INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11472, 11472, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The government is likely to float international bidding on March 10 for inviting foreign companies to explore oil and gas in the country’s in the Bay of Bengal.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We’re hopeful a good number of companies will participate in the bidding round,” chairman of Petrobangla Zanendra Nath Sarker told media recently.</div><div><br></div><div>According to Petrobangla officials, the state hydrocarbon corporation, the bid invitation document will be sent to local newspaper in a day or two to publish it.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, it will be published on the websites of Implementation Monitoring and. Evaluation Division (IMED) and Bangladesh’s foreign mission abroad, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the Petrobangla has a plan to hold a press conference on March 11 to brief the media about the plan and other nitty-gritty of the initiatives.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury told UNB  that the government will try to wrap up the bidding in next 6 months.</div><div><br></div><div>Many foreign companies have contacted the government and expressed their interest to join the bidding round,he said adding “Unless we conclude the bidding, it’s difficult to say how many companies are coming to participate in the bidding round.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also noted that the government will arrange different programmes as part of campaign for the offshore bidding.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, on July 26 last year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the draft ‘Bangladesh Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2023’ in order to invite international bidding for hydrocarbon exploration in offshore areas of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The final approval for the draft Model PSC 2023 was given under a plan to invite the bidding round. It was speculated a September bid might be in the offing, but that eventually fell through as the election was too close and at that stage there was still too much uncertainty to be cleared up.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister’s Office has recently given a go-ahead to the Energy Division’s plan for inviting the bidding round in March.</div><div><br></div><div>Farhana Sharon, general manager of the Petrobangla, informed that the organisation is taking necessary steps to invite the bidding round as per approval of the PMO.</div><div><br></div><div>According to official sources, the new Model PSC was prepared as part of a plan to invite international bidding for offshore deep and shallow water gas blocks, to make Bangladesh more attractive to international oil companies.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the initiative, the gas price was tagged with the price of Brent Crude in the international market to ensure flexibility.</div><div><br></div><div>“Under the plan, we’re going to offer the price of gas at 10 percent of Brent Crude,” the Petrobangla official told UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The official said if Brent Crude is traded at USD $75 per barrel, the gas price would be USD 7.5 per thousand cubic feet (MCF). The gas price will always remain linked to the international oil price, he said, referring to the new provision of the Model PSC 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>British oil & gas consultancy Wood Mackenzie has been advising the Bangladesh government and Petrobangla on the latest PSC revisions.</div><div><br></div><div>Official sources said the country has a total of 48 blocks, of which 26 are located offshore. Of the 26 offshore blocks, 11 are located in shallow sea (SS) water while 15 are located in deep sea (DS) water areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the offshore blocks, 24 remain open for IOCs while two blocks — SS-04 and SS-09 – are under contract with a joint venture of ONGC Videsh Ltd and Oil India Ltd where drilling work has recently started.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh\'s offshore area remains unexplored despite the settlement of its dispute with neighbouring Myanmar and India over maritime boundary almost nine years ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, about 2300 mmcfd gas is being produced from 22 gas fields in the country, while about 600 mmcfd gas is being imported from abroad to meet the demand of about 4000 mmcfd, leaving a deficit of about 1200 mmcfd daily. - unb</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 09:24:55', '2024-03-07 09:27:17'),
(11473, 11473, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A fire broke out in an under-construction building in Dhaka’s Banani on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The fire started in the building located on Road 4 in Chairman Bari areaaround 2:40 pm on Thursday, said Rozina Parvin, duty officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Three firefighting units are working to bring the blaze under control, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 09:37:31', '2024-03-07 09:37:31'),
(11474, 11474, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>An Israeli tank crew killed a Reuters reporter in Lebanon in October by firing two shells at a clearly identified group of journalists and then “likely” opened fire on them with a heavy machine gun in an attack that lasted a minute and 45 seconds, according to a report into the incident published yesterday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The report by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) – which was contracted by Reuters to analyse evidence from the Oct 13 attack that killed visuals journalist Issam Abdallah – found that a tank 1.34km away in Israel fired two 120mm rounds at the reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>The first shell killed Abdallah, 37, and severely wounded Agence France-Presse (AFP) photographer Christina Assi, 28.</div><div><br></div><div>A Reuters investigation in December covered TNO’s preliminary finding that a tank in Israel had fired at the journalists.</div><div><br></div><div>In its final report yesterday, the institute revealed that audio picked up by an Al Jazeera video camera at the scene showed the reporters also came under fire from 0.50 calibre rounds of the type used by the Browning machine guns that can be mounted on Israel’s Merkava tanks.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is considered a likely scenario that a Merkava tank, after firing two tank rounds, also used its machine gun against the location of the journalists,” TNO’s report said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The latter cannot be concluded with certainty as the direction and exact distance of (the machine gun) fire could not be established.”</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters could not independently determine if the Israeli tank crew knew it was firing on journalists, nor whether it also shot at them with a machine gun and, if so, why.</div><div><br></div><div>Neither of the two surviving Reuters reporters or another AFP journalist at the scene remembered the machine gun fire.</div><div><br></div><div>All said they were in shock at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not respond to requests for comment about any aspect of the attack on journalists.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked to comment on TNO’s preliminary findings in December, the IDF said: “We don’t target journalists.”</div><div><br></div><div>A day after the Reuters investigation was published, it said the incident took place in an active combat zone.</div><div><br></div><div>International humanitarian law bars attacks on journalists as those in the news media have the full scope of protection granted to civilians and cannot be considered military targets.</div><div><br></div><div>“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the attack on a clearly identifiable group of journalists, working in the open. The attack killed our colleague Issam Abdallah and injured several others. We reiterate our calls on Israel to explain how this could have happened and to hold those responsible to account,” Reuters editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni said.</div><div><br></div><div>AFP Global News director Phil Chetwynd reiterated his call for a thorough and transparent investigation by the Israeli military.</div><div><br></div><div>“If reports of sustained machine gun fire are confirmed, this would add more weight to the theory this was a targeted and deliberate attack,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Ihtisham Hibatullah, Al Jazeera’s manager of international communications, urged the Israeli government to disclose the findings of its own investigation.</div><div><br></div><div>“This incident strongly indicates intentional targeting, as confirmed by investigations, including by TNO,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Lebanon’s minister of information did not respond to a request for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>TNO noted that the seven journalists were wearing blue flak jackets and helmets, most with “PRESS” written on them in white letters.</div><div><br></div><div>They had been filming cross-border shelling from a distance in an open area on a hill near the Lebanese village of Alma al-Chaab for nearly an hour before the attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Video footage of the aftermath of the attack also showed a black car belonging to Reuters marked “TV” in large yellow letters made out of tape on both the hood and the roof.</div><div><br></div><div>TNO said there was a clear line of sight from where the tank rounds were fired to the scene of the attack.</div><div><br></div><div>In the live TV feeds ahead of the attack, one or more drones can be heard and an Israeli helicopter was also visible overhead in some footage.</div><div><br></div><div>The institute was able to determine exactly where the two tank rounds came from because it had video of the second round’s muzzle blast and flight, in addition to audio files recorded at the scene of the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>TNO’s analysis of the machine gun fire showed that the “only reasonable match” was for a 0.50 calibre weapon fired from 1.34km away – the same distance as the tank rounds – but the audio recordings were not sufficient to determine the firing point.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the fact the bursts of bullets came so quickly after the tank rounds, coupled with the analysis, led TNO to conclude it was “likely” they came from the same place. The independent institute did not offer any other scenario for the origin of the machine gun fire.</div><div><br></div><div>About 30 seconds after the second tank round, there was a burst of some 25 shots from a machine gun, followed by bursts of nine and 12 shots.</div><div><br></div><div>Just over 30 seconds later, there were three shots, then a single shot and a metallic ping, which may have been the bullet hitting a low wall near the camera, TNO said.</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters photographer Thaier Al-Sudani, 47 cameraman Maher Nazeh, 53, as well as two journalists from Al Jazeera and another from AFP were also wounded in the attack. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 10:39:54', '2024-03-07 10:39:54'),
(11475, 11475, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Around 900 luxury watches worth almost US$13 million are missing in Japan after a site renting them out folded and its owner fled to Dubai, local media reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The owners of the Rolexes and other pricey timepieces earned monthly deposit fees by loaning them to Osaka-based Toke Match, which would then rent them to customers.</div><div><br></div><div>Neo Reverse, the company that operated Toke Match, announced on Jan 31 the termination of its service and promised it would return all watches.</div><div><br></div><div>But the owners of around 900 watches worth ¥1.9 billion have not been reunited with their property, the Asahi Shimbun daily and other media outlets reported, citing a group of about 190 owners.</div><div><br></div><div>Some of the watches have even been spotted on an online auction site, prompting owners to file dozens of complaints to police around Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>The auction site’s operator Valuence Japan told AFP that at least 20 watches it handled had serial numbers matching those loaned to Toke Match.</div><div><br></div><div>“We immediately stopped circulation of these watches to prevent further damages from happening” through reselling, a spokesman said last week.</div><div><br></div><div>Half of the watches were already on the auction site before the Toke Match service was terminated, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Sharing Economy Association, Japan said in a statement that it had received reports that some of the watches were circulated in second-hand stores too.</div><div><br></div><div>The size of Japan’s “sharing economy” market is rapidly growing, reaching ¥2.6 trillion in the last fiscal year, the association says.</div><div><br></div><div>Neo Reverse was one of around 400 members of the organisation but was delisted on Feb 1 following complaints by the owners that their watches had not been returned.</div><div><br></div><div>Tokyo police have obtained an arrest warrant for Toke Match’s owner Takazumi Kominato, 42, on suspicion of embezzlement of a Rolex watch, Jiji Press reported yesterday, citing investigative sources, reports AFP</div><div><br></div><div>He is suspected of selling the Rolex he loaned from an owner to a second-hand dealer for ¥650,000 in January, the report said.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Kominato flew out of Japan in late February for Dubai, and police plan to put him on the international wanted list, Jiji said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 10:52:16', '2024-03-07 10:52:16'),
(11476, 11476, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commenced the day by paying tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with a wreath-laying ceremony at his portrait in Dhanmondi-32, commemorating the pivotal March 7.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The homage took place in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 7 am, where the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence, honouring the memory and legacy of Bangladesh\'s independence architect.</div><div><br></div><div>Accompanied by key figures from the Bangladesh Awami League, Sheikh Hasina offered another wreath on behalf of the party, demonstrating collective reverence for Bangabandhu.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the Prime Minister\'s lead, representatives from Awami League\'s associate organisations, including Awami Jubo League, Chhatra League, Mohila Awami League, Sramik League, Krishak League, Jubo Mohila League, and Swechchhasebok League, also paid their respects, marking the occasion with wreath-laying.</div><div><br></div><div>On this historic day in 1971, Bangabandhu galvanised the nation with his revolutionary call to arms against Pakistani oppression, setting the stage for Bangladesh\'s quest for independence.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2017, the speech delivered by Bangabandhu on this day was recognised by UNESCO as a documentary heritage of the world, underlining its significance in the global context, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Bangabandhu\'s speech, delivered at the then Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) to a gathering of over a million patriots, lasted 19 minutes and unequivocally urged Bangalees to engage in a non-cooperation movement against the oppressive Pakistani regime, culminating in the memorable proclamation, \"The struggle this time is for freedom, the struggle this time is for independence, Joy Bangla.\"&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 11:50:32', '2024-03-07 11:50:32'),
(11477, 11477, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Cool-Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA) Media Cup Football</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Tournament\' 2024 advanced to the quarterfinal stage on the 3rd day of the meet at the BFF Astroturf in Motijheel on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>On the 3rd day (Thursday), Boishakhi TV outplayed Ekhon TV by 3-0 goals, Ekattor TV beat Dainik Samakal by 2-0 goals, Dhaka Tribune beat Deepta TV by 2-1 goals, The Business Standard defeated Daily Star also by 2-1 goals, Channel i outplayed ATN News by 3-0 goals, Dainik Kalbela beat Bangla News 24 by 1-0 goal, Dainik Jugantor defeated RTV by 1-0 goal, and Jamuna TV beat BTV by 1-0 goal to qualify for the quarterfinals.</div><div><br></div><div>All four quarterfinals will be held on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Friday\'s quarterfinal matches are: Jugantor vs Kalbela (10: am); Business Standard vs Channel i (10:00 am); Jamuna TV vs Ekattor TV (11:00 am) and Boishakhi TV vs Dhaka Tribune (11:00 am).</div><div><br></div><div>Former national footballer and coach Hasanuzzaman Bablu attended the day\'s matches as invitee guest, and later he distributed the man of the match awards, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Tournament committee chairman Raihan Al Mugni and the tournament\'s chief coordinator, Ariful Rahman Babu, were also present on the occasion.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 13:47:16', '2024-03-07 13:47:16'),
(11478, 11478, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farroque on Thursday said ruling Awami&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">League (AL) government is not a pro-people one, rather it is friendly to business community.</span></b></div><div><br></div><div>“They don’t bother about the people’s right to food as the prices of daily essentials reached all-time high in the country,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking as the&nbsp; chief guest at a rally organised by JatiyaGonotantrik Party (Jagpa) protesting soaring of prices of commodities, increased power tariffs and demanding immediate release of Khaleda Zia and other political prisoners.</div><div><br></div><div>Farroque, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member, said Awami Leaguedoesn’t want the country’s people to have a full meal. “People are struggling to buy an egg, one kg rice and one litre of oil spending lion share of their earned money as there are no products in market within their purchasing capacity.”</div><div><br></div><div>As holy Ramadan is going to begin from March 12 AL-backed syndicates have increased prices of almost all commodities, putting the poor people in hardship, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said an AL minister is making joke with people advising them to break their fast with plum instead of date, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“We are talking about people’s rights because we (BNP) are pro-people political party. BNP believes in people’s power and never wants to grab power by any means,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>AL did nothing for people’s welfare, rather did everything for cementing their power. “They don’t want that the people of the country live with honour and dignity,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He also alleged that Awami League arranged a dummy election on January 7 and most of the members of the parliaments (MP) are from business community who made AL satisfied spending huge cash.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 14:15:50', '2024-03-07 14:15:50'),
(11479, 11479, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Playwright Rajib Moni Das has been announced as the chief judge for the reality show “Jiboner Golpo Bolun, Bari Jitun.” Initiated by Mia Abdullah Wazed’, the show will be aired on ATN Bangla soon.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The show focus on industrial workers from various sectors across the country, particularly those who are landless, homeless, either currently employed in an industry or retired, and who have diverse experiences and intellect.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">About the show, Rajib Moni Das said, “Earlier, I have performed as judges at several reality shows. But, this show is totally different from previous events. I express my respect to Mia Abdullah Wazed Sir for undertaking such a unique initiative alongside entertainment. I hope the audience will enjoy this show.\" It may be mentioned that,&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rajib Moni Das has served as a chief judge on a number of reality shows, including Asian TV\'s popular reality show \"Mr. and Miss Glamour Looks 2023\" and the BABHASI International Film Festival 2022-2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;According to sources, the reality show “Jiboner Golpo Bolun, Bari Jitun” will be broadcasted on popular private television channel ATN Bangla soon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 14:19:06', '2024-03-07 14:19:06'),
(11480, 11480, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Most of the petrol pumps in Dhaka city have been built in an unplanned way although there is a specific government policy to maintain minimum distance between two stations.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Transport and petroleum sector insiders said this creates a problem for consumers to get fuel for their vehicles easily on their way to destinations.</div><div><br></div><div>According to them, the situation is getting worse as the number of motor vehicles is on the rise but the number of fuel stations is decreasing in the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Officials of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the principal body in the petroleum sector, said the government issued a gazette notification with some amendments on January 16, 2014 in regard to setting up new petrol pumps in city corporation areas, district towns and elsewhere.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the government policy, that there should be a distance of 1 km between two petrol pumps on the opposite side and 2 km on the same side. The distance is double for petrol pumps outside the city corporations and district towns which are mainly on highways.</div><div><br></div><div>But in most cases, such distance was not properly maintained when the pumps were set up in Dhaka city.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A top BPC official admitted that the pumps in Dhaka city were set up in an unplanned way and the distance was not maintained properly.</div><div><br></div><div>But all these were done before the new policy was framed, he said, adding, currently no new pumps are being set up.</div><div><br></div><div>“Actually, people lack interest in setting up new petrol pump on a private land in Dhaka metropolitan area due to excessive value of land,” he told UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Echoing the same, president of Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association Nazmul Haque said it’s really tough to run petrol pump business on private land as using land for other purposes is more profitable.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Many pump owners are now closing their refueling businesses and trying to build residential or commercial complexes on the same land to get better return, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Petrol Pump Owners Association, there are a total of about 4000 petrol pumps across the country while there are 300 in Dhaka district and 80 in Dhaka city.</div><div><br></div><div>There are about 50 pumps located within Dhaka North City Corporation area while 30 are located under Dhaka South City Corporation.</div><div><br></div><div>A good number of the filling stations were set up in a cluster manner in some locations close to the inter-district bus terminals, he said adding that Mohakhali, Gabtoli and Saydabad to Jatrabari are among such locations.</div><div><br></div><div>Nazmul Haque informed that in the last 20 years 11 petrol pumps were closed by their owners and the lands were utilised for building high-rise markets, apartment or commercial purposes.</div><div><br></div><div>He also noted that there has been an embargo from the district administration since general Ershad’s period on setting up filling station from Mohakhali to Shahjalal International Airport on security grounds.</div><div><br></div><div>“There is only a pump in the Nikunja area, set up by state-owned Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC)”, he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He said primarily, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka provides permission to set up any petrol pump in any location within Dhaka district and the final permission comes from BPC.</div><div><br></div><div>He noted that there are 14 separate authorities including Department of Explosives, Fire Service and Department of Environment to get prior permission before the final approval from the BPC.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 14:20:55', '2024-03-07 14:20:55'),
(11481, 11481, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today he was working to “win hearts” in Indian-administered Kashmir, on his first visit to the disputed region’s main city since its semi-autonomy was cancelled in 2019.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Modi’s government stripped the Muslim-majority territory of its special constitutional status nearly five years ago, splitting the former state into two territories directly ruled from New Delhi.</div><div><br></div><div>The move, widely welcomed across India, angered many in the densely militarised territory.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am working hard to win your hearts, and my attempt to keep winning your hearts will continue,” the Hindu nationalist leader said at a public rally in Srinagar.</div><div><br></div><div>Rebels in the Himalayan region have waged an insurgency since 1989, seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan – which controls a smaller part of the Kashmir region and, like India, claims it in full.</div><div><br></div><div>“Jammu and Kashmir is not just a region, it is the crown of the country,” Modi said at the rally in a stadium attended by thousands.</div><div><br></div><div>Modi took pride in having cancelled the region’s constitutional special status and inherited protections of land and jobs for its permanent residents, reports AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He said the former rules and “dynastic politics” had limited the region’s potential.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 14:33:06', '2024-03-07 14:33:06'),
(11482, 11482, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Thai customs officials rescued a red panda, snakes, monkeys and chameleons from checked-in luggage at the country’s main airport this week after arresting six Indian nationals for attempted smuggling.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A total of 87 reptiles and mammals were found in the baggage, including chameleons, snakes, a large-beaked parrot, red-eyed squirrels, bats and monkeys.</div><div><br></div><div>Some animals were wrapped in paper, others in plastic containers, photos from customs at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport showed.</div><div><br></div><div>The six, bound for Mumbai, were arrested on Monday, authorities said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Thailand, which borders four countries, has seen its fair share of illegal wildlife trafficking and customs officials at Suvarnabhumi often seize reptiles and small animals in luggage.</div><div><br></div><div>There is high demand for animal products in countries including China, Myanmar and Thailand, where they are used in traditional medicine or consumed directly. According to Reuters reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 14:40:15', '2024-03-07 14:40:15'),
(11483, 11483, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked everyone to teach the young generation about the historical dates of the country and its journey towards independence.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Our youth folks must know about these dates”she said while addressing a discussion marking the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League organised the programme at its Dhaka District unit office in Tejgaon.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Hasina said that February 21 is the Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language day, March 17 is the birth day of the Father of the Nation, March 26 is the Independence Day and December 16 is our victory day.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have to take lessons from the history, otherwise it would not be possible to advance forward,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Hasina, also the ruling Awami League chief, reminded all that being in power is not just enjoying the facilities.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The history of the struggle and sacrifices made to reach this place have to be known. Through this process everyone will acquire actual knowledge about the history of the country,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She requested everyone to ensure that people must not forget the history of the country because history teaches how to move forward and be successful.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said thr March 7 speech encouraged each and every freedom fighter and the people of the country during the nine months of&nbsp; Liberation War.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a total outline of the liberation war by the March 7 speech. That speech helped us attain our independence,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She put emphasis on materialising the dream of Bangabandhu that he outlined through his iconic speech.</div><div><br></div><div>“He (the father of the nation) was not allowed to fulfil his work as he was brutally killed on August 15, 1975 and foul play was done with the fate of the people of this country,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also mentioned that no one could play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of this country any more.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who do not believe in Joy Bangla, do not accept March 7 speech that means they did not want the independent Bangladesh,” she said without mentioning any names.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said that this section of people do not want the development of Bangladesh, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“They do not want the socioeconomic advancement of Bangladesh. Why people will cast their votes for them?,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that in 2008 election BNP and its allies got 30 seats only and after that they started to play games by boycotting the election or efforts to foil it.</div><div><br></div><div>Senior Awami League leaders also spoke at the programme.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 14:59:18', '2024-03-07 14:59:18'),
(11485, 11485, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu said on Thursday that there is no possibility of short supply of sugar or price hike in the market due to fire in S Alam’s sugar mill or any other reason.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I tell the businessmen, they should not try to exploit the crisis,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>His remark came during the opening ceremony of the second phase of a sales campaign by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) on Thursday (March 7). The programme was held at ward no 24 of Dhaka North City Corporation.</div><div><br></div><div>The TCB is selling five products including dates at subsidised rate for 1 crore family card holders across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“I see in the news that there is an attempt to increase the price of sugar in one or two places, none of the traders should do so, because the price of sugar will not increase even in mill gate.”</div><div><br></div><div>The concerned sugar mill owners of the country have promised this to the Ministry of Commerce, he said, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>He also pointed out that the government never wants to destroy the orderly environment of the supply chain and market with police and law enforcers.</div><div><br></div><div>“If the market has normal momentum, and it runs smoothly, I believe products will be available at a fair price. We are trying that. But if not, we will take all kinds of strict measures,” he warned.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 15:18:08', '2024-03-07 15:18:08'),
(11486, 11486, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia’s FSB security service said today it had killed Islamic State fighters who were planning a “terrorist attack” on a Moscow synagogue, Russian state news agencies reported.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The FSB said an IS cell based in Kaluga, southwest of Moscow, had been planning to shoot Jewish worshippers at a synagogue in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>“While being arrested, the terrorists put up armed resistance to the Russian FSB officers, and as a result were neutralised by return fire,” the TASS news agency quoted the security service as saying in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“Firearms, ammunition, as well as components for the manufacture of an improvised explosive device were found and seized,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Zvezda news outlet, close to Russia’s army and security apparatus, published an FSB video appearing to show two dead bodies inside a house, alongside guns, ammunition and knives found during a search.</div><div><br></div><div>The FSB did not say how many people were killed in the operation.</div><div><br></div><div>It said the fighters were members of the Afghan branch of Islamic State, but did not state their citizenship.</div><div><br></div><div>Russian authorities frequently announce the thwarting of planned attacks by suspected Islamist groups.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this month the FSB said it killed six suspected IS fighters in the Muslim-majority southern region of Ingushetia.</div><div><br></div><div>Tensions between Russia’s Muslim and Jewish communities have flared at times during the Israel-Hamas war.</div><div><br></div><div>Last October, protesters stormed an airport in Dagestan, another Muslim-majority region in the Caucasus, after a plane arrived from Tel Aviv. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 15:22:33', '2024-03-07 15:22:33'),
(11487, 11487, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>More than 100 people are missing after militants in northeast Nigeria carried out a mass kidnapping that targeted women and children from displacement camps, officials said on Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Anti-militant militia leaders have blamed Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) for last week’s attack in Borno state, the heart of a militant insurgency which has left more than 40,000 people dead and two million displaced since 2009.</div><div><br></div><div>Several details about the attack in rural Ngala are still unclear and officials have given conflicting accounts. The number of people reported missing does not necessarily reflect the number held in captivity.</div><div><br></div><div>The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the attack took place on Thursday last week and estimated over 200 people from camps for displaced people had been abducted.</div><div><br></div><div>It said armed attackers took the women while they were out collecting firewood.</div><div><br></div><div>“The United Nations strongly condemns the reported abduction of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of them women, boys and girls,” it said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The exact number of people abducted remains unknown but is estimated at over 200 people.”</div><div><br></div><div>OCHA said the figure came from initial estimates from community leaders, and said headcounts were being carried out in four displacement camps to verify the number.</div><div><br></div><div>It said the camps house almost 104,000 people, mostly women and children.</div><div><br></div><div>Ali Bukar, an officer at the Ngala Local Government Information Unit, said families had confirmed 113 people missing.</div><div><br></div><div>Anti-militant militia leader Shehu Mada had said that women from displacement camps were “rounded up by ISWAP insurgents” on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>“Some of the women were able to escape and returned,” said Mada, who helped conduct a headcount which found “47 women from the wood-collecting mission could not be accounted for.”</div><div><br></div><div>Usman Hamza, another anti-militant militia leader, confirmed the account.</div><div><br></div><div>Borno State police spokesman Nahum Daso Kenneth has said an attack took place at around four p.m. (1500 GMT) on Friday, but the police could not give a precise figure for the number kidnapped.</div><div><br></div><div>Kidnapping is a major problem across Nigeria, which is also grappling with criminal militias in the northwest and a flareup of intercommunal violence in central states.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month kidnappers seized at least 35 women returning from a wedding in northwestern Katsina state.</div><div><br></div><div>President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power last year promising to address insecurity in Nigeria, but critics say the violence is out of control. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-07 16:21:01', '2024-03-07 16:21:01'),
(11488, 11488, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The women employment in the banking sector increased by 1407 in July-December period of 2023, and the overall perrcentage of women employees at banks stood at 16.37 percent in Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile just 13.51% of board members in the banks are women.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Bank’s (BB’s) latest report on gender equality revealed this information. There are 33346 women employees in 61 banks in the country, which is 16.37 percent of the total employees of banks, according to the report.</div><div><br></div><div>The BB report shows that among the scheduled banks in 2023, 43 private commercial banks have the highest number of women employees 22,248, which is 16.32 percent of the total employees.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign commercial banks have the highest proportion of female officers, 24.18 percent as compared to other banks.</div><div><br></div><div>In the period July-December 2023, the participation of women as board members was only 13.51 percent. Among them, foreign commercial banks have the highest female board member participation rate at 17.54 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, there is no participation of women board members of specialized commercial banks in the discussed period.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the reports submitted by banks during the period July-December 2023 shows that the participation rate of women employees is higher at the entry-level 17.04 percent and mid-level 15.79 percent than at the higher levels 9.36 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>Analysis of the obtained data shows that the participation of women in the banking sector is high at the initial stage.</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, the participation rate of female employees under thirty years of age 20.99 percent is more than double that of female officers above 9.58 percent in scheduled banks.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh’s place has improved by 12 steps in the gender gap report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2023, as women\'s employment increased in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The BB report shows that Bangladesh is holding the 59th position in 2023 improving from 71st in 2022 in the gender gap of WEF, among 146 countries in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>Executive Director of CDP Dr. Fahmida Khatun said that women\'s employment is usually increasing with the developing socio-economic scenario of the country and decreasing the ratio of women\'s employment does not match that calculation.</div><div><br></div><div>She focused on the need to study why the ratio of women employment has been decreasing in the banking sector.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Bank’s spokesperson Mezbaul Haque told UNB that women\'s employment has increased in the banking sector following the central bank’s policy to reduce the gender gap in banks and financial institutions, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The central bank prefers women both in employment and entrepreneurship development. Loan disbursement and interest incentives have been given to women encouraging them involved in financial inclusion.</div><div><br></div><div>The BB is still working to ensure a sound environment in the workplace of banks. Facilities including maternity leave and daycare opportunities for women’s employees have increased, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 08:47:29', '2024-03-09 08:47:29'),
(11489, 11489, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Two people were shot and injured near a polling station in Cumilla city during the ongoing mayoral by-election on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The injured were identified as Zahirul Ahmed and Tuhin — supporters of mayoral candidate Nizam Uddin.</div><div><br></div><div>Injured Zahirul said the incident occurred near Munshi M Ali High School polling station, under ward 19 of the city, around 10 am when “Sumon, a Chhatra League leader, opened fire on me and Tuhin in front of police”.</div><div><br></div><div>They were taken to Cumilla Medical College and Hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>Contacted, candidate Nizam Uddin claimed that voters were obstructed by supporters of mayoral candidate Tahsin Bahar Suchona.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan Ahmed Quamrul, presiding officer, said the incident took place outside the polling station and the executive magistrate was informed about it.</div><div><br></div><div>Farhad Hossain, returning officer, said necessary steps will be taken after more details emerge.</div><div><br></div><div>Voting for Cumilla city’s mayoral by-polls is underway on Saturday. The voting started at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm. According to unb reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 09:19:49', '2024-03-09 09:19:49'),
(11490, 11490, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United States and Europe are seeking to open a sea route that would bring humanitarian aid into Gaza, as alarm grows over the spread of hunger among the besieged territory\'s 2.3 million people.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>However, aid officials say deliveries by ships or recent airdrops are far more costly and inefficient than sending trucks by land. And on Friday, five people in Gaza were killed and several others injured when airdrops malfunctioned and hit people and landed on homes, Palestinian officials said.</div><div><br></div><div>After more than five months of Israel\'s blistering military campaign, much of Gaza is in ruins. The U.N. says a quarter of the population faces starvation. Many of the estimated 300,000 people still living in northern Gaza have been reduced to eating animal fodder to survive.</div><div><br></div><div>Efforts to reach a cease-fire before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan appear stalled. Israeli strikes killed 78 people and wounded 104 across the territory in the past 24 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>That brings the number of Palestinians killed to more than 30,800, according to the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures but says women and children make up around two-thirds of all casualties.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel launched its offensive after Hamas-led militants stormed across the border on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Over 100 hostages were released during a temporary cease-fire in November in exchange for 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 09:25:02', '2024-03-09 09:25:02'),
(11491, 11491, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh won the toss for the third consecutive time in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka and opted to bowl first in the series decider in Sylhet on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The hosts fielded an unchanged playing XI from their eight-wicket victory in the second match, which levelled the series at 1-1.</div><div><br></div><div>In the second match, Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a 50, which came as a relief as he was struggling for a long time.</div><div><br></div><div>In the first match, Mahmudullah Riyad and Jaker Ali scored 50 each, but their efforts went in vain as Bangladesh lost the first match.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh are aiming to win their first-ever T20I series against Sri Lanka.</div><div><br></div><div>After this series, both teams will travel to Chattogram for a three-match ODI series, followed by a two-match Test series.</div><div><br></div><div>The first Test will be played in Sylhet, while the second will take place in Chattogram, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh XI: Litton Das (w), Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka XI: Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis (w), Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, and Nuwan Thushara.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 09:40:04', '2024-03-09 09:40:04'),
(11492, 11492, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said that there are no political prisoners in country’s jail and those who are imprisoned are BNP activists.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“BNP claims that thousands of political prisoners (rajbondi) are in jail, I would say that there is no political prisoner here in the country. Those who are jailed are BNP activists,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said this while replying to a question from reporters after a programme organised on the occasion of Police Memorial Day-2024 at the Convention Hall of Police Staff College on Saturday, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“We don\'t have any political prisoners here. Those who vandalised the Chief Justice\'s residence, those who beat the police, Ansar to death, those who beat the girls, we have identified them after checking footage and took action according to the law. That\'s what the police did,” said the minister.</div><div><br></div><div>He said BNP also tried to foil the election in 2014 by creating anarchic situation and arson terrorism. But gradually they have become isolated from people.</div><div><br></div><div>Pointing at Tarique Rahman, the home minister said he is trying to control his party\'s politics in the country staying in England. He neither cares about the people of this country nor his party activists, he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The people of this country believe that Bangladesh will not lose its way as long as the Prime Minister is alive, Azaduzzaman added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 10:42:18', '2024-03-09 10:42:18');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11493, 11493, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 82 Palestinians were killed and 122 others injured in the last 24 hours as Israel continues its onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip, the territory\'s Health Ministry said on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“The Israeli occupation committed 10 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, leaving 82 martyrs and 122 injured during the past 24 hours,” the ministry said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“Many people are still trapped under rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” the statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>“72% of victims of the Israeli aggression on Gaza are children and women,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>Flouting the provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Israel continues its onslaught on the Gaza Strip where at least 30,960 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and 72,524 injured since Oct. 7, according to Palestinian health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory\'s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave\'s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel is accused of genocide at the ICJ. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Hostilities have continued unabated, however, and aid deliveries remain woefully insufficient to address the humanitarian catastrophe. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 10:58:25', '2024-03-09 10:58:25'),
(11494, 11494, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Türkiye has dispatched some 40,000 tons of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip through 19 aircraft and seven civilian aid vessels so far, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Another vessel belonging to the Turkish Red Crescent, carrying 3,000 tons of aid and dispatched a day earlier, is expected to reach Egypt\'s Al-Arish port on Sunday, Erdogan told the general assembly meeting of the Istanbul-based Knowledge Dissemination Foundation.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will increase the amount of aid throughout the (Muslim holy) month of Ramadan,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>At the very beginning of his speech, Erdogan said that the developments in Gaza since Oct. 7 have gone beyond what can be tolerated, stressing Türkiye\'s dedication to ensuring that those “mass murderers,” already judged by humanity\'s conscience, are held responsible under international law.</div><div><br></div><div>He also expressed regret over the failure of the Islamic world, with a population of approximately 2 billion, to fulfill its duty of true “brotherhood to the Palestinian people.”</div><div><br></div><div>Erdogan also likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration to the “Nazis of our time, alongside Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin,” due to the “humanitarian crimes they committed in Gaza.”</div><div><br></div><div>Flouting the provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Israel continues its onslaught on the Gaza Strip where at least 30,960 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and 72,524 injured since Oct. 7, according to Palestinian health authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory\'s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave\'s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel is accused of genocide at the ICJ. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 11:05:53', '2024-03-09 11:05:53'),
(11495, 11495, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The US denied involvement on Saturday in the killing of five Palestinians who were waiting for much-needed humanitarian aid when several parachutes dropped from a plane failed to open northwest of Gaza City on Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We are aware of reports of civilians killed as a result of humanitarian airdrops,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“Contrary to some reports, this was not the result of U.S. airdrops,” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>CENTCOM extended “sympathies to the families of those who were killed.”</div><div><br></div><div><img src=\"https://i.postimg.cc/ZKVCvq1S/iinnn.jpg\" style=\"width: 50%;\"><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian Civil Defense Service announced on Friday that five people were killed and several others were injured by airdropped aid boxes in Gaza City after several parachutes failed to open properly.</div><div><br></div><div>For more than a week, Arab countries, including Egypt, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, and Bahrain, have been conducting joint operations to drop food aid on the Gaza Strip, in addition to similar operations carried out by the US.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has launched a retaliatory offensive on Gaza since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. The offensive has killed more than 30,800 victims and injured nearly 73,000 others amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Palestinian enclave, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.</div><div><br></div><div>About 85% of Gazans have been displaced by the Israeli onslaught amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave\'s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 11:10:29', '2024-03-09 11:10:29'),
