedness. communities will be involved in training in eco-friendly technologies, promoting sustainable resource management practices, and introducing solutions like saline-tolerant crops, renewable energy, and climate-resilient housing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sarah Cooke, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Additional Secretary (Environment) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Fahmida Khanom, Ramesh Singh, Regional Director of CARE Asia; Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, the Chief Conservator of Forests; Climate Expert Professor Dr Ainun Nishat and Selina Shelley Khan, Chief of Party, NABAPALLAB also spoke in the occasion.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Representatives of donor agencies, representatives of local communities, guests, and staffs working to protect Bangladesh\'s environment were also present in the occasion.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/R/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 11:01:15', '2024-04-01 11:01:15'),
(11820, 11820, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In view of the High Court\'s statement that “There is no obstacle to student politics in Bangladesh University of Engineering (Buet), Vice-Chancellor Dr. Satya Prasad Majumdar today gave a clear indication that student politics might be returning to Buet campus.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to the media at his office today, the Buet VC said, “We have to accept what the High Court says.&nbsp; Court order must be obeyed. To implement this, we have to go through some process,” reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Vice-Chancellor said that in order to maintain discipline on the campus, students, teachers and the administration have to reach a mutual decision, and for this to happen, discussion is necessary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We will look into the matter based on discussion among teachers, students and the administration,” the Buet VC added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"38\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 11:24:30', '2024-04-01 11:24:30'),
(11821, 11821, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A female student of Jahangirnagar University (JU) on Monday lodged a written complaint of sexual harassment against a teacher of Marketing department&nbsp; in the name of counselling several times.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victim, a student of Marketing department,&nbsp; lodged the complaint to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell of the university in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on March 23, the student in a Facebook post brought the allegation of sexual harassment against teacher Assistant Prof Saju Saha.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Assistant Prof Saju Saha sexually harassed me in the name of counselling. Besides, he put his hand on me. He wanted to grab my feet in the restaurant to hook up with me. Because of this, I could not even do the class properly,” reads the post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“He is so confident that I can\'t prove anything... Because he didn\'t left anything to prove. But what I have is enough to prove his guilt. Even after so much harassment, I believed he would feel guilty. But there is no sign of regret in him. I maintained good behavior to finish the department (completion of academic study),” the post also reads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the Facebook post, the accused teacher repeatedly tried to convince the victim saying that his political career will spoil once the matter gets disclosed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On March 24, Saju Saha also lodged a general diary with Mirpur Model Police Station seeking legal action against the student for uploading the Facebook post for maligning him on social media, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about the harassment, the teacher defended himself saying, “I\'m surprised. In fact, all of a sudden, I don\'t even understand the allegations. I don\'t even understand what I did. As far as I understand from reading her post, it seems strange to me. She can say it better. I will follow legal path.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The department’s chairman&nbsp; Associate Prof Dr Ariful Haque said they have seen the Facebook post&nbsp; but so far they have not received any complaint from the student in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said, “we will take necessary measure once the complaint is lodged.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"38\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 11:29:33', '2024-04-01 11:29:33'),
(11822, 11822, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The first consignment of 1, 650 metric tonnes (MT) of onion that arrived in the country on Sunday night is being handed over to dealers in Dhaka and Chattogram.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gholam Khorshed, additional director of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), said 1,650 tons of onions on 42 wagons, reached Sirajganj Bazar rail yard around 6am on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the unloading of the onion began around 9 am, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the first consignment, 1,000 tons of onions are being handed over to 100 dealers in Dhaka district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The remaining 650 tons of onion will be sent to Gazipur and Chattogram, said Gholam Khorshed, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that the government has decided to import onion from neighbouring India after onion prices went up at the local market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each kilogram of onion will be sold at Tk 40 through open market sale (OMS) of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh in Dhaka and Chattogram within one day, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 11:42:40', '2024-04-01 11:42:40'),
(11823, 11823, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The autobiography of the Father of the Nation, “Unfinished Memoirs”, has been translated into Bhutanese (Dzongkha) language.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia and granddaughter of the Father of the Nation, Saima Wazed, and Princess of Bhutan Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck launched the Dzongkha version of the book on March 31 in Thimphu.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat was present at the launching ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>The “Unfinished Memoirs” of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been translated into Dzongkha language by the most prominent writer and Commissioner of Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies (CBS) Dasho Karma Ura, with an initiative of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bhutan.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>At the launching ceremony, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk, Agricultural Minister Yonten Phuntsho, Home Minister Lyonpo Tshering, Industry, Commerce &amp; Employment Minister Namgyal Dorji represented the Royal Government of Bhutan.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A large number of dignitaries including Ambassador of Kuwait in Bhutan, Ambassador of Bhutan in Bangladesh, Head of Diplomatic Missions and UN offices in Thimphu, secretaries, academicians, intellectuals, researchers, expatriates Bangladeshi nationals were also present at the program held at Zhichenkhar in Thimphu.</div><div><br></div><div>At the launching program, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Saima Wazed said the Dzongkha translation of the autobiography will create new opportunities for cultural connection and the book will serve as a milestone for the researchers of Bhutan and Bangladesh to unearth new information.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She thanked the Royal Government of Bhutan and Centre for Bhutan Studies for publishing the Dzongkha version of the significant book.</div><div><br></div><div>In the welcome speech, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan Shib Nath Roy paid respect to the Father of the Nation and elaborated the connection of Wangchuck Dynasty and family of the Father of the Nation.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>At the launching ceremony, the essence of the book was presented by Counsellor Sujan Debnath with Bangladeshi and Bhutanese students.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The students read out some portion of the Dzongkha, English and Bangla versions of the book.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The book was published from PT printing in Thimphu. After the launching, copies of the book were given to all the attending guests.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Embassy informed that the book will be distributed to the libraries, universities, colleges, research centers and monk bodies of Bhutan. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 12:09:08', '2024-04-01 12:09:08'),
(11824, 11824, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Cabinet Division on Monday rejected the proposal of the cabinet committee on law and order for extending the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays by one day.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rejection came from the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office, said Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The cabinet rejected the proposal of the cabinet committee on law and order for extending Eid holidays as already the government officials will enjoy long holidays and if April 9 is declared holiday, it will be longer that may hinder flow of work,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Earlier, the cabinet committee on law and order recommended extension of the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays by one day from April 9 to ensure hassle-free journey of holidaymakers, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Depending on the sighting of the Shawwal moon, the Eid-ul-Fitr is scheduled to be celebrated on April 10 or April 11 and the Eid holiday will be on April 10, 11 and 12.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">On April 7, the people of the country will enjoy a holiday for holy Shab-e-Qadr and offices will remain open on April 8 and 9.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 13:03:15', '2024-04-01 13:03:15'),
(11825, 11825, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>France: France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has slammed “unacceptable acts” against the Muslim community after a boar head was found near a mosque in the east of the country.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A prosecutor said a probe into “incitement to racial hatred” had been opened after worshippers at a mosque in the village of Contrexeville in the Vosges region discovered the animal’s head on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Darmanin late Saturday said that two other mosques in northern France had also been “degraded.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This weekend mosques in Valenciennes and Fresnes-sur-Escaut were degraded. A mosque in the Vosges was also targeted. I firmly condemn these unacceptable acts against out Muslim compatriots,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incidents come during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which believers fast from dawn till dusk and focus on prayers. - AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 13:46:47', '2024-04-01 13:46:47'),
(11826, 11826, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israel\'s military has pulled out of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City after a two-week raid that has left most of the major medical complex in ruins.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gaza\'s Hamas-run health ministry said dozens of bodies have been found and locals said nearby areas were razed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had killed 200 \"terrorists\", detained hundreds more and found weapons and intelligence \"throughout the hospital\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IDF said it raided al-Shifa because Hamas had regrouped there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two-week operation saw intense fighting and Israeli air strikes in nearby buildings and the surrounding area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wards were attacked because Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives were using them as a base, the IDF said, accusing them of fighting inside medical departments, setting off explosives and burning hospital buildings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Images published following the Israeli withdrawal showed Palestinians walking near the charred main buildings with chunks of wall missing and carrying bodies wrapped in blankets. Graphic photos showed corpses partially exposed on the churned ground.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The health ministry said dozens of bodies, some decomposed, had been found in and around the medical complex which was now \"completely out of service\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A doctor told AFP news agency more than 20 bodies had been recovered, some crushed by withdrawing vehicles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A spokesperson for Gaza\'s Hamas-run civil emergency service said Israeli forces had used bulldozers to dig up the grounds of the complex and exhume buried bodies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Hamas government media office said Israeli forces had killed 400 Palestinians in al-Shifa and the surrounding area, including a female doctor and her son, who was also a doctor. Israel has not yet commented.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IDF said its troops killed 200 \"terrorists\" and detained more than 900 people, of whom more than 500 were subsequently found to be affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad - which Israel, the UK and other countries proscribe as terrorist organisations. The suspects had been transferred to the intelligence services for further interrogation, it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IDF said \"forces found large quantities of weapons, intelligence documents throughout the hospital, encountered terrorists in close-quarters battles and engaged in combat while avoiding harm to the medical staff and patients\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An IDF spokesman said more than 6,000 people had been in the hospital complex, mostly civilians, at the start of the raid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday night that 21 patients had died, with patients moved multiple times and held without medical care.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Patient Barra al-Shawish told Reuters news agency that the Israeli troops had allowed in a \"very small amount of food\". \"No treatment, no medicine, nothing, and bombing for 24 hours that didn\'t stop and immense destruction in the hospital,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of the patients were being moved to al-Ahli hospital, about 3km (1.8 miles) to the south-east, a medic at al-Shifa told Reuters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gaza\'s hospitals have been a main focus of the current war, with thousands of Palestinians seeking shelter from Israeli bombardment in their grounds and Israeli forces storming the facilities because they say Hamas fighters are present there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel has long accused Hamas of using civilian health infrastructure as a cover to launch its operations, which the group denies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two weeks ago, it took hundreds of Israeli forces just a few hours to approach and enter the Gaza Strip\'s largest hospital. That was in marked contrast to their first controversial raid there in November, when it took several weeks for large numbers of tanks and vehicles backed by heavy air strikes to close in on the site.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For supporters of the Israeli military this has been evidence of the gains it has made during the war and its tactical success, launching a surprise attack on the enemy to strike it hard. An IDF spokesman previously referred to the operation as \"one of the most successful of the war so far\" because of the intelligence gleaned as well as numbers killed and detained.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, some commentators suggest the second al-Shifa raid highlights flaws in Israel\'s military strategy for the war. They argue that it shows the ease with which Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters were able to regroup after Israel pulled its forces out of northern Gaza and the urgent need to come up with a convincing post-war plan to govern the territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday the Gaza health ministry appealed for international help to restart medical care at Nasser hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. The biggest hospital in southern Gaza has been out of action since the Israeli military stormed it in February.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The war began when Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. About 130 of the hostages remain in captivity, at least 34 of whom are presumed dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 32,800 Palestinians have been killed and 75,000 injured in Gaza since Israel launched its military campaign, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. It says 70% of those killed were women and children. Source: BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 14:04:50', '2024-04-01 14:04:50'),
(11827, 11827, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A court in Pakistan has suspended former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s jail sentence in a case related to illegal selling of state gifts.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were each handed a 14-year sentence in the case on January 31 – just a week ahead of the February 8 elections, which Khan’s party alleges were rigged.</div><div><br></div><div>The Islamabad High Court on Monday said the couple’s sentence will remain suspended until a decision is taken on the case after the Eid holidays, which begin in 10 days.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan, 71, is accused of not disclosing assets based on the sale of state gifts worth more than 140 million rupees ($504,000) he received when he was the prime minister from 2018 to April 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>The case was brought by Pakistan’s anticorruption agency, which accused Khan and his wife of unlawfully buying and selling the gifts.</div><div><br></div><div>The sentencing had made the couple ineligible to contest for public office for 10 years while also slapping a fine of 787 million rupees ($2.8m) on each of them.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan, founder of the main opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been in prison since August last year on several charges.</div><div><br></div><div>The conviction in the state gifts case came a day after the cricket star-turned-politician was handed a 10-year prison term for revealing state secrets.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan and his wife were also convicted for seven years when a court on February 3 ruled that their 2018 marriage violated Islamic law.</div><div><br></div><div>PTI politician Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, a close aide of Khan, told Al Jazeera he was confident of a favourable outcome given the way the state gifts case was progressing in the court.</div><div><br></div><div>“I have said this since the conviction that the cases against Khan and his wife do not have the legs to stand on and it was only a matter of time before they would get thrown out,” he told Al Jazeera.</div><div><br></div><div>“We welcome this decision and hopefully this will be the outcome in all other cases against Khan and his wife as they are all frivolous in nature.” - Al Jazeera&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 14:15:05', '2024-04-01 14:15:05'),
(11828, 11828, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that they will not let Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) to become a “hub of militancy” in the name of depoliticisation.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Awami League Joint General Secretary made the remarks while addressing, as the chief guest, a discussion marking the 56th anniversary of Bangladesh Film Journalists’ Association on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and actor Ferdous Ahmed MP spoke as special guests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasan said that there was always student politics in Buet and many seasoned politicians of the country have come from the institution, reports UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"A group boycotted the election and then looked to foreigners to see if anything happens in their favour. But as world leaders congratulated the Prime Minister, their hopes were not fulfilled. They are the ones who want to depoliticise the entire country starting with Buet,\" Hasan said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister said an untoward incident happened in Buet but they have to find out whether banned militant groups are active there amidst ban on progressive politics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There has been an incident of expulsion of a Buet student from the campus for being involved in politics outside the campus — there is question about what kind of decision this is,\" said the Minister.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I respect the movement of ordinary students in Buet. But there is fear of Buet turning into a hub of militancy, taking the opportunity of ordinary students\' movement. This is not acceptable at all. It is also necessary to see whether militancy has entered Buet or not,\" Hasan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister also laid importance on cultural practices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Raju Alim, Minister (Press) of Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi; Shaban Mahmud, President of BFUJ; Omar Farooq, Convener of Editors\' Forum; Rafiqul Islam Ratan and Rimon Mahfuz, among others, were present.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-01 15:42:18', '2024-04-01 15:42:18'),
(11829, 11829, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A man was burnt to death and eight were injured as an oil tanker overturned and several vehicles caught fire on Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar on Tuesday morning.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased was identified as Nazrul Islam, 45. Details about him could not be known immediately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The injured were identified as Milon Molla, 22, Al-Amin, 35, Nironjan, 45, Helal, 30, Abdus Salam, 35, Sakib, 24, Md Al Amin, 22, and Mim, 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of them, Helal and Sakib sustained 100 percent burn injuries, Milon 45 percent, Mim 20 percent, Al Amin 10 percent, Nironjan 8 percent, Abdus Salam 5 percent and Md Al Amin 15 percent respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">They are undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said the institute’s resident surgeon Dr Md Tarikul lslam, adding that Nazrul succumbed to his injuries upon arrival there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Witnesses said the oil tanker overturned and caught fire when it hit a road island on the Aricha-bound lane in Jordpul area around 5:35 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fire spread fast engulfing a private car, one cement-laden truck, one watermelon carrying truck and a lorry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On information, six firefighting units from Savar and Hemayetpur rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, said Savar Fire Service and Civil Defence Station Master Nurul Islam, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka district’s Traffic Inspector (Admin) Shahidul Islam said vehicular movement resumed around 9 am, three hours after the damaged vehicles were removed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, vehicles were seen stuck on both sides of the highway due to the incident, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 07:43:56', '2024-04-02 07:43:56');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11830, 11830, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An apparent Israeli airstrike killed four international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen charity and their Palestinian driver late Monday, hours after the group brought in a new shipload of food by a maritime route the United States has hoped would be an alternative lifeline for northern Gaza, isolated and pushed to the brink of famine by Israel\'s offensive.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Footage showed the bodies of the five dead at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah. Several of them wore protective gear with the charity’s logo. Staff showed the passports of three of the dead – British, Australian and Polish. The nationality of the fourth aid worker was not immediately known.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military said it was conducting a review “to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, said it was aware of the reports and would “share more information when we have gathered all the facts.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This is a tragedy. Humanitarian aid workers and civilians should NEVER be a target. EVER,” WCK spokeswoman Linda Roth said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmoud Thabet, a Palestinian Red Crescent paramedic who was on the team that brought the bodies to the hospital, told The Associated Press the workers were in a three-car convoy that was crossing out of northern Gaza when an Israeli missile hit. Thabet said he was told by WCK staff the team had been in the north coordinating distribution of the newly arrived aid and were heading back to Rafah in the south.