INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12612, 12612, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim on Wednesday said they want to make sure that jobs are guaranteed for all the Bangladeshis who are going to Malaysia.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are committed to that. We are in good cooperation with the government of Bangladesh to address any relevant issues,\" she told diplomatic correspondents in an interaction, describing how serious her government is about the welfare of Bangladeshi workers.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The High Commissioner, however, acknowledged that there my might be syndicates that are beyond the control of both Bangladesh and Malaysian governments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You just mentioned syndicates. Of course there are things beyond our control. This is something beyond not only Malaysian government, but also beyond the control of Bangladesh government,\" she said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malaysian High Commissioner said they are committed to make things better in the future.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government is committed to ensuring the welfare of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The High Commissioner highly appreciated Bangladeshi workers\' contribution to Malaysia in a big way. \"We want to ensure that everything is in place.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said things will be reviewed time to time on the basis of needs and supply and demand.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During an interaction with the members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), High Commissioner Haznah said so far the deadline for Bangladeshi workers to reach Malaysia is May 31. \"It\'s fixed by my government. It was announced in January this year.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The High Commissioner highlighted her country’s efforts to offer world-class healthcare, education, and tourism facilities with an affordable cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also talked about the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. \"I am confident that it would happen.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">DCAB President Nurul Islam Hassib also spoke at the session and thanked the High Commission for hosting the discussion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-29 13:07:26', '2024-05-29 13:07:26'),
(12613, 12613, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Babar Ali, who conquered the world’s highest peak Mount Everest a few days back, was accorded a reception at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport upon his arrival from Nepal via Dhaka on Tuesday night.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>A festive atmosphere was prevailing in his birthplace Chattogram when the news of his return spread on social media.</div><div><br></div><div>In an immediate reaction to the media, Babar said, \"I had the confidence that after reaching the summits of Everest and Lhotse, I would return home. And that\'s what happened. Long training, effort and ambition—all have been fulfilled. I am delighted with the encouragement from the people of our country.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Babar Ali was warmly welcomed at the Shah Amanat International Airport by the people of Chittagong around 10.15pm.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-29 13:27:37', '2024-05-29 13:27:37'),
(12614, 12614, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has said approximately 35 per cent votes were cast in the third phase of Upazila Parishad polls.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It would take a few hours to know the exact voter turnout,&nbsp; the CEC said at a press briefing held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said six people were injured in stray incidents, 30 people were arrested and two were sentenced for various irregularities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam told reporters that voter turnout was approximately 20 per cent in the first four hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The voting began at 8:00am and continued till 4:00 pm without any break.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 1,196 candidates contested against 261 posts in 87 Upazila Parishads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The candidates include 397 chairman contenders, 456 vice chairman and 299 women (reserved) vice chairman contestants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-29 13:46:11', '2024-05-29 13:46:11'),
(12615, 12615, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was felt in Bangladesh at 7:13 pm on Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The epicenter of the earthquake was 31 km East-southeast (ESE) of Mawlaik, Myanmar, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).</div><div><br></div><div>There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the earthquake.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-29 13:59:53', '2024-05-29 13:59:53'),
(12616, 12616, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh has become a role model in establishing global peace, reiterating her call to stop ongoing wars solving all problems through dialogue and channelised the money used in arms races for welfare of mankind, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Sheikh Hasina made the remarks while addressing an event marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh is a dependable and responsible name in the efforts of protecting peace and safety alongside establishing global peace. We are acknowledged by all and have become a role model on the global stage,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said as many as 6092 Bangladeshi peacekeepers including 493 women have been working with reputation in 13 places of the UN peacekeeping missions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They (Bangladeshi peacekeepers) have been working with fame and glory,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said the heads of the state and government where the Bangladeshi peacekeepers are now working have highly praised them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I feel really proud hearing the appreciation,\" she continued. Bangladesh is working to pursue the global peace following the ideal of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are actively participating in other international forums alongside the UN peacekeeping missions to establish global peace,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also said the \"Culture of Peace\" proposal placed by Bangladesh in 1997 was unanimously adopted as resolution in the UN in 1999 and the UN had announced 2000 as the \"International Year of the Culture of Peace\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said Bangabandhu had appeared as envoy of peace and voice of the distressed people of the world through his work.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For that reason, Bangabandhu was awarded the \"Joliot Curie Peace Medal\" on May 23 in 1973, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina greeted the Bangladeshi peacekeepers as they are tirelessly working to protect civilians, human rights and establish peace globally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that the Bangladeshi peacekeepers have successfully taught Bangla culture and language to many people of the countries they are working for.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"So, the people of those countries (where the peacekeepers are working) have given you untold love and affections,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Overall, our professionalism, efficiency and commitment in establishing global peace have set an example for others,\" she continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister called upon the Bangladeshi peacekeepers to continue the efforts and thus brighten the country\'s image further.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She recalled the contribution of 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives and 266 others who are severely injured for establishing global peace.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, Senior Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis also spoke at the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-29 14:55:11', '2024-05-29 14:55:11'),
(12617, 12617, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday distributed relief materials among the victims of cyclone Remal in the district.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The relief distribution programme was held at Government Mojahar Uddin Biswas Degree College at Kolapara organised by district administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, she flew by a helicopter over Mathbaria and Pathorghata areas in Patuakhali district to get a bird\'s eye view of the devastation caused by this week\'s cyclone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The helicopter carrying the PM landed at the helipad adjoining to Khepupara Govt Model Secondary School,&nbsp; Kalapara of Patukhali district at 12:20pm today after around one and a half hours of ride from Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mathbaria and Pathorghata in Kalapara were among the hardest-hit areas when the cyclone roaring from the Bay of Bengal hit the Bangladesh coast on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister\'s helicopter at some points flew just above the ground so she can have a better view of the damages caused by the cyclone that triggered tidal surges and torrential rains washing away beribadhs, fish farms, felling houses and trees along the coast.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also left at least 16 people dead and many injured amid huge evacuation of people to cyclone shelters in an operation constantly monitored by the prime minister from Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After relief distribution she visited the Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Bridge on Patuakhali-Kuakata road.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina later sat with the divisional level officials to review the relief operation and assess the immediate rehabitation needs of the affected people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wrapping up her day-long programme to the area Hasina is scheduled to leave for Dhaka at 3 pm, according to her office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides claiming lives Cyclone Remal destroyed over 35,000 homes, and seriously affected more than 37 lakh people in 19 districts.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storm made landfall near Khepupara of Patuakhali with wind speed of up to 130kmph on Sunday evening.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As many as 327,000 people have so far been affected in the district while some 235 houses were completely and 1,865 others were partially destroyed, official sources said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across the affected areas the agricultural sector suffered losses of over Tk 260 million, while the fishery sector\'s losses are estimated to be over Tk 280 million, said the sources. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 09:14:59', '2024-05-30 09:14:59'),
(12618, 12618, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said war should not continue indefinitely, justice should not be absent forever, and commitment to the two-State solution should not be wavered at will.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Xi made the remarks as he delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.</div><div><br></div><div>The Middle East is a land bestowed with broad prospects for development, but the war is still raging on it. Since last October, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has escalated drastically, throwing the people into tremendous sufferings, Xi said.</div><div><br></div><div>China firmly supports the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital. It supports Palestine\'s full membership in the U.N., and supports a more broad-based, authoritative and effective international peace conference, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Xi noted China will continue to provide assistance to help ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support post-conflict reconstruction, and support the work of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in providing emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 09:36:06', '2024-05-30 09:36:06'),
(12619, 12619, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>North Korea has launched hundreds of waste-filled balloons to South Korea, covering the entire country. The balloons have been found from the border regions of Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces to distant locations like Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province, where South Korean military headquarters are situated, and even in Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province, beyond the Baekdudaegan mountain range.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the South Korean military, North Korea deployed large balloons filled with waste over a period of about 10 hours from the night of May 28 to the afternoon of May 29. This comes two days after the North denounced a leaflet launch by a South Korean anti-North Korean group as a “provocation” and announced on May 26 that it would distribute “trash and filth packets.” The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that “as of 4 p.m. on May 29, we have confirmed around 260 balloons sent south, the largest number ever launched by North Korea in a single day.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister Kim Yo-jong, vice director of the Workers’ Party of Korea, described the release of waste balloons as “the people’s expression of freedom” in a statement on the night of May 29, and sarcastically asked for the South Korean government’s understanding, mocking Seoul’s stance that “the anti-North Korean leaflets are protected under freedom of expression.” She further described them as a “sincere gift of goodwill” to the “ghosts of liberal democracy,” suggesting that South Korea should “keep picking them up.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The balloons contained bags filled with animal manure, cigarette butts, and paper waste. There have been no reports of regime propaganda leaflets attached to the balloons. This marks the first such balloon launch since North Korea ceased the practice around the time of the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018, resuming it after about six years. The JCS sternly warned North Korea to “immediately cease such crude acts.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">North Korea also conducted a GPS jamming attack in the western sea region early on May 29.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The South Korean military reported no casualties or property damage from the balloons or the GPS jamming. Observers suggest that North Korea’s “gray zone” provocations are intensifying, aiming to disrupt South Korean society through non-military means. A government official said, “They want to test whether our citizens and government are unsettled by these psychological and hybrid threats.” - The Chosun daily&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, '2024-05-30 10:09:28', '2024-05-30 10:09:28'),
(12620, 12620, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rain or thundershowers in five divisions including Dhaka and Chattogram over 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at a few</div><div><br></div><div>places in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions,” said a BMD bulletin.</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 fall slightly over the northern part and may rise slightly elsewhere in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>A trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal in India to northwest Bay. Southwest monsoon has advanced upto Teknaf coast.</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 10:56:39', '2024-05-30 10:56:39'),
(12621, 12621, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has called on bus owners to ensure that passengers are not overcharged as they travel home for Eid-ul-Azha.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a press briefing today, Quader emphasized the need for strict monitoring of bus fares and enhanced measures to facilitate safe and smooth journeys.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“We must guarantee fair treatment for all passengers, especially during the Eid rush,” Quader said. “No extra fare should be imposed on homebound travelers.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader urged authorities to increase surveillance at key entry points to Dhaka and other strategic locations to manage the influx of travelers. He also stressed the importance of ensuring an adequate number of vehicles to prevent overcrowding and delays.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Now, people can travel from Cumilla to Dhaka in 30-40 minutes. However, due to heavy traffic, passengers often face one to two-hour delays on the Hanif Flyover,” Quader said, adding that this issue needs to be resolved in the national interest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister highlighted the difficulties faced by garment workers, particularly in the Chandra area of Gazipur, during Eid journeys. “Thousands start walking on the streets due to a shortage of vehicles,” he remarked, urging for more adequate transportation arrangements.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader reiterated that motorcyclists cannot be allowed to ride without helmets and stressed the importance of vehicle fitness. Bangladesh has progressed significantly, but the standards of bus owners have declined, he noted. “Proper surveillance is crucial to prevent road accidents.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called on bus owners to ensure that only qualified drivers, not their helpers, operate the buses. “We need to strengthen the monitoring system to reduce the recurrence of accidents,” Quader added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd/fas</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 11:22:10', '2024-05-30 11:22:10'),
(12622, 12622, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh has offered cadet training scholarship after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the country\'s five government marine academies for foreigners through International Maritime Organization (IMO).</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sholarship has been offered for 10 cadets from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and African Least Developed Countries (LDCs).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This proposal was made when IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasc paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, the UN marine agency IMO gladly accepted this offer, said PM’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the meeting, different other issues including shipbuilding, ship recycling, maritime crimes and climate issues came up for discussion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMO official document stressed the need for promoting gender equilibrium in the marine academies in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard, the PM said there was no girl cadet in the marine academies in the past. But her government introduced the enrollment of girls in the marine academies and many girls are enrolling in the academies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the ship recycling industry, the IMO secretary-general said Bangladesh is the largest ship recycling country. Bangladesh demonstrated its high commitment for environmentally safe ship recycling by acceding to the Hong Kong Convention in June last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Hong Kong convention, a treaty set up by UN shipping agency the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is aimed at ensuring that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, did not pose any unnecessary risks to human health, safety and to the environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM sought assistance from the IMO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, for strengthening safe ship recycling here in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are enhancing the safety measures in shipbuilding and ship recycling and we seek support from IMO,” she was quoted as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in shipbuilding as the private sector alongside the government is building ships here and Bangladeshi ships are being exported to European countries as well.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said sea transportation is very important for Bangladesh and stressed the need for ensuring safe water routes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She expressed her satisfaction over the role of IMO for the quick release of Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah hijacked by Somali pirates recently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the safety in the Bay of Bengal, Sheikh Hasina was quoted as saying, “We all together control the pirates here and such steps should be taken in other places.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said Bangladesh increased the safety measures on the movement of inland water vessels as well and has successfully reduced the number of casualties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said the government has been trying to minimise the casualties and damages of the cyclone and other natural disasters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Arsenio Dominguez said the IMO is working on maritime crimes including human and drug trafficking, reports unb</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s Ambassador at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, IMO Vice-President Saida Muna Tasneem and Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Foreign Ministry Rear Admiral (retd) Khurshid Alam were present.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"34\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 11:41:04', '2024-05-30 11:41:04'),
(12623, 12623, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Power supply to 97 percent consumers of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) was restored while it was cent percent for consumers of West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDC) till 12 noon on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Power Division, referring to an updated information, said that the BREB restored the electricity supply to 2.93 crore consumers, which is 97 percent of its total affected consumers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some 3.03 crore consumers of the BREB got disconnected from the electricity supply network after cyclone Remal hit the country on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Still electricity supply could not be restored to some 9.22 lakh consumers, which is 3 percent of the total BREB consumers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BREB hopes that they will be able to restore electricity to 99 percent of its affected consumers by 6 pm on Thursday while 1 percent will remain without electricity as they need door- to- door service.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WZPDC has restored electricity supply to all of its affected consumers during the same period. The total affected consumers of WZPDC were 4.53 lakh who were without electricity due to the cyclone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Power Division said that about 21,000 workforce from BREB are currently working at the field level, while the WZPDC has also engaged its manpower to repair damaged power lines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 12:02:59', '2024-05-30 12:02:59'),
(12624, 12624, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Brazil withdrew its ambassador to Israel on Wednesday after months of tensions between the two countries over the war in Gaza, the latest repercussion from a South American nation over Israel’s military campaign in the Palestinian territory.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The move was announced in Brazil’s official gazette.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel’s foreign ministry said no official message has yet been received from the Brazilian government on the matter. However, following the media reports, the Brazilian chargé d’affaires was summoned to appear at the ministry on Thursday for a meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been a frequent critic of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which he compared to the Holocaust earlier this year. That led Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz to summon the Brazilian ambassador, Frederico Meyer, to the national Holocaust museum in Jerusalem for a public reprimand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the time, Lula called Meyer home. However, Wednesday’s action represented an escalation and a diplomatic downgrade, with the Brazilian Embassy in Israel still in place but without an ambassador in the post. - AP&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, '2024-05-30 12:33:35', '2024-05-30 12:33:35'),
(12625, 12625, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that Bangladesh is now completely under the grip of mafias and plunderers.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters on the premises of Zaiur Rahman’s grave, the BNP leader also said the current government’s main goal is to turn Bangladesh into a failed state by depleting its assets on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Bangladesh is now entirely under the control of offenders, looters, and mafias. On one hand, they (govt) are snatching political rights of people, on the other, they are destroying the economy,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said their party and other opposition parties have continued their movement against the current regime. “Inshallah, we’ll emerge victorious in this struggle.”</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Fakhrul, accompanied by BNP leaders and workers, paid homage to its founder and late President Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath, marking his 43rd death anniversary.</div><div><br></div><div>They also participated in a milad and doa mahfil seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Zia and the good health of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>He said they came to pay tribute to their party founder and great leader Ziaur Rahman when democracy is completely exiled in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also said the ruling Awami League has taken away the voting rights of the people by using various tactics and usurped power to restore one-party rule in a different manner.</div><div><br></div><div>\"So on the anniversary of his (Zia’s) martyrdom, we have taken an oath that we, the young, the old, and the women, will intensify the movement that is going on now to protect our rights, the independence, and sovereignty of the country. We’ll establish a pro-people government by defeating this terrible monstrous regime through this movement,” Fakhrul said.</div><div><br></div><div>Ziaur Rahman, who founded the BNP in 1978, was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 12:57:31', '2024-05-30 12:57:31'),
(12626, 12626, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli forces have taken control of a buffer zone along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, the country\'s military said on Wednesday, giving Israel effective authority over the Palestinian territory\'s entire land border.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel also continued deadly raids on Rafah in southern Gaza despite an order from the International Court of Justice to end attacks on the city, where half of Gaza\'s 2.3 million people had previously taken refuge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a televised briefing, chief military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said Israeli forces had gained \"operational\" control over the \"Philadelphi Corridor\", using the Israeli military\'s code name for the 14 km-long (9 mile) corridor along the Gaza Strip\'s only border with Egypt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Philadelphi Corridor served as an oxygen line for Hamas, which it regularly used to smuggle weapons into the area of the Gaza Strip,\" Hagari said. Hamas is the armed Palestinian group that governs the blockaded territory. - Reuters</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 13:21:26', '2024-05-30 13:21:26'),
(12627, 12627, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Defending champions Bangladesh stormed into the semifinals of the 12-nation Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi Tournament as the first team beating Poland by 79-28 point with seven lonas at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh is clearly leading the first half by 38-15 point against their lone European opponent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the day\'s 4th consecutive victory, hosts Bangladesh took a solo lead in six-team Group A with all-win run securing full eight points from straight four group matches,</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh skipper Arduzzaman Munshi again led the team from the front securing 25 points and was adjudged the man of the match while Razib Ahmed scored 15 points.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last three times champions Bangladesh will play Nepal on Friday at 6 pm in their last group match to decide the group champions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepal have secured six points from three matches and Indonesia have four points also from three matches, are the main contenders of Bangladesh in the group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepal and Indonesia are due to meet each other in their 4th match Thursday evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the day\'s first match, Nepal brightened their semifinal berth from Group A with three straight wins beating South Korea by 67-45 point with four lonas after dominating the first half by 35-22 point at the same venue Thursday morning. - UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 13:43:25', '2024-05-30 13:43:25'),
(12628, 12628, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Joining the ranks of celebrities speaking out for the Palestinians, American rapper Macklemore has found success with his latest offering Hind’s Halla piece that openly condemns the widespread genocide that is going unchecked in Gaza.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to GuardianHind’s Hall is named after the Columbia University building that was renamed Hamilton Hall by student protesters to refer to Hind Rajab, a five-year-old child killed in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If the students in tents set up on the lawn / Occupying the square is really against the law / And a reason to call the police and their squad / Where does genocide end in your definition, huh?” Macklemore raps, referring to the police crackdown on student protests in the US. Student protesters on US campuses have made headlines for their solidarity with those suffering in the Middle East, particularly those in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Making waves on a number of Billboard charts, Forbes reported that in the first week of availability, Hind’s Hall sold 6,773 copies. According to the report, the tune enjoyed a high opening on many charts thanks to very healthy sales figures, which greatly boosted the standalone tune, making it a notable win for the Grammy champion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Performing well on three separate Billboard charts, the track debuted at No. 7 on the all-genre Digital Songs chart. Resonating with Macklemore’s fans, many of whom hold the same values ​​as him, Hind’s Hall marks just the second time the rapper has charted in the top 10 only without his former collaborator Ryan Lewis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Furthermore, Hind’s Hall it also debuted highest on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart. The Rap Digital Song Sales Chart is specific to only the top-selling rap releases in the country. With Kendrick Lamar Not like us still atop the chart, Macklemore narrowly missed out on his first solo No. 1. - The Pakistan daily</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment  Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 13:51:58', '2024-05-30 13:51:58'),
(12629, 12629, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The US department of justice (DOJ) said a Chinese national was arrested in an international operation on charges of creating and using malware that was used in cyber attacks, large-scale fraud and child exploitation.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper reported today that the man, 35-year-old Wang Yunhe, was arrested in the city state on May 24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wang’s arrest follows last August’s high profile sweep of 10 Chinese citizens holding multiple nationalities charged with laundering more than US$2 billion through the Asian financial hub.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The department of justice said in a statement dated May 29 that Wang and unnamed others allegedly “created and disseminated malware to compromise and amass a network of millions of residential Windows computers worldwide”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">From 2018 until July 2022, Wang received US$99 million from sales of the hijacked proxied IP addresses either in cryptocurrency or fiat currency, the DOJ said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said cyber criminals who bought access to the infected IP addresses then bypassed financial fraud detection systems and stole “billions of dollars from financial institutions, credit card issuers, and federal lending programmes”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This includes fraudulent loss exceeding US$5.9 billion from 560,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims originating from compromised IP addresses, said the DOJ.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Wang used the illicitly gained proceeds to purchase real property in the US, St Kitts and Nevis, China, Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE,” the DOJ statement said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said Wang’s assets and properties included sports cars, more than a dozen domestic and international bank accounts, over two dozen cryptocurrency wallets, luxury watches and 21 properties across several countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Matthew S Axelrod, assistant secretary for export enforcement at the US department of commerce’s bureau of industry and security, said the case read like a screenplay. - Reuters</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 14:20:45', '2024-05-30 14:20:45'),
(12630, 12630, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli forces killed at least 12 Palestinians in a dawn air strike on Rafah in southern Gaza today and fighting raged in several other areas of the coastal enclave, Gaza medics said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Israel pressed on with its offensive on Rafah a day after saying its forces had taken control of a buffer zone along the nearby border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, giving it effective authority over Gaza’s entire land frontier.</div><div><br></div><div>It said the buffer zone’s capture had cut off a route used by the Palestinian Islamist resistance group Hamas to smuggle arms into Gaza during more than seven months of war, which has laid waste to much of the territory and raised fears of famine.</div><div><br></div><div>Gaza medical sources said the 12 Palestinians, whom it said were civilians, had been killed and an unspecified number of others wounded in an Israeli air strike as they tried to recover the body of a civilian in the centre of Rafah.</div><div><br></div><div>Another Palestinian civilian was killed in an air strike on Al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City in the north of the densely populated enclave, the medics said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel reported clashes in southern, central and northern Gaza but did not immediately comment on the reported deaths in Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians took refuge earlier in the war.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has kept up raids on Rafah despite an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the top UN court, to halt its attacks.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli forces say they are trying to root out Hamas fighters and rescue hostages being held there, and the ICJ also called for the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s air and land war in Gaza, with 53 of those killed in the past 24 hours, the Hamas-run enclave’s health ministry said.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel launched its offensive after Hamas fighters crossed from Gaza into southern Israel on Oct 7 last year, killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250, according to Israeli tallies.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli military said a soldier had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza, bringing to 292 Israel’s combat losses since its first Gaza ground incursion on Oct 20. According to Reuters reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 14:23:03', '2024-05-30 14:23:03'),
(12631, 12631, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A volcano in western Indonesia erupted today, spewing an ash cloud 2km into the sky as authorities warned residents over potential dangers from cold lava flows.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province erupted at 1.04pm, spewing thick grey clouds of ash 2km above its peak, the national disaster mitigation agency, or BNPB, said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The volcano – one of Indonesia’s most active – has been at the second highest alert level of the country’s four-tiered system for weeks, with authorities advising people to stay outside a 4.5km exclusion zone around its crater.</div><div><br></div><div>Local residents are advised to be vigilant over threats of cold lava flows following the eruption, BNPB spokesman Abdul Muhari said.</div><div><br></div><div>“People are urged to stay away from river areas that originate from the Marapi volcano and be on alert to the potential dangers of lahar that could occur, particularly when it rains,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Cold lava, also known in Indonesia as lahar, is a mixture of volcanic materials like ash, sand and pebbles carried down a volcano’s slopes by rain.</div><div><br></div><div>Heavy rains this month caused volcanic debris to flow into districts near Marapi, killing more than 60 people, destroying dozens of houses, and damaging roads and mosques.</div><div><br></div><div>In the event of ash falls, residents should wear face masks to prevent respiratory problems and clear volcanic ash from the roofs of their houses to prevent collapses, geological agency head Muhammad Wafid said in a statement today.</div><div><br></div><div>Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.</div><div><br></div><div>In December, Marapi erupted and spewed an ash tower 3,000m into the sky.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 24 climbers, most of them university students, died in the eruption. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 14:40:44', '2024-05-30 14:40:44');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12632, 12632, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam MP stated that all types of waste from sacrificial animals must be removed and the sacrificial sites cleaned within 24 hours.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He made this statement during a press briefing held on Thursday morning following a preparatory review meeting on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha 2024. The meeting focused on preparations at the National Eidgah, management of animal markets, designated places for animal sacrifices, and ensuring prompt waste removal.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to a question about designated sacrificial sites, Tazul said that hygienic places must be designated for animal sacrifices and slaughtering. The local administration and local government institutions will widely publicise a list of area-based animal markets and designated sacrificial sites for public awareness.</div><div><br></div><div>To prevent fraud, the minister added that fake currency detection machines must be installed in all animal markets across the country. This will be implemented by Bangladesh Bank and the Financial Institutions Division. Additionally, with the assistance of Bangladesh Bank and other banks, arrangements should be made for cashless transactions through ATM booths, point-of-sale (POS) machines, and mobile financial services (MFS).</div><div><br></div><div>The preparatory review meeting for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha included specific discussions and recommendations on the preparation of the National Eidgah grounds, management of animal markets, and waste management, among other topics.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam; Local Government Division Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim\' Mayor of Gazipur City Corporation, Zayeda Khatun, were present at the time, among others.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"39\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 14:49:38', '2024-05-30 14:49:38'),