(11496, 11496, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russia on Saturday requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss French President Emmanuel Macron\'s idea to send NATO troops to Ukraine.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting in New York, Russia\'s deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow would like to know more about such \"ideas fraught with the beginning of the Third World War.\"</div><div><br></div><div>On Feb. 27, Macron confirmed his offer to NATO partners to send troops to Ukraine. However, he added that an official consensus to send ground troops \"has not yet been reached, but nothing can be ruled out.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Later, he said France would send soldiers if Russia moved to Kyiv or Odesa.</div><div><br></div><div>Polyansky added that it is equally important to discuss leaked conversations between German Air Force officers about supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, as well as the media reports that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has deployed a network of spy bases in Ukraine, near the Russian border.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It would be interesting to hear a comment in connection with a conversation leaked to the media by high-ranking German military officials who talked about how to help Ukrainians destroy the Kerch Bridge in Crimea and strike deep into Russian territory,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, the German government faced criticism after conversations between Air Force officers about supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine were leaked. Potential strategies were discussed, such as providing satellite intelligence through third parties rather than direct German involvement.</div><div><br></div><div>The New York Times said on Feb.27 that over the past eight years, the CIA has trained and equipped Kyiv’s intelligence officers in underground bunkers, some of which are buried deep in Ukraine’s forests.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the incident with a strike in Odesa on Wednesday, Polyansky said its target was a workshop for assembling naval drones from parts delivered from the UK.</div><div><br></div><div>\"If some of you hope in your heart to get rid of the leader (President Zelenskyy) of the Kyiv regime in this way, then I can disappoint you, this is not part of our plans,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Greek media said on Wednesday that an explosion was heard in the Black Sea port of Odesa, shortly before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis were scheduled to meet.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that a strike was carried out around that time on Odesa, with the target being a water drone warehouse. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 13:19:23', '2024-03-09 13:19:23'),
(11497, 11497, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested five lawyers in a case filed at Shahbagh Police Station over the clash during votes counting of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) election early Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The arrestees are SC lawyers Kazi Bashir Ahmed, Tushar, Tariqul, Suman and Barrister Osman Chowdhury. They were arrested from different parts of the capital on Friday night.</div><div><br></div><div>DMP Additional Commissioner and DB Chief Mohammad Harun Or Rashid revealed the information at the DB office at Minto Road in the capital on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"No one is above the law, no matter how powerful they are. After the case was filed at Shahbagh Police Station, DB police arrested the five lawyers from different places in the capital, including Banani, after conducting a shadow investigation,” said Harun.</div><div><br></div><div>They are being interrogated in connection with violence at the country\'s highest court, said the DB chief.</div><div><br></div><div>“It doesn\'t matter which group of people were involved in the clash. All those who were involved in the crime, against whom the cases were filed, will be brought under the law,” added Harun.</div><div><br></div><div>Investigation is underway to identify those involved in the incident, he also said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Friday night, Assistant Attorney General SR Siddique Saif filed the case at Shahbagh Police station accusing mentioning names of 20 people and 20-30 others unnamed over the violence.</div><div><br></div><div>Independent candidate for the SCBA secretary post Adv Nahid Sultana Juthi, wife of Jubo League leader Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, and BNP-backed blue panel secretary candidate Barrister Ruhul Kuddus were among accused in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>At least seven people were injured in the clash. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 13:38:07', '2024-03-09 13:38:07'),
(11498, 11498, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Gas supply will remain suspended for 8 hours from 10 pm on Saturday to 6 am on Sunday in Sylhet city and adjoining areas ((excluding South Surma and Cantonment).</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd, the time of the gas supply suspension may increase or decrease depending on the technical reason.</div><div><br></div><div>The Jalalabad Gas company regrets the temporary inconvenience of the consumers.&nbsp; - unb</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 13:47:35', '2024-03-09 13:47:35'),
(11499, 11499, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The 54th director general (DG) level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) ended at BGB headquarters here on Saturday where both sides agreed to bring down the killing of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals in the border areas to zero by taking&nbsp; effective steps, including enhancing joint patrolling.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The border conference, which started on March 5, ended with the signing of the Joint Record of Discussion (JRD) document. Later, a joint press statement was read out in the press conference,</div><div><br></div><div>According to the joint press statement, DG BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui urged DG BSF Shri Nitin Agrawal to adopt necessary measures to reduce the border killing to zero considering the sound bilateral relation existing between Bangladesh and India.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Beside this cardinal concern, DG BGB also expressed his optimism to curb various types of trans-border crimes like smuggling, human trafficking, inadvertent border crossing and any kind of terrorist activities, as well as time bound concurrence in regards to development works including river bank protection works, increase of border haats and completion of stalled ICP/LCP related projects etc.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>DG BSF expressed his sincere condolences for the sorrowful demise of Sepoy Md Roisuddin in the unfortunate incident on 22nd January, 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>Expressing satisfaction over the coordinated efforts of BSF and BGB in maintaining peace and tranquility along the border, both stressed the need for effective implementation of Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP).&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The two sides agreed to bring down the killing/injuring unarmed Bangladeshi nationals to zero by enhancing joint patrolling, vigilance, intensifying public awareness program, undertaking appropriate socio-economic development programs, educating border population about the sanctity of the international border (IB) and preventing criminals/inhabitants from crossing the IB and sharing of real time information.</div><div><br></div><div>Both sides agreed to take effective steps to continue to sensitize the border populace to refrain from Violation of IB/Illegal crossing/Intrusion, smuggling, human trafficking, uprooting Border Pillars and other trans-border crimes. As a whole, both sides assured to maintain the desired sanctity of the border.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Both the delegation leaders reiterate their existing ‘zero tolerance’ stance on trans-border insurgent groups and agreed to take all necessary steps to prevent trans-border movements by real time information.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the death of BGB member Sepoy Md Roisuddin, who died in BSF firing in Jashore frontier on 22 January this year, the DG BSF expressed his sincere condolences for his death.</div><div><br></div><div>When asked about the death of Sepoy Roisuddin, the DG BSF Nitin Agrawal did not give any direct answer.</div><div><br></div><div>When his attention was drawn about Sepoy Roisuddin\'s death, DG BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui said that this was not a targeted&nbsp; killing first of all. .This happened amid darkness, fog and confusion from both sides and in future, there will be all efforts from both sides to avoid any kind of&nbsp; killing on uniform BGB and BSF personnel or any civilian both Bangladesh and India.</div><div><br></div><div>DG BSF Shri Nitin Agrawal&nbsp; BSF&nbsp; led the Indian delegation consisting of nine members in the DG Level Border Conference, while&nbsp; DG BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqu led a 16-member Bangladesh delegation. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 13:51:02', '2024-03-09 13:51:02'),
(11500, 11500, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Torrential rains have triggered flash floods and a landslide on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at least 10 people and leaving 10 others missing, officials said Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Tons of mud, rocks and uprooted trees rolled down a mountain late Friday, reaching a river that burst its banks and tore through mountainside villages in Pesisir Selatan district of West Sumatra province, said Doni Yusrizal, who heads the local disaster management agency.</div><div><br></div><div>Rescuers pulled out seven bodies in the worst-hit village of Koto XI Tarusan, and recovered three others in two neighboring villages, said National Disaster Management Agency’s spokesperson Yusrizal. Ten are still missing.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that 46,000 people had fled to a temporary government shelter after the flood and landslide buried 14 houses while 20,000 houses were flooded up to the roof.</div><div><br></div><div>“Relief efforts for the dead and missing were hampered by power outages, blocked roads covered in thick mud and debris,” Yusrizal said.</div><div><br></div><div>Heavy rains cause frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near floodplains. According to AP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 13:54:02', '2024-03-09 13:54:02'),
(11501, 11501, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Poland’s foreign minister says the presence of NATO forces “is not unthinkable” and that he appreciates the French president for not ruling out that idea.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Radek Sikorski made the observation during a discussion marking the 25th anniversary of Poland’s accession to NATO in the Polish parliament Friday, and the Foreign Ministry tweeted the comments later in English.</div><div><br></div><div>They reflect a larger European debate over how to help Ukraine as Russia has gained some momentum on the battlefield and Kyiv is running low on ammunition. The US Congress is withholding aid that Ukraine says it critically needs to hold off the Russians, putting more pressure on Europe to respond to the war that has shattered peace on the continent.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month French President Emmanuel Macron said the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine could not be ruled out, a comment that broke a taboo among allies and prompted an outcry from other leaders. French officials later sought to clarify Macron’s remarks and tamp down the backlash, while insisting on the need to send a clear signal to Russia that it cannot win its war in Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>The Kremlin has warned that if NATO sends combat troops, a direct conflict between the alliance and Russia would be inevitable. Russian President Vladimir Putin said such a move would risk a global nuclear conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among those European leaders who initially ruled out sending troops to Ukraine after Macron’s remarks, saying: “Poland does not plan to send its troops to the territory of Ukraine.”</div><div><br></div><div>But less than two weeks later Sikorski struck a different tone.</div><div><br></div><div>“The presence of #NATO forces in Ukraine is not unthinkable,” he said, according to the Foreign Ministry’s tweet. He said he appreciated Macron’s initiative “because it is about Putin being afraid, not us being afraid of Putin.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sikorski’s remark is part of a broader shift to align with Macron’s position, wrote Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.</div><div><br></div><div>“The issue of sending European forces to help Ukraine was never one to be dismissed — it was always a possibility,” O’Brien wrote in an email analysis sent to subscribers Saturday. “In fact it has become more of one as the USA has stepped back and withdrawn aid. Europe is now faced with a terrible dilemma — watching Ukraine potentially run out of ammunition, or stepping in and helping Ukraine more directly.”</div><div><br></div><div>Polish President Andrzej Duda and Tusk will travel to Washington for a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, a visit the Poles hope they can use to spur the United States to do more to help Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Poland is a member of NATO along the alliance’s eastern flank, with Ukraine across its eastern border. The country has been under Russian control in the past, and fears run high that if Russia wins in Ukraine, it could next target other countries in a region that Moscow views as its sphere of interest. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 14:00:17', '2024-03-09 14:00:17'),
(11502, 11502, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">US and allied forces shot down 15 one-way attack drones fired by Iran-backed Yemeni rebels into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the US military said on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>It was one of the Houthis’ largest attacks since they began in November a campaign of drone and missile strikes against ships in the Red Sea area, vital for world trade, in professed solidarity with Palestinians during Israel’s war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>The US Central Command, or CENTCOM, said the “large-scale” Houthi attack occurred before dawn into the Red Sea and adjacent Gulf of Aden.</div><div><br></div><div>CENTCOM and coalition forces determined that the drones “presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels, US Navy and coalition ships in the region.”</div><div><br></div><div>It added, in a post on social media platform X, that “US Navy vessels and aircraft along with multiple coalition navy ships and aircraft shot down 15” of the drones.</div><div><br></div><div>“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.”</div><div><br></div><div>On January 9, US and British forces shot down 18 drones and three missiles fired by the rebels toward ships in the Red Sea, the US military said at the time.</div><div><br></div><div>Britain said it was the largest attack to that point by the Houthis.</div><div>The United States in December announced a maritime security initiative to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks, which have forced commercial vessels to divert from the route that normally carries 12 percent of global trade.</div><div><br></div><div>Since January the United States and Britain have also launched repeated strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the ship attacks, but the rebels have continued to attack merchant vessels and have also targeted American and British ships. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 14:34:11', '2024-03-09 14:34:11'),
(11503, 11503, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Environment Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said on Saturday that, as climate change is a global challenge, all parties must come forward to combat it.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He also highlighted the pivotal role of artists in raising public awareness. Minister Chowdhury underscored the importance of inspiring individuals to consider the impacts of climate change and take decisive action.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister was talking to journalists after visiting at the closing ceremony of \"Chaloman\", a solo exhibition on climate change and women held at Alok\'s Neighborhood Art Space Shala Gallery in the capital on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to media inquiries, the Minister reaffirmed the government\'s commitment to combating climate change in collaboration with the international community. Efforts include extensive afforestation, scaling up renewable energy production, and implementing adaptation measures for communities vulnerable to climate impacts. Minister Chowdhury urged all segments of society to be proactive in addressing the adverse effects of climate change.</div><div><br></div><div>The event was attended by Ruxmini Chowdhury, founder and director of Alokir: The Neighborhood Art Space, renowned Bangla Academy award winner Noorjahan Bose, as well as artists, art critics, and cultural figures.</div><div><br></div><div>At the exhibition, US expatriate artist Monica Jahan Bose showcased the effects of climate change through a multi-dimensional presentation, including a three-channel video, saree installation art, and a performance involving women from the climate-vulnerable Katakhali village in Patuakhali.</div><div><br></div><div>Participants shared firsthand accounts of climate impacts on coastal regions, including crop damage caused by emissions from the thermal power plant in Payra, according to reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/r/fas</div>', NULL, 'Staff Correspondent', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 14:43:42', '2024-03-09 14:43:42'),
(11504, 11504, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The International Farakka Committee on Saturday urged Dhaka and Delhi to renew the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty and sign a treaty on the Teesta with guarantee and arbitration clauses.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Announcing a joint statement on Saturday at the National Press Club, Dhaka, Prof Jasim Uddin Ahmed,&nbsp; President of the International Farakka Committee, Bangladesh said that the 54 common rivers shared among the countries could be sustainably developed only on the basis of a basinwide agreement.</div><div><br></div><div>The press briefing was also addressed by Mostafa Kamal Majumder, convener, IFC, Sirajuddin Sathi, writer and researcher, Tamijuddin Ahmed, Dr. Nazma Ahmad, vice president of IFC Bangladesh, and journalist Rafiqul Islam Azad.</div><div><br></div><div>The statement mentioned that the water treaties signed by India with other countries of the subcontinent – Nepal and Pakistan – contain guarantee and arbitration clauses.</div><div><br></div><div>As a result, the Indus and Mahakali water treaties have been able to protect mutual interests. On the other hand, the Ganga Water Treaty signed with Bangladesh has not fulfilled the terms.</div><div><br></div><div>Because of this error, the relationship between the two friendly countries did not develop as expected.</div><div><br></div><div>The Farakka Barrage on the Ganges was commissioned in consultation with Bangladesh, on a trial basis for a total of 41 days from 21 April to 31 May 1975. But since then, unilateral water withdrawals continued and environmental disasters occurred in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Later in 1977, a five-year water treaty was signed with a guarantee clause of 80 percent water availability. But after the expiry of this treaty, instead of&nbsp; renewing it,&nbsp; a 5-year memorandum of understanding was signed in 1982, minus the guarantee clause.</div><div><br></div><div>A 30-year treaty was signed in 1996 for the sharing of Ganges water. The treaty will expire in 2026. Thus, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, during his recent visit to Delhi, urged for the renewal of this treaty and the signing of the Teesta Water Treaty.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh did not get water according to the terms of this Ganges Treaty.&nbsp; Nor could it take any effective action on it, because the treaty did not have guarantee and arbitration clauses. This weakness of the treaty must be overcome at the time of renewal.</div><div><br></div><div>The agreement on Teesta was supposed to be signed in 2011 during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh to Bangladesh. But due to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee it has been kept undone till date.</div><div><br></div><div>During the dry season, no water from Teesta river is released to Bangladesh. A small amount of water somes to Bangladesh as seepage from Ghazal Doba Barrage in West Bengal.</div><div><br></div><div>During the wet season on the other hand due to the full release of floodwaters, thousands of houses are destroyed and massive crop losses occur in the Teesta basin of Bangladesh every year due to severe deluge and bank erosion, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The statement says, Bangladesh owes its origin to the river. Therefore, the question of life and death of the people of Bangladesh is associated with the flow of the river. So far, unilateral water withdrawal has increased by constructing dams in Teesta and other common rivers.</div><div><br></div><div>These natural water sources are being killed by altering their courses for short term benefit by short sighted damming, it added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-09 16:07:15', '2024-03-09 16:07:15'),
(11505, 11505, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Petrobangla, the oil, gas and mineral corporation, has floated the offshore bidding, inviting international oil and gas companies to explore in the Bangladesh maritime area in the Bay of Bengal</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The tender, named “Oil and Natural Gas Exploration Under Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2024”, was published in local newspapers and websites of concerned government entities including Bangladeshi missions abroad on Sunday giving six months time until September 9, 2024 for submission of the bids.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the floated tender, a total of 24 offshore blocks — of which nine are shallow blocks — and 15 deep sea blocks are available for the bidding round.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The nine shallow sea blocks are SS-01, 02, 03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 10 and 11) and 15 deep sea blocks are DS-08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22.</div><div><br></div><div>The bidder, singly or in association with other companies, can bid for one or more blocks.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Contracts will be signed with the successful bidders in line with the Bangladesh Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract 2023, said the tender.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The features of the proposed contract include full repatriation of profit, no signature bonus or royalty, uncapped attractive gas price linked with international marker, oil price to be determined on the basis of the fair market value prevailing in South and Southeast Asia.</div><div><br></div><div>It entails no duty for equipment and machinery imported for petroleum operations while contractor\'s corporate income tax liability will be borne by Petrobangla, and bank guarantee for performance of the minimum exploration program.</div><div><br></div><div>There will be provision for assignment of interest and share-transfer and 100 percent cost recovery with a yearly cap of 75 percent.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The contractor must have a mandatory work program consisting of 2D seismic</div><div><br></div><div>survey and mandatory purchase of available</div><div><br></div><div>2D multi-client seismic data against bidded blocks to get relief from mandatory work obligations proportionately.</div><div><br></div><div>They will have minimum work obligation in each of the exploration periods while biddable work program commitment over and above the mandatory program.</div><div><br></div><div>There will be petroleum profit sharing on the basis of R-factor with biddable upper and lower limits and option to sell contractor\'s share of natural gas in the domestic market to a third party, at a negotiated price, subject to Petrobangla\'s right of first refusal.</div><div><br></div><div>The bidder must ensure carried stake of 10 percent for state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) for both shallow and deep sea blocks.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The bidders’ qualification criteria include — individual or in case of joint venture at least one member — offshore daily production of at least 15,000 barrel of oil or 150 mmsc of gas. Bidders must have at least one global experience (other than home country) in the oil and gas exploration and production.</div><div><br></div><div>The Information Package will be available at a cost of US$ 300 or equivalent Bangladeshi taka to the interested bidders/companies.</div><div><br></div><div>To enable companies to assess the geological prospects of the blocks on offer, Promotional and Data Packages are available on payment basis. Promotional Packages contain Bidding Document, sample seismic sections, gravity, magnetic, geological maps. Companies are required to purchase the Promotional Package in order to qualify for bidding, said the tender.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The purchase price of the Promotional Package is US$ 10,000 or equivalent Bangladeshi taka. Purchase of Data Sales Package is optional. Several Data Sales Packages are available at different prices.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Companies interested in bidding and purchase of Promotional and Data Sales Packages may contact the Director, Production Sharing Contract, Bangladesh Oil, Gas &amp; Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) Petrocentre, 3 Karan Bazar, Dhaka-1215, said the bidding tender. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 08:55:40', '2024-03-10 08:55:40'),
(11506, 11506, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government will transform the Bangladesh Coast Guard into a three-dimensional force by inducting new technology and modern equipment.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“We have already given in-principle approval for the formation of an Aviation Wing with the purchase of 2 helicopters which will make the Coast Guard a three-dimensional force,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while addressing the 29th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Coast Guard at the BCG headquarters at Agargaon in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the government has recently approved a new project to build 9 replacement ships for Bangladesh Coast Guard.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, she said, approval has been given for the procurement of 4 more OPVs, 2 maritime version helicopters for deep sea patrolling by the Coast Guard for the safety of the public engaged in sea-based professions and waterways.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“In order to modernize and strengthen the Bangladesh Coast Guard, advanced technology ships, maritime surveillance systems, hovercrafts and high-speed boats are going to be added to this force very soon,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister expressed her optimism that through the addition of all these ships with modern technology and the development of communication systems, this force will acquire more capabilities to face the challenges of the 21st century and will play a significant role in building a smart Bangladesh.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, she said, plans have been adopted to increase the current strength to 15,000 manpower gradually as per the Vision 2030 and Vision 2041 to modernise the force to provide blue economy and security at sea.</div><div><br></div><div>“To build the smart Bangladesh I believe that this force will play special role,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said a dockyard is also being built at Gazaria in Munshiganj for the construction, repair and maintenance of the force’s vessels and ships.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that some 16 vessels including four OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels) and 138 boats have been inducted in the BCG fleet.</div><div><br></div><div>Stating that the Awami League&nbsp; government has always been directly involved in the formation and development of Bangladesh Coast Guard, she said it had emerged as a force in context of a bill brought by AL in the Jatiya Sangsad in 1994 as the then opposition party.</div><div><br></div><div>Assuming power in 1996, she said, the AL government took a massive initiative in expanding the Coast Guard’s activities in the country’s coastal areas by providing land for its various zones, different types of vessels and building infrastructure.</div><div><br></div><div>Following this, she added, since 2009, various infrastructures including coastal crisis management centre, accommodation of officers and sailors of bases, officers’ mess, sailors’ quarters and administrative buildings have been constructed at Coast Guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Recalling the initiative of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said Bangabandhu framed “The Territorial Waters and Maritime Zone Act” in 1974 to establish the legal rights of countrymen over the sea and marine resources.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that even the United Nations (UN) formulated such a law in 1982.</div><div><br></div><div>She said until adoption of the law by the UN, the cases, not only in the region but also in Europe and other places across the globe, would have been settled&nbsp; following the law enacted by Bangabandhu.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said her government has established country’s rights on a vast maritime area after winning legal battles with neighbouring India and Myanmar maintaining friendly relations.</div><div><br></div><div>She also reiterated her vow to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina also inaugurated Bangladesh Coast Guard Vsatnet Communication System and newly constructed six physical infrastructures at the BCG stations at Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Mirsarai, Sandwip, Nidraskina and Shahpari Outpost.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM also conferred 10 Bangladesh Coast Guard Medals, 10 Bangladesh Coast Guard (Service) Medals, 10 President Coast Guard Medals and 10 President Coast Guard (Service) Medals to at least 40 BCG officers, sailors and civilians for their bravery.</div><div><br></div><div>The theme of this year\'s founding anniversary has been set as Smart Bangladesh, Smart Coast Guard.</div><div><br></div><div>Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Public Security Division Secretary of the Home Ministry Md Mustafizur Rahman and BCG Director General Rear Admiral&nbsp; Mir Ershad Ali were present at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>At the outset of the programme, a smartly turned out contingent of the Bangladesh Coast Guard also gave a state-salute to the prime minister.</div><div><br></div><div>A short video documentary on Coast Guard Vsatnet System was screened.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the prime minister enjoyed a cultural programme there. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 09:06:54', '2024-03-10 09:06:54'),
(11507, 11507, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will set up 30 sell points in the capital to sell milk, eggs, meat, and fish at affordable prices throughout the month of Ramadan.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Under the programme, liquid milk will be sold at Tk 80 per litre, beef at Tk 600 per kg, mutton at Tk 900 per kg, dressed broiler at Tk 250 per kg, and eggs at Tk 9.17 per piece.</div><div><br></div><div>Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md. Abdur Rahman said these at the conference room of the Department of Livestock Services on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said the programme will be conducted from 25 places in the capital from the first to the 28th Ramadan. Besides, the products will be sold at five more points at several permanent markets in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The 25 sale centers are: Natun Bazar (Badda), Korail slum (Banani), Khamarbari (Farmgate), Azimpur Matrisadan (Azimpur), Gabtoli, Diabari (Uttara), Japan Garden City (Mohammadpur), Shatfoot Road (Mirpur), Khilgaon (south of the rail crossing), beside the Secretariat (Abdul Gani Road),&nbsp; Segun Bagicha (kitchen market),&nbsp; Arambagh (Motijheel), Rampura, Kalshi (Mirpur), Jatrabari (at the mouth of Maniknagar Goli),&nbsp; Bosila (Mohammadpur),&nbsp; Hazaribagh (Shikshan), Lukas (Nakhalpara), Arambagh (Motijheel), Kamrangirchar, Mirpur 10, Kalyanpur (Jhilpara), Tejgaon, Old Dhaka (Bangabazar), and Kakrail.</div><div><br></div><div>The five selling points at permanent markets are Mirpur Shah Ali Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Natun Bazar (100 feet), Kamala Bazar, and Kazi Alauddin Road (Anandbazar).</div><div><br></div><div>Well-equipped pickup cool vans will be used to sell the products. The cooling vans will reach each sale center by 9 am with the products and selling will start from 10 am, the minister said.</div><div><br></div><div>Additionally, the Department of Fisheries has taken initiatives to sell fish at four designated spots in Dhaka North City Corporation and four designated spots in Dhaka South City Corporation.</div><div><br></div><div>The spots are Bangabandhu Square at Farmgate’s Khamarbari, Mirpur-1 (Eidgah Ground); Segun Bagicha Bazar; and Merul Badda Bazar under Dhaka North City Corporation; and Mughdapara (Madinabagh Bazar); Jatrabari (Dayal Bharosa Market); Motijheel (Southeast Corner of Bangladesh Bank) and Palashi intersection under Dhaka South City Corporation, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The fish sale will continue from 10 am to 3 pm every day, starting from March 11, and will continue for 15 days, the minister said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 09:48:46', '2024-03-10 09:48:46'),
(11508, 11508, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Following the devastating fire incident at the Green Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road that killed 46 people and injured several others, authorities in Dhaka have launched a crackdown on restaurants lacking proper fire safety measures. Restaurant owners, however, are critical of the approach.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Restaurant Owners Association has labelled these operations as “harassment” and “for show”, lacking in coordination.</div><div><br></div><div>The operations, according to the association, seem to target the restaurant industry unfairly, calling for a more integrated approach to address safety violations.</div><div><br></div><div>Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, criticized the sporadic nature of these operations, arguing for regular and coordinated efforts. He highlighted the injustice in arresting restaurant workers for building faults, suggesting that the responsibility lies with RAJUK (the development authority) officials and building owners before considering the tenants such as restaurant operators.</div><div><br></div><div>Imran Hasan, General Secretary of the Restaurant Owners Association, expressed the sector\'s frustrations over the lack of support from any ministry despite repeated pleas. He called for a meeting with the Prime Minister, signaling their readiness to shut down operations if found culpable.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>However, he questioned the logic behind blanket closures, arguing for a constructive resolution. Around 200 restaurants in Dhaka have been closed, he said, raising concerns about the crackdown.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, Bangladesh houses approximately 481,000 restaurants, providing employment for 30 lakh people, the general secretary of Restaurant Owners Association said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also underlined the struggles with bureaucratic red tape and the desperation for constructive dialogue and solutions. Hasan called for the Prime Minister\'s intervention, reflecting the dire situation of entrepreneurs and workers within the industry, whose livelihoods are at stake.</div><div><br></div><div>The opposition\'s Chief Whip, Mujibul Haque Chunnu, has also alleged lack of coordination in the drives against risky and unauthorized buildings operating amid fire risk.</div><div><br></div><div>“A magistrate went and destroyed a shop. Another goes and says stop. The authorities need to take a concerted, slow and steady approach in conducting fire safety drives,” he said while participating in an unscheduled discussion in the Parliament last Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>RAJUK\'s Chairman, Anisur Rahman Mia, meanwhile has announced plans to list at-risk buildings, intending to mark them clearly and disconnect utilities in coordination with service providers, emphasizing the need for collaboration among various agencies for effective regulation.</div><div><br></div><div>This situation sheds light on the complexities of urban safety, regulatory enforcement, and the livelihoods dependent on sectors like dining, calling for balanced, fair, and coordinated efforts to ensure public safety without unjustly jeopardizing businesses and jobs. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 09:57:44', '2024-03-10 09:57:44'),
(11509, 11509, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The High Court on Sunday (March 10, 2024) stayed for two months the government’s decision to keep the primary and secondary schools open in the first 10 and 15 days of Ramadan respectively.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order following a petition seeking closure of school activities during Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>Advocate Mahmuda Khanam stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Sheikh Md Saifuzzaman represented the state.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the order, the academic activities of primary and secondary schools will remain closed during the month of Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>On February 8, the government amended the holiday list for educational institutions keeping the regular activities of secondary schools open for 15 days during the month of Ramadan. The Education Ministry issued a notice in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>In another notice, the Primary and Mass Education Ministry issued a notice to keep the activities of primary schools during the month of Ramadan for ten days.</div><div><br></div><div>Advocate Md Ilias Ali Mandal, a guardian, filed a writ petition on February 25, challenging the two orders of the government.</div><div><br></div><div>Secretaries to the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Education Ministry, deputy secretary of Primary and Mass Education Ministry and deputy secretary of Education Ministry, Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Department, Director of Child Welfare Trust were made respondents.</div><div><br></div><div>Ramadan is likely begin from March 11 or March 12 depending on the sighting of the moon. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 11:35:49', '2024-03-10 11:35:49');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11510, 11510, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The deputy chief of United Nations (UN) Women on Friday called for investing in women and girls to drive societal advancement while reiterating the agency\'s dedication to fostering gender equality and enhancing women\'s participation in decision-making roles.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Our first message is: Let\'s invest in women and girls, let\'s create opportunities for them to be socially empowered, to be economically empowered, to be in positions of decision-making,\" Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, deputy executive director of UN Women, the world body\'s entity dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women globally, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview in the UN Women\'s office in New York.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The importance of investing in women is that when women at the household level are educated and have income, they are able to also send their children to school,\" Gumbonzvanda said.</div><div><br></div><div>Without investment in women, the world is short-changing itself in economic terms, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>\"By investing in little girls to elderly women, we witness dividends across families, societies, and nations,\" Gumbonzvanda said, underscoring the broad spectrum of benefits stemming from supporting women and girls.</div><div><br></div><div>\"On International Women\'s Day and beyond, we implore our member states to intensify their efforts\" in \"creating economic opportunities for women and fostering violence-free environments in our families and communities,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, investing in women encompasses not just economic aspects but also \"empowering their voice and perspective to shape policies,\" Gumbonzvanda said, as \"having women at the decision-making table enables them to address societal inequalities and elevate issues that are often overlooked.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Political participation and women in decision-making have been priorities since the 1995 Beijing conference,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Gumbonzvanda, from Zimbabwe, assumed her duties as UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, UN System Coordination, and Programme Results on Feb. 6.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that currently elections are taking place in over 60 countries, Gumbonzvanda said: \"With 1.3 billion women voting, this becomes a critical moment for them to influence governments to prioritize gender equality.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She urged both men and women in these countries to \"support female candidates to achieve the 50-50 parity agreed upon by member states.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Gumbonzvanda also emphasized the critical contributions of women and girls to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by saying, \"We cannot fulfill the SDGs without addressing the challenges faced by women and girls, including exclusion and violence, and without expanding their opportunities in society.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She also highlighted the need for \"broader fiscal space and the implementation of gender-responsive budgeting\" as critical elements in this effort.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about the upcoming 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), she noted, \"The meeting is timely in its focus on poverty, institutional strengthening, and financing for gender equality, alongside social protection concerns, given the current global context.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing the alarming prediction that over 300 million people could still be living in poverty by 2030, she stressed the need for governmental commitment to prioritize resources for poverty alleviation programs and called for \"reform of the global financial architecture to address inequalities and enhance support for gender equality programs, including education and healthcare for women.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Gumbonzvanda expressed pride in UN Women\'s current initiatives with China, particularly the projects in Wuhan, which focus on \"bringing our technical expertise to support efforts in the country\" and \"creating policies and employment capacities\" targeting women, reports XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>She also revisited the pivotal moment of the 1995 Beijing conference, highlighting its significance in setting the agenda for women\'s political participation and decision-making globally.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 11:41:01', '2024-03-10 11:41:01'),
(11511, 11511, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A group of more than 50 survivors of Islamist terror attacks in the UK have signed an open letter warning politicians against tarring British Muslims as extremists.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The letter against anti-Muslim hate was coordinated by Survivors Against Terror, a network of people in the UK and British people overseas who have been affected by terrorism.</div><div><br></div><div>Signatories include Rebecca Rigby, the widow of Lee Rigby, a soldier who was stabbed to death in London in 2013, as well as Paul Price, whose partner Elaine McIver was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.</div><div><br></div><div>The letter reads: “To defeat this (extremist) threat the single most important thing we can do is to isolate the extremists and the terrorists from the vast majority of British Muslims who deplore such violence.</div><div><br></div><div>“In recent weeks there have been too many cases where politicians and others have failed to do this; in some cases equating being Muslim with being an extremist, facilitating anti-Muslim hate or failing to challenge it.”</div><div><br></div><div>The signatories say defeating Islamism and extremism should be a “national priority” and they are “only too aware” of the threat posed by terrorism.</div><div><br></div><div>But they are saddened by a series of controversies in which major political figures in the UK have conflated Islam with extremism.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, the former deputy chair of the governing Conservative Party, Lee Anderson, was suspended after claiming that Islamists had “got control” of Sadiq Khan, London’s first Muslim mayor.</div><div><br></div><div>Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, also faced controversy after warning that “the Islamists, the extremists and the antisemites are in charge now,” referring to pro-Palestine protests that have taken place in London amid the Gaza conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>Their comments are “playing into the hands of terrorists,” signatories to the letter believe.</div><div><br></div><div>Darryn Frost, who fended off a terrorist who had killed two people near London Bridge in 2019, said: “I think it’s dangerous when any of our leaders marginalise communities and paint a very broad brush.</div><div><br></div><div>“People need to consider the power of their words because they have the power to incite further hatred.”</div><div><br></div><div>The letter is being published ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Christchurch mosque killings on March 15.</div><div><br></div><div>The attack, carried out by a far-right terrorist, led to the murder of more than 50 Muslims in the New Zealand city.</div><div><br></div><div>Brendan Cox, co-founder of Survivors Against Terrorism, said: “Anyone using the issue (of extremism) to seek tactical party advantage risks undermining that consensus and making our efforts less successful.</div><div><br></div><div>“The message from survivors of attacks is clear: you can play politics all you like, but not with the safety of our country.”</div><div><br></div><div>Among the 57 signatories is Magen Inon, whose parents were killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>The letter coincides with UK government plans to update the official definition of extremism, which will allow authorities to suspend ties or funding to groups found to have exceeded the new definition.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, extremism is defined by the government as “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.”</div><div><br></div><div>Communities Secretary Michael Gove, who is leading the change, has claimed that pro-Palestine marches in London have included groups who are “trying to subvert democracy,” and that some pro-Palestine events have been organized by “extremist” organizations. According to Arab News</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 12:43:31', '2024-03-10 12:43:31'),
(11512, 11512, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The operating hours of metro rail will be extended by one hour in both directions during the last 15 days of the month of Ramadan, said MN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the new schedule, the last train from Motijheel will leave the station around 9:40 pm while it will from Uttara station at 9:20 pm, he said while speaking at a press conference at Iskatan.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the schedule of the metro rail will remain unchanged in the first 15 days of the month of Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, commuters can carry 250ml of water bottles before and after Iftar on metro rail but in that case, the water bottle should be dumped into designated bins, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Iftar timing will be screened at the LED screen inside and outside the train.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question about any decision to increase coaches for women, the managing director of DMTCL, said currently, six coaches are running every day and it is difficult to add another coach for women. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 13:00:16', '2024-03-10 13:00:16'),
