INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12803, 12803, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A total of 626 people, including members of the deposed Awami League government, took shelter in different cantonments of the country after it collapsed on August 5, according to ISPR on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following a significant political shift when the law and order situation across the country deteriorated drastically, several political figures, along with various civilians, sought refuge in military bases fearing for their lives, said the ISPR in a release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an effort to prevent extrajudicial actions, protect lives, and uphold the rule of law, a total of 626 individuals were given shelter in different military bases, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This group included 24 political figures, 5 judges, 19 civilian administrative officers, 28 police officers, 487 police personnel of various ranks, 12 officials from public universities, and 51 family members (wives and children).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the situation improved, 615 individuals voluntarily left the military bases. So far, four of the sheltered individuals have been handed over to law enforcement agencies following proper legal procedures, based on charges or cases against them. Currently, 7 people, including 3 individuals and their 4 family members, remain in the military bases. All relevant information has been communicated to the ministry concerned by the military authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Given the situation, the Bangladesh Army is working impartially and professionally to restore law and order, prevent extrajudicial actions, and maintain the rule of law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The military urges everyone to remain patient, avoid rumours, and demonstrate a cooperative attitude. The Bangladesh Army remains committed to standing by the public in full respect of the country\'s laws, said the release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-18 19:24:32', '2024-08-18 19:24:32'),
(12804, 12804, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shahjalal Fertilizer Company Limited (SFCL) in Sylhet resumed production partially on August 6 after around five months of closure due to gas crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The factory restarted operations following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The factory now owes Tk 779 crore to Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited. Production has resumed on a limited scale due to \"directives from higher authorities\" that have led to a partial restoration of gas supplies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, concerns persist regarding the factory\'s long-term operation if the gas issue is not fully resolved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The SFCL was closed on March 13 this year due to a gas supply disruption. The company cited an outstanding gas bill of approximately Tk 779 crore and a nearly fourfold increase in gas prices as reasons for the shutdown.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fertilizer factory, built at a cost of Tk 4,985 crore taka, began production on August 14, 2016. It was capable of producing 1,760 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer per day but had been producing around 1,450 metric tonnes daily. The factory also produced liquid ammonia as a by-product.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, the price of gas supplied to the factory has increased from Tk 4 to Tk 16 per unit and the cost of producing one tonne of fertilizer is around Tk 36,000, while it is sold at Tk 25,000, resulting in a loss of Tk 11,000 per tonne. The Ministry of Industries is trying to resolve this issue by negotiating subsidies with the Ministry of Agriculture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the high hopes for the project, the factory has not yet turned a profit. While the sale of fertilizer has generated Tk 555 crore for the government, the Jalalabad Gas authority is still owed Tk 779 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Admitting the arrears unpaid, Gopal Chandra Ghosh, General Manager (Operations) of SFCL, said the factory is still facing challenges with insufficient gas supply which affects its production capacity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that the arrear bill remains unpaid and efforts are ongoing to reconcile subsidy payments with the Ministry of Agriculture. Inter-ministerial discussions are underway to address these issues, and some technical problems at the factory also need resolution before full-scale production can resume.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For the fiscal year 2023-24, the SFCL had a production target of 380,000 tonnes, but by March 13 this year, when it was shut down, it had produced 240,000 tonnes of urea.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-18 19:27:29', '2024-08-18 19:27:29'),
(12805, 12805, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Though the infectious disease Mpox (monkeypox) has spread in several countries precautionary measures are yet to be taken to check for the virus at Dinajpur’s Hili International Land Port.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds of people use the land port to go to neighbouring India, Nepal and Bhutan from Bangladesh and residents of those countries also use it regularly, indicating an immediate measure to prevent it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local health officials said that common symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes or lesions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They advise anyone experiencing these symptoms or coming into contact with an infected person to seek medical attention at the local health complex.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They, however, also said that measures will be taken if directives are received from the Health Department.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saiful Islam and Sanchita Rani, who frequently use this checkpoint to travel to India, have expressed concern that people from various countries pass through this port and underscored the need for precautionary measures due to the virus’s potential for rapid human-to-human transmission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has said that effective measures are in place to prevent the spread of the Mpox in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Ashraful of the Hili Immigration Checkpoint confirmed that they have not yet received directives from the DGHS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they learned about the Mpox virus via social media and assured that they are staying alert until further instructions are received.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Mpox virus was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa and has since spread to several central and eastern African countries, including Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Sweden, and Kenya.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 16, a case of Mpox was identified in Pakistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-18 19:29:57', '2024-08-18 19:29:57'),