(12633, 12633, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Low-lying areas in five upazilas of Sylhet have been inundated amid incessant rains and onrush of water from upstream, leaving 3 lakh people stranded.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The four flood-hit upazilas are Gowainighat, Jaintapur, Kanaighat, Zakiganj, and Companiganj.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Flood water submerged the Sylhet-Tamabil highway near Bangla Bazaar, Ronpani, and Biraimara areas of Jaintapur on Thursday morning due to rise of water levels in different rivers, disrupting communication.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The army, BGB, Jaintapur Model Police Station team, Fire Service, Ansar VDP, representatives from various unions, voluntary organisations, and social and political leaders were seen actively participating in the rescue operations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russell Hasan and Additional Superintendent of Police Mahfuz Akhter Simul visited the flood-affected areas along with some local public representatives and government officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The swelling of the Sari and Piain rivers have marooned people in various villages in Nijpat, Jaintapur, Darbast, and Charikata unions of Jakiganj upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The low-lying areas of Nijpat Lamapara, Bandarhati, Moynahhati, Jangalhati, Borkhela, Meghli, Tilkaipara, Fulbari, Noyabad, Horni, Bairakhel, Guaboari, Dibihaor haor, Ghilatali, Muktapur, Biraimara haor, Kharubil, Lamanigram, Katakhali, Bauerbhag, and Baon haor in the upazila went&nbsp; under water.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 48 shelters and a control room have been opened across six unions in the upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jaintapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Umme Salika Rumaiya said army, BGB, fire service, and police are actively involved in rescue operations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All 48 shelters are prepared with necessary amenities, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liaquat Ali, Chairman of the Jaintapur Upazila Parishad, said&nbsp; rescue operation was hampered by darkness and strong currents on Wednesday night and it resumed on Thursday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday, the district administration distributed 1,000 sacks (200 sacks in each upazila) of dry food, 75 metric tons of rice (15 mts in each upazila), and relief materials worth Tk 2.5 lakh in five upazilas. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 15:41:29', '2024-05-30 15:41:29'),
(12634, 12634, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>While monsoon brings a welcome respite from the heat, it also presents unique challenges for our skin. Increased humidity and fluctuating temperatures can lead to fungal infections, breakouts, dullness, and irritation. However, with proper care, you can maintain a healthy, radiant skin throughout the rainy season.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Changes in Skin Condition during Rainy Season</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Increased Oiliness</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Increased humidity stimulates sebum production and causes a greasy appearance. This excess oil can clog pores which results in blackheads and acne. Managing oil production and pore congestion is crucial for preventing skin issues during humid conditions.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Acne Breakouts</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The damp environment fosters bacterial growth and increases the risk of acne. And pores clogged with oil and bacteria can become inflamed, causing pimples. Proper cleansing and pore maintenance are essential to prevent inflammation and acne breakouts in such conditions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fungal Infections</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In humid climates, feet and armpits are more susceptible to fungal infections due to excessive sweating and moisture. Common fungal infections include ringworm and athlete’s foot, emphasising the importance of maintaining dryness and hygiene in these regions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dry and Sensitive Skin</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite high humidity, you may experience dehydration. It can make skin dry and sensitive. Additionally, weather fluctuations can exacerbate skin irritation and sensitivity.&nbsp; Proper hydration and skincare routines are vital to mitigate these effects and maintain skin health during such conditions.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dull Skin</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reduced sunlight exposure during the rainy season can make the skin look dull and lifeless. Furthermore, air pollution during the rainy season can also contribute to skin dullness.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy in Humid Weather</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cleanse Regularly</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ditch harsh soaps! Use a gentle, soap-free cleanser to remove dirt and excess oil without stripping your skin’s natural moisture. Additionally, cleanse your face at least twice daily to prevent clogged pores and bacterial buildup.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">You can also use a toner if you have dry skin to keep your pores clean and maintain hydration. This routine helps maintain a clear, fresh complexion by eliminating impurities that can accumulate throughout the day.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exfoliate Wisely</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For deep cleansing, rely on the exfoliation process. The increased humidity during the rainy season can significantly impact your skin. Oil, sweat, dirt, residual makeup, and other impurities can clog your pores, leading to acne, breakouts, and other skin issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exfoliate 1 or 2 times per week to remove dead skin cells and prevent pore congestion. Opt for a gentle exfoliant to avoid irritating your skin. Gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. It is necessary to choose a scrub suitable for your skin type.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hydrate Your Skin</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regardless of the season, maintaining your skin\'s moisture balance is essential. Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturised prevents excessive oil production, helping to avoid acne and dry patches. This is a crucial monsoon skincare tip to ensure your skin stays healthy and clear.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apply a non-greasy, lightweight moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated without feeling heavy. You can also incorporate products containing hyaluronic acid for effective hydration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Control Oil</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pick oil-free or non-comedogenic skincare products to prevent pore blockage. Also, keep blotting papers available to absorb excess oil throughout the day. It can help maintain a fresh and matte complexion.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/fas</div>', '<p><b>Monsoon</b><br></p>', 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"36\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 16:21:06', '2024-05-30 16:21:06'),
(12635, 12635, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her party Awami League (AL) is always sincerely dedicated to the development of the country and its people.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said while addressing a relief distribution programme at Government Mojahar Uddin Biswas Degree College at Kolapara here organised by the district administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"We are beside you (countrymen), (we) will remain there and will provide all kinds of assistance what are needed,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that the overall development of this southern region was only possible as AL is in power, she said, \"There were many people came to the power, but they didn\'t do any development activities for this region.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added protecting living standard of the people is the main target of her government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Sheikh Hasina said, \"Natural calamities will come. Our target is to maintain living standard of the people facing those (disasters), and we are working for that.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This time the tidal waves were much higher comparing to the previous cyclones, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier thanked the people for taking shelter in the cyclone centres built by the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the AL government is doing whatever needed for ensuring basic needs of the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Her government has been able to stand beside the people during such natural calamities as the country is witnessing continued democracy, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The socioeconomic development is taking place in the country as continued democracy is prevailing here,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Presided over by kolapara Awami League Vice President Nirmal Nandi, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md. Mohibbur Rahman, Awami League Joint Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Organising Secretary Advocate Afzal Hossain also spoke.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the prime minister distributed relief materials among the cyclone Remal-affected people of this area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina also undertook an aerial visit to Mathbaria and Pathorghata areas of Patuakhali district to see herself the trail of havoc caused by the recent Cyclone Remal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She witnessed the super storm Remal-affected two areas from the helicopter that was hovering just over the ground at a slow speed on her way to Patuakhali from Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-05-30 16:23:48', '2024-05-30 16:23:48'),
(12636, 12636, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has questioned how former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family members “left the country without obstruction” despite the allegations of amassing assets illegally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a discussion on Saturday, he also said this exposes the ruling party leaders’ claims of not sparing wrongdoers as “mere eyewash and deception.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I saw a media report that Benazir and his family went to Singapore, leaving the country on May 4. Before leaving, he emptied all his bank accounts and withdrew around Tk 60 crore. I don’t know whether the amount is much bigger,” Fakhrul said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader further said, “My question is, how did he leave the country? What is the significance of a court order to confiscate his assets and freeze his bank accounts and the Anti-Corruption Commission’s move to file a case against him? When he was told he wouldn’t be allowed to go anywhere, how did he sneak off to Singapore right under the government\'s nose?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the ruling party leaders also made remarks that no one involved in corruption would be spared. “Do they (the government) think people are stupid? They understand all these are eyewash and deceptions. You’re ruling the country by resorting to trickery.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad, a platform of pro-BNP professionals, organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 43rd death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul said the government not only nurtured Benazir and Aziz Ahmed (former army chief) but also promoted countless corrupt individuals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that Awami League has turned Bangladesh into a “safe haven for plundering.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We must protect the country from it. We believe that through the struggle of the people of Bangladesh, we will defeat this monster that is wreaking havoc everywhere, establish a government of the people, and restore true democracy,\" the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul said BNP, together with many other opposition parties, have long been carrying out a movement for the restoration of democracy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stating that they must achieve victory and success in their struggle, the BNP leader said their party will never step back from its ultimate goal of establishing people’s voting rights and democracy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our goal remains unwavering. Strategies may change over time; we will decide that through discussions…we’re working hard to organise them all. We believe we have not failed. We have started working again. Inshallah, victory will be ours as we’re fighting on the path of truth and justice,\" Fakhrul observe. UNB&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-01 11:15:08', '2024-06-01 11:15:08'),
(12637, 12637, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>A four-member team from the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is en route to Nepal following an investigation in India, to probe the murder of Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The team, led by the DB Chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, is focusing on the main accused in the murder, Akhtaruzzaman Shaheen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before departing Dhaka, Harun addressed media reports about the arrest of a person named Siam in Nepal. “I can\'t say anything at this moment. But we are going for an investigation. We will let you know soon,” Harun told journalists at Dhaka Airport this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harun revealed that the suspects in Anar\'s murder had used the Nepal route. \"We have spoken to Jihad in India. We have several suspects related to Anar\'s murder, apart from the main culprit. Both sides have discussed this matter,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also noted that several major criminals from Bangladesh, including suspects in Anar\'s murder, have recently been using the Kolkata route.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Considering everything, we have also written to Interpol to check if there are any criminals in that area. Overall, we are going to Nepal mainly for investigation,\" Harun added. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-01 12:38:42', '2024-06-01 12:38:42'),
(12638, 12638, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the youth to be euipped with knowledge, technology, and science to successfully face the challenges of the future and build a better Bangladesh in the spirit of the 1971 liberation war.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This era is the era of technology, science, and knowledge. Without achieving knowledge it would not be possible for a person to prepare for the future and the country,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said this while distributing prizes among the winners of a nationwide video competition titled ‘Bangabandhu in my eyes’ held at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also asked the youth to take lessons from the history to be better prepared for the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina expressed the hope that the new generation will&nbsp; take the the country towards prosperity.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have to take lessons from the history, we have to find our own path for the coming future to advance along with the other countries. You have to prepare yourselves that way,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She put highest emphasis on education for building a nation and taking it towards prosperity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“And without education it is not possible at all. Without education it is not possible to eradicate poverty. Education is the biggest achievement for a person,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM urged the young people to get ready to lead the country.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“You have to get ready, the spirit of the liberation war must be upheld. You have to build Bangladesh free from hunger, poverty and with prosperity,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this connection, she firmly said that Bangladesh will not yield to anyone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We will go with our own dignity. We all have to keep that in our mind always,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pointing to the distortion of Bangladesh\'s history after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said that the real history has emerged now following corrective measures.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister called upon all to remain alert so none can push the country backwards and make it again the country of beggers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"None can pull us back. We always have to be alert. We have to march the country ahead,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the prime minister distributed certificates, crests and award money among the winners. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-02 11:23:31', '2024-06-02 11:23:31'),
(12639, 12639, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Chilean President Gabriel Boric said Saturday his country was joining South Africa in its case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of \"genocide\" in the war&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">against Hamas.</span></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to the National Congress, Boric decried the \"catastrophic humanitarian situation\" in Gaza and called for \"a firm response from the international community.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Chile will become a party to and support the case that South Africa presented against Israel before the International Court of Justice in The Hague,\" Boric said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ICJ is considering South Africa\'s case, but in the interim has brought in \"preliminary measures\" ordering Israel do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its campaign against Hamas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The top UN court last month ordered Israel to halt military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where displaced Palestinians are seeking safety from Israel\'s military offensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the Rafah offensive began, the United Nations said up to 1.4 million people were sheltering in the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since then, one million have fled the area, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chile has recognized Palestine as a state since 2011, and Boric has previously said the war in Gaza has \"no justification\" and is \"unacceptable.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas\'s unprecedented October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,379 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory\'s health ministry. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-02 11:39:58', '2024-06-02 11:39:58'),
(12640, 12640, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed will be brought home back if he is found guilty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The trail of accused Benazir will continue on graft charges even if he stays abroad. If he is convicted, he will have to return home. The government will not show any mercy,’ he told a press conference at AL president’s Dhanmondi political office here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is conducting a probe into the alleged graft of Benazir Ahmed and following the legal procedures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“So, why will the government take measures excitedly avoiding the ACC. The government will consider whether its anti-graft bodies have any failure,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a statement of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the AL general secretary said an individual can commit corruption but the thing is - how the government considers that corrupt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I want to ask a question to Mirza Fakhrul - who from the government sent Benazir abroad? Who saw off him at the airport? Which authorities of the government were involved?” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader said after 1975, no ruler or government showed the courage to take steps against the corrupt but the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina government has shown its courage by doing so.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the BNP’s tenure, he said, the culture of money laundering was introduced in the country. “When BNP assumed power, its leaders got involved in festival of illegal wealth accumulation. This is the established truth at home and abroad,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The road transport and bridges minister said when BNP assumed power in 2001, the party institutionalised graft in the country, while Bangladesh was champion in corruption five times in a row.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By siphoning off millions of Taka abroad, convicted fugitive Tarique Rahman (BNP acting chairman) has been leading a luxurious life aboard, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the onset of the press conference, Quader in his written speech said corruption is found in all countries but nobody from home and abroad can claim that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government show tolerance to graft.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Sheikh Hasina is an absolute honest politician and it has been recognised globally and her industry and honest lifestyle are behind her popularity.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AL organising secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, its science and technology affairs secretary Abdus Sabur and deputy office secretary Sayem Khan were, among others, present at the press conference.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-02 13:20:11', '2024-06-02 13:20:11'),
(12641, 12641, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>People are earning less, but spending most on food in Bangladesh, creating grave difficulty for the poorer sections of society.&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The research director of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem said this in a media briefing on ‘Bangladesh Economy 2023-24, Third Interim Review’ held at CPD office in Dhanmondi on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a keynote presentation, he said,”We have become a luxurious country. We earn less, but spend the most on food. The victims of which are the poor and common people. What economy are we in?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government efforts are there. Many times the tariff on essential commodities is reduced, benefiting one type of trader, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pointing out that the disparity between the rich and the poor has increased, he said:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Currently the per capita domestic income is US$ 2675, and the per capita national income is $2784. The average per capita income that we got was mainly due to the high earners. Considering the poor people, their income has decreased.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Discrimination has widened here. Private investment is not visible. Excessive borrowing by the government is a major reason. The government should control the matter. The government\'s investment target of 7.5 percent is not expected to be achieved,” said Moazzem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the economy is undergoing a severe crisis, worsened by policy weaknesses, poor governance, and inadequate reforms. This has resulted in low revenue collection, reduced fiscal space, increased government borrowing from banks, and a declining foreign currency reserve.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the keynote presentation Moazzem said, “We are at 9 and 10 percent in inflation. Currently more than Sri Lanka. Failure to control inflation is a major failure for the government.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For example, compared to 2019, the price of miniket rice has increased by 17 percent, pajam rice price by 15 percent and coarse rice by 30 percent. That is, where the profiteers are making more profit, the products that the poor and middle class consume and sell more in the market, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the price of lentils (musor dal) rose by 95 percent, wheat 40-54 percent, flour 60, open soybean 84 percent, bottled soybean 56 percent, and palm oil 106 percent. The price of beef is also high, broiler chicken is 60 percent raise, sugar price 152 percent, powdered milk 46-80 percent, onion 164 percent, garlic 310 percent, and dry chili 105 percent, which is much higher than the international market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We see weakness in the market and supply monitoring system,” said Moazzem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said, GDP growth was estimated at 7.5 percent. But in January it revised to 6.5 percent. Various international organizations, including the IMF, have estimated it is even lower.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The government is far from the budget target. The employment trend is not increasing with the growth of GDP, rather decreasing. National income is increasing in GDP, but is not contributing or contributing less to employment,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the revenue target, Golam Moazzem said, “We can see a 13 percent growth in revenue collection, which is in a good position as July-January last year. Last year was negative.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If the target of revenue is to be achieved, then 63 percent growth must be achieved, which is impossible to achieve,” he pointed out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other members of CPD’s research team were also present in the briefing. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-02 13:26:23', '2024-06-02 13:26:23'),
(12642, 12642, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The Ministry of Expatriates\' Welfare and Overseas Employment has formed a six-member committee to find out those responsible for the failure to send workers to Malaysia before the fixed deadline.&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The committee, headed by Additional Secretary Noor Md Mahbubul Haq, has been asked to submit their report within seven working days.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Expatriates\' Welfare and Overseas Employment Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury disclosed this to journalists at his ministry office here today.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said about 16,970 migrant workers failed to reach Malaysia before the deadline of May 31 due to mismanagement while the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET) approved 493,642 workers to go to Malaysia.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Those who are responsible will be brought to book,\" he said, adding that the probe body will submit the report within seven days and steps will be taken based on the probe body\'s recommendations.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-02 13:41:47', '2024-06-02 13:41:47'),
(12643, 12643, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Health Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen today said the government has taken all-out preparedness on healthcare services to prevent dengue diseases.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have asked all relevant organizations to remain alert for taking prompt actions to deal any possible outbreak of the dengue diseases,\" he told a press conference at his ministry here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Emphasizing on taking comprehensive initiatives to prevent the dengue disease, the health minister said all relevant organizations have to work in a coordinated manner to combat mosquito-borne diseases as the country witnessed severe outbreak of dengue last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Bangladesh reported over three lakh dengue infected patients last year meaning this is the highest number dengue cases in a single year since the mosquito-borne disease was detected in 2000.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the past 23 years, 2.5 lakh dengue cases were reported in the country while it logged over three lakh dengue patients last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Samanta said sharp rise of both infection and fatality of dengue in 2023 is forcing all relevant organizations to shed light on taking concerted efforts to destroying breeding sources of dengue diseases alongside improving healthcare services.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Community engagement is very crucial to prevent dengue disease; Samanta said, adding it is impossible for a single institution to handle the menace.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the health experts, the city dwellers have to be careful about sources of stagnant water as most of the people in the country have utter negligence to keep their surroundings neat and clean.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two city corporations must assign adequate number of staffers to collect information larva of Aedes mosquito from every houses of the city, they said adding, all have to abide by rules to destroy breeding grounds of mosquito.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The survey released recently showed eighteen wards under two city corporations of Dhaka are at high risk of dengue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The survey was conducted jointly by the two city corporations of Dhaka and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) between April 17 and 26.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The wards of Dhaka North City Corporation which are at risk include - 12, 13, 20, 36, 31, 32, 17 and 33. The vulnerable wards of Dhaka South City Corporation are - 4, 13, 52, 54, 16, 3, 5, 15, 17 and 23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\",\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-02 14:45:02', '2024-06-02 14:45:02'),
(12644, 12644, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Around 17,000 people, who were planning to go to Malaysia, failed to go there within the stipulated time, said State Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Shofiqur Rahman Chowdhury on Sunday.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Already a six-member body, headed by additional secretary of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, Mahbubul Haque, has been formed to look into the reason behind the failure of workers in Malaysia and the committee was asked to submit its report within the next seven working days, he said while talking to reporters at the Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Till May 31, the Bureau of Manpower Employment Training (BMET) has given the clearance certificate to 4,93,642 workers to go to Malaysia and among them 4,76,672 went to the country while 16970 remained left in Bangladesh, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Assuring that punitive action will be taken against those who will found responsible in sending the workers to Malaysia, Shofiqur said the government will find out the reason behind failure of sending workers by the recruiting agencies within stipulated time, identify those recruiting agencies involved in it and complains if any to the committee and will fix how to deal with such issues, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the government was always sincere about sending workers to Malaysia, Shofiqur said urgent notices have been published in advertisements in the newspapers while twenty-three additional flights have been operated to carry workers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, we have sent a letter requesting extension of time to send workers to Malaysia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a question about the syndicate, the junior minister said the government doesn’t believe in any syndicate and the government wants that the recruiting agencies, approved by the government, can send workers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Expecting the opening of the labour market in Malaysia, Shofiqur said the government is working with utmost sincerity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, secretary to the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ruhul Amin, said those who have tickets issued before May 24, were approved to go to Malaysia. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-02 14:48:26', '2024-06-02 14:48:26'),
(12645, 12645, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s forthcoming visit to China will be \"another historical\" one opening up a new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It will be another historical one. It will be a game-changer. It will open a new chapter,\" Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen told reporters while responding to a question at a seminar on Sunday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador made the remarks when a reporter sought to know about a date of PM\'s Hasina\'s proposed visit next month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Let\'s wait and see,\" the envoy said.                                                                                                                                      </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is already in Beijing to have bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He will have a meeting with Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong, which is scheduled to take place on June 3,\" a senior official told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Issues of mutual interest, including Hasina\'s proposed visit, are likely to be discussed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, an inter-ministerial meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two sides will discuss finding a convenient date for the PM\'s visit to China on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> Hasina is likely to pay an official visit to China before July 15.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In May 2023, the Chinese vice minister was in Bangladesh on a two-day official visit to discuss issues of mutual interest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He had a bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen during his stay in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recently, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen said Bangladesh and China should deepen their strategic partnership for cooperation and explore new growth points.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue exploring cooperation opportunities under the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilisation Initiative,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In particular, the ambassador said, they were willing to promote the upgrading of industries and digitalisation process in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador spoke at the seminar titled “China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement: A Mutually Beneficial and Win-Win Choice” held at the Embassy of China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu spoke at the seminar as the chief guest, highlighting various aspects of the bilateral relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Chairman of RAPID, Al Mamun Mridha, Secretary General of Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) and Ke Changliang, President of Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB), among others, spoke.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-02 16:49:01', '2024-06-02 16:49:39');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12646, 12646, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Indra Mani Pandey on Monday said a date has been proposed for the next Summit in Bangkok, Thailand later this year, awaiting approval from the member states.&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The date for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit will formally be announced soon. It will have some significant outcomes. It will set a direction for the future of the BIMSTEC,\" he told members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at its Secretariat.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BIMSTEC Secretary General hoped the upcoming Summit would add new vigour to regional cooperation within BIMSTEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I believe BIMSTEC has a bright future. All the members are truly committed to make sure BIMSTEC becomes a success story,\" he said while making a presentation on BIMSTEC activities.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Summit will adopt a Bangkok Vision 2030 which would be an overarching kind of document and give direction to the organisation, he said, adding that it would be one of the significant outcomes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on maritime cooperation, the Secretary General said they will share details once the member States sign the document.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It (likely MoU) will deal with every aspect of maritime connectivity,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BIMSTEC Secretary General said bilateral and regional cooperation are being reinforced.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the member states want to see BIMSTEC successful and being able to deliver.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Progress has been reported in the preparations for the upcoming BIMSTEC meeting, which will involve member countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, the designated host.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thailand assumed the Chairmanship of BIMSTEC on March 30, 2022, underscoring its commitment to transforming this cooperation into a resilient organization capable of responding effectively to the evolving global landscape.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thailand prioritizes rapid and comprehensive adaptation, sustainable development, and enhancing the collective capabilities of all seven member nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BIMSTEC Secretary General underscored the significance of the entry into force of the BIMSTEC Charter, hoping that it would usher in a new era of cooperation in the region. \"That was a historic occasion.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib was also present. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-03 08:28:22', '2024-06-03 08:28:22'),