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The source of fire could not be independently confirmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three aid ships from Cyprus arrived earlier Monday carrying some 400 tons of food and supplies organized by the charity and the United Arab Emirates — the group\'s second shipment after a pilot run last month. The Israeli military was involved in coordinating both deliveries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.S. has touted the sea route as a new way to deliver desperately needed aid to northern Gaza, where the U.N. has said much of the population is on the brink of starvation, largely cut off from the rest of the territory by Israeli forces. Israel has barred UNRWA, the main U.N. agency in Gaza, from making deliveries to the north, and other aid groups say sending truck convoys north has been too dangerous because of the military\'s failure to ensure safe passage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UNRWA said in its latest report that 173 of its “colleagues” have been killed in Gaza in the violence. The figure does not include workers for other aid organizations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World Central Kitchen board member Robert Egger and the media reported that the Australian killed in Monday night\'s strike was 44-year-old Zomi Frankcom from Melbourne.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was urgently seeking to confirm reports of an Australian death. The department said in a statement: “We have been clear on the need for civilian lives to be protected in this conflict.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike came hours after Israeli troops ended a two-week raid on Shifa Hospital, Gaza\'s largest, leaving the facility largely gutted and a swath of destruction in the surrounding neighborhoods. Footage showed Shifa\'s main buildings had been reduced to burned-out husks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel said it launched the raid on Shifa because senior Hamas operatives had regrouped there and were planning attacks. The military said its troops killed 200 militants in the operation, though the claim that they were all militants could not be confirmed, and Palestinians coming to the site after the troops withdrew found bodies of civilians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">OTHER DEVELOPMENTS MONDAY:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Syrian officials and state media said an Israeli airstrike destroyed the Iran’s consulate in Syria, killing two Iranian generals and five officers. The strike appears to signify an escalation of Israel’s targeting of</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iranian military officials and their allies in Syria. The targeting has intensified since Hamas militants — who are supported by Iran — attacked Israel on Oct. 7.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel, which rarely acknowledges such strikes, said it had no comment. Iran’s ambassador, Hossein Akbari, vowed revenge for the attack “at the same magnitude and harshness.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would shut down satellite broadcaster Al Jazeera immediately after parliament passed a law Monday clearing the way for the country to halt the Qatari-owned channel from broadcasting from Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Netanyahu called the network the “terror channel” and accused it of harming Israeli security, participating in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and inciting violence against Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Al Jazeera condemned his remarks, calling them “a dangerous and ridiculous lie” and saying they were Netanyahu’s justification “for the ongoing assault” on the media network and press freedom. In a statement, the network vowed to persist in its reporting with “boldness and professionalism.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">RAID LEAVES SHIFA IN RUINS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Shifa raid gutted a facility that had once been the heart of Gaza’s health care system but which doctors and staff had struggled to get even partially operating again after a previous Israeli assault in November.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest assault triggered days of heavy fighting for blocks around Shifa, with witnesses reporting airstrikes, the shelling of homes and troops going house to house to force residents to leave. Israeli authorities identified six officials from Hamas’ military wing they said were killed inside the hospital during the raid. Israel also said it seized weapons and valuable intelligence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the troops withdrew, hundreds of Palestinians returned to search for lost loved ones or examine the damage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the dead were Ahmed Maqadma and his mother — both doctors at Shifa — and his cousin, said Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a Palestinian-British doctor who volunteered at Shifa and other hospitals during the first months of the war before returning to Britain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fate of the three had been unknown since their phone suddenly went dead as they tried to leave Shifa nearly a week ago. On Monday, relatives found their bodies with gunshot wounds about a block from the hospital, said Abu Sitta, who is in touch with the family.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohammed Mahdi, who was among those who returned to the area, described a scene of “total destruction.” He said several buildings had been burned down and that he counted six bodies in the area, including two in the hospital courtyard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 21 patients died during the raid, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted late Sunday on X, formerly Twitter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes and has raided many hospitals across the territory. Critics accuse the army of recklessly endangering civilians and of decimating a health sector already overwhelmed with wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the top military spokesman, said Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group established their main northern headquarters inside the hospital. He described days of close-quarters fighting and blamed Hamas for the destruction, saying some fighters barricaded themselves inside hospital wards while others launched mortar rounds at the compound.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hagari said the troops arrested some 900 suspected militants during the raid, including more than 500 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters, and seized over $3 million in different currencies, as well as weapons. He said the army evacuated more than 200 of the estimated 300 to 350 patients. Two Israeli soldiers were killed in the raid, the military said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The war began on Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s offensive since has killed at least 32,845 Palestinians, around two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. The Israeli military blames the civilian toll on Palestinian militants because they fight in dense residential areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The war has displaced most of the territory’s population and driven a third of its residents to the brink of famine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Netanyahu has vowed to keep up the offensive until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages are freed. He says Israel will soon expand ground operations to the southern city of Rafah, where some 1.4 million people — more than half of Gaza’s population — have sought refuge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he faces mounting pressure from Israelis who blame him for the security failures of Oct. 7 and from some families of the hostages who blame him for the failure to reach a deal despite several weeks of talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. Tens of thousands protested Sunday, demanding Netanyahu do more to bring home the hostages in the largest anti-government demonstration since the start of the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas and other militants are still believed to be holding some 100 hostages and the remains of 30 others, after freeing most of the rest during a cease-fire last November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. According to AP reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 07:49:06', '2024-04-02 07:49:06'),
(11831, 11831, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In the wake of the High Court\'s decision to overturn the ban on student politics at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), students convened a press briefing at 6:02 pm on Monday, voicing their aspiration for a campus devoid of political activities.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the briefing, the students articulated their reverence and trust in the nation\'s judiciary, emphasizing their stance against the incursion of external political figures onto the campus, notably the incident on March 28 deemed a breach of university regulations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to align with the wishes of the Buet teachers and students in sustaining a politics-free educational environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In contrast, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, addressing the media on Monday afternoon, welcomed the High Court\'s decision as a restoration of constitutional rights previously curtailed by the university\'s administrative policies. Hossain expressed optimism about the resumption of regular student political activities at Buet, pledging to pursue this objective in accordance with the High Court\'s directive and Buet\'s ordinances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buet\'s administration has declared its intention to comply with the High Court\'s decision, signaling a potential shift in the campus\'s political landscape.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Subsequent to these developments, supporters of the Bangladesh Chhatra League at Buet organized a procession, culminating in a tribute at the Buet Shaheed Minar. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"34\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 07:58:14', '2024-04-02 07:58:14'),
(11832, 11832, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The two-month honey harvesting season in the Sundarbans, spanning from April 1 to May 31, kicked off on Monday with an official ceremony in the Satkhira range of the western Sundarbans.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event, which took place at the Burigoalini Government Primary School in Shyamnagar upazila, Satkhira, was inaugurated by local lawmaker SM Atual Haque Dolan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Highlighting a commitment to both livelihood and conservation, the ceremony witnessed the surrender of 24 deer hunters, led by Anarul Islam, who vowed to transition to a lawful lifestyle. Additionally, the event addressed the plight of five women widowed by tiger attacks in the Sundarbans, providing them with essential food supplies and financial support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apiarists seeking to harvest honey from the dense forests were granted permits following comprehensive training. These permits, issued adjacent to the Burigoalini Forest Office, empower trained harvesters to venture into the forest while adhering to safety and conservation guidelines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans West Division, Dr. Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, announced enhanced patrolling measures to ensure the safe and sustainable collection of honey.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized the importance of adhering to nine specific directives aimed at preserving the ecosystem, including prohibitions on the use of fire, flammable substances, and chemicals for bee driving, with the caveat that permit violations would result in cancellation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year\'s harvesting target is set at 2,500 quintals of honey and 750 quintals of wax, predominantly from the Satkhira range, a noted hotspot for honey in the Sundarbans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reflecting on the significance of the honey harvesting season, data from the Forest Department reveals a consistent contribution to the economy, with notable revenues generated from honey and wax sales in recent years. The 2021 season saw 1,012 permits issued, resulting in the collection of 3,376.90 tonnes of honey and 113.09 tonnes of wax, generating substantial revenue. The success continued in 2022, with even higher revenue figures and the collection of 2,320 quintals of honey and 696 quintals of wax.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the season unfolds this year, the Sundarbans honey harvesting initiative represents a delicate balance between the economic needs of the local communities and the imperative to protect one of the world\'s most vital ecosystems. According to UNB reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 08:26:18', '2024-04-02 08:26:18'),
(11833, 11833, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh\'s economy made a strong turnaround from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the post-pandemic recovery continues to be disrupted by high inflation, a persistent balance of payments deficit, financial sector vulnerabilities, and global economic uncertainty, says the World Bank in its twice-yearly update.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Released today, the latest Bangladesh Development Update says that urgent monetary reform and a single exchange rate regime will be critical to improve foreign exchange reserves and ease inflation. Greater exchange rate flexibility would help restore balance between demand and supply in the foreign exchange market.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals have helped the country overcome many past challenges,” said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Faster and bolder fiscal, financial sector, and monetary reforms can help Bangladesh to maintain macroeconomic stability and reaccelerate growth,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Structural reforms will be key to diversify the economy and build resilience over the medium and long term, including measures to raise government revenues to support investments in infrastructure and human capital, said the global lending agency.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Persistent inflation eroded consumer purchasing power, while investment was dampened by tight liquidity conditions, rising interest rates, import restrictions, and increased input costs stemming from upward revisions in administered energy prices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Private sector credit growth slowed further in FY24, reflecting a broader slowdown in investment.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio in the banking sector remains high and understates banking sector stress due to lax definitions and reporting standards, forbearance measures, and weak regulatory enforcement.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The balance of payments deficit moderated over the first half of FY24 driven by a surplus in the current account.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report’s companion piece, the latest South Asia Development Update — Jobs for Resilience, also released today, says that South Asia is expected to remain the fastest-growing region in the world for the next two years, with growth projected to be 6.0% in 2024 and 6.1% in 2025.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Growth in South Asia is expected to be driven mainly by robust growth in India and Bangladesh, and recoveries in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But this strong outlook is deceptive, says the report. For most countries, growth is still below pre-pandemic levels and is reliant on public spending.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Persistent structural challenges threaten to undermine sustained growth, hindering the region’s ability to create jobs and respond to climate shocks.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Private investment growth has slowed sharply in all South Asian countries and the region is not creating enough jobs to keep pace with its rapidly increasing working-age population.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“South Asia’s growth prospects remain bright in the short run, but fragile fiscal positions and increasing climate shocks are dark clouds on the horizon,” said Martin Raiser, World Bank Vice President for South Asia.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“To make growth more resilient, countries need to adopt policies to boost private investment and strengthen employment growth.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Asia’s working-age population growth has exceeded than that in other developing country regions.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The share of the employed working-age population has been declining since 2000 and is low.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2023, the employment ratio for South Asia was 59%, compared to 70% in other emerging markets and developing economy regions.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is the only region where the share of working-age men who are employed fell over the past two decades, and the region with the lowest share of working-age women who are employed, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“South Asia is failing right now to fully capitalize on its demographic dividend. This is a missed opportunity,” said Franziska Ohnsorge, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If the region employed as large a share of the working-age population as other emerging markets and developing economies, its output could be 16% higher.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', '<p><b>Urgent monetary reform,&nbsp;</b><br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 08:40:38', '2024-04-02 08:40:38'),
(11834, 11834, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Last night, in a heart-wrenching incident in Chattogram\'s Phalmondi area, under Kotwali police jurisdiction, the body of a seven-year-old girl was found in a dumpster. The case is being treated as a suspected murder following a sexual assault.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local residents stumbled upon the body, which was concealed inside a sack, next to a police box on road No.1 around 9:45 pm last night. The discovery prompted immediate police action.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station, SM Obaidul Huq, reported that upon receiving information, law enforcement officials retrieved the body and transferred it to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue to undergo an autopsy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Assistant Police Commissioner of Kotwali Zone, Atanu Chakraborty, noted that the victim bore injury marks and signs suggesting she might have been strangled or poisoned. The presence of bleeding led to the preliminary conclusion that the girl was a victim of assault before her death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The identity of the young girl is currently under verification as the police continue their investigation into this tragic event. According to UNB reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 09:08:34', '2024-04-02 09:08:34'),
(11835, 11835, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Iran and one of its key proxies vowed Tuesday to respond to a strike widely attributed to Israel that demolished Iran\'s consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus and killed seven, including two Iranian generals.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran\'s state TV reported Tuesday that the country\'s Supreme National Security Council, a key decision-making body, met late Monday and decided on a “required” response to the strike. The report said the meeting was chaired by President Ebrahim Raisi, but provided no further details.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel has repeatedly targeted military officials from Iran, which supports militant groups fighting Israel in Gaza, and along its border with Lebanon. Monday’s strike in Damascus signaled an escalation because it struck an Iranian diplomatic mission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was not clear if Iran would respond itself, risking a dangerous confrontation with Israel and its ally the United States, or if it would continue to rely on proxies, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.\'</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The airstrike in Syria killed Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who led the elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. It also killed Zahedi’s deputy, Gen. Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi, and five other officers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah said Tuesday that Zahedi played a crucial role in helping “develop and advance the work” of the group in Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This crime will certainly not pass without the enemy receiving punishment and revenge,” Hezbollah said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza nearly six months ago, those proxies have stepped up attacks, leading to near daily cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel, and frequent Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. Hamas, which rules Gaza and attacked Israel on Oct. 7, is also backed by Iran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel, which rarely acknowledges strikes against Iranian targets, said it had no comment on the latest attack in Syria, although a military spokesman blamed Iran for a drone attack early Monday against a naval base in southern Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel has grown increasingly impatient with the daily exchanges of fire with Hezbollah, which have escalated in recent days, and warned of the possibility of a full-fledged war. Houthi rebels have also been launching long-range missiles toward Israel, including on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran\'s official news agency IRNA said Tuesday that Iran relayed an important message to the United States late Monday and that it called for a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. The message to Washington was delivered through a Swiss envoy in Tehran; Switzerland looks after U.S. interests in Iran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">IRNA said Iran holds the United States, Israel\'s closest ally, responsible for the strike. - AP&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 09:21:29', '2024-04-02 09:21:29'),
(11836, 11836, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The latest Bollywood movie \"Crew\" was released at Star Cineplex on Monday for the Bangladeshi audience, marking the first Hindi film that Star Cineplex has imported through the SAFTA agreement.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since its release in India on March 29, the film has been garnering good responses in the country’s cinema halls. Discussions have been going on for quite some time about the movie \'Crew\' featuring three heroines from three generations of Bollywood, and audiences have been eagerly waiting for the film’s Bangladesh release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the release, Star Cineplex\'s senior marketing officer, Mesbahuddin Ahmed, said, “The movie \'Crew\' is being released in Bangladesh through a SAFTA agreement. For the first time, we are importing and releasing Hindi movies.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We noticed that our audiences expressed their interest in watching \'Crew\' alongside its Indian release, and many anticipating moviegoers have already contacted us to know its schedule. As per rules, Hindi movies cannot be showcased during the upcoming Eid festival, so the shows of the films will be off during Eid,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The movie narrates the difficult lives of air hostesses or flight attendants in the airline business. However, the movie \'Crew\' is being the talk of the town for its ensemble cast featuring three heroines from three generations of Bollywood: Tabu, Kareena Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Produced by Rhea Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and Ekta Kapoor, ‘Crew’ is directed by Rajesh Krishnan and highlights the current plight of the airline industry. Tabu and Kareena have worked together for the first time in this comedy-genre movie. - unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 09:32:00', '2024-04-02 09:32:00'),
(11837, 11837, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>PSG\'s 2-0 win over Olympique de Marseille at the Velodrome put Kylian Mbappe on course to equal Cristiano Ronaldo\'s record for the longest unbeaten run in his career against a given team.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On this occasion, the French international went 16 games without defeat against the Marseille side, equalling Cristiano\'s tally against Espanyol. With the particularity that both players won 14 games and drew two.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those numbers distance him, almost definitively, from the record held by Lionel Messi, who is unbeaten in just 13 games against Racing Santander, whom he beat 11 times and, like the Frenchman and the Portuguese, drew twice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What Cristiano, Mbappe and Messi do have in common is that all three are unbeaten against four teams they have played more than 10 games against in their careers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While CR7 remains unbeaten against Espanyol (14 wins and two draws), Newcastle (11 and 3), Bolton and Deportivo La Coruna (9 and 1), Mbappe has never lost against OM, the team he has faced the most in his career (14 wins and two draws), Montpellier (14 and 1), St.-Ettiene (9 and 3) and Brest (9 and 1).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The striking statistic between the three is that while Mbappe and Messi have the balance of more wins than defeats against all their rivals, something that Cristiano\'s does not have, who against Messi\'s Barcelona has a balance of more defeats (15) than wins (10). - Marca</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 10:23:30', '2024-04-02 10:23:30'),