(12806, 12806, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli strikes across Gaza killed 19 people overnight, including a woman and her six children, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to the region on Sunday to try to seal a cease-fire deal after months of contentious negotiations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.S. and fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar appeared to be closing in on a deal after two days of talks in Doha, with American and Israeli officials expressing cautious optimism. But Hamas has signaled resistance to what it says are new demands by Israel, and the long-running talks have repeatedly stalled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The evolving proposal calls for a three-phase process in which Hamas would release all hostages abducted during its Oct. 7 attack, which triggered the deadliest war ever fought between Israelis and Palestinians. In exchange, Israel would withdraw its forces from Gaza and release Palestinian prisoners.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mediators hope to end a war that has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, displaced the vast majority of the territory\'s 2.3 million residents and caused a humanitarian catastrophe. Experts have warned of famine and the outbreak of diseases like polio.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted around 250. Of those, some 110 are still believed to be inside Gaza, with Israeli authorities saying around a third are deceased. More than 100 hostages were released in November during a weeklong cease-fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest Israeli bombardment included a strike early Sunday on a home in the central town of Deir al-Balah that killed a woman and her six children, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. An Associated Press reporter at the hospital counted the bodies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A strike in the northern town of Jabaliya hit two apartments in a residential building, killing two men, a woman and her daughter, according to Gaza\'s Health Ministry. Another strike in central Gaza killed four people, according to the Awda Hospital. Late Saturday, a strike near the southern city of Khan Younis killed four people from the same family, including two women, according to Nasser Hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel says it only targetes militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militant group conceals fighters, weapons, tunnels and rockets in residential areas. But the monthslong Israeli bombardment has wiped out entire extended families and orphaned thousands of children.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mediators have spent months trying to halt the fighting, efforts that gained new urgency after the targeted killing of two top militants last month, both attributed to Israel, brought vows of revenge from Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah, raising fears of an all-out war across the Middle East.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An American official said Friday that mediators were beginning preparations for implementing the latest cease-fire proposal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\'s office expressed “cautious optimism” a deal could be reached.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Israeli delegation is set to travel to Cairo on Sunday for further talks, and Blinken is expected to meet with Netanyahu on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas has cast doubt on whether an agreement is near, saying the latest proposal diverged significantly from a previous iteration they had accepted in principle. Hamas has rejected Israel’s demands for a lasting military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border and a line bisecting Gaza where Israeli forces would search Palestinians returning to their homes. Israel says both are needed to prevent militants from rearming and returning to the north.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel showed flexibility on retreating from the border corridor, and a meeting between Egyptian and Israeli military officials was scheduled for next week to agree on a withdrawal mechanism, according to two Egyptian officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the private negotiations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-18 19:32:18', '2024-08-18 19:32:18'),
(12807, 12807, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Adviser for Information and Broadcasting Md Nahid Islam today said there will be no room for corruption and nepotism in his ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are trying to build a corruption-free Bangladesh. We will work together for the people of Bangladesh to attain this goal. We will utilize the opportunity that we got (through revolution),\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nahid said this at a view-exchange meeting with chiefs of offices affiliated to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and journalists at his ministry\'s conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat here this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the onset of the meeting, one-minute silence was observed commemorating the martyred students, people from different ages and journalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the ouster of the government through a bloody student-people uprising, the information adviser said, \"We got a new Bangladesh through another bloody atmosphere. The young generation is dreaming anew, creating new aspirations. We joined this government to reflect those aspirations\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nahid, also posts, telecommunications and information technology adviser, urged the heads of the offices under his ministry to remain watchful so that autocracy cannot arise again in the process of rebuilding the country with new hopes and