(12647, 12647, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The world’s largest election could also be one of its most consequential.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">India has close to 970 million voters among its more than 1.4 billion people, and its general election pits Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an avowed Hindu nationalist, against a broad alliance of opposition parties that are struggling to play catch up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Now 73, Modi first swept to power in 2014 on promises of economic development, presenting himself as an outsider cracking down on corruption. Since then, he has fused religion with politics in a formula that has attracted wide support from the country’s majority Hindu population.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">India under Modi is a rising global power, but his rule has also been marked by rising unemployment, attacks by Hindu nationalists against minorities, particularly Muslims, and a shrinking space for dissent and free media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The final day of voting in the 6-week-long election was Saturday. The vote counting will start Tuesday and will be updated throughout the day. The election results will likely be known the same day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The voters are choosing 543 members for the lower house of Parliament for a five-year term.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Votes were cast at more than a million polling stations. Each of the seven voting phases lasted a single day with several constituencies across multiple states voting that day. The staggered polling allowed the government to transport election officials and voting machines and deploy tens of thousands of troops to prevent violence. Candidates crisscrossed the country, poll workers hiked to remote villages, and voters lined up for hours in sweltering heat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">India has a first-past-the-post multiparty electoral system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins. To secure a majority, a party or coalition must breach the mark of 272 seats.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and his main challenger, Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress, represent Parliament’s two largest factions. Several other important regional parties are part of an opposition bloc.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Opposition parties, which previously were fractured, have united under a front called INDIA, or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, to deny Modi a a third straight election victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The alliance has fielded a single main candidate in most constituencies. But it has been roiled by ideological differences and personality clashes, and has not yet decided on its candidate for prime minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Most exit polls project Modi is set to extend his decade in power with a third consecutive term, especially after he opened a Hindu temple in northern Ayodhya city in January, which fulfilled his party’s long-held Hindu nationalist pledge. During the polls Modi escalated polarizing rhetoric in incendiary speeches that targeted the country’s Muslim minority.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Modi touts India\'s roaring economy as he seeks reelection, but many feel left behind</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Another victory would cement Modi as one of the country’s most popular and important leaders. It would follow a thumping win in 2019, when the BJP clinched an absolute majority by sweeping 303 parliamentary seats. The Congress party managed only 52 seats.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">For decades, India has clung doggedly to its democratic convictions, largely due to free elections, an independent judiciary, a thriving media, strong opposition and peaceful transition of power. Some of these credentials have eroded under Modi’s 10-year rule, with the polls seen as a test for the country’s democratic values.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Many watchdogs have now categorized India as a “hybrid regime” that is neither a full democracy nor a full autocracy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The poll results will also test Modi’s limits. Critics accuse him of running on a Hindu-first platform, endangering the country’s secular roots.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Under Modi, the media, once viewed as vibrant and largely independent, have become more pliant and critical voices muzzled.Courts have largely bent to Modi’s will and given favorable verdicts in crucial cases. Centralization of executive power has strained India’s federalism. And federal agencies have bogged down top opposition leaders in corruption cases, which they deny.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Another key issue is India’s large economy, which is among the fastest growing in the world. It has helped India emerge as a global power and a counterweight to China. But even as India’s growth soars by some measures, the Modi government has struggled to generate enough jobs for young Indians, and instead has relied on welfare programs like free food and housing to woo voters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-03 08:34:10', '2024-06-03 08:34:10'),
(12648, 12648, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was due to visit Germany\'s flood-hit south on Monday after days of heavy rain left large parts of the region under water.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes over the weekend in the southern regions of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The situation continued to get worse overnight into Monday, with 800 people asked to leave their homes in the area of Ebenhausen-Werk, Bavaria, after a dam burst.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The district of Regensburg, which sits on the Danube, also joined a growing list to declare a state of emergency as the water rose.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Scholz was expected to visit the area of Reichertshofen, in Bavaria, close to where some of the worst flooding has been seen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chancellor will arrive in the flood zone around 11:00 am local time (0900 GMT) in the company of Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Bavarian premier Markus Soeder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, a 42-year-old volunteer fireman was found dead after his vessel turned over during a flood rescue operation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another volunteer, 22, was still missing after his boat also overturned overnight into Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A search operation to find the missing rescue worker had to be stopped due to the exceptionally high waters and strong currents, local police said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The search was set to resume Monday, if conditions improved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The German Weather Service (DWD) lifted warnings of heavy rain and storms overnight into Monday in all the affected areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some rain could however continue to fall in the areas of southern Germany already impacted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The widespread flooding and continued rainfall had an impact on transport in the region with widespread train cancellations and delays.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Train lines leading from Munich to Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Wuerzburg were unusable as a result of the bad weather, rail operator Deutsche Bahn stated on its website.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A landslide near Schwaebisch Gmuend overnight into Sunday caused a high-speed train travelling between Stuttgart and Augsburg to derail, blocking the line. Nobody was hurt in the incident. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-03 09:55:44', '2024-06-03 09:56:07'),
(12649, 12649, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>President Mohammed Shahabuddin asked the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) office to ensure transparent and accountable use of public funds.&nbsp; &nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President came up with the directive as a three-member delegation led by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh, Md Nurul Islam, handed over an audit and accounts report to him at Bangabhaban here this afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President\'s Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin said that the President had instructed all relevant authorities to maintain transparency and accountability in government spending.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President emphasized the importance of auditing to verify that people\'s money is being used properly, as Bangladesh\'s budget and development programs continue to grow every year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Head of the State directed the CAG to take necessary steps to update all audits and resolve any outstanding audit objections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the CAG provided an overview of their recent work, including 45 compliance audit reports, two utility account reports, and two financial account reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also informed the President about measures taken regarding government employee salaries, pensions, and other benefits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Secretaries concerned to the President\'s office were also present. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-03 10:53:54', '2024-06-03 10:53:54'),
(12650, 12650, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions will run from 9am to 5pm after Eid-ul-Azha vacation.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting today. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting held at her office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain held a press conference at the Secretariat to inform about the decisions taken in the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On November 15, 2022, the office schedule was made from 9am to 4pm to save power and energy. Earlier, during usual time, schedule of the government offices was from 9am-5pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now, government offices will return to previous schedule again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cabinet secretary said the government office time will be from 9am to 5pm between Sunday and Thursday but there will be a 30-minute break from 1pm to 1:30pm for prayers and lunch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Friday and Saturday will be weekend holidays, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahbub Hossain said Shahbagh Thana will be shifted from the capital\'s Suhrawardy Udyan as the new address of the police station will be on Ramna mouza in Sakura restaurant area near Hotel Intercontinental.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has decided to shift the thana for the Swadhinata Stambha (third phase first revised) construction project.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the cabinet today approved drafts of Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation Act and National Bio-safety Policy 2024 and few other issues.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-03 13:20:14', '2024-06-03 13:20:14'),
(12651, 12651, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said BNP is closely connected with communal evil forces, including Jamaat.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The statement of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam  Alamgir over anti-liberation forces and fanatic organization Jamaat has proved that BNP is closely connected with Jamaat and other communal forces,” he said in a statement sent to media here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader said the statement of Mirza Fakhrul over Jamaat is clearly contradictory and illogical. The politics of Jamaat is contradictory to the main spirit of Bangladesh, the ideology of the Liberation War and values of independence, he said, adding that their politics has been proved as anti-state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said a patriot never recognize the politics, which is against the country’s constitution and its spirit. The people (Jamaat), whose politics hit the root of the country’s spirit, their tricks can never be scientific and rational, he continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> “The statement of Fakhrul has exposed his real face, which was disguised in a camouflage of progressiveness. His statement is also an exposure of his ill motive to provoke terrorist activities of ultra communal evil forces,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader said BNP has relation with communal evil forces historically, as military dictator Ziaur Rahman had created a scope for BNP and other anti-liberation forces to do politics in the soil of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP leaders, including Fakhrul, have liability towards communal evil forces, so they patronize fanatic groups, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, Awami League is doing politics with the spirit of great Liberation War and its ideology.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-03 16:04:41', '2024-06-03 16:05:21'),
(12652, 12652, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked the tea growers and traders to opt for more diversified and aromatic tea considering the growing global&nbsp; demand for such types of drink.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think we need to pay attention to make diversified and aromatic&nbsp; tea as the demand for it is much higher now in foreign countries,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier made this remark while addressing a programme arranged in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium on the occasion of 4th National Tea Day and National Tea Award-2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said now the taste of the people has changed and so there is not only tea from tea leaves, but also different types and flavours of tea like herbal and spicy tea have already been made available in the market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Instead of just selling tea leaves in bulk, we need to add value to them and export them. If so, we (Bangladesh) can earn foreign currency on the one hand and the traders will make a good profit on the other hand. I want it,” said&nbsp; Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said now tea is made with different things like basil leaf, ginger, lemon, bay leaf, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister asked the tea garden owners and tea traders to package such types of tea and add value to it for getting more profit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If you add value to tea, not just selling tea leaves in bulk, you will get more price, good money and&nbsp; earnings. Its demand is constantly increasing throughout the world,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She stressed the need for more research on making tea from jute leaves, saying now tea is produced from jute leaves on a small scale. Jute tea might be good for controlling diabetes, she added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister urged the tea garden owners and businesspeople&nbsp; to be more sincere regarding&nbsp; the wellbeing of tea workers if they want more production.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If you are sincere to the workers, you can make them more productive,” she said, adding that the owners should pay attention to the workers’ healthcare and education of their children.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the government will do its part, mentioning&nbsp; that she has an emotional attachment with the tea industry as her Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first Bengali Chairman of the tea board and awarded the tea workers citizenship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Developed countries make commitments on climate change, but fail to implement: PM Hasina</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She thanked the tea workers as they always vote for Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the Awami League government came to power in 1996, it took initiatives to expand the tea cultivation in the North Bengal, she said, adding that as a result, tea cultivation has gone to Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Dinajpur and Rangpur districts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This time, the tea production has increased to 102.92 million kg, said the prime minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Tea Award was awarded for the second time in eight categories in recognition of the outstanding contribution to the tea industry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier handed over the National Tea Award-2024 to the recipients from tea growers, exporters and workers as well as inaugurated the Tea Fair-2024.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu presided over the event, while Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce Ministry Tipu Munshi, Commerce Secretary Selim Uddin, Chairman of Bangladeshi Cha Sangsad (Association of tea garden owners) Kamran T Rahman, Chairman of Tea Traders Association of Bangladesh Shah Moinuddin Hasan and Chairman of Bangladesh Tea Board Major General Ashraful Islam spoke on the occasion.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the event, an audio-visual documentary was screened focusing on the tea industry of Bangladesh. UNB&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-04 08:29:14', '2024-06-04 08:29:14'),
(12653, 12653, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The wide-ranging fraudulent testing at Japan’s top automaker involved the use of inadequate or outdated data in collision tests, and incorrect testing of airbag inflation and rear-seat damage in crashes. Engine power tests were also found to have been falsified.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Toyota Motor Corp., based in Toyota city, central Japan, suspended production in the country of the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross. The deceptive tests were also found on discontinued models.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The company said the wrongdoing does not affect the safety of the vehicles already on roads, which include the Corolla subcompact and Lexus luxury vehicles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We sincerely apologize,” Toyoda told reporters, bowing deeply and holding the position for several seconds, as is customary in Japan at news conferences where companies apologize for misbehavior.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Japanese government investigation into Toyota began in January. The issue does not affect Toyota’s overseas production.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also Monday, Toyota\'s Japanese rival Mazda Motor Corp. reported similar irregular certification testing, and halted production of two models, the Roadster and Mazda 2. It said incorrect engine control software was used in the tests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mazda, based in the southwestern city of Hiroshima, also acknowledged violations on crash tests on three discontinued models. None of the violations affect the vehicles’ safety.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tokyo-based Honda Motor Co. also apologized Monday for improper tests, such as those on noise levels and torque, on a range of models. Honda said affected older models — the Accord, Odyssey and Fit — are no longer in production. The safety of the vehicles is not affected, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Certification problems starting surfacing two years ago at Toyota group companies, truck maker Hino Motors and Daihatsu Motor Co. — specializing in small models — and Toyota Industries Corp., which makes machinery and auto parts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shinji Miyamoto, a Toyota executive overseeing customer satisfaction, said Toyota began looking into its own tests following the problems at the group companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The apparent unraveling of the testing systems at Toyota and its group companies is an embarrassment for an automaker that’s prided itself for decades on production finesse and a corporate culture based on empowering workers to make “ever-better cars.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Toyoda, the grandson of the company’s founder, suggested some certification rules might be overly stringent, noting such tests differed around the world. But he repeatedly said he wasn\'t condoning the violations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are not a perfect company. But if we see anything wrong, we will take a step back and keep trying to correct it,” said Toyoda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the company may have been too eager to get the tests done and abbreviated them at a time when model varieties were burgeoning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Toyota sells more than 10 million vehicles around the world. AP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-04 08:40:53', '2024-06-04 08:40:53'),
(12654, 12654, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The United States on Monday announced a draft Security Council resolution supporting the Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan outlined by Joe Biden last week, urging Hamas to accept it.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Numerous leaders and governments, including in the region, have endorsed this plan,\" said US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The draft text, seen by AFP, \"welcomes the new deal announced on May 31, and calls upon Hamas to accept it fully and implement its terms without delay and without condition.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden outlined on Friday what he called an Israeli plan that in three phases would end the bloody conflict, free all hostages and lead to the reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory without Hamas in power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However fissures between the two allies emerged when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\'s office stressed that the ongoing war in Gaza would continue until all of Israel\'s \"goals are achieved,\" including the destruction of Hamas\'s military and governing capabilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli media have questioned to what extent Biden\'s ceasefire speech and some crucial details were coordinated with Netanyahu\'s team, including how long any truce would hold and how many captives would be freed and when.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Monday, the White House said Biden told the emir of mediator Qatar that he saw Hamas as \"the only obstacle to a complete ceasefire\" in Gaza, and urged him to press the group to accept it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas last week said it viewed Biden\'s outline \"positively,\" but has since made no official comment on the stalled negotiations, while mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have not announced any new talks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before Biden had made his Friday announcement, Algeria had last week circulated a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and a halt of the Israeli offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing the recent order to that effect from the International Court of Justice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington at the time had said that the text wouldn\'t be helpful, saying instead direct, on-the-ground negotiations were necessary for a truce.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No vote is scheduled for either draft resolution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The council has struggled to find a unified voice since the war broke out with the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, followed by Israel\'s retaliatory campaign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After passing two resolutions centered on the need for humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, in March the council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire -- an appeal that had been blocked several times before by the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington, increasingly frustrated with the mounting civilian death toll, finally allowed that resolution to pass by abstaining from voting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-04 08:56:13', '2024-06-04 08:56:13'),
(12655, 12655, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said her government has created opportunities for the country’s children to pursue their education and flourish their talents.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve created scopes for our children so that they can pursue education in various ways and flourish their latent talents,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM was speaking at the prize giving ceremony of Essay and Art Competitions, held on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in her official residence Ganabhaban here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She handed over the prizes to the best performers among the 304 winners of the competitions held on the occasion of 99th, 100th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd and 104th birth anniversaries of Bangabandhu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust arranged the competitions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the Awami League government has set up various types of specialised universities in the country, Hasina said the government is setting up universities at the district level.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said multi-dimensional universities including medical, agricultural, design and fashion, aerospace and aviation, and science and technology have been established.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said her government formulated many laws and policies for the protection of the children and opened windows for education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the government provides the students from pre-primary to secondary level with free textbooks, stipends and scholarship as well as scholarships even for higher education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Thanks to our steps, the literacy rate has gone up to 76.8 percent now, which was only 45 percent in 2006,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said her government set up computer labs in schools and computer training and incubation centres in the country. “We’re expanding IT education, digital systems and computer training,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the world is marching forward in the age of technology. “Our children will not lag behind. We’ll build them as a modern nation by equipping them with the latest technological knowledge,” she continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said her government’s vision now is that Bangladesh will be a smart Bangladesh by 2041.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Today’s children and youth will be the future guides of 2041 Bangladesh. We want to develop them properly so that they can take Bangladesh forward,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was present in the function presided over by President of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum and noted painter Hashem Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Curator of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum, Md Nazrul Islam Khan, also spoke on the occasion. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-04 12:07:47', '2024-06-04 12:07:47'),
(12656, 12656, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Indian markets closed sharply down Tuesday as early counting showed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi\'s party faced a tighter than expected race.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India\'s benchmark stock indices, the NIFTY 50 and the BSE Sensex, had hit new highs at the close of day Monday but dropped sharply Tuesday as the early vote figures started to come in.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They recovered slightly to each close down more than 5%.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country\'s stock markets have boomed under Modi, whose pro-market policies have made him popular among India\'s corporations and businesspeople. Critics have said India has become more unequal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even if Modi\'s Bharatiya Janata Party does not secure a parliamentary majority on its own, early counts reported by India\'s Election Commission showed his coalition including smaller parties leading in a majority of seats.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi\'s coalition led in a majority of seats Tuesday in India\'s general election, according to early figures, but faced a stronger challenge from the opposition than expected after it pushed back against the leader\'s mixed economic record and polarizing politics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The counting of more than 640 million votes cast over six weeks in the world\'s largest democratic exercise was set to take all day. Modi was still widely expected to be elected to a third five-year term — even as the race tightened and the early count showed his Hindu nationalist party might not secure a majority on its own.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If Modi wins, it would cement the 73-year-old as one of the country\'s most popular and important leaders. It would only be the second time an Indian leader has retained power for a third term after Jawaharlal Nehru, the country\'s first prime minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his 10 years in power, Modi has transformed India\'s political landscape, bringing Hindu nationalism, once a fringe ideology in India, into the mainstream while leaving the country deeply divided.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His supporters see him as a self-made, strong leader who has improved India\'s standing in the world. His critics and opponents say his Hindu-first politics have bred intolerance and while the economy, the world\'s fifth-largest and one of the fastest-growing, has become more unequal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some seven hours into counting, early leads reported by India\'s Election Commission showed Modi\'s Bharatiya Janata Party was ahead in 236 constituencies and had won two, including one uncontested, of 543 parliamentary seats. The main opposition Congress party led in 99 constituencies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 272 seats are needed for a majority. In 2019, the BJP won 303 seats.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Modi\'s party is part of the National Democratic Alliance, whose parties led in 287 constituencies, according to the early count, including the two won by BJP. The Congress party is part of the INDIA alliance, which led in 230 constituencies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Election Commission does not release data on the percentage of votes tallied, and early figures were expected to change.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The \"Congress party and other opposition parties have showed tremendous resilience. To have a stronger opposition augers very well for India\'s democracy that has taken a hit during Modi\'s 10-year rule,\" said political analyst Rasheed Kidwai.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exit polling from the weekend had projected the NDA to win more than 350 seats. Indian markets, which had hit an all-time high on Monday, were down sharply in midday trading Tuesday, with benchmark stock indices — the NIFTY 50 and the BSE Sensex — both down by more than 7%.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Extreme heat struck India as voters went to the polls, with temperatures higher than 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country. Temperatures were somewhat lower on Tuesday for the counting, but election officials and political parties still took precautions, hauling in large quantities of water and installing outdoor air coolers for people waiting for results outside the buildings where votes were being tallied and party headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Voting ends in the last round of India\'s election, a referendum on Modi\'s decade in power</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BJP workers outside the party\'s office in New Delhi performed a Hindu ritual shortly after the counting began. Meanwhile, supporters at the Congress party headquarters appeared upbeat and chanted slogans praising Gandhi, the party\'s campaign face.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Over 10 years in power, Modi\'s popularity has outstripped that of his party\'s, and has turned a parliamentary election into one that increasingly resembles a presidential-style campaign. The result is that the BJP relies more and more on Modi\'s enduring brand to stay in power, with local politicians receding into the background even in state elections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Modi was not just the prime campaigner, but the sole campaigner of this election,\" said Yamini Aiyar, a public policy scholar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country\'s democracy, Modi\'s critics say, is faltering under his government, which has increasingly wielded strong-arm tactics to subdue political opponents, squeeze independent media and quash dissent. The government has rejected such accusations and say democracy is flourishing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And economic discontent has simmered under Modi. While stock markets reach record-highs and millionaires multiply, youth unemployment has soared, with only a small portion of Indians benefitting from the boom.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As polls opened in mid-April, a confident BJP initially focused its campaign on \"Modi\'s guarantees,\" highlighting the economic and welfare achievements that his party says have reduced poverty. With him at the helm, \"India will become a developed nation by 2047,\" Modi repeated in rally after rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the campaign turned increasingly shrill, as Modi ramped up polarizing rhetoric that targeted Muslims, who make up 14% of the population, a tactic seen to energize his core Hindu majority voters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The opposition INDIA alliance has attacked Modi over his Hindu nationalist politics, and campaigned on issues of joblessness, inflation and inequality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the broad alliance of over a dozen political parties has been beset by ideological differences and defections, raising questions over their effectiveness. Meanwhile, the alliance has also claimed they\'ve been unfairly targeted, pointing to a spree of raids, arrests and corruption investigations against their leaders by federal agencies they say are politically motivated. The government has denied this. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-04 13:01:46', '2024-06-04 13:01:46');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12657, 12657, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan today paid a farewell call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban here.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The air force chief expressed his gratitude to the president for his cooperation while performing his duties, President\'s Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told newsmen in a media briefing after the meeting.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The president was also apprised by the air chief of the overall activities of the air force, including its overall development work.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The president, also the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, thanked the outgoing air force chief for successfully discharging his assignment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The head of the state, as well, appreciated his role in the development of the air force.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Shahabuddin expressed his hope that the ongoing development of the air force would continue and simultaneously the government would extend full cooperation in this regard.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">During the meeting, President\'s wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana was present.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">President\'s Office Secretary Md Wahidul Islam Khan and Military Secretary Major General M Adil Chowdhury were also present.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-04 13:06:24', '2024-06-04 13:06:24'),
(12658, 12658, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh is one of the pioneers in the world in terms of coastal afforestation.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In the world, Bangladesh is one of the pioneers in coastal afforestation. As of now, the afforestation has been created in some 261,570 hectares in the coastal areas. We’ve created a green belt of 89,853 hectares since 2009,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier was addressing a programme arranged in the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) to mark the World Environment Day-2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the function, she also opened the Environment Fair-2024, the National Campaign for Tree Plantation and the Tree Fair-2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the theme “land restoration, stopping desertification and building drought resilience,” this year the World Environment Day 2024 is being observed throughout the world under the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister urged all to plant trees in every possible place and make rooftop gardening to gain financially, relief from temperature and thus protect the environment.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I would like to request everyone to plant trees wherever you can…. If you all plant trees wherever you have places —&nbsp; in offices, courts, mosques and Madrashas–, you will get relief from the temperature. And make rooftop gardening,” she said.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said everyone should at least plant a fruit-bearing tree, wood tree and herbal tree.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If you plant fruit-bearing trees, you will be able to eat fruits and if you plant wood trees, you will get good money from the sale of wood,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister inaugurated the Tree Plantation Campaign by planting two saplings – Palash and Bel (wood apple) trees with the theme of “\'Decorate the country with trees, enrich Bangladesh” (Brikkha Diye Sajai Desh, Samriddhi Kori Bangladesh).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government’s goal is to protect the country, its people from natural disasters and save nature.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Some 8.38 crore saplings will be planted during this monsoon season. We’ve taken such a step,” she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that her party Awami League began a tree plantation campaign in 1985, AL President Sheikh Hasina asked every member of her party to plant at least three saplings –one fruit-bearing tree, one wood tree and one herbal tree during its month-long campaign from the first day of Bangla month Asharh.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said research continues to develop submergence-tolerant varieties of rice in a bid to sustain food security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’re conducting research for the development of submergence-tolerant varieties of rice. The 1998 flood lasted a long time in our country. The country had never witnessed such a long lasting flood before. So, we want the paddy to survive under the water for a longer period,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said the Awami League government, coming to power in&nbsp; 1996, started development of saline-tolerant varieties of rice for the cultivation in the country’s southern region and finally gained success in this regard.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the country’s agricultural scientists also developed drought-tolerant varieties of rice but more research still continues in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In terms of development of drought-tolerant and submergence-tolerant varieties of rice, we’ve gained remarkable success but it will take some more days to start the commercial use of such varieties. We’ll definitely be able to do it. Then we need not to worry about food,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our efforts continue to develop not only saline-tolerant rice,but also saline-tolerant wheat, potato and vegetables,” said Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She stressed the need for exploring the natural ways for crop production in order to come out from the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve been implementing massive programmes for the development of coastal areas. But here one thing needs to be kept in mind about how we can do these in natural ways, not using chemical fertilisers and pesticides excessively,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister handed over the Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation 2023 and 2024, the National Environment Medal 2023, the National Awards for Tree Plantation 2022 and 2023 and cheques among the best beneficiaries of social forestation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seven individuals in three categories received Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation 2023 and 2024, while three others and two organisations in five categories received the National Environment Medal-2023, 14 persons and organisations in seven categories got the National Awards for Tree Plantation 2022 and 2023, and 10 best beneficiaries of social forestation received cheques of the profit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each recipient was given the cash money equivalent to the price of two Vori 22-carat gold, a&nbsp; cheque of Tk 50,000, and a certificate under&nbsp; Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation, and the cash money equivalent to the price of two Vori 22-carat gold, a&nbsp; cheque of Tk 50,000, a crest and a certificate under the National Environment Medal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the awardees for tree plantation were given a crest, a certificate and cash money. Of them, Tk 100,000 was given as the first prize, while Tk 75,000 as the second prize and Tk 50,000 as the third prize.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Environment Fair will continue till June 11, while the tree plantation campaign till July 13. The fair will be open for visitors from 9am to 8pm every day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some 30,000 acres of forest land has been reoccupied and afforestation has been completed there across the country from October, 2020 to April, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year, some 8.33&nbsp; lakh saplings will be planted throughout the country during the monsoon season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury chaired the event, while Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Dipankar Talukder and Environment Secretary&nbsp; Farhina Ahmed spoke on the occasion. UNB&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 09:10:41', '2024-06-05 09:10:41'),