(11838, 11838, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Approximately 22.5 lakh individuals are projected to leave the greater Dhaka area using waterways for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, according to the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF). This figure represents only 15 percent of the total number of holidaymakers expected to depart from Dhaka and its surrounding areas, including Gazipur and Narayanganj.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The SCRF released these insights on Tuesday through a press release summarizing their pre-Eid observation report. It was noted that the majority of these passengers would be traveling to the greater Barishal region, with others heading towards Chandpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Munshiganj, and Hatia in Noakhali.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year\'s figures show a decrease from two years ago when 25 percent of travelers opted for waterways, a change attributed partly to the opening of the Padma Bridge in 2022, which led to a 40 percent reduction in waterway passengers to coastal districts, with the exception of Chandpur and Hatia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The SCRF report anticipates the travel rush to commence on April 4, with all waterway passengers expected to leave between April 4 and April 10, the day before Eid. Daily, Sadarghat terminal is set to see about 3.21 lakh people pass through.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, concerns have been raised regarding the navigability of waterways and the shortage of vessels. Currently, only 31 of the originally 41 waterways from Dhaka are operational due to these challenges. Despite this, the number of launches is expected to increase to about 175 before Eid, with 87 of these departing from Sadarghat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report highlights the pressure on launches, many of which are expected to carry double or triple their capacity, exacerbating the risk of accidents and public suffering. With many launches having a capacity of less than 1,000 people, the surge in passengers, especially in the three days leading up to Eid, poses significant safety concerns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">In response, the SCRF has called for immediate action from relevant authorities, including enhanced surveillance and security measures at waterways and terminals, to mitigate the risks associated with overcapacity and ensure a safer travel experience for Eid holidaymakers.</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 10:53:40', '2024-04-02 10:53:40'),
(11839, 11839, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday requested Russia\'s state-run atomic agency Rosatom to consider&nbsp; building&nbsp; a second nuclear power plant in Rooppur.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She made the request when Rosatom DG Alexey Likhachev called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the call on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina told Rosatam that her government seeks to build another nuclear power plant at Rooppur on completion of the on going project.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She pointed out that technical survey needs to be conducted at the initial stage for setting up two new units.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister directed&nbsp; completion of all formalities of taking back Spent Nuclear Fuel of first and second units of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to Russia.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DG of Rosatom gave assurance on behalf of the Russian government on taking back the Spent Nuclear Fuel produced by the first and second units to the Russian Federation and promised to complete all the necessary&nbsp; formalities on time as per the instructions of the prime minister.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka and Moscow have already signed an inter-state agreement regarding the return of the Spent Nuclear Fuel of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina thanked Russia for helping Bangladesh in energy security, especially the construction of the Rooppur&nbsp; nuclear power plant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that it was the dream of Bangabandhu to set up a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, and it is being implemented.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She recalled the assistance of Russia during the Liberation War of&nbsp; Bangladesh in 1971 and subsequent help in rebuilding the war-ravaged country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister also conveyed her greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his reelection.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Rosatom DG apprised the prime minister of the progress in building the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the RNPP will go to production by 2025 and start to supplement electricity supply&nbsp; to the national grid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that 85 percent works of the RNPP has been completed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He proposed to the government to build two new nuclear power units (Unit-3 and Unit-4) in Rooppur nuclear power project area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DG noted that the construction of the new Unit-3 and Unit-4 should be started as soon as the construction of the first two units is completed.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this context, he also said that the expansion of existing nuclear power projects is more profitable and reasonable from the financial point of view and in the light of technical and nuclear safety which is considered internationally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that some 2500 staffs including Bangladeshi and Russians have been working in the project who gained their expertise.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina asked the Rosatom DG to utilise Bangladeshi expertise in other nuclear power plant construction projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Rosatom DG said that due to the pandemic and sanctions there were obstacles, but the work continued&nbsp; with its usual&nbsp; pace.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister said that the obstacles were avoided technically.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman was present among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At present, the construction work of two units (1200 x 2 = 2400 MW) each having a capacity of 1200 MW in Rooppur project area is in final stage.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The physical start-up of the first unit will begin in December this year. Commercial power generation will start in 2025 and 2026 from Unit-1 and Unit-2. According to UNB reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 11:38:49', '2024-04-02 11:38:49'),
(11840, 11840, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A 23-year-old worker was killed and two others injured when three girders of an under-construction bridge collapsed on them at Soydabad in Sirajganj Economic Zone on Monday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased was identified as Zubayer, son of Mahmud Ali of Sirajganj municipality area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sirajul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said three girders of an under-construction bridge collapsed on three workers when they were working under the bridge around 10:30 am, leaving one dead on the spot and two others injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On information, police and a firefighting units rushed to the spot and sent the injured workers to Shaheed M Mansur Ali Medical College and hospital. - unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 12:56:38', '2024-04-02 12:56:38'),
(11841, 11841, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has pushed Bangladesh to cultural, political and economic subordination of a neighouring country.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said this while distributing Eid clothes among the poor on behalf of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman during an event organized by Zia Projanmo Dal (ZPD) at the party’s Nayapalton central office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They are trying to repress whatever is our own and derives from our soil,” the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizvi said those who can afford usually host Iftar parties to feed close relatives, poor and the needy people. This has been long-established culture and religious practice in the country, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He, however, alleged that this year some organisations are not being allowed to hold Iftar parties on the university campus or outside.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They (govt) don’t like it. They are attacking the cultural values of the country’s majority people”, he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader alleged that the prime minister is doing this to fulfill her masters will.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We could not realise it primarily. But if we think deeply, we understand how they are intervening into the cultural and religious beliefs of the country’s majority people”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard Rizvi defended his call to boycott Indian goods.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Why shall we buy their share or toothpaste as they are not respecting our people and our values,” he said adding, “They kill our people along the border on regular basis.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There are treaties and protocol on border killing, but BSF doesn’t bother it. They are frequently killing our people in the border,” he alleged, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to India the BNP leader said “they claim they are a democratic country. But they don’t recognise Bangladesh’s sovereignty, independence and democratic process. Nor do they respect Bangladeshi people. They stand only beside one political party helping it retain power permanently. They certified them, and lobbied worldwide for them (AL), Rizvi said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He questioned why would people use their products since they don’t respect their will and ignore the other political parties for the sake of one party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 13:09:44', '2024-04-02 13:09:44');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11842, 11842, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Four people were killed and more than 50,000 affected after a thunderstom wreaked havoc in Assam. Trees and electric poles were uprooted and numerous houses damaged as the downpour lashed several parts of the state on Sunday evening.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“A boat carrying 15 passengers capsized when it was coming from Sishumari Ghat to Nepurer Alga. A 4-year-old child died in this incident and two others including a child and a 60-year-old man are still missing. The SDRF team is engaged in a search and rescue operation. The NDRF team is also coming. The boat was capsized due to a heavy storm. Search and rescue operations will be continued...\" said Circle Officer, Pranjal Sarmah Baruah.</div><div><br></div><div>Another woman was killed in Cachar after being caught in the midst of the storm while two people died due to lightning strikes.</div><div><br></div><div>45 villages spread across across 10 districts have been affected by the inclement weather. 24 houses have been damaged extensively while another 243 suffered partial damage. According to an update shared by the Chief Minister\'s office, six people have been admitted to the SMCH in Silchar after suffering injuries due to lightning strikes.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Inclement weather also caused extensive damage in parts of Manipur and West Bengal over the weekend. Strong winds, heavy rains, and lightning struck southeastern Manipur and Assam\'s Jorhat on Sunday, causing damage to several houses, crops, and livestock shelters. Thoubal\'s Sapam Leikai and Khongjom villages in Manipur were among the most affected areas with severe damage to houses, buildings and crops.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile several people were killed and over 100 injured as a cyclonic storm passed through Jalpaiguri district of Bengal. Both Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor CV Ananda Bose visited the affected areas on Monday.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“Sad to know that sudden heavy rainfall and stormy winds brought disasters today afternoon in some Jalpaiguri-Maynaguri areas, with loss of human lives, injuries, house damages, uprooting of trees and electricity poles etc. District administration will provide compensation to next of kin in the case of the deaths, and the injured as per rules and following the MCC (model code of conduct),\" Banerjee had tweeted soon after the storm. - mint</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 14:11:08', '2024-04-02 14:11:08'),
(11843, 11843, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Land Minister Narayan Chandra Chanda today said that the capacity of the Land Reforms Board will be increased.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Land Minister made this statement while addressing the chief guest at a meeting held to inform the activities of the Land Reforms Board at the Board\'s conference room in Bhumi Bhaban, Tejgaon, in the capital today evening. Chairman of the Land Reforms Board, Md Abdus Sabur Mondal, was also present at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Land Minister told that the Ministry of Land is directly overseeing various field-level activities during this transitional period of implementing smart land services. He emphasized that after the implementation of the smart land service program, the agencies under the ministry will be fully responsible for supervising day-to-day activities, with the Ministry of Land playing a regulatory role.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, the Land Minister highlighted the importance of identifying khas and government land currently under illegal occupation, as well as identifying water bodies that have been filled or encroached upon. He stressed the need for necessary measures to be taken for their restoration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chairman of the Land Reforms Board pledged to the Land Minister that the board would fulfill its responsibilities under the Ministry of Land\'s 180-day program.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also present at the meeting were Land Reforms Board member Shashanka Shekhar Bhowmik and officials from the Ministry of Land and the Land Reforms Board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/R/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 14:31:44', '2024-04-02 14:31:44'),
(11844, 11844, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday requested Russia\'s state-run atomic agency Rosatom to consider&nbsp; building&nbsp; a second nuclear power plant in Rooppur.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She made the request when Rosatom DG Alexey Likhachev called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the call on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina told Rosatam that her government seeks to build another nuclear power plant at Rooppur on completion of the on going project.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She pointed out that technical survey needs to be conducted at the initial stage for setting up two new units.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister directed&nbsp; completion of all formalities of taking back Spent Nuclear Fuel of first and second units of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to Russia.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DG of Rosatom gave assurance on behalf of the Russian government on taking back the Spent Nuclear Fuel produced by the first and second units to the Russian Federation and promised to complete all the necessary&nbsp; formalities on time as per the instructions of the prime minister.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka and Moscow have already signed an inter-state agreement regarding the return of the Spent Nuclear Fuel of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina thanked Russia for helping Bangladesh in energy security, especially the construction of the Rooppur&nbsp; nuclear power plant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that it was the dream of Bangabandhu to set up a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, and it is being implemented.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">She recalled the assistance of Russia during the Liberation War of&nbsp; Bangladesh in 1971 and subsequent help in rebuilding the war-ravaged country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister also conveyed her greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his reelection.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Rosatom DG apprised the prime minister of the progress in building the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the RNPP will go to production by 2025 and start to supplement electricity supply&nbsp; to the national grid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that 85 percent works of the RNPP has been completed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He proposed to the government to build two new nuclear power units (Unit-3 and Unit-4) in Rooppur nuclear power project area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DG noted that the construction of the new Unit-3 and Unit-4 should be started as soon as the construction of the first two units is completed.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this context, he also said that the expansion of existing nuclear power projects is more profitable and reasonable from the financial point of view and in the light of technical and nuclear safety which is considered internationally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that some 2500 staffs including Bangladeshi and Russians have been working in the project who gained their expertise.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina asked the Rosatom DG to utilise Bangladeshi expertise in other nuclear power plant construction projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Rosatom DG said that due to the pandemic and sanctions there were obstacles, but the work continued&nbsp; with its usual&nbsp; pace.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister said that the obstacles were avoided technically.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman was present among others, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At present, the construction work of two units (1200 x 2 = 2400 MW) each having a capacity of 1200 MW in Rooppur project area is in final stage.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The physical start-up of the first unit will begin in December this year. Commercial power generation will start in 2025 and 2026 from Unit-1 and Unit-2.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 15:06:32', '2024-04-02 15:06:32'),
(11845, 11845, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Noting the disproportionately high number of road accidents involving motorcycles in the country, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman requested all to refrain from using this mode of transport for inter-district journeys, like going home to their village for Eid-ul-Fitr.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Huge pressure of vehicles was seen during Eid. Accidents may occur during this period so people have been requested to refrain from going to their village homes by motorbikes,” he said while talking to reporters in front of a shopping mall in city’s Panthapath area.</div><div><br></div><div>We also asked policemen not to use motorbikes considering their safety, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>This year, no local buses, plying inside Dhaka, will be allowed to go outside Dhaka and police are working in it, said the DMP Commissioner.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, initiatives were taken to prevent mugging and stealing in empty Dhaka streets and police are on high alert, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question about any specific threat centering Eid, Habibur said there is no information of specific threat till now, reports unb</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, necessary steps have been taken to prevent unfit vehicles from plying the roads and action will be taken against those involved in violating traffic laws.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question about worsening traffic in the remaining days of Ramadan as Eid shopping picks up, the DMP commissioner said although the capital\'s shopping malls don\'t provide adequate parking facilities for their own patrons, that did not mean they will be allowed to park their vehicles haphazardly.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite failing to provide an adequate parking space for their patrons, market authorities have been asked to take steps for adequate parking.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-02 15:25:27', '2024-04-02 15:25:27'),
(11846, 11846, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Sikder Group, a prominent business conglomerate in Bangladesh, has issued a statement in response to various media reports regarding a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against its directors, Rick Haque Sikder and Ron Haque Sikder. The group alleges that certain vested interest groups are conspiring to tarnish its reputation by disseminating misleading information.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The statement highlights that the accusations, particularly concerning alleged money laundering involving National Bank\'s credit card, are unfounded. It clarifies that the Sikder Group directors lawfully utilized $9.83 million abroad through credit cards, subsequently settling the total amount, including $2.04 million in interest and charges, from their foreign earnings in accordance with Bangladesh Bank regulations. This matter was resolved two years prior, and the recent resurgence of these allegations is deemed to be maliciously motivated, the statement says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, Sikder Group explains that the credit cards in question were linked to Foreign Currency (DC) accounts, which are exempt from the standard $12,000 travel quota limit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conglomerate emphasizes its longstanding commitment to ethical business practices both domestically and internationally. Sikder Group, founded by Freedom Fighter Zainul Haque Sikder, has made significant contributions to Bangladesh\'s development sectors, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure, the statement says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group suggests that the malicious targeting has intensified following the death of its founder, Zainul Haque Sikder. It asserts that under the leadership of Rick Haque Sikder and Ron Haque Sikder, it has continued to achieve remarkable progress, despite ongoing attempts by detractors to hinder its growth. The statement condemns these actions, especially at a time when Sikder Group is endeavoring to secure foreign investment for key national projects, and calls on the public to disregard the baseless accusations circulated by these conspirators. According to UNB reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 07:16:13', '2024-04-03 07:16:13'),