(11513, 11513, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">As the European parliamentary elections in June move ever closer, experts warn that pro-Russian players are flooding social media with false claims about the war in Ukraine to boost support for far-right and nationalist parties.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Pro-Russian accounts have been pumping out posts on Facebook, X and TikTok that depict Ukrainian refugees as violent criminals or claim that Kyiv’s government officials siphon off financial aid sent by the West to buy luxury yachts and villas for themselves.</div><div><br></div><div>Another theme with particular potency in countries closest to the conflict is that refugees receive higher state benefits than locals.</div><div><br></div><div>The aim of such propaganda is to weaken the EU’s resolve and benefit anti-immigration parties like Germany’s AfD, France’s National Rally or the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, said Jakub Kalensky, an analyst at the European Center of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) in Helsinki, Finland.</div><div><br></div><div>Such disinformation will “definitely play a role” in the June 6-9 vote, when more than 400 million Europeans choose a new five-year parliament, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“When you exaggerate the risk of Ukrainian immigrants, you boost anti-immigration parties,” Kalensky said.</div><div><br></div><div>“I’m convinced that if it weren’t for the Russian propaganda, movements led by leaders like Marine Le Pen (in France), Geert Wilders (in the Netherlands) or Robert Fico (in Slovakia) would have significantly lower election results.”</div><div><br></div><div>Dietmar Pichler, disinformation analyst at the Center for Digital Media Literacy in Vienna, Austria, believes that anti-Ukraine disinformation is likely to intensify ahead of the June vote as Russia tries to promote Kremlin-friendly European parties.</div><div><br></div><div>He has identified two main topics that have already surfaced in EU campaigns — the sanctions against Russia and financial aid to Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>“Actors aiming to halt this support for Ukraine are employing disinformation and Russian propaganda narratives to ‘justify’ this anti-Ukrainian position,” Pichler told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>But pro-Russian narratives also affect the policies of mainstream parties, sometimes silencing those who might otherwise throw their support behind Ukraine, according to the analyst.</div><div><br></div><div>“Some politicians are now afraid to address topics like Ukraine or Russia altogether because they fear attacks by Russian trolls, bots, and pro-Russian actors on the domestic level,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign may find particularly fertile ground in countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, whose governments actively stoke anti-immigration sentiment and urge Brussels to make peace with Russia, according to Kalensky.</div><div><br></div><div>On the second anniversary of the Russian invasion on February 24, Slovak premier Fico — who has repeatedly compared Ukrainians to Nazis, echoing Moscow’s justification for the assault — accused the EU of “hating the Russian Federation” and urged it to “come up with a peace plan for both countries.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hungarian state media often suggest that the Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III or make unsubstantiated claims about the forcible recruitment of Ukrainian men for the battlefield.</div><div><br></div><div>Even Kyiv’s staunchest allies, such as Poland, are not immune to the propaganda flooding the Internet since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Angry Polish farmers have protested about cheaper Ukrainian grain imports and claims are rife on Polish social media that refugees flood the labor markets, undercut wages, or receive welfare payouts that locals can only dream about.</div><div><br></div><div>“The message is ‘this is the Ukrainian gratitude for your help’, ‘they are using us’ and ‘they don’t respect us’,” said Andrzej Kozlowski, cybersecurity and disinformation expert at the Casimir Pulaski Foundation in Warsaw, Poland.</div><div><br></div><div>Farmers’ protests across Europe in early 2024 have been weaponized by Russian propagandists and far-right parties in many European countries.</div><div><br></div><div>These protests “have become a top priority for the Russian disinformation machine” ahead of upcoming elections in Poland in April and the EU vote in June, Kozlowski told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>According to an Ipsos poll from February 2024, the far-right Confederation — the only party in the Polish parliament not to unequivocally condemn the Russian invasion — is gaining support the fastest and could get 12 percent at local elections on April 7.</div><div><br></div><div>“At the beginning, we were laughing at Russian disinformation, but statistics show that support for Ukrainian refugees and immigrants in Poland is getting lower, and so is support for sending ammunition and weapons to Ukraine,” Kozlowski said.</div><div><br></div><div>Hybrid CoE’s Kalensky believes the biggest challenge for Europe will be to remain united and resist the flood of disinformation.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Russians are experts at playing the long game,” Kalensky said. “They know that if they repeat a lie 100 times it will eventually become the truth.” - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 13:19:41', '2024-03-10 13:19:41'),
(11514, 11514, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Authorities in the Indian capital New Delhi suspended a police officer on Friday after he kicked men during congregational Muslim prayers - an incident captured in a video that went viral on social media, sparking outrage and condemnation.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The incident happened at the capital\'s Inderlok area, when people were performing Friday prayers on the road.</div><div><br></div><div>The video showed a police officer kicking several people as they were praying.</div><div><br></div><div>Locals in the area also blocked the road and demanded action against the policeman.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the incident, the Police Post Incharge “who was seen in the video (kicking men) has been suspended with immediate effect,” Delhi Police said in a statement, adding that “necessary disciplinary action is also been taken.”</div><div><br></div><div>The incident drew condemnation by India\'s main opposition party.</div><div><br></div><div>Congress “strongly condemns such inhuman acts during worship, namaz or prayer of any religion,” the Delhi unit of Indian National Congress wrote on X.</div><div><br></div><div>“The government should take immediate action against the guilty police personnel.”</div><div><br></div><div>Senior Delhi police officer Mukesh Kumar Meena told media this evening that the “situation in the area has been normalized and traffic has resumed in the area,” reports, Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 13:37:32', '2024-03-10 13:37:32'),
(11515, 11515, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rashidat Hamza is in despair. All but one of her six children are among the nearly 300 students abducted from their school in Nigeria’s northwest, riddled with Islamic extremists and armed gangs.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>It has been more than two days after her children — ages 7 to 18 — went to school in the remote town of Kuriga in Kaduna state only to be kidnapped by gunmen. She was still in shock Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities said at least 100 children aged 12 or younger were among the abductees in the state known for violent killings lawlessness and dangerous roads where people get regularly snatched.</div><div><br></div><div>“We don’t know what to do, but we believe in God,” Hamza told The Associated Press during a visit to the town.</div><div><br></div><div>The mass kidnapping in Kuriga was the third in northern Nigeria since last week; a group of gunmen abducted 15 children from a school in another northwestern state, Sokoto, before dawn Saturday, and a few days earlier 200 people, mostly women and children displaced by conflict, were kidnapped in northeastern Borno State.</div><div><br></div><div>The kidnappings are a stark reminder of the security crisis plaguing Africa’s most populous country.</div><div><br></div><div>No group claimed responsibility for any of the recent abductions. But Islamic extremists waging an insurgency in the northeast are suspected of carrying out the kidnapping in Borno. Locals blame the school abductions on herders who are in conflict with the settled communities.</div><div><br></div><div>It\'s not the first time for a student kidnapping in Nigeria to shock the world. In 2014, Islamic extremists abducted more than 200 schoolgirls from Borno’s Chibok, sparking the global #BringBackOurGirls social media campaign. A decade later, at least 1,400 Nigerian students have so far been abducted from their schools in similar circumstances. Some are still held captive, including nearly 100 of the Chibok girls.</div><div><br></div><div>Recalling Thursday’s kidnapping, Nura Ahmad, a teacher, told the AP that students were just settling into their classrooms at the government primary and secondary school when gunmen “came in dozens, riding on bikes and shooting sporadically.”</div><div><br></div><div>The LEA Primary and Secondary School, one of the few educational facilities in this area, sits by the road just at the entrance of the town, tucked in the middle of forests and savannah. Even with its decaying roof and wrecked walls, it gave parents hope for a better future for their children.</div><div><br></div><div>“They surrounded the school and blocked all passages … and roads” to prevent help from coming before kidnapping the children in less than five minutes, Ahmad said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fourteen-year-old Abdullahi Usman braved gunshots to escape the captors.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who refused to move fast were either forced on the motorcycles or threatened by gunshots fired into the air,” Abdullahi said. “The bandits were shouting: Go! Go! Go!” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Nigerian police and soldiers headed into the forests Friday to search for the missing children, but combing the wooded expanses of northwestern Nigeria could take weeks, observers said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Since this happened, my brain has been muddled,” said Shehu Lawal, the father of a 13-year-old boy who is among those abducted.</div><div><br></div><div>“My child didn’t even eat breakfast before leaving. His mother fainted (upon hearing the news),\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Some villagers like Lawan Yaro, whose five grandchildren are among the abducted, say their hopes are already fading.</div><div><br></div><div>People are used to the region\'s insecurity, \"but it has never been in this manner,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are crying, looking for help from the government and God, but it is the gunmen that will decide to bring the children back,” Yaro said. “God will help us.\"</div><div><br></div><div>But schools are not the only targets.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 3,500 people have been abducted across Nigeria in the last year, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Some were even kidnapped from their homes in the capital of Abuja. Last year, President Bola Tinubu took office after he successfully campaigned on the promise to tighten security and stop the kidnappings.</div><div><br></div><div>Experts say it is easy to smuggle in arms, used in kidnappings, over Nigeria’s poorly policed borders. More than half of its 1,500-kilometer (932-mile) border with Niger, for instance, stretches across the northwest. Though mostly covered in woodland savannah, the region also has vast ungoverned and unoccupied forests where organized gangs hide and keep their kidnap victims.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2022, lawmakers passed a bill to penalize ransom payments, but Nigerian kidnappers are known for their brutality, forcing many families to succumb to their demands.</div><div><br></div><div>Nigeria\'s military continues to conduct air raids and special military operations in the region as well as respond to pockets of crisis across the country but is fatigued by the 14-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast. Armed gangs also keep on multiplying in the region where many are poor and often work with extremists, seeking to expand their operations.</div><div><br></div><div>The military previously said that sometimes kidnap victims were used as “human shields” to prevent aerial bombardments of the forests where their captors hide.</div><div><br></div><div>The gangs are “adapting their strategies and further entrenching themselves in the northwest through extortion,” said James Barnett, a researcher specializing in West Africa at the U.S.-based Hudson Institute.</div><div><br></div><div>“Their mentality is that they should be allowed free rein to do what they please in the northwest and that if the state challenges them, directly or indirectly, they will have to respond and show their strength,” Barnett said.</div><div><br></div><div>More than a dozen checkpoints and military trucks now dot the dangerous 55-mile (89 kilometers) road running from Kuriga town to the city of Kaduna. But the soldiers are likely to be redeployed elsewhere soon, depending on security needs.</div><div><br></div><div>People in Kuriga can only hope their children are returned unharmed and the safety they now feel with the presence of military personnel endures, reports AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hamza, the mother whose five children were kidnapped, hopes the government will arrest the kidnappers and return the students. “The gunmen don’t allow us to have peace.\"&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 14:49:51', '2024-03-10 14:49:51'),
(11516, 11516, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">FRENCH FRIGATE NORMANDIE: Large NATO drills in the frigid fjords of northern Norway may be just war games meant to hone the fighting skills of the newly expanded 32-nation military alliance. But for troops taking part, they are very real.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>And that’s the whole point.</div><div><br></div><div>With drills underway now, NATO is baring its fangs in its biggest exercises since the Cold War, sending an unmistakable message to Russia that alliance members are ready to defend each other if needed.</div><div><br></div><div>Having watched Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, the NATO training aims to cover all eventualities. That can include trying to catch troops off guard.</div><div><br></div><div>This week, crew members aboard the French frigate Normandie, one of France’s most modern warships, were roused from sleep and scrambled to hunt down and destroy a submarine that snuck into cold Norwegian waters.</div><div><br></div><div>The submarine belongs to Germany, also a NATO member. But for the purpose of the war games dubbed Nordic Response 2024, it was acting as an enemy vessel.</div><div><br></div><div>The Normandie crew spotted its periscope poking through the waves and sprang into action. The submarine had already “attacked” a nearby Italian ship, the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, scoring an imaginary torpedo hit.</div><div><br></div><div>The crew were determined not to let Normandie — a top-of-the-line vessel, in service only since 2020 — suffer the indignity of also being struck.</div><div><br></div><div>An urgent 7 a.m. call got Normandie’s commander, Capt. Thomas Vuong, up from his bunk. He ordered the frigate’s submarine-hunting helicopter to be readied for flight, waking its pilot.</div><div><br></div><div>“We spotted its attack periscope,” Vuong told The Associated Press on board Normandie in an exclusive interview.</div><div><br></div><div>“Then it dived again,” he said. “We were asked to hunt for it. We succeeded.”</div><div><br></div><div>Once airborne, the Normandie’s NH90 helicopter hovered over the waves and lowered its submarine-detecting sonar into the sea. The frigate also used its sonar, and together, they zeroed in on the sub’s position and “attacked” it in turn.</div><div><br></div><div>“Intelligence confirmed to us that there were no friendly submarines in the sector, so we were certain that it was an enemy submarine,” the helicopter pilot, Lt. Olivier, recounted. The French navy withheld his last name for security reasons.</div><div><br></div><div>“So the frigate was able to fire a torpedo and destroy the submarine,” he added — but not for real, of course.</div><div><br></div><div>The frigate and its helicopter pinpointed the submarine with sufficient accuracy to be sure that it wouldn’t have survived had actual torpedoes been fired.</div><div><br></div><div>An urgent 7 a.m. call got Normandie’s commander, Capt. Thomas Vuong, up from his bunk. He ordered the frigate’s submarine-hunting helicopter to be readied for flight, waking its pilot.</div><div><br></div><div>“We spotted its attack periscope,” Vuong told The Associated Press on board Normandie in an exclusive interview.</div><div><br></div><div>“Then it dived again,” he said. “We were asked to hunt for it. We succeeded.”</div><div><br></div><div>Once airborne, the Normandie’s NH90 helicopter hovered over the waves and lowered its submarine-detecting sonar into the sea. The frigate also used its sonar, and together, they zeroed in on the sub’s position and “attacked” it in turn.</div><div><br></div><div>“Intelligence confirmed to us that there were no friendly submarines in the sector, so we were certain that it was an enemy submarine,” the helicopter pilot, Lt. Olivier, recounted. The French navy withheld his last name for security reasons.</div><div><br></div><div>“So the frigate was able to fire a torpedo and destroy the submarine,” he added — but not for real, of course.</div><div><br></div><div>The frigate and its helicopter pinpointed the submarine with sufficient accuracy to be sure that it wouldn’t have survived had actual torpedoes been fired. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 15:06:19', '2024-03-10 15:06:19'),
(11517, 11517, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said the Awami League government is using the Cyber Security Act as a tool to suppress the opposition’s leaders and activists, reports UNB</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He made the comments in a discussion programme to mark the ninth founding anniversary of Zia Cyber Force as a chief guest at BNP Nayapalton central office.</div><div><br></div><div>\"As a politician we are used to prison one or twice in a year. During my jail life I have met a lot of young inmates who were jailed for writing against the misrule of AL,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Even women are not safe from the AL rage as a Jagannath University (JnU) female student\'s case shows, Rizvi said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I strongly believe that those who are active in social media are more genius than others.,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 15:13:59', '2024-03-10 15:13:59'),
(11518, 11518, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on Sunday announced that Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) would carry out a special drive to control the prices and standard of goods during Ramadan.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The BSTI will take punitive actions against the unscrupulous persons who are engaged in adulteration, counterfeiting of goods, tampering in measurement, and selling products at prices higher than the government fixed prices, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“None will be spared no matter how big or small they are. Zero tolerance will be shown against all counterfeiters,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Industries Minister came up with this announcement at a press briefing at the BSTI head office in the city’s Tejgaon area to raise the special measures taken to control the quality of the daily essentials in the holy month of Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the operation of mobile courts is being strengthened during Ramadan to control the standard of products and to prevent tampering in weight and measurement of goods, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Three special mobile courts will be conducted every day in Dhaka city. Besides, BSTI will conduct the mobile courts in cooperation with the local administration at the district and upazila levels in the month, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Nurul Majid said during the operation, special attention will be paid to the food and drinks that are usually consumed by the fasting people.</div><div><br></div><div>The quality and price of fruits, drinks, fruit syrup, puffed rice, dates, soft drink powder, carbonated beverages, edible oil, mustard oil, ghee, pasteurized milk, noodles, semai, water, dextrose monohydrate and iftar items will be controlled, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Senior Secretary of the Industries Ministry Zakia Sultana and BSTI Director General SM Ferdous Alam, among others, were present, added a BSTI press release.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-10 16:17:32', '2024-03-10 16:17:32'),
(11519, 11519, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The government of Bangladesh has set ambitious revenue collection targets for the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26, aiming to gather Tk 5872 billion and Tk 7097 billion, respectively. The strategy hinges on enhancing digitalization and simplifying tax procedures for both businesses and individuals.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The focus will be on direct taxes and VAT to raise more revenue. In addition to expanding the tax net and increasing the capacity of tax officials, exercises will be carried out to rationalise the current culture of widespread tax exemptions and to bring in heightened transparency in the budgetary discourse.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26) of the Finance Division of Finance Ministry, some Tk 5343 billion will come from the tax revenue sector in 2024-25 fiscal and Tk 6463 billion in 2025-26.</div><div><br></div><div>In the next two fiscal years, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will provide Tk 5095 billion and Tk 6171 billion.</div><div><br></div><div>From the Income Tax wing, the projected collection will be Tk 1753 billion for the next fiscal, and Tk 2123 billion for 2025-26 fiscal. Collection from the import duties will be Tk 1511 billion and Tk 1830 billion respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>From VAT and Supplementary Duties, the revenue collection will be Tk 1831 billion and Tk 2218 billion respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>The non-NBR tax for 2024-25 and 2025-26 will be Tk 248 billion and Tk 292 billion respectively. Non-tax revenue collection will be Tk 529 billion and Tk 634 billion respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>The target for the running 2023-24 fiscal is Tk 5000 billion with Tk 4500 billion from tax revenue. Of the total amount, Tk 4300 billion will come from NBR through Tk 1480 billion from income tax, Tk 1275 billion from import duties, Tk 1545 billion from VAT and Supplementary duties. Some Tk 200 billion will be collected from the non-NBR sector while Tk 500 billion from non-tax revenue sector.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement, revenue outturns estimated for 2023-24 and projection for the next two years show high elasticity and buoyancy, implying robustness in revenue mobilisation in the medium term.</div><div><br></div><div>It mentions that among the tax and non-tax parts of the revenue, the tax revenue is forecasted to be more buoyant and elastic than the non-tax part.</div><div><br></div><div>The elasticity data shows that the overall revenue is projected to grow 1.65 times higher than the nominal GDP in FY 2025-26.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the statement, the revenue elasticity of GDP for the 2023-24 fiscal is 1.28 times higher than the last fiscal while it is projected to be 1.40 times higher in the next 2024-25 fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>The tax revenue elasticity of GDP will be 1.33 times higher in the current fiscal while it will be 1.50 times higher in the next fiscal and 1.66 times higher in 2025-26 fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>The non-tax revenue elasticity of GDP for the running fiscal will be 0.92 times higher in the current fiscal, 0.47 times higher in the next fiscal year, and 1.57 times higher in 2025-26 fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the buoyancy indicates that, in FY 2025-26 the tax revenue in real terms may grow 98 percent higher than the growth of real GDP.</div><div><br></div><div>The Policy Statement mentions that the revenue mobilisation acts as a catalyst to achieve the development outcomes of a country. Bangladesh has envisioned its long-term development trajectory to be a higher middle-income country in 2031 and to be a developed country in 2041.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to these aspirations, the ‘Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2021-2041’ has targeted to raise the revenue- GDP ratio to 19.55 percent by 2031 and to reach 24 percent by 2041.</div><div><br></div><div>The statement says that the spectacular growth Bangladesh registered in the last decades, however, has not been underpinned by concomitant revenue growth. A large share of the revenue comes from the direct (income tax) and indirect taxes (VAT and customs) collected by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Non-NBR taxes and Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) consists of smaller parts.</div><div><br></div><div>It said that there is a need to identify the reasons for low revenue collection to move onto the essential next step to correct the course. It is important to understand various issues such as the economic structure (large informality and exemptions), structural weaknesses (complicated processes and information asymmetry), and cultural factors (apathy towards paying taxes) that contribute to significant underperformance in revenue collection, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The government, the policy statement said, with the support of private sector operators, is keen to make paying taxes easy, tax rules easy to understand and rationalise tax exemptions.</div><div><br></div><div>Success in revenue collection will be strengthened by making the tax administration easy to approach, increasing digitalization to bring in transparency and predictability and bringing in progressivity in taxation where rich people pay a higher part of the taxes, it added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 08:36:52', '2024-03-11 08:36:52'),
(11520, 11520, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Jahangirnagar University authorities have expelled five students including the main accused, Chhatra League leader Mostafizur Rahman, in connection with gang raping a woman after holding her husband captive on the campus last month.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The decision was taken on Sunday night in a syndicate meeting held with Vice-Chancellor of the University Dr. Md.Nurul Alam in the chair.</div><div><br></div><div>University registrar Abu Hasan said according to the decision of the syndicate meeting, Mostafizur Rahman, the main accused and a student of the 45th batch of International Relations Department and his cohort Murad Hussain\'s academic certificates were canceled.</div><div><br></div><div>The expelled students are 46 batch student of International Relations Department Mustafa Manowar Siddiqui Sagar, 44 batch student Shah Paran, 45 batch student Md. Hasanuzzaman and Sabbir Hasan Sagar, a student of 47th batch of Botany department. However, the name of another student among those expelled could not be known.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, in a syndicate meeting on February 4, a four-member investigation committee was formed to identify the culprits and recommend punishment.</div><div><br></div><div>The inquiry committee was asked to submit its report with recommendations within 15 working days, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on February 2, a resident of Ashulia was gang raped on the campus after keeping her husband confined to room No 317 of Mir Mosharraf Hall of the university.</div><div><br></div><div>A case was filed against six people with Ashulia Police Station.</div><div><br></div><div>On February 4, four people including BCL leader Mustafizur were arrested over the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 09:10:58', '2024-03-11 09:10:58'),
(11521, 11521, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday asked the doctors in the country to devote more time to research in medical science burying the mentality of doing private practice to just earn money.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We are lagging in one sector and that is the research in the medical science. Doctors are engaged in practising and earning money, and they don\'t bother to go for research works,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier distributed cheques of the \"Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship,\" \"National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship\" and special research donations among teachers, scientists, researchers and students of different universities.</div><div><br></div><div>The Science and Technology Ministry arranged the programme at the Prime Minister\'s Office.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina asked the doctors in the audience about the facts of the private practice of the physicians.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is correct. There are doctors over there, and I am asking them directly,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister requested them to emphasise research works from now on.</div><div><br></div><div>“Importance has to be given to the research works. Because the people of the country have to be healthy, strong and meritorious. They need to get a chance to flourish on their merits. For that research is essential,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the government will give a special stimulus package to those who will be involved in health-related research.</div><div><br></div><div>“I will again request the doctors who are in public service to reduce their private practice and give more time to research works,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the government will do everything needed to encourage research work.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina mentioned the outcome of research works in the agricultural sector where the country became self-sufficient in food production.</div><div><br></div><div>“Research opens the door of development. We have to put the highest importance on science and health-related research,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that the government is very sincere in removing all sorts of obstacles in any kind of research.</div><div><br></div><div>She also mentioned that the money invested in the research is coming from the pockets of the people of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“This public money must have to be used for the welfare of the people. You have to keep this in mind always,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about the second nuclear power plant, the prime minister said that the government has built Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant and it had tried to build another one in the southern region of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>“But the soil in the southern region is so soft. We have tested soil on every island, but it is not possible to build such plants there,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that after completing the present power plant, the government will build the second one also in Rooppur, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“I have asked the Science and Technology Minister to start the second one just after finishing the first one and we have to take preparation for that from now on,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Science and Technology Ministry Zahid Maleque and Science and Technology Secretary Md. Ali Hossain also spoke.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 10:28:29', '2024-03-11 10:28:29'),
(11522, 11522, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">&nbsp;Lebanon’s pro-Iranian Hezbollah group said today it launched a multi-drone attack on an Israeli air defence outpost across the border in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>It said the rare attack, in which it deployed four drones, hit its target with “accuracy” in what it said was another operation in support of Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967.</div><div><br></div><div>Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire along Lebanon’s southern border since October, when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas, which is at war with Israel in the Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli strikes had been mostly limited to the southern border region of Lebanon, although they have edged further north in recent weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>Hezbollah last month said it fired rockets against the same target in the Golan Heights.</div><div><br></div><div>The armed group has used surface-to-air missiles on several occasions since Oct 7 to target Israeli aircraft.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>It has also launched its own surveillance drones into northern Israel. According to Reuters reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 11:53:07', '2024-03-11 11:53:07'),
(11523, 11523, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Finland is planning to hire young talents from Bangladesh in some sectors, particularly IT and healthcare as the number of the ageing population is on rise in the Nordic country.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Dr Tito Gronow, minister and deputy head of mission at Finland Embassy in New Delhi said this in an interview with UNB during his recent visit to Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>He was in Dhaka from Wednesday to Friday last.</div><div><br></div><div>“Finland is eager to develop a programme for trying to find young talents with its Talent Boost programme particularly in IT, healthcare but also some other sectors to attract the people to come to Finland,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the programme, Finland will recruit manpower from Bangladesh for its healthcare sector as the ageing population is on rise in the Nordic country, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“We need more people for our healthcare sector and you (Bangladesh) have a very young population. So, this actually is a good match,” said Dr Gronow.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that there are already a good number of Bangladeshi students in Finland, he said “I can imagine that there will be more students who come to Finland (from Bangladesh) in future.</div><div><br></div><div>About the bilateral relations, the Finnish diplomat said the current relationship is very good. “Our aim is to increase trade between the countries. We’ve an ambition to have more Finnish companies in the Bangladesh market,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Gronow also said they’ve discussed with several Bangladeshi companies particularly textile companies for expanding European activities to Finland.</div><div><br></div><div>In the next autumn, there will be a political consultations between Finland and Bangladesh here in Dhaka. The delegation will be a combination of political and business delegations, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our main objective here in Bangladesh is to improve our trade relations. We see a huge potential in Bangladesh in many sectors. Our priority is very much in digitalization, IT, 5G and 6G and different kinds of digital solutions,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Finland can help Bangladesh make traditional manufacturing industries to digital modern industries in the era of 4th industrial revolution.</div><div><br></div><div>“In textile industry, you’ve already invested in environmental technology and we’ve environmental solutions to offer to Bangladeshi industries, \" he said, adding that Finland is also interested in developing a partnership with Bangladesh in the educational sector.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Finnish diplomat, who had made his first visit to Bangladesh, said Finland is interested in strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh in textiles, recycling of materials and water. “Probably emerging cooperation is in the shipyard,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>About export of Bangladesh products to Finland, he said Bangladeshi companies should be more active in negotiating with Finnish companies to have a partnership in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>Describing Finland as a good technology harbour, he said Bangladesh can import from Finland 5G/6G technology, clean energy solutions, machinery, lifts and cranes, which could be a good solution to the needs of Bangladesh, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“We’ve great variety of different kinds of environment-friendly technological solutions that are needed for industries in Bangladesh,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Turning to the Rohingya issue, Dr Gronow said the situation is alarming. It is already the seventh year of the refugee crisis. Finland is willing to help solve this issue of course diplomatically in a peaceful way. But it seems to take still more time, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 12:23:28', '2024-03-11 12:23:28');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11524, 11524, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Amid a conflict between the Myanmar military and the armed rebel group in Myanmar’s Rakhine, 29 members of&nbsp; Border Guard Police (BGP) took shelter again in Bangladesh on Monday, said BGB.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>A total of 29 BGP members have taken refuge in Bangladesh from Angthapaya Camp of the BGP force through the border area of Bandarban\'s Jamchari union under Naikhongchhari BGB\'s Battalion 11, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier in February, 330 members of Myanmar security forces including BGP, army personnel and immigration officials had taken shelter in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>On February, 15, they were handed over to Border Guard Police of Myanmar amid tight security.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 12:55:40', '2024-03-11 12:55:40'),
(11525, 11525, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>If BNP continues their movement during the holy month of Ramadan instead of restraining themselves, they will become more isolated from the people, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Monday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The minister was speaking at a meeting of the party\'s secretariat board at the Awami League\'s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue this afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>At that time, he highlighted the strong position of the government regarding the perpetrators of violence in the Supreme Court bar elections.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that if any crimes and misdeeds are committed under the guard of the government, and if the government does not exempt anyone, then it should be understood that the government has maintained zero tolerance here, he mentioned.</div><div><br></div><div>\"No one will be spared whether he is Awami League, Jubo League or Chhatra League. No matter how influential the criminal is. Criminals will be treated as criminals.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister is very strict in this regard, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding commodity prices, Obaidul Quader said that the government is very careful and making all-out efforts to keep the prices under control, within the purchasing power of the common people, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>\'Even in the context of the global crisis, the price of fuel oil has already been reduced. That did not happen during the BNP rule. They can only increase the price.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Quader said, like last time, there will be no iftar party on behalf of Awami League in Ramdan. Instead, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed to distribute Iftar and relief items among the poor and common people on behalf of Awami League, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 12:57:46', '2024-03-11 12:57:46'),
(11526, 11526, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">After confusion over the identity of a female journalist who was burnt to death in the devastating fire on Bailey Road on February 29, police finally confirmed her real name was Brishty Khatun,&nbsp; and she used a pen name Ovisruti Shastri.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The result came as the samples of her DNA matched those collected from her parents on Sunday, Additional DIG of Dhaka Metro CID Md Jahangir Hossain Matubbar confirmed.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on Monday afternoon, 11 days after the incident, the body was handed over to her father Sabuj Sheikh from the Dhaka Medical College morgue.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to a question from the journalists,&nbsp; Additional DIG said, the victim worked in various places using the name of&nbsp; Ovisruti Shastri. That\'s why confusion was created over her identity and her colleagues claimed she was Hindu. Later they understood and wrote to the police station, to hand over the dead body to her parents.</div><div><br></div><div>Sabuj Sheikh said the truth has been established: “I am her father, I thank Allah thousands and millions.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Finally I received the body today, I will take it to my village home. There, she will be buried in the family cemetery with a Janaza according to Islamic Shari\'a,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Brishty Khatun was the eldest among his three daughters.</div><div><br></div><div>Habibur Rahman, sub-inspector (SI) of Ramna Police Station, was present at that time.</div><div><br></div><div>After due procedures, at 2.55 pm, Sabuj Sheikh left Dhaka with Birshty’s body. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 13:09:21', '2024-03-11 13:09:21'),
(11527, 11527, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has said the next national budget for the FY25 would put higher emphasis on employment generation while efforts to carry out reforms in different fields are needed to be continued.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'ll have to increase employment generation to a larger extent as efforts are underway to overcome the foreign currency reserve issue,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister was talking to reporters after holding a long pre-budget meeting for the FY25 with the country\'s renowned economists at the State Guest House Padma last night.</div><div><br></div><div>Ali said the eminent economists present at the meeting had put forwarded a set of good suggestions while all of them had opined that the government was in the right direction to overcome the current economic situation.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I\'ve never said that there is no problem. But, we\'ve got praises that we\'ve been handling the situation well and so far everything is good,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Everyone knows what the underlying problems are...so they (economists) have remarked that everything is well so far, but we\'ve to remain cautious about the problems,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>When asked about their specific suggestions, the finance minister said that the ongoing reforms initiatives should have to be continued in various fields.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to another question on publishing the list of loan defaulters following the suggestions of the economists, he said, \"Let\'s see what we can do,\"</div><div><br></div><div>Ali also said the Vice President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in a recent meeting with him had assured that they are ready to provide more financial support to Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They (AIIB) informed us that fund is ready and take it....,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Emerging from the meeting, eminent economist and former central bank governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said the main thing of the budget should be macroeconomic stability.</div><div><br></div><div>He suggested for raising allocations in the education and health sectors side by side minimizing the number of such projects that takes much time to get results.</div><div><br></div><div>The noted economist also advised to ensure strict monitoring for implementation of the budget, increase dependency on direct tax instead of the indirect tax like VAT, ensure allocations in different sectors on priority basis, and minimize wastage.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There should be a fine synergy between the monetary policy and the fiscal policy ... Boosting supply chain is needed as inflation is mostly supply-driven. The real sector should also be promoted,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The former central bank governor opined that it is not possible to control the inflation trend with the interest rate as the small businesses are often affected for this.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, Dr Salehuddin suggested for making the interest rate market based.</div><div><br></div><div>Distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Mustafizur Rahman said the meeting discussed various aspects of the budget for the next fiscal year as well as how to ensure further macroeconomic stability.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'ve said that it will be more convenient to implement the budget if the exchange rate and inflation can be controlled considering the current position of the economy,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Executive Director of the CPD Dr Fahmida Khatun said the main focus of the next budget should be ensuring macroeconomic stability instead of putting much focus on growth.</div><div><br></div><div>\"In this regard, there is a need for generating more employments, increasing investments in the private sector and also the FDI,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said there is a need for having similarity between the policies and operations of the government.</div><div><br></div><div>The famed economist also suggested for framing contractionary budget through reducing the allocations for expenditure and operational costs under the current circumstances, pursing austerity and minimizing wastage, raising dependency on direct tax, ensuring diversification in economy, making more investments in Human Resources to generate more employments, making more allocations in the health and education sectors, boosting the revenue collection through putting more emphasis on automation, and thus giving a real a picture on the materialization of the suggestions on budget made by various quarters.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Fahmida Khatun also demanded for making public the lists of the loan defaulters.</div><div><br></div><div>The pre-budget meeting was attended by a good number of economists like Prof Dr Rehman Sobhan, Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Mustafa K Mujeri, Director General of BIDS Dr Binayak Sen, former ICAB president Parveen Mahmud.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, Finance Division Secretary Dr Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Financial Institutions Division Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Salim Ullah and other high officials attended the meeting. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 13:23:49', '2024-03-11 13:23:49'),
(11528, 11528, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A large grain silo was completely destroyed in a Russian missile attack on the eastern Ukrainian Dnipro region this weekend and injured one person, the facility’s owner Ukrlandfarming said late yesterday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ukrlandfarming is one of Ukraine’s largest agrarian holdings, which as a result of the Russian invasion in 2022 suffered losses at around US$1 billion as of the end of 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>“On the evening of March 9, 2024, the enemy launched a missile attack on the Dnipro region. A 58-year-old man, our employee, was injured. The production facilities of our company were completely destroyed,” the company said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>It provided no further details.</div><div><br></div><div>Analysts from the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) said last month the Ukrainian agricultural sector has suffered almost US$80 billion in direct and indirect losses linked to Russia’s invasion.</div><div><br></div><div>The figure included losses of US$5.8 billion from the destruction of equipment, US$1.8 billion from damage to silos and almost US$2 billion from ruined agricultural products.</div><div><br></div><div>At the beginning of January 2023, analysts estimated such losses at US$38 billion. According to Reuters reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 13:28:41', '2024-03-11 13:28:41'),
(11529, 11529, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, has emphasized the prompt resolution of grievances by departments and organizations under the purview of the Ministry lodged by the common people.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He stressed the need for expeditious action to enhance the system and address complaints received via the national hotline number 333-4.</div><div><br></div><div>The Minister called for regular monitoring of grievance redressal progress, ensuring swift resolution and subsequent evaluation of complainant satisfaction.</div><div><br></div><div>These directives were articulated during the minister\'s address at a meeting convened to assess the advancement of the smart ministry construction program.</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting, held at the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Conference&nbsp; room in the secretariat, highlighted the government\'s commitment to efficient administration in environmental matters.</div><div><br></div><div>He urged citizens to utilize the National Call Center 333 to report environmental and forest-related grievances. He advocated for the customization and utilization of the Grievance Redressal System (GRS) software provided by the Cabinet Division to streamline ministry activities. Furthermore, he set a target for the full implementation of the 333-4 environment-related complaint settlement process within the month of March.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, he emphasized the redesign of the ministry\'s website to enhance accessibility for the public.</div><div><br></div><div>The meeting was attended by key officials including Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr. Abdul Hamid, Joint Secretary (Climate Change) Lubna Yasmine, Joint Secretary (Environment) Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, and Joint Secretary (Forest) Shahanara Begum, as well as Conservator of Forest (Administration) Abdul Awal Sarkar.</div><div><br></div><div>They underscored the collaborative effort towards efficient governance and environmental stewardship. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 13:33:02', '2024-03-11 13:33:02'),
(11530, 11530, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><b>The holy month of Ramadan of 1445 Hijri will begin in the country tomorrow as the new moon was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh today.</b></div><div><br></div><div>The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at the conference room of Islamic Foundation (IF) at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here this evening, said a press release.</div><div><br></div><div>Religious Affairs Minister and National Moon Sighting Committee President Faridul Haque Khan presided over the meeting, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>As per the decision, the holy Shab-e-Qadr or Lailatul Qadr, the night when the first verses of the holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), will be observed in the night of April 6 (Saturday night).</div><div><br></div><div>Muslims are meant to fast from dawn to dusk during the Ramadan, a time of restraint and austerity.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 13:36:32', '2024-03-11 13:36:32'),