(12659, 12659, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Three people were killed in a head-on collision between a motorcycle and an engine-run van at Shawrankhali intersection under Paikgachha upazila of the district this morning.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased were identified as van driver Ismail Gazi, son of late Anser Al Gazi of Sahapara village and motorcycle riders Riad Gazi, son of Abidur Rahman Gazi, resident of Batikhali village and Mahbub Gain, son of Harun Gain of Garaikhali village of the upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officer-in-Charge of Paikgachha Police Station Obaidur Rahman said the accident took place on the Paikgachha-Khulna road around 10am when the motorbike collided head-on with the van, leaving three people dead on the spot.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bodies were sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) morgue for postmortem, the OC said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 09:15:44', '2024-06-05 09:15:44'),
(12660, 12660, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>All coaching centers will be closed from June 29 to August 11, as HSC and equivalent examinations are going to start from June 30.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was stated by Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury today, while answering the queries of the newsmen at a press conference organized by the education ministry at the Secretariat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The decision was taken with an aim to conduct the examinations in a fair and orderly manner in an environment free from rumors of question paper leaks,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 09:19:35', '2024-06-05 09:19:35'),
(12661, 12661, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (June 05, 2024) congratulated the winning alliance led by BJP and the people of India for exercising their democratic rights in the just-held election in India.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister also congratulated the Congress-led alliance INDIA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We congratulate NDA, INDIA and the people of India for continuing the democratic trend. It’s an inspiration and example of democracy,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Election Commission of India has declared results for 542 of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, with the BJP winning 240 seats and the Congress 99.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasan said a new government will soon be formed in India and hoped that the relations between Bangladesh and India will reach to a new height with deeper cooperation and expansion of people-to-people ties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read more: PM Hasina to visit New Delhi June 21-22 and China July 9-12</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This is the choice of the Indian people. The same alliance will be in power. Our ties will continue. Our relationship with India is based on the spirit of 1971 Liberation War and bonded through shared sacrifice and blood,” said the Foreign Minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said opposition parties in India play a responsible role which is not seen in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on the water-sharing issue, Hasan said the government of Bangladesh deals with the central government of India and they will continue discussion on fair share of water of common rivers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have excellent relations with India. This special relationship cannot be compared to anyone else,” Hasan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 09:26:22', '2024-06-05 09:26:22'),
(12662, 12662, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The UN Secretary General has urged for protecting the planet\'s essential ecosystems from \'biodiversity decimation,\' worsening climate impacts, and widespread pollution.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a message marking the World Environment Day, António Guterres emphasized that countries “must deliver” on all their commitments to restore degraded ecosystems and land, and on Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, the global agreement to protect biodiversity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They must use their new national climate action plans to set out how they will halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. And we must drastically scale-up finance to support developing countries to adapt to violent weather, protect nature, and support sustainable development.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Celebrated by millions around the world, World Environment Day has been held annually since 1973 and has grown to be largest global platform for environmental outreach ever.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year, it is being commemorated under the overarching theme “land restoration, desertification and drought resilience”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN chief also highlighted that prompt and effective action makes economic sense.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Every dollar invested in ecosystem restoration creates up to thirty dollars in economic benefits,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">‘It’s time to break free’</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Failure to curb runaway pollution, climate chaos and biodiversity destruction are clear for all to see. Healthy, fertile lands are transforming into deserts, thriving ecosystems into dead zones and rising carbon dioxide emissions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“That means crops failing, water sources vanishing, economies weakened, and communities endangered – with the poorest hit hardest … It is time to break free,” the UN chief said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We are Generation Restoration. Together, let us build a sustainable future for land, and for humanity,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 09:32:28', '2024-06-05 09:32:28'),
(12663, 12663, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>President Mohammed Shahabuddin asked the university authorities to ensure quality education and research on campuses coping with modern education programs across the world.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President, also chancellor of the universities, made the call as Jahangirnagar University (JU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Alam and Rajshahi University (RU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Golam Sabbir Sattar (Tapu) called on him at Bangabhaban here this afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Apart from the formal education, the President also put emphasis on informal education,\" President’s Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin Zainal Abedin told BSS after the meetings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the President was apprised by the vice-chancellors of the overall situation of their respective universities, including educational program and various plans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University led a three-member delegation during the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The RU VC handed over a copy of the university\'s overall education programs to the President, who is an alumnus of RU.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At this time, the VC invited the President to join the RU Convocation to be held in November next.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the university is an open field for acquiring knowledge, the President said education programs should be designed in such a way that students can acquire knowledge on various contemporary and international issues and prove themselves worthy in the competitive world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stating that there is no substitute for research in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge, the Head of State said, \"In research, quality should be given priority over the quantity.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Priority should be given to making the benefits of this research accessible to all, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized on the opinion of the concerned stakeholders in setting the educational program.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Secretaries concerned to the President\'s office were present there.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 11:18:32', '2024-06-05 11:18:32'),
(12664, 12664, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali is set to unveil a possible Taka 7,97,000 crore national budget for the next fiscal year (FY25) at Jatiya Sangsad (JS) tomorrow.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will announce the budget amid the growing challenges of containing inflation, maintaining a sound foreign currency reserve, a stable exchange rate and generating more revenues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This will be the country\'s 53rd budget and the 25th of the Awami League (AL) government in six terms. This budget will also be the 21st under the rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in different terms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tajuddin Ahmad presented the country\'s first budget as finance minister of the post-independence Bangabandhu government in 1972.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This budget for FY25 will be the maiden budget of incumbent Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Career diplomat Ali, who previously served the Cabinet as the Minister for Disaster Management and Relief and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, would eye building a \'Smart Bangladesh\' despite various obstacles and adversities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The theme of the budget for the next fiscal year would be \"Pledge towards building a happy, prosperous, developed and smart Bangladesh\" in pursuit of turning the country\'s economy into its previous sound state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid the global volatile condition and adversities, the finance minister is eying a 6.75 percent GDP growth while containing the inflation at 6.50 percent although the general point to point inflation is still hovering slightly below the double digit mark albeit various efforts from the government to tame inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finance ministry officials said the possible budget size of Taka 7,97,000 crore would be 4.60 percent or likely around Taka 35,215 crore higher than the budget of the outgoing fiscal year (FY24). The country\'s GDP size has been estimated at Taka 55,97,414 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from the already approved Annual Development Programme (ADP) outlay of Taka 2,65,000 crore, the possible budget will see an estimated deficit of Taka 2,56,000 crore excluding grants. If the grants are considered, then the overall budget deficit will stand at Taka 2,51,600 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the government wants to lower expenses, it is likely to contain the budget deficit to 4.6 percent of the gross domestic product in the next fiscal year. The government usually keeps the budget deficit at around 5 percent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the current fiscal year (FY24), the budget deficit is Taka 2,61,785 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from the original ADP allocation of Taka 2,65,000 crore, Taka 5,943 crore is likely to be allocated for schemes, Taka 7,627 crore for special projects outside the ADP and Taka 2,884 crore for the food for work programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The officials said the government this time is neither pursuing a high and ambitious growth nor taking fresh mega projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, there will be added pressure on repaying principal amounts and interests against foreign loans for which the National Board of Revenue (NBR) would put higher emphasis on generating more revenues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To face the expenditure pressure, the government will eye for realizing overall revenue of Taka 5,41,000 crore of which the revenue board alone would be entrusted with collecting Taka 4,80,000 crore which is Taka 50,000 crore higher than the outgoing fiscal year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from the NBR, the government will strive to collect Taka 15,000 crore as non-NBR revenue while Taka 46,000 crore as non-tax revenue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, Taka 4,400 crore is expected to come as foreign grants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finance Division officials familiar with the process of budget formulation said that apart from containing inflation, the priorities of the next budget will include returning the economy into its previous stable state, keeping the prices of commodities within the purchasing power of the common people and maintaining decent living standards by citizens.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fresh budget will see various austerity measures for reining in public expenditure alongside boosting the farm productivity and keeping the supply chain normal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, steps towards continuous monitoring of markets to contain inflation, increasing the coverage of the social safety nets, measures for automatic adjustment of fuel oil in line with the global market would help put a positive impact on inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The next budget features a good number of initiatives that include ensuring food for all, improvement in food supply system, widening the coverage of the social safety nets, modernizing every village, ensuring digital health and education system, fast track infrastructure projects, facing the climate change impact and global adversities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To meet the budgetary expenditure, the government eyes borrowing of around Taka 1,27,200 crore from foreign sources of which Taka 36,500 crore will be spent as repayment of foreign loans. The net foreign loan is likely to stand at Taka 90,700 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, the government is likely to borrow Taka 1,60,900 crore from the domestic sources including Taka 1,37,500 crore from the banking system and Taka 23,400 crore as loan from the non-bank sources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government is also likely to earmark an allocation of around Taka 5,06,971 crore as its operating cost, Taka 93,000 crore as interest payment of local loans and Taka 20,500 crore as interest payment of foreign loans, Taka 37,989 crore as capital expenditure, Taka 119 crore for food account and Taka 8,457 crore as loan and advance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To widen the VAT net, the NBR will beef up its operations to set up EFDs in Dhaka and Chattogram. Besides, in order to detect newer taxpayers, the NBR has a plan to work with the BRTA, DPDC and city corporations in an integrated manner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government is also likely to make mandatory submission of e-challans in case of VAT payment of Taka 20 lakh and above while the current ceiling is now Taka 50 lakh. Besides, some 20.26 lakh people are likely to be included afresh in the social safety nets to cushion them from the impact of inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, a Finance Ministry press release said that to make the budget more participatory, all the budget documents would be uploaded into the websites of the Finance Division www.mof.gov.bd the NBR www.nbr.gov.bd while anyone can read and download these documents while browsing those websites.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, anyone from home and abroad can send their opinions and recommendations on the budget through the email budgetfeedback@finance.gov.bd.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Finance Minister will hold a post-budget press conference on Friday at 3:00 pm at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 12:46:25', '2024-06-05 12:46:25'),
(12665, 12665, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that the government will take action against those who are responsible for the recent failure to send migrant workers to Malaysia.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’re definitely investigating what problems occurred this time. If anyone is responsible, they will surely be tried,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said this while responding to a supplementary question from Opposition Chief Whip Mujibul Haque Chunnu during the Question-Answer session in the House.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier the Parliament went into the budget session at around 5:00pm with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the supplementary question, the JP lawmaker said the fate of many Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers are uncertain and some 17,000 workers couldn’t be sent by May 31 deadlines&nbsp; despite having everything including permission ready for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also highlighted the creation of a nexus in sending migrant workers to Malaysia saying that Malaysia receives manpower from 14 countries and in the case of all the countries except Bangladesh, all agencies having licenses can send manpower. In the case of only Bangladesh, several fixed agencies do it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mujibul Haque wanted to know If harsh action will be taken against those who are responsible for it, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In reply, the prime minister said the government had introduced special flights to send workers to Malaysia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All workers were sent (to Malaysia) through special flights and other regular flights. But many were left out. The reason (behind not being able to go to Malaysia) will be investigated,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Whenever we discuss and decide how many people will go, then it can be seen that a group of people in our country, who deal with manpower, try to send people in a hurry,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Highlighting the various steps taken by the government to send workers abroad, Hasina said some people want to go abroad through brokers. They get into trouble.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In replying to a question from Awami League lawmaker Mahfizur Rahman, the PM said experts have opined that traffic congestion in Dhaka city and its consequential effects are causing annual losses of about US$ 3.8 billion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This money will be saved if the Metrorail lines are launched under the Time-bound Action Plan 2030 and the opportunity will be created to fully invest the money in the economy,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said a study has found that after the completion of the entire section of MRT Line-6, during the operation of the metro rail, about Tk 8.38 crore will be saved in terms of daily Travel Time Cost and about Tk 1.18 crore in terms of Vehicle Operation Cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In reply to a query of AL lawmaker Faridun Nahar Laily, the premier said it is unfortunate that \"we are noticing--a certain clique, especially the communal and war criminal clique and the BNP-Jamaat\" are constantly spreading rumours through social media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“A large part of them is located in different developed countries. They are mainly spreading false and distorted news against Bangladesh and the current government through social media like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Legal, technical and diplomatic steps have been taken at home and abroad to stop these misinformation and rumours, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government has a plan to create a separate \'Cyber Police Unit\' keeping in view the current scenario in safe cyberspace and combating cybercrime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 14:46:57', '2024-06-05 14:46:57'),
(12666, 12666, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a message addressed to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, congratulated the victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, according to an official press release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the letter dated June 4, she said,\" On behalf of the people of Bangladesh and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations to you on the resounding victory of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 18th Lok Sabha elections.\"&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the leader of the largest democracy in the world, she said, \"You carry the hopes and aspirations of the people of India.\"&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Your convincing victory is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of India have reposed in your leadership, commitment and unwavering dedication for the country,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Premier said she firmly believed that the friendly and close ties of the two countries will continue in all areas, as Modi started the journey with renewed mandates for a rare 3rd consecutive term.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Let me assure you that Bangladesh, as a trusted friend of India, will continue to work together for the betterment of the people of the two countries as well as for a prosperous and peaceful region,\" she continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She conveyed her best wishes to the people of India for the continued peace, progress and prosperity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I look forward to working closely with you in the coming days. Please accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration,\" she concluded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 14:52:02', '2024-06-05 14:52:02'),
(12667, 12667, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Wednesday that Bangladesh\'s friendship is with the Indian Government, not with any particular party or individual.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the remarks at a press briefing at the Awami League president\'s office in Dhaka\'s Dhanmondi on Wednesday evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the upazila polls, Quader said the elections were peaceful, except for some stray incidents. No casualties were reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Voter turnout in the 4th Phase Upazila Parishad polls was more than 34 percent. At that time, Quader thanked the Election Commission, law enforcement agencies and others those involved in the election duties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP claims that there are many Aziz and Benazir in the Awami League, replying to such a question, the AL leader asked, \"Who created Shamsul Huda, Rakibul Huda, SP Kohinur? Who made Moin U Ahmed the army chief by traversing eight people?\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Mirza Fakhrul Saheb is now putting the liability on Awami League for what they have done,\" the miniser said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Anti-Corruption Commission is independent and it can even investigate and prosecute any corruption made by ministers, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Fakhrul said they would protest against corruption. Corrupted BNP will protest against corruption! This is the best joke of the year, Quader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the case of Dr Yunus, he, said :Our country has laws. Dr Yunus will be tried according to that law. There will be no violations of the law. No injustice will be done to him in this case.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“He will get the fair trial and we have no qualms about insulting him in any way,” stated Quader.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AL Organising Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, were present at the time, among others. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-05 16:23:14', '2024-06-05 16:23:14'),
(12668, 12668, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The special Cabinet meeting began today to approve the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the cabinet room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, along with other ministers and state ministers, are attending the meeting. The finance minister is set to unveil the proposed national budget this afternoon, following its authentication by the President.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year exceeds Tk 8 lakh crore, including a Tk 265,000 crore Annual Development Programme (ADP). The National Economic Council (NEC) has already approved the ADP, allocating the highest amount of Tk 70,687.75 crore (26.67% of the allocation) to the transport and communication sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tk 7.97 lakh crore budget set to be unveiled in Parliament Thursday; Revenue target set at Tk4.8 lakh crore</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, the NEC approved an ADP of Tk 13,288.91 crore for autonomous bodies and corporations, bringing the total ADP for 2024-2025 to Tk 278,288.91 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ADP includes 1,321 projects: 1,133 investment projects, 21 survey projects, 87 technical assistance projects, and 80 projects from autonomous bodies and corporations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the ministries and divisions, the Local Government Division is set to receive the highest allocation of approximately Tk 38,809 crore (15% of the total allocation) in the ADP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-06 08:03:45', '2024-06-06 08:03:45'),
(12669, 12669, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The cabinet at a special meeting today approved the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2024-25.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting held in the cabinet room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, other cabinet ministers and state ministers concerned attended the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The finance minister is set to unveil the proposed national budget for fiscal 2024-25 this afternoon, after the authentication of the budget by the President.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AH Mahmood Ali is scheduled to start unveiling the budget involving Taka 797,000 crore with a Taka 265,000 crore Annual Development Programme (ADP).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Economic Council (NEC) already approved the ADP with an outlay of Taka 265,000 crores, keeping the highest allocation of Taka 70, 687.75 crore (26. 67pc of allocation) for the transport and communication sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the NEC approved some Taka 13,288 crore ADP of the autonomous bodies or corporations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So, with the Taka 13,288 crore ADP for autonomous bodies or corporations, the total size of ADP for 2024-2025 has stood at Taka 278,288 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the ADP, the total number of projects is 1,321 including 1,133 investment projects, 21 survey projects, 87 technical assistance projects and 80 projects from autonomous bodies and corporations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Local Government Division, among the ministries and divisions, is going to receive the highest allocation of some Tk 38,809 crore (15pc of allocation) in the ADP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-06 10:13:47', '2024-06-06 10:13:47');

INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12681, 12681, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman has been appointed as the new Army Chief of Bangladesh, effective June 23, 2024.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With this appointment, he will be promoted to the rank of General, as confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday (June 11, 2024). His tenure as Army Chief will last for three years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will replace General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, who took over the Command of Bangladesh Army as the 17th Chief of Army Staff on 24 June 2021 and will complete his tenure on June 23, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An alumnus of Bangladesh Military Academy, he was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry on December 20, 1985.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Having an illustrious career of more than three and a half decades, Lieutenant General Waker brings with him enormous experience of holding key command, staff and instructional appointments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his distinguished military career, Lieutenant General Waker commanded an Infantry Battalion, the only Independent Infantry Brigade of Bangladesh Army and an Infantry Division.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His key staff appointments include staff officer at an Infantry Brigade, School of Infantry and Tactics and Army Headquarters. He was a distinguished instructor at ‘School of Infantry and Tactics’, ‘Non-commissioned Officers’ Academy’ and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lieutenant General Waker served as the Military Secretary in Army Headquarters. Prior to joining as the CGS of Bangladesh Army, he performed as Principal Staff Officer of the Prime Minister at Armed Forces Division under Prime Minister’s Office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lieutenant General Waker is an alumnus of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur and Joint Services Command and Staff College, UK.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from National University of Bangladesh and Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College, University of London.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the head of the Armed Forces Division, he was directly involved with the UN Peacekeeping Affairs of Bangladesh Armed Forces. He was also nominated as a Gender Champion and Gender Advocate of Bangladesh for UN Peacekeeping Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By virtue of his appointment as Principal Staff Officer, he also headed the ‘Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention’ as Chairman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the Blue Helmet, Lieutenant General Waker completed two tours of duty as observer and staff in UNAVEM (Angola) and UNMIL (Liberia) respectively. As the CGS of the Bangladesh Army, he has been responsible for the military operations, military intelligence, UN peacekeeping affairs, budget, and many other affairs of the army.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lieutenant General Waker had the rare privilege of commanding the National Victory Day Parade for three consecutive times. He was awarded the coveted ‘Army Medal of Glory (SGP)’ and Extraordinary Service Medal (OSP) for his remarkable contributions in the modernization of the army.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He frequents as a keynote speaker in different seminars and symposiums both at home and abroad. He enjoys games and sports. He is happily married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman and blessed with two daughters: Samiha Raisa Zaman and Shayeera Ibnat Zaman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-11 09:59:49', '2024-06-11 09:59:49'),
(12682, 12682, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley has said the EU aims to achieve economic growth and strengthen its competitiveness through the green energy transition, environmental protection, and sustainable resource use without compromising the environment.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Together, we are laying the foundation for a safer, more sustainable, and globally competitive RMG sector in Bangladesh,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ambassador highlighted the importance of the EU’s recently adopted ‘Due Diligence Directive’ and explained how EU policies, both internal and external, are guided by the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Law, with the legally binding commitment to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday announced a successful completion&nbsp; of stakeholder engagement and grant cheque distribution event for the program to support safety retrofits and environmental upgrades in the Bangladeshi Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Sector Project (SREUP).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event, held at Utshab Hall, Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, gathered key stakeholders from the sector to exchange insights, share updates on the SREUP project advancements, distribute investment grants, and explore the future possibilities of sustainable finance in Bangladesh’s RMG sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The SREUP project offers low-cost loans and incentive grants through financial institutions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is designed to strengthen the environmental and economic sustainability of the RMG sector through a EUR 50 million-credit facility (AFD and co-financed by EUR 14.29 million grant contribution from EU, KfW, GIZ and Government of Bangladesh being implemented by Bangladesh Bank), said the EU Embassy in Dhaka.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Inaugurating the event, Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, extended gratitude to Charles Whiteley, European partners, and key stakeholders, highlighting their collective commitment to advancing the RMG sector and emphasized the need for a safer, greener, and more resilient RMG industry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cécilia Cortese, Deputy Country Director-Bangladesh, Agence Française de Développement (AFD); Michael Sumser, Country Director, KfW Office Dhaka; and Nagaraj K, Country Head, TÜV SÜD Bangladesh (Pvt.) Ltd also graced the event with their presence and speeches.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A panel discussion titled ‘Advancing Sustainable Finance for Greener RMG Sector’ featured key representative from the European Union, Edwin Koekkoek (Team Leader, Green Inclusive Development, European Union); Mohammad Anis Agung Nugroho (International Labour Organization, Programme Manager, Better Work, Bangladesh); Shovon Islam (Managing Director, Sparrow Group of Industries); Peter Ford (Program Lead, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency, H&amp;M Group); Sheikh Mohammad Maroof (Additional Managing Director &amp; Chief Business Officer, City Bank PLC); and Dr. Kabir Ahmed (Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank).&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The panel discussion was moderated by Nawshad Mustafa, Director (PSD-3), Bangladesh Bank followed by an open discussion and Q&amp;A session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nurun Nahar, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, expressed gratitude at the \"Stakeholder Engagement &amp; Grant Cheque Distribution Event for the SREUP project.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She highlighted Bangladesh\'s position as the second-largest garment exporter and emphasized the sector\'s role in foreign exchange and women\'s empowerment.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She urged continued efforts to improve safety, sustainability, and industry growth, thanking AFD, the EU, KfW, GIZ, and the Ministry of Finance for their support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An \'Investment Grant Cheque Distribution Ceremony\' was held, featuring representatives from nine investment grant recipient RMG factories and participatory financial institutions (PFI).&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event concluded with closing remarks by Moni Shankar Kundu, Director and Project Director of the SREUP, Bangladesh Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-11 10:11:02', '2024-06-11 10:11:02'),
(12683, 12683, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Russian strikes on Ukraine\'s energy facilities have destroyed half of its electricity generation capacity since winter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Months of Russian strikes have caused severe energy shortages in Ukraine, leading to scheduled power outages and blackouts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a result of the strikes of Russian missiles and drones, nine gigawatts of capacity have already been destroyed. The peak of electricity consumption last winter was 18 gigawatts. So half now doesn\'t exist,\" Zelensky told a conference in Berlin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky also urged allies to supply more air defence systems, saying: \"It is missile and bomb terror that helps Russian troops advance on the ground.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Air defence is the answer,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s state power operator said it was extending scheduled outages around the country because of increased consumption.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Today... the period of application of hourly outage schedules throughout Ukraine has been extended -- restrictions will be imposed from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm,\" Ukrenergo said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The company had announced outages on Monday between 4-10:00 pm and had said there would be outages on Tuesday between 2-7:00pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The reason is that consumption continues to grow. At the same time, due to extensive damage, Ukrainian power plants cannot produce as much electricity as before the attacks,\" the company said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky said the strikes showed Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to \"hone the practice of destroying energy facilities\" including connections between the Ukrainian and European energy systems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrenergo chairman Volodymyr Kudrytsky said last week that it could take \"years\" for Ukraine to restore its full generating capacity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are dealing with an absolutely unprecedented scale of destruction,\" he said, adding that the capacity of thermal power plants was at a \"historic\" low with \"virtually no hydroelectric power plant that has not been damaged.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is technically impossible to restore these damaged power plants quickly. It will take time: weeks, often months, sometimes years,\" he said in a media interview published on Ukrenergo\'s Telegram channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked whether Ukrainian energy facilities constituted legitimate military targets, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: \"Without a doubt, in concrete cases this has to do with military infrastructure\". AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-11 10:13:44', '2024-06-11 10:13:44'),
(12684, 12684, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday vowed Russia would not win its war in Ukraine as he welcomed President Volodymyr Zelensky at a reconstruction conference in Berlin.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There will be no military victory and no dictated peace,\" Scholz said, calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to \"end his brutal campaign and withdraw his troops\". AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-11 10:21:28', '2024-06-11 10:21:28'),
(12685, 12685, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Bangladesh Meteorological Department today predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers with temporary gusty wind and moderately heavy to heavy falls at different places over the country in the next 24 hours commencing 9 am today.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions; at a few places over Dhaka and Chattogram divisions and at one or two places over Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions,\" said the weather bulletin issued this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also, the bulletin predicted that the ongoing mild to moderate heat wave which is sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Gopalgonj,</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Pabna and Patuakhali may continue.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Due to excessive moisture content the discomfort may persist,\" it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Country\'s maximum temperature on Monday was recorded 39.5 degrees Celsius jointly at Ishurdi, Tarash and Sylhet. While, today\'s minimum temperature 23.6 degrees Celsius was recorded at Chapainawabganj.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rainfall for the last 24 hours commencing 6 am today was recorded 148mm at Meherpur in Khulna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sun sets at 6:46 pm today and rises at 5:10 am tomorrow in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-11 10:26:25', '2024-06-11 10:26:25'),