(11847, 11847, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Thousands of homes and businesses were without power Tuesday as severe weather roared through several states, causing at least one death and spawning possible tornadoes.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In West Virginia, about 140,000 customers were without electricity Tuesday afternoon, or about 14% of all customers tracked in the state by poweroutage.us.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Northeastern Oklahoma was hit with a strong weather system containing heavy rains that produced three suspected tornadoes. The storms were blamed for the death of a 46-year-old homeless woman in Tulsa who died inside a drainage pipe, police said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tulsa Fire Department spokesperson Andy Little said the woman’s boyfriend told authorities the two had gone to sleep at the entrance of the drainage pipe and were awakened by the floodwaters. Up to 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) of rain fell in Tulsa in about one hour, National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Darby said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It wasn’t a whole lot. But when it came down, it was pretty rapid,” Darby said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Ohio, firefighters rescued two people who were trapped under a bridge Tuesday when a river began rising. The two people were sleeping around 8:45 a.m. when the Scioto River started to rise, preventing them from returning to shore, the Columbus Fire Department reported. A fire department boat was sent to rescue them. No injuries were reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In southern Ohio, Mindy Broughton rushed into her mobile home Tuesday morning as hail began and winds picked up at the RV Park where she lives near Hanging Rock.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Broughton and her fiance hunkered down as the mobile home quickly began rocking. Broughton said her fiance used his body to shield her as the winds raged outside.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I said I think we may die today,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a matter of seconds, the winds died down. When Broughton opened her mobile home door, she saw the RV Park littered with debris and overturned RVs. Luckily, Broughton said there was no one inside the overturned mobile homes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Residents in Wisconsin were experiencing a spring snowstorm Tuesday afternoon that forecasters warned could dump more than a foot (30 cenitmeters) of snow in eastern parts of the state, including the Green Bay area. The state’s top election official, Meagan Wolfe, urged residents planning to vote in Tuesday’s presidential primaries to consider voting earlier in the day to avoid travel woes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Weather Service said snowfall totals could range from 4 to 8 inches over central Wisconsin and 8 to 14 inches (20 to 35 centimeters) over eastern Wisconsin, while wind gusts of 30 mph to 50 mph (48 kph to 80 kph) will create very limited visibility and make travel difficult.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm will bring “a very heavy, wet snow,” meteorologist Scott Cultice with the weather service’s Green Bay office said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Just three weeks ago, we were in the 70s. So that kind of got people thinking spring is right around the corner — and here we’re in April and we’re getting a major snowstorm,\" Cultice said. “As people say, ‘That’s springtime in Wisconsin.’\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 67,000 homes and businesses in Wisconsin had lost power as of Tuesday evening, according to poweroutage.us.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Severe storms also swept through far southwestern Indiana on Tuesday morning, toppling trees and causing power outages, leading several local school districts to cancel the day’s classes. More than 18,000 homes and businesses were without power shortly before noon Tuesday, including in Vanderburgh County, home to Evansville, Indiana’s third-largest city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In West Virginia, a storm blew off part of a vacant building’s roof in Charleston, littering the street with bricks and closing the roadway to traffic Tuesday afternoon. Trees were dislodged from the earth by the roots and lay in roads, lawns and in some cases, on top of cars.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for several counties because of the storms, which he said had also caused flooding and power outages. Justice urged people to “exercise extreme caution.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency after severe storms swept through the state Tuesday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have reports of substantial damage to a number of structures – and thankfully, as of right now we are not aware of any fatalities,” Beshear said in a statement. “We need all Kentuckians to stay weather aware.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another round of storms Tuesday afternoon led to multiple tornado warnings in Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Louisville on Tuesday night, Mayor Craig Greenberg reported “serious” storm damage in the nearby city of Prospect and throughout the county, but said no injuries or deaths had been reported. He said fire crews were checking on people street by street in the most impacted areas and that he had declared a county-wide state of emergency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beshear said Tuesday night on Facebook that he was headed back to Kentucky from an out of state trip and that he\'d provide an update on storm response efforts on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All Kentucky executive branch state office buildings had closed Tuesday afternoon and some universities canceled in-person classes because of the storms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Northeast of Cincinnati, part of Interstate 75 northeast of Cincinnati was blocked Tuesday afternoon when about a half-dozen power poles toppled in high winds near Wetherington, WLWT-TV reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Areas of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia were under tornado watches into Tuesday night. Flash flood warnings were issued in Pittsburgh and southern Ohio.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in northeast Tennessee on Tuesday. A funeral home and a house were damaged in the town of Sunbright, a town of about 500 people, Matthew Brown, Morgan County’s 911 director, told The Associated Press. Power lines and trees were down, and some roads were closed, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The utility company in Memphis, Tennessee, reported that about 40,000 homes and businesses lost power temporarily Tuesday morning after an electric substation was struck by lightning, which then affected two other substations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm was expected to move into New England on Wednesday night into Thursday, with forecasts of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 centimeters) of snow in parts of New Hampshire and Maine and lesser amounts in other areas, the National Weather Service said. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph (80 kph) in some places, bringing the possibility of power outag - AP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 07:44:41', '2024-04-03 07:44:41'),
(11848, 11848, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka\'s air quality was categorised as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 144 at 8:55 am, Dhaka ranked 8th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thailand’s Chiang Mai, India’s Delhi, Nepal’s Kathmandu and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 219, 177 and 169 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"39\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 07:58:37', '2024-04-03 07:58:37'),
(11849, 11849, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, the strongest tremor to hit the island in at least 25 years, shaking buildings from their foundations and sparking a tsunami warning for the islands of southern Japan and the Philippines.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taiwan television stations showed footage of buildings at precarious angles in the sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien, near the quake’s epicenter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local media said some people were trapped, but there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The quake, which knocked out power in several parts of the capital Taipei, hit at 07:58 a.m. (2358 GMT) at a depth of 15.5km (9.6 miles) just off the eastern coast of Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Japan’s weather agency said several small tsunami waves reached parts of the southern prefecture of Okinawa, and later downgraded the earlier tsunami warning to an advisory. It revised the magnitude to 7.7.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Philippines Seismology Agency also issued a warning for residents in coastal areas of several provinces, urging them to evacuate to higher ground.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The quake was felt in Shanghai, a Reuters witness said. Chinese state media said it was also felt in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou and Ningde in China’s Fujian province.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aftershocks could still be felt in Taipei, according to a Reuters witness, with at least 25 aftershocks registered so far, according to Taiwan’s central weather administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China Earthquake Networks Center recorded five aftershocks of around 5 magnitude in Taiwan within an hour after the initial quake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Taipei city government has not received any reports of damage and the city’s MRT was up and running soon after, while electricity operator Taipower said more than 87,000 households in Taiwan were still without power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taiwan’s high speed rail operator said no damage or injuries were reported on its trains, but noted trains will be delayed while it carries out inspections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Southern Taiwan Science Park, where semiconductor giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has a plant, said companies were operating without impact.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">TSMC said its safety systems are operating normally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“To ensure the safety of personnel, some fabs were evacuated according to company procedure. We are currently confirming the details of the impact,” according to the company.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shares of TSMC were down 1.4 percent in early trade, while Apple supplier Foxconn’s stock fell more than 2 percent and shares of flat panel maker Au Optronics dropped 1.7 percent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taiwan’s official central news agency said the quake was the biggest to hit the island since 1999 when a 7.6 magnitude tremor killed around 2,400 people and destroyed or damaged 50,000 buildings in one of Taiwan’s worst-recorded quakes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said the earthquake registered the second-highest intensity of an “Upper 6” in Hualien county, on the 1-7 intensity scale.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an Upper 6 earthquake, most unreinforced concrete-block walls collapse and people find it impossible to remain standing or move without crawling, the Japan Meteorological Agency says. According to Reuters reports&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 08:07:14', '2024-04-03 08:07:14'),
(11850, 11850, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Last year, President Joe Biden hadn’t even spoken a word at the White House celebration of Ramadan before someone shouted out “we love you.” Hundreds of Muslims were there to mark the end of the holy month that requires fasting from sunrise to sunset.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are no such joyous scenes during this Ramadan. With many Muslim Americans outraged over Biden’s support for Israel’s siege of Gaza, the White House chose to hold a smaller iftar dinner on Tuesday evening. The only attendees will be people who work for his administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’re just in a different world,” said Wa’el Alzayat, who leads Emgage, a Muslim advocacy organization. “It’s completely surreal. And it’s sad.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alzayat attended last year’s event, but he declined an invitation to break his fast with Biden this year, saying, “It’s inappropriate to do such a celebration while there’s a famine going on in Gaza.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After rejections from Alzayat and others, he said the White House adjusted its plans on Monday, telling community leaders that it wanted to host a meeting focusing on administration policy. Alzayat still said no, believing that one day was not enough time to prepare for an opportunity to sway Biden’s mind on the conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I don’t think the format will lend itself to a serious policy discussion,” he said Tuesday afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The refusal to break bread — or even share a room — with the president is fresh evidence of how fractured the relationship between Biden and the Muslim community has become six months after Israel and Hamas began their current war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the Democratic president took office three years ago, many Muslim leaders were eager to turn the page on Donald Trump’s bigotry, including his campaign pledge to implement a ” total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But now Democrats fear that Biden’s loss of support among Muslims could help clear a path for his Republican predecessor to return to the White House. This year’s election will likely hinge on a handful of battleground states, including Michigan with its significant Muslim population.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There are real differences between the two,” Alzayat said. “But emotionally, there may be no differences for some folks. And that’s the danger.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added, “It’s not good enough to tell people Donald Trump is going to be worse.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several Muslim leaders were expected to attend Tuesday’s meeting with Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Muslim government officials and national security leaders. The White House did not name them. Some people who had attended events in previous years, such as Mayor Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn, Michigan, were not invited.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said “community leaders expressed the preference” of having a “working group meeting,” which she described as an opportunity to “get feedback from them.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As far as the private iftar, Jean-Pierre said that “the president is going to continue his tradition of honoring the Muslim community during Ramadan.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No journalists will be allowed to capture either the iftar or private meeting, a change from previous years. Neither was listed on the president’s public schedule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Outside the White House, activists prepared their own iftar on Tuesday evening in Lafayette Park. Organizers planned to distribute dates, a traditional food for Ramadan, so people can break their fasts at sundown.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The boycotting of Biden’s invitation is reminiscent of a trip that White House officials took to Detroit earlier this year. They faced an icy reception from Muslim American community leaders in the swing state, where more than 100,000 Democratic primary voters cast protest votes for “uncommitted” as part of an organized showing of disapproval for Biden’s approach to the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fighting began on Oct. 7 when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis in a surprise attack. In response, Israel has killed roughly 33,000 Palestinians. The number comes from Gaza’s Health Ministry. It’s unclear how many are combatants, which Israel accuses of operating in civilian areas, but the ministry said two-thirds of the deaths are women and children.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Biden administration has continued to approve weapon sales to Israel even as the president urges Israeli leaders to be more careful about civilian deaths and encourages them to allow more humanitarian assistance into Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, said he encouraged other Muslim leaders to decline invitations to the White House if they received them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The message, he said, should be “unless he calls for a ceasefire, there will be no meeting with him or his representatives.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I believe that the president is the only person in the world who can stop this,” Awad said. “He can pick up the phone and literally tell Benjamin Netanyahu, no more weapons, just stop it, and Benjamin Netanyahu will have no choice but to do so.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awad has previously clashed with the White House over his comments on the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. Gaza has spent years under an effective blockade by Israel — with help from Egypt — and Awad said he was “happy to see people breaking the siege” so they could ”walk free into their land that they were not allowed to walk in.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the comments were circulated by a Middle East research organization founded by Israeli analysts, the White House issued a statement saying “we condemn these shocking, antisemitic statements in the strongest terms.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awad called it a “fabricated controversy” and said he had criticized the targeting of Israeli citizens in his same speech. - AP&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 08:25:24', '2024-04-03 08:25:24'),
(11851, 11851, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Trade activities between India and Bangladesh through the Benapole land port will remain suspended for five days during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Emdadul Haque Lata, general secretary of Benapole C&amp;F Agents Association, said that export and import activities through Benapole port will remain suspended from April 9 afternoon till April 14.</div><div><br></div><div>Loading and unloading of goods at the port will also remain suspended to stop the movement of trucks, vans and lorries on highways three days before and three days after Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure hassle-free travel for holidaymakers, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The port activities will resume on April 15.</div><div><br></div><div>Quamruzzaman Biswas, officer-in-charge of Benapole Checkpost Immigration Police, said the activities of immigration department at the land port will remain as usual during the holiday.</div><div><br></div><div>Rezaul Islam, director of Benapole port (traffic), said measures have been strengthened to ensure security at the land port and security guards and Ansar members will patrol at night during the holiday. - unb</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 08:30:49', '2024-04-03 08:30:49'),
(11852, 11852, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Members of the militant group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) looted approximately Tk 1.5 crore from Sonali Bank\'s branch in Ruma, Bandarban, in a brazen robbery that will surely ramp up tensions in the hills.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The incident occurred during Taraweeh prayers. The robbers looted 14 weapons from the Ansar members guarding the bank and abducted the bank manager, Nizam Uddin, from the mosque on the bank premises.</div><div><br></div><div>An eyewitness said that at 8pm on Tuesday, a group of KNF men on motorcycles arrived in the Hathimatha Para area of the upazila. One group went to the bank, while another group split off and went to the mosque and the upazila officer\'s quarters. They broke into the bank vault and looted the cash. Bank officials believe that 1.5 to 2 crore taka was looted.</div><div><br></div><div>The eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said that the terrorists looted 14 weapons from the Ansar members guarding the bank and abducted Nizam Uddin, the manager of Ruma Upazila Sonali Bank, from the mosque during Taraweeh prayers. They also entered the officers\' quarters in front of the bank and took hostage the upazila engineer, Md. Saiful Islam, and took away the money kept for various works.</div><div><br></div><div>Ruma Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Muhammad Shahjahan said that the \'hilltop-based armed terrorists\' looted the bank\'s money and weapons and abducted the bank manager. He said that he was at the scene of the incident and that members of the law enforcement forces and the army were present in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>Confirming the incident, Sonali Bank Bandarban District Branch Manager Rajan Kanti Das said that he was informed of the incident but had not yet been able to contact the bank manager.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that on Tuesday, the salaries and bonuses of the employees for Eid were taken to the bank. At night, the armed terrorist group attacked Sonali Bank. They looted the cash from the bank, along with 14 weapons and the bank manager, Md. Nizam Uddin. However, it is not yet known how much money was taken from the bank. It is believed that the terrorists looted Tk 1.5 to 2 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>Bandarban District Police Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Hossain Md. Raihan Kazemi said that the incident of bank robbery, arms looting and abduction had taken place. He said that an emergency meeting was underway with the district police and the army. He said that further details would be provided later. - unb</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 09:07:24', '2024-04-03 09:07:24'),
(11853, 11853, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">He also called for the “uninterrupted delivery of adequate aid” during a phone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, state news agency PETRA reported on Wednesday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abbas commended Jordan’s role in supporting Palestinians and their human rights, highlighting Jordan’s unwavering support to stop the war on Gaza, while also rejecting the displacement of Palestinians, and safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem under the Hashemite Custodianship, repots Arab News&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There have been almost 33,000 deaths in Gaza since Israel began its retaliatary attacks against Hamas after the Islamist group carried out its deadly Oct. 7 raid on Israel.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 09:50:03', '2024-04-03 09:50:03');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11854, 11854, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought Chinese cooperation for Bangladesh\'s southern region\'s development as its Ambassador here Yao WEN called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Direct road communication was already established with country\'s southern region through Padma Bridge. I want China to help Bangladesh for its southern region\'s further development,\" PM\'s Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam quoting her as saying in a media briefing after the meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Islam, Sheikh Hasina told the Chinese envoy that the southern region of the country was neglected for so long as except Awami League (AL), no government took effective steps for the development of this area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Turning to cooperation, the Chinese ambassador requested the prime minister to offer specific proposal for the development of Bangladesh\'s southern region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yao WEN also conveyed an invitation to Sheikh Hasina to visit China in the coming July as the premier received the invitation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that China is the great development partner of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister hoped that the cooperation which is going on between the two countries will strengthen in the days to come.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that there will be a deep seaport in Paira and China can take advantage of that.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina mentioned that southern part of Bangladesh is the most vulnerable area of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this connection, she said that there are some big rivers in this area and the effect of the climate change is much wider in this area. \"We\'re now giving priority to the development of this area,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about the last election, she said that it was a challenging one from various aspects. \"We\'ve overcome that and held a peaceful election, we have formed a sustainable government and a stable situation is prevailing in the country,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said that the government wanted to advance the development spree of the country, and hoped that as a trusted friend and development partner, China will help Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The envoy said that China will support Bangladesh to complete the unfinished works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"China will remain beside Bangladesh to implement Sheikh Hasina\'s Vision to make Smart Bangladesh by 2041,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about the Prime Minister\'s upcoming visit in July, Yao WEN said that it is expected that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China, especially trade, investment, people to people contact, will be in a new height.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The development partnership between Bangladesh and China will be strengthened further,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy also requested the Prime Minister to use the maiden flight of Bangladesh Biman\'s Dhaka-Beijing route for her upcoming visit to inaugurate the route.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that China wants to help Bangladesh and to invest in agriculture, green energy, ICT and manufacturing sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese envoy expressed his country\'s interest in making partnership for metro rail in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that China is interested to import more mango, jute and jute products and leather products.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy showed more interest in providing training to youths, young leaders, women leaders and government officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that the cooperation between Awami League and Communist Party of China will be strengthened.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Praising Sheikh Hasina\'s leadership, the Chinese envoy said, \"Sheikh Hasina is not only the leader of Bangladesh, she is also the world leader.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding Rohingya issue, he said that China is working so that they could be repatriated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM\'s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah was present. - BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 11:10:56', '2024-04-03 11:10:56'),
(11855, 11855, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A court in Pakistan suspended the 14 prison sentences of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, related to the sale of state gifts.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This comes after an anti-corruption court in Pakistan, on August 5, 2023, convicted both Imran Khan and his wife of selling state gifts, sentencing them to fourteen years in jail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imran Khan\'s lawyer, Ali Zafar: \"The sentence of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the Toshkhana (unlawfully selling state gifts) case has been suspended.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imran Khan and his wife have been accused of selling gifts received from the leaders of foreign governments, including the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, during Khan\'s tenure as Prime Minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The appellate court will hold a hearing on this case after Eid al-Fitr.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife will not be released from jail as they face other charges by Pakistani courts, including an accusation of violating marriage laws for which they have been sentenced to seven years in jail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court added that Bushra Bibi married Imran Khan before completing her waiting period (\'iddah).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, both Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, have been sentenced to ten years in jail in connection with the case of leaking confidential government documents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Tomorrow, we will be trying to get a suspension in the Cypher (disclosing state secrets) case also. If that is suspended, as I said earlier, after that there will be no hurdle to Imran Khan\'s release from prison,\" Ali Zafar added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These verdicts by Pakistani courts against Imran Khan were issued one week before the general elections on the 8th of February in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imran Khan has denied the charges against him, describing them as a clear attempt by Pakistani officials to prevent him from coming to power. - Tolo news&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 11:26:09', '2024-04-03 11:26:09'),