(11531, 11531, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>State Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, has stated that the government is committed to bringing high-speed broadband internet to every home.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said, “The Digital Bangladesh initiative has already connected high-speed broadband internet to almost every union in the country, covering over three lakh square kilometers with optical broadband internet connections. In 2006, the country had only 50,000 kilometers of optical fiber connections. The cost of internet service for the general public has been set at Tk 60 per Mbps to make it affordable and easily accessible.\"</div><div><br></div><div>He mentioned that the cost was previously Tk 78 per Mbps in 2006.</div><div><br></div><div>Palak made these remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the private office of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) in the capital on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Before any unforeseen incidents occur, Palak urged ISPs to inform the relevant authorities immediately and emphasised the need to take precautions to prevent any disruptions to internet services.</div><div><br></div><div>He mentioned that the architect of Digital Bangladesh, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has played a crucial role in the country\'s remarkable success in the last 15 years. He highlighted the significant achievements of Bangladesh in the information sector since the inception of the V-Sat in 1996 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Under her dynamic leadership, 98 percent of the country\'s area is now covered by 4G networks, reports unb</div><div><br></div><div>The backbone of a Smart Bangladesh will be the internet, said Palak.</div><div><br></div><div>Presided over by ISPAB President Imdadul Haque, the function was addressed, among others, by BTRC Chairman Engineer Md Mohiuddin Ahmed and ISPAB General Secretary Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 13:40:03', '2024-03-11 13:40:03'),
(11532, 11532, '<div><br></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Australian police detained and charged today a well-known cult leader known as “Little Pebble” for allegedly grooming a child while in jail.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>William Costellia Kamm, 73, and his partner Sandra Costellia, 58, were arrested after a six-month investigation, and were refused bail to appear in court tomorrow.</div><div><br></div><div>Costellia Kamm founded the “Order of Saint Charbel” in the rural town of Nowra in the 1980s and preached a doomsday Christian message.</div><div><br></div><div>He previously spent nine years in jail for having sex with two teenage girls before being paroled in November 2014.</div><div><br></div><div>Police said a 19-year-old woman alleged the couple groomed her from the age of six.</div><div><br></div><div>The girl “was advised by the religious leader and his partner that she had been selected to procreate with that religious leader to build a new sect”, said Jayne Doherty, commander of the New South Wales police sex crimes squad.</div><div><br></div><div>“The male accused was an inmate at a correctional centre and utilised various methods, such as phone calls and letters, and used the female accused as a co-accused in that matter to groom that child, and gave her gifts and certain directions in relation to that grooming.”</div><div><br></div><div>Doherty said the allegations were “horrendous”, particularly because they had occurred during the girl’s formative years.</div><div><br></div><div>Costellia Kamm faced several charges related to the alleged grooming, as well as a charge for failing to comply with a supervision order.</div><div><br></div><div>His partner was charged with two counts related to grooming a child.</div><div><br></div><div>The couple was being held at a Sydney police station. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 13:52:38', '2024-03-11 13:52:38'),
(11533, 11533, '<div><br></div><div>&nbsp;India’s top court today ordered the state-run bank to publish details of previously anonymous political donations made in the form of controversial electoral bonds – with the disclosures to be made before upcoming national polls.</div><div><br></div><div>Last month, the Supreme Court had outlawed the scheme, under which individuals and companies could anonymously buy electoral bonds, saying it “infringes upon the right of information of the voter”.</div><div><br></div><div>Electoral bonds have been a key method of political funding, allowing donors to give anonymously through certificates purchased from the State Bank of India (SBI).</div><div><br></div><div>Critics condemned the campaign financing method as an opaque way to funnel “black money” to parties, but supporters say it provides better regulation than cash donations, which are still legal.</div><div><br></div><div>The SBI had requested an extension on publishing the bond details until June 30 – by which time the general election would have been completed.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly a billion people are eligible to cast ballots in the elections, likely to be held in April and May, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi widely expected to win a third term in power.</div><div><br></div><div>But chief justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud gave the SBI until March 12 to comply, warning if the bank failed to do so it risked being charged with “wilful disobedience”.</div><div><br></div><div>The SBI had argued it needed more time to prepare the “complex” payment details, but the court said the information was “already available” within the bank.</div><div><br></div><div>The initial court order on Feb 15 argued that information about political party funding was “essential for the effective exercise of the choice of voting”.</div><div><br></div><div>It ruled that the SBI must submit details of each bond – including who purchased it – since April 2019 to the electoral commission, which must publish those details on its website by March 13.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to concerns the scheme allowed huge anonymous donations to parties, critics also feared it gave the government the power to access donor details through the state-owned SBI.</div><div><br></div><div>Modi’s party has previously defended electoral bonds, arguing the process is more transparent than direct cash donations because it is channelled through the banking system.</div><div><br></div><div>Cash donations are still allowed, but carry no tax exemption. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-11 13:55:02', '2024-03-11 13:55:02'),
(11534, 11534, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Appellate Division on Tuesday stayed the High Court order on keeping the primary and secondary schools closed during the month of Ramadan.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A 5-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan&nbsp; passed the order hearing an appeal filed against the High Court order.</div><div><br></div><div>Attorney General AM Amin Uddin stood for the state while Advocate AKM Faiz stood for the writ petitioner.</div><div><br></div><div>Attorney General AM Amin Uddin told reporters that following the Appellate Division order there will be no bar on running schools during Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 10, the HC stayed for two months the government’s decision to keep the primary and secondary schools open in the first 10 and 15 days of Ramadan respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>The HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order following a petition seeking closure of school activities during Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>Advocate Mahmuda Khanam stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Sheikh Md Saifuzzaman represented the state.</div><div><br></div><div>On February 8, the government amended the holiday list for educational institutions keeping the regular activities of secondary schools open for 15 days during the month of Ramadan. The Education Ministry issued a notice in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>In another notice, the Primary and Mass Education Ministry issued a notice to keep the activities of primary schools during the month of Ramadan for ten days.</div><div><br></div><div>Advocate Md Ilias Ali Mandal, a guardian, filed a writ petition on February 25, challenging the two orders of the government.</div><div><br></div><div>Secretaries to the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Education Ministry, deputy secretary of Primary and Mass Education Ministry and deputy secretary of Education Ministry, Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Department, Director of Child Welfare Trust were made respondents. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 07:19:37', '2024-03-12 07:19:37'),
(11535, 11535, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for ceasefires in Gaza and Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>As Monday marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan, it is a period when Muslims around the world celebrate and spread the values of peace, reconciliation and solidarity. Yet the killing, bombing and bloodshed continue in Gaza, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"My strongest appeal today is to honor the spirit of Ramadan by silencing the guns -- and removing all obstacles to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid at the speed and massive scale required,\" he told reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>The civilian killing and destruction have been at a level that is unprecedented in his years as UN secretary-general. Meanwhile, life-saving relief for Palestinians in Gaza is coming in trickles -- if it comes at all, said Guterres.</div><div><br></div><div>International humanitarian law lies in tatters. And a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah could plummet the people of Gaza into an even deeper circle of hell, he warned.</div><div><br></div><div>Guterres also called for a Ramadan cessation of hostilities in Sudan.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The fighting there must end for the sake of the Sudanese people who face hunger, horrors and untold hardships,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"In Gaza, in Sudan, and beyond, it is time for peace. I call on political, religious and community leaders everywhere to do everything in their power to make this holy period a time for empathy, action and peace,\" said Guterres.</div><div><br></div><div>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York on March 11, 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>Guterres on Monday called for ceasefires in Gaza and Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan. According to XINHUA reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 07:21:57', '2024-03-12 07:21:57'),
(11536, 11536, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi\'s government on Monday (March 11, 2024) announced rules to implement a 2019 citizenship law that excludes Muslims, weeks before the Hindu nationalist leader seeks a third term in office.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a fast track to naturalization for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to Hindu-majority India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before Dec. 31, 2014. The law excludes Muslims, who are a majority in all three nations.</div><div><br></div><div>The law was approved by Indian Parliament in 2019, but Modi’s government had held off with its implementation after deadly protests broke out in capital New Delhi and elsewhere. Scores were killed during days of clashes.</div><div><br></div><div>The nationwide protests in 2019 drew people of all faiths who said the law undermines India’s foundation as a secular nation. Muslims were particularly worried that the government could use the law, combined with a proposed national register of citizens, to marginalize them.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Register of Citizens is part of Modi government’s effort to identify and weed out people it claims came to India illegally. The register has only been implemented in the northeastern state of Assam, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has promised to roll out a similar citizenship verification program nationwide.</div><div><br></div><div>Modi’s government has defended the 2019 citizenship law as a humanitarian gesture. It argues that the law is meant only to extend citizenship to religious minorities fleeing persecution and would not be used against Indian citizens.</div><div><br></div><div>“These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation,” Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X, formerly Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>India’s main opposition Congress party questioned the announcement, saying “the timing right before the elections is evidently designed to polarise the elections.”</div><div><br></div><div>Human rights watchdog Amnesty India in a statement called the law “discriminatory” and said it “goes against the constitutional values of equality and international human rights law.” It said the law “legitimises discrimination based on religion” and is “exclusionary in its structure and intent.”</div><div><br></div><div>India is home to 200 million Muslims who make up a large minority group in the country of more than 1.4 billion people. They are scattered across almost every part of India and have been targeted in a series of attacks that have taken place Modi first assumed power in 2014.</div><div><br></div><div>Critics say Modi’s conspicuous silence over anti-Muslim violence has emboldened some of his most extreme supporters and enabled more hate speech against Muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>Modi has increasingly mixed religion with politics in a formula that has resonated deeply with India’s majority Hindu population. In January, he opened a Hindu temple at the site of a demolished mosque in northern Ayodhya city, fulfilling his party’s long-held Hindu nationalist pledge.</div><div><br></div><div>Most poll surveys suggest Modi will win a majority in a general election that is scheduled to be held by May. According to AP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 07:49:33', '2024-03-12 07:49:33'),
(11537, 11537, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 50 people were injured Monday by what officials described as a “strong movement” on a Chilean plane traveling from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>LATAM Airlines said in a statement that there was \"a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement.” It did not elaborate on what happened.</div><div><br></div><div>Passengers were met by paramedics and more than 10 emergency vehicles when the flight touched down in Auckland.</div><div><br></div><div>About 50 people were treated at the scene for mostly mild injuries, with 13 taken to a hospital, an ambulance spokesperson said.</div><div><br></div><div>One patient was believed to be in serious condition.</div><div><br></div><div>Passengers said a number of people were not wearing seatbelts when flight LA800 suddenly dropped.</div><div><br></div><div>The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled and was due to continue on to Santiago, Chile, reports AP</div><div><br></div><div>“LATAM regrets the inconvenience and injury this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards,” the airline said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 07:58:16', '2024-03-12 07:58:16'),
(11538, 11538, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>China stepped up its greening efforts last year with 3.998 million hectares of forest planted, official data showed Tuesday</b>.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The figure was higher than the 3.83 million hectares of afforestation seen in 2022, according to a report of the National Greening Commission. In 2023, the country also restored 4.379 million hectares of degraded grassland and treated 1.905 million hectares of sandy and stony land.</div><div><br></div><div>China on Tuesday celebrates its 46th National Tree Planting Day. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 08:07:28', '2024-03-12 08:07:28'),
(11539, 11539, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>India has implemented a controversial citizenship law that has been widely criticized for excluding Muslims, a minority community whose concerns have heightened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi\'s Hindu nationalist government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The rules for the law were announced Monday. It establishes a religious test for migrants from every major South Asian faith other than Islam. Critics argue that the law is further evidence that Modi\'s government is trying to reshape the country into a Hindu state and marginalize its 200 million Muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>WHAT IS THE NEW CITIZENSHIP LAW?</div><div><br></div><div>The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a fast track to naturalization for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to Hindu-majority India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before Dec. 31, 2014. The law excludes Muslims, who are a majority in all three nations.</div><div><br></div><div>It also amends the old law, which prevents illegal migrants from becoming Indian citizens, and marks the first time that India — an officially secular state with a religiously diverse population — has set religious criteria for citizenship.</div><div><br></div><div>The Indian government has said those eligible can apply for Indian citizenship through an online portal.</div><div><br></div><div>The implementation of the law has been one of the key poll promises of Modi\'s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the run-up to the general election, which is scheduled to be held by May.</div><div><br></div><div>Modi\'s government has dismissed the notion that the law is discriminatory and defended it as a humanitarian gesture. It argues the law is meant only to extend citizenship to religious minorities fleeing persecution and would not be used against Indian citizens.</div><div><br></div><div>WHAT MAKES THE LAW SO CONTROVERSIAL?</div><div><br></div><div>The law was approved by India\'s Parliament in 2019, but Modi\'s government held off its implementation after deadly protests broke out in New Delhi and elsewhere. Scores were killed during days of clashes.</div><div><br></div><div>The nationwide protests in 2019 drew people of all faiths who said the law undermines India\'s foundation as a secular nation. Muslims were particularly worried that the government could use the law, combined with a proposed national register of citizens, to marginalize them.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Register of Citizens is part of the Modi government\'s effort to identify and weed out people it claims came to India illegally. The register has only been implemented in the northeastern state of Assam, but Modi\'s party has promised to roll out a similar citizenship verification program nationwide.</div><div><br></div><div>Critics and Muslim groups say the new citizenship law will help protect non-Muslims who are excluded from the register, while Muslims could face the threat of deportation or internment.</div><div><br></div><div>WHY ARE INDIA\'S MUSLIMS WORRIED?</div><div><br></div><div>Opponents of the law&nbsp; including Muslims, opposition parties and rights groups&nbsp; say it is exclusionary and violates the secular principles enshrined in the constitution. They say faith cannot be made a condition of citizenship.</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, Human rights watchdog Amnesty India said the law \"legitimizes discrimination based on religion.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Some also argue that if the law is aimed at protecting persecuted minorities, then it should have included Muslim religious minorities who have faced persecution in their own countries, including Ahmadis in Pakistan and Rohingyas in Myanmar.</div><div><br></div><div>To critics, Modi is pushing a Hindu nationalist agenda that threatens to erode the country\'s secular foundation, shrink space for religious minorities, particularly Muslims, and move the country closer to a Hindu nation.</div><div><br></div><div>India is home to 200 million Muslims who make up a large minority group in the country of more than 1.4 billion people. They are scattered across almost every part of India and have been targeted in a series of attacks that have taken place since Modi first assumed power in 2014.</div><div><br></div><div>Scores of Muslims have been lynched by Hindu mobs over allegations of eating beef or smuggling cows, an animal considered holy to Hindus. Muslim businesses have been boycotted, their localities have been bulldozed and places of worship set on fire. Some open calls have been made for their genocide.</div><div><br></div><div>Critics say Modi\'s conspicuous silence over anti-Muslim violence has emboldened some of his most extreme supporters and enabled more hate speech against Muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>Modi has also increasingly mixed religion with politics in a formula that has resonated deeply with India\'s majority Hindu population. In January, he opened a Hindu temple at the site of a demolished mosque in northern Ayodhya city, fulfilling his party\'s long-held Hindu nationalist pledge. According to AP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 09:08:31', '2024-03-12 09:08:31'),
(11540, 11540, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Speaker of the Parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, has said that Bangladesh is working to ensure economic, social and political justice for all.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh is committed to maintain human rights and rule of law,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She was speaking at a meeting held with Speakers of the Commonwealth countries along with the Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Lindsey Hoyle, on Monday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>The speaker of Jatiya Sangsad said that Bangladesh is determined to work to end all forms of discrimination and oppression across the world including in Commonwealth countries.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the Speaker participated in the ‘Commonwealth 75 Flag Raising Ceremony’ organised on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth at the Portcullis House of the House of Commons in London, United Kingdom.</div><div><br></div><div>She also recited Maya Angelou’s poem “The Rock Cries Out to Us Today”, according to a press release from the Parliament Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the Speaker participated in the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London, in the presence of the British royal family and guests.</div><div><br></div><div>The programme was attended by representatives from Commonwealth countries. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 09:51:07', '2024-03-12 09:51:07'),
(11541, 11541, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will host an iftar party fororphan students and alem-ulema (Islamic scholars) on Tuesday, the first day of the fasting month of Holy Ramadan.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The programme will be held at the capital’s Ladies Club.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP chairperson’s media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan has confirmed the matter to the media.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 10:39:17', '2024-03-12 10:39:17'),
(11542, 11542, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US President Joe Biden could consider conditioning aid to Israel if it extends ground operation in the Gaza Strip to the southernmost city of Rafah on the border with Egypt, where around 1.4 million people are currently sheltering, Politico reported, citing unnamed US and Israeli officials.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Last week, Biden said he would continue to send necessary supplies for Israel\'s Iron Dome missile defense system, but added that mass Palestinian casualties were a \"red line\" for him. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, said he would still enter Rafah despite the warnings, and that a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was only possible if the remaining hostages held by Palestinian movement Hamas were released.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It’s something he’s definitely thought about,\" one of the officials was quoted as saying.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the operation in Rafah is not imminent: even if the order was given today, it would not start, an anonymous Israeli military official said. Palestinian refugees would have to be evacuated from the city before it could begin, and troops would have to be trained, the official added.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel is also yet to present a sound and feasible plan to protect the civilian population of Rafah, as the United States wants to see it before any action is taken, another US official said.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 31,100 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.</div><div><br></div><div>On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. - Sputnik</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 10:43:06', '2024-03-12 10:43:06'),
(11543, 11543, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The residents in Chattogram port city are facing acute water crisis on the first day of Ramadan on Tuesday due to fall in water production by the Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Cwasa ).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to UNB, some residents of Chawkbazar, Kathalgonj, Bakoli, Halishahar, Patenga, Kattoli, Agrabad, Dewan Bazar and Muradpur area, said they have been facing water crisis for the last few days and situation turned worse as they did not get a drop of water during Sehri last night.</div><div><br></div><div>They failed to buy bottled water from shops as those remained closed.</div><div><br></div><div>Marjina Akter, a resident of Bahaddarhat, uploaded a post on her Facebook writing “There has been no water in the house since last night. I bought bottled water for Sehri, but I don\'t know how to take a bath. Every year we hear that Wasa has new projects, but when the dry season comes, nothing is seen. The issue water crisis during Ramadan should have been taken into consideration in advance. But WASA is taking water bills every month.”</div><div><br></div><div>According to Wasa, the quantity of water treatment has come down due to the rise of saline water in the water sources. This has led to the water crisis across the city.</div><div><br></div><div>Since the month of February, Wasa has been getting salt ranging from 40 to 2100 mm per liter of water. The crisis has been created mainly due to the receding of water in Kaptai Lake and the construction of a number of dams on the canals of Halda, Wasa.</div><div><br></div><div>Maksud Alam, Chief Engineer of Chattogram Wasa, said, “We have taken a decision to supply water through rationing. Initiatives are being taken to reopen 45 deep tubewells to increase water production.”</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, water production and supply are being disrupted due to load shedding, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the maximum water level in Kaptai Lake is 109 feet under normal condition but now the water level has come down to 83 feet.</div><div><br></div><div>Only one of the five units of Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Plant has been kept operational due to the fall in the water level in the lake, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>CWasa collects water from the Halda River for Sheikh Russel and Mohra Water Treatment Plant at Madunaghat and from the Karnaphuli River for Karnaphuli Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant 1 and 2 located at Rangunia.</div><div><br></div><div>But now the water level in the two rivers has decreased, he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Prof Dr Jahangir Alam, Chairman of Wasa Governing&nbsp; Board,&nbsp; said salinity level will increase further in future.</div><div><br></div><div>A \'reverse osmosis system\' can be installed in the river where water is collected for the treatment plant to remove salinity. Then there will be no salt in the water supplied to customers, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Chattogram Wasa is currently producing 45 crore liters of water daily---14 crore litres of water from Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant-1 while 9 crore liters from Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant-2, 9 crore liters from Mohra Water Treatment Plant, 9 crore liters from Sheikh Russel Water Treatment Plant and 4 crore liters from deep tube-well.</div><div><br></div><div>At present, CWasa has 78,542 residential connections and 7,767 commercial connections. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 11:19:03', '2024-03-12 11:19:03'),
(11544, 11544, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Ministry of Commerce has fixed prices of dates, an Iftar item.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to a notice issued on Monday, the ministry has fixed the price range for low-grade dates at Tk 150 to Tk 165 per kilogram. Besides, price of&nbsp; Zahidi dates, which come in sacks, has been between between Tk 170 and Tk 180 per kilogram.</div><div><br></div><div>This notice was sent to both the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 11:49:42', '2024-03-12 11:49:42');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11545, 11545, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">To commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, UN Women hosted a screening of the docuseries \"Unsilenced: Stories of Survival, Hope, and Activism\" at the EMK Center on Monday to raise awareness about efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls around the world.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The 23-minute episode includes stories from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Serbia, the Solomon Islands, and Uganda.</div><div><br></div><div>Supported by the government of Canada, the Bangladesh segment highlighted policy advocacy efforts led by civil society organizations, with technical support from UN Women.</div><div><br></div><div>A significant milestone was the passage of the Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2022 in 2022 by the National Parliament of Bangladesh, whereby the discriminatory clauses in Section 155(4)) of the Evidence Act 1872 were repealed.</div><div><br></div><div>The amended Bill prohibits questioning of a rape survivor’s character during cross-examination in a trial and incorporates the admissibility of digital evidence.</div><div><br></div><div>This is critical for empowering gender-based violence survivors as it seeks to eliminate the practice of re-traumatizing rape survivors, often referred to as ‘the second rape’.</div><div><br></div><div>The docuseries is part of UN Women’s worldwide campaign to raise awareness about ending violence against women - illustrating its various forms and how it is manifested and addressed in different contexts, by getting people to care and act.</div><div><br></div><div>It consists of three episodes with 16 stories from around the world that shed light on common threads, root causes, and the human impact of violence, and how comprehensive action on ending violence against women can transform the lives of women and girls globally.</div><div><br></div><div>Stressing on the need to end violence against women, UN Women Representative Gitanjali Singh said, “Globally and in Bangladesh, we have seen advancements on women’s empowerment and gender equality. However, eliminating violence against women and girls remains a distant reality and we are progressing too slowly.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"As we commemorate International Women’s Day, I hope the docuseries serves as a powerful reminder that we are all accountable, no one can remain a bystander. Let us collectively push forward to end violence against women and girls once and for all.”</div><div><br></div><div>Following the screening, a photo exhibition titled \"Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress\" paid tribute to the resilience, survival, and strength of Bangladeshi women.</div><div><br></div><div>Curated by artist and feminist activist Monon Muntaka, the exhibition will be open for public viewing until March 23, 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>“The film shows the situation that women and girls are living in different countries. It showcases striking and often shocking figures, even if we know huge power imbalance exists in the world. But the film also depicts strength, just like these amazing photos being showcased at this exhibition - the strength of women to change their situation and the role of men and boys to rectify the situation,” said Maria Stridsman, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation, Embassy of Sweden.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 50 participants including development partners, civil society representatives, feminists and human rights activists attended the event, ‍according to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 13:12:39', '2024-03-12 13:12:39'),
(11546, 11546, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The National Economic Council (NEC) on Tuesday approved a Tk 245,000-crore Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) for the current fiscal year of 2023-2024 (FY24), slashing the original ADP by Tk 18,000 crore.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The approval came from a NEC meeting presided over by its chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC Conference Room in the city\'s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.</div><div><br></div><div>The RADP, which prioritized road transport, communication, energy and power and some other sectors, is 6.84 percent lower than the original ADP size of Tk 263,000 crore for the current fiscal.</div><div><br></div><div>Out of the total revised RADP of Tk 2,45,000 crore, Tk 1,61,500 crore will come from the local sources, while Tk 83,500 crore from the foreign sources, said Planning Division Senior Secretary Satyajit Karmakar at a press briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the total number of projects in the RADP for the current fiscal year has been fixed at 1588. The projects include 1345 investment projects, 36 feasibility studies, 115 technical assistance projects, and 92 self-financed projects.</div><div><br></div><div>Planning Minister Major General (retd) Abdus Salam said the Prime Minister asked the authorities concerned to arrange necessary allocations for the ongoing projects whose implementation will take small funds and quick time, but invite a good return.</div><div><br></div><div>He said a number of specific proposals were placed in the meeting in line with the directives the Prime Minister earlier issued regarding project formulation, approval and implementation.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM emphasized on conducting feasibility study to avert the usual tendency of delay in project formulation and implementation stages, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Planning Minister said emphasis was also given in the meeting on prioritizing allocations and investments in the sectors like agriculture, health, education, power and energy, science and technology, social protection, climate change in line with the 8th Five Year Plan.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Stability is a prerequisite for development and it is now prevailing,\" he said, adding that the implementation of projects is now going on smoothly.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question about downsize of ADP, Salam said that revision of the ADP is a continuous process and it would continue.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Planning Shahiduzzaman Sarker said this year the RADP has been finalized considering the current and practical situation with some minor changes.</div><div><br></div><div>The Planning Secretary informed that the PM asked the ministries and divisions concerned to complete some 330 projects, which are nearing completion, to complete those within the current fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the RADP for FY24, the transport and communication sector got the highest allocation of Tk 63,263.31 (25.82%) followed by power and energy sector Tk 37,896.73 crore (15.47%), housing and community facilities Tk 28,002.15 crore (11.43%), Local Government and Rural Development Tk 19,969.71 crore (8.15%), education Tk 17,229.91 crore (7.03%), environment, climate change and water resources Tk 14,391 crore (5.87%), health Tk 12,066.76 crore (4.93%), agriculture Tk 10,317.76 crore (4.21%), industry and Economic services Tk 4,630.43 crore (1.89%) and science and ICT Tk 3,637.12 crore (1.48%).</div><div><br></div><div>Out of the highest allocation recipient ministries and divisions, Local Government Division topped the list with Tk 42,700.76 crore (17.43%) followed by Road Transport and Highways Division Tk 27,803.45 crore (11.35%), Power Division Tk 27,127.45 crore (11.07%), Ministry of Railways Tk 13,117.62 crore (5.35%), Ministry of Water Resources Tk 12,192.75 crore (4.98%), Ministry of Science and Technology Tk 11,415.51 crore (4.66%) and Health Services Division Tk 9,345.49 crore (3.81%). - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 13:16:09', '2024-03-12 13:16:09'),
(11547, 11547, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Police recovered two bodies, including a female from a house in the city\'s Uttara area on Monday night.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were identified as Ibrahim Sheikh Apurba (28) and Moushumi Akhter (35). It has been known that Ibrahim was the adopted brother of Moushumi.</div><div><br></div><div>Being informed, a team of Turag police station rushed to the spot and recovered the two bodies after breaking the door of a room inside the house in Uttara Sector No. 10 around 10:30 PM on Monday night.</div><div><br></div><div>Ibrahim Sheikh Apurba\' was hailed from Faridpur district and Moushumi Akter from Chandpur district.</div><div><br></div><div>Quoting neighbours, police said Ibrahim has been residing in a rented room of the house. Moushumi often used to visit the house. She had been residing at a rented house in Uttara Sector -10 with her husband.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;She went to the house of her brother Ibrahim sometime between 12:00pm and 4:00 pm on Monday. Finding no response from inside the room for a long time, neighbours informed Turag Police Station at around 8:30 pm. Later, police rushed to the house and broke the door with the house owner and found the two dead bodies inside.</div><div><br></div><div>Police found the body of the woman lying on the bed with her throat cut and a bloody knife was also seen beside her. On the other hand, the body of the young man was lying on the floor. He had a plastic wire wrapped around his neck, police said.</div><div><br></div><div>Contacted, the officer in charge (OC) of Turag police station Mohammad Mostafa Anwar said that the door of that room was fixed from inside. Later the police went inside breaking the door and found the two bodies lying there. The female corpse has a cut throat and the male corpse has scars on its throat.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question, the OC said that the woman\'s throat had been cut. She is believed to have been killed by slitting her throat. Ibrahim has a black spot on its neck. It seems that he might be committed suicide by hanging himself, then the rope snapped.</div><div><br></div><div>The bodies were sent to Shaheed Sohrwardi medical college hospital for post mortem. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 13:36:20', '2024-03-12 13:36:20'),
(11548, 11548, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited maintained an all-win run in the 11-team Green Delta Premier Division Hockey League crushing Azad SC by 10-1 goals at the Moulana Bhasani National Stadium here on Tuesday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>This was the 3rd consecutive victory for the sky- blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the league after crushing Dilkusha SC by 10-1 goals in the first match and beat old Dhaka giant Usha KC by 2-1 goals in the 2nd match.</div><div><br></div><div>In the day\'s match, Pushkar Kisha Mimo, Rakibul Hasan Rocky and Roman Sarkar scored two goals each while Naimuddin, Mohammad Abdullah, Ashraful Islam and Farhad Ahmed Shitul scored one goal each for Abahani while Mohabbat scored the consolation goal for Azad SC.</div><div><br></div><div>Defender Farhad Ahmed Shitul opened the floodgate for Abahani in the 2nd minute from a penalty corner (1-0), Rakibul Hasan doubled the margin in the 8th minute by a field goal (2-0), Pushkar Kisha Mimo scored the 3rd goal for Abahani in the 14th minute (3-0).</div><div><br></div><div>Naimuddin contributed a field goal in the 19th (4-0), Pushkar Kisha Mimo scored his 2nd and 5th goal for Abahani in the following minute (20th minute, defender Ashraful Islam scored the 6th goal in the 21st minute from a penalty corner (6-0).</div><div><br></div><div>In the 33rd minute, Rakibul Hasan scored his 2nd and the 7th goal for Abahani, Roman Sarkar further sounded the Abahani margin scoring the 8th goal in the 38th minute (8-0) and Mohammad Abdullah made it 9-0 in the 42nd minute (9-0).</div><div><br></div><div>Mohabbat pulled Azad SC margin one back by a field goal in the 51st minute (9-1) while Roman Sarkar sealed the fate of the match scoring his 2nd and the 10th goal for Abahani in the 58th minute (10-1). - unb</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 13:47:47', '2024-03-12 13:47:47'),
(11549, 11549, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A group of Somalian pirates seized control of the Bangladesh-flagged cargo vessel, MV Abdullah, in the Indian Ocean earlier today, officials reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The ship, carrying coal from Mozambique\'s Maputo port to Al Hamriyah Port in the UAE, was attacked around noon.</div><div><br></div><div>The MV Abdullah, owned by SR Shipping Lines, a sister company of Chattogram-based Kabir Steel and Rerolling Mill (KSRM) Group, has 23 crew members on board.</div><div><br></div><div>All crew members are being held hostage by the pirates, said KSRM\'s media adviser Mizanul Islam, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;“We have received information that the vessel is under attack by pirates in the Indian Ocean. The crew are secured within the ship\'s cabins,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are working to establish communication with them,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 14:16:09', '2024-03-12 14:16:09'),
(11550, 11550, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that the government is working to send back Myanmar\'s border guards who have taken refuge in Bangladesh in the same way that they did before.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Till Tuesday noon, 177 new members of Myanmar Border Guard Police have entered Bangladesh, he said, adding that some civilians who tried to come were sent back.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister was responding to questions from the journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked whether the ambassador of Myanmar will be summoned, Minister Hasan said that his Ministry is in constant contact with them.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ambassador will be summoned if necessary, but not yet called, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said that members of their border guard and army and some members of their families had taken shelter from Myanmar earlier.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We sent them back through discussion with the Myanmar government. The same thing is being done this time,&nbsp; too. Such situation is repeatedly created due to the volatile situation inside Myanmar, especially in the border areas,\" Hasan said.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the courtesy meeting with the High Commissioner of Malaysia Haznah Md. Hashim, Foreign Minister Hasan said that the welfare and employment growth of Bangladeshis working in Malaysia, more investment from Malaysia, which is the 8th highest country investing in Bangladesh, and Bangladesh\'s application for dialogue partnership with ASEAN countries, were discussed.</div><div><br></div><div>Total Market Management Plan</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said public anger has been created against dishonest traders and this needs to be utilised as a strength. \"Besides, the government is planning a comprehensive market management, so that traders cannot do whatever they want,\" reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to the mindset of the businessmen, Hasan said, \"Hopefully good sense will prevail among the businessmen in the holy month of Ramadan and they will refrain from the tendency to make excessive profits.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Awami League joint general secretary Hasan said BNP leaders have been criticizing the government day and night.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, \"They say there is no freedom of speech! In fact, they say all these things in extreme frustration after the election, they just want to sustain, nothing else.\"&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-12 14:45:47', '2024-03-12 14:45:47'),
(11551, 11551, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Eleven out of the 23 crew members of a Bangladeshi cargo vessel, MV Abdullah, that was hijacked by a group of Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, are residents of Chattogram.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Tuesday, the ship, carrying coal from Mozambique’s Maputo port to Al Hamriyah Port in the UAE, was attacked around noon.</div><div><br></div><div>MV Abdullah is owned by SR Shipping Lines – a sister company of Chattogram-based Kabir Steel and Rerolling Mill (KSRM) Group. All crew members are being held hostage by the pirates, said KSRM’s media adviser Mizanul Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>The crew members are: Captain Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Chief Officer Mohammad Atikullah Khan, Second Officer Mazharul Islam Chowdhury, Third Officer Tarequl Islam, Deck Cadet Sabbir Hossain, Chief Engineer ASM Saiduzzaman, Second Officer Toufiqul Islam, Third Engineer Rokon Uddin, Fourth Engineer Tanvir Ahmed, Engine Cadet Ayub Khan, electrician Ibrahim Khalil, seaman Md Anwarul Haque, seaman Md Asifur Rahman, seaman Sazzad Hossain, seaman Joy Mahmud, seaman Nazmul Haque, seaman Ainul Haque, oiler Mohamamd Shamsuddin, Ali Hossain, fireman Mosharraf Hossain Shakil, chief cook Shafiqul Islam, general steward Nur Uddin, and fitter Saleh Ahmed.</div><div><br></div><div>KSRM owns 23 ships – all operating on international routes.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2010, one of the ships, ‘MV Zahan Moni’, was hijacked and was later released by Somali pirates after providing ransom. According to UNB Reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 09:26:20', '2024-03-13 09:26:20'),
(11552, 11552, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if there is a threat to Russian statehood, sovereignty, or independence.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking in an interview with Russian state television released early Wednesday, Putin said he hoped that the U.S. would avoid any escalation that could trigger a nuclear war, but emphasized that Russia’s nuclear forces are ready for it.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked if he has ever considered using battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin responded that there has been no need for that.</div><div><br></div><div>He also voiced confidence that Moscow will achieve its goals in Ukraine and held the door open for talks, emphasizing that any deal would require firm guarantees from the West. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 09:31:29', '2024-03-13 09:31:29'),
(11553, 11553, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><b>President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clinched their parties’ presidential nominations Tuesday with decisive victories in a slate of low-profile primaries, setting up a general election rematch that many voters do not want.</b></div><div><br></div><div>The outcome of contests across Georgia, Mississippi and Washington state was never in doubt. Neither Biden, a Democrat, nor Trump, a Republican, faced major opposition. But the magnitude of their wins gave each man the delegate majority he needed to claim his party’s nomination at the summertime national conventions.</div><div><br></div><div>Not even halfway through the presidential primary calendar, Tuesday marked a crystalizing moment for a nation uneasy with its choices in 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>There is no longer any doubt that the fall election will feature a rematch between two flawed and unpopular presidents. At 81, Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history, while the 77-year-old Trump is facing decades in prison as a defendant in four criminal cases. Their rematch — the first featuring two U.S. presidents since 1912 — will almost certainly deepen the nation’s searing political and cultural divides over the eight-month grind that lies ahead.</div><div><br></div><div>In a statement, Biden celebrated the nomination while casting Trump as a serious threat to democracy.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump, Biden said, “is running a campaign of resentment, revenge, and retribution that threatens the very idea of America.”</div><div><br></div><div>He continued, “I am honored that the broad coalition of voters representing the rich diversity of the Democratic Party across the country have put their faith in me once again to lead our party — and our country — in a moment when the threat Trump poses is greater than ever.”</div><div><br></div><div>Trump, in a video posted on social media, celebrated what he called “a great day of victory.”</div><div><br></div><div>“But now we have to get back to work because we have the worst president in the history of our country,” Trump said of Biden. “So, we’re not going to take time to celebrate. We’ll celebrate in eight months when the election is over.”</div><div><br></div><div>Both candidates dominated Tuesday’s primaries in swing-state Georgia, deep-red Mississippi and Democratic-leaning Washington. Voting was taking place later in Hawaii’s Republican caucus.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite their tough talk, the road ahead will not be easy for either presumptive nominee.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump is facing 91 felony counts in four criminal cases involving his handling of classified documents and his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, among other alleged crimes. He’s also facing increasingly pointed questions about his policy plans and relationships with some of the world’s most dangerous dictators. Trump met privately on Friday with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has rolled back democracy in his country.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden, who would be 86 years old at the end of his next term, is working to assure a skeptical electorate that he’s still physically and mentally able to thrive in the world’s most important job. Voters in both parties are unhappy with his handling of immigration and inflation.</div><div><br></div><div>And he’s dealing with additional dissension within his party’s progressive base, furious that he hasn’t done more to stop Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Activists and religious leaders in Washington encouraged Democrats to vote “uncommitted” to signal their outrage.</div><div><br></div><div>In Seattle, 26-year-old voter Bella Rivera said they hoped their “uncommitted” vote would would serve as a wakeup call for the Democratic party.</div><div><br></div><div>“If you really want our votes, if you want to win this election, you’re going to have to show a little bit more either support of Palestinian liberation — that’s something that’s very important to us — and ceasing funds to Israel,” said Rivera, a preschool teacher who uses they/them pronouns.</div><div><br></div><div>Almost 3,000 miles away in Georgia, retiree Donna Graham said she would have preferred another Republican nominee over Trump, but she said there’s no way she’d ever vote for Biden in the general election, reports AP</div><div><br></div><div>“He wasn’t my first choice, but he’s the next best thing,” Graham said of Trump. “It’s sad that it’s the same old matchup as four years ago.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 10:03:10', '2024-03-13 10:03:10'),