(12686, 12686, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday claimed that they never said Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar was involved in smuggling.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We never said that MP Anar was involved in smuggling,” he said while speaking to the press at an event in Dhaka’s Rajarbagh on Tuesday afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked about whether Anar\'s daughter disclosed name of any suspect, the minister said, \"It is not possible for minister, IGP, or investigating officer to make any statements until the investigation ends. We will address these issues after the investigation concludes.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about the recent police shooting incident where one police personnel was killed, the minister said&nbsp; training is provided to police personnel on mental health to help reduce their mental stress.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IGP is currently working to know the underlying causes of the killing and taking measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-11 10:32:43', '2024-06-11 10:32:43'),
(12687, 12687, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United States has said it will continue to advocate with countries in the region, and at the United Nations, for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Myanmar so that the Rohingyas and others displaced by the violence can safely return home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Until that day arrives, however, Bangladesh should know that the United States will remain a steadfast partner in the Rohingya refugee humanitarian response,\" said Regional Refugee Coordinator at the US Embassy, Mackenzie Rowe, during a small group briefing at the American Centre on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question from UNB, she said they have been working with many international partners to respond to this regional crisis since 2017.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The regional refugee coordinator said whatever happens within the camps and affects humanitarian assistance is a concern for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Any issue within the camps that would affect humanitarian assistance is always a concern. We want to make sure that our assistance gets to those who are most in need. And we are certainly working with our partners, and others who are concerned to hopefully address this with all partners who wish to work with us,” she elaborated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on the accountability front, Rowe said accountability for human rights abuses is an essential foundation for building a democratic society characterized by the rule of law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that the United States remains committed to leading the international effort to hold those responsible for human rights abuses against civilians accountable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Total US funding for the crisis has reached nearly USD 2.4 billion since August 2017, when more than 740,000 Rohingyas fled from genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Of that total, the United States has contributed nearly USD 1.9 billion to support refugees and host communities in Bangladesh alone,\" Rowe said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She underscored that Bangladesh does not stand alone. \"The United States, along with many other governments, UN agencies, and NGOs are partnering with you to help Bangladesh assist the Rohingya refugees,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rowe said the international community, including the United States, thanks the people and government of Bangladesh for generously hosting refugees until they can safely and voluntarily return to their homeland.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is fitting that ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, we take time to acknowledge the plight of those who had been forced to flee their homes because of violence and persecution,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US official said their contributions provide life-saving assistance and protection, including access to education and training opportunities that help Rohingyas develop skills to support a voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar when conditions allow; strengthening disaster preparedness across the Cox’s Bazar region; and expanding access to healthcare and clean water for Rohingyas and host communities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rowe said they are willing to work with their partners and with the government of Bangladesh to hopefully find a positive way forward.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on resettlement efforts, she said the US President has again set an ambitious goal of resettling 125,000 refugees in the United States for FY 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“So it\'s not just Bangladesh, it\'s globally. And we are hopeful that we will reach that target. And then we\'ll have to wait until September when the new target is set,” the US official said, adding that currently, there are about 12 to 13 thousand Rohingyas in the United States who have been resettled throughout the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“And we hope to see that number grow over time,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rowe said the ultimate goal is hopefully to see their return to homeland when conditions allow for a voluntary, sustainable, dignified, and safe return.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“As I said before, the United States is committed to working with other donors, the international community, UN agencies, NGOs and the Bangladesh government to assist the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh until the conditions in Myanmar allow for their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-12 11:52:13', '2024-06-12 11:52:13'),
(12688, 12688, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A Dhaka court today framed charges against Nobel laureate Dr Yunus and 13 others in a case over embezzling Tk 25.22 crore of the Grameen Telecom Workers\' welfare fund.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka’s Special Judge\'s Court-4 Judge Syed Arafat Hossain passed the order after rejecting a petition for excluding names of the accused from the charges, said the defendants’ lawyer Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court also set July 15 to take testimony from the witnesses, formally beginning trial in the case, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Yunus and the other accused are now on bail and they pleaded not guilty, demanding justice while the court was framing charges, said the lawyer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read more: US says it will continue to encourage Bangladesh govt to ensure a fair legal process for Dr. Yunus</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On February 1 this year, the investigating officer of the case, ACC Deputy Director Gulshan Anwar Pradhan, submitted the charge sheet against Dr. Yunus and 13 others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court accepted the charges against them on June 2 after a hearing in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 13 other accused in the case are: Grameen Telecom MD Nazmul Islam; Director Ashraful Hasan, former MD Parveen Mahmood; Najnin Sultana, Shahjahan, Noorjahan Begum, and S. M. Hazzatul Islam Latifi, all serving as directors; along with Advocate Yusuf Ali; Advocate Zaforul Hasan Sharif; Md Kamruzzaman, President of the Union of Grameen Telecom Employees; Firoz Mahmud Hasan, General Secretary; Kamrul Hasan, office secretary of the Employees\' Union office, and representative Mainul Islam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gulshan Anwar, the Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), filed the case as the primary complainant on May 30, 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-12 11:57:02', '2024-06-12 11:57:02'),
(12689, 12689, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The United Arab Emirates will issue visa for Bangladeshi workers only after confirmation of their jobs in the Gulf nation, the country’s envoy said on Thursday during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UAE ambassador Abdulla Ali Abdulla Khaseif Alhmoudi called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban, PM’s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The UAE ambassador assured the prime minister that they would take manpower from Bangladesh after confirming that jobs are already there for them,” he said quoting the ambassador.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to him the prime minister and the envoy agreed that illegal migrants from Bangladesh should not be allowed to enter the UAE.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Both the countries have agreed to be more aware regarding this matter,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UAE envoy told the PM that several UAE ministers will soon visit Dhaka to explore new avenues for deepening relations with Bangladesh, including in the field of investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We already have very extensive and deep relation, but we are eager to take it further to a new height,” the ambassador said during the call on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He mentioned that at present about 20,000 people are going to UAE every month from Bangladesh. UAE embassy is issuing some 1000 visas each day – 500 directly and another 500 through agents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the investment issue PM Hasina offered the UAE businesses to make investments in Bangladesh’s special economic zones.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UAE envoy sought cooperation from the prime minister to expedite UAE’s investments in Bangladesh, including in building a container terminal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM told the envoy that the government is speeding up everything in all sectors. “We are doing everything to quicken the process,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador said that a UAE company has offered to provide Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) to the civil aviation of Bangladesh. The process is at the final stage of the price negotiation level, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister referred the issue to PMO secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, PM’s press secretary said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For security reasons, the US, the EU member states, and other countries now require airlines to provide details about their passengers before they travel. This is known as Advance Passenger Information (API).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) is an electronic data interchange system established by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beginning in May 2009, private aircraft pilots must also provide the necessary information to the CBP. The regulations were put into effect in December 2008 with a 180-day voluntary compliance period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UAE ambassador invited the prime minister to visit his country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He said that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are eagerly waiting to welcome her.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-13 10:14:39', '2024-06-13 10:14:39'),
(12690, 12690, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Dhaka and New Delhi on Saturday signed 10 instruments including three renewed MoUs for strengthening bilateral cooperation on different sectors.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sectors include blue economy, oceanographic research, fisheries, disaster and health, space and military education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two shared visions, five new MoUs and three renewed MoUs were exchanged in presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a bilateral meeting between the two sides at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two visions which were exchanged are Shared vision of India Bangladesh Digital Partnership; and Shared Vision of India Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The five other new documents are MoU between the Government of Bangladesh and Government of India in the Field of Blue Economy and Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and India Ocean Region; MoU between Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI), Bangladesh and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India for Joint Research on Oceanography of the Indian Ocean and Capacity Building;&nbsp; MoU on Rail Connectivity between India and Bangladesh; MoU between Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), and Bangladesh\'s Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology for Collaboration on a Joint Small Satellite Project; and MoU on Academic Cooperation between Defence Staff Colleges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three renewed documents are MoU for Fisheries Cooperation; MoU for Disaster Management; and MoU in Cooperation in the Field of Health and Medicine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two shared visions; MoU on maritime cooperation and blue economy; and renewed MoU in health and medicine were exchanged by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on behalf of their respective sides.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The MoU on Joint Small Satellite Project was exchanged by Chairman and CEO of Bangladesh Satellite Company Dr Shahjahan Mahmood and Secretary of Indian Space Department S Somanath, while the MoU on railway connectivity by Bangladesh’s Railways Secretary Dr Md Humayun Kabir and Chairperson of Indian Railway Board Jaya Sinha.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, MoU for Cooperation in Oceanography, two renewed MoUs for cooperation in the disaster management and the fisheries sector were exchanged by Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Mustafizur Rahman and India High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The final MoU between DSSC, Wellington and DSCSC Mirpur for cooperation concerning military education in the field of strategic and operational studies was exchanged by Principal Staff Officer of Bangladesh’s Armed Force Division Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shameem and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-22 10:12:35', '2024-06-22 10:12:35'),
(12691, 12691, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India will start e-medical visa facility for Bangladeshis.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Narendra Modi said they have taken the initiative to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur for the convenience of the people of the North West region of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I wish both the teams all the best for the Cricket World Cup match this evening...Bangladesh is India\'s largest development partner and we give utmost priority to our relations with Bangladesh...,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Indian PM made the remarks after a tete-e-tete and bilateral meeting with Bangladesh PrimMinister Sheikh Hasina at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said both countries will benefit from the agreement reached on cooperation in many areas such as Green Partnership, Digital Partnership, Blue Economy and Space.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have kept in our focus - Connectivity, Commerce and Collaboration,\" Modi said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two countries have 54 shared rivers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have been cooperating on flood management, early warning, drinking water projects. We have decided to start negotiations at the technical level for the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A technical team will soon visit Bangladesh to discuss river conservation and management.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They two countries had detailed discussions on further strengthening defence cooperation, from defence production to modernisation of armed forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They have decided to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism, de-radicalisation and peaceful management of borders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Modi said Bangladesh is India\'s largest development partner, and they attach the highest priority to their relations with Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He reiterated India\'s commitment to realising Bangabandhu\'s vision of a stable, prosperous and progressive Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I congratulate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for leading \"Sonar Bangla\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Modi said they have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi on Saturday held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House of the Indian capital city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, they had a one-to-one meeting (tete-a-tete).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently in New Delhi on a two-day state visit to India, was accorded a warm ceremonial reception by her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-22 10:19:59', '2024-06-22 10:19:59'),
(12692, 12692, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Awami League (AL), Bangladesh’s oldest and largest political party, is celebrating its 75th founding anniversary with nationwide festivities today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by placing a wreath at his portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi-32 this morning. Following the tribute, she stood in solemn silence, honouring Bangabandhu’s memory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Hasina, accompanied by AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, inaugurated the day’s celebrations by hoisting the national and party flags and releasing pigeons and balloons. The Awami League had previously outlined an array of elaborate programs for the anniversary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The day’s events began with the hoisting of national and party flags at central and regional party offices at dawn. Tributes were paid at Bangabandhu’s portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A discussion is scheduled for 3 pm at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan, followed by a cultural event. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to chair the discussion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, cultural programs will take place at Rabindra Sarobar, and there will be a boat race and cycle rally at Hatirjheel in the afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A delegation from the Awami League Central Working Committee will honour Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his mausoleum in Tungipara, Gopalganj today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Awami League was founded on this day in 1949. Over the decades, it has evolved into the country’s largest political party, leading the movements for independence, the Liberation War, and various democratic movements.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-23 09:35:37', '2024-06-23 09:35:37'),
(12693, 12693, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>General Waker-Uz-Zaman officially assumed office as the Army Chief of Bangladesh today. His tenure as Army Chief will last for the next three years, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">General Waker-Uz-Zaman succeeds General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, who served as the 17th Chief of Army Staff from June 24, 2021, completing his tenure on June 23, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An alumnus of the Bangladesh Military Academy, General Waker was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry on December 20, 1985.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With a distinguished career spanning more than three and a half decades, he brings extensive experience from holding key command, staff, and instructional positions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has served as the Military Secretary at Army Headquarters and, before his appointment as Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Bangladesh Army, he was the Principal Staff Officer of the Prime Minister at the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister’s Office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">General Waker is also an alumnus of the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Mirpur and the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the UK.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from the National University of Bangladesh and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College, University of London.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-23 09:39:59', '2024-06-23 09:39:59'),
(12694, 12694, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman marking the 75th founding anniversary of the ruling Awami League.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memory of Bangabandhu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, flanked by senior party leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, paid tribute to Bangabandhu by placing another wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation on behalf of her party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina along with AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader inaugurated the day\'s programme by hoisting the national and party flags and releasing pigeons and balloons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Awami League was formed on this day in 1949, which later transformed into the biggest political party in the country to lead movements for freedom, the War of Liberation and all democratic movements.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-23 09:44:30', '2024-06-23 09:44:30');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12695, 12695, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in their last match of the Super 8 phase with an aim to keep their slim hopes of making T20 World Cup semi-final alive at Kingstown in St Vincent on Tuesday as the match starts at 6.30 AM (Bangladesh Time).</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After losing two straight defeats to Australia and India, Bangladesh\'s hope to make it last four stages looked all but ended but a stunning Afghanistan victory over mighty Australia gave them a slim hope.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, there was many ifs and buts involved if Bangladesh would like to reach semifinal. Firstly, Australia will have to taste a defeat to India by a large margin and Bangladesh will have to beat Afghanistan by a handsome margin. Only in that case, Bangladesh could sneak to semifinal. If Australia beat India in a match that will be held on Monday night, then Bangladesh will all but exit from the race even before taking on Afghanistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even if Australia win, Bangladesh will be out there to restore some pride as they would like to bow out with a victory in Super 8 phase. At the same time, Bangladesh\'s victory will essentially ruin Afghanistan\'s hopes to make the semifinal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Bangladesh victory looked on the cards even though Afghanistan have been in top form. The World Cup stat suggested that Afghanistan have never won a match against Bangladesh in ICC tournament, be it in 50-over or T20 over cricket. In T20 World Cup, however, the two teams met only once in 2014 and Bangladesh won that game by nine wickets after bowling Afghanistan out for just 72 runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Overall in T20 format, Afghanistan have the slight edge, winning six and losing five against Bangladesh in 11 meetings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan lost their first game to India by 47 runs but stunned Australia by 21 runs, defending 148-6. The St Vincent pitch in which they beat Australia is also a lucky ground for Bangladesh mainly for its slow-paced nature that gave the Tigers a home like condition out of home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan have the bowling attack to thrive in St Vincent pitch which they demonstrated against Australia but still Bangladesh would be favourite. Bangladesh in fact play in this kind of wicket throughout the year at home and so they will be further bolstered by the pitch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In St Vincent, Bangladesh won their match against Netherlands and Nepal to make it Super 8 phase. However they had to play their first two matches of Super 8 in Antigua and as expectedly they failed to show any skill on true pitch. They lost the first match to Australia by 28 runs on DLS before conceding a 50-run defeat to India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While mathematically Bangladesh still has the chance to make it semifinal, its ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan think otherwise. All that he wants to put a good show against Afghanistan to have winning end to the tournament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"To be honest, I don\'t think we have a chance to play the semi-final anymore after today\'s loss. But having said that, the next game will be an opportunity for us to get a win on our belt before we finish up this tournament,\" Shakib said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'d love to finish this tournament on a high. We have to face Afghanistan which is a very good side. So, we have to be at our best to be able to win against them.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh\'s first XI against India was much criticized and it is believed that they would tinker with the squad further against Afghanistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Squad:</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Bangladesh:</b> Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Travelling reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Afghanistan: </b>Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-23 09:48:35', '2024-06-23 09:48:35'),
(12696, 12696, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>A Russian strike on a residential building in Ukraine\'s second-largest city Kharkiv killed two people and injured more than 50, rescuers said on Sunday, revising down a previous death toll.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia has stepped up attacks in the northeastern Kharkiv region after launching a new offensive there last month, seeking to break a largely static front line as the invasion grinds through its third year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A five-storey residential building was damaged when guided bombs hit Kharkiv city on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said, with the state emergency service announcing the completion of rescue work by Sunday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a result of this aerial bomb strike, 2 people have been killed and 53 others were injured, including 3 children,\" it wrote on Telegram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday had announced three deaths and condemned Russia\'s \"calculated terror\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An engineer wounded in a Russian strike on an energy facility in the southern Zaporizhzhia region died in hospital, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Sunday. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-23 09:53:23', '2024-06-23 09:53:23'),
(12697, 12697, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said her government wants to develop an education system in the country so that the students can pursue their studies with interest and joy.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There should be an education system so that students can pursue study with interest, there would be no need to ask them repeatedly to study rather they would do it on their own and they have such desire. We want to develop this system,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said this while inaugurating the distribution of stipends, tuition fees and awards among insolvent and meritorious students at a programme in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She opened the distribution of stipends and tuition fees among the insolvent and meritorious students from the secondary-graduation (pass) and its equivalent-level.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the event, the PM also conferred the awards to the most talented students of Bangabandhu Srijanshil Medha Onneshan-2024 (Bangabandhu Creative Talent Search-2024) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Scholar Award-2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina said her government modified textbooks and syllabus, and took initiative for a creative education system in a bid to keep pace with the changing world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the government wants to go for a system where there’ll be learning amid a joyful atmosphere.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury presided over the function, while PM’s Education and Cultural Affairs Adviser Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and State Minister for Education Begum Shamsun Naher spoke on the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of Tk 2,208 crore would be disbursed among more than 6,470,000 (64.70 lakh) students from the secondary, higher secondary and graduation and equivalent institutions, said Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division Suleman Khan in his welcome speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The stipends and tuition fees are being disbursed through online mobile financial service to the students under the G2P (government to person) system in the current fiscal year, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, 15 talented students who were found out through the Bangabandhu Srijanshil Mridha Oneshan-2024, were awarded, while 21 post graduate-level students were conferred with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Scholar Award-2023, said the secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 15 students each received a certificate and Tk 2 lakh, while the 21 students, selected for the scholarship award-2023, each received a certificate and Tk 3 lakh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nusrat Jahan Maliha, a class-VIII student of Hazaribagh Girls’ School and College on behalf of the students; Atifa Rahman, a class-X student of Amena-Baki Residential Model School and College in Dinajpur and Pinak Mugdha Das, a Class-XI student of Government Majid Memorial City College in Khulna on behalf of the awardees under Bangabandhu Srijanshil Medha Oneshon-2024; and Zarin Tasneem Raisa, a student of English Department at Dhaka University and Al Foysal Bin Kashem Kanon, a student of the Education Department at Dhaka University, on behalf of the awardees under Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Scholarship Award-2023, shared their feelings at the function.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-24 09:10:52', '2024-06-24 09:10:52'),
(12698, 12698, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Anisul Huq has dismissed claims that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is not receiving adequate medical treatment in Bangladesh, calling such accusations \"laughable.\"</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a press briefing at his office in the Secretariat today, the minister addressed journalists\' questions regarding the ongoing treatment of Khaleda Zia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Khaleda Zia requires medical treatment, and she is receiving it at the hospital where she is currently admitted. That\'s why she remains in stable condition. She has several chronic ailments that are not fully curable, but the necessary treatments to manage these conditions are being administered,\" he stated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Anisul Huq also highlighted recent medical procedures, noting, \"Just yesterday at around 4 pm, a pacemaker was installed for her, and she is now in stable condition due to that pacemaker.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister emphasized that Khaleda Zia is indeed receiving proper medical care. \"When local doctors deemed it necessary to bring in specialists from abroad for her treatment, the government did not hesitate to grant permission. Therefore, those who claim that Khaleda Zia is not receiving proper treatment are only making themselves appear ridiculous,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked about questions regarding his sincerity and humanity, the minister responded, \"Listen, we need to check if they are in the right frame of mind. They make these statements because their approach is not balanced. If they wish to express anger and frustration towards me through press conferences, they are free to do so. However, I hope they refrain from personal attacks.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-24 09:46:58', '2024-06-24 09:46:58'),
(12699, 12699, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Bangladesh witnessed its highest Letter of Credit (LC) openings in 23 months, amounting to US $6.83 billion in May 2024, amid an ongoing foreign exchange crisis, according to Bangladesh Bank.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previously, the highest LC opening was recorded in June 2022, reaching $7.02 billion. Since then, fluctuating dollar exchange rates and the domestic currency, the taka, have generally led to a decreasing trend in LC openings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In April 2024, LCs worth $5.68 billion were opened. The figures for May show a significant increase of more than 20 percent compared to April. Compared to the same period in 2023, LC openings in May rose by 19.5 percent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Economists and market analysts attribute this trend to several factors, including tax benefits at the end of FY 2023-24 and the anticipation of the withdrawal of tax exemptions on various products in the FY 2024-25 budget.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr. Ahsan H Mansur, Executive Director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), explained to UNB that the increase in LC openings in May was influenced by a more lenient import policy on some items towards the fiscal year\'s end.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, traders rushed to open LCs fearing further increases in dollar exchange rates after the central bank raised the rate by Tk 7 in a single move on May 8, 2024, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trade analyst Dr. M. Mashrur Reaz noted that the increase in LC openings after a long period was also due to an improved dollar supply, thanks to remittances and foreign loan disbursements.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite ongoing macroeconomic instability in Bangladesh, trade volume and business transactions have increased in recent months. Government policy support on capital imports also impacted LC openings, Dr. Reaz observed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Furthermore, the announcement of new taxes on capital machinery imports in the FY 2024-25 contributed to the spike in LC openings. Capital machinery imports were tax-free until now, Dr. Reaz pointed out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-24 09:54:56', '2024-06-24 09:54:56'),
(12700, 12700, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the government will accept the financing proposal for the Teesta Masterplan Project, considering which one is the most beneficial for the country.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have undertaken the Teesta project. China and India have given separate proposals (for financing it). We must accept the proposal which will be more beneficial for the people of our country,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier made the remarks while replying to a volley of questions at a press conference in her official residence Ganabhaban over the outcome of her recent visit to India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said China has already conducted a feasibility study over the Teesta project and India will also carry out a feasibility study. “We’ll go for the one which is the most acceptable and beneficial for us,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM, however, said if India makes the Teesta project implemented, all problems will be solved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Since our demand for Teesta water is a long-standing one with India, if India makes our Teesta project, all problems will be solved,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India would send its technical team, she said, adding that both Indian team and Bangladesh would jointly assess it, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM went to New Delhi on June 21 on a two-day state visit to India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was the first bilateral visit by any head of government to India after the BJP-led alliance formed its government for the third consecutive term following the Lok Sabha elections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Awami League general secretary and also road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, Deputy Leader of the House Matia Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, PM’s Private Industry and Invest Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, AL presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP and Kazi Zafarullah were on the dais.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan conducted the press conference.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-25 09:23:04', '2024-06-25 09:23:04'),
(12701, 12701, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Bangladesh bowed out the T20 World Cup with a sour note after suffering an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan on DLS method in their last match of the Super 8 phase at St Vincent in West Indies today.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Tigers which moved to the second round of a T20 World Cup for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2007, lost all of the three matches in this phase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They began the match with a slim hope to make it semifinal after Australia opened the gate for them by tasting a 24-run defeat to India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh, however, were well on course of materializing the hopes when they held Afghanistan off to 115-5 in 20 overs. To make it semifinal by beating the teams like Australia and Afghanistan on net run rate, Bangladesh were given the target to chase it down by 12.1 overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even though on a tricky pitch, it was always a tough target to chase but given their habit of playing in this kind of wicket at home always, Bangladesh are believed to overhaul it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But apart from Liton Das, no one could show the determination and stubbornness, which first ruined Bangladesh\'s hopes to chase down the total in 12.1 overs and later paved their defeat as they were bowled out for 105 in 17.5 overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liton Das battled lonely to be stranded on 54 off 49 with five fours and one six.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan claimed 4-23 while fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq also snapped up 4-26 including Bangladesh\'s last two wickets to send the team to the semifinal for the first time in their country\'s history.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first in a match hit by rain quite a several times, knowing that a victory would put them in the semifinal. The possibility of the proud history seemed to have put a huge pressure on them as their batters looked nervous.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Still Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, the two openers grinded it out to put on 59 runs for the opening stand but they took 10.4 overs to get it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain who took 3-26 and achieved the feat to take highest wickets for Bangladesh in a single edition of the tournament, going past Shakib Al Hasan\'s record, struck twice to dismiss those two openers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gurbaz made team-best 43 off 55 with three fours and one six while Zadran scored 18. In between Mustafizur Rahman took the wicket of Azmatullah Omarzai for 10. Taskin who ended with 4-1-12-1 and Mustafizur who had figures of 4-0-17-1, stifled Afghanistan to slow down the scoring rate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, Rashid Khan hit three sixes off Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the last over to help the side post 115-5 and those three sixes eventually made all the difference.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liton Das started the chase with a bang, taking 13 runs in the first over and Bangladesh looked on the course to chase it down by 12.1 overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But apart from Liton, no one could come with the terms. After Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Tanzid Hasan Tamim for a three-ball-duck, Naveen-ul-Haq jolted Bangladesh, removing Najmul Hossain Shanto (5) and Shakib Al Hasan, also for duck, in consecutive deliveries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With Bangladesh at 23-3, Liton and Soumya Sarkar (10) looked to have bailed Bangladesh out of danger but Rashid Khan struck to get rid of Soumya, ending 25-run partnership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rashid then got the better of Towhid Hridoy, who made second best 14, before he claimed the wicket of experienced Mahmudullah (6) and Rishad Hossain for duck to put Afghanistan on the verge of the victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Liton finally found form after a lengthy batting patch and played with guts to keep Bangladesh in the hunt. But Naveen-ul-Haq brought the watershed moment for Afghanistan cricket by cleaning up the tail with a gem of pace bowling.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-25 09:34:32', '2024-06-25 09:34:32'),