(11856, 11856, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The State of Palestine sent a letter Tuesday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requesting renewed consideration of its membership application.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"In reference to the application of the state of Palestine for membership in the United Nations in contained document S/2011/592 dated 23 September 2011 and upon the instructions of Palestinian membership, I have the honor to request that renewed consideration be given to this application by the Security Council during April 2024,\" Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour said in the letter.</div><div><br></div><div>Mansour said he would be \"grateful\" if Guterres would transmit the request to the Security Council \"as soon as possible.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The State of Palestine was accepted as an observer state of the UN General Assembly in 2012, allowing its envoy to participate in debates and UN organizations but without a vote.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the UN Charter, states are admitted to membership in the UN by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 11:28:38', '2024-04-03 11:28:38'),
(11857, 11857, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Thousands of supporters thronged India’s most prominent opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during a campaign procession today ahead of his formal nomination for national elections starting this month.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Gandhi is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of former prime ministers, but has already suffered two landslide defeats against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</div><div><br></div><div>He is the leading figure in an opposition alliance fighting an uphill battle in this year’s polls against Modi, who remains broadly popular after a decade in power and is widely expected to comfortably retain office.</div><div><br></div><div>But Gandhi was given a rousing reception in Wayanad, a picturesque town in the southern state of Kerala, with a huge crowd gathering to cheer his arrival.</div><div><br></div><div>“I don’t think of you as my electorate but as my family,” he told the large gathering from atop a truck, flanked by his younger sister Priyanka and cadres from his Congress party.</div><div><br></div><div>The 53-year-old formally filed his nomination to recontest Wayanad with the local election office after the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Gandhi was first elected to the constituency in 2019 but was briefly disqualified from parliament last year after his conviction for criminal libel in a case filed by a member of Modi’s party.</div><div><br></div><div>He was reinstated pending a Supreme Court appeal but his decision to recontest the seat has caused some friction within the opposition alliance.</div><div><br></div><div>His main challenger is firebrand leftist Annie Raja of the Communist Party of India, a fellow member of the bloc.</div><div><br></div><div>Her allies have criticised Gandhi for not choosing to fight in another seat against an established candidate from Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</div><div><br></div><div>“The entire country should discuss the inappropriateness of this,” Kerala’s chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a member of Raja’s party, told reporters yesterday.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly a billion Indians will vote to elect a new government in six-week-long parliamentary elections starting on April 19. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 11:42:30', '2024-04-03 11:42:30'),
(11858, 11858, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko hosted an iftar event on Tuesday for around 31 Japan-based ambassadors and heads of Islamic missions.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The event, described as a “networking night,” was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and guests were offered a meal and explanation of Tokyo’s plans for urban related projects.</div><div><br></div><div>Diplomats attending the event included the ambassadors and heads of missions of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Syria and Yemen.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Koike, who is fluent in Arabic having studied in Cairo, opened her remarks by pointing out that the cherry blossoms currently blooming in Tokyo symbolize hope and new beginnings, before outlining some of Tokyo’s plans for the future.</div><div><br></div><div>One surprise, and in keeping with the religious significance of Ramadan, was the publication of a sightseeing guidebook especially for Muslim tourists to help enable them to enjoy their stay in Tokyo. Each of the guests was handed a copy to take home with them.</div><div><br></div><div>Koike also mentioned SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024, a series of events that aims to generate innovation to resolve challenges shared by cities.</div><div><br></div><div>“Three programs that will pave the way to a brighter future will be held,” Koike said. “The Global Startup Program, scheduled to be one of Asia’s largest; the City Leaders Program, which will gather leaders from around the world; and the Showcase Program, which will allow participants to experience life in the future. I look forward to your feedback and a very productive discussion, with the aim to further strengthen our ties with you.”</div><div><br></div><div>After iftar, there was a light show projected onto the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The show is planned to be a year-round event using the iconic Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 as a canvas to create a new tourist attraction.</div><div><br></div><div>The building is currently applying for Guinness World Records recognition as the world’s “largest permanent architectural projection mapping exhibition.” The project also promotes environmentally friendly initiatives such as green electricity. - Arab News&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 11:59:13', '2024-04-03 11:59:13'),
(11859, 11859, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Finance Ministry has highlighted the crucial need for a balanced approach to budgetary allocations between recurrent and capital expenditure, recognizing their collective impact on the country\'s growth prospects and social welfare. This perspective is outlined in the ministry\'s document, the \'Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26)\', which underscores the different priorities of developed and developing nations in terms of government spending.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Developed countries often prioritize transfers and subsidies, whereas developing economies are more inclined towards investing in social and community services. Despite the positive outcomes from income transfers in enhancing citizens\' lives, there is a pressing need to ramp up capital expenditure to cater to the increasing public investment demands and foster the creation of productive assets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Budgetary classifications broadly categorize government spending into recurrent and capital expenditures. Recurrent expenditure encompasses wages, goods and services purchases, subsidies, transfer payments, and interest on loans. In contrast, capital expenditure is directed towards building and enhancing productive assets, including developments under the Annual Development Program (ADP) and non-ADP initiatives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The trend in capital expenditure, representing a portion of the total expenditure, has seen an upward trajectory, albeit with fluctuations, while recurrent expenditure has shown a gradual decrease. The revised budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 allocated 59.1 percent to recurrent expenditures, with projections indicating a slight reduction over the next three years. Meanwhile, capital expenditure is set to rise from 40.9 percent in the 2022-23 fiscal year to 41.3 percent by 2026, reflecting an ongoing commitment to bolstering public investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The increase in recurrent expenditure from 56.7 percent in FY 2017-18 to 59.4 percent in FY 2021-22 was influenced by various stimulus packages introduced to support vulnerable groups during the combined challenges of the COVID pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Conversely, capital expenditure through the ADP, a critical component of the budget, has experienced modest growth from 4.5 percent of GDP in FY18 to an estimated 5.1 percent of GDP in FY 2022-23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This strategic focus on balancing recurrent and capital expenditures aligns with the government\'s objectives to drive sustainable economic growth while ensuring the welfare of its citizens through prudent fiscal management. Source: UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 13:40:04', '2024-04-03 13:40:04'),
(11860, 11860, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said that operations will be conducted soon against the resort and other establishments illegally established by occupying forest land in Gazipur.&nbsp; Map of illegal forest land encroachment</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>will be prepared. Irrespective of government institutions, private individuals and organizations encroaching on forest land, action will be immediate. There will be no compromise on this.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said, 26 thousand acres of forest land has been restored.&nbsp; Urgent measures will be taken in the districts around Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Environment Minister said these things in the president\'s speech at the meeting held in the conference room of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on Wednesday (April 3) regarding the protection of forest land and control of environmental pollution in Gazipur district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Environment Minister said that due to excessive pollution, even vegetables cannot grow in some areas of Gazipur, fish cannot survive.&nbsp; The challenges here are clear, not all problems will be solved at once.&nbsp; If accountability is ensured then no one can encroach on forest land or harm the environment in the future. Dumping stations will be designated for development of waste management.&nbsp; Gazipur will be developed as a model city through the overall development of the environment.&nbsp; The minister said to the officials that working with transparency and coordination will improve the environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Environment) Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Director General of Department of Environment Dr. Abdul Hamid, Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka Division Sabirul Islam, Chief Conservator of Forest Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Gazipur City Corporation Advisor and former mayor Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Abul Fateh Mohammad Safiqul Islam, Secretary of Gazipur Development Authority, representatives of Metropolitan Police and District Police of Gazipur along with officials of Environment and Forest Department also spoke in the meeting among others, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 13:58:29', '2024-04-03 13:58:29'),
(11861, 11861, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the government has reduced the child and maternal mortality rate along with poverty rate in the country through various pragmatic steps.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have established community clinics across the country to mitigate the primary medicare facilities of the people. As a result the child and maternal mortality rate has been reduced,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said this while the management team of Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialised Hospital &amp; Nursing College called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President &amp; Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare Berhad Chin Keat Chyuan led the team.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the call on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said that the Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialised Hospital&nbsp; was established at the industrial belt so that the workers and people of the area could get the medicare facilities easily.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that the hospital is run under the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"My sister Sheikh Rehana and I donated all our properties to the Trust for the sake of people’s interest. We have no one and we have donated our properties for the welfare of the people,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She recalled that once upon a time people of Bangladesh were poor and deprived from the healthcare facilities and could not afford two meals a day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have been able to reduce the poverty rate,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialised Hospital &amp; Nursing College was established by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 250-bed hospital is operated by KPJ Healthcare Berhad, a renowned Malaysian Private Healthcare organization. KPJ Healthcare Berhad currently has a chain of 29 hospitals in Malaysia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Named after Bangabandhu’s wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, the 250-bed world class hospital has been serving people since its inception in 2013.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Established at Kashimpur union under Kaliakair upazila in Gazipur by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust,&nbsp; the state-of-the-art facility is being operated by Kumpulan Perubetan&nbsp; Johor (KPJ) Healthcare Berhad, a renowned Malaysian private healthcare&nbsp; organisation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The facility has become the first integrated management system (IMS) certified Hospital &amp; Nursing College in Bangladesh, providing patients with more confidence in healthcare. Bureau Veritas, an international certification agency, awarded it for its contributions to Bangladesh’s health sector in&nbsp; 2017. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-03 14:31:51', '2024-04-03 14:31:51'),
(11862, 11862, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the public representatives of the local government bodies to work with utmost sincerity for the welfare of the people.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Don\'t lose public trust and confidence in any way. So, work for the people accordingly standing by them,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected mayors of two city corporations – Cumilla and Mymensingh— and chairmen of five Zila Parishads, and councillors of Mymensingh City Corporation here in Shapla Hall of her office in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government made development of every area in the country and the grassroots people are in the focus of the development works.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Every village would be transformed into a township. A radical change has already been there, which you can see,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister asked the public representatives to work for the continuation of the current development trend by keeping the promises they made to the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She cited that Bangladesh would finally be graduated as a developing country in 2026.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In this context, I\'m urging you to stand beside the people with sincerity, serve them and work for them in a bid to continue the current trend of socio-economic development,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, she administered oaths to the first female mayor-elect of Cumilla city corporation Tahsin Bahar Suchona and mayor-elect of Mymensingh City Corporation Ekramul Haque Titu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM also administered oaths to the newly elected chairmen of five Zila Parishads -- Kurigram, Thakurgaon, Sirajganj, Brahmanbaria and Habiganj – in the same function.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The five chairman of Zila Parishads are ANM Obaidur Rahman of Kurigram, Abdul Majid of Thakurgaon, Shamim Talukder of Sirajganj, Billal Miah of Brahmanbaria and Aleya Akhter of Habiganj.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, some 44 newly elected councillors of general wards and female councillors of the reserved seats of Mymensingh City Corporation also took oath at the same venue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam administered the oath of the councillors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local Government Division Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim conducted the oath-taking ceremony.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cumilla City Corporation has got the first female mayor as Tahsin Bahar Suchona, daughter of Cumilla-6 MP AKM Bahauddin Bahar, won the by-election to the city corporation on March 9 last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ekramul Haque Titu was elected the mayor in the Mymensingh city corporation election held on the same day. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 07:32:37', '2024-04-04 07:32:37'),
(11863, 11863, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In anticipation of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, Bangladesh Police on Thursday (April 04, 2024) issued a series of safety guidelines for citizens planning to travel back to their hometowns.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This initiative aims to ensure a safe and smooth journey for thousands of holidaymakers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The police have strongly discouraged travelers from risking their lives by riding on the roofs of buses, trucks, pickups, and other goods vehicles.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, pedestrians have been advised to utilise foot overbridges and zebra crossings wherever available and to be cautious of vehicle speeds in areas lacking these facilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Private car users were specifically warned against joyriding and reckless driving. The police have also cautioned all travelers against accepting food from strangers, a precautionary measure to avoid potential health risks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bus owners have been urged to employ only skilled and professional drivers and to avoid overloading buses beyond their capacity. Similarly, vehicle fitness is emphasised, with a strict recommendation against operating any vehicle deemed unfit for travel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding waterway travel, the police advised against journeying by launch in inclement weather conditions and implored vessel owners to refrain from exceeding passenger limits on launches, steamers, and speedboats. Vessel operators were reminded to navigate the vessels themselves or ensure that they are piloted by certified drivers. Owners are also encouraged to monitor weather conditions via mobile phones and radio and to verify the functionality of fire pumps and fire extinguishing equipment onboard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">For those traveling by train, police reiterated the dangers of roof, buffer, and engine travel and cautioned against the act of throwing stones at trains, which poses a significant safety hazard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the event of an emergency, people were asked to call 999 or police headquarters control room (01320001299), highway police headquarters (01320182598), railway police headquarters (01320177598), river police headquarters (01320169598), Rapid Action Battalion (01777720199), district superintendent of police and officer-in-charge of police, if needed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By adhering to these guidelines, the Bangladesh Police hope to minimise accidents and ensure that Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated in a joyous and safe manner across the country. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 07:52:08', '2024-04-04 07:52:08'),
(11864, 11864, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to embark on bilateral visits to New Delhi and Beijing within the next three months, marking her first such engagements after the January 7 national election. These visits are aimed at deepening Bangladesh\'s connections with India and China, Asia\'s two leading economic powers.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the formation of the new government, Prime Minister Hasina attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany in February, highlighting her active engagement on the global stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diplomatic sources indicate that PM Hasina\'s visit to India is planned after the conclusion of the neighbouring country’s national election, which is the world\'s largest democratic exercise, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the vote count set for June 4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pre-election surveys suggest a strong showing for the coalition led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is widely anticipated to secure re-election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Prime Minister\'s (Sheikh Hasina) India visit will definitely take place. However, it will take place after the election in India,\" Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said it is not yet discussed at the official level when the visit will exactly take place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In January, Prime Minister Modi extended warm congratulations to PM Hasina on her electoral victory, expressing hopes for the continued strengthening of the historically close ties between India and Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The last bilateral engagement between PM Modi and PM Hasina occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023, where Bangladesh was the guest country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Modi is expected to extend invitations to South Asian and BIMSTEC country leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, PM Hasina\'s forthcoming visit to China in July was underscored during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, who reiterated China\'s commitment to boosting investment in Bangladesh and enhancing bilateral relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Yao emphasised the significance of the visit in promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchange, aligning with Bangladesh\'s aspirations for \"Vision 2041\" and the realisation of a \"Smart Bangladesh.\" - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 08:06:17', '2024-04-04 08:06:17'),
(11865, 11865, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Five security personnel, including two Ansar members, at the Rampal Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant sustained injuries following a “robbery attempt” by a group of assailants on Wednesday night.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attack occurred in the No 5 yard near No 3 tower within the plant\'s premises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy General Manager Anwarul Azim reported that approximately 50-60 armed individuals attempted to infiltrate residential areas of the power plant around 11:30 pm. The guards faced aggression when they endeavored to thwart the attackers\' entry, resulting in injuries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the injured, two were urgently transported to Khulna Medical College and Hospital for medical attention, while the remaining three received treatment at the Rampal Upazila Health Complex.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This violent incident transpired merely 48 hours after a series of bank robberies in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban district, raising concerns over a possible pattern of organised criminal activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Somen Das, the officer-in-charge of Rampal Police Station, confirmed that law enforcement is actively pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the culprits. As a precautionary measure, additional police forces have been deployed to secure the power plant and its surrounding areas, aiming to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of the plant\'s personnel and infrastructure, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UNB’s Bagerhat correspondent reported that police are conducting drives in different parts of the district, said the OC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attackers tried to enter the power plant in an attempt to commit robbery, he said.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police have already arrested a number of people in this connection and they are now under interrogation, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Legal steps will be taken after getting a written complaint, said OC Somen.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 08:26:40', '2024-04-04 08:26:40'),