(11554, 11554, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Sri Lanka elected to bat first after winning the toss in the opening ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh in Chattogram on Wednesday.</b></div><div><br></div><div>Chattogram\'s wickets traditionally favour batsmen, hinting at potentially high-scoring encounters in this series.</div><div><br></div><div>In the head-to-head statistics, Bangladesh has won just 10 out of the 54 ODIs played against Sri Lanka.</div><div><br></div><div>Both teams have expressed their desire to win this match and, eventually, the series. Bangladesh lag behind Sri Lanka in T20Is, but they are a strong opponent for the Lankans in ODIs.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh XI: Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk and captain), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 10:07:48', '2024-03-13 10:07:48'),
(11555, 11555, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Oil prices spiked on Wednesday following data released late Tuesday by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the American Petroleum Institute indicating a positive demand outlook.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>International benchmark Brent crude traded at $82.22 per barrel at 10.44 a.m. local time (0744 GMT) for a 0.36% increase from the closing price of $81.92 a barrel in the previous trading session.</div><div><br></div><div>The American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $77.83 per barrel at the same time, a 0.35% rise from the previous session that closed at $77.56 per barrel.</div><div><br></div><div>Oil prices increased after OPEC\'s monthly oil market report revealed that the global oil demand growth forecast for 2024 remains unchanged from last month\'s assessment of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) year on year.</div><div><br></div><div>According to OPEC, total global oil demand is projected to reach 104.5 million bpd this year, \"supported by strong air travel demand and increased road mobility, including on-road diesel and trucking, as well as healthy industrial, construction, and agricultural activities, particularly in non-OECD countries.”</div><div><br></div><div>Markets interpreted this forecast positively and supported upward price movements.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute (API) late Tuesday announced a decrease of 5.5 million barrels in US crude oil inventories, against the market expectation of a draw of 400,000 barrels.</div><div><br></div><div>The US, the world\'s top oil consumer, saw a decline in its commercial crude oil reserves, which reinforced the perception that domestic demand remains strong enough to drive up oil prices.</div><div><br></div><div>The US Energy Information Administration\'s (EIA) data on oil stocks will be announced later on Wednesday, and if the stock decline is confirmed to be lower than estimates, prices could rise further.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite data released Tuesday indicating US inflation exceeded expectations, market anticipation that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will begin rate cuts in June supported oil price rises.</div><div><br></div><div>However, economic uncertainties, especially concerns over weak economic data from China, the world\'s second-largest oil consumer, which is negatively affecting oil demand, have limited upward price movements. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 10:19:13', '2024-03-13 10:19:13'),
(11556, 11556, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Israeli army admitted that the Palestinian man it killed for allegedly \'carrying a rocket launcher\' was actually carrying a bicycle.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>On Sunday, the Israeli army published drone footage of a drone targeting two men walking among the rubble in the Zeitoun neighborhood in the northern Gaza Strip, claiming that one of them was carrying a rocket launcher.</div><div><br></div><div>In response to a question from an Anadolu reporter, the Israeli army spokesperson\'s unit admitted that the Palestinian they killed for allegedly carrying a rocket launcher was actually carrying a bicycle.</div><div><br></div><div>The spokesperson\'s unit said that the area is a war zone, and army units have fought many clashes with armed Hamas-affiliated elements there.</div><div><br></div><div>It claimed that armed elements in the area previously used the route targeted by the Israeli drone to smuggle weapons and carry out attacks.</div><div><br></div><div>Apologizing for the incident, the office stated that it was an \"erroneous conclusion.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The unit claimed the Israeli army identified the cyclist as someone carrying a rocket launcher and sought to justify the attack as an immediate response to the situation. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 10:41:49', '2024-03-13 10:41:49'),
(11557, 11557, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli police say a Palestinian stabbed and wounded two people at a checkpoint near Jerusalem before being shot Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said the two people who were stabbed were in “mild to moderate condition.” Israeli police said the two people who were stabbed were members of the security forces, without elaborating. An Associated Press reporter saw the body of the attacker.</div><div><br></div><div>Violence has surged in the occupied West Bank since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack triggered the war in Gaza. At least 427 Palestinians have been killed there, mostly during confrontations with Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli-Palestinian tensions often soar during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Sunday, over access to a major holy site in Jerusalem.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza, as well as east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for their future state.</div><div><br></div><div>Overnight clashes with Israeli forces leave at least 3 Palestinians dead</div><div>Israeli forces killed at least three Palestinians in two separate clashes overnight, including 13-year-old Rami Hamdan Al-Halhuli, who had hurled fireworks at the paramilitary Border Police during a violent protest. The Palestinian Authority said he was shot dead late Tuesday in the Shuafat refugee camp, a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Jerusalem.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli police say a member of the paramilitary Border Police fired “a single shot” toward a suspect who aimed fireworks in their direction during confrontations in Shuafat. It says the suspect was “apprehended, arrested and transferred for medical treatment.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Border Police also said they opened fire at five Palestinians who were hurling firebombs at vehicles on a highway near Jerusalem late Tuesday. It says they were arrested and transferred for medical treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli forces killed two Palestinians, ages 16 and 23, and wounded three in the village of Al-Jib, near Jerusalem. It says they were brought to a hospital in the nearby city of Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority is headquartered.</div><div><br></div><div>The two sides appeared to be describing the same incident. Police could not immediately be reached for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 427 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the war, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, mainly during confrontations with Israeli forces.</div><div><br></div><div>6 trucks carry aid into Gaza from the north for the first time since war erupted</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli military said an aid convoy has for the first time entered the Gaza Strip through a crossing in the war-ravaged northern half of the territory.</div><div><br></div><div>Six trucks entered Gaza late Tuesday through a gate in the border fence, carrying goods from the World Food Program, the military said. It described the delivery as a test run and said the Israeli government would review the results.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel alleges that Hamas is commandeering aid. At the same time, Israel is under growing international pressure to ease restrictions on aid entering Gaza, particularly the northern half of the territory. Up to now, aid convoys entered Gaza from its southern end and had to make their way through areas of fighting and large, desperate crowds of Palestinians.</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war and accused it of blocking overland routes that are the best way to get food to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians facing famine.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States and other countries have resorted to workarounds, such as air drops and setting up a sea route, but aid officials say land deliveries remain the most efficient. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 10:44:59', '2024-03-13 10:44:59'),
(11558, 11558, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The High Court (HC) on Wednesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the arrests of workers during raids on hotels and restaurants in the capital following the Bailey Road fire, should not be declared illegal.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The HC asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide within the next 30 days a list of the total number of workers arrested during raids.</div><div><br></div><div>The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah passed the order following a writ petition.</div><div><br></div><div>Secretaries to home, labour, employment and law ministries, and inspector general of police have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>Barrister Masud R Sobhan stood for the writ petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier Monday, Barrister Masud R Sobhan and his wife Barrister Fatema S Chowdhury filed the writ petition.</div><div><br></div><div>Barrister Fatema S Chowdhury said according to media reports, law enforcers have arrested at least 800 workers.</div><div><br></div><div>“However, these workers do not own any building or restaurant. They are just employees. They used to get a salary of&nbsp; TK 10,000 to TK15,000 per month. They are innocent. They were illegally detained and kept with the inmates in the jail. That\'s why I filed a writ challenging the legality of their arrest,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>On February 29, 46 people were killed in a devastating fire at Green Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road in the capital. Since then, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been conducting drives in various restaurants.</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 872 people have been arrested and 20 cases filed so far during these drives. Disciplinary action was taken in 887 cases.</div><div><br></div><div>The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) is also conducting drives and closed some restaurants. Police are also allegedly detaining many people from small roadside food shops.</div><div><br></div><div>The Restaurant Owners\' Association has criticised the raids conducted by government agencies on various restaurants in Dhaka, claiming it \'harassing\'.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Tuesday, the same bench of the High Court issued a rule in response to a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners’ Association. The High Court issued a rule asking why harassing hotels and restaurants in the name of raids in the capital is not illegal. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 10:48:28', '2024-03-13 10:48:28'),
(11559, 11559, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called for&nbsp; standing beside the common people as much as possible during Ramadan.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She made this appeal, while chairing the Cabinet meeting held at her office in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters after the meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>“Today the Prime Minister has made an appeal. She earlier gave a decision not to arrange iftar parties. (Today) She said those who are eager or have resouces should stand by the people as per their capacity. If needed, they should stand by the common people with the money they are eager to spend for the Iftar parties,” said Mahbub.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the premier issued two specific directives for the authorities concerned - one is to develop agriculture-based cooperatives and the second one is to construct modern preservation storages in the country\'s eight divisions to preserve agro-goods, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>She directed the Agriculture Ministry and the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division to develop agriculture-based cooperatives in line with the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>The construction of modern preservation storages will help control unusual price-hikes of some goods and maintain the normal supply of the products in the market during the off-season, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>The PM also said that the modern preservation storages should have separate chambers for different agricultural goods, according to the cabinet secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 13:11:43', '2024-03-13 13:11:43'),
(11560, 11560, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said efforts are being made to rescue hijacked Bangladeshi flag carrier MV Abdullah and its 23 crew through the \'second party\'.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said that those who hijacked the ship have not yet been formally contacted.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are trying to communicate with the pirates via a second party,\" he told reporters after attending a programme at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, “We have informed those who need to be contacted in this regard,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Tuesday, the ship, carrying coal from Mozambique’s Maputo port to Al Hamriyah Port in the UAE, was attacked around noon.</div><div><br></div><div>MV Abdullah is owned by SR Shipping Lines – a sister company of Chattogram-based Kabir Steel and Rerolling Mill (KSRM) Group.</div><div><br></div><div>All crew members are being held hostage by the pirates, said KSRM’s media adviser Mizanul Islam. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 14:16:57', '2024-03-13 14:16:57'),
(11561, 11561, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>India has implemented a controversial citizenship law that has been widely criticized for excluding Muslims, a minority community whose concerns have heightened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The rules for the law were announced Monday. It establishes a religious test for migrants from every major South Asian faith other than Islam. Critics argue that the law is further evidence that Modi’s government is trying to reshape the country into a Hindu state and marginalize its 200 million Muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>WHAT IS THE NEW CITIZENSHIP LAW?</div><div><br></div><div>The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a fast track to naturalization for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to Hindu-majority India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before Dec. 31, 2014. The law excludes Muslims, who are a majority in all three nations.</div><div><br></div><div>It also amends the old law, which prevents illegal migrants from becoming Indian citizens, and marks the first time that India — an officially secular state with a religiously diverse population — has set religious criteria for citizenship.</div><div><br></div><div>The Indian government has said those eligible can apply for Indian citizenship through an online portal.</div><div><br></div><div>The implementation of the law has been one of the key poll promises of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the run-up to the general election, which is scheduled to be held by May.</div><div><br></div><div>Modi’s government has dismissed the notion that the law is discriminatory and defended it as a humanitarian gesture. It argues the law is meant only to extend citizenship to religious minorities fleeing persecution and would not be used against Indian citizens. - AP</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 14:22:03', '2024-03-13 14:22:03'),
(11562, 11562, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Bank has specified the qualification of independent directors for non-banking financial institutions (NBFI) in order to ensure good governance in the financial institutes.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The central bank in a directive said that a maximum of 15 directors including two independent directors can be appointed for an NBFI in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>The independent directors should have a bachelor\'s degree with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience, a minimum age of 45 years and a maximum age of 75 years.</div><div><br></div><div>“Monthly salary will be a maximum Tk50,000 depending on ability. No person who has an interest or apparent interest in any financial institution can be eligible for an independent director,” said the directives.</div><div><br></div><div>The Financial Institutions and Markets Department of the central bank issued guidelines on the experience and suitability of independent directors. The new directives will come into effect immediately.</div><div><br></div><div>The central bank said the independent directors must be from faculty of business education of public/ autonomous/ private universities, or experienced teachers in business administration, management, law, and information technology, persons engaged in the legal profession.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, individuals with professional degrees in accounting engaged in the accounting profession, experienced bankers, Ministry of Commerce, Experienced officers of the Financial Institutions Division, Finance Division, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of Law can be considered on a priority basis. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 14:38:59', '2024-03-13 14:38:59'),
(11563, 11563, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">\"Our ship has been attacked. The ship is being hijacked and taken to the coast of Somalia. We are all being held in a room. We have not been beaten. By the grace of Allah, we are doing well, so far, please pray!\"</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>These were the words of ASM Saiduzzaman, chief engineer of the hijacked MV Abdullah ship in the Indian Ocean, to his wife Mehreen Safrin Zaman by phone on Tuesday night.</div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday morning, a recorded voice message came to Mehreen\'s phone again. In that message, a voice is heard saying, \"Sir is fine. Sir is sleeping after eating Sehri. If you have any messages, send an SMS to this number.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Mehreen, worried about her husband, said, \"The work of the ship is very risky. Sometimes when he goes deep into the sea, there is no contact with him for 15-20 days. I used to worry then. I would only get in touch with him when he came back within the network. But this time the matter is very worrying. They have fallen into the hands of pirates. I see in the news that if they don\'t get the ransom, they will kill them one by one.”</div><div><br></div><div>“I am spending my time in extreme anxiety in this situation. I can\'t go anywhere for help with my one-year-old daughter and ailing in-laws. Our appeal to the government and the shipping company authorities is to somehow rescue my husband from the pirates.\"</div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday afternoon, the correspondent went to the house of Engineer Saiduzzaman in the RG Naogaon area of Naogaon city and spoke to his wife, father Abdul Qaiyum and mother Kahinur Begum.</div><div><br></div><div>Qaiyum, former principal of Sapahar Government College in Nawabganj and former president of Nawabganj District Press Club, said that he received a call from his son\'s number yesterday (Tuesday) at 3:30 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>“He called and said that their ship had been attacked by pirates. The ship is being taken to the coast of Somalia. After that, he sent a voice SMS from another number last night and this morning. He said in the voice SMS that he is doing well. The pirates did not beat him. They are all being held in a room. They are not being given much water to drink as there is a shortage of food and water on the ship.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Qaiyum expressed his anger and said, \"The ship was attacked by pirates due to the negligence of the shipping company. They carry crores of taka worth of goods, but they do not employ any armed guards on that ship. If there were (armed) coast guards, the pirates would not have been able to attack so easily. This is not the first time that a ship of this company has been attacked by pirates.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Saiduzzaman has been working as a marine engineer for 20 years on ships of various domestic and foreign companies.</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday at 1:30 pm Bangladesh time, Somali pirates boarded and took control of the ship en route from Maputo port in Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. The ship is carrying 58,000 tonnes of coal. All 23 sailors on board are Bangladeshis. The ship is owned by SR Shipping Limited, an associate company of Chattogram’s Kabir Group, popularly known as KSRM, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 14:59:46', '2024-03-13 14:59:46');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11564, 11564, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with other humanitarian partners, on Wednesday called on the international community to redouble efforts to protect and assist Rohingya refugees and their host communities.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh is generously hosting over a million Rohingyas, most of whom fled Myanmar seven years ago.</div><div><br></div><div>The 2024 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis was launched in Geneva on Wednesday under the leadership of the Bangladeshi authorities.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The funding appeal seeks $852.4 million to reach some 1.35 million people including Rohingya refugees and host communities.</div><div><br></div><div>The plan and related financial needs is being presented to donors in Geneva by Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh; Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Principal Secretary to the Bangladesh Prime Minister; Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees; and Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration.</div><div><br></div><div>International solidarity with Bangladesh and refugee protection is needed more than ever as the conflict in Myanmar escalates, said the UN agency.</div><div><br></div><div>The Joint Response Plan brought together 117 partners, nearly half of them Bangladeshi organizations.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>It aimed to help some 1 million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and on the island of Bhasan Char, and 346,000 from host communities, with food, shelter, health care, access to drinkable water, protection services, education and livelihood opportunities and skills development.</div><div><br></div><div>Some 95 per cent of Rohingya households in Bangladesh are vulnerable and remain dependent on humanitarian assistance.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Sustained assistance is critically and urgently needed, particularly by women and children, who make up more than 75 per cent of the targeted refugee population, and face heightened risks of abuse, exploitation and gender-based violence.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>More than half of the refugees in the camps are under 18, languishing amidst limited opportunities for education, skills-building and livelihoods.</div><div><br></div><div>The government of Bangladesh, local communities and aid agencies need sustained international support to respond to increasing needs as this humanitarian crisis remains largely out of the international spotlight.</div><div><br></div><div>Underfunding in previous years has had serious implications as Rohingya women, children and men -- who fled to Bangladesh to escape violence and persecution in Myanmar -- struggle to meet basic needs and their plight risks slipping into obscurity.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Rohingya refugees remain in limbo relying on humanitarian assistance to survive in crowded camps plagued by insecurity and natural disasters, said the UN refugee agency.</div><div><br></div><div>The international community must continue funding life-saving and life-sustaining assistance to refugees in the camps, investing in education, skills training and livelihood opportunities.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This is a lifeline to refugees struggling to meet their basic needs and supplement limited humanitarian assistance.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Steps are also needed to ensure pledges made at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in December are fulfilled.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>These included enhancing self-reliance for Rohingya to provide hope and reduce the number of dangerous boat journeys taken, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 16:06:04', '2024-03-13 16:06:04'),
(11565, 11565, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Germany said Wednesday it was joining an air bridge operation along with several other countries to drop desperately needed humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The operation, initiated by Jordan, already has the participation of several other countries including France and the United States.</div><div><br></div><div>The defense ministry said it would deploy the German part of a joint German-French air transport squadron to participate in the mission.</div><div><br></div><div>The team is equipped with C-130J Hercules transport planes, said the ministry, adding that Germany’s operation could begin as soon as the end of this week.</div><div><br></div><div>“The people in Gaza are lacking the most basic necessities. We want to do our part to ensure that they get access to food and medicine,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.</div><div><br></div><div>After one parachuted airdrop turned lethal on March 8, the minister sought to allay fears.</div><div><br></div><div>“The truth is that airdrops are not without danger. The crews responsible are trained for the relevant procedures and highly experienced,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Gaza has faced relentless bombardment by Israel since Hamas launched a cross-border attack on October 7 that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel’s retaliatory bombardment and ground offensive has killed 31,184 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>Aid groups say only a fraction of the supplies required to meet basic humanitarian needs have been allowed into Gaza since October.</div><div><br></div><div>With help entering Gaza by truck far below pre-war levels, and Gazans increasingly desperate, foreign governments have turned to airdrops and are now trying to open a maritime aid corridor from Cyprus. According to AFP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-13 16:21:48', '2024-03-13 16:21:48'),
(11566, 11566, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday stressed the need for diversifying jute products according to the demand of the international market to unlock a huge export potential.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We’ve to pay attention to exploring new export markets for jutes, assess what type of goods has demand in different countries, and produce such products accordingly,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said this while opening six jute mills and the three-day multipurpose jute product fair-2024 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on the occasion of the National Jute Day-2024.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The National Jute Day is observed on March 06 every year. This year, the day was celebrated with the theme of ‘Bangabandhur Sonar Desh, Smart Pat Shilper Bangladesh’ (Bangabandhu’s golden country to be Bangladesh with smart jute industries).</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said if Bangladesh can raise the production of jute and jute goods as much as possible, it will open the door of unlocking a huge export potential alongside enhancing the use of jute goods in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that jute is the golden fibre, she said these golden fibres may bring the golden days for Bangladesh. “So, we’ve to utilise it properly,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>“If we want to diversify our export basket, I think jute and jute goods can play one of the key roles here,” said Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>She urged the authorities of jute mills leased out by Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) to be sincere to produce new goods, explore new markets, and boost export of jute products.</div><div><br></div><div>Describing jute as environment-friendly goods, she said there is a huge potential market of jute products in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said unfortunately, jute neither enjoys the facilities as an agro-product nor as an export-oriented good.</div><div><br></div><div>“But we’ve taken a decision that we’ll ensure incentives for jute as agro-product and export goods,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said the demand for jute goods would never go. “This golden fibre can keep an immense contribution to our economy,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In the wake of climate change, an enormous scope has been created for jute products as these are environment-friendly, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister informed that the saree she was wearing at the function is made of jute fibre. “The golden days of jute-made sarees have returned,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>After the speech she visited different stalls at the fair.</div><div><br></div><div>At the function, the prime minister handed over honorary crests to 11 individuals and organisations under 11 categories as well as nine jute related associations for their contributions to the jute sector.</div><div><br></div><div>Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak chaired the event, while Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles and Jute Ministry Golam Dastagir Gazi and President of Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) Abul Hossain spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Textiles and Jute Secretary Abdur Rauf delivered the introductory speech.</div><div><br></div><div>The newly opened six jute mills, which were leased out by BJMC but now are run under private ventures are KFD Jute Mills Ltd at Rangunia in Chattogram, Bangladesh Jute Mills at Ghorashal in Narsingdi, Jatiya Jute Mills Ltd at Raipur in Sirajganj, Jashore Jute Industries Ltd and Carpeting Jute Mills Ltd at Rajghat in Jashore and Daulatpur Jute Mills Ltd at Shahor Khalishpur in Khulna. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 07:31:46', '2024-03-14 07:31:46'),
(11567, 11567, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladeshi cargo vessel MV Abdullah which was hijacked by a group of Somali pirates will reach the Somali’s coast by Thursday afternoon.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The pirates may take the vessel to the Somalia coast around 2 pm (Bangladesh time), said Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain, general secretary of Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officer’s Association(BMMOA) quoting International Maritime Bureau (IMB).</div><div><br></div><div>Now the vessel is around 20 nautical miles off the Somalian coast and it will reach the coast within two hours, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Chief Officer of MV Abdullah Captain Atique Ullah Khan through a whatsapp audio message said, “The pirates allowed them to take Sehri and all the 23 crew members are safe and sound,”</div><div><br></div><div>The cell phone sets of all crew members were seized on Tuesday, he said in the audio message.</div><div><br></div><div>The message reads—“All of the crew members were taken to the bridge of the vessel and no one was physically assaulted yet. As we all co-operated, the pirates behaved well to us.”</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday, pirates took control of the ship, carrying coal from Mozambique’s Maputo port to Al Hamriyah Port in the UAE, around noon.</div><div><br></div><div>MV Abdullah is owned by SR Shipping Lines – a sister company of Chattogram-based Kabir Steel and Rerolling Mill (KSRM) Group.</div><div><br></div><div>Amid worries and uncertainty over the fate of the crew, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said the government has already communicated with relevant international bodies in an effort to rescue hijacked ship MV Abdullah and the sailors safely.</div><div><br></div><div>The Piracy Reporting Center in Kuala Lumpur, Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), New Delhi, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the Singapore office under the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia have already been informed regarding the matter, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the situation of the Bangladesh ship has also been reported to the ships of the UK, the USA, India and China operating in that area, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The waters off Somalia saw a peak in piracy in 2011 when the U.N. said more than 160 attacks were recorded, reports AP.</div><div><br></div><div>The incidents declined drastically afterward, largely due to the presence of American and allied navies in international waters. According to UNB Reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 08:20:36', '2024-03-14 08:20:36'),
(11568, 11568, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russia considers Islamophobia \"an unacceptable form of racism,\" Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Zakharova said Russia stands in solidarity with the approaches of Muslim countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on this issue.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We stand against discrimination and harassment of Muslims on the grounds of religious affiliation as well as for ensuring religious freedoms based on respect for not only the individual but also collective rights of believers,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Zakharova pledged Russia\'s support for a draft resolution of the Muslim countries at the UN General Assembly titled \"Measures to Combat Islamophobia\" dedicated to the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, which is celebrated every year on March 15.</div><div><br></div><div>The resolution prescribes respect for Islam as a component of the principle of cultural and religious diversity and also provides for the establishment of the mandate of the UN Special Envoy to combat this form of religious intolerance, she noted.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Russia is a co-sponsor of the draft resolution,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, Zakharova slammed Islamophobia in Europe, saying it had reached an \"unprecedented scale” in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 08:36:03', '2024-03-14 08:36:03'),
(11569, 11569, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh Garments Accessories &amp; Packaging Manufacturers &amp; Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) organised a members meet up for upcomming election on 10-03-2024 at Uttara club, Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the speakers there were present Jamil Ahmed, Managing Director, Britannia Label BD. Ltd, Md. Enamul Haque, Managing Director &amp; CEO,Expo accessories Ltd,&nbsp; Mohammad Abdul Quyum , Managing Director, Nilorn Bangladesh Ltd. Md. Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury , Managing Director, KC Printing House Ltd. and Selina Accessories Ltd, Shahjahan Chowdhury ,Managing Director, Active (BD) Ltd, Md. Afzalul Alam, Proprietor, Mawla Printing &amp; Packaging, M A Haider Hussain, Managing Director. Harnest Label Industries Ltd.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The programme is aimed to build bondings among the members and an open discussion with its members for greater collaboration act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Participatnts of the meet-up appriciated the program and the information shared with the participants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speakers opined for collaboration among the members to geer up activities of the organization. They also urge for democratic election for the BGAPMEA and establish it as the other RMG association. They also said BGAPMEA contribute 8.22 billion last year in the Bangladesh RMG sector and so the association should stand for policy support from the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 09:35:10', '2024-03-14 09:35:10'),
(11570, 11570, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Land Secretary Md Khalilur Rahman said the government is formulating the Haat and Bazar (Establishment and Management) rules to strengthen local governance and accelerate the local economy. Haat-bazaar rule will play an important role in the government\'s plan to establish a welfare-oriented smart local governance system.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Land Secretary made this statement during a meeting to finalize the Haat and Bazar (Establishment and Management) Rules 2024, which took place today at the conference room of the Ministry of Land. Representatives from the ministries of local government, commerce, finance, agriculture, law, liberation war, and women and children affairs as well as District Administration officials were also in attendance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md. Khalilur Rahman also said that Haat-bazar is the heart of the rural economy of Bangladesh. He stated that efforts will be made to ensure that marginal farmers and traders with limited capital can also be involved in the Hat-bazaar-centric economy. Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda has given clear instructions in this regard - he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the meeting, it was disclosed that in the draft of the Haat and Bazar (Establishment and Management) Rules 2024, 4 percent of the lease money received from the haats and bazaars has been proposed to be spent for the welfare of the freedom fighters. The remaining 5% will be directly added to the central revenue in the form of a fee. The remaining 91 percent of the lease money from the haat bazaars has been proposed to be spent in the local area. These include the salaries of the officers and employees of the local government institutions, the development of haat-bazaars, and the revenue of the local government. Besides, provisions have been made in the draft rules to construct a multi-storied shopping complex on government khas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/Sabuj/kh</div>', NULL, 'Staff Reporter', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 11:33:06', '2024-03-14 11:38:24'),
(11571, 11571, '<div><br></div><div>Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday said the government is trying to identify those who are involved in market syndicates and investigating whether BNP has any link to the syndicates and hoarders.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL leader said this while speaking at an opinion exchange meeting at the Awami League\'s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, expressed worries that such syndicates could attempt to destabilise the government and disrupt the progress of the elected government.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the surge in commodity prices, the minister said the governmen under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to bring the commodity prices within the reach of common people.</div><div><br></div><div>On the issue of commodity price control, Quader referenced his recent visit to Singapore, where he observed a significant rise in commodity prices.</div><div><br></div><div>“Efforts are being made to control prices in our country. The government is not inactive here. The Prime Minister is giving time to deal with the crisis. We have no negligence here. The whole world is facing the rise in gas, fuel and commodity prices. This crisis is also going on in the US, Europe, the other developed countries,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to questions about the recent hijacking of Bangladeshi ship and crew&nbsp; in Somalia, the minister assured that the Foreign Ministry is engaged in securing their release, reports unb</div><div><br></div><div>He said 23 crew members have insurance coverage, and efforts are underway to ensure their safe return.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the negative impact on relation with the US over the conviction of Dr Yunus, the minister said,” Dr Yunus is a person. I want to who he is in the US. He is a citizen of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has its own law and court and law is equal for all.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 11:41:09', '2024-03-14 11:41:09'),
(11572, 11572, '<div><br></div><div>Former minister and BNP Vice Chairman Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Thursday alleged that the ruling Awami League is responsible for distorting the history of the country’s great liberation war.</div><div><br></div><div>He said this after attending a meeting of BNP’s committee for celebrating the upcoming Independence Day in which he was made the convenor.</div><div><br></div><div>Major Hafiz said the independence achieved in 1971 is a matter of pride for the Banglee nation. He regretted that 53 years after the independence the history of liberation war is being made debatable.</div><div><br></div><div>The history of liberation war is being written every day like a story and a poem, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>During the war the number of freedom fighters was 80,000 or 100, 000, but now “we are seeing about 250, 000 are getting allowance along with other benefits as freedom fighters, Hafiz said.</div><div><br></div><div>People are being kept in dark about how the war of independence had started, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The armed war of independence started after 25 March crackdown by Pakistani military. The people of the country had sacrificed their lives to bring the independence. The ruling AL doesn’t talk about it because they have no contribution in the war of independence, he claimed.</div><div><br></div><div>Major Zia’s declaration of independence influenced the people from every corner to join the liberation war, he said. World community came to know after Zia’s announcement. But the ruling quarter jokes about Zia’s declaration saying that “guard rang the bell”, Hafiz said.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP vice-chairman said Major Zia was one of the lionhearted freedom fighters and also sector commander who led the war staying in the battle field while other sector commanders stayed in India.</div><div><br></div><div>But the AL portrays him as the agent of Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) to misguide the young generation, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Major Hafiz alleged that the war of independence is being distorted as the AL claims all credit ignoring the contribution hundreds of thousands of students, youth and solders, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Some political parties who had no contribution in Bangladesh war of independence have hijacked the independence and all achievements, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 11:44:10', '2024-03-14 11:44:10'),
(11573, 11573, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Thursday sought support&nbsp; from the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) to increase mango export from Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He sought the assistance when Dr Jiaoqun Shi, FAO representative in Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on him at his secretariat office.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting, they discussed the development of the country\'s food management and international commercialisation of local fruits.</div><div><br></div><div>The food minister said Bangladesh has achieved self-sufficiency in the production of cereals.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the production of fruits and vegetables has also increased a lot, he said adding that the country produces about 25 lakh tonnes of mangoes annually but the amount of export is low compared to production.</div><div><br></div><div>Jiaoqun Shi said FAO is working to strengthen food security around the world and it will continue its support to ensure food security in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Food Secretary Md Ismail Hossain, Director General of Food Directorate Md Shakhawat Hossain, among others, were present at the meeting. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 11:47:03', '2024-03-14 11:47:03'),
(11574, 11574, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The UK is providing an additional £5.2 million (Tk 73.2 crore) of humanitarian support to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, said the British High Commission in Dhaka on Thursday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The UK announced this at the launch of the 2024 humanitarian appeal for the Rohingya response in Bangladesh, the Joint Response Plan, in Geneva on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), this new package of UK assistance will provide food and cooking gas to Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar.</div><div><br></div><div>British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, said: “I am pleased to announce this new package of £5.2 million to respond to humanitarian needs in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, and provide vital food and cooking gas to the Rohingya.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The UK stands with Rohingya refugees and neighbouring Bangladeshi communities affected by this crisis, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We recognise Bangladesh’s significant efforts in its hosting of the Rohingya, and remain committed to finding a long-term solution,\" said the High Commissioner, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“In the interim, we are providing humanitarian assistance to support those affected. We will be announcing additional support later this year,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>This new UK support includes: £2.8m to WFP to provide food to over 311,600 Rohingya refugees while £2.4m to IOM and UNHCR to provide cooking gas to over 489,800 Rohingya refugees.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Since 2017, the UK has provided £379 million of humanitarian support to Rohingya refugees and neighbouring communities in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 11:49:27', '2024-03-14 11:49:27'),
(11575, 11575, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">TikTok once again finds itself in a precarious position as lawmakers in Washington move forward with a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban on the platform.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The House on Wednesday passed legislation that would ban TikTok if its China-based owner ByteDance doesn’t sell its stakes in the popular social media platform within six months of the bill’s enactment.</div><div><br></div><div>Here’s what you need to know:</div><div><br></div><div>What’s in the House bill?</div><div>The legislation essentially gives ByteDance two options: sell TikTok or face a ban.</div><div><br></div><div>If ByteDance chooses to divest its stakes, TikTok would continue to operate in the U.S. if the President determines “through an inter-agency process” that the platform is “no longer being controlled by a foreign adversary.” The bill would also require ByteDance to give up control of TikTok’s well-known algorithm, which feeds users content based off their preferences.</div><div><br></div><div>Experts have said it will be challenging for ByteDance to sell TikTok in a few months.</div><div><br></div><div>If the company chooses not to sell, TikTok would be prohibited from app stores – such as those offered by Apple and Google - as well as web-hosting services until a divesture occurs, according to the bill.</div><div><br></div><div>Why are lawmakers concerned about TikTok?</div><div>Lawmakers from both parties - as well as law enforcement and intelligence officials - have long expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over data on the 170 million Americans who use TikTok. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering - which ByteDance would likely be subject to – and other far-reaching ways the country’s authoritarian government exercises control.</div><div><br></div><div>TikTok has denied assertions that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if its asked. To date, U.S. government also has not provided any evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from security concerns, some lawmakers, researchers and critics of TikTok posit the app suppresses content unfavorable to Beijing, which TikTok denies. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence also warned in a report released Monday that the Chinese government has used TikTok to influence recent U.S. elections.</div><div><br></div><div>“TikTok accounts run by a PRC propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates from both political parties during the U.S. midterm election cycle in 2022,” the report said.</div><div><br></div><div>Will TikTok shut down now?</div><div>No. The Senate would also need to pass the measure for it to become law. But it’s unclear what will happen in that chamber, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. Senate lawmakers have indicated this bill would undergo a thorough review.</div><div><br></div><div>President Joe Biden has said he will sign the bill if lawmakers pass it. If that happens, ByteDance would have 180 days to sell TikTok to a qualified buyer.</div><div><br></div><div>The proposal could also be challenged in the courts by TikTok, which has sued to counter other attempts to ban the platform both nationally and at the state level.</div><div><br></div><div>What happened to the previous attempts made to ban TikTok?</div><div>In 2020, former President Donald Trump attempted to ban the social media platform through an executive order. This was later blocked by the courts after TikTok sued.</div><div><br></div><div>The Trump administration also brokered a deal in 2020 that would have had U.S. corporations Oracle and Walmart take a large stake in TikTok on national security grounds. But the sale never went through for a number of reasons, one being China, which imposed stricter export controls on its technology providers.</div><div><br></div><div>The Biden administration revoked Trump’s executive order but continued a review of the platform by the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., an intra-agency committee that reportedly threatened to ban TikTok last year if its Chinese owners don’t divest their stakes. The White House acknowledged last month that review remains ongoing.</div><div><br></div><div>Other efforts from federal lawmakers to enact nationwide bans were stalled last year amid lobbying from TikTok as well as influencers and small businesses who use the platform. The American Civil Liberties Union and some digital rights groups have opposed a TikTok ban on free speech grounds and argued the latest House bill would violate the rights of Americans who rely on the app for information, advocacy and entertainment.</div><div><br></div><div>How are TikTok content creators reacting to the latest bill?</div><div>If the House bill becomes law, it would be bad news for small businesses who rely on the platform for marketing or sell products on TikTok Shop — the company’s e-commerce arm. It would also impact the lives of social media influencers who have spent years cultivating their following on the platform, and rely on it to acquire brand deals or other types of income.</div><div><br></div><div>Many TikTok influencers were flown into into Washington this week by the company to participate in a lobbying blitz against the bill. Some said a ban on the app would disrupt their lives and businesses.</div><div><br></div><div>What about TikTok users?</div><div>TikTok sent a notification to some users last week urging them to call their representatives about the measure, which it characterized as a “TikTok shutdown.”</div><div><br></div><div>The company told users Congress was planning “total ban” on the platform that could “damage millions of businesses, destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country and deny artists an audience.”</div><div><br></div><div>On Thursday, many users responded by inundating congressional offices with calls, leading some to shut off their phones.</div><div><br></div><div>Can I access TikTok if it gets banned?</div><div>Experts say users can likely find ways to get around a ban.</div><div><br></div><div>App users can try to use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to disguise their location and bypass such restrictions, said Roger Entner, a telecom analyst and the founder of Recon Analytics. It will be challenging for the government to crack down on that behavior because there are many foreign VPN services that don’t need to abide by U.S. laws, Entner said.</div><div><br></div><div>But the use of VPNs also raises additional security questions, especially for users who go with a free or cheap VPN provider they haven’t carefully vetted. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 14:10:03', '2024-03-14 14:10:03'),