(12702, 12702, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Bangladesh Meteorological Department today predicted the ongoing mild heat wave is likely to continue at six places across the country in the next 24 hours commencing 9 am today.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Mild heat wave is sweeping over Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the districts of Tangail, Faridpur, Manikganj, Rangpur, Sayedpur and Patuakhali and it may continue,\"said the weather bulletin issued this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Due to excessive moisture, discomfort may persist,\" it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions; at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Barisal divisions and at one or two places over Khulna division with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram &amp; Sylhet divisions,\" it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Country\'s maximum temperature on Monday was recorded 38.7 degrees Celsius at Rajshahi. While, today\'s minimum temperature 24.1 degrees Celsius was recorded at Bandarban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rainfall for the last 24 hours commencing 6 am today was recorded 57mm at Sylhet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sun sets at 6:50pm today and rises at 5:11am tomorrow in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-25 09:40:43', '2024-06-25 09:40:43'),
(12703, 12703, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said she will die if she is isolated from the public, asking the Special Security Force (SSF) not to detach her from the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If you make me isolated from the people, it doesn’t need to shoot me to death. I will die anyway because they (people) are my life-blood,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina was addressing the Darbar of the SSF on its 38th founding anniversary at the Prime Minister\'s Office (PMO) here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister asked the SSF personnel not to ever isolate her from the people with whom and for whom she does politics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We do politics. I have no other strength. People are my only strength. We do politics with the power of the people. So, make sure that I will not be isolated from the public,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She reminded all that the people were with her when she was not in power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard, the premier mentioned that a very ordinary person, rickshaw- puller purchased a piece of land after her name with his hard earned money.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said she later built a house on that land and gave it to the rickshaw-puller with its ownership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"So, I won\'t allow isolating these people from me. They give me power to march ahead. Everyone should keep it in mind,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister asked the SSF personnel to perform their duties in ensuring security for the VVIPS with firmness, efficiency, discipline, honesty, responsibility and topmost professionalism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If you have no firmness, honesty and responsibility, it will not be possible to be successful,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said she always thinks about the safety and security of the SSF personnel as they are entrusted with ensuring protection of her risking their lives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said several attempts were made on her life in which many of her party leaders and activists were killed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She continued 22 leaders and activists including late president Zillur Rahman\'s wife Ivy Rahman were killed in August 21, 2004 grenade attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said she prays for all including the SSF personnel as they remain safe.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said her government is doing everything to ensure safety of the SSF personnel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government first built shooting range for SSF after assuming power for the first time in 1996.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The shooting range is now being modernised with updated equipment, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said they have made Bangladesh Digital and are now working to transform it into a smart country by 2041 and change the fate of the people by giving them beautiful and improved life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government is now implementing Delta Plan-2100 to give generation after generation better and secured life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM\'s Security Affairs Adviser Major General (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and PM\'s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present on the dais.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">SSF DG Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan gave the address of welcome.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Presidential Security Force (PSF) which was later renamed SSF came into being on June 15, 1986.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-26 09:37:20', '2024-06-26 09:37:20'),
(12704, 12704, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Corruption is a way of life across the world, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today, emphasizing that the issue is not exclusive to Bangladesh.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader\'s candid remarks came during the inauguration of the BRTC shuttle bus service at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We aren’t claiming that there is no corruption here. It isn’t correct to say that only government officials are corrupt and politicians aren’t,” said Quader, who also serves as the general secretary of the Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“When we speak, we must consider everyone; we should first look at our own reflection in the mirror. I am speaking out against the corruption of officials, and there is corruption in my sector as well. Isn’t there? Of course, there is,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Minister Quader also highlighted the crucial role of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in tackling corruption. “I believe the ACC is here, and the Prime Minister is steadfast in her zero-tolerance policy towards corruption,” he stated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader affirmed the ACC’s independence, underscoring its authority to investigate corruption without government interference. “The government has not and will not interfere with this independence,” he assured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-26 09:51:20', '2024-06-26 09:51:20'),
(12705, 12705, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>President Mohammed Shahabuddin has asked the newly-appointed Bangladesh ambassador to Kuwait to work for the overall welfare of expatriate Bangladeshis living in Kuwait as well as facilitate manpower exports there.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Head of State came up with the directive as the new ambassador of Bangladesh to Kuwait Major General Syed Tarek Hossain today paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The President instructed the ambassador to properly utilize the potential to increase Bangladesh\'s trade and investment with Kuwait,\" President\'s Press Secretary Md. Joynal Abedin told BSS subsequently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new ambassador sought the direction of the president in carrying out his assignment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Secretaries concerned to the President\'s office were present.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-26 11:23:06', '2024-06-26 11:23:06'),
(12706, 12706, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today received over Taka 314 crore as the 7th and 8th installments of loan repayment taken for the construction of the Padma Bridge.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader handed over a cheque of Taka 314,64,86,963 to the Prime Minister as the seventh and eighth installments of loan for Padma Bridge at a programme at the Ganabhaban here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM\'s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, PMO secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, PM\'s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan, Finance Division Secretary Dr. Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and other concerned high officials were present at the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the latest installments, the bridges division has so far paid a total of Taka 1262,66,06,548 to the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 5, the bridges division began the repayment of the loan with Taka 316,90,97,050 from the revenue it earned as toll collection from the bridge as the first and second installments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of Taka 1653,71,65,550 was collected as toll from the Padma Bridge since its operation on June 25 in 2022 to June 26, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Padma Bridge was built with own finance at a cost of over Taka 32,605.52 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 25, 2022, the Prime Minister opened the country\'s largest bridge - 6.15-km Padma Bridge - over the mighty river Padma.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-27 09:26:07', '2024-06-27 09:26:07'),
(12707, 12707, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>South Africa trounced Afghanistan by nine wickets Wednesday to reach the Twenty20 World Cup final, ending a long cricket drought.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reeza Hendricks hit a six and a four on consecutive deliveries to lift South Africa to 60 for 1 in the ninth over, easily surpassing Afghanistan’s 56.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was the first time in eight World Cup semifinals across the one-day and T20 formats that South Africa had managed a victory. Now it\'s just potentially one victory away from a maiden World Cup title.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss Wednesday and opted to bat first but everything went South Africa’s way after that with the pace bowlers taking out the top order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Marco Jansen (3-16) took wickets in the first and third overs and Kagiso Rabada (2-14) opened with a double-wicket maiden as Afghanistan slumped to 20-4 after 3.4 overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The opening pair that had carried Afghanistan so well during the tournament was gone, exposing the middle and lower order to a South Africa bowling attack hitting form at the perfect stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rahmanullah Gurbaz faced three balls before he edged to slip and was out to Jansen in the first over. Ibrahim Zadran was beaten by a Rabada inswinger and bowled on the first ball of the third over.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took three wickets in 11 deliveries — all lbw decisions to balls keeping low — to finish off Afghanistan for 56 in 11.5 overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Azmattullah Omarzai top scored with 10, the only Afghan batter to reach double figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Africa lost only opener Quinton de Kock in the run chase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We weren’t expecting that. We just wanted to come out in this game and hit our straps,, the way we’ve been doing throughout the entire tournament,” Rabada said. “We just felt that we needed to continue in that vein.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“And today it just happened for us.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked if this is the team to finally end South Africa\'s World Cup drought, Rabada was confident: “We 100% believe that this is the team.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan-South Africa T20 World Cup semifinal pits cricket\'s overachievers against underachievers</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Defending champion England and India will meet in the second semifinal on Thursday. The winner will play South Africa on Saturday at the century-old Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afghanistan was playing in the last four for the first time, and it entered the match with three of the five leading bowlers in the tournament and two of the top three batters, based on runs scored.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Africa remains unbeaten at the tournament, but had to endure tough contests and narrow wins over Nepal, Netherlands, Bangladesh and England and only beat West Indies with five balls to spare in the Super Eight stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-27 09:45:48', '2024-06-27 09:45:48');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12708, 12708, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Britain’s Labour party has been forced to issue a clarification on comments made by its leader Keir Starmer regarding the removal of Bangladeshi migrants from the UK, as reports emerged of outrage among members of the British-Bangladeshi community ahead of next week’s general election.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a town hall with readers of The Sun, a rightwing tabloid, earlier this week, Starmer said: \"At the moment people coming from countries like Bangladesh are not being removed because they’re not being processed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was being asked about Labour\'s rejection of the Conservative government policy of deporting migrants who arrive in the UK illegally in small boats to Rwanda. Starmer was trying to explain his policy would be to send illegal migrants back to their countries of origin.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The number of people being returned to where they came from has dropped off by 44 percent under this government. So on the first few days of government, I’ll tell you what I do, I’ll put the staff back in the returns unit, I’ll make sure I’ve got planes going off, not to Rwanda because that’s an expensive gimmick,\" the Labour leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked where the migrants would go, Starmer, who is being described as a ‘prime minister in waiting’, replied: \"They will go back to the countries where people come from. That’s what used to happen.\" He then made the reference to Bangladeshi migrants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A clip of the interaction described by news website PoliticsHome, that has reportedly been distributed on WhatsApp groups, shows Starmer talking of \"people coming from countries like Bangladesh\" but does not explicitly specify that he is referring to people without permission to settle in the UK.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the end of the video, a message reads: \"Don\'t vote for Labour on 4 July. Vote for Independent candidates.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pro-Palestinian independent candidates are standing against Labour in a number of seats across England in the UK’s election, and regard voters disillusioned with Labour as their most likely supporters.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Labour party in a statement said: \"Keir has proudly supported the Bangladeshi community across the UK, who make an enormous contribution to our country. This clip has been edited to make it look as though Keir Starmer is suggesting repatriation of British Bangladeshis. It is misinformation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In fact, Keir is referring to Labour\'s long established policy of returning those who don\'t have the legal right to be in the UK to safe countries. Bangladesh was only used as an example, as there is already a bilateral agreement between the two countries.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reference is to a new agreement signed between the two governments in May \"to speed up the removal of migrants with no right to be in the country\" by removing a mandatory interview in cases \"where there is good supporting evidence for removal\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UK and Bangladesh held their first ever Joint Working Group meeting on Home Affairs at the British Home Office in London and signed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Returns, UNB reported at the time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nevertheless, the traditional support for Labour within the Bangladeshi community in the UK was set to be tested, as another candidate for the party in next week’s elections, Jon Ashworth, a member of Starmer’s shadow cabinet in the last parliament, also told the BBC this week that a Labour government would send migrants “from countries like Bangladesh or wherever” back to their countries of origin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reaction within Starmer’s own party has been stark. Labour has seven candidates of Bangladeshi origin standing in the election on July 4. Four of them were incumbent MPs till parliament was dissolved ahead of the election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rushanara Ali - the first British-Bangladeshi MP in the House of Commons and Shadow Minister - said in a message circulated online: \"There has been considerable concern and upset following the release of a clip of the Labour Party leader. I have been in close contact with his team to relay the concerns in our community\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apsana Begum, the Labour candidate standing for re-election in Poplar and Limehouse, tweeted a video of herself – in English and in Sylheti – criticising politicians using \"dog-whistle racism against Bangladeshis\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stepney Green Councillor Sabina Akhtar, deputy leader of Labour’s Tower Hamlets unit, handed in her resignation. \"I was a proud Labour party member, but I find I cannot be proud of this party anymore when the leader singles out my community and insults my Bangladeshi identity,\" she said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Paula Barker, who is re-standing to be the Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, tweeted: \"Bangladeshis do not come here illegally. Their contribution to our national life and our community here in Liverpool is immeasurable. I will always stand with them now and always\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Starmer and Ashworth’s comments have been described as racist dog whistles that have left members of the British-Bangladeshi community “seething with anger”.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the 2021 census, there were a total of 652,535 Bangladeshis in the United Kingdom, around 1% of the total population. Nearly half of the population live in London, and the community is regarded as the driving force behind Britain’s $5 billion curry industry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Immigration is a hot-button issue in this year’s election in the UK, with the status of asylum seekers a particular concern for some voters. British government statistics show that the top countries of origin of people seeking asylum in the UK are Afghanistan, Iran and India, with Bangladesh ranking seventh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Labour currently enjoys a big lead in the polls, and is expected to win the election ending 14 years of Conservative rule. But both parties are trying to avoid leaking votes to the newly-formed Reform party, that has set out its stall almost entirely around a pledge to drastically reduce net migration into the UK.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-27 09:51:55', '2024-06-27 09:51:55'),
(12709, 12709, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Accusing the Prime Minister of making Bangladesh completely hostage to India, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the Awami League government not to betray the nation by signing anti-sate deals with the neighbouring country.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a rally, he also questioned the achievements Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her recent visit to India, as she failed to address crucial issues such as Teesta River water-sharing and border killings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The existence of Bangladesh is now endangered. None of the agreements and MoUs (signed by the PM with India) are in favor of Bangladesh, the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul slammed Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud for reportedly saying that the BNP does not understand the difference between a treaty and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I don\'t want to respond to him. I just want to say one thing: do not betray the country. Do not sign any anti-state deal or MoU by fooling and misleading the people,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan Central Office, demanding the unconditional release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since June 22.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul asked the Prime Minister what she has brought back from India this time. “There’s no mention of water anywhere. What was mentioned is alarming. India has proposed to engage in the Teesta project, and China has also given a proposal to this end. The Prime Minister said she would see which of the two is better.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Prime Minister also mentioned that if India is entrusted with the project, the water problem will be resolved. “Are we all fools living in this country? On the contrary, what you (PM) did is ignore the Teesta water-sharing agreement and the issue of sharing water from common rivers. Thus, you are making Bangladesh completely hostage to India.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader said Bangladeshis are being killed regularly along the border. “There was a killing yesterday (Wednesday) as well. You (PM) didn’t say a single word about this during your tour this time.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also questioned whether there is any place in the world where a country shoots dead the citizens of its friendly neighbouring country along the border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“You (PM) have to answer these questions. You won’t be able to mislead people with what you are saying in self-defense,” Fakhrul warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-27 09:57:41', '2024-06-27 09:57:41'),
(12710, 12710, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>A merchant ship reported being hit by a projectile while off Yemen\'s coast en route to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, a British maritime security agency said.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A merchant vessel reported having been \'hit\' by a projectile\" west of Yemen\'s port city of Hodeida, Ambrey said, adding that there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The vessel was transiting south along the Red Sea when she issued a distress call,\" Ambrey said. The ship was heading to the Saudi port city of Dammam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Yemen\'s Iran-backed Huthi rebels have targeted dozens of ships since November in a campaign they say is intended to signal solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this week a missile hit in \"close proximity\" to a vessel transiting south of the Yemeni port city of Aden, said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ship proceeded on its journey with no reports of injuries or damage, said the maritime agency run by Britain\'s Royal Navy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Joint Maritime Information Center identified the vessel as the Saint Kitts- and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier Lila Lisbon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The vessel was not hit and all crew on board are safe,\" said the agency overseen by the US Navy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States in December announced a maritime security initiative to protect Red Sea shipping from Huthi attacks, which have forced commercial vessels to divert from the route that normally carries 12 percent of global trade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since January the United States and Britain have also launched repeated strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen in response to the ship attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday, US military forces destroyed one Huthi radar site in a rebel-run part of Yemen, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on social media platform X. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-27 10:26:03', '2024-06-27 10:26:03'),
(12711, 12711, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has welcomed Bangladesh for progress in creating a roadmap to reduce the non-performing loans (NPLs).</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Priorities should focus on reducing NPLs, implementing risk-based supervision, and enhancing corporate governance. In this context, we welcome the authorities\' progress in creating a roadmap to reduce NPLs, but this process should be carefully sequenced,\" said Chris Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking to BSS, Chris Papageorgiou said above all, the definition for loan classification and provisioning rules should be better aligned to international standards.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This should be followed by an asset quality review to evaluate the state of banks\' balance sheets, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the same time, he said, continuing reforms to develop the domestic capital market is essential to support the country\'s long-term development goals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In this regard, we welcome the authorities\' intention to reform the primary dealers\' system as a first step towards fostering capital market development,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since the authorities\' homegrown economic reform program supported by the IMF financial arrangement was approved in January 2023, Chris Papageorgiou, however, said, the authorities have made good progress in implementing reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These include introducing a more flexible exchange rate framework, modernizing the monetary policy framework, rationalizing energy subsidies, while also working on supporting social protection measures to support the most vulnerable face the effects of these reforms, enhancing regulatory frameworks in the banking sector and implementing climate change-related reforms, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said, \"We welcome the authorities\' continuous commitment to comprehensive reforms to address long-standing structural issues and vulnerabilities including those related to climate change.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"33\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-27 10:28:04', '2024-06-27 10:28:04'),
(12712, 12712, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Police arrested another accused in connection with the gang rape of a 19-year-old girl in a Chattogram-bound train on Thursday.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The accused, Abdur Rab Russel, was arrested from Kutubpur area in Noakhali district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">SM Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Railway Police Station, said a team of police conducted a drive in Kutubpur and arrested Russel around 4:30 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With this, four people have so far been arrested in this connection.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victim filed the case against four people with Railway Police Station on Wednesday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All the accused were staffers of SA Corporation that used to supply food to Paharika-Udayan Express train.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among them, Jamal, Sharif and Rashedul were arrested on Wednesday and police sought a seven-day remand for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the girl is now undergoing treatment at the One-stop Crisis Centre of&nbsp; Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Paharika-Udayan Express authorities suspended all activities with SA Corporation following the incident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case statement, the 19-year-old girl boarded the Chattogram-bound ‘Udoyon Express’ train from Sylhet on Tuesday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She boarded the train from Bhairab and was staying at the food compartment of the train.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She was allegedly raped by four staff of SA Corporation when the train was crossing the Laksham area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-27 11:33:56', '2024-06-27 11:33:56'),
(12713, 12713, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The BNP public rally demanding the unconditional release of its ailing Chairperson Khaleda Zia has begun in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office with the participation of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rally formally began around 2:42 pm on Saturday with the recitation from the holy Quran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP leaders and activists have started gathering before the party’s Nayapaltan central office with processions carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders from different parts of Dhaka since morning braving bad weather to join the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the associate bodies, former Jubo Dal General Secretary Abdul Monayem Munna staged a showdown by joining the rally with a big procession.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the program as the chief guest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional police have been deployed in Nayapaltan and its surrounding areas to maintain law and order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Wednesday, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam announced a three-day countrywide program demanding the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of the programs, the party is holding the rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the BNP leader said their party will hold rallies in all metropolitan cities on July 1 and in all district headquarters on July 3.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khaleda Zia was rushed to Evercare Hospital in an ambulance at around 3:30 am on June 22 after suddenly falling ill at her Gulshan residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A team of specialist doctors, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, successfully implanted a pacemaker in her chest the following day. She is now receiving treatment in a cabin with CCU facilities at the hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 11, 2022, Khaleda Zia was diagnosed with three blockages in her heart, one of which was 95% blocked and was treated with stent placement at that time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khaleda, a former prime minister, aged 79, has long battled various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to the kidney, lung, heart, and eyes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment frequently at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khaleda was sent to Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years\' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khaleda\'s doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia\'s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-29 09:37:03', '2024-06-29 09:37:03'),
(12714, 12714, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent exams will begin across the country on Sunday.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 14,50,790 students from nine General Education Boards, Madrasha Board and Technical Board are expected to sit for the exams from 9,463 educational institutions at 2,275 centres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among them, 11,28,281 students will appear from nine General Boards, 88,076 from Madrasha Board and 2,34,433 from Technical Board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All coaching centres will remain closed from June 29 till August 11.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year, a total of 13,59,342 students sat for the examinations from all boards.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some 281 students will appear for the examination from eight overseas centres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the routine, HSC written exams will continue till August 11 and practical exams will be held from August 12 to August 21</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the examinations under the Technical Board will continue till July 18 and their practical exams will begin on July 19 and will continue till August 4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All examinees have been asked to enter the exam centers 30 minutes before the examinations start and the concerned will be informed about the question paper code through SMS 25 minutes before the exams start.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No one will be allowed to enter the exam centers with mobile phones, only in-charges of the exam centers are allowed to carry a mobile phone set.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, no one except examinees, center invigilators , teams of the ministry, teams of boards, local administration and upazila administration team and security personnel will be allowed in the exam centres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will be ready to help the examinees during their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md Munibur Rahman shared the information at a press conference on the occasion of HSC and equivalent exams at DMP Media Center on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"34\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-29 10:40:07', '2024-06-29 10:40:07'),
(12715, 12715, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Bangladesh and India are working together to enhance connectivity and take it to a higher level – both physical and digital in several ways, says a senior official at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The initiatives are being taken so that the two countries can strengthen their trade connections, people-to-people connections, and several other projects that they are doing together and bring the relationship to a higher level, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We both countries are working together to enhance connectivity to a higher level,” spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Friday during a weekly media briefing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding rail connectivity, a journalist wanted to know whether there will be any convenience fee or some monetary matters involved and whether there will be any paramilitary or security forces deployed when the trains will be passing by those territories.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In reply, the MEA spokesperson said, “As far as your questions on fees, on security aspects, these are very technical questions. These will be addressed as and when they come up for discussion in the technical committee and between the two governments.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s two-day state visit to New Delhi on June 21-22, Bangladesh and India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for railway connectivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The MoU for railway was on the connectivity between the two railways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said connectivity continues to remain one of the central pillars of India-Bangladesh partnership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We believe that connectivity can transform geographical proximity into new economic opportunities, not just between India and Bangladesh, but also for the entire region,” he said while briefing the media after the state visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this respect, he said, they are starting a new passenger train service between Rajshahi and Kolkata while trial run for a goods train on Bangladesh railway from a place called Gede-Darshana to Haldibari-Chilahati cross-border interchange point is planned for next month sometime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This will also help sub-regional connectivity with Bhutan,” said the Indian Foreign Secretary, adding that</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are already about six cross-border railway links but besides the importance of cross-border railway linkages, Kwatra said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another crucial aspect of this railway connectivity is the transit that they afford between different parts of India through the territory of Bangladesh and the discussions today focused on that, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“So it\'s effectively a connectivity paradigm that actually benefits both the countries, both the societies, both the economies very, very extensively,” Kwatra said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-06-29 13:21:08', '2024-06-29 13:21:08'),