aspirations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About interference in journalism, Nahid said, \"We witnessed what kind of brazen interference was imposed on the freedom of the press, mass media and the freedom of expression in Bangladesh. We do not want such incidents to happen in Bangladesh in the future\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that it is impossible to ensure the freedom of speech without ensuring the freedom of the press, he said, \"We must work to ensure freedom of the press\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized reviewing the controversial laws and regulations to ensure complete freedom of speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser assured of standing by the journalists who were killed and received injuries during the anti-discrimination movement waged by students and mass people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About salary structure of journalists, he said the salaries of reporters at junior level are very poor while in many cases the salary structure is not followed by the media outlets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"So, there is the need for a policy regarding the salary structure. If we cannot encourage talented people in journalism, it will not progress,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the offices under the ministry, the information and broadcasting adviser said, steps will be taken to make the offices dynamic and modernized within the quickest possible time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, censor board committees will be reformed soon, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-18 19:36:05', '2024-08-18 19:36:05'),
(12808, 12808, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the slogan of \"Center of Excellence\", a Sports Institute is set to be built in Bangladesh for the first time by the initiative of Youth and Sports ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The main goal of building the sports institute is to achieve national laurel through increasing the physical and mental capabilities of athletes, developing sports techniques and leadership qualities.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, the adviser of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, briefed the media about the plans and actions in this regard today at a press conference at the Secretariat here.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohiuddin Ahmed, the secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, was also present at that time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Discussions are going on to set up a Sports Institute which will provide specialized sports services and infrastructural facilities through effective collaboration with national and international renowned sports institutions,\" the sports adviser said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our goal is to produce skilled athletes of international standards and achieving higher results at the international level. Many developed countries including the United Kingdom (UK), The United States of America (USA), China, France have achieved incredible success in the field of sports by combining sports and science in impeccable way.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh also wants to reach that goal through Bangladesh Sports Institute.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He further said that experts from Bangladesh and outside of the country will join sports institute to train the athletes in to bid achieve the target.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"To ensure the quality of service and achieving the desired results, experts from the country and outside of the country will join the Bangladesh Sports Institute. Ministry of Youth and Sports is committed to execute this project as early as possible. As a center of excellence, the Bangladesh Sports Institute will be a blessing for the sports fraternity.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sports adviser said that his ministry is taking various initiatives to maintain a fair environment and activities in all areas of the sports arena.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-18 19:46:28', '2024-08-18 19:46:28'),
(12809, 12809, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner has congratulated Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on his appointment as the Chief Adviser to the interim government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), I wish to warmly congratulate you on your appointment as the Hon\'ble Chief Adviser of the interim Government of the People\'s Republic of Bangladesh,\" he wrote in a message recently sent to Prof Yunus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alongside his colleagues in UNDP Bangladesh, Steiner reaffirmed the UNDP\'s steadfast commitment to support the emerging national priorities of the interim government, according to a message of the press wing of the chief adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Please count on our global and regional networks and expertise in areas such as economic recovery and strengthening of institutions of governance to support Bangladesh in this period of critical transition,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Steiner wished Prof Yunus and the Advisory Council every success as the chief adviser guides his nation through a peaceful, just and democratic transition, towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for all people of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a friend, I wish you well on every step along the way and cannot state enough my excitement as you take on this important role for your country. Please count on our full support in particular on the ground through our UNDP Country Office in Bangladesh, headed by Stefan Liller,\" the message read.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-18 19:48:40', '2024-08-18 19:48:40'),