(11576, 11576, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The White House acknowledged Wednesday the extent of the \"humanitarian crisis\" in the besieged Gaza Strip amid civilian deaths and acute shortages of daily necessities.&nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the lack of necessities for the civilian population is the impetus for the commencement of US airdrops of humanitarian assistance, as well as a nascent plan to build a temporary pier to facilitate aid deliveries by sea.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'ve seen innocent Palestinian civilians needing important essentials: food, water and medical assistance. And that is something that we want to make sure that we can get as much assistance in because there is a humanitarian crisis, period, happening in Gaza,\" she told reporters aboard Air Force One.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The president has said that Israel needs to do more,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked why President Joe Biden has so far refused to condition US military assistance on Israel allowing more aid into the besieged enclave, Jean-Pierre pointed to ongoing efforts to broker a cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages in Hamas captivity.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is important that we get this hostage deal so that again, it would be accompanied by a temporary cease-fire, right. We have talked about this for six weeks so that we can get that in humanitarian aid so that we can make sure that we get those hostages home,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The president is focused on this. We believe by getting that done -- the hope is to get to a longer, more permanent cease-fire,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which 1,163 people were killed.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and over 73,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave\'s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 14:13:03', '2024-03-14 14:13:03'),
(11577, 11577, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Secretary of Maritime Affairs Unit (MAU) Rear Admiral (Retd) Khurshed Alam on Thursday said the 23 Bangladeshi sailors of the Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, are in good health and they will not deviate from their goal to bring the ship back with the sailors safely.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he mentioned about the unharmed rescue of all the Bangladeshi sailors working in the previously kidnapped domestic ship \'Jahan Moni\' and Malaysian ship \'Al-Bedo\'.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked whether the pirates demanded ransom, he said if the news of ransom has been published in the media, it is imaginary.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They (pirates) have neither demanded any ransom from us yet, nor have they contacted us about the ransom,\" Secretary Alam said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said there are risky shipping routes but the ship did not take the high risk route.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Still the pirates were waiting or there is a difference of opinion. The pirates took over the ship and left for Somalia, anchoring near Somalia early today (Thursday). The pirates haven\'t contacted us yet,\" Alam said.</div><div><br></div><div>The MAU Secretary said they have previous experience in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>\"A ship named Jahan Moni faced such an incident in 2010. After 100 days we were able to bring back the ship with all the sailors,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, when the Malaysian ship \'Al-Bedo\' fell into the hands of pirates, there were seven Bangladeshis, two Iranians, three Indians, two Pakistanis and five Sri Lankan sailors.</div><div><br></div><div>But the Malaysian owner did not take any responsibility and the ship was stuck, it sank after two and a half years, some lives were lost.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We worked throughout and after about three years and four months we negotiated with the Kenyan army and rescued the Bangladeshi sailors unharmed,\" Alam said.</div><div><br></div><div>About the government\'s efforts, he said, \"We are sincerely trying. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in constant communication with all parties including the Minister of State for Shipping, the Director General of the Department of Shipping and ship owners.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Marine Affairs Unit Secretary said they still do not know what the pirates are demanding. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 14:17:07', '2024-03-14 14:17:07'),
(11578, 11578, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>NATO members are not providing Ukraine with enough ammunition, the chief of the military alliance said Thursday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Jens Stoltenberg presented NATO\'s annual report for 2023 at a news conference in Brussels, and commented on the situation in Ukraine, where Russia launched a \"special military operation\" two years ago.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the Ukrainians are not running out of \"courage\" but \"ammunition.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"NATO allies are not providing Ukraine with enough ammunition and that has consequences on the battlefield every day. The fact that the Russians are able to outgun the Ukrainians every day, of course, is a huge challenge, it is one of the reasons why the Russians have been able to make some advances on the battlefield over the last weeks and months,\" Stoltenberg explained.</div><div><br></div><div>He urged the allies \"to step up and provide more ammunition to Ukraine.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Both the US, Canada, and Europe has to do more,\" Stoltenberg said, stressing that NATO members have the \"economies to be able to provide Ukraine with what they need.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"This is a question of political will to take the decisions and to prioritize support for Ukraine. And therefore we need the decisions to invest more in defense industry,\" he added, reports Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>Stoltenberg said it would be a \"great historic mistake\" to allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to prevail.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We cannot allow authoritarian leaders to get the way by using force. This would be dangerous for us all,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 14:20:05', '2024-03-14 14:20:05'),
(11579, 11579, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday urged Russians to vote for him at a “difficult” time for the country, hours before polls open and as Kyiv launched a barrage of deadly attacks on Russian border regions.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The former KGB agent is set to extend his rule by another six years this weekend in a presidential election the Kremlin says will show that the country is fully behind his assault on Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Ahead of the vote, Kyiv has ramped up its aerial bombardment of Russian regions just across their shared border.</div><div><br></div><div>At least two people were killed and nine wounded in the Russian region of Belgorod Thursday, and the Russian national guard said it was fighting off attacks from pro-Ukrainian militias in Kursk — the latest in a string of border clashes.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am convinced: you realize what a difficult period our country is going through, what complex challenges we are facing in almost all areas,” Putin said in an address to Russians on the eve of the vote.</div><div><br></div><div>“And in order to continue to respond to them with dignity and successfully overcome difficulties, we need to continue to be united and self-confident,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>All of Putin’s major critics are dead, in prison or exile and authorities blocked the few genuine competitors who tried to stand in the March 15-17 contest.</div><div><br></div><div>Alexei Navalny, Putin’s most high-profile opponent over the last decade, died February in an Arctic prison colony.</div><div><br></div><div>He was serving 19 years for “extremism” — charges widely seen as retribution for his campaigning against the Kremlin leader.</div><div>Kyiv has this week launched some of its most significant aerial attacks since the start of the two-year conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said Thursday one person had been killed in an overnight drone attack.</div><div>A second aerial attack killed another woman and injured several more, he said in a post on social media, without specifying what weapons had been deployed.</div><div><br></div><div>Pro-Ukrainian paramilitaries also claimed to be escalating attacks and incursions in Russian border regions.</div><div><br></div><div>In a joint statement Thursday, three pro-Kyiv volunteer groups — claiming to consist of Russians who oppose the Kremlin and have taken up arms for Ukraine — called on authorities to evacuate civilians from the regions of Belgorod and Kursk.</div><div><br></div><div>“Civilians should not suffer from the war and any casualties in the process of fighting will be on the conscience of Starovoit and Gladkov,” they added, referring to the regions’ governors.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia has rejected the militias’ claims to have gained ground.</div><div>The national guard said Thursday its units had beaten back “an attack by enemy diversion groups near the village of Tyotkino in the Kursk region.”</div><div><br></div><div>The defense ministry said it had fended off another attack by Ukrainian forces trying to enter the Belgorod region via the village of Spodariushino, without saying when the clash had taken place.</div><div>It published video showing a series of air strikes on what it said was a Ukrainian sabotage group.</div><div><br></div><div>The fighting come just hours ahead of polls opening in Russia’s Far East for the March 15-17 presidential election.</div><div>In power as president or prime minister since the final day of 1999, Putin has ushered in a sweeping crackdown of domestic dissent and an aggressive foreign policy</div><div><br></div><div>Victory will allow him stay in the Kremlin until at least 2030, longer than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century.</div><div>He called on Russians to use the election to show their unity behind his leadership.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have already shown that we can be together, defending the freedom, sovereignty and security of Russia,” he said in a video message, flanked by flags of the Russian tricolor and the president’s state insignia.</div><div><br></div><div>“Today it is critically important not to stray from this path,” he said.</div><div>Early voting is already underway in occupied territories of Ukraine, and the vote will also take place in Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.</div><div><br></div><div>Kyiv says staging the election on Ukrainian territory is illegal.</div><div>In the Ukrainian city of Mariupol — under the control of Russian forces — election officials on Thursday opened pop-up polling stations at small tables in the street and on the hoods of cars.</div><div><br></div><div>Banners were unfurled sporting a red, white and blue ‘V’ logo — an army symbol used as a sign of support for the military offensive.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine’s foreign ministry on Thursday dismissed the vote as a “farce” and called on the international community not to recognize the results.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia’s opposition has called for anti-Putin protests at midday on Sunday, the final day of voting. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-14 14:23:04', '2024-03-14 14:23:04'),
(11580, 11580, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that extortion in transport has been going on for a long time.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"And efforts are underway to bring it under control,\" he was speaking in a press conference at Awami League\'s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue this morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the prices of essentials, Quader said the government is working sincerely to control the price of goods in the market. \"We are working and the result will come one day.\"</div><div><br></div><div>About BNP, he said that BNP is daydreaming the change of government in a short time.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There is no alternative to change the government without elections. So, if they (BNP) want to change the government, they have to wait for another election,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader said BNP has become isolated. People have no interest in the BNP\'s movement. People are happy with Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina\'s leadership is trusted and the people of this country have accepted her honesty, diligence and leadership, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina as the leader of Bangladesh.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Whether Dr Muhammad Yunus\' sentence will affect the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States, Quader said I don\'t think it will affect the relations between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>Among others, Awami League Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, Afzal Hossain, Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan and other central Awami League leaders were present. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-15 16:30:09', '2024-03-15 16:30:09');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11581, 11581, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The runaway price hike during this year’s Ramadan is proving particularly difficult for the middle to lower-middle class households in urban areas, for whom a Tk10-15,000 spike in the monthly spend is a big ask.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>These are the families that despite living in or near areas where supershops are proliferating, still prefer to buy from the local kaachabazars (kitchen markets). And the principal breadwinner, usually the father, often prefers to visit the bazar and make the purchases himself.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>One of them, Kazi Shariful Haque, a job holder at a private local company, told UNB that in any case one has to spend more on food during Ramadan, despite it being the month for restraint, on the food that is consumed during Iftar and Sehri. Consumption of some items like fruits, beef, and mutton, does come down, he conceded.</div><div><br></div><div>UNB spoke to Shariful at Kawranbazar, the principal kitchen market in the capital, which he visited just prior to the weekend with a shopping list that contained fruits, vegetables, fish, and chicken, among other things.</div><div><br></div><div>He shared that in his experience, most items’ prices jumped by Tk10-30 per kg. Fish prices jumped by Tk100 to 150 per kg, chicken jumped by Tk15 to 20 per kg, while chick-pea, lentil, onion, and garlic ginger are among the items that saw prices jump by Tk10 to 30 per kg, since the start of Ramadan.</div><div><br></div><div>Dates are not available at price set by the government, he said, while apples, malta, and some other fruits are selling at Tk300 to 350 per kg - an increase in the price by Tk 50 per kg. Medium-quality dates are selling at Tk800-1000 per kg, he pointed out.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>However, Shariful has found that the prices of rice and edible oil are stable for now, but of course household expenses are not limited to the spending at the bazaar only. In almost every sphere, including medicines (health), water rates, gas rates, electricity, house rent, people are having to spend more and more.</div><div><br></div><div>Bills and prices are squeezing the middle class in cities, especially at the lower end like Shariful, who last received a raise at his company two years ago, and in these two years, inflation has been spiking in the country. Even the company he worked for suffered losses in business in these two years, and it made him perceive a period of gloom for the economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Still, it makes him yearn for when the times were good for these very same people, as recently as 2-3 years ago.</div><div><br></div><div>“In 2021, I could maintain my four-member family in Farmgate, Dhaka along with spending for parents living in the village and even then save a small amount every month. And now I have to maintain family expenditure by drawing on my previous savings,” Shariful voiced his frustration in an annoyed voice.</div><div><br></div><div>Shariful’s is the common refrain among most shoppers at the city’s kitchen markets these days.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>They make up Bangladesh’s ‘squeezed middle’, a term coined by the former leader of the opposition in the UK parliament, Ed Miliband of Labour, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2009.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Oxford English Dictionary, while choosing it as their ‘Word of the Year’ in 2011, defined it as “the section of society regarded as particularly affected by inflation, wage freezes, and cuts in public spending during a time of economic difficulty, consisting principally of those people on low or middle incomes.”</div><div><br></div><div>All these conditions are met by the likes of Shariful, and others in his bracket.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) told UNB that inflation and randomly fluctuating exchange rates (affecting the price of imported products) have increased the cost of living in the urban areas, as the urban people are depending on supply chains..</div><div><br></div><div>In the rural areas, 60 to 70 percent of items consumed by a family are produced on their own land - which is emphatically not the case in the cities. Most of the middle class is even living on rented property. As a result, the price hikes tend to affect urban life more severely, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Fahmida said it was not only the prices of consumer goods - health-related expenditure and utility prices have also increased, confirming the observation by Shariful, and others, that UNB spoke to in Kawranbazar.</div><div><br></div><div>“Household incomes, mainly salaries, did not increase in the post-Covid period, after having gone down during Covid itself (2020-2022),” Dr Fahmida said. “As a result, jobholders are really bearing the brunt of the price hikes.”</div><div><br></div><div>Average wage growth remained well below the inflation rate in Bangladesh for the 22nd month straight in November 2023, as per the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), corresponding to the timeline she provided.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Ghulam Rahman, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said that the prices of all types of products have increased, whether those items are imported or produced in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Although the incomes of jobholders did not increase, their expenses have increased alongside that of others, but this has proven a particular burden for the fixed income groups, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said If prices were hiked “logically and systematically”- presumably meaning adhering to market fundamentals - then this burden would remain manageable. But when it happens arbitrarily, indicating how it happens in Bangladesh, it becomes very hard for the people, said the CAB president.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He advised authorities to pay more attention to whether this is happening, as there are several instances of price gouging, hoarding, etc in the country, and there are laws against these.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Wherever irregularities are found, the perpetrators should be brought under the law, to bring stability to the market, the CAB president urged.&nbsp; According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 08:19:11', '2024-03-16 08:19:11'),
(11582, 11582, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said that “BaKSAL 2” has been established in the country.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dr Abdul Moyeen made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting Dhaka district Jubo Dal’s former president Rezaul Karim Paul’s residence, who was recently out of jail.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Abdul Moyeen said, “You know that in the past the BaKSAL had been established in the parliament by killing democracy. Now, there is no room for opposition voices. This is the reality of Bangladesh today.”</div><div><br></div><div>“We have said repeatedly that it’s impossible to wipe out the opposition through suppression,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We believe in the power of the people. BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who also declared the independence of the country, had said that people are the source of all power,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>“They say BNP was born in the cantonment… I don’t know from where they got this information, but I want to clarify this. Ziaur Rahman was a soldier but he reinstated multi-party democracy by freeing it from BaKSAL rule. On the other hand, AL claims they are a pro-democracy and pro-independence party, but they have established a one-party BaKSAL rule by stealing democracy,” the senior BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is the difference between AL and BNP,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“AL claims they are a pro-democratic political party, so why are they killing democracy in the country?&nbsp; Dr Moyeen raised the question, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“The founding spirit of Bangladesh was democracy. Fifty-three years ago, we had said that under the Pakistan structure, no democracy is possible, and for that Bangladesh was formed,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The beauty of democracy is in the coexistence of ruling and opposition parties, but AL does not believe that,” Dr Abdul Moyeen said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 08:34:53', '2024-03-16 08:34:53'),
(11583, 11583, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Hours after death of Jagannath University student Fairuz Abantika by suicide, massive protest broke out and continued till Saturday morning, demanding justice for the student.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Fairuz Abantika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of Jagannath University (JnU) Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate and the assistant proctor of the university in a Facebook post around 10 pm on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Amid protests of the students, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Sadeka Halim came to the campus after 1 am. Initially the protesting students did not allow the VC to enter the campus. After a while, they let the VC in.</div><div><br></div><div>The Vice Chancellor then assured them that a fair investigation will be conducted as per the laws of the university.</div><div><br></div><div>General students under the banner of ‘Jagannath University Against Oppression,&nbsp; called for a rally on the campus at 3 pm on Saturday, demanding maximum punishment of the accused.</div><div><br></div><div>Fairuz’s namaz-e-janaza will be held at her own hometown Cumilla at 12 pm today.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the university administration suspended accused assistant proctor Deen Islam and her classmate Amman Siddique.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides,&nbsp; the university administration has formed a four-member probe committee with Masum Billah, dean of the Faculty of Law, as&nbsp; the convener and Law Officer Ranjan Kumar Das as the member secretary.&nbsp; The other members of the committee are the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Abul Hossain and Music&nbsp; Department Chairman Jhumur Ahmed.</div><div><br></div><div>In her Facebook post before committing suicide, Fairuz Abantika said&nbsp; that her classmate Amman Siddique and assistant proctor Deen Islam would be responsible for her suicide, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>\'If I ever die by suicide, my classmate Amman Siddiqui and assistant proctor Deen Islam, who supported him, will be solely responsible for my death. I complained to the Proctor\'s office that Amman was threatening me offline and also online but I did not get any benefit. Deen Islam scares me in many ways for the sake of Amman. He said that expelling me is very easy for him. I know I won\'t get any justice here,” she wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 08:43:42', '2024-03-16 08:43:42'),
(11584, 11584, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Sunday on an official visit aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He is conducting a seven-day official visit to India and Bangladesh as part of his government’s St Patrick’s Day programme.</div><div><br></div><div>During the Bangladesh leg of the visit Minister Coveney, also ex-deputy prime minister of Ireland, will officially open Ireland’s first Honorary Consulate in Dhaka and conduct a series of political, trade and Ireland-Bangladesh community meetings, according to the Irish government.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly says, \"I’m pleased to welcome Minister Coveney to India and Bangladesh for St Patrick’s Day 2024.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"I am also glad that Minister Coveney will officially open Ireland’s first Honorary Consulate in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which is an important milestone in our relations with Bangladesh,\" Kelly said.</div><div><br></div><div>In its desire to further expand the bilateral relations with Dhaka, Ireland has recently appointed Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Jamil Khan its Honourary Consul in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>About the minister\'s visit Khan said, \"Building on the existing excellent relations, Bangladesh and Ireland have scope to work together to strengthen the bilateral ties tapping the potential of cooperation and collaboration in broad areas.\"</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh is a very fast growing country and Ireland is a very developed and educated country. Both sides can work very well together,” he told UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are honored that Minister Simon is coming to Bangladesh. This has also been supported by my Ambassador (Ambassador of Ireland to India Kevin Kelly) in Delhi. I think this is a long overdue visit,” Masud said.</div><div><br></div><div>Coveney is likely to meet Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun and State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu.</div><div><br></div><div>He will also attend a reception marking St Patrick’s Day, the National Day of Ireland and the official opening of \'the Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Bangladesh\' during his visit.</div><div><br></div><div>The Irish minister is likely to attend a dialogue on Bangladesh-Ireland relations during his stay in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh and Ireland established diplomatic relations in early 1972. Both countries are keen on expanding bilateral economic cooperation with Ireland showing interest in taking skilled IT manpower from Bangladesh, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>During the past 27 years Bangladesh\'s exports to Ireland have increased at 16.8% annually from $7.1 million in 1995 to $466 million in 2022, according to official figures.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 08:53:36', '2024-03-16 08:53:36'),
(11585, 11585, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>After a monumental 185-run partnership between Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka in the fourth wicket while chasing a target of 287, Bangladesh found themselves facing an uphill battle in the second ODI against Sri Lanka on Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka suffered an early setback when Avishka Fernando fell victim to a first-ball duck, courtesy of a solid catch at slip by Soumya Sarkar off the bowling of left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>Losing two more wickets quickly, Sri Lanka seemed to be tilting in Bangladesh\'s favor. However, Asalanka and Nissanka had different plans. They launched a counterattack after Kusal Mendis was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Taskin Ahmed\'s delivery, steering Sri Lanka to 228 runs with over 12 overs remaining.</div><div><br></div><div>Taskin Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim combined once again to dismiss Asalanka for 91, just shy of his century, dealing a crucial blow to Sri Lanka\'s hopes. But Nissanka was firm at the other end of the wicket. He ended up 114 for 113. Wanindu Hasaranga\'s contribution of 25 runs sealed the deal for Sri Lanka.</div><div><br></div><div>Ultimately, Sri Lanka secured victory by three wickets with 17 balls to spare, leveling the series. The third match, scheduled for March 18 at the same venue, now serves as a virtual final.</div><div><br></div><div>In the first innings, Towhid Hridoy and Soumya Sarkar steered Bangladesh to a competitive total of 286 for 7. Despite a shaky start with Litton Das enduring a duck, Soumya and Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied the ship before Towhid\'s unbeaten 96 propelled Bangladesh\'s late surge, adding 56 runs in the final five overs.</div><div><br></div><div>While Bangladesh may have little consolation from this match, Sri Lanka gained significantly, notably from the record-breaking partnership between Asalanka and Nissanka. Their 185-run stand is the highest-ever fourth-wicket partnership by Sri Lanka in ODIs against any opponent, providing a significant confidence boost ahead of the decisive third match. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 09:11:54', '2024-03-16 09:11:54'),
(11586, 11586, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Aiming to significantly boost revenue collection from domestic sources, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is adopting a three-pronged approach.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>These are: digital transformation, expansion of tax net, and enhancing administrative capacity.</div><div><br></div><div>The core idea is to make tax payments easy and transparent to improve taxpayer services which in turn will help NBR to collect more revenue, according to an official document.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26) of the Finance Division of Finance Ministry, the government has taken some Major reform measures to materialise the move.</div><div><br></div><div>The VAT &amp; Supplementary Duty Act 2012 has been implemented in July 2019. With the implementation of the new act, the collection of VAT and supplementary duty is expected to receive a significant boost in the medium term. After the initial hiccup and the shortfall due to the outbreak of COVID-19, revenue collection accelerated in FY22.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has enacted the new Customs Act, which replaced the Customs Act 1969. International best practices in customs, including that of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the revised KYOTO Convention and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement have been incorporated here.</div><div><br></div><div>The law aims to harmonise and simplify customs processes to facilitate the collection of custom duties.</div><div><br></div><div>The new Income Tax Act is also expected to create an enabling environment for taxpayers, streamline income tax assessment and collection, and facilitate domestic and foreign investment.</div><div><br></div><div>To implement the new VAT law, the NBR undertook the ‘VAT Online Project (VoP)’ which was in operation since 2013 and concluded in June 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the VOP, the official document said that the three important automation measures have been completed. First, the Online VAT Registration began in March 2017. Again, the central registration system has been in force since July 2019. The NBR has introduced online return submission in July 2019. The digital filing system has been introduced in the form of online submission of VAT returns.</div><div><br></div><div>The NBR has rolled out the electronic payment (e-payment) of customs duties in 2017, income tax in 2012 and VAT in 2020. Income tax can be paid through MFS (mobile financial services) as well.</div><div><br></div><div>To facilitate real-time deposit of government money to the national exchequer, the government has launched the Automated Invoice Portal. This Automated Challan (also known as A-Challan) will act as the receipt window of the government. The payment of income tax has already been brought under the A-Challan system on a pilot basis.</div><div><br></div><div>The NBR now plans to expand its use for payment of VAT and customs duties. The A-Challan will ensure the timely deposit of money including the prevention of fake return submission and revenue evasion.</div><div>Moreover, the discrepancy between the amount of revenue collected by the NBR and the accounts given by the Accounting Offices will be eliminated.</div><div><br></div><div>The Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26) said that individual taxpayers can now submit their tax returns online.</div><div><br></div><div>The NBR has successfully launched eTDS Environment for easy and hassle-free processing of income tax at the source. With the introduction of this system, taxpayers’ time, cost and visits have been reduced to almost zero. Taxpayers can now submit fourteen reports in the eTDS environment.</div><div><br></div><div>To stop evasion in VAT and enhance VAT collection, the government has introduced Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFD) with a sales data controller mechanism.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has already installed 9270 EFD/SDC (Sales Data Controller) machines. NBR has selected 24 sectors, including residential hotels, bakeries and fast foods, decorators and caterers, sweet shops etc. for this purpose.</div><div><br></div><div>To broaden the coverage, the government has decided to outsource the installation of EFD/ SDC machines with a target of 60,000 EFD/ SDC in the first phase and 3,00,000 in five years, if the first phase brings good results.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, to prevent tax evasion and to bring transparency in VAT record keeping, the government has made the use of NBR-prescribed VAT software mandatory in VAT-registered industries with annual turnovers of Tk 5 crore or above.</div><div><br></div><div>The NBR has made provisions to enable internet-based companies, such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft etc. to pay their VAT on online sales.</div><div><br></div><div>This allows these companies to pay their VAT through their authorised VAT agents without opening their office in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The NBR plans to operationalise the risk management system to ensure that no more than 10 percent of the import consignments are subject to physical examination. To that end, the NBR has established a Central Risk Management Unit/Commissionerate for Customs.</div><div><br></div><div>To streamline the bonded warehousing system, reduce its misuse and make it transparent, the government has taken a project that aims to automate the bond management system by June 2023. Meanwhile, the licensing module has started operation and other modules will become operational soon.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Customs will soon be conducting a Time Release Study in the major custom houses to take stock of the actual time taken in the release of imported consignments. The objective of the TRS will be to identify bottlenecks in customs clearance and to take measures to reduce clearance time.</div><div><br></div><div>The NBR strives to expand the number of taxpayers and has made the return submission mandatory for all TIN-holders with a few exceptions.</div><div><br></div><div>Other reform efforts by the NBR included – i) implementation and activation of Online National Single Window, Post Clearance Audit, Advance Ruling, Authorised Economic Operator, and thereby increasing dynamism in international trade; ii) full implementation of online income tax return submission under SGMP project; iii) implementation of “Individual Source Tax Deduction Monitoring Zone” to strengthen income tax deduction monitoring; iv) expansion of the e-Payment system in income tax; v) activation of transfer pricing and anti-money laundering activities; and vi) strengthening ICT infrastructure construction and automation activities.</div><div><br></div><div>Administrative expansion of the income tax department is underway, the Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement added.</div><div><br></div><div>Introduction of the Document Verification System (DVS) has brought financial discipline and positively contributed to boosting tax collection both in income tax and VAT by increasing transparency. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 09:41:39', '2024-03-16 09:41:39'),
(11587, 11587, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukrainian authorities have begun mass evacuations of communities in the country’s northern Sumy region close to the Russian border after extended periods of intense shelling of the area, local officials said on Friday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The military administration of Sumy region, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said more than 180 residents of areas near the Velikopysarska community, next to the border, had been evacuated over the past three days.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities in Sumy have long been issuing daily reports of Russian shelling, but the attacks have intensified.</div><div><br></div><div>The regional administration said the areas in question were “the most tense” in Sumy region, with three people killed and 13 wounded over the past five days.</div><div><br></div><div>The administration said a total of more than 4,500 residents had been evacuated from 22 villages in Sumy region, but gave no time frame.</div><div><br></div><div>Velikopysarska is located a few kilometers from the village of Kozinka across the border in Russia — where local authorities this week said an incursion by armed groups caused considerable damage. The groups described themselves as being made up of Russians opposed to the Kremlin and said they were conducting a military operation in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>The governor of Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said shelling of areas under his jurisdiction continued on Thursday, with one person injured. Gladkov toured border areas late on Wednesday and said there were no enemy forces in the region.</div><div><br></div><div>The governor of the neighboring Russian region of Kursk, Roman Starovoit, said air defense units had downed three Ukrainian drones on Thursday night.</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters was unable to verify accounts of military activity from either side. According to Reuters reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 09:58:59', '2024-03-16 09:58:59'),
(11588, 11588, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Tahmina Shabnam, mother of Jagannath University student Fairuz Abantika who died by suicide on Friday night, has demanded justice for her daughter’s death.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“My husband died a year ago. Last night my daughter Fairuz&nbsp; died. I can\'t bear this grief. I have another son. If no action is taken against those responsible for my daughter\'s death, I will end my life along with my son,” said the wailing mother at her home at Bagichagaon of Cumilla city on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>“My daughter was very ambitious. My daughter was brilliant, is that her crime? She was first in her session, is that her crime? She got selected as a GD (General Duty) pilot, is that her crime? I informed the Proctor and the Chairman about the matter. I didn\'t get any justice. If I don\'t get justice, I will be finished. I have nothing,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fairuz Abantika, a student of the Law Department at Jagannath University and daughter of late Jamal Uddin, a former professor of Cumilla Government College, was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her house at Bagichagaon on Friday night.</div><div><br></div><div>She was taken to Cumilla General Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared her dead at 10:15 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, she made a post on Facebook when she accused her university’s assistant proctor and a classmate for her suicide.</div><div><br></div><div>The news of Fairuz’s death sparked protest at Jagannath University. Besides, a human chain is underway at Kandirpar in Cumilla city demanding that the culprits be brought under the law.</div><div><br></div><div>Her body will be handed over to her family after autopsy at 2 pm. Her namaz-e-janaza will be held after Asar prayers. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 10:10:35', '2024-03-16 10:10:35'),
(11589, 11589, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A group of South Korean senior doctors said Saturday that they would resign starting March 25 in support of junior medics in a nearly month-long strike over government training reforms that has plunged hospitals into chaos.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Thousands of trainee doctors stopped working on February 20 to protest government reforms aimed at easing doctor shortages by increasing the number of medical students — which the medics claim is the final straw for overworked and underpaid early career professionals.</div><div><br></div><div>Crucial surgeries and treatments have been canceled, but the government says the country has so far avoided a full-blown crisis thanks in part to nurses and senior doctors stepping up, as well as military medics who have been sent in to help.</div><div><br></div><div>Representatives of medical professors at 20 universities — who are also senior doctors at general hospitals — held a meeting late Friday, with those at 16 institutions “overwhelmingly in favor” of supporting their junior colleagues, said Bang Jae-seung, the head of the group.</div><div><br></div><div>Professors at “each university have decided to voluntarily submit resignation letters starting from March 25th,” Bang told reporters Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>But “we have reached a consensus that until the resignation is finalized, each individual should do their best in the treatment of patients in their respective positions, just as they have done so far,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Bang did not disclose the exact number of professors expected to walk off the job on March 25th.</div><div><br></div><div>The health ministry this week reiterated that negotiations over the reform plans were out of the question, saying it would implement the health care reforms “without wavering.”</div><div><br></div><div>The government has ordered junior medics to return or face legal action, and has moved to suspend the medical licenses of those who refuse to comply, while offering incentives and setting up a hotline to support any who defy the walkout.</div><div><br></div><div>Seoul is pushing to admit 2,000 more students to medical schools annually from next year to address what it says is one of the lowest doctor-to-population ratios among developed nations.</div><div><br></div><div>Bang said Saturday that doctors cannot agree to an increase of 2,000 more students under any circumstances.</div><div><br></div><div>“We request the government once again. Please reconsider the figure of 2,000. Without this, initiating any negotiation will be impossible,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“If the current situation continues, it won’t be long before university hospitals collapse, dealing a significant and long-lasting blow to our country’s medical system,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Doctors say they fear the reform will erode the quality of service and medical education, but proponents of the plan accuse them of trying to safeguard their salaries and social status.</div><div><br></div><div>This week, the junior doctors said they had submitted a “letter requesting emergency intervention” from the International Labour Organization (ILO), claiming they were being “forced” by the government into unwanted labor. The government has dismissed the claim.</div><div><br></div><div>The reform plan enjoys broad public support, but a new poll by local media found 34 percent of people wanted the government to negotiate to end the standoff. According to AFP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 10:33:47', '2024-03-16 10:33:47'),
(11590, 11590, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Alpha Eye Studios Limited, a media company, has accused actor Ziaul Faruq Apurba of breach of contract and embezzling money.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the media company, Apurba signed a contract for 24 dramas with the company. The actor took Tk 33 lakh of the Tk 50 lakh contract. However, he only finished 9 dramas, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Alpha Eye tried to contact him but could not, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"My lawyer will provide statements on my behalf. As the legal proceedings are underway, I prefer not to make any comments or discuss the matter further at this time,\" said the actor.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 10:42:51', '2024-03-16 10:42:51'),
(11591, 11591, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member final squad to play the series deciding 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka on Monday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Opener Litton Kumer Das has been dropped from final squad&nbsp; making way for the uncapped wicket-keeper-batsman Jaker Ali Anik.</div><div><br></div><div>The three match ODI&nbsp; series between hosts Bangladesh and touring Sri Lanka now locked in 1-1 following Sri Lanka\'s three -wicket victory over Bangladesh&nbsp; last Friday.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Gazi Ashraf Hossain, Chairman of the National Selection Panel, explained the decision, “With the series now hanging in the balance, we believe Jaker Ali’s addition will provide the team with more options and flexibility in the middle order.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Considering Litton\'s recent performance in white-ball cricket, we opted for this change, mindful of the availability of two other capable openers within the squad.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>26-year-old Jaker Ali has made an impressive start to his international career and averages 55 after six appearances in T20 matches for Bangladesh. He has close to 2000 runs from 84 List A games where he is averaging 35.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Bangkadesh Squad for 3rd ODI: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman and Jaker Ali Anik. ‎According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 10:51:55', '2024-03-16 10:51:55'),
(11592, 11592, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A human chain was formed in Cumilla on Saturday demanding justice for Fairuz Abontika, who committed suicide after writing a Facebook post on Friday night.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Locals and different organisations called for the arrest and punishment of those responsible.</div><div><br></div><div>An alliance of social and voluntary organisations convened at Pubali Chattar in Comilla city to protest the death.</div><div><br></div><div>Speakers at the gathering urged for an impartial investigation into the death and swift action to apprehend the culprits. Additionally, they announced plans for more decisive measures in the future.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the attendees were representatives from various organisations, including Bangladesh Youth Cadet Forum, Rang Tuli Jubo Foundation, Alo Jubo Mohila Kalyan Sangstha, Prattabartan, Tarunner Bangladesh, Nirapad Chalok Chai, Desh Kalyan Sangstha, Fire Service, VBD Comilla, Nawab Faizunnesa Foundation, Comilla College Theatre, Victoria College Theatre, Youth for Purpose, Comilla Cyclist Forum, and Junior Friends Club.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Fairuz Abantika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of Jagannath University (JnU) Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate and the assistant proctor of the university in a Facebook post around 10 pm on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the university administration relieved assistant proctor Deen Islam from her duty and suspended classmate Amman Siddique.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides,&nbsp; the university administration has formed a four-member probe committee .</div><div><br></div><div>In her Facebook post before committing suicide, Fairuz Abantika said&nbsp; that her classmate Amman Siddique and assistant proctor Deen Islam would be responsible for her suicide, reports unb</div><div><br></div><div>\'If I ever die by suicide, my classmate Amman Siddiqui and assistant proctor Deen Islam, who supported him, will be solely responsible for my death. I complained to the Proctor\'s office that Amman was threatening me offline and also online but I did not get any benefit. Deen Islam scares me in many ways for the sake of Amman. He said that expelling me is very easy for him. I know I won\'t get any justice here,” she wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 11:00:22', '2024-03-16 11:00:22'),