(12716, 12716, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a joint taskforce will work to protect Bangladeshis workers going to Saudi Arabia from fraud, making sure that no one is cheated.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was speaking at an opinion exchange meeting with expatriates on Monday evening at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Minister said there has been a fruitful discussion with the Saudi Foreign Minister regarding the joint taskforce to bring more transparency to manpower migration to Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh and stop the harassment of workers by groups with vested interest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The formation of the taskforce is a reflection of their goodwill in this regard, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister\'s Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman F. Rahman delivered speech as special guest at the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister Hasan highlighted the overall picture of the country\'s development activities under the leadership of the Awami League government and said, \"The whole world is praising the incredible development and progress.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is leading independent Bangladesh,” he said, adding that the Saudi government also praised Bangladesh’s growth under her leadership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stating that the contribution of expatriates to the national economy is immense and important, Hasan Mahmud also talked about incentives for them to send remittances, account maintenance in foreign currency through online offshore banking management, universal pension facilities, and expatriates’ welfare.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister directed them to comply with the local laws and regulations and urged the expatriates to remain alert and proactive against anti-state propaganda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also directed to improve the quality of consular services of the embassy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Issues of recruitment of more skilled Bangladeshi professionals in Saudi Arabia, facilitation of Akama renewal, cultural exchange, direct flight from Chattogram to Riyadh, wage earners bond, health insurance for expatriates, arrangements for repatriation of deceased expatriates, legal assistance, passport renewal through embassy, NID correction, and family visa were also addressed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister\'s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F. Rahman highlighted various investment opportunities for expatriate Bangladeshis including offshore banking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called upon the expatriates living in Saudi Arabia to create public awareness so that Bangladeshis who want to go to Saudi Arabia do not fall victim to fraud.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Salman said the people who want to go to Saudi Arabia must verify things including recruiting company before going to Saudi Arabia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday discussed ways for increased Saudi investment in special economic zones and offshore banking systems in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The issues were discussed at the second Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia Political Consultations held in Riyadh. Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud led the Bangladesh delegation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Minister Hasan discussed with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud wide-ranging issues of regional and global development and of bilateral, economic, manpower and energy partnership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The high-level meeting was also attended by Salman F. Rahman, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Private Industry and Investment; Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral-East and West) and Inspector General of Missions Dr Md Nazrul Islam; Bangladesh Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Md Javed Patwari; Director General (West Asia) Md Shafiqur Rahman; Director General (Foreign Minister\'s Office) Md Arif Nazmul Hasan and Saudi officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They reviewed the entire spectrum of partnership between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-02 10:08:18', '2024-07-02 10:08:18'),
(12717, 12717, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is going to return to her Gulshan residence Tuesday evening after receiving treatment for 10 days at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"She (Khaleda) will be discharged from the hospital today (Tuesday) as per the advice of the medical board. The board has taken the decision after reviewing her health condition and latest medical reports,\" said AZM Zahid Hossain, her personal physician.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He said the BNP chairperson will now be provided with proper treatment at home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said the BNP chief is scheduled to leave the hospital at 5 pm for her residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Khaleda Zia was rushed to Evercare Hospital in an ambulance on June 22 after suddenly falling ill at her Gulshan residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A team of specialist doctors, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, successfully implanted a pacemaker in her chest the following day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Khaleda, a former prime minister, aged 79, has long battled various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to the kidney, lung, heart, and eyes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment frequently at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Khaleda was sent to Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years\' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stays in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Khaleda\'s doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia\'s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-02 10:33:08', '2024-07-02 10:33:08'),
(12718, 12718, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>In response to the High Court\'s decision to reinstate the quota system in government jobs, students from several universities and colleges jointly blocked Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the day, around 2:45 pm, students from Dhaka University staged a protest rally in front of the Central Library. The group marched to the Raju Sculpture on campus before proceeding to Shahbagh to join other demonstrators.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of students from Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Dhaka College, Eden College, and other nearby institutions participated in the protest. They shouted slogans against the quota system, demanding its cancellation in government job recruitment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-02 11:05:36', '2024-07-02 11:05:36'),
(12719, 12719, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked all concerned to take necessary preparations in advance to face probable floods in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She made the directive chairing the 1st meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) in the new fiscal year 2024-2025 (FY25) at the NEC Conference Room in the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“She said floods may hit (the country). We’ve to be prepared so that we can take quick measures if floods affect (the country),” said Planning Minister Abdus Salam at a press briefing after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister said the prime minister, based on the forecast of Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the experts concerned, apprehended that a possible flood may sweep over the country in the coming days possibly in August.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a question over the directive, Planning Secretary Satyajit Karmakar said the PM had said that there is a possibility of floods in August due to a growing trend of rainfall in the country and rise of water upstream of major rivers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the PM directed all concerned including the civil administration and field administration to take necessary preparations to face the floods in a bid to protect the people of the country from the impacts and devastation of floods.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about the projects, the senior secretary of Planning Division said the Ecnec approved a total of 11 projects involving an overall estimated cost of Tk 5,459.87 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the total cost, Tk 5,214.34 crore will come from the national exchequer, Tk 140.44 crore from external sources as project assistance and&nbsp; the rest Tk 105.09 crore from the fund of an organisation concerned, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 11 projects include seven fresh schemes and four revised ones, said the secretary.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-02 13:48:35', '2024-07-02 13:48:35');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12720, 12720, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Survivors of India\'s deadliest stampede in over a decade on Wednesday recalled the horror of being crushed at a vastly overcrowded Hindu religious gathering that left 121 people dead.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A police report said more than 250,000 people attended the event in northern India\'s Uttar Pradesh state, more than triple the 80,000 organisers had permission for.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Wednesday morning, hours after the event, discarded clothing and lost shoes were scattered across the muddy site, an open field alongside a highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">People fell on top of each other as they tumbled down a slope into a water-logged ditch, witnesses said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Everyone -- the entire crowd, including women and children -- all left from the event site at once,\" said police officer Sheela Maurya, 50, who had been on duty Tuesday as a popular Hindu preacher delivered a sermon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There wasn\'t enough space, and everyone just fell on top of each other.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Almost all of the dead were women, along with seven children killed and one man.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials suggested the stampede was triggered when worshippers tried to gather soil from the footsteps of the preacher, while others blamed a dust storm for sparking panic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some fainted from the force of the crowd, before falling and being trampled upon, unable to move.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Uttar Pradesh\'s state disaster management centre, the Office of the Relief Commissioner, released a list of the dead on Wednesday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said 121 people had been killed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Crushed\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maurya, who had been on duty since early morning on Tuesday in the sweltering humid heat at the preacher\'s ceremony, was among the injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I tried to help some women, but even I fainted and was crushed under the crowd,\" she told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I don\'t know, but someone pulled me out, and I don\'t remember much.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deadly incidents are common at places of worship during major religious festivals in India, the biggest of which prompt millions of devotees to make pilgrimages to holy sites.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The main highway next to the field was packed with people and vehicles for kilometres, there were far too many people here,\" said Hori Lal, 45, who lives in Phulrai Mughalgadi village, near the site of the stampede.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Once people started falling to the side and getting crushed, there was just chaos.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chaitra V., divisional commissioner of Aligarh city in Uttar Pradesh state, initially said panic began when \"attendees were exiting the venue when a dust storm blinded their vision, leading to a melee\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh told reporters after visiting the site that worshippers had scrambled to get close to the preacher.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am told that people rushed to touch his feet and tried to collect soil, and a stampede took place,\" Singh said, according to the Indian Express daily.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Many people fell in a nearby drain\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maurya said she had worked at several political rallies and large events in the past but had \"never seen such huge numbers\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was very hot, even I fell there and I survived with great difficulty\", she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Heart-rending\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At dawn on Wednesday, four unidentified bodies lay on the floor of a makeshift morgue at the hospital in the nearby town of Hathras.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ram Nivas, 35, a farmer, said he was searching for his sister-in-law Rumla, 54, who was missing after the crush.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We haven\'t been able to find her anywhere,\" Nivas said, adding he had visited all the nearby hospitals throughout the night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We just hope she\'s still alive,\" he said quietly. \"Maybe just lost.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the hospital\'s emergency ward, Sandeep Kumar, 29, sat next to his injured sister, Shikha Kumar, 22.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"After the event ended, everyone wanted to exit quickly, and that is what led to the stampede,\" Sandeep said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"She saw people fainting, getting crushed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation of $2,400 to the next of kin of those who died and $600 to those injured in the \"tragic incident\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Droupadi Murmu said the deaths were \"heart-rending\" and offered her \"deepest condolences\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also a Hindu monk, expressed his condolences to the relatives of those killed and ordered an investigation into the deaths, his office said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Religious gatherings in India have a grim track record of deadly incidents caused by poor crowd management and safety lapses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2008, 224 pilgrims were killed and more than 400 were injured in a stampede at a hilltop temple in the northern city of Jodhpur.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-03 09:22:07', '2024-07-03 09:22:07'),
(12721, 12721, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader will hold a meeting with the leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Association on Thursday as the public university teachers continue their strike against a new pension scheme for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The federation’s Secretary General and President of Dhaka University Teachers’ Association Prof Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan confirmed it on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Obaidul Quader spoke to them over holding a meeting on Thursday morning but the schedule has not been fixed yet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked whether the movement will continue, he replied that they won’t go back to work until their demands are met.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The indefinite strike of teachers protesting their inclusion in Prattay scheme stepped on the third consecutive day on Wednesday, suspending all academic and administrative activities at universities across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-03 09:25:23', '2024-07-03 09:25:23'),
(12722, 12722, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Over seven lakh people in 13 upazilas of Sylhet district are grappling with the third wave of flooding, even before the effects of the second wave have fully subsided. Heavy rains and upstream water flow on Monday have inundated several upazilas, though Sylhet city remains unaffected so far.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this latest flooding, 97 unions across 13 upazilas have been submerged, leaving over 700,000 people stranded. Approximately 8,351 residents are currently taking refuge in 189 shelters, according to the Sylhet district administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All upazilas in Sylhet have been impacted by the floods, which are attributed to hill torrents and excessive rainfall. The Surma and Kushiyara rivers, among others, are flowing above danger levels at multiple points.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Water Development Board of Sylhet reported that at 6 pm on Tuesday, the Surma River at Kanaighat point was 112 cm above the danger level. At the Sylhet point, the water level was at 10.79 cm, just below the danger threshold of 10.80 cm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kushiyara River’s water levels were 89 cm above the danger level at Amalshid point, 97 cm at Fenchuganj point, 26 cm at Sheola point, and 17 cm at Sherpur point. Meanwhile, the water levels of the Sari, Sarigowain, and Lova rivers have slightly decreased.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Third wave of flooding devastates Sylhet, affecting over 7 lakh people&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Shah Md. Sajib Hossain, assistant meteorologist at the Sylhet Meteorological Department, reported 14 mm of rainfall from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday, with heavy rain expected to continue until today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russel Hasan stated that the possibility of a third wave of floods had been anticipated, prompting upazila executive officers to prepare in advance following directives from higher authorities. He assured that relief centers are ready and that the government is fully prepared to handle the situation with caution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sylhet previously experienced severe flooding on May 27 due to heavy rains and hill torrents from upstream, which had largely subsided by June 8. However, continuous rain from June 17 led to a second wave of flooding. Before recovery efforts could be completed, the third wave struck on July 1, further exacerbating the situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-03 09:39:48', '2024-07-03 09:39:48'),
(12723, 12723, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday describer Bangladesh-India relationship as “model” and “example” for others as both countries have resolved many problems through dialogue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh and India have resolved many problems through dialogue. This relationship could be a model and exemplary for many other neighbouring countries,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said this while visiting Chief of the Naval Staff of India Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi called on her at her Sangsad Bhaban Office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan briefed the reporters after the call on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina referred to the solution of land boundaries and maritime boundaries between Bangladesh and India as the example.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This example has been created in combination with this (solution)”, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM recalled the Indian contribution during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We always remember the assistances and contribution of Indian people during our war of liberation”, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief of the Naval Staff of India Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that he feels like at home here in Bangladesh as there is little difference between Bangladesh and India in terms of nature.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About cooperation between Navy of both counties, Admiral Tripathi said: “if Bangladesh Navy seeks any cooperation from Indian Navy, then they have no option to say no to Bangladesh Navy,”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Indian Chief of the Naval Staff also visited the Bangladesh Military Museum (BMM) and called it as world class expressing that he is highly impressed visiting the BMM.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is educative, effective. . . and he is carying back some ideas which he would provide to their organisation so that they can replicate those.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that many naval officers of Bangladesh are receiving training in India, Admiral Tripathi said that he told his counterpart that Bangladesh could send more officers if he wants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The press Secretary said the premier and Indian Naval Chief opined that both Bangladesh and India hold same mentality regarding keeping the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean “peaceful”, and both countries would work together as they don’t expect any disturbance in this region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the Indian navy chief also mentioned about his visit to the Bangabandhu Museum in Dhanmodi-32, and became overwhelmed after seeing the sacrifice of the martyrs and contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Chief of the Naval Staff of India also praised the development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-03 09:46:12', '2024-07-03 09:46:12'),
(12724, 12724, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader will hold a meeting with the leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Association on Thursday as the public university teachers continue their strike against a new pension scheme for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The federation’s Secretary General and President of Dhaka University Teachers’ Association Prof Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan confirmed it on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Obaidul Quader spoke to them over holding a meeting on Thursday morning but the schedule has not been fixed yet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked whether the movement will continue, he replied that they won’t go back to work until their demands are met.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The indefinite strike of teachers protesting their inclusion in Prattay scheme stepped on the third consecutive day on Wednesday, suspending all academic and administrative activities at universities across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-03 09:55:07', '2024-07-03 09:55:07'),
(12725, 12725, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>The indefinite strike by teachers and employees of public universities continues for the third consecutive day today, demanding their exclusion from the ‘Prattay’ pension scheme.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Association called for a boycott of classes, examinations, and administrative work starting Monday, protesting the implementation of Prattay, a new pension scheme introduced by the National Pension Authority. The announcement was made during a press conference on Dhaka University campus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) also issued a notice to the university’s teachers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a result, all classes and exams, including regular, evening, professional, online, and offline programs, have been suspended at public universities nationwide. This includes institutions such as Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, and Khulna University.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to academic activities, administrative offices, including chairman offices, hall provost offices, research centers, institutes, the central library, dean offices, computer labs, and seminar rooms, remain closed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the banner of Officers-Employees Oikya Parishad, DU officers and employees have called for a strike and protest program, demanding the cancellation of what they called a “discriminatory” notification related to the Universal Pension Scheme. Employees and officers of other public universities have also joined the strike.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Universal Pension Scheme, which was introduced on August 17, 2023, includes four schemes: Prabash, Pragati, Surokkha, and Samata. The Prattay scheme was later introduced specifically for officers and employees of all autonomous and state-owned organizations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-03 10:04:42', '2024-07-03 10:04:42'),
(12726, 12726, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Bangladesh bowler Taskin Ahmed admitted to missing the team bus before a crucial T20 World Cup match against India. However, he denied that this incident was the reason he was not selected to play in the match.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this week, a private TV station reported that Taskin was late to wake up and missed the team bus, indicating that this was the reason behind the team management leaving him out of the match against India.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh team management included Jaker Ali in that match to replace Taskin. The fact that Jaker is not a pace bowler like Taskin indicates that the team planned to include an extra batter to strengthen the batting line.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I would like everyone to know that most of the news and information being spread are nothing more than rumors, and I would hope that the fans treat it as such,” Taskin wrote in a statement on his social media handle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Team accepted Taskin\'s apology for oversleeping on day of crucial World Cup match against India&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that he reached the venue at 9:40 am local time, 20 minutes before the toss. He then sang the national anthem with the team before the match, which began at 10:30 am local time.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It’s quite unfortunate that these so-called sports journalists are printing news based on rumors and without verification, trying to tarnish my image as a player of the national cricket team,” Taskin’s statement further reads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I know I made an honest mistake by not getting on the team bus on time, but I was at the stadium before the toss,” it adds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Taskin also said he would take legal action to address such “frivolous issues like this” in the future “to ensure no one tries to malign my reputation or integrity as a sportsman or a human being”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, an earlier statement by Shakib Al Hasan painted a different picture. The Bangladesh allrounder said Taskin reached the venue just 10 minutes before the match, indicating that this was the reason behind leaving Taskin out of the playing XI.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh won three matches, their most in a single edition of a T20 World Cup, out of the seven they played. However, they failed to win a crucial match against Afghanistan, which could have secured their first-ever semifinal berth. That defeat nearly erased all the good that the Bangladesh team has done in the World Cup.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-03 10:20:14', '2024-07-03 10:20:14'),
(12727, 12727, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday&nbsp; said that medical equipment for public hospitals must be procured considering the real needs of the patients.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Appropriate usage of the medical equipment has to be ensured,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also asked the authorities concerned to be careful in making decision on the purchase medical equipment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said this while witnessing a presentation on health sector transformation in the establishment of universal health care at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister\'s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon told reporters that the PM has given necessary directions after observing the presentation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her remarks the prime minister highlighted Bangabandhu\'s groundbreaking steps to advance the health sector after independence and said that the father of the nation gave the highest importance to the health services of the common people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that the great development that has taken place in the health sector like every sector in Bangladesh in the last one and a half decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that her government has brought health services to the doorsteps of the common people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She emphasised on sustaining the achievements of the current government and moving forward in the health sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Samant Lal Sen, State Minister&nbsp; Rokeya Sultana, President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Health Ministry Dr. AFM Ruhal Haque, Prime Minister\'s Advisor on Private Industry and Investment Salman Fazlur Rahman, PM’s Principal Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Mia, Health Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam and Prime Minister\'s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-03 13:40:31', '2024-07-03 13:40:31'),
(12728, 12728, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today highly praised the Bangladeshi workforce in Oman, saying they are contributing to the socioeconomic development of both the countries.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladeshi workers have contribution to your (Oman) economy as well as Bangladesh. Both economies are getting benefit from the (hard labour of) these workforce,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier made this remark while Oman Ambassador here Abdul Ghaffar Bin Abdul Karim Al-Bulushi called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Oman envoy echoed the prime minister\'s comment about the contribution of Bangladeshi workforce, saying it is true that they (Bangladeshi workforce) are working for both the economies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM\'s Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan briefed the reporters after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Khan, the ambassador mentioned that Oman is maintaining 7 percent GDP growth for a long time and expected to attain double-digit level growth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The GDP growth might be doubled in the coming days,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier and the envoy both also discussed the issue of supporting Bangladesh from Oman side to supplement Bangladesh\'s efforts for the post LDC period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the Visa issuing restriction on Bangladeshis, Al-Bulushi said that actually, about a million of Bangladeshi manpower is working in their labour market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s not particularly for Bangladesh, we periodically review the labour market to point out the labour demand. Based on that review, sometimes we often put suspension on the countries that have excessive number of manpower. For easing the suspension you have to wait for the next review,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said the way of restriction seems that the blanket visa restriction was applied on Bangladesh. \"But actually it was not like that. Except the manpower visa, all other visas like family visa and tourist visa are open,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that some ten categories\' Oman visas for Bangladeshis are open now.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this connection, the ambassador called for sending a request letter from Bangladesh foreign ministry to his government, saying it will enable him well to discuss the matter with his higher authorities in favour of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'ve started working on the issue so the issuance of working visa can start soon,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About fertiliser import, the ambassador said that his government proposed to make the arrangement government-to-government basis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister replied that Bangladesh government would examine the proposal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Oman ambassador highly appreciated the leadership of Sheikh Hasina and congratulated her for reelection.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said it would be good that Bangladesh will graduate under the able leadership of Sheikh Hasina, saying \"Bangabandhu must be looking at you and he must be proud of you.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Oman ambassador, as well, presented a gift, Replica of Omanis traditional boat, to the prime minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On that gift it stated: \"To the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who carried the torch of the great Bangabandhu with resolve and courage with compliments of the Ambassador of Oman, Abdul Ghaffar Bin Abdul Karim Al-Bulushi.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM\'s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-04 09:27:52', '2024-07-04 09:27:52'),
(12729, 12729, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today (July 04, 2024) said that it is solely Bangladesh’s sovereign right to decide on the Teesta project, and that this decision must be respected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Whatever project regarding the Teesta river is truly on Bangladesh’s side to make a decision. And the decision has to be respected,” he told diplomatic correspondents at a DCAB Talk, responding to a question on the Teesta river that Bangladesh shares with India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event at Jatiya Press Club ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China next week. DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib and General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu also spoke at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese ambassador stated that the visit will outline a new blueprint for practical cooperation in various fields and provide an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate their positions on regional and international affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Yao mentioned that China had made its proposal on Teesta following Bangladesh\'s request and is open to accepting any decision. “We are open. It’s purely on Bangladesh to decide what to do at the next stage.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India also expressed interest and announced that a technical team would soon visit Bangladesh to discuss the Teesta river conservation and management issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 25, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated that the government would accept the financing proposal for the Teesta Masterplan Project based on what is most beneficial for the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have undertaken the Teesta project. China and India have given separate proposals (for financing it). We must accept the proposal which will be more beneficial for the people of our country,” she said at a press conference at her official residence, Ganabhaban, regarding the outcome of her recent visit to India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Addressing a separate question, Ambassador Yao emphasized the importance of good relations between Bangladesh and its neighbouring countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“You know, it is a success of your national foreign policy. So, we want to see good relations. And also, we want our relations to be playing a positive role and be viewed positively by the other countries. So that is a win-win cooperation and will benefit all parties,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He dismissed any notion of tension between India and China regarding this project, stating, “I don\'t see any tension. We want to see the project start very soon. Since I know almost 30 million people need this project, we just want to see if it can be studied and completed very soon.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the development of southern Bangladesh, the ambassador mentioned that it is a proposal from the Bangladesh side and that China could play a significant role in aiding this development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is a good opportunity for China to get involved in the internal development of Bangladesh and we will have a very active and positive approach to that proposal,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Yao also praised Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts in sheltering over 1 million Rohingya refugees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“China is actively pursuing all parties involved in the Myanmar conflict to achieve a ceasefire and engage in dialogue, thus paving the way for the repatriation at an early date,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy added that China is ready to support Bangladesh in the multilateral arena, jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and promoting regional and international peace and stability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He highlighted cooperation opportunities in areas such as education, media, infrastructure, trade promotion, investment, agricultural imports from Bangladesh, and the digital economy during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s upcoming visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Yao noted that the Bangladesh-China relationship is at its best and is embracing tremendous development opportunities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Next year, our two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. How to further elevate bilateral relations, expand the scope of exchanges, tap the potential for cooperation, and make the relationship between our two countries and peoples better, deeper, and closer is a task that requires joint efforts from both sides,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China will be a milestone in bilateral relations, building on past achievements and forging ahead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This visit will surely inject vibrant impetus into bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, promoting new achievements in the strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Bangladesh, and elevating the relationship to a new height,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy highlighted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s visit to China is highly anticipated by all. “This visit is expected to take the helm for the growth of the China-Bangladesh relationship for the next five years or even longer.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will meet with Chinese leaders, sign a number of cooperation documents, and jointly announce major cooperation achievements. Through this visit, both sides will firmly support each other and further deepen communication at all levels, he mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-04 09:35:07', '2024-07-04 09:35:07'),
(12730, 12730, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has upheld for now a High Court (HC) judgment that declared illegal a 2018 government circular abolishing the 30 percent quota system for the Freedom Fighters\' children in the ninth to 13th grades of government jobs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Not today,\" the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan said today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Appellate Division after the hearing told the state to file a leave to appeal petition after the release of the full text of the High Court judgment that was pronounced on June 5, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Let\'s keep the High Court judgment as it is for now. You file a regular petition and we would hear that,\" the apex court said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier advocate on record Jahirul Islam pleaded to keep the matter as \"not today\", saying the senior lawyer Mansurul Haque Chowdhury, designated to move the case, is absent today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Attorney General AM Amin Uddin stood for the state today, while senior lawyer Motahar Hossain Sazu argued for a writ filed in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A High Court division bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Khizir Hayat pronounced the judgment on June 5, paving the way for reinstating the 30 percent freedom fighter quota in government service. The court came up with the judgment, declaring absolute a rule issued earlier.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government in 2018 through that circular said direct recruitment in all government jobs in 9th grade (old first class) and from 10th to 13th grade (old second class) will be completely based on merit, abolishing the existing quota system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seven people, including Muktijoddhar Sontan o Projonmo central command council president Ohidul Islam Tushar, filed the writ with the High Court, challenging the legality of the circular.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The High Court after that issued the rule asking the authorities concerned to reply as to why the circular shall not be declared illegal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-04 09:42:30', '2024-07-04 09:42:30'),
(12731, 12731, '<div><br></div><div>In the AJFB Star Award 2023-2024, Babul Uddin has been honored as the best advertising director. The Artist Journalist Foundation of Bangladesh (AJFB) organized a grand ceremony on Sunday, 26 May, 2024, at the ATN Bangla Auditorium of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) to recognize outstanding contributions in various branches of culture, presenting lifetime honors and awards.</div><div><br></div><div>The event organized by the Artist Journalist Foundation of Bangladesh (AJFB) was attended by chief guest Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman, Chairman of ATN Bangla and ATN News, and renowned film director Kazi Hayat. During the event, Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman presented the Best advertising director Award to Babul Uddin for his special contributions to the field of TVC.</div><div><br></div><div>Babul Uddin expressed his gratitude by respectfully greeting and thanking everyone present for deciding to honor him. He also extended his continuous love to his countless well-wishers.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the honor, he further stated that an honor is a commemorative recognition of a person\'s work, which encourages them to perform better and increases their responsibility towards their work. He committed to contributing to meeting the expectations of everyone and the audience.</div><div><br></div><div>The event was also attended by former successful Railway Minister Mujibul Haque Mujib, AJFB\'s founding president Abul Hossain Majumder, AJFB President Faruq Hossain Majumder, General Secretary actor Nirab, among many others.</div><div><br></div><div>The ceremony awarded lifetime honors and recognition for outstanding contributions in various cultural branches. Lifetime honors were awarded to theater and film personality Dilara Zaman and music personality Ferdous Wahid.</div><div><br></div><div>Special honors were received by film personalities Rozina, Shabnam Parvin, Amit Hasan, Rajib Moni Das, Nirab Hossain, Momin Sarkar, Elina Shammi, Polash Moni Das, Shirin Shila, and singer Balam.</div><div><br></div><div>bmbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Desk News', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-04 13:30:44', '2024-07-04 13:33:50'),