(11866, 11866, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka University’s Institute of Business Administration’s (IBA) board of governance has suspended an appointment of a teacher over an allegation of a student’s sexual harassment.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Sitesh Chandra Bachar, pro vice chancellor (education) of the university, said, “The matter of appointment was raised at the Board of Governance. The appointment was suspended. The selection board was notified of the issue for review.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Saju Saha, an associate professor of marketing at Jahangirnagar University (JU), and three other candidates\' names were selected for appointment.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Due to the allegation of sexual harassment, his appointment was suspended on Monday afternoon in a meeting at the vice chancellor\'s lounge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday (1 April), a female student from JU\'s marketing department filed a formal complaint against Saju for sexual harassment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on March 23, the student, in a Facebook post, made the allegation of sexual harassment against teacher Saju Saha.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the Facebook post, the accused teacher repeatedly tried to convince the victim, saying that his political career would be ruined once the matter gets disclosed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On March 24, Saju Saha also lodged a general diary at Mirpur Model Police Station, seeking legal action against the student for uploading the Facebook post \"defaming\" him on social media. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"38\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 08:50:23', '2024-04-04 08:50:23'),
(11867, 11867, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In a daring daylight heist, two employees of Nagad became the victims of an armed robbery in Hasnabad, Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district, resulting in the looting of Tk 60 lakh.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victims, identified as Delwar Hossain, a supervisor at Nagad, and Shahin Mia, a field worker, faced this harrowing ordeal while en route on a motorcycle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Shafayet Hossain Palash, the officer-in-charge of Raipura police station, the assailants - two armed individuals on motorbikes,&nbsp; intercepted the Nagad employees near Hasnabad Bazar Bridge.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Without hesitation, the criminals opened fire on the unsuspecting victims before forcibly taking the bag filled with money.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the attack, concerned locals promptly provided assistance, rushing the injured employees to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. Due to the severity of their injuries, they were subsequently transferred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for advanced medical treatment. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 08:59:05', '2024-04-04 08:59:05'),
(11868, 11868, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Thursday said that the Awami League government has only two success stories: the oppression of the opposition parties and laundering the poor people’s money abroad.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It has failed in every other sector,” he said while visiting the family of Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, jailed BNP\'s joint secretary general, at his Circuit House Road residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Moyeen said since October 28, about eighteen leaders and activists of BNP have been killed and many more were made to disappear.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The senior BNP leader wondered how could the government file more than 400 cases against Habib Un Nabi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Those who challenge the government’s illegal activities and criticise them are often accused in false cases and subjected to imprisonment and inhuman torture”, alleged Moyeen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He repeated the allegation that the government arrested 26 thousand BNP leaders and activists after the authorities foiled the grand rally the opposition party held in Dhaka on October 28 last year to demand a neutral caretaker government to oversee the national polls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He denounced the parliament formed after the January 7 national election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The current parliament has been formed through an one-sided dummy election. It doesn’t represent the country’s people,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AL government has destroyed&nbsp; all institutions of the state like judiciary, civil administration, police administration and even the Election Commission, Moyeen claimed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Without reconstructing these institutions, the rule of law and an environment to hold a free, fair and participatory election won’t be possible. In this environment of hooliganism BNP won’t participate in any election,” he declared.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Not only has the government destroyed political stability and democratic process, it also has ruined the country’s financial system, said Moyeen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He alleged that the banking sector is suffering from liquidity crisis as billions of dollars have been laundered abroad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They have established begum para in Canada, Gulshan 3 in Dubai, second home in Malayasia by looting poor people money,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bank managers are now saying sorry to customers after failing to pay them, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He further said the government has started playing a new game in the name of merging weak banks with so-called stonger ones, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Moyeen said the government has failed to resolve Rohingya issue as they could not succeed to send a single Rohingya back in Myanmar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, Rohimgyas could be sent home by the governments of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and late president Ziaur Rahman, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 09:49:09', '2024-04-04 09:49:09');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11869, 11869, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum(SCRF) on Thursday urged the government to ban movement of sand-carrying vessels (Bulkheads) from April 8-15 to prevent accidents on waterways during the Eid-ul-Fitr journey.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The organization also demanded mobile court drives against all types of illegal vessels.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, the SCRF president Ashis Kumar Dey and its general secretary Lion Mohd Jahangir Alam called for immediate action to conduct mobile court drives across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>They urged the Ministry of Shipping, Department of Shipping (DoS), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), River Police and Coast Guard to pay heed to their demand.</div><div><br></div><div>The leaders of the organisation called for the involvement of district administration and the district police for preventing waterway accidents.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to punishing masters and drivers (sailors) without documents, the statement also demanded that vessel owners be held accountable for employing sailors without proper documents</div><div><br></div><div>The statement expressed deep concern over frequent waterway accidents and the sinking of cargo boats in different parts of the country after being hit by bulkheads.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the restriction on the movement of bulkheads from sunset to sunrise, the statement highlighted that hundreds of bulkheads are operating at night in absence of monitoring by the administration.</div><div><br></div><div>Citing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Shipping, the leaders of the SCRF states that while the number of registered vessels is 15,000, there are at least 85,000 types of vessels across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Among these, approximately 70,000 vessels are operating illegally, with bulkheads making up at least 6,000 of them, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the statement, out of 15,000 registered boats, regular annual survey (fitness test) is done only for 8,000.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the knowledge of the concerned officials of the DoS and BIWTA, the remaining 7,000 unfit boats are plying freely. But the authorities concerned don’t take action against those for unknown reasons, the statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>The SCRF demanded strongly ban on bulkhead movement for 7 days for safe travel of thousands of Eid holidaymakers. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 10:05:16', '2024-04-04 10:05:16'),
(11870, 11870, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) on Thursday demanded Tk 15 from his family as ransom for the release of Sonali Bank’s Bandarban Ruma upazila branch manager Nizam Uddin who was abducted during a daring robbery on Tuedsday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nizam Uddin’s&nbsp; wife Nazmul Nahar, a teacher of Bandarban Cantonment Public School and College, revealed the matter to the media shorty after she received a phone call from the KNF.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a press conference at the conference room of Bandarban Zilla Parishad on Thursday morning, its chairman Kyaw Shwe Hla denied to hold any discussion with KNF until it releases the abducted bank manager, returns looted 14 arms, money and stop all kinds of criminal activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyaw Shwe, also president of the district peace committee, said a view-exchange meeting with the participation of representatives from several groups to facilitate KNF members’ return to normal life was held on May 29 last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 30, 18-member peace committee was formed with the coordination of local leaders. Later several virtual meetings between the peace committee and the KNF were held to return peace in the district, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On November 5 last year and March 5 this year, a couple of in-person dialogues&nbsp; with the group&nbsp; were held and two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed when KNF assured that it will suspended all armed activities , he informed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, banking activities of Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank in the district’s Thanchi upazila branch have remained suspended since Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Ruma and Rowangchhari upazilas, activities of Krishi Bank remained normal while that of Sonali Bank remained suspended.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of the criminal activities, the separatist group kidnapped the Sonali Bank manager on April 2 and looted Tk 1.5 crore from the Ruma branch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incident occurred during Taraweeh prayers. The robbers looted 14 weapons from the Ansar members guarding the bank and abducted the bank manager from the mosque on the bank premises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila, Bandarban on Wednesday, in a similar incident at a Sonali Bank branch in Ruma upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"40\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 10:19:01', '2024-04-04 10:19:01'),
(11871, 11871, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Power supply situation has aggravated with the decrease in generation, triggering load shedding mainly outside the capital amid the sweltering heat.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The situation is worse in rural areas than urban territories as the authorities concerned have been concentrating more on keeping supply stable in the large cities including the capital to avoid public wrath.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The high temperature that soars up to 38.5 Celsius degree over the last few days is aggravating the plight of common people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a heat alert for four divisions, including Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The prevailing heatwave over Rajshahi, Khulna, Dhaka, and Barishal divisions may continue and spread for the next 72 hours starting from Wednesday,\" it said in a bulletin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Official statistics of Power Grid Company of Bangladesh shows the power supply situation turned bad mainly with the beginning of the summer in the country in the last week of March.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After a long winter, the country first experienced a substantial amount of load shedding on March 25 when the authorities concerned had to resort to about 200 MW of load shedding at midnight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The statistics show that the amount of load shedding first crossed the benchmark of 850 MW on April 1 at 2 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"From the very first day of April which is deemed to be the start of the summer, the country\'s power supply situation keeps worsening\", a senior official at the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Now, every day, the country has been experiencing 1200-1650 MW of load shedding\", he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PGCB data also shows that in recent days, the highest load shedding of 1678 MW was recorded on April 2 at 5 pm when the country supplied 11,976 MW against the demand of 13,700 MW.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year, the highest generation was recorded to be 15,104.00 MW demand on July 30 against the demand of more than 17,000 MW.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a result, the country was witnessing a shortfall of 3000-4000 MW in power supply although the power generation\'s installed capacity crossed 25,000 MW.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But due to constraint in adequate gas supply, the country always had to keep generation units of 2500-3000 MW capacity idle, said another official.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Power Division officials forecast that this summer the country\'s demand may cross 18,000 MW and the load shedding situation may prevail the same as last year if the gas supply is not increased.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Official statistics show the country experienced 717 MM of load shedding at 10 am on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BPDB officials apprehend the extent of load shedding may go up in the peak evening hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the Petrobangla officials informed that the supply of imported LNG could not be raised as the Summit Group\'s LNG terminal failed to resume its production.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We think it may take 3-4 days more to get the gas supply from Summit\'s LNG terminal\", said Engr. Md. Kamruzzaman Khan, director (Operation and Mining) of Petrobangla.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also informed that if Summit\'s LNG terminal resumes operation, it will add 500 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) gas to the national grid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Petrobangla statistics show the country\'s gas supply was 2,640 MMCFD on Thursday against the demand for more than 4,000 MMCFD. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 13:53:46', '2024-04-04 13:53:46'),
(11872, 11872, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Metro rail passengers will have to bear additional cost as the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is going to impose 15 percent VAT on its tickets from July 1.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is currently a VAT waiver on Metrorail tickets, which will expire on June 30. DMTCL requested NBR to extend the period but the revenue board expressed unwillingness to extend the exemption period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second secretary of NBR\'s VAT Division Barrister Md. Badruzzaman Munshi sent a letter to the managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the letter, VAT exemption on metro rail tickets will expire on June 30.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the letter, the revenue board said that various development activities are going on in the country with the goal of attaining the status of developed country by 2041.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has to constantly provide money to carry out those development activities, which is mainly collected through direct and indirect taxes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tax exemptions are given to various sectors on different occasion with the aim of promoting domestic industries, reduce import dependence and developing small and cottage industries, etc, said the letter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That is why tax exemption benefits are being gradually withdrawn from various sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, freedom fighters and children&nbsp; of three feet height can travel free of charge, and people with special needs can travel on metro rail at a 10 to 15 percent discount. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"39\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 14:12:58', '2024-04-04 14:12:58'),
(11873, 11873, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Get ready for a comedic jaunt through the skies with \"Crew,\" the latest sensation to hit cinemas on March 29, 2024. This comedy-drama chronicles the adventures of three glamorous flight attendants navigating the collapse of the airline they work for and plotting a daring scheme for revenge. Will their plan soar to comedic heights or crash into the realm of absurdity? Fasten your seatbelts for an entertaining journey in \"Crew.\"</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Director, Production Team, and Cast</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Helmed by Rajesh A Krishnan, \"Crew\" showcases the talents of Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon as spirited air hostesses. With support from Diljit Dosanjh and Kapil Sharma, the film is a production marvel under Balaji Motion Pictures and Anil Kapoor Films &amp; Communication Network, with producers Ekta Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and Digvijay Purohit steering the project to success.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Plot and Theme</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the heart of \"Crew\" are Geeta Sethi, Jasmine Kohli, and Divya Rana, whose lives as flight attendants take a nosedive when Kohinoor Airlines faces bankruptcy. United by their plight, the trio embarks on a gold smuggling operation, leading to a cascade of comedic and dire events following the airline\'s collapse.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Box Office Journey</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As of April 3, 2024, \"Crew\" has collected a commendable 77.63 crore Indian rupees worldwide, marking it as a notable success story for a film led by female protagonists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diving into the Review</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Drawing parallels with the real-life saga of Vijay Mallya, \"Crew\" takes a lighthearted stab at the corporate malfeasance of bad debt. Garnering an IMDb rating of 8.3/10 and positive critical reception, the film blends comedy with moments of genuine emotion. Kareena and Tabu, in particular, deliver standout performances, enriching the film\'s comedic and dramatic layers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Critique</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While \"Crew\" thrills with its engaging premise and stellar cast, it occasionally falters in its adherence to logic and its fast-paced execution, leading to a somewhat rushed and predictable conclusion. Moreover, its appeal might be more pronounced among urban viewers than the wider masses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Final Verdict</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Crew\" is akin to a flight with moderate turbulence: entertaining for those seeking light-hearted amusement but potentially underwhelming for audiences craving a deeper narrative experience. It\'s a journey worth embarking on for its moments of brilliance, though some may prefer a smoother ride.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So, is \"Crew\" worth watching? For a cinematic trip filled with humor and a touch of empowerment, it\'s worth boarding. Just be prepared for a few bumps along the way. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/fas</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 14:17:10', '2024-04-04 14:17:10'),
(11874, 11874, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The abducted manager of Sonali Bank\'s Ruma branch in Bandarban was rescued through the mediation of the Rapid Action Battalion on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The bank manager, Nizam Uddin, was rescued on Thursday, confirmed ASP Imran Khan of RAB headquarters media wing.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in the day, Nizam Uddin’s wife, Nazmul Nahar, said the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) demanded Tk 15 lakh from his family as ransom.</div><div><br></div><div>Nahar, a teacher of Bandarban Cantonment Public School and College, revealed the matter to the media shortly after she received a phone call from the KNF.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the criminal activities, the separatist group kidnapped the Sonali Bank manager on April 2 and looted Tk 1.5 crore from the Ruma branch.</div><div><br></div><div>The incident occurred during Taraweeh prayers. The robbers looted 14 weapons from the Ansar members guarding the bank and abducted bank manager Nizam from the mosque on the bank premises.</div><div><br></div><div>They carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila, Bandarban, on Wednesday, in a similar incident at a Sonali Bank branch in Ruma upazila. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 14:20:34', '2024-04-04 14:20:34'),
(11875, 11875, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The abducted manager of Sonali Bank\'s Ruma branch in Bandarban was rescued through the mediation of the Rapid Action Battalion on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bank manager, Nizam Uddin, was rescued on Thursday, confirmed ASP Imran Khan of RAB headquarters media wing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the day, Nizam Uddin’s wife, Nazmul Nahar, said the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) demanded Tk 15 lakh from his family as ransom.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nahar, a teacher of Bandarban Cantonment Public School and College, revealed the matter to the media shortly after she received a phone call from the KNF.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of the criminal activities, the separatist group kidnapped the Sonali Bank manager on April 2 and looted Tk 1.5 crore from the Ruma branch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incident occurred during Taraweeh prayers. The robbers looted 14 weapons from the Ansar members guarding the bank and abducted bank manager Nizam from the mosque on the bank premises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila, Bandarban, on Wednesday, in a similar incident at a Sonali Bank branch in Ruma upazila. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 14:39:36', '2024-04-04 14:39:36'),
(11876, 11876, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>State-run Bangladesh Development Bank is set to merge with Sonali Bank, while Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank will be taken over by Bangladesh Krishi Bank as part of disciplining the banking sector.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The move follows the merger of private sector Padma Bank with Exim Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The primary decision of latest merger of banks was taken at a meeting between Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor Abdur Rouf Talukder and the managing directors of the respective banks at the BB headquarters on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A deal will be signed on Monday (April 8) between Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank at BB in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md Shawkat Ali Khan, managing director of BKB told UNB that the central bank called a meeting with the chairmen of both banks and discussed the overall situation of the banks, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the merger of&nbsp; state-owned banks, on behalf of the government the BB will take a final decision regarding the merger issue, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the BB official confirmed that a deal signing between BKB and RKUB is scheduled to be held on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government took the decision in principle to merge BDBL with Sonali Bank. But it will take some time to reach a deal between Sonali Bank and BDBL, said an official of BB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 14:49:36', '2024-04-04 14:49:36'),
(11877, 11877, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq has emphasized the significance of legislation to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence in realizing the vision of a Smart Bangladesh, including Smart Generation by 2041, as outlined by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Acknowledging the benefits and drawbacks of AI, the minister said there is nothing to be afraid of as efforts are underway to establish AI laws to mitigate any negative consequences.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He was addressing at a stakeholder meeting held on Thursday at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building in Agargaon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting, organized by the Department of Information and Communication Technology, saw participation from representatives of various ministries, government departments, offices, and organizations, alongside other stakeholders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Highlighting the government\'s commitment to inclusive lawmaking, Huq emphasized the importance of consulting stakeholders in the legislative process. He noted that initial drafts of the AI legislation had already been discussed with stakeholders and that the current meeting aimed to incorporate their feedback into the drafting process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The finalized draft of the AI law is slated for completion by September this year, following further consultations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Haque stressed the inevitability of AI legislation in light of the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. However, he advocated for a balanced approach, suggesting that the initial legislation should offer flexibility while maintaining robust regulatory measures, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, he emphasized the need for alignment between AI laws and policies, asserting that laws must reflect existing policy frameworks to be effective.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his address, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak echoed the importance of AI in addressing risks and harnessing its potential.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Palak cited recent incidents of AI misuse, such as the circulation of fake images on social media, underscoring the necessity of effective regulation in the digital realm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-04 15:06:56', '2024-04-04 15:06:56'),