(11593, 11593, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Hasan Mahmud has said India\'s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is their internal matter.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"As Bangladesh is a neighboring country, we are keeping an eye on the matter,\" he said on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan made the remarks when journalists wanted to know about Bangladesh position regarding the law during a view exchange meeting in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a fast track to naturalisation for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to Hindu-majority India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before Dec. 31, 2014.</div><div><br></div><div>The law excludes Muslims, who are a majority in all three nations.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question on US remarks regarding Bangladesh election, the Foreign Minister said any office of the United States can give their opinion.</div><div><br></div><div>They said the opposition did not participate but out of 44 registered political parties in Bangladesh, 29 participated in the elections, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>And non-participation of any particular political party is not the responsibility of the government, it is the responsibility of that party, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>\"That party instead called to resist the election. For that purpose, they incited violence in the country and only those who were involved in that violence were arrested,\" Hasan said.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States has said that they are working to advance the partnership and relations with Bangladesh, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are also working to make the relations with the United States closer and expand our multi-dimensional relations,\" he said, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan said most of the countries, including the United States, have expressed their intention to advance relations with Bangladesh in the future.</div><div><br></div><div>Governments and heads of state of about 80 countries of the world have congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Even the President of the United States has written to the Prime Minister expressing his intention to take the relationship to the next evel,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 11:10:17', '2024-03-16 11:10:17'),
(11594, 11594, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An auto-rickshaw driver was tied to an electric pole and beaten to death for allegedly stealing a mobile phone in Bogura\'s Sadar upazila.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Sawal Haque, 25, died while undergoing treatment at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital around 11:30pm on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Police have arrested a couple and their daughter over the incident.&nbsp; The arrestees are Rezaul Karim, his wife Sanu Begum and daughter Asha Khatun.&nbsp; They have been sent to jail by the court.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Sawal, son of Azizul Haque, was a resident of Chhoto Kumira Paschimpara of Sadar upazila. His body was handed over to his family after an autopsy on Friday afternoon.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>His father filed a case with Sadar Police Station on Thursday night, naming five people, including the three arrested.</div><div><br></div><div>Jalal Uddin, in-charge of Bogra Sadar Police Station\'s&nbsp; police outpost, said an Android phone was \'stolen\' from the house of Sawal\'s neighbour, the arrested Rezaul, a few days ago - but this too remains just an allegation till the phone is found.&nbsp; At this stage its correct status is that of a missing phone.</div><div><br></div><div>Instead of notifying police, or despite it, Rezaul called out Sawal from his home around 11am on Thursday and accused him of involvement in the incident. Later, Rezaul, with the help of his wife and daughter, allegedly tied him to an electric pole beside their house and beat him to death, in a merciless act that took the best part of a day.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Locals tried to rescue Sawal and took him to hospital later, but he died while undergoing treatment, just before midnight. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 12:01:40', '2024-03-16 12:01:40'),
(11595, 11595, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Around 300 workers of Crony Apparel Limited on Saturday staged a demonstration after putting up barricades on Dhaka-Munshiganj road demanding payment of their dues.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Selim Badsha, inspector of Narayanganj Industrial Police, said some 300 workers and staff of the garment factory took to the street around 9 am and staged demonstrations demanding payment of their dues.</div><div><br></div><div>The workers from the factory floor claimed that they are not getting their arrears for two months while the administrative staff claimed they are owed arrears for five months, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>On information, police rushed to the spot and tried to disperse them.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the workers left the road following the assurance from the garment authorities to pay their dues as soon as possible.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 12:55:53', '2024-03-16 12:55:53'),
(11596, 11596, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT) to be made a profitable institution soon, Prime Minister\'s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman said on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"All necessary initiatives would be taken to turn Pangaon Terminal into a more profitable institution including cargo exchange by river,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He was speaking while visiting the port in the morning to monitor the current situation.</div><div><br></div><div>Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury and State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and senior officials of the port were also present.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the problem related to the handling operations of the terminal would be resolved within one month. When more cargo is anchored at the terminal, workers will get more work and then their problem will be solved.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The government is working so that more containers come to this terminal,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, he assured all sorts of support to resolve the problems, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>\"Today, we have identified the problems of the port and hopefully to solve them soon,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'ve been able to identify the problems centering this terminal and hopefully we\'ll be able to resolve the problems soon,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 13:55:10', '2024-03-16 13:55:10'),
(11597, 11597, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The nation is set to celebrate the 104th anniversary of the birth of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The day, which is a public holiday, will also be celebrated as the National Children’s Day.</div><div><br></div><div>Marking the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi at 7am.</div><div><br></div><div>Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his grave in Tungipara at 10.30am.</div><div><br></div><div>At that time, she will also place a guard of honour and participate in a prayer programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, will join a programme there at 11am on the occasion of his birth anniversary and National Children’s Day.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, different socio-political organisations, including Awami League and its associated bodies, have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Television channels and radio stations will air special programmes marking the day.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 17, 1920, Bangabandhu was born in Tungipara village. While studying at Islamia College in Kolkata, he got involved in active politics.</div><div><br></div><div>Both while in and out of jail, Bangabandhu had led the Language Movement. On February 21, 1952, when Language Movement activists were killed, Bangabandhu was observing a hunger strike in jail.</div><div><br></div><div>In continuation of the Language Movement, all major movements of Bengalis, including the general elections in 1970 and the War of Liberation in 1971, were led by Bangabandhu.</div><div><br></div><div>Through his dynamic leadership, Bangabandhu had organised the Bengali nation to fight against exploitation and repression by then Pakistani rulers. The movement culminated in independent Bangladesh through the nine-month Liberation War in 1971.</div><div><br></div><div>When Bangabandhu was moving forward with an aim to build a \'Golden Bangladesh\' overcoming all obstacles, the defeated and anti-liberation war clique assassinated him, along with most of his family members, on August 15, 1975.</div><div><br></div><div>The government declared the period from March 17, 2020, to March 26, 2021, as the ‘Mujib Borsho’, marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu. However, it was extended till March 31 this year.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the President and the PM issued separate messages on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>\"On the occasion of the 104th Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation, I pay my deep homage to this great leader,\" the head of the state said in a message on the eve of the day.</div><div><br></div><div>In his message, the President also said that Bangabandhu remains the eternal source of inspiration for the Bengali nation. In politics, Bangabandhu appeared as a symbol of principle and ideals.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM, in her message, extended her best wishes to all the children of the country on the occasion of the 104th birth anniversary of the greatest Bengali of all time and \'</div><div>National Children\'s Day, according to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-16 14:36:36', '2024-03-16 14:36:36');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11598, 11598, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman here in Tungipara marking his 104th birth anniversary and the National Children’s Day-2024.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The president and the premier paid their homage by placing wreaths at the mazar (mausoleum) of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj this morning.</div><div><br></div><div>President Shahabuddin first laid a wreath at Bangabandhu’s mazar followed by the prime minister.</div><div><br></div><div>After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu.</div><div><br></div><div>A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave a guard of honour on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Flanked by senior leaders of her party, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, placed another wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu on behalf of the party.</div><div><br></div><div>Cabinet members, PM\'s advisers, parliament members and senior leaders of Bangladesh Awami League were present.</div><div><br></div><div>Shahabuddin and Hasina offered fateha and joined a munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu as well as other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.</div><div><br></div><div>The president also signed the visitor’s book kept on the mazar premises.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on his arrival on the mazar premises, President Mohammed Shahabuddin was received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the premier laid another wreath at Bangabandhu’s mazar along with members of the National Implementation Committee for Birth Centenary Celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>The father of the nation’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana was also present at this time.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier flew to Tungipara after placing wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Dhanmondi Road No 32 in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>The president and the prime minister also signed the visitor’s book kept on the mazar premises.</div><div><br></div><div>The birthday of Bangabandhu is being observed across the country as the National Children’s Day for many years.</div><div><br></div><div>On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the charismatic leader of the Bangalee nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all times, was born in a respected Muslim family at Tungipara village of Gopalganj. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 06:46:19', '2024-03-17 06:46:19'),
(11599, 11599, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The joint National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) Technical Assessment Mission deployed to Bangladesh to monitor potential violence before, during, and after the country’s January 7, 2024 parliamentary election has released its final report.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“This report provides a valuable roadmap for more peaceful elections in Bangladesh’s future,” said Manpreet Singh Anand, NDI’s Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific.</div><div><br></div><div>“Leaders across the socio-political spectrum – including political parties, the government, and civil society – have a responsibility to reform the rules, practices, and norms of electoral politics toward nonviolence,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The document provides a thematic analysis of different types of election-related violence and includes recommendations to the Bangladesh Election Commission, the executive and legislative branches of the government, political parties, civil society, and other stakeholders based on IRI’s and NDI’s comparative experience, to mitigate the risks of violence in future elections, in the furtherance of international cooperation and with respect for the sovereignty of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The mission found that the 2024 national election, including the campaign period, election day and immediate aftermath, had less physical and online violence compared to previous election cycles – primarily due to the absence of nationwide partisan competition and the state’s increased focus on election security, said a media release issued from Washington on March 16.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the Mission also found that the quality of the January election was undermined by incidents of violence, as well as a pre-election environment characterised by increased political polarisation, violence among political actors, contracting civic space, and worsening freedoms of expression and association.</div><div><br></div><div>“Election violence is a key deterrent of citizen participation,” said Johanna Kao, IRI’s Senior Director for the Asia-Pacific Division. “For Bangladesh’s elections to be fully inclusive and participatory, all sides need to prioritise nonviolent politics.”</div><div><br></div><div>During its stay in Bangladesh, the Mission’s five accredited long-term analysts met with election and government officials, security actors, political party leaders from across the political spectrum, journalists, civil society organisations including those focusing on youth, women, persons with disabilities, and religious minorities, as well as with accredited international observer missions.</div><div><br></div><div>This mission follows a joint pre-election assessment mission that NDI and IRI conducted from October 8 to 11, 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>The observations from the pre-election assessment mission informed the structure and scope of the technical assessment, which was conducted in accordance with the laws of Bangladesh and consistent with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, endorsed in 2005 at the United Nations.</div><div><br></div><div>IRI and NDI are nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisations that support and strengthen democratic institutions and practices worldwide. The Institutes have collectively observed more than 200 elections in more than 50 countries over the last 30 years. Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 06:53:12', '2024-03-17 06:53:12'),
(11600, 11600, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>As the month of Ramadan started, the bustling streets of Old Dhaka came alive with the aroma of spices and the sizzle of frying pans. The Iftar bazars in this ancient section of the capital are a battleground for traditional dishes vying to be crowned the ultimate feast to break one\'s fast.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Amongst the labyrinthine lanes of Chawkbazar, Islampur, Bangla Bazar, and the roadside tong shops, vendors engage in a spirited rivalry to tantalize the taste buds of the devout.</div><div><br></div><div>Chawkbazar stands as a bastion of tradition in the realm of Iftar markets, offering a cornucopia of culinary delights. Here, amidst the throng of eager patrons, one can find an array of Iftar staples: chickpeas, piaju, puri, chop, and juice, alongside a plethora of innovative creations.</div><div><br></div><div>The alleys of Islampur and Bangla Bazar also boast diverse assortments of Iftar treats, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region.</div><div><br></div><div>Central to the charm of Chawkbazar is the legendary \'Boro Baper Polay Khay\' Iftar, a concoction steeped in tradition and flavor. Comprising an eclectic mix of 15 ingredients, including chicken, minced meat, cotton kebab, and an assortment of spices, it embodies the essence of Old Dhaka\'s culinary heritage. Priced between Tk 800 to Tk 1200 per kilogram, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of tradition.</div><div><br></div><div>However, a newcomer to the scene, \'Shob Baper Polay Khay,\' poses a formidable challenge to the reigning champion. Vendors tout its credentials, proclaiming, \"This is the traditional food of Dhaka, the best of Chawkbazar.\" They claim that their food has a 78-year-old tradition.</div><div><br></div><div>Kebabs reign supreme in this gastronomic arena, with vendors proudly presenting an assortment of tantalizing options. From Tengri Kebab to Suti Kebab, Sheek Kebab, and Kathi Kebab, the choices are as diverse as they are delectable. Whole chicken roasts, quail roasts, and succulent leg of goat roasts vie for attention alongside savory beef haleem and fragrant biryanis. Vegetarian offerings such as vegetable naan, milk naan, and keema paratha cater to diverse palates, while vendors employ persuasive advertising tactics to attract discerning buyers.</div><div><br></div><div>Various items for Iftar such as grilled items priced at 80-100 taka, milk naan ranging from 60-100 taka, vegetable naan at 80-90 taka, paratha at 30 taka, keema paratha priced between 50-60 taka, beef biryani ranging from 350-450 taka, tender chicken roast at 350-450 taka, beef haleem starting from 200 taka to 800 taka, whole quail roast at 100 taka, and goat leg roast at 800 taka are being sold.</div><div><br></div><div>Amidst the savory fare, refreshing beverages offer respite from the sweltering heat. From traditional buttermilk to exotic concoctions like Mohabbat syrup and lassi, vendors ensure that thirst is quenched alongside hunger. Prices vary, with Ghol priced at Tk 100 per liter, desserts at Tk 200, and lassi ranging from Tk 220 to Tk 250 per liter.</div><div><br></div><div>Farid Uddin, a seasoned seller, attests to the brisk business, stating, \"We sell from noon until Iftar. Sales are going well by the grace of God.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The allure of these markets transcends geographical boundaries, drawing visitors from across the capital and beyond. Selim Haider, a buyer from Gazipur, remarks, \"I come to buy Iftar from Chawkbazar every year during Ramadan. This time, however, the prices have seen a noticeable rise.\"</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Amidst the culinary cacophony, simple pleasures like peyaju, puris, and chops find their place, priced between Tk 5 to Tk 20 per piece.</div><div><br></div><div>For those with a sweet tooth, a myriad of dessert options awaits. From Rasmalai to Curd, Chomchom, Rosogolla, Dudhsar, Pantua, and an array of jilapis, the choices are as indulgent as they are diverse. Prices range from Tk 250 for ghee-fried jilapis to Tk 500 for Dudhsar and pantua respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In the maze-like streets of Old Dhaka, where old ways mix with new, the Iftar markets show how people come together to celebrate. As people gather to end their fast, they share more than just food. It\'s a tradition that brings them closer, creating bonds that last beyond the meal, according to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 07:55:15', '2024-03-17 07:55:15'),
(11601, 11601, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday advised the guardians to become friendly with their children to keep them away from menaces lik terrorism, militancy, drug and corruption.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“There should be a friendly relation with parents.&nbsp; If so, they (children) can’t go astray. They must be given the lesson of honesty from their childhood to keep them away from terrorism, militancy, drug and corruption,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier was addressing a programme organised at Tungipara in Gopalganj to celebrate the 104th birthday anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children Day-2024.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the children should be engaged in extracurricular activities like sports, painting, music, and other cultural exercises and religious education alongside their classes.</div><div><br></div><div>“I would like to request guardians and teachers that you should pay attention so that the children would be imbued with human values on the one hand and on the other hand they get scopes to flourish their latent talents,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that education is very essential,&nbsp; Hasina asked the guardians and teachers not to create any undue pressure on the children in the name of education.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the children should learn their lessons through sports that would create scope to develop their hidden talent. “We want to go ahead making curriculum accordingly, \"she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She said in Digital Bangladesh the children now can see the world through digital devices.</div><div><br></div><div>“So, they can learn not only by reading the textbooks but also by watching with their eyes. And then they would be smart citizens in Smart Bangladesh. We want it, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Women and Children Affairs Ministry arranged the programme under the management of Gopalganj district administration.</div><div><br></div><div>This year the theme of the day is \"Bangabandhu’r Swapna Dhore, Anbo Hasi Sobar Ghore (Smiles to be brought to every house with implementation of the dream of Bangabandhu).”</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain (Rimi), Women and Children Affairs Secretary Nazma Mobarek, and child Tayeba Tasmeen (on behalf of the children) spoke at the function.</div><div><br></div><div>Child Piyasha Jamil presided over the function, jointly moderated by two children Abdur Rahman and Lamiatul Bari.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sabirul Islam and Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mahbubul Alam were also on the stage.</div><div><br></div><div>Cabinet members, members of parliament, political leaders and high officials were present in the programme.</div><div><br></div><div>A documentary titled ‘Bangabandhu and Children Rights’ was screened.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister distributed prizes among the winners of quiz, painting, recitation, patriotic song and dance competition organized by Gopalganj District Administration on the occasion of 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children’s Day-2024, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, 104 insolvent students received Tk 5,000 as a financial donation on the occasion of the Bangabandhu’s Birthday and Children’s Day.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 09:36:30', '2024-03-17 09:36:30'),
(11602, 11602, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Right-arm pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib will miss the third match of the three-game ODI series against Sri Lanka due to injury. The third match will take place on March 18.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the chief selector of the BCB, informed UNB that they are currently working on selecting a replacement for Tanzim.</div><div><br></div><div>Tanzim sustained a hamstring injury during the first ODI in Chattogram. Despite this, he participated in the second ODI and bowled all 10 overs while managing his injury. However, his condition worsened during a net session thereafter.</div><div><br></div><div>In the first two ODIs, Tanzim took four wickets, including three in the first match that Bangladesh won.</div><div><br></div><div>Prior to this series, Tanzim played nine matches in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and claimed 11 wickets.</div><div><br></div><div>His absence in the final match, which will decide the series as both teams have won one match each, will certainly be a setback for the Bangladesh team. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 09:41:48', '2024-03-17 09:41:48'),
(11603, 11603, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>During the holy month of Ramadan, after a long day of fasting, the tradition of breaking fast, or Iftar, often involves enjoying refreshing beverages. Among these, instant powdered fruit drinks are a popular choice due to their refreshing flavours and instant preparation. However, commercially produced powdered drinks can contain artificial additives and excessive sugar, which may not align with dietary preferences or health goals. Thankfully, making homemade powdered fruit drinks provides a healthier alternative, offering control over ingredients and customisation of flavours.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Why Avoid Commercially Produced Instant Powdered Fruit Drinks?</div><div>Commercially produced powdered fruit drinks often contain artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, and high amounts of sugar. Consuming such additives regularly may lead to adverse health effects, including increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Additionally, individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences may find it challenging to locate suitable options among commercially available powdered drink varieties. Homemade powdered fruit drinks allow for the exclusion of unwanted additives and customisation according to personal taste and nutritional requirements.</div><div><br></div><div>How to Make Instant Powdered Fruit Drinks at Home</div><div>Mango Powder</div><div><br></div><div>1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons of glucose powder, 1 teaspoon mango emulsion, 1 teaspoon citric acid, and ¼ teaspoon salt</div><div><br></div><div>Instructions</div><div><br></div><div>First, in a mixer jar, pour sugar and add 2 tablespoons of glucose powder, mango emulsion, a quarter teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of citric acid. Grind the ingredients together until they achieve a fine powder consistency. Your homemade mango mix is now ready.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Transfer it into an airtight jar for storage. To serve, simply mix one tablespoon of the mango powder with 200 ml of water, add some ice cubes, stir well, and enjoy the refreshing taste.</div><div><br></div><div>Orange Powder</div><div><br></div><div>1.5 cups sugar, 1 cup orange glucose, 1 teaspoon citric acid, a pinch of salt, 4-5 drops of orange fruit colour, and ½ teaspoon orange essence.</div><div><br></div><div>To prepare your homemade orange powder, first place sugar and citric acid into a blender. Grind the mixture until both ingredients have transformed into a fine powder consistency. Next, introduce glucose to the blender, followed by a pinch of salt, orange essence, and orange food colouring.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Now, blend the ingredients once more until thoroughly combined. Your homemade orange powder is now prepared, ready to add a burst of fruity flavour to your beverages or recipes.</div><div><br></div><div>Lemon Powder</div><div><br></div><div>1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon essence, 1 teaspoon citric acid, and a few drops of yellow/lemon food colour.</div><div><br></div><div>First, in a mixer, mix granulated sugar, lemon essence, citric acid, and food colouring. Blend the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined and free of any lumps. Once blended, store the lemon powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain its freshness.</div><div><br></div><div>Strawberry Powder</div><div><br></div><div>½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons glucose, 1 teaspoon strawberry flavour, ¼ teaspoon citric acid, and ¼ teaspoon salt</div><div><br></div><div>First, to prepare your homemade Tang powder, start by placing sugar, glucose, and salt into a blender. Grind the mixture until both ingredients have turned into a fine powder consistency. Next, add strawberry flavour to the blender. Blend the ingredients again until they are thoroughly combined. Your homemade strawberry powder is now ready for consumption.</div><div><br></div><div>Bottom Lines</div><div><br></div><div>Making homemade instant powdered fruit drinks offers a simple yet rewarding way to enjoy refreshing fruit-flavoured beverages during Iftar and beyond.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>By avoiding commercially produced options and opting for homemade alternatives, individuals can prioritise their health, dietary preferences, and taste preferences while indulging in a delightful treat. With easy-to-follow recipes and endless flavour possibilities, homemade instant powdered fruit drinks are sure to become a staple in your Ramadan traditions. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', '<p><b><font color=\"#3984c6\">&nbsp;Fruit Drink</font></b><br></p>', 'News Desk', '[\"24\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 09:55:42', '2024-03-17 09:55:42'),
(11604, 11604, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Train communication between Dhaka and Chattogram remained suspended since Sunday noon as nine bogies of a train derailed near Tejer Bazar in Nangalkot upazila of Cumilla district.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Jashim Uddin, assistant director (operation) of Bangladesh Railway said Jamalpur-bound ‘Bijoy Express’ train from Chattogram veered off the tracks in the area after crossing Gunoboti rail station around 1:45 pm as the rail tracks bent due to hot weather, halting train movement on Dhaka-Chattogram route.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 20 people were slightly injured during the derailment, said witnesses.</div><div><br></div><div>Three relief trains from Pahartoli, Laksham and Akhaura left for the spot to salvage the derailed bogies. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 10:37:30', '2024-03-17 10:37:30'),
(11605, 11605, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Members of National Security Intelligence (NSI) on Sunday arrested a man along with half kg of gold powder, gold bar, and ornaments from Hazrat Shah Amanat International Airport.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The arrestee was identified as Mohammad Nezam Uddin, of Boalkhali upaizla in Chattogram district.</div><div><br></div><div>Taslim Ahmed, director of the airport, said a flight of Air Arabia landed at the airport from Sharjah in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Tipped off, a team of NSI challenged Nezam and seized half kg of gold powder, one gold bar, weighing 116.5 grams, gold ornaments, weighing 100 grams worth Tk 39.85 lakh after searching Nezam’s body and arrested him.</div><div><br></div><div>Process is on to take legal steps against Nezam, said Taslim. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 11:25:06', '2024-03-17 11:25:06'),
(11606, 11606, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has primarily found partial involvement of Jagannath University’s (JnU) suspended student Raihan Siddique Amman and relieved Assistant Proctor Deen Islam with the suicide of Fairuz Abontika. Abontika died by suicide on Friday night in her Cumilla residence.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>DMP Additional Commissioner Kha Mahid Uddin shared the information at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question, the additional commissioner said, “Partial involvement of the arrested – Amman and Deen Islam – was found during primary interrogation.”</div><div><br></div><div>“The depth of their involvement will be determined by the investigation. We have done whatever was up to us, now the Kotwali Police Station of Cumilla will investigate,” he said, adding that they have handed over the duo to Kotwali Police Station.</div><div><br></div><div>The DMP additional commissioner informed that Abontika’s mother Tahmina Shabnam filed a case with Cumilla’s Kotwali Police Station last night. Two people were charged with abetment to suicide in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>Fairuz Abontika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of JnU’s Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate and the assistant proctor of the university in a Facebook post around 10 pm on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>In the Facebook post before committing suicide, Abontika said that her classmate Raihan Amman and assistant proctor Deen Islam were responsible for her suicide.</div><div><br></div><div>“If I ever die by suicide, my classmate Amman Siddiqui and assistant proctor Deen Islam, who supported him, will be solely responsible for my death. I complained to the Proctor’s office that Amman was threatening me offline and also online, but I did not get any justice. Deen Islam intimidated me in many ways on behalf of Amman. He said that expelling me is very easy for him. I know I won’t get any justice here,” she wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>A massive protest erupted on the JnU campus following the news of suicide on Friday night.</div><div><br></div><div>In the face of protest, the university authorities immediately relieved the assistant proctor and suspended the student.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the university administration formed a four-member probe committee with Masum Billah, dean of the Faculty of Law, as the convener and Law Officer Ranjan Kumar Das as the member secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday, the protesting students announced to besiege the Vice Chancellor’s office on Monday to press home their six-point demand. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 11:27:17', '2024-03-17 11:27:17'),
(11607, 11607, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The US is organising a charter flight to evacuate its citizens from Haiti, the US embassy said on Saturday, after weeks of gang violence that has paralysed the Caribbean country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The emergency flight will depart from Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s second largest city, as the main airport in capital Port-au-Prince remains shut amid the unrest.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are arranging a charter flight for US citizens from Cap-Haitien to the United States, assuming the security situation in Cap-Haitien remains stable,” the US embassy in Haiti said in a security alert posted on its website.</div><div><br></div><div>The embassy said the airport in Cap-Haitien is open “periodically” for departing flights.</div><div><br></div><div>No date for the evacuation has been announced and it is unclear how many Americans will be able to take the flight.</div><div><br></div><div>The embassy warned that the 200km overland journey from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien is “dangerous,” telling its citizens to consider the flight “only if you believe you can reach Cap-Haitien airport safely.”</div><div><br></div><div>The US said last Sunday it had airlifted non-essential American staff from its embassy in Port-au-Prince and brought in additional personnel to boost security at the compound.</div><div><br></div><div>Several other countries and the European Union have evacuated diplomatic personnel due to the crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>The United Nations also said it was evacuating non-essential staff.</div><div><br></div><div>The UN mission in Haiti announced Wednesday it would launch an “airbridge” from neighbouring Dominican Republic to facilitate the movement of aid into the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Haiti has been convulsed for the last two weeks by a gang uprising, with the well-armed groups aiming to topple Prime Minister Ariel Henry, an unpopular and unelected leader.</div><div><br></div><div>Henry agreed to step aside after an emergency meeting Monday that brought together parties including the US, UN and Caribbean representatives, yielding a blueprint for Haitians to form a governing transitional presidential council until elections can be held.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Saturday, authorities said police seized firearms and cleared roadblocks in a Port-au-Prince neighbourhood controlled by notorious gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, in an operation that left several criminals dead. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 11:30:37', '2024-03-17 11:30:37'),
(11608, 11608, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Twenty-one people were killed and 38 injured in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province today when a bus collided with an oil tanker and a motorbike, a provincial official said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Early in the morning today, based on the information we have received so far, 21 people were killed” in an accident “between a passenger bus, a tanker and a motorbike”, the provincial governor’s spokesman Mohammad Qasim Riyaz told AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>Another 38 people were injured in the collision, the provincial information department said, updating an initial tally of 11 provided by Riyaz.</div><div><br></div><div>The collision caused the vehicles to ignite, with images shared by the Helmand information department on social media showing charred, twisted metal and the crushed cabin of the tanker.</div><div><br></div><div>The accident took place early this morning on a main highway between the capital Kabul and northern Herat city in the Grishk district of Helmand.</div><div><br></div><div>Deadly traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan due in part to poor roads, dangerous driving on highways and lack of regulation.</div><div><br></div><div>In December 2022, an oil tanker overturned and caught fire in Afghanistan’s high-altitude Salang pass, killing 31 people and leaving dozens more with burn injuries. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 11:33:02', '2024-03-17 11:33:02'),
(11609, 11609, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US president Joe Biden’s re-election campaign raised more than US$53 million in February and has US$155 million cash-on-hand after pulling in the most grassroots fundraising since the campaign’s launch.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>February’s fundraising came just before Biden clinched the Democratic Party’s nomination in March and before he raised $10 million in the 24 hours following his fiery State of the Union address.</div><div><br></div><div>About 1.3 million donors have made nearly 3.4 million contributions, and 97% of donations have been under US$200, according to a statement from Biden’s campaign, which released the figures today.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden in February went on a fundraising trip to California and attended fundraisers in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Opposition to Donald Trump, who clinched the Republican Party’s nomination, and to the GOP, have motivated donors.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden’s campaign generated US$1.6 million in grassroots revenue in the 48 hours following the GOP primary in South Carolina, while Trump-focused emails have also driven donations, Biden’s campaign said.</div><div><br></div><div>“The stakes of this election couldn’t be higher for the future of this country, and our historic fundraising operation is making sure every voter knows these stakes come November,” said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s campaign manager.</div><div><br></div><div>A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Biden had a marginal one percentage point lead over Trump ahead of November’s election.</div><div><br></div><div>Some 39% of registered voters in the one-week poll said they would vote for Biden, a Democrat, if the election were held today, compared with 38% who picked Republican former president Trump. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 11:37:16', '2024-03-17 11:37:16'),
(11610, 11610, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">South Ossetia, a region that broke away from Georgia and calls itself an independent state, has discussed becoming part of Russia with Moscow officials, Russian news agency RIA cited the head of South Ossetia’s parliament as saying today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Russia recognised South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, as independent states in 2008 after Russian troops repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war in 2008. Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria recognised them as independent too.</div><div><br></div><div>But the West accused Russia of effectively annexing Abkhazia and South Ossetia, one fifth of Georgia’s territory, and Tbilisi wants the two regions back.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are discussing all these issues in close coordination with Russia, taking into account our bilateral relations and treaties,” RIA quoted Alan Alborov, the chairman of South Ossetia’s parliament, as saying in answer to a question about the possibility of holding a referendum on becoming part of Russia.</div><div><br></div><div>“When we come to this idea together with the Russian Federation (about joining the Russian Federation), we will do it,” RIA quoted Alborov as saying</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian-backed leader of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev, last year expressed hope that the region could be formally incorporated into Russia, RIA said.</div><div><br></div><div>South Ossetia broke away from Georgian rule in a war in 1991-92 in which several thousand people died, and maintains close ties with the neighbouring Russian region of North Ossetia.</div><div><br></div><div>The majority of South Ossetians are ethnically distinct from Georgians, and speak their own language, related to Farsi.</div><div><br></div><div>Almost all the population have accepted Russian passports. They use the Russian ruble as their currency and the economy is dependent on Russia. - Reuters</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 11:40:20', '2024-03-17 11:40:20'),
(11611, 11611, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US president Joe Biden took jabs on Saturday at former president Donald Trump with jokes about the mental fitness of his election opponent during a speech at the Gridiron Club dinner, a Washington tradition that began in the 1880s.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Biden’s appearance at the dinner, in which politicians and journalists trade humorous barbs in a white-tie formal affair, was the first time a president has attended in person since former president Donald Trump in 2018.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden, 81, recently clinched the Democratic Party’s nomination for this year’s presidential election and will face off against Trump, 77, in a rematch in November. Biden is trying to court voters, boost his low approval ratings and allay concerns that he is too old to run again.</div><div><br></div><div>“One candidate is too old and mentally unfit to be president. The other one is me,” Biden said on Saturday, in front of more than 650 guests who included the Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar, Amazon’s founder and Washington Post’s owner Jeff Bezos, and TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew, whose US business could be banned by Biden.</div><div><br></div><div>Trump’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Trump has also questioned Biden’s mental capacity to be president.</div><div><br></div><div>Biden reinforced the importance of the press, which he said is not “the enemy of the people,” in stark contrast to previous remarks by Trump about the news media.</div><div><br></div><div>He also spoke about the war in Ukraine with the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, who attended Saturday’s dinner. “We will not bow down, they (Ukrainians) will not bow down and I will not bow down,” Biden said.</div><div><br></div><div>After his speech, Biden descended to the floor and took selfies with reporters and called one guest’s mother.</div><div><br></div><div>Michigan’s governor Gretchen Whitmer, representing the Democratic Party at the event, also spoke on Saturday, as well as Utah’s governor Spencer Cox, representing the Republican Party.</div><div><br></div><div>Cox, 48, joked that he was announcing his candidacy for the presidency “in 2052, when I still will be younger than both President Biden and President Trump.”</div><div><br></div><div>Turning more serious, he said there is a hunger among Americans for something more positive in politics.</div><div><br></div><div>The club’s 65 members, all representatives from news organisations, performed satirical songs and skits. One song poked fun at Biden’s and Trump’s ages to the tune of “When I’m Sixty-Four” by The Beatles.</div><div><br></div><div>At last year’s dinner, Mike Pence, who served as vice-president under Trump, offered a forceful rebuke of his one-time boss, saying history would hold Trump accountable for his role in the Jan 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.</div><div><br></div><div>Unlike its sister event, the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in April, the Gridiron dinner is not televised and tries to retain its yesteryear vibe with men in white tie and tails and women in long dresses.</div><div><br></div><div>No photos are allowed during the dinner and participants are asked not to post on social media until after it has concluded. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 11:45:08', '2024-03-17 11:45:08'),
(11612, 11612, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company has disconnected over 11,300 illegal household and other connections in three days in Munshiganj district.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to officials, a team of Titas Gas – headed by its managing director Md. Haronur Rashid Mullah – conducted a drive against the illegal connections in different areas of Munshiganj on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>The areas include Moddho Baushia, Baktarkandi, Bhaberchar, Alipura Vitikandi, Notun Charchashi, Puran Baushia, Bhaber Char College Road, and Gazaria.</div><div><br></div><div>The length of the disconnected lines is about 34 km where the illegal connection holders include 11,300 household users, three casting factories, five restaurants and 59 tea stalls.</div><div><br></div><div>Each of the connections was snapped permanently from the source point, said Titas Gas.</div><div><br></div><div>Titas Gas officials informed that the drive against illegal connections was conducted through mobile court by executive magistrates from Munshiganj district administration.</div><div><br></div><div>Titas Gas official sources also said the company has 28.78 lakh consumers across its operating areas which include Dhaka, Gazipur, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Mymensingh, Kishorganj and adjoining districts.</div><div><br></div><div>It supplies about 55 percent of the total gas produced in the country to the consumers. But apart from its legal connection holders, it has a huge number of illegal connection holders, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>“The number will be more than 3 lakh and most of the illegal connections are in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj and Manikganj,” said a top official of Titas Gas.</div><div><br></div><div>He also alleged that these illegal connections holders have been getting gas supply with the help of a section of unscrupulous officers and employees of Titas Gas Company in connivance with the local representatives. As a result, despite repeated drives, such illegal connections have not stopped permanently, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 11:47:48', '2024-03-17 11:47:48'),
(11613, 11613, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday claimed that the party’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman\'s speech, which was delivered through zoom app to maintain communication with party leaders and activists, has been distorted with deep fake technology using artificial intelligence (AI).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said the deep fake video is being spread through a few pro-govt online platforms and media outlets and being used for extorting from BNP’s well-wishers from home and abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>Not only acting chairman but also they are making deep fake video of BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and other members, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He said it in a press briefing held at BNP’s Nayapaltan Central Office.</div><div><br></div><div>Rizvi said after an investigation done by BNP’s IT department they have found that a man named Nahid Rain accused for deception and convicted ied the activity against opposition to degrade their image with the help of Awami League (AL).</div><div><br></div><div>It is a matter of great sorrow but the truth is the prime criminal is being promoted in both online and offline by an influential foreigner, he alleged.</div><div><br></div><div>Ruhul Kabir Rizvi demanded the immediate arrest of Nahid Rain for the crime of extortion in the name of BNP leaders, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said before January 7 dummy election, AL has been published numerous deep fake video on social media of their false development by using various international media’s anchor and logo.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, they also made deep fake video about US Dhaka Embassy by using AI, he continued.</div><div><br></div><div>Realizing importance of the deep fake video, Financial Times correspondent Benjamin Parkin has published a report on December 14, 2023 where he showed that how a miscreant ring of pro AL is making deep fake video by using AI.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-17 14:11:46', '2024-03-17 14:11:46'),