(12732, 12732, '<div><br></div><div><b>Director Polash Moni Das has been appointed as the judge for the upcoming reality show \"Jiboner Golpo Bolun, Bari Jitun.\" This humanitarian show, initiated by the esteemed Mia Abdullah Wazed, aims to provide a platform for various industrial workers across the country. The show focuses on helpless and homeless individuals who are either currently employed or retired from an industry, showcasing their diverse experiences and talents. \"Jiboner Golpo Bolun, Bari Jitun\" is set to air soon on ATN Bangla, highlighting the lives of these talented and vulnerable individuals.</b></div><div><br></div><div>Polash Moni Das expressed his thoughts on the initiative, stating, \"I have previously served as a judge for several reality shows. However, amidst thousands of entertainment shows, I first extend my respect to the living legend Mia Abdullah Wazed Sir for taking such a unique humanitarian initiative. He has stepped forward with a humanitarian approach alongside entertainment. I hope the audience will enjoy this distinct entertainment through the program.\"</div><div>Speaking further about the show, Judge Polash Moni Das added, \"I feel proud thinking that such a program will be a witness to time. In my knowledge, I have not seen such a humanitarian reality show in the past. Therefore, I wish continuous success to everyone involved in this show.\"</div><div><br></div><div>It is noteworthy that this is not the first time Polash Moni Das has served as the head chief judge for various reality shows. The most notable among them was the Bavasi International Film Festival 2022-2023.</div><div><br></div><div>According to sources, the reality show will be broadcast very soon on ATN Bangla TV.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/mrf</div>', NULL, 'Desk News', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-04 15:39:06', '2024-07-04 15:52:56');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12733, 12733, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Keir Starmer on Friday will become Britain\'s new prime minister, as his centre-left opposition Labour party swept to a landslide general election victory, ending 14 years of right-wing Conservative rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,\" a sombre-looking Rishi Sunak said after he was re-elected to his seat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides,\" the Tory leader added, calling the results \"sobering\" and saying he took responsibility for the defeat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a triumphant party rally in central London, Starmer, 61, told cheering activists that \"change begins here\" and promised a \"decade of national renewal\", putting \"country first, party second\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he cautioned that change would not come overnight, even as Labour snatched a swathe of Tory seats around the country, including from at least eight Cabinet members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Defence Secretary Grant Shapps was the highest-profile scalp of the night so far, with other big names, including senior minister Penny Mordaunt and leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg also defeated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finance minister Jeremy Hunt hung on to remain an MP, but only by 891 votes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- \'Keir we go\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Labour raced past the 326 seats needed to secure an overall majority in the 650-seat parliament at 0400 GMT, with the final result expected later on Friday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An exit poll for UK broadcasters published after polls closed at 2100 GMT on Thursday put Labour on course for a return to power for the first time since 2010, with 410 seats and a 170-seat majority.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Tories would only get 131 seats in the House of Commons -- a record low -- with the right-wing vote apparently spliced by Nigel Farage\'s anti-immigration Reform UK party, which could bag 13 seats.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In another boost for the centrists, the smaller opposition Liberal Democrats would get 61 seats, ousting the Scottish National Party on 10 as the third-biggest party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The projected overall result bucks a rightward trend among Britain\'s closest Western allies, with the far right in France eyeing power and Donald Trump looking set for a return in the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">British newspapers all focused on Labour\'s impending return to power for the first time since Gordon Brown was ousted by David Cameron in 2010.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Keir We Go,\" headlined the Labour-supporting Daily Mirror. \"Britain sees red,\" said The Sun, the influential Rupert Murdoch tabloid, which swung behind Labour for the first time since 2005.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- Tory future -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunak will tender his resignation to head of state King Charles III, with the monarch then asking Starmer, as the leader of the largest party in parliament, to form a government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Tories worst previous election result is 156 seats in 1906. Former leader William Hague told Times Radio the projections would be \"a catastrophic result in historic terms\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Tim Bale, politics professor at Queen Mary, University of London, said it was \"not as catastrophic as some were predicting\" and the Tories would now need to decide how best to fight back.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Right-wing former interior minister Suella Braverman and Mordaunt, who was leader of the House of Commons, both said the Tories failed because they had not listened to the British people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Brexit champion Farage, who finally succeeded in becoming an MP at the eighth time of asking, has made no secret of his aim to take over the party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is a massive gap on the centre-right of British politics and my job is to fill it,\" he said after a comfortable win in Clacton, eastern England.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- To-do list -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Labour\'s resurgence is a stunning turnaround from five years ago, when hard-left former leader Jeremy Corbyn took the party to its worst defeat since 1935 in an election dominated by Brexit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Starmer took over in early 2020 and set about moving the party back to the centre, making it a more electable proposition and purging infighting and anti-Semitism that lost it support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Opinion polls have put Labour consistently 20 points ahead of the Tories for almost the past two years, giving an air of inevitability about a Labour win -- the first since Tony Blair in 2005.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Starmer is facing a daunting to-do list, with economic growth anaemic, public services overstretched and underfunded due to swingeing cuts, and households squeezed financially.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has also promised a return of political integrity, after a chaotic period of five Tory prime ministers, including three in four months, scandal and sleaze. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-05 11:00:41', '2024-07-05 11:00:41'),
(12734, 12734, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Emiliano Martínez saved Argentina\'s bid for a second straight Copa America title after the Albiceleste conceded a tying goal to Ecuador in second-half injury time.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Martínez stopped shootout attempts by Ángel Mena and Alan Minda, and Argentina advanced to the Copa America semifinals with a 4-2 victory on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw Thursday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I wasn’t ready to go home,” Martínez said. “This team deserved to advance. They complicated us a lot. They played a great match, very physical. We knew they were one of the top rivals in Copa America.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lionel Messi, returning from a leg injury that caused him to miss Argentina’s group-stage finale, put the first Albiceleste penalty kick off the crossbar, but the Albiceleste recovered and Nicolás Otamendi beat Alexander Domínguez with the winning kick.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our goalkeeper came up clutch,\" Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said through an interpreter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seeking its third straight major title, Argentina advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight Copa America and will play Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina is looking to win a record 16th Copa America championship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US eliminated from Copa America with 1-0 loss to Uruguay, increasing pressure to fire Berhalter</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Playing in front of a pro-Argentinian crowd of 69,456 at NRG Stadium, Lisandro Martínez gave the Albiceleste a 35th-minute lead following Messi\'s corner kick.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ecuador’s Enner Valencia put a penalty kick off a post in the 62nd minute after a hand ball by Rodrigo De Paul, but Kevin Rodríguez tied it in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With Argentina going first in the shootout, Messi tried a Panenka and hit the crossbar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Martínez, the goalkeeper in Argentina’s shootout win over France in the 2022 World Cup final, stopped Mena by diving to his left and batting the ball with his trailing hand. He denied Minda by leaping right, then followed the save with a short dance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister converted to put Argentina ahead 2-0, and John Yeboah made Ecuador’s third attempt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gonzalo Montiel gave Argentina a 3-1 lead, Jordy Caicedo converted to keep Ecuador alive and Otamendi got the winner, tucking the ball inside the post just past the outstretched arm of Domínguez.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the victory, Scaloni said he “did not enjoy the win.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have reached the semis, and given the great level of performance of every national team, I think it’s a great achievement,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lisandro Martínez had put Argentina ahead in the 35th minute with a header after Mac Allister headed on Messi’s corner kick. Rodríguez scored when he headed in John Yeboah’s cross.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The quarterfinals had us playing against the most difficult opponent, and I thought we delivered well,” Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez Bas said through an interpreter. “We showed this team can compete against any opponent.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under Copa America regulations, the match went straight from the end of regulation to a shootout, without extra time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi, who sustained the injury on June 25 against Chile, got a loud ovation when he entered the field 45 minutes before kickoff. He remained without a goal in three Copa games this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think he finished the match well,” Scaloni said. “We asked him how he was feeling for the last time four minutes before the end.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-05 11:05:10', '2024-07-05 11:05:10'),
(12735, 12735, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has taken measures to make armed forces more developed and global standard as they are the symbol of Bangladesh\'s sovereignty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Armed forces are the symbol of our sovereignty---we have already taken measures to make the armed forces, formed at the hand of my father, more developed and international standard,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier was addressing as the chief guest a programme marking the 49th founding anniversary of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) at its headquarters inside Dhaka Cantonment here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government is transforming armed forces into a modern force with global standard arms, ammunition, vehicles and required equipment alongside giving proper training to its personnel at home and abroad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also said that she had built the National Defence College in 1998 for providing the armed forces personnel with modern and improved training after assuming office for the first time in 1996.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To this end, she said they built the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) in 1999.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier went on saying that they also built armed forces medical colleges alongside recruiting women to the forces for the first time in 2000.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She continued that they are implementing the Armed Forces Goal-2030 in line with the Defence Policy formulated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1974.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh believes in peace and its armed forces are contributing the most to the UN peacekeeping missions, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladeshi peacekeepers have won the hearts of the people of those countries where they work for establishing peace, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"So, I am really very proud of you,\" she continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister thanked the PGR personnel as they are ensuring security to her defying storm and rain risking their lives and prayed for their safety, security and wellbeing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I know my life is full of risks. They, who have come to secure my life, are also taking risks,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added that the PGR personnel are performing their professional duties with honesty, dedication, dutifulness and professionalism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Considering their risk in performing the duties, the premier said her government had introduced risk allowances for the PGR personnel in 1998.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She continued that her government had launched Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in the PGR alongside increasing its manpower to enhance its operational capability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PGR men were being imparted training at home and abroad to enhance their professional excellence, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PGR Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Khaled Kamal delivered the address of welcome at the function.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the event, the prime minister handed over the donation and gifts to the families of martyred PGR members who lost lives while performing their duties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-07 09:44:15', '2024-07-07 09:44:15'),
(12736, 12736, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has advised residents of some areas to start for early to beat possible disruptions due various street programmes on Sunday (July 07, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a press note on Sunday morning, it mentioned that a rally is scheduled to be brought out marking the Hindu community’s religious festival Ratha Yatra in the city and it will parade several roads of Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, the city dwellers may face traffic jams due to some important events and ongoing anti-quota movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hence, the Traffic Department requested residents of Ramna, Motijheel and Wari areas to hit the streets with time in hand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-07 09:48:30', '2024-07-07 09:48:30'),
(12737, 12737, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">US President Joe Biden heads back out on the campaign trail Sunday, desperate to salvage his re-election bid as senior Democrats meet to discuss growing calls that he quit the White House race.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 81-year-old Democrat kicks off a grueling week with two campaign rallies in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, before hosting the NATO leaders\' summit in Washington.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will do so under an increasingly unforgiving spotlight, as pressure mounts for him to drop out after his disastrous debate against Donald Trump last month ignited panic over his age and fitness to serve another four years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden has remained defiant, unequivocally declaring -- at a rally, to reporters and on social media -- that he is fit to serve, the only one who can defeat Trump, and staying in the race.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I beat Trump in 2020. I\'m going to beat him again in 2024,\" his campaign social media account posted Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But a televised interview with ABC News on Friday has failed to quell concerns. His next major test in the public eye will be a press conference scheduled for Thursday, during the NATO summit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So far, five Democratic lawmakers have called on Biden to drop out, with the drumbeat of dissent slowly rising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, has scheduled a virtual meeting of senior Democrat representatives for Sunday to discuss the best way forward, and Democrat Senator Mark Warner is reportedly working to convene a similar forum in the upper chamber.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">First Lady Jill Biden, who -- according to some US media reports -- is urging her husband to stay in the race, is scheduled to campaign in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But after Sunday\'s rallies in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the president will have to step away from the campaign for the NATO summit beginning Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here, too, he will find himself having to reassure allies at a time when many European countries fear a Trump victory in November.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 78-year-old Republican has long criticized NATO as an unfair burden on the United States, voiced admiration for Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, and insisted he could bring about a quick end to the fighting in Ukraine, where the Russian invasion is now in its third year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Lord Almighty\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For now, Democrat heavyweights are largely keeping a lid on any simmering discontent with their leader -- at least in public.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But with election day just four months away, any move to replace Biden as the nominee would need to be made sooner rather than later, and the party will be scrutinized for any signs of more open rebellion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, for Biden and his campaign team, the strategy seems to be to ride it out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The campaign has unveiled an intense battle plan for July, including an avalanche of TV spots and trips to all the key states.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That includes a visit to the southwest of the country during the Republican convention from July 15-18, at which Trump is set to be anointed the party\'s official presidential nominee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In what had been billed as a make-or-break interview with ABC News on Friday, Biden flatly dismissed the falling poll numbers and concerns over his mental and physical fitness triggered by his dismal June 27 performance against Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He blamed a severe cold for the debate debacle and insisted it was just a \"bad night\" rather than evidence of increasing frailty and cognitive decline.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sit-down has not soothed the concerns of critics who say that -- away from a teleprompter -- Biden can struggle to communicate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of his answers were tentative, meandering and difficult to follow, even as he sought to deflect questions about his mental acuity and dismissed the notion that his party would consider replacing him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If the Lord Almighty came down and said, \'Joe, get out of the race,\' I\'d get out of the race,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But the Lord Almighty is not coming down.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-07 09:53:28', '2024-07-07 09:53:28'),
(12738, 12738, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh and China are likely to sign around 20 MoUs and make announcements on some development projects during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to China that begins on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud came up with the updates while briefing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh will seek China\'s assistance in the areas of investment and trade; financial assistance and repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. At the same time, Bangladesh will continue to provide support to China as its friend in the global context,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasan expressed optimism that the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister to China will be successful and fruitful.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said will reach an \"important consensus\" and sign multiple cooperation documents and MoUs in a number of areas during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to Beijing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The areas are infrastructure, free trade agreement, and agricultural product exports to China, Southern Bangladesh’s Development, digital economy, disaster prevention, poverty alleviation, clean energy, healthcare, education and cultural exchanges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP fails to grasp essence of connectivity: Hasan Mahmud</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay the visit which is expected to \"outline a new blueprint for practical cooperation\" in various fields and provide an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate their positions on regional and international affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Through this visit, the two sides will achieve new breakthroughs in pragmatic cooperation, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries, said the Ambassador who termed the forthcoming visit a milestone in bilateral relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday said this will be Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s first visit to China since her new term began and five years after her last visit to China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Premier Li Qiang will hold a welcoming ceremony and have talks with her.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two prime ministers will attend the signing ceremony of cooperation documents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on how to deepen traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation and on regional and international issues of mutual interest,\" said the Spokesperson.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Hasina will also attend the Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between China and Bangladesh, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have similar visions for development and well-aligned development strategies. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 49 years ago, the two countries have treated each other with respect and equality, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and jointly advanced modernization,\" said the Spokesperson.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said they have set a good example of friendship and cooperation between developing countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In recent years, with the strategic guidance and commitment of leaders of our two countries, the two sides have deepened Bangladesh-China strategic cooperative partnership, and had fruitful and practical cooperation in various fields.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"China stands ready to work with Bangladesh through this visit to carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen political mutual trust, further synergize development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, speed up implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and elevate our bilateral relations to a new level,\" said the Spokesperson.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese side said it stands ready to take this visit as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, consolidate traditional friendship, and work together to realize the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation and Bangladesh’s “Vision 2041”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-07 10:00:39', '2024-07-07 10:00:39'),
(12739, 12739, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Mitu, one of the masterminds of a Gazipur Chemical Industry officials kidnapping and robbery of taka 19.45 Lakh, from city\'s Dakshinkhan area last night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to RAB sources, a RAB-1 team conducted a special operation in Dakshinkhan area of the capital on Saturday night and arrested her.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">RAB-1 Assistant Director M. Mahfuzur Rahman said, \"On the afternoon of June 6 last, three officials of the \'Selvo Chemical Industries Limited\' in Sreepur, Gazipur, were abducted at the gunpoint and held hostage by some people impersonating them as RAB officials\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They demanded the money kept for the salaries and bonuses of the workers and rent for truck as ransom.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A case was filed with Gazipur\'s Sreepur police station the next day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"During preliminary interrogation, the arrestee admitted her association with this particular robbery. She has also admitted to have been working with the organized bandit group for a long time,\" the RAB official said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arrestee has been handed over to the police, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-07 10:07:23', '2024-07-07 10:07:23'),
(12740, 12740, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Lashing rains in Nepal causing flash floods and landslides have killed at least 14 people across the country, with disaster teams searching for nine missing, police said Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Flooding in neighbouring India, as well as in downstream Bangladesh, has also caused widespread damage and impacted millions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Police are working with other agencies and locals to find the missing people,\" Nepalese police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those killed and missing are in multiple locations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monsoon rains from June to September bring widespread death and destruction every year across South Asia, but the numbers of fatal floods and landslides have increased in recent years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Experts say climate change and increased road construction are exacerbating the problem.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Parts of Nepal have been receiving heavy rainfall since Thursday, prompting disaster authorities in the Himalayan nation to warn of flash floods in multiple rivers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There have been reports of inundation in several districts of lowland areas bordering India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last month 14 people were killed in Nepal in ferocious storms that brought landslides, lightning and flooding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In India, floods have swamped the northeastern state of Assam, with six people killed in the last 24 hours, Assam\'s Disaster Management Authority said Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That takes the death toll from the downpours since mid-May to 58.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In low-lying Bangladesh, downstream from India, the disaster management agency said floods had impacted more than two million people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Much of the country is made up of deltas where the Himalayan rivers the Ganges and the Brahmaputra wind towards the sea after coursing through India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The summer monsoon brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-07 10:19:38', '2024-07-07 10:19:38'),
(12741, 12741, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">John Cena, a 16-time WWE Champion, has announced his retirement from in-ring competitions with effect from 2025. Mr Cena announced his retirement during a surprise appearance at the \'Money in the Bank\' event in Toronto today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WWE legend, 47, hit the ring carrying a towel with a slightly altered version of his most famous catchphrase, \"My Time Is Now\", this time reading, \"The Last Time Is Now.\" His shirt simply read, \"John Cena Farewell Tour.\" When Mr Cena began to speak, the Toronto crowd erupted with chants of \"No! No! No!\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Tonight, I officially announce my retirement from WWE,\" Mr&nbsp; Cena declared. He later clarified that it wouldn\'t entail immediate retirement but in 2025. Mr Cena said he will compete in the 2025 Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and then at Wrestlemania 41 in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Cena who made his WWE debut in 2002, has had a storeyed career in wrestling entertainment. He has had memorable rivalries against some of the biggest names in wrestling like The Rock, Triple H, CM Punk, and Randy Orton.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to play in a house that you guys built for so many years,\" Mr Cena said, addressing the WWE Universe. \"Thank you so much for your voice because it\'s really loud and for your honesty because it\'s always brutal.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides wrestling, Mr Cena has also appeared in films such as The Suicide Squad. Fast X and The Independent, among others.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-07 10:40:24', '2024-07-07 10:40:24'),
(12742, 12742, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Police headquarters have issued a strong warning against the spread of rumors regarding missing children, urging the public not to be confused or panicked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a press release today, police have emphasized that the claim circulating on Facebook, which states “35 children have been reported missing in 48 hours,” is false.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The claim, which has been widely shared since Saturday morning, has caused considerable panic among parents. The police have made it clear that such rumors are baseless and that legal action will be taken against those responsible for spreading them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The police urge the public to verify information through official channels and to report any concerns directly to law enforcement authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-07 15:33:32', '2024-07-07 15:33:32'),
(12743, 12743, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today left here for Beijing on a four-day bilateral visit at invitation of her Chinese counterpart.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visit is believed to elevate the relations between Bangladesh and China to \"comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership\" from \"strategic partnership\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A special flight (BG1701) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the prime minister and her entourage members, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:05 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The flight is scheduled to land at the Beijing Capital International Airport at 6 in the afternoon (Beijing time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her stay in Beijing from July 8 to 11, the Bangladesh prime minister will have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside a delegation level bilateral meeting with her Chinese Counterpart Li Qiang on July 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh and China are likely to sign 20 to 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the premier\'s four-day visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The MoUs on cooperation in the economic and banking sector, trade and investment, digital economy, infrastructure development, assistance in disaster management, construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China friendship bridges, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh and people to people connectivity are likely to be signed,\" Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Sunday at a curtain raiser press conference at the Foreign Ministry here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the visit, Hasan said inauguration of a number of projects of the two countries will also be announced.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Bangladesh in October, 2016 when the relationship between the two countries had reached a strategic partnership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina last visited Beijing in July, 2019. She also visited China on multiple prior occasions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two countries would celebrate the golden jubilee of the diplomatic relations next year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This visit of the Bangladesh premier to China is going to take place within 15 days after her last visit to India from June 21 to 22.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 9, the second day of Sheikh Hasina\'s visit to China, President of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Jin Liqun will pay a courtesy call on her at the Meeting Room, of her Place of Residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afterwards, the prime minister will join a summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and China at the China World Summit Wing, Shangri-La Circle, Beijing, China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the afternoon, a meeting is scheduled to be held between the Bangladesh premier and the Consultative Party president at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister will later place a wreath at the Monument to the People\'s Heroes at Tiananmen Square.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the evening, she will attend a dinner hosted in her honour by Ambassador of Bangladesh to China at Bangladesh House in Beijing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 10, a delegation level bilateral meeting led by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang will be held at the Great Hall of the People where numerous documents that include Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed in presence of them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will later attend a welcome banquet (lunch) in honour of her hosted by the premier of the State Council of China at the same venue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the afternoon on July 10, the Bangladesh prime minister will pay a call on Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Concluding the visit to China, Sheikh Hasina will depart from Beijing Capital International Airport for home at 11am (Beijing time) on July 11 by a special flight (BG1704) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The flight is scheduled to land at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka at 2pm (BD time) the same day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-08 09:25:28', '2024-07-08 09:25:28'),
(12744, 12744, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The iron rod on the top of Rath (chariot) might have touched 11000 volt electric wire when the procession was moving towards Shib temple in Latifpur area, said executive engineer of selling and distribution department-1 of Northern Electricity Supply Company (Nesco) Abdul Mannaf.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Electrocution during Rath Yatra ((a Hindu religious festival) left five dead and around 40 injured in Bogura’s Seujgari Amtola intersection on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A fire broke out after the iron rod placed on the top of the chariot came in contact with the live electric wire and around 50 people, most of them women, fell down on the road from the chariot, said witnesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Arup Ratan Sheel, a local journalist who participated in the Rath Yatra, said, “Those who were involved in dragging the chariot by holding rope, were alerted by the president of Iskcon committee, Bogura, Kharjita Krishna Das about the high voltage electric wire over the road through loudspeaker. The sounds of the loudspeaker remained unheard due to the huge crowd there.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Executive Engineer of Nesco Abdul Mannaf, said as soon as they heard about the electrocution around 5:30 am they suspended the power supply in the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asking about why the power cables were kept necked over the road, Mannaf said the electric cables of 11000 voltage are kept open across the country and it’s not only in Bogura.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bogura Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said the local administration has provided Tk 25,000 each to the family members of the deceased for cremation while necessary steps were taken for medical treatment of the victims injured in the incident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Abdul Wadud, deputy director of Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital, said four people died at the hospital while 38 were undergoing treatment. Of them, two were receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, one died at 250-bed Mohammad Ali Hospital while three people were undergoing treatment there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A five member committee has been formed to investigate the the incident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-08 09:28:19', '2024-07-08 09:28:19'),
(12745, 12745, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus has made an appeal to the High Court to cancel the proceedings of the money embezzlement case lodged against him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The application is scheduled to be heard by the high court division bench of Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ibadat Hossain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun, lawyer of the defendants\' told BSS that, \"The application has been made on behalf of 7 people including Dr Muhammad Yunus.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Judge Syed Arafat Hossain of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 ordered to frame charges against 14 including the noble laureate, for embezzling around Taka 25.22 Crore from the Grameen Telecom welfare fund.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">July 15 has been fixed for the hearing on charge-framing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-07-08 09:31:32', '2024-07-08 09:31:32');