(11878, 11878, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Muhammad A. Muhith has called upon Myanmar to demonstrate genuine political will and cooperate with Bangladesh for implementation of the bilateral arrangements of Rohingya return signed in 2017 and 2018.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He highlighted that the recent escalation in Rakhine has affected the pace of the repatriation process, which is the ultimate solution to the Rohingya crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“While the 2017 crisis still remains unresolved, Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine are faced with renewed risks,as the armed conflict between Myanmar military and Arakan Army resumes,\" the ambassador said before the Security Council in New York on April 4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was speaking at the open briefing on Myanmar convened by Maltese Presidency to discuss the recent escalation in the Rakhine State and its implications on the civilians, especially the Rohingya minorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Council heard from Khalid Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General at the Department and Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Lisa Doughten, Director at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from the members of the Security Council, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh spoke before the Council.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Muhith expressed hope that the process could commence again as soon as the conditions improve, according to a message received here on Friday from New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We also solicit meaningful and effective engagements of the international community, especially the regional organizations, and regional and neighbouring countries, in restoring peace and stability in Rakhine and supporting reintegration of the future returnees;” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the UN Security Council Resolution 2669, Muhith underscored the need for creating conducive environment in Rakhine and addressing the underlying root causes of vulnerability among Rohingya minorities, which are entrenched mostly in Myanmar’s discriminatory legal and political framework.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Unless those underlying causes are addressed, the bilateral and regional efforts are unlikely to succeed’, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Muhith outlined several expectations for addressing the crisis, including the need for the UN to strengthen its presence in Myanmar, regular reporting on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2669, ensuring accountability for crimes committed against Rohingya Muslims and ongoing violations of international humanitarian law, and the timely implementation of the key agreements and recommendations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, he emphasised the importance of international partners\' support in creating a sustainable environment for Rohingya reintegration in Myanmar society.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the negative social, economic, environmental and security problems faced by Bangladesh due to protracted presence of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh, Ambassador Muhith called for the Council’s attention to the situation in Rakhine and meaningful action, with a view to attaining, among others, a comprehensive and sustainable solution of the Rohingya crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other speakers also expressed deep concern at the escalation of conflict and violence in Myanmar, called upon the authorities to take all measures to address root causes of conflict in Rakhine and create conditions for voluntary, safe, sustainable and dignified return of all displaced Rohingyas and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also called for greater international unity and support to the efforts of the UN and the ASEAN in pursuing peace and stability in Myanmar in line with Security Council Resolution 2669.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The speakers applauded Bangladesh for its continued humanitarian leadership in sheltering over a million Rohingya and urged others to support to the humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar until the displaced Rohingyas are able to return. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/fas</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 08:11:06', '2024-04-05 08:11:06'),
(11879, 11879, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Election Commission (EC) has introduced an online nomination submission system which has been made compulsory for the sixth upazila parishad election.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Candidates who want to participate in the election can submit complete nomination papers online and complete the activities related to collecting necessary documents from anywhere, according to a press release of the EC on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Candidates will also be able to provide security deposit in the preferred conventional effective way online for the submission of nomination papers.</div><div><br></div><div>Filing nomination papers in a technology-based manner will save the candidate\'s time. Online nomination submission system can be accessed directly by visiting the link www.ecs.gov.bd notice board (\'Online Submission of Nomination Papers\' or onss.ecs.gov.bd), it said.</div><div><br></div><div>To submit a nomination online, candidates need to complete the registration. In this case, NID verification and face identification are checked. After successful completion of registration, the user ID and password will be sent to the mobile number with which the registration has been done, which has to be stored carefully.</div><div><br></div><div>After nomination papers are submitted, the returning officer will perform all the necessary tasks by acknowledging the receipt of the nomination papers submitted online, confirmation, verification / scrutiny, appeal, withdrawal of candidacy, symbol allocation. By logging in using the provided user ID and password, the candidate can know the update of their submitted nomination papers at any time; As well as receive messages on mobile.</div><div><br></div><div>Upazila Election Offices can be contacted for any need related to submission of nomination papers online. EC asked the candidates concerned to ensure the submission of nomination papers online with enough time in hand without waiting for the last time.</div><div><br></div><div>For the convenience of the candidates, a video tutorial can be found on the website as well as the designated Facebook page of the Election Commission, Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat and the following link “https://youtu.be/hcImF47SkO8?si=eloeoZ1rI_liBs_G।“. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 09:11:58', '2024-04-05 09:11:58'),
(11880, 11880, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) handed over bank manager Nizam Uddin on Friday after being rescued from his abductors.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imran Khan, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of the RAB headquarters media wing, confirmed the matter on Friday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, RAB (Legal and Media Wing) Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin briefed reporters at the Bandarban District Council Auditorium at 11:00 am on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that there was no financial transaction to rescue the bank manager, the RAB official said, “So far, the operation has been stopped due to negotiations with the Peace Committee. We believed in the doctrine that all the demands of the KNF would be resolved through the Peace Committee.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But on the night of April 2, bank robbery in Ruma upazila, abduction of manager, 14 weapons from Ansar and police, and snatching of mobile phones from worshippers entering the mosque, all avenues of peace dialogue were closed,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added that armed groups are carrying out such acts to prove their existence and capability. In the same way, attacks have been carried out in Thanchi. He said the operation of law enforcement agencies, including RAB, is going on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The KNF had previously carried out various activities for the training of militants, collecting weapons, and financial prosperity here. Law enforcement stopped it, Commander Moin also said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the exchange of gunfire between police, BGB, and KNF in Thanchi upazila last night stopped at 11:00 pm. No casualties were reported in the incident. Thanchi Upazila Chairman Thoaihla Maung said the situation in the upazila is normal at the moment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Thursday night, the RAB members rescued the bank manager from the Bathel Para area of Bandarban through mediation, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday afternoon, Nizam Uddin’s wife, Nazmul Nahar, said the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) demanded Tk 15 lakh from his family as ransom, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The separatist group kidnapped the Sonali Bank’s Ruma upazila branch manager on Tuesday, April 2, and tried to loot Tk 1.5 crore from the vault of the Ruma branch. Unable to take the money, they kidnapped the bank manager.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 09:16:15', '2024-04-05 09:16:15'),
(11881, 11881, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The government is taking a strict stance on armed violence in Chattogram Hill Tracts, said Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“A joint operation is underway there. The situation will soon calm down,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader was speaking at the Eid gift distribution programme of the Matshjeeby League at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Friday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“A small group has started some armed activities in Chattogram Hill Tracts. This small group is not present in Rangamati or Khagrachhari. It is only in Bandarban. Some young people from this small group are providing arms and training,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Law enforcement agencies are conducting joint operations in this regard. Hopefully, the situation will calm down soon. And there is no reason to think that the entire hill region will become unstable due to this armed vigilance,” added the AL leader, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Matshjeeby League President Saidur Rahman presided over the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, Matshjeeby League Executive President Saiful Alam Manik and General Secretary Sheikh Asgar Naskar were present on the occasion, among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 09:45:46', '2024-04-05 09:45:46'),
(11882, 11882, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Amid speculations regarding the imposition of a 15 VAT on metro rail’s ticket with effect from July 1, Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Friday that they know nothing about the matter.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Who suddenly announced such a thing? We don\'t know anything about it,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader, also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, said this while addressing an Iftar and Eid gifts distribution programme organised by the party’s front Matshjeeby League at Rajdhani High School ground on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Friday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Calling the metro rail a service-oriented transportation, he said they would discuss with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“People are benefiting from it. And we haven\'t made any decision on that,” he said about the VAT issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader said they don\'t know who announced it in a hurry before any high-level decision of the government. Journalists should have asked about it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is currently a VAT waiver on Metrorail tickets, which will expire on June 30. DMTCL requested NBR to extend the period but the revenue board expressed unwillingness to extend the exemption.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second secretary of NBR\'s VAT Division Barrister Md. Badruzzaman Munshi sent a letter to the managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the letter, VAT exemption on metro rail tickets will expire on June 30.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the letter, the revenue board said that various development activities are going on in the country with the goal of attaining the status of a developed country by 2041.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has to constantly provide money to carry out those development activities, which is mainly collected through direct and indirect taxes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tax exemptions are given to various sectors on different occasion with the aim of promoting domestic industries, reduce import dependence and developing small and cottage industries, etc, said the letter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That is why tax exemption benefits are being gradually withdrawn from various sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, freedom fighters and children of three feet height can travel free of charge, and people with special needs can travel on metro rail at a 10 to 15 percent discount. - unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 09:50:42', '2024-04-05 09:50:42'),
(11883, 11883, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A case has been filed over the robbery at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Habildar Shahidul Islam, of Ansar Battalion-3, filed the case at Rampal Police Station on Thursday night, naming 20 individuals and 30 to 40 unidentified men.</div><div><br></div><div>Police have already arrested 12 suspects involved in the case, with efforts underway to apprehend the others, according to police sources.</div><div><br></div><div>Rampal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Somen Das, quoting the case details, said that on Wednesday night, a group of robbers entered the D-block of the Rampal Thermal Power Plant. At that time, Ansar members and private security personnel of the power plant attempted to stop them. The robbers attacked them, injuring five Ansar members. During their escape, the robbers stole various sizes of iron rods worth Tk 90,000.</div><div><br></div><div>Those injured in the attack --Akram, Saidul Islam, Mintu Bairagi, Brajen Mondal, and Habib Kamal--are undergoing treatment at the hospital, said the OC.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 11:00 pm on Wednesday, a group of 50 to 60 men attacked the power plant. During the attack, two Ansar members, three private security personnel of the power plant, and one member of the robber gang were injured.</div><div><br></div><div>Incidentally, incidents of theft are becoming more frequent at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant, where nearly 1,320 megawatts of electricity are generated. The thieves often steal copper wires and various machine parts. - unb</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 10:22:16', '2024-04-05 10:22:16'),
(11884, 11884, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Friday said that BNP is talking nonsense due to its fear of political existence.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said this in response to questions from journalists about the BNP\'s stance on India at Kasba Upazila Parishad in Brahmanbaria.</div><div><br></div><div>He stated that when any political party fears about its existence, they tend to say things that make no sense. Whatever the BNP is saying is not to be taken seriously.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, he joined as the chief guest at a laptop distribution event among 80 female entrepreneurs at the Upazila Auditorium.</div><div><br></div><div>The District Administration and the Brahmanbaria Information and Communication Technology Department organised the event, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Habibur Rahman. Special guests included Police Superintendent Mohammad Shakawat Hossain, Kasba Upazila Chairman Rashedul Kaisar Bhuiyan Jibon, and Upazila Executive Officer Shahriar Mukhtar. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 10:32:19', '2024-04-05 10:32:19'),
(11885, 11885, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Two people died as a running train crashed into a sand-laden truck from behind in Purbo Fazilpur Muhuriganj Bridge area under Feni’s Sadar upazila on Friday morning.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of the deceased was identified as Md Mizan, 32, son of Abul Hawladar of Kawyarraha village under Barishal’s Wazirpur upazila. The victims were the driver and helper of the truck.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police and witnesses said the accident happened around 8:30 am when the Chattogram-bound mail train hit the truck while crossing the trail track as the gateman failed to place the bar despite the arrival of the train in the Muhuriganj Bridge area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The impact of the accident left the two dead on the spot, they said, adding that the bodies were sent to Feni Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, reports UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Feni’s Superintendent of Police Md Jakir Hasan, who visited the spot shortly after the accident, said legal actions would be taken against the accused upon investigation in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gateman Md Saiful went missing soon after the accident, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 10:40:12', '2024-04-05 10:40:12');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11886, 11886, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ukraine said today that it had destroyed at least six Russian military planes at an airbase in the southern Rostov region in a barrage of overnight drone attacks.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv launched one of its largest overnight attacks in weeks, firing more than 50 drones at Russian territory, according to Russia’s defence ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A security source in Kyiv told AFP that an attack on the Morozovsk airbase in Russia’s southern Rostov region had destroyed at least six Russian planes and “another eight were heavily damaged”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This is an important special operation that will significantly reduce the combat potential of the Russians,” the source said, adding that the attack was carried out by the SBU security service and the military.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no immediate response from Russia and AFP was unable to verify the claims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia said 44 of the 53 drones Kyiv fired overnight targeted the southern Rostov region, which sits just across the border from Ukraine and is home to a number of major military sites, including its command headquarters for the offensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“During the night and on the morning of April 5, the Kyiv regime tried to commit several terrorist attacks with aerial drones which were foiled,” the defence ministry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rostov’s governor Vasily Golubev said a drone attack on the Morozovsk district, where the airbase is located, had caused “insignificant damage” to a power station that had cut electricity supplies to around 600 residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also reported windows were blown out in an apartment building but made no mention of the air base.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia rarely comments on Ukrainian claims of successful strikes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv has stepped up its aerial attacks on Russian territory in recent months, targeting both military sites and energy facilities in a bid to disrupt Russia’s supply of fuel and equipment for its invasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday, Ukrainian drones hit the central Tatarstan region – around 1,100km from the countries’ shared border – in one of the deepest Ukrainian attacks of the two-year war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv said the strike hit a major oil refinery and a factory assembling explosive drones.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other Ukrainian drone attacks in the early hours today targeted the Belgorod and Kursk border regions, as well as Saratov and Krasnodar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Saratov, the governor said a drone had targeted Engels, a city around 500km from the border that is home to a major Russian airbase that has previously been hit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine’s air force meanwhile said Russia launched five missiles and 13 drones at its territory overnight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv said it downed the 13 drones, but did not say anything about the missiles, which targeted the northeastern Kharkiv region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian-installed authorities in areas of Ukraine occupied by Moscow’s forces also reported Ukrainian strikes on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five people were injured, two seriously, in a drone attack on the Russian-controlled part of the southern Kherson region, while seven were injured in a strike on Gorlivka in the eastern Donetsk region, Moscow-appointed officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the battlefield, Russian forces are seeking to press their advantage with Ukraine facing shortages of both manpower and ammunition amid delays to the delivery of Western aid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian-installed officials have claimed Moscow’s forces are advancing on Chasiv Yar, a town in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both Ukrainian and Russian military bloggers with links to the armed forces said today that Russian troops had reached the outskirts of the town. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 10:42:48', '2024-04-05 10:42:48'),
(11887, 11887, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>&nbsp;A 15-year-old teenager has been badly beaten in a town south of Paris and rushed to hospital following a cardiac arrest, in the latest incident of school violence in France.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday’s attack came at a time of heightened tensions around French schools.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this week a teenage girl was left temporarily comatose after being beaten outside her school in the south of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>In the new incident, which occurred in the town of Viry-Chatillon, located around 20km south of Paris, a teenager was attacked by several people as he left school yesterday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The public prosecutor’s office said it had opened a probe into attempted murder and gang assault.</div><div><br></div><div>The schoolboy suffered cardiorespiratory arrest, a police source said.</div><div><br></div><div>He was rushed to Necker Hospital, a top paediatric hospital in Paris, said Jean-Marie Vilain, the mayor of Viry-Châtillon.</div><div><br></div><div>The assailants “tried to massacre him”, said Vilain, speaking of “the worst kind of thugs”.</div><div><br></div><div>“This extreme violence is becoming commonplace,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the mayor, psychological help would be provided to the pupils and teachers of the school, which the teenager attended.</div><div><br></div><div>According to a police source, the teenager was beaten by several people who then fled.</div><div><br></div><div>The pupil was found in a street “not far from his school”, according to prosecutors.</div><div><br></div><div>The school is located in a working-class district of Viry-Chatillon, which is home to around 30,000 people.</div><div><br></div><div>No arrests had been made by yesterday evening.</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday, a teenage girl was attacked outside her school in the southern city of Montpellier. Prosecutors said the girl was “seriously injured”.</div><div><br></div><div>Three alleged attackers have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a minor. One of the accused is a girl from the same school.</div><div><br></div><div>Dozens of messages threatening attacks have been sent to schools around France in recent days. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 10:44:53', '2024-04-05 10:44:53'),