(11614, 11614, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said the NDI-IRI in their report acknowledged that the January 7 National Election witnessed less violence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The quality of the election was much better than the previous ones in Bangladesh or elections held in the subcontinent, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A fair and good election was held,\" said the Foreign Minister while responding to a question at Foreign Service Academy today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmud said the NDI and IRI have presented their statement. \"We are looking at that. But a beautiful, fair, free and impartial election was held in the country.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"BNP and their allies have not only boycotted the election but also tried to resist it… they should also address this issue,\" Hasan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that BNP incited violence and people were burnt and killed. \"These issues have to be there in the report.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on whether the government is rejecting the report, the Foreign Minister said it is not a matter of rejection or acceptance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They have given the report, we are looking at it, and we are examining all the observations made by our friendly countries and anyone else,\" Hasan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thd 2024 election had less physical, online violence compared to previous election cycles, said the NDI-IRI technical assessment mission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The joint National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) Technical Assessment Mission — deployed to Bangladesh to monitor potential violence before, during, and after the country’s January 7, 2024 parliamentary election — has released its final report.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This report provides a valuable roadmap for more peaceful elections in Bangladesh’s future,” said Manpreet Singh Anand, NDI’s Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Leaders across the socio-political spectrum – including political parties, the government, and civil society – have a responsibility to reform the rules, practices, and norms of electoral politics toward nonviolence,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The document provides a thematic analysis of different types of election-related violence and includes recommendations to the Bangladesh Election Commission, the executive and legislative branches of the government, political parties, civil society, and other stakeholders based on IRI’s and NDI’s comparative experience, to mitigate the risks of violence in future elections, in the furtherance of international cooperation and with respect for the sovereignty of Bangladesh. 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, '2024-03-17 19:17:56', '2024-03-17 19:17:56'),
(11615, 11615, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The US Department of State has selected four distinguished scientists to serve as Science Envoys for 2024.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>They are Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, Dr. Stephanie “Steffi” Diem, Dr. Sian Proctor, and Dr. Dawn Wright.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Through the US Science Envoy Program, eminent American scientists and engineers leverage their expertise and networks to forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation to advance solutions to shared challenges, champion innovation, and demonstrate America’s scientific leadership and technical ingenuity.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The scientists selected to participate in 2024 make up the first all-female cohort in the history of the US Science Envoy Program, said the US Department of State.</div><div><br></div><div>The US Science Envoy program was established by the Secretary of State in 2010.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Like their 30 predecessors, the 2024 Cohort will travel as private US citizens to engage internationally with civil society as well as government interlocutors.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Science Envoys help inform the Department of State, other US government agencies, and the scientific community about opportunities for science and technology cooperation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The State Department selected the 2024 cohort to take advantage of their expertise in key issues facing the world today: Artificial Intelligence, Fusion Energy, Civil Use of Space, and Ocean Sustainability.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Rumman Chowdhury is a data scientist and social scientist. She is the CEO of Humane Intelligence, a technology nonprofit that builds a community of practice around evaluations of artificial intelligence (AI) models.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Chowdhury is also a Responsible AI Fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Previously, Dr. Chowdhury served as Director of the Machine Learning Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability team at Twitter, as well as the Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture Applied Intelligence.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>She has earned numerous awards and accolades, including Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential People in AI, BBC’s 100 Women, Worthy Magazine’s top 100, the Bay Area’s top 40 under 40, and Forbes’ labeled her one of Five Who are Shaping AI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Chowdhury holds two undergraduate degrees from MIT, a M.S. in Quantitative Methods of the Social Sciences from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, San Diego. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 07:43:29', '2024-03-18 07:43:29');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(11616, 11616, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu railed Sunday against growing criticism from top ally the United States against his leadership amid the devastating war with Hamas, describing calls for a new election as “wholly inappropriate.”</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In recent days, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the country and a strong Israel supporter, called on Israel to hold a new election, saying Netanyahu had “lost his way.” President Joe Biden expressed support for Schumer’s “good speech,\" and earlier accused Netanyahu of hurting Israel because of the huge civilian death toll in Gaza.</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel never would have called for a new U.S. election after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, and denounced Schumer’s comments as inappropriate.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’re not a banana republic,\" he said. “The people of Israel will choose when they will have elections, and who they’ll elect, and it’s not something that will be foisted on us.”</div><div><br></div><div>When asked by CNN whether he would commit to a new election after the war ends, Netanyahu said: “I think that’s something for the Israeli public to decide.”</div><div><br></div><div>The U.S., which has provided key military and diplomatic support to Israel, also has expressed concerns about a planned Israeli assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where about 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering. The spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby, told Fox the U.S. still hasn\'t seen an Israeli plan for Rafah.</div><div><br></div><div>The U.S. supports a new round of talks aimed at securing a cease-fire in exchange for the return of Israeli hostages taken in Hamas\' Oct. 7 attack.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli delegation to those talks was expected to leave for Qatar after Sunday evening meetings of the Security Cabinet and War Cabinet, which will give directions for negotiations.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the talks, Netanyahu made it clear he would not back down from the fighting that has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. More than five months have passed since Hamas attacked southern Israel, killed 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu said calls for an election now — which polls show he would lose badly — would force Israel to stop fighting and paralyze the country for six months.</div><div><br></div><div>Netanyahu also reiterated his determination to attack Hamas in Rafah and said that his government approved military plans for such an operation.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will operate in Rafah. This will take several weeks, and it will happen,” he said. The operation is supposed to include the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of civilians, but it is not clear how Israel will do that.</div><div><br></div><div>Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi reiterated his warning that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah would have “grave repercussions on the whole region.\" Egypt says pushing Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula would jeopardize its peace treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of regional stability.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are also very concerned about the risks a full-scale offensive in Rafah would have on the vulnerable civilian population. This needs to be avoided at all costs,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after meeting with el-Sissi.</div><div><br></div><div>And German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after meeting with Netanyahu on Sunday, warned that \"the more desperate the situation of people in Gaza becomes, the more this begs the question: No matter how important the goal, can it justify such terribly high costs, or are there other ways to achieve your goal?”</div><div><br></div><div>Germany is one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe and, given memories of the Holocaust, often treads carefully when criticizing Israel.</div><div><br></div><div>Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, in Washington for St. Patrick’s Day, said during a White House reception that the Irish people were “deeply troubled” by what’s unfolding in Gaza. He said there was much to learn from Ireland\'s peace process and the critical U.S. involvement in it.</div><div><br></div><div>Varadkar said he’s often asked why the Irish are so empathetic to the Palestinians.</div><div><br></div><div>“We see our history in their eyes. A story of displacement, dispossession, and national identity questioned and denied forced emigration, discrimination and now hunger,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli consul-general in New York and an outspoken critic of Netanyahu, said that the prime minister\'s comments fit with his efforts to find someone else to blame if Israel doesn\'t achieve its goal of destroying Hamas.</div><div><br></div><div>“He’s looking on purpose for a conflict with the U.S. so that he can blame Biden,” Pinkas said.</div><div><br></div><div>Both sides have something to gain politically from the dispute. The Biden administration is under increasing pressure from progressive Democrats and some Arab-American supporters to restrain Israel\'s war against Hamas. Netanyahu, meanwhile, wants to show his nationalist base that he can withstand global pressure, even from Israel\'s closest ally.</div><div><br></div><div>But pressure also comes from home, with thousands protesting again in Tel Aviv on Saturday night against Netanyahu\'s government and calling for a new election and a deal for the release of hostages. Large parts of the Israeli public want a deal, fearing that hostages are held in poor conditions and time is running out to bring them home alive.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel’s offensive has driven most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people from their homes. A quarter of Gaza’s population is starving, according to the U.N.</div><div><br></div><div>Airdrops by the U.S. and other nations continue, while deliveries on a new sea route have begun, but aid groups say more ground routes and fewer Israeli restrictions on them are needed to meet humanitarian needs in any significant way.</div><div><br></div><div>“Of course we should be bringing humanitarian aid by road. Of course by now we should be having at least two, three other entry points into Gaza,” chef José Andrés with World Central Kitchen, which organized the tons of food delivered by sea, told NBC.</div><div><br></div><div>The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 31,645 Palestinians have been killed in the war. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Israel says Hamas is responsible for civilian deaths because it operates in dense residential areas.</div><div><br></div><div>The Health Ministry on Sunday said that the bodies of 92 people killed in Israel’s bombardment had been brought to hospitals in Gaza in the past 24 hours. Hospitals also received 130 wounded, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 11 people from the Thabet family, including five children and one woman, were killed in an airstrike in Deir al-Balah city in central Gaza, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and an Associated Press journalist. The body of an infant lay among the dead. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 07:48:55', '2024-03-18 07:48:55'),
(11617, 11617, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Cumilla court on Monday placed Jagannath University’s suspended student Raihan Siddique Amman and teacher Deen Islam on a two and one- day remand respectively in a case filed over the death of JnU student Fairuz Abontika.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Cumilla Judicial Magistrate Court-2 Judge Abu Bakar Siddique passed the order after the accused were produced before the court with prayers for a five and two-day remand respectively, said Kotwali Model police station Officer-in-Charge Md Firoz Hossain.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The court also ordered the investigation officer of the case filed to submit a report within seven days, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Abontika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of the JnU Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate Amman and teacher&nbsp; Deen Islam , who was relieved from the post of assistant proctor of the university, in a Facebook post around 10 pm on Friday.</div><div><br></div><div>In the Facebook post before committing suicide, Abantika said that her classmate Amman Siddique and assistant proctor Deen Islam would be responsible for her suicide.</div><div><br></div><div>\'If I ever die by suicide, my classmate Amman Siddiqui and assistant proctor Deen Islam, who supported him, will be solely responsible for my death. I complained to the Proctor\'s office that Amman was threatening me offline and also online but I did not get any benefit. Deen Islam scares me in many ways for the sake of Amman. He said that expelling me is very easy for him. I know I won\'t get any justice here,” she wrote.</div><div><br></div><div>Hours after death of Abontika by suicide, massive protest broke out and continued till Saturday morning, demanding justice for the student.</div><div><br></div><div>In the face of student movement, the university authorities were compelled to relieve the assistant proctor and suspend the student to assuage the movement.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the university administration formed a four-member probe committee with Masum Billah, dean of the Faculty of Law, as the convener and Law Officer Ranjan Kumar Das as the member secretary.</div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday, the protesting students announced to besiege the Vice Chancellor’s office on Monday to press home their six-point demand.</div><div><br></div><div>Members of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested the teacher and student from Dhaka on Saturday night.</div><div><br></div><div>The DMP handed over the duo to Kotwali police station to take next action in this connection on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>DMP Additional Commissioner Dr Kha Mahid Uddin at a press conference on Sunday said they found partial authenticity of their involvement with the death of Abontika during the preliminary investigation. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 07:52:28', '2024-03-18 07:52:28'),
(11618, 11618, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The 104th birth anniversary of the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and National Children’s Day-2024 were celebrated at theBangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Sunday with due respect and festivity.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>To celebrate the day, the Embassy organised elaborate programs which included hoisting of the National Flag, placing a floral wreath at the bust of Bangabandhu, discussion meeting, essay and painting competitions for children and screening of documentaries on Bangabandhu.</div><div><br></div><div>The day’s programs at the Embassy began in the morning with the ceremonial hoisting of the National Flag in front of the Chancery Building by Ambassador Muhammad Imran.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Officials and employees of the Mission were present at that time.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, the Ambassador placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Corner in the presence of the officials and employees of the Mission.</div><div><br></div><div>Messages issued on the occasion by the President, Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister were read out by Minister (Consular) Md Habibur Rahman, Minister (Commerce) Md Salim Reza and Minister (Economic) Dr. Md Fazle Rabbi.</div><div><br></div><div>Taking part in the discussion, Ambassador Imran paid glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation and recalled his long struggle from the great Language Movement to the War of Liberation to achieve the much-anticipated independence of the nation.</div><div><br></div><div>Describing Bangabandhu as an uncompromising and fearless leader, he said the life of the great leader and the history of Bangladesh are tied to the same stint.</div><div><br></div><div>While talking about the National Children’s Day, the Ambassador said the government led by Bangabandhu’s able daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various programs to make the country a safe abode for the future generations.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that the new generation would be the main driving force to lead the nation and put it in a more dignified position in the world in future. Ambassador Imran requested the guardians to let the children know about Bangabandhu’s great sacrifice for independence and rebuilding the war-ravaged nation alongside Bangladesh’s rich history, culture and heritage.</div><div><br></div><div>He also called upon all to work unitedly under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty by embracing the spirit of the Liberation War and the ideology of the Father of the Nation.</div><div><br></div><div>Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain also took part in the discussion highlighting Bangabandhu’s long struggle for independence and huge contribution to rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.</div><div><br></div><div>The morning part of the program ended with offering a special prayer seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage as well as continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.</div><div><br></div><div>Later in the evening, the Ambassador cut a cake with the participation of the children and distributed prizes among the winners of the essay and painting competitions. First Secretary (Passport &amp; Visa Wing) Muhammad Abdul Hye Milton ‍and First Secretary Ataur Rahman conducted the programs. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 07:56:37', '2024-03-18 07:56:37'),
(11619, 11619, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said BNP and its allies want restoration of caretaker government system not for the election, but to push the country back to darkness again.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"No one will be able to push the country back to the era of darkness,\" she declared.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, president of the ruling Awami League, was addressing a discussion marking the 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at its Dhaka District unit office in Tejgaon.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that Bangladesh is the country of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib who was born to change the fate of the common people.</div><div><br></div><div>“And we will bring that change following his ideals,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister questioned the logic behind BNP\'s demand that the repealed caretaker government system is restored again to oversee national elections.</div><div><br></div><div>“Why do they want that? What\'s their expectation? In 2008 election there was a caretaker government. In that election they got only 30 seats while Awami League bagged 233 seats,” she recalled.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that BNP should remember that.</div><div><br></div><div>She said while Awami League remains in power the poor get food and shelter, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>She said that In the country of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman no one will remain without a home, address, and land.</div><div><br></div><div>Tthe government is implementing programmes to reach this goal, said the PM.</div><div><br></div><div>“And that is the thing they can not tolerate. They do not like that the common and poor people live a good life,” she said pointing at BNP.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 08:53:51', '2024-03-18 08:53:51'),
(11620, 11620, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Sajeeb Wazed, ICT Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister, has said that the United States’ take on democracy and polls in Bangladesh is guided by a goal of putting a “puppet regime” in place.</b></div><div><br></div><div>“Unless the United States gets its puppet regime in place in Bangladesh, no election will be good enough according to them!” — reads a post on his verified Facebook page.</div><div><br></div><div>US foreign policy moves involving Bangladesh have been questioned and criticised by several foreign policy analysts and civil society members in the span of the last few months.</div><div><br></div><div>A series of columns and news analysis by analysts and academics even found the attitude to be “singling out” the youngest nation in South Asia.</div><div><br></div><div>US approach in Israel and Gaza has also been widely criticised within the country and around the world as it vetoed UN resolution demanding ceasefire in Gaza, aided Israel, and continues to preach about human rights.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, a Bloomberg opinion article, titled “Biden’s Democracy Crusade Goes Astray in Bangladesh” observed that “Visa curbs and lectures are only making the US look partisan and arbitrary to many.”</div><div><br></div><div>The activities of the US Ambassador in Dhaka have also been subjected to criticism. Members of the civil society and journalist leaders found the envoy’s remark about applying US visa policy on the media in Bangladesh to be an “unprecedented attack” on the country’s press by a foreign diplomat. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 09:39:22', '2024-03-18 09:39:22'),
(11621, 11621, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Four suspected robbers were killed in a lynch-mob attack at Baghri village in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj on Sunday night.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Another youth injured in the mob attack was admitted to National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR).</div><div><br></div><div>However, the identities of the deceased couldn’t be known immediately.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Billal Hossain, additional superintendent of police (circle-Kha) of Narayanganj, said a youth saw some 10 to 12 unidentified youths roaming in the village around 10 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>When he announced presence of robbers in the village using loudspeaker of a local mosque, some residents of three villages besieged the youths and gave them a good thrashing, leaving three of them dead on the spot, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>One injured victim died when he was taken to a hospital, he said, adding that another is undergoing treatment at the NITOR.</div><div><br></div><div>A daring robbery occurred in two houses in Kazadi area under the same upazila on Friday night.</div><div><br></div><div>The robbers stabbed inmates&nbsp; of the houses when they tried to resist the robbers. According to unb reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 09:48:05', '2024-03-18 09:48:05'),
(11622, 11622, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Three people died and seven were injured in a collision between a pickup van and a human hauler on Sylhet-Tamabil highway in Jaintapur upazila of Sylhet on Monday morning.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were identified as Mongli Patra, 50, daughter of Santosh Patra of Paschim Thakur Mati village of the upazila, Suchita Patra, 35, wife of Push Patra, and their five-month-old child.</div><div><br></div><div>Three of the injured were identified as Push Patra, 40, son of Santosh Patra, Zidan Patra, 18, son of Push Patra, and 5-year-old daughter of Push Patra.</div><div><br></div><div>According to locals, the cow-laden pickup van collided with Mokampunji-bound human hauler, leaving two people dead on the spot and seven others injured. The child died at a hospital, reports unb</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, locals rescued the injured and sent them to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, said Jaintapur Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tajul Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 09:50:13', '2024-03-18 09:50:13'),
(11623, 11623, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, together with the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and UNDP Assistant Secretary General Ulrika Modéer, on Monday began their four-day official visit here.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud warmly welcomed the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>During the visit, the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is expected to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and attend an iftar-dinner programme to be hosted by the Prime Minister.</div><div><br></div><div>She will visit Jute Diversification Promotion Centre, Khurushkul Ashrayan Housing Project Site in Cox’s Bazar and various other development projects of the government of Bangladesh and UNDP in Dhaka, Khulna, Chattogram, Noakhali and Rohingya camps in Bhasan Char.</div><div><br></div><div>The visit takes place on the occasion of Crown Princess’s role as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is the first visit she makes in this capacity.</div><div><br></div><div>The purpose is to learn about the development journey of Bangladesh and study the progress and challenges in the implementation of the SDGs, focusing on climate, gender equality, the green and digital transition and the role of the business sector, said the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>The Crown Princess returns to Bangladesh almost two decades after her first visit in the country in 2005. She was appointed UNDP Goodwill Ambassador in October 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>The Crown Princess plays a key role in increasing awareness and engagement for the Sustainable Development Goals and a sustainable future where no one is left behind.</div><div><br></div><div>Sweden was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh. In 2022, the two countries celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations.</div><div><br></div><div>Sweden’s development cooperation with Bangladesh goes back to independence in 1971.</div><div><br></div><div>The ties are vibrant and multifaceted covering development cooperation, trade and investments, and people-to-people engagement.</div><div><br></div><div>The Swedish government is reforming its development assistance to meet the challenges of our time, where needs are extensive, and the funding gap is growing.</div><div><br></div><div>The new reform agenda focuses on a long-term perspective, transparency and effectiveness.</div><div><br></div><div>Trade, private investments, loans and domestic resource mobilisation are components necessary for countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 10:05:55', '2024-03-18 10:05:55'),
(11624, 11624, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney on Monday officially opened Ireland’s first Honorary Consulate in Dhaka which is seen as an “important milestone” in the relations between Bangladesh and Ireland.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In its desire to further expand the bilateral relations with Dhaka, Ireland has recently appointed Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Jamil Khan its Honourary Consul in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly and Masud Jamil Khan, among others, were present during the opening ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>The Irish Minister arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a two-day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment, reports unb</div><div><br></div><div>He met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud separately on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam (Titu), MP hosted an iftar-dinner in honor of the visiting Irish Minister Sunday evening at the State guesthouse Padma.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 10:16:44', '2024-03-18 10:16:44'),
(11625, 11625, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Vietnam faces nearly $3 billion a year in crop losses as more saltwater seeps into arable land, state media reported Sunday, citing new research.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The damage would likely center on the Mekong Delta region, known as “Vietnam’s rice bowl” because it provides food and livelihoods for tens of millions of people, research from the country’s Environment Ministry showed.</div><div><br></div><div>Saltwater levels are often higher in the dry season but they are intensifying due to rising sea levels, droughts, tidal fluctuations, and a lack of upstream freshwater.</div><div><br></div><div>The resulting crop losses could amount to 70 trillion dong ($2.94 billion), state media VnExpress reported, citing new research from the Water Resources Science Institute, which is under the Environment Ministry.</div><div><br></div><div>The research found among the most impacted parts of the region would be the southernmost Ca Mau province, which could lose an estimated $665 million.</div><div><br></div><div>Ben Tre province could face roughly $472 million in losses, according to the study, which was presented Friday at a conference on water resource management.</div><div><br></div><div>“With the current scenario, fruit trees account for 29 percent of the damage in Mekong Delta, while crops account for 27 percent, and rice accounts for nearly 14 percent,” according to the findings.</div><div><br></div><div>“The fisheries industry accounts for 30 percent, equivalent to more than 21,000 billion dong ($840 million),” it added.</div><div><br></div><div>Greater losses were forecast for the region in the future, rising over $3.1 billion, the study said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this month, the Department of Water Resources warned saline intrusion could impact around 80,000 hectares of rice and fruit farms in the Mekong Delta.</div><div><br></div><div>Salt intrusion in the area between 2023-2024 was higher than the average, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. According to AFP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 10:46:26', '2024-03-18 10:46:26'),
(11626, 11626, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Monday in what analysts said was a calculated move to grab attention as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits South Korea for talks.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Blinken is attending the third Summit for Democracy and met President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul early Monday. He is also meeting his South Korean counterpart on the sidelines of the event, for discussions now likely to be dominated by the allies’ efforts to counter threats from the nuclear-armed North.</div><div><br></div><div>Washington and Seoul wrapped up one of their major annual joint military training exercises last week, prompting angry retorts and live-fire drills from nuclear-armed Pyongyang, which condemns all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion.</div><div><br></div><div>Seoul’s military said it had detected the launch of “multiple short-range ballistic missiles” early Monday, which flew around 300 kilometers (186 miles) before coming down into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are closely sharing relevant information with the US and Japan and are maintaining utmost readiness,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff added.</div><div><br></div><div>After meeting Yoon, Blinken “condemned the... launch of ballistic missiles by the DPRK and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to the ROK’s security,” Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, referring to North and South Korea by their official names.</div><div><br></div><div>Japan’s top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the North had fired three short-range ballistic missiles, which landed outside of the country’s EEZ and did not cause any damage.</div><div><br></div><div>The launches come just days after Seoul and Washington’s annual Freedom Shield drills, which this year involved double the number of troops, ended Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Pyongyang this month warned that Seoul and Washington would pay a “dear price” over the drills, and later announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had guided an artillery unit it says was capable of striking the South Korean capital.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s a highly calculated move timing-wise by Pyongyang to fire multiple missiles to show they are capable of doing such an act even when the top US diplomat is in town,” Professor Choi Gi-il of military studies at Sangji University said.</div><div><br></div><div>North Korea typically stages missile launches “as a tit-for-tat” after US-South Korea joint drills, Han Kwon-hee of Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies said.</div><div><br></div><div>Blinken’s presence only adds to their motivation, he said, as it “means more attention from Washington and adds pressure on host Seoul.”</div><div>Monday’s ballistic missile test is the North’s second this year, after Pyongyang launched one tipped with a manoeuvrable hypersonic warhead on January 14.</div><div><br></div><div>Blinken landed in South Korea on Sunday afternoon ahead of the democracy summit, which runs from March 18 to 20 and will bring together government officials, NGOs and civil society members.</div><div><br></div><div>Seoul is one of Washington’s key regional allies, and the United States has stationed about 27,000 American soldiers in the South to help protect it against the nuclear-armed North.</div><div><br></div><div>Conservative President Yoon has boosted ties with Washington and sought to bury the historical hatchet with former colonial power Japan to better guard against Pyongyang’s threats.</div><div><br></div><div>So far this year, Pyongyang has declared South Korea its “principal enemy,” jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over “even 0.001 mm” of territorial infringement.</div><div><br></div><div>“While South Korea conducted defense training last week alongside international partners, Kim Jong-un personally supervised several military exercises, and now while Seoul hosts a summit of democracies, North Korea fires more missiles,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.</div><div><br></div><div>“The Kim regime’s one-upmanship aims to show strength to its domestic audience, suggest costs on the Korean Peninsula for Seoul’s international security cooperation, and warn Washington against increasing pressure on Pyongyang.”</div><div><br></div><div>Blinken also met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul for discussions on boosting the alliance, as Washington and Seoul look to improve their so-called “extended deterrence” against North Korea. According to AFP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 11:01:10', '2024-03-18 11:01:10'),
(11627, 11627, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Oil prices increased in early trade on Monday due to geopolitical tensions that are threatening global oil supply and the better-than-expected economic data in China, although uncertainty over the timing of the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate cuts limited further price upticks.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>International benchmark Brent crude traded at $85.90 per barrel at 11.12 a.m. local time (0812 GMT) for a 0.65% increase from the closing price of $85.34 a barrel in the previous trading session.</div><div><br></div><div>The American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $81.17 per barrel at the same time, a 0.73% rise from the previous session that closed at $80.58 per barrel.</div><div><br></div><div>Early Asian trade on Monday saw an oil price rally following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments that he would not bow to international pressure to halt the war on the Gaza Strip on Sunday, fueling global supply fears.</div><div><br></div><div>“No amount of international pressure will stop us from realizing all the goals of the war: eliminating Hamas, releasing all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat against Israel,” Netanyahu said at a government meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli premier said pressure on Israel within the country to focus on holding fresh elections in the country would be detrimental to achieving the government\'s goals.</div><div><br></div><div>“If we stop the war now before all of its goals are achieved, it means that Israel has lost the war, and we will not allow that,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite international warnings, Netanyahu on Friday approved military plans for a ground operation in Rafah, where more than 1.4 million people have taken refuge from Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.</div><div><br></div><div>“Those who say that the operation in Rafah will not happen are the same ones who said that we will not enter Gaza, that we will not operate in Shifa, that we will not operate in Khan Younis, and that we will not resume fighting after the [weeklong November] cease-fire,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Israeli attacks on Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza with tanks and heavy gunfire violating international humanitarian laws early Monday further shored up global supply risks and placed upward pressure on prices.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries last week also created unease in Europe and put upward pressure on crude oil prices.</div><div><br></div><div>“Ukrainian drone attacks took out three Russian refineries last week, which account for 12% of Russia’s total oil processing capacity. This has seen refinery margins pick up amid tighter availability of oil products in Europe,” according to Daniel Hynes, a commodity strategist at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, China’s economic growth was buoyed by strength in factory output and investments at the start of the year, although uncertainty over a rebound in oil demand continues.</div><div><br></div><div>Industrial output rose at a much faster pace than market estimates, rising 7% in the January–February period compared to the same period a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>However, uncertainty over the US Fed’s upcoming monetary decision weighed on prices.</div><div><br></div><div>Experts forecast that the bank will leave the policy rate unchanged and will not start rate cuts in May as previously expected.</div><div><br></div><div>This will keep oil prices suppressed for now as high interest rates boost the value of the US dollar, a move that is set to deter oil trade by making oil more expensive for holders of other currencies. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 11:16:34', '2024-03-18 11:16:34'),
(11628, 11628, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Cupertino-based tech giant Apple is in talks with Google to bring Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) engine to iPhones, a Bloomberg report said on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the report, the iPhone maker recently also had discussions with OpenAI, the developer of the immensely popular ChatGPT, for a possible licensing of their AI model.</div><div><br></div><div>If a deal on Gemini is reached, the two companies’ long-running partnership will deepen even though they will continue to rival each other in the smartphone realm with their Android and iOS operating systems.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite being direct competitors there, Google and Apple have had a mutualistic relationship as the former pays the latter billions of dollars every year to keep Google Search as the default in iPhones’ Safari browsers.</div><div><br></div><div>Being a secretive company, Apple has not so far talked about its own work on AI engines but has clearly fallen behind in the AI race despite massively popularizing it with the release of the iPhone 4S, which came packed with AI-based virtual assistant Siri in late 2011.</div><div><br></div><div>After 13 years, the capabilities of Siri have seen only an incremental increase while Google Assistant has proven to be invaluable for Android users.</div><div><br></div><div>A report by 9To5Mac news website claimed that the Siri code “is now a mess” beyond salvage due to the fact that Apple has kept its original code and only made additions to it after acquiring the namesake app – rather than “actually working on a new version of it.”</div><div><br></div><div>“The result is that the Siri code is now a mess, and what many sources say is that no one at Apple really wants to be the one to change it,” 9To5Mac’s Filipo Esposito said in the report. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 11:54:05', '2024-03-18 11:54:05'),
(11629, 11629, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Padma Bank has merged with the Sharia-based Exim Bank Plc.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The merger happened on Monday through a formal deal signing at Bangladesh Bank.</div><div><br></div><div>The central bank’s Governor Abdur Rauf Talukder and senior officials, officials of the two banks were present at the deal signing ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>This is the first merger of two banks in the country after Bangladesh Bank’s recent initiative to merge weaker banks with sound or strong ones.</div><div><br></div><div>Exim Bank Chairman Nazrul Islam Majumdar told UNB that Padma Bank will no longer exist from tomorrow. Due to the merger, the new operations will be carried out under the name of Exim Bank.</div><div><br></div><div>“No employees will lose their jobs despite the merger. However, the directors of Padma Bank cannot be on the Board of Directors of Exim Bank. No decision has been made yet regarding the managing directors of the two banks,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Majumder said, \"There was no pressure from the government to merge with Padma Bank, but there was a suggestion from the government. We have done it in the interest of the country, in the interest of the economy.”</div><div><br></div><div>Following the merger, depositors and shareholders will not face any issue, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, “There are two methods of integration of banks — acquisitions and mergers. We didn\'t do acquisition, we did a merger.”</div><div><br></div><div>Padma Bank, which has about 1200 employees, will work for Exim Bank, sources said.</div><div><br></div><div>Padma Bank has defaulted loans of around Tk 4000 crore and the liability of government banks is about Tk 3000 crore with Padma.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, Exim Bank Chairman said, \"Padma has been merged, as a result, all liabilities of Padma Bank have now been taken over by Exim Bank.”</div><div><br></div><div>About Shariah-based banks, Nazrul Islam said, “Exim Bank is Shariah-based. Even though Padma Bank is general, since we (Exim) have merged them, they will also be Shariah-based. Every index of Exim Bank is in a good position, hope it will do better.” According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 13:40:54', '2024-03-18 13:40:54'),
(11630, 11630, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday sought Ireland’s support in Bangladesh\'s efforts to enjoy the preferential trade facilities in the EU market until 2032 instead of 2029 during the country’s post-graduation period.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She sought the support when a high-level Irish delegation, led by Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>PM\'s Speech writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said Ireland is a close friend and partner of Bangladesh and the EU member country has always been beside Bangladesh in different international forums.</div><div><br></div><div>She requested Ireland to support Bangladesh in the matter of Bangladesh’s interest in the EU Platform.</div><div><br></div><div>“The prime minister sought Ireland’s support so that the EU would extend the business facilities, particularly the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for Bangladesh till 2032,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>She called upon Irish businesses to make investments in special economic zones and hi-tech parks of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that Bangladesh is a potential big marketing hub for three-four billion consumers, she said there is huge scope for Ireland’s entrepreneurs to invest in several promising sectors like ICT, pharmaceuticals and agro-based industry of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>On the labour issue, Hasina said misinformation regarding Bangladesh’s labour policy is being spread with ill-motive. There’ll be no misunderstanding in this issue if the EU countries directly contact the government of Bangladesh to know about it, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Irish minister said he arrived in Bangladesh to strengthen the bilateral relations between Ireland and Bangladesh further.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that he is here to formally open Ireland\'s first honorary consulate in Dhaka, he said the office would also help intensify the people-to-people and trade relations between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>Coveney said Ireland wants to extend technical support to Bangladesh’s technology and food industry (agro-processing industries).</div><div><br></div><div>He said Ireland will continue trying to extend support to Bangladesh for its socio-economic uplift in the United Nations and the EU forums.</div><div><br></div><div>Mentioning that a good number of Bangladeshi students are now pursuing their study in Ireland, the visiting minister assured that the European country would welcome a larger number of students from Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>About the Rohingya issue, the Irish minister said Ireland will continue its support in this regard.</div><div><br></div><div>He, however, suggested intensifying security to Rohingya refugee camps, engaging them in income generating activities and arranging permanent and more developed houses for displaced Rohingya people.</div><div><br></div><div>In response, the Bangladesh premier said an adequate number of security members are deployed for Rohingya camps, but killings and other crimes are seen sometimes as there are many internal groups who already engaged in different criminal activities there.</div><div><br></div><div>She said there is no instance in the world that permanent houses are constructed for refugees. Even after that Bangladesh has arranged standard housing for one lakh Rohingyas in Bhashanchar.</div><div><br></div><div>If they want to go there, we can arrange housing for some 4 lakh Rohingyas in Bhashanchar. But unfortunately the housing project in Bhashanchar is not being successful due to opposition from some international communities, non-government organisations and countries.</div><div><br></div><div>PM’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Ambassador of Ireland to India Kevin Kelly and Honorary Consul of Ireland for Bangladesh Masud Jamil Khan were, among others, present at the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The Irish minister arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on the second leg of his seven-day official visit to India and Bangladesh as part of his government\'s St Patrick\'s Day programme. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 14:15:56', '2024-03-18 14:15:56'),
(11631, 11631, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Fueled by Tanzid Hasan\'s well-composed 84 and a late cameo by Rishad Hossain, Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in the third ODI of the three-match series and subsequently won the series by 2-1 on Monday in Chattogram.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Tanzid was not part of Bangladesh\'s initial playing XI. He was fielded as a substitute for Soumya Sarkar, who hurt himself during fielding. Tanzid took the chance and lived up to the expectations. He scored 84 off 81 runs – a record for scoring the most runs by a concussion substitute.</div><div><br></div><div>With the game hanging in the balance and 58 runs required, after Bangladesh lost sixth wickets by the dismissal of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain entered the crease and shifted the momentum decisively in Bangladesh\'s favour.</div><div><br></div><div>He plundered 16 runs off Wanindu Hasaranga in the 37th over, followed by a remarkable 24 runs in the 40th over, showcasing his impressive power-hitting abilities. Rishad\'s quickfire 48 off just 18 balls, punctuated by four sixes, proved to be the final nail in Sri Lanka\'s coffin.</div><div><br></div><div>Two overs later, in the 40th over, Rishad smashed 24 runs off Hasaranga with two sixes and four fours.</div><div><br></div><div>Rishad ended on 48 off 18 balls. In this late and short cameo, Rishand smashed the ball around the wicket— two of his four sixes came through the mid-wicket region, one over the square leg and the other over the cow corner. The young batter proved once again that he has ample shots in his bat. Earlier in the T20I-Series, he smashed seven sixes in an innings.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh chased the below-par target of 236 with 58 balls to play.</div><div><br></div><div>For Sri Lanka, Lahiru Kumara took four for 48, his career-best, but he missed enough support from his fellow bowlers while defending a below-par total.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Sri Lanka’s top and middle order tumbled. But Janith Liyanage\'s maiden ODI ton guided them to a score they could fight for. Their late order also faltered, and eventually, Sri Lanka was wrapped up for 235.</div><div><br></div><div>For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed led the bowling attack with three wickets, and Mustafizur Rahman, who has been going through a bad patch for a while now, took two wickets.</div><div><br></div><div>As the ODI series concluded, both the teams will now take on each other in a two-match Test series, with the first being played in Sylhet from March 22. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-03-18 16:09:13', '2024-03-18 16:09:13');