(11888, 11888, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ahead of Eid, the prices of beef, chicken, and fish saw an upward trend while prices of rice, edible oil, sugar, wheat, and flour were stable at the kitchen market of Dhaka.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prices of vegetables, onions, and fruits including local seasonal fruits like watermelon, pineapple, and imported fruits prices fell slightly due to decreased demand as holidaymakers are leaving the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During visits to different kitchen markets including Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali, Malibagh, and Hatirpool, the correspondent observed that prices of beef, chicken, and fish increased slightly on Friday (April 5).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wholesalers and retailers of these items said that the prices of meat items and chicken increased ahead of Eid due to rise of demand for a certain time, while fish prices were up as the supply of fish reduced in the market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abu Bakar, a butcher of Karwan Bazar told UNB that the price of meat – beef is selling at Tk750 per kg and mutton/ goat meat at Tk1000 and Tk1100 per kg respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government officials from the City Corporation and the Ministry of Commerce visited the Karwan Bazar kitchen market, so there is no scope to increase prices suddenly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the profit margin of meat traders has decreased as the supply of cattle has reduced slightly than last Eid, he pointed out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, outside Karwan Bazar, beef was selling between Tk 750 to 800 per kg on Friday based on quality, and saw a raise of price by Tk 30 per kg than other days of the week. Mutton and goat meat was selling at Tk1000 to 1180 per kg based on quality, which saw an increase of Tk 50 per kg.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The price of broiler chicken has also increased, it was selling at Tk 240 to 260 per kg, which was selling between Tk 220 in last week. Apart from this, the price of Sonali chicken has also increased and is now being sold at Tk 350 to 380 per kg.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Similarly, cock chicken is being sold at Tk 370 to 390 per kg, layer chicken at Tk 300 to Tk380 per kg, and indigenous (desi) chicken at Tk 650 to Tk 700 per kg.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The traders of the concerned sectors said that prices of chicken increased due to price hikes of chicken food and broiler chicks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prices of almost all vegetables decreased on Friday as demand fell but prices of new vegetables like okra, drumsticks, string beans, and bitter gourd were stable between Tk 60 to 140 per kg on Friday. The prices of tomatoes have increased as the season is ending. Good quality tomatoes were selling between Tk 60 to 70 per kg.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vegetables like brinjal and others were selling between Tk 30 to 50 per kg, bottle gourd, ash gourd, and cauliflower at Tk 40 to 60 per piece.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Onion is selling between Tk30 to 60 per kg, garlic at Tk180 to 250, and ginger at Tk200 to 280 per kg based on quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Egg prices were decreased slightly and selling per dozen brown egg at Tk130, egg duck at Tk70 per hali (four pieces), and eggs of home-rearing hens sold at Tk80 per hali (four pieces).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prices of watermelon fell drastically and premium quality watermelon was selling at Tk40 per kg, while pineapple was selling at Tk 20 35 per piece based on size and quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guava was selling at Tk 50 to 70 per kg, Papaya (ripe) at Tk 100 to 140 per kg, which was sold at Tk 200 and above in the first week of this Ramadan</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apple, Malta, orange, and Nashi pear were sold between Tk 260 to 340 per kg, which was sold at Tk 360 to 370 per kg in the first two weeks of this Ramadan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prices of other kitchen items remained unchanged this week. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 10:49:48', '2024-04-05 10:49:48'),
(11889, 11889, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Rescuers freed nine people trapped in a winding cave in Taiwan’s mountainous east today while locating two others who were feared dead, as they searched for those still missing after the island’s biggest earthquake in 25 years.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The official death toll from Wednesday’s magnitude-7.4 quake still stood at 10, but the government in the hardest-hit area of Hualien county said two more people on a hiking trail were found with “no signs of life”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Crushed by a landslide, the two people were buried deep beneath massive boulders, making it difficult for workers to get to them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Their bodies have been found, but they have not been excavated yet. We will add them to the death toll after they are excavated and identified,” said interior minister Lin Yu-chang.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds more were still stranded around the mountains that flank the county today, with roads blocked off by landslides and rockfalls. However, most were known to be safe as rescuers deployed helicopters, drones, and smaller teams with dogs to reach them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rescuers had found nine people alive in a cave popular with tourists called the Tunnel of Nine Turns today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lin said that progress was “ahead of schedule”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There are still aftershocks and rocks falling but in a very short period of about five hours today, we have managed to repair 10 kilometres of roads,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the main city of Hualien, authorities allowed residents to enter a building with a crumbling facade at 15-minute intervals so that they could retrieve their belongings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some opted to throw mattresses and bags of clothing out the window, while a young mother slowly carried a cot out for her 10-month-old baby.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are told the building has become dangerous and there probably won’t be another chance to move our things afterwards,” said the 24-year-old woman surnamed Chen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“During the big quake…I was only thinking about protecting my baby at the time,” she said. “I didn’t expect it to be so serious and the structure below has become like that.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ten minutes away, workers started demolishing a building named Uranus – tilting at a 45° angle after half its first floor pancaked – by first using a pink crane to smash its glass windows.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plan was to slowly take it apart – a process that could take two weeks – but an aftershock around 1pm local time alarmed the construction team as the building appeared to lean more perilously forward.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As rain drizzled across the city, workers accelerated the process, inserting giant metal bars to stabilise the structure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Next to Uranus, a digital sign on another building blared, “Don’t give up! Hualien add oil!” – using a Chinese expression of support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The national disaster agency said 10 people had been killed and 1,123 injured – though the severity of the wounded was not specified.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 630 were stranded but accounted for, while authorities had lost contact with 13. - AFP </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 11:00:50', '2024-04-05 11:01:52'),
(11890, 11890, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A group of students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology has placed an appeal before the prime minister for the safety of their lives as a barrage of veiled life threats against them kept flooding social media particularly from handles and accounts known as mouthpiece affiliated with extremist and radical outfits.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even Basherkella, that held record of spreading hate speech and communal attacks, associated with a dreaded outfit Jamaat-e-Islami, launched a targeted attack with photos names of the students circulated on different platforms including Telegram channels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Linking the pattern similar to previous attacks on two BUET students who were vocal against these outfits in the past, they added “we have every reason to take these threats seriously”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The students made the demand at a press conference held at the Shaheed Minar on BUET campus on Friday as they earlier submitted a complaint with the vice chancellor compiling screenshot of threats and bullying against them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Days back, they submitted a written complaint with the vice chancellor where they mentioned names of 21 students who faced similar threats against them. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even for taking part in human chain against the fundamentalist forces triggered verbal attack on us in the past what is clearly a breach in freedom of expression, they added. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In two separate attacks in 2013, two BUET students who were leaders of Bangladesh Student League BUET unit were stabbed brutally with one killed and another survived reportedly in machete attacks by Shibir activists as both of them were involved in creating awareness against these fundamentalist group, they recalled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before attacks on Tonmoy Ahmed and Arif Raihan Dip, same pages Basherkella and Amar Desh ran a hate campaign branding them “enemies of Islam” followed by gruesome machete attacks, they told.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While Dip died of wounds after hacked inside the dormitory by a fellow student who ascribed to radical ideology, an assassination attempt on Tonmoy was made as he had been stabbed brutally reportedly by Shibir activists back in 2013.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recalling theses attacks, they told “a certain pattern emerges through attacks on our senior fellows. Both were vocal against militancy and fundamentalism and targeted by these groups. Same Basherkella has targeted us as posts with our details already been circulated through different communication channels like telegram channel by these groups”, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Citing reports of a secretive meeting of 34 activists of Shibir including current students of BUET at a remote place, they added “it clearly shows that despite apparent ban on student politics, they attended for the students attended a meeting where charges of anti state activities were slapped upon them.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Even in some facebook groups, we have found posts vilifying us and some of our minority students were targeted. Posts in these groups show students are using this space to spread the message of militants, further indication of involvement of these activists”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"38\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 12:57:04', '2024-04-05 12:57:39'),
(11891, 11891, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Friday said that there is no exemption for terrorists, oppressors of people, looters and land grabbers. Administration and police have been instructed to maintain peace and order in the country. This government is the government of the common people, the government of every man.&nbsp; All citizens are treated equally.&nbsp; We will stand by the people in the future as well.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Environment Minister said these things on Friday in the speech of the chief guest at the distribution of sarees and lungis as Eid gifts among about 1200 families of Ward No. 74 of Dhaka South City Corporation at Golarbari Bridge Nandipara.</div><div><br></div><div>The Environment Minister said that the government has stood by the backward, deprived people.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>They are being distributed daily necessities including rice, dal, potato, oil, semai, saree, lungi. Leaders and workers of Awami League are engaged in good work competition.&nbsp; Being with the people is important to them. We are trying to take people from darkness to light.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka South City Corporation Ward No. 5 Councilor Chitta Ranjan Das, First Elected Councilor Ward No. 74 Abul Kalam Azad, Dhaka South City Corporation Reserved Women Councilor Nasrin Ahmed and local Awami League and its organizational leaders were present at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>The Environment Minister then distributed clothes as Eid gifts among 1000 families of Ward No. 73 of Dhaka South City Corporation at Manikdia Idrisia Dakhil Madrasa.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 13:06:49', '2024-04-05 13:06:49'),
(11892, 11892, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today greeted the countrymen and the Muslim Ummah across the world on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Qadr or Lailatul Qadr to be observed at night tomorrow (Saturday).&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In separate messages, they prayed for continuous peace, progress and prosperity of the country, the whole world and the Muslim Ummah.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Muslims across the country are set to observe the holy Shab-e-Qadr or Lailatul Qadr tomorrow night when the first verses of the holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Nightlong special prayers will be held at homes and mosques across the country throughout the holy night.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>President Mohammed Shahabuddin, in his message, said Lailatul Qadr is a holy night for the entire mankind, which is better than thousands of nights.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"The importance and significance of Lailatul Qadr is huge as Almighty Allah revealed the holy Quran on this night. This night brings us the opportunity to gain the \'Neki\' of more than thousands of months of worship in our temporary life,\" he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The President said thousands of people across the world have been passing days amid miseries due to corona pandemic, conflicts and wars and urged all to pray to Almighty Allah for the forgiveness, blessings, prosperity and welfare to all on this glorious night.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on this night of the month of fasting, The Almighty Allah sent down the holy Qur\'an to the world as a guide for mankind, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>She said Almighty Allah has given a unique status to the night, while infinite mercy and blessings of Allah pour in mankind on the night.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"Through worship on this holy night, we can gain nearness to Almighty Allah. We can achieve his infinite mercy, salvation, blessing and forgiveness,\" the premier added.</div><div><br></div><div>\"On the occasion of the holy Lailatul Qadr, we pray to Almighty Allah to give us the grace to devote ourselves to the work of human welfare and nation-building by avoiding all kinds of injustice, conflict, violence and superstition,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"On this holy day, I pray to Almighty Allah Rabbul Alamin for the future progress, peace, prosperity and welfare of the beloved motherland Bangladesh and the entire Muslim Ummah. May Allah help us. Ameen,\" Sheikh Hasina added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-05 13:11:52', '2024-04-05 13:11:52'),
(11893, 11893, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The government is set to increase its recurrent expenditure from 8.7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the current fiscal year 2023-24 to 9% in 2024-25, with a further rise to 9.5% in 2025-26.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This projection marks a notable increase, according to the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance. Over the past five years, the recurrent expenditure averaged 7.4% of GDP, highlighting a significant upward trend in government spending.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recurrent expenditure encompasses salaries for government employees, goods and services purchases, subsidies, transfer payments, and interest on both domestic and foreign loans. The government is keen on optimising these expenditures, particularly the pay and allowances for public service, to ensure effective delivery of services.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adoption of Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for all governmental payments, including pensions, has bolstered the efficiency of the payment system, minimising leakages and leading to a decrease in salary and allowance expenditure as a percentage of the total budget from 14.9% in FY 2017-18 to 12.1% by FY 2021-22. This trend is expected to continue, with projected expenditures of 10.6% in 2023-24, and adjustments to 11% and 13% in the subsequent fiscal years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The \'Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26)\' outlines several initiatives aimed at improving the procurement and management of goods and services. These include the e-GP system for public procurement, digitalisation of inventory management, and various e-payment systems, leading to a more efficient management process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Consequently, the average expenditure on goods and services has seen a decrease, with a projected slight increase to 7.6% by 2025-26, reflecting the government\'s commitment to fiscal efficiency while addressing growth needs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government is also adjusting its focus towards pro-poor growth strategies and rationalisation of subsidies, particularly in energy, by implementing regular price adjustments to reduce subsidy dependence. This strategy aligns with broader economic objectives outlined in the 8th Five-Year Plan, emphasising support for agriculture, export diversification, remittance enhancement, and green technologies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, the document highlights efforts to incentivise remittance through banking channels by offering a 2.5% cash incentive and favourable exchange rates for expatriates, underscoring the government\'s commitment to encouraging financial inflows through formal channels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interest payments, a significant portion of recurrent expenditure, are carefully managed through a balanced mix of domestic borrowing and concessional external loans to mitigate interest payment obligations. Despite the challenges posed by fluctuating interest rates, the government\'s policy shift towards reducing borrowing from NSD instruments is a strategic move to manage this expenditure more effectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This comprehensive fiscal strategy, outlined by the government, emphasises efficiency, digital innovation, and targeted support to foster sustainable economic growth and development. According to UNB reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-07 07:19:34', '2024-04-07 07:19:34'),
(11894, 11894, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The demolition of a building that is leaning precariously after an earthquake in Taiwan was halted on Saturday because of aftershocks that made it lean even more, media reports said.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The red building, about 10 stories tall and inclined over a street in the city of Hualien, has become an iconic image from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that also buried people under boulders at nearby Taroko National Park, a popular hiking destination about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of Hualien.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The death toll rose to 13 after a third victim was found on the park\'s Shakadang Trail. Six other people are still missing, including three on the same trail. More than 400 people remained stranded three days after the quake in locations cut off by damage. Most are at a hotel in Taroko park.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds of aftershocks have struck the area since the Wednesday morning quake off Taiwan\'s east coast, including a magnitude-5.2 earthquake shortly before noon on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Survivors have told harrowing tales of rocks tumbling onto roadways, trapping them in tunnels until rescuers arrived to free them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The relatively low number of deaths from the powerful quake has been attributed to strict construction standards and widespread public education campaigns on the earthquake-prone island. The quake was the strongest to hit Taiwan since a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in 1999 that killed 2,400 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rescuers were planning to bring in heavy equipment to try to recover two bodies pinned under boulders on the Shakadang Trail. The three dead and three missing on the trail include a family of five. Search and recovery work had been called off Friday afternoon because of aftershocks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Hualien, a city official said that experts would discuss how to proceed with the demolition of the leaning building. Offerings were made at a ceremony before the demolition began the previous day. - AP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd/fas</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-07 07:29:06', '2024-04-07 07:29:06'),
(11895, 11895, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said due to ruling Awami League (AL) government’s ‘knee-jerk foreign policy’ Bangladesh is being turned into a ‘battle corridor’ of neighboring countries.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Keeping the borders unprotected, the government has deployed hundreds of thousands member of law enforce agencies in the capital to suppress oppositions movement,” he said at a press conference held at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Why our borders remain unprotected, the dummy government doesn’t explain people anything about it,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The law enforce agencies were kept engaged to secure one person’s throne, claimed Rizvi. “The home minister and his intelligence agencies were unaware about the secessionist terrorists who attacked our sovereignty whereas they are keen to make plot how to trap opposition activists,” he alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bank robbery, abduction, attack on law enforcement agency and looting of their arms by so-called Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) in Bandarban is a clear sign of the failure of Sheikh Hasina’s dummy government, the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the home minister’s remarks on KNF is fascinating as well as worrisome as he claimed they (KNF) members were forced to leave the Bangladesh land and maintained communication with him. But why they carried out attack on law enforcement agency is not clear, Rizvi said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is clear that Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) is getting his favour for some unknown reason, he alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Not only Bangladesh- Myanmar border is unprotected, but also Bangladesh-India border is witnessing blood shed with the killing of country’s innocent people on regular basis, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Sheikh Hasina and her subservient government have kept their mouth shut over the border killings. BSF is killing Bangladeshi people along the border frequently without any valid reason. About 15 people were killed in last three months. Even, on&nbsp; March 26, the day of Independence, two people named- Al Amin and Liton- were killed in Naogoan and Lalmonirhut border”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Senior Joint Secretary General said the incumbent ‘evil power’ had celebrated Independence day but did not utter a single word about the killings of Al Amin and Liton. According to UNB reports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-07 07:51:55', '2024-04-07 07:51:55'),
(11896, 11896, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In response to a surge of criminal activities, including high-profile bank robbery and abduction, General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff, announced on Sunday a comprehensive joint operation in Bandarban.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This initiative marks a significant escalation in efforts to maintain public safety, involving coordination among the Bangladesh Army, Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a press briefing at the Bandarban Cantonment, General Ahmed disclosed, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of our citizens. We are implementing both overt and covert strategies to achieve tangible results from this operation.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The recent criminal spree has alarmed the local populace, prompting high-ranking military officials, including General Ahmed, to visit Bandarban. Their presence aims to reassure the community in the aftermath of unsettling events.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A breakthrough came on Friday night when the operation led to the arrest of several armed suspects. The crackdown, according to General Ahmed, signals the military\'s unwavering resolve against groups undermining regional stability. He particularly mentioned the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), a group previously engaged in peace negotiations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Despite our hopes for peace, the KNF reverted to criminal conduct,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“After being cornered last June, they appeared willing to negotiate. Unfortunately, their commitment to peace was superficial, as evidenced by their continued involvement in criminal acts,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an earlier address to the troops, General Ahmed called for bravery and vigilance in combating crime, underscoring the importance of this mission to national security and public well-being. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-04-07 09:26:18', '2024-04-07 09:26:18');