(12810, 12810, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">An application has been made for lodging a case against Sheikh Hasina and 33 others for mass-killing at the rally of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh in Motijheel Shapla Chattar area on May 05, 2013.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Peoples Party (BPP) Chairman Babul Sardar Chakhari filed the application at Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Zaki-al Farabi\'s court.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Magistrate accepted the plaintiff\'s statement and directed the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Motijheel Thana to investigate the matter and submit the report.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The other notable accused in the case are-- former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Prime Minister\'s Advisor Salman F Rahman, Defense Ministry Military Advisor Tarek Siddiqui, former Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC)&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Mayor Fazle Noor Taposh, former lawmakers Rashed Khan Menon and Hasanul Haque Inu, Awami League Joint Secretary General Mahbubul Alam Hanif, former Textiles Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and IGP Hasan Mahabub Khandkar, former RAB Chief AKM Shahidul Haque, former NSI Chief Ziaul Hasan, former DC Motijheel Division Biplab Kumar Sarker, former Motijheel Police Station OC Omar Faruk, former Ward Councilor Munsur Ahmed, the then Motijheel Police Station Chhatra League President Mahabubul Haque Hiron, Awami League leader Mumtaz Parveen, former Motijheel Police Station OC Farman Ali, National People\'s Party Chairman Salahuddin Salu, former Motijheel DC Nazmul Alam, retired Director of Hamdard Group Major Iqbal etc.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The application stated that leaders, members and workers of Hefazat-e Islam Bangladesh took position at the Motijheel Shapla Chattar road with 13-point demand to the then government on May 5, 2013.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Within the next 24 hour from 11pm on the day, the police and army members, with the connivance of the accused, massacred the protesters, innocent madrasa students and passers-by, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also took the bodies through some city-corporation vehicles and buried those secretly in unknown locations, the application added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the complaint, the plaintiff also mentioned that during this time, many madrasa students were murdered and abducted. When their parents went to the concerned police stations to file a case or General Diary (GD), the authorities did not take any case in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-18 19:58:02', '2024-08-18 19:58:02'),
(12811, 12811, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The primary challenge for the government is improving the law and order situation, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to journalists in his office at the Secretariat, the adviser emphasized the urgency of addressing security concerns and outlined his dual responsibilities in both home affairs and agriculture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our main challenge at the Ministry of Home Affairs is law and order. We are focused on improving the situation as quickly as possible,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also discussed his objectives in the agriculture sector, saying, “My goal is to increase production and ensure that we can feed more people.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the day, Chowdhury met with UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis to discuss the United Nations’ potential support in various sectors. “Our discussions centered on the types of assistance they can provide in this situation and which areas we are seeking help in,” he noted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Addressing the ongoing Rohingya crisis, the adviser said that the government has requested additional support from the UN. “The Rohingya population is growing daily, with 1.2 million people now in the country. The costs are escalating, and it’s uncertain how long we can sustain this,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser also mentioned that a UN fact-finding mission is expected to arrive in Bangladesh next week. “We discussed the kind of support they will offer and what assistance we require from them,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-19 19:11:39', '2024-08-19 19:11:39'),
(12812, 12812, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Shahbagh Police Inspector (Operations) Md. Arshad Hossain has been temporarily suspended following a widely criticized incident where he was seen covering the mouth of a student protester during the quota reform movement near the Supreme Court area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The suspension order was issued on Sunday by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md. Mainul Hasan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incident occurred on July 31 during a ‘March for Justice’ organized by students advocating for quota reform. Amid the protests, Arshad Hossain was filmed forcibly covering the mouth of Nahidul Islam, a political science student from Dhaka’s New Model Degree College. The footage quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread condemnation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, the DMP acknowledged that Inspector Arshad’s unprofessional conduct not only harmed the image of the police force but also created a negative public perception of their operations. His actions were deemed inappropriate for a disciplined member of the police, leading to his suspension.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to the mouth-covering incident, Inspector Arshad has faced several other allegations. He was accused of labeling the protesting students as members of the Jamaat-e-Islami\'s student wing, Shibir. A video of him making these claims also circulated on social media, further inflaming the situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-19 19:14:23', '2024-08-19 19:14:23'),
(12813, 12813, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Residents in Chattogram, Cumilla, and several other areas are experiencing significant disruptions due to continuous heavy rainfall caused by low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The relentless downpour has led to severe waterlogging in various parts of these cities, with some areas submerged in knee to waist-deep water, posing serious challenges for the working population.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite billions of taka being invested in waterlogging mitigation projects, the anticipated benefits have yet to be realised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Chattogram weather office, 112 millimetres of rain were recorded in the last 24 hours as of 9:00 am today, with an additional 31 millimetres falling since then.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Cumilla, the Meteorological Department reported 61 millimetres of rainfall over the last 24 hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zahirul Islam, a forecast officer at the Chattogram weather office, attributed the rainfall to active monsoon conditions, which are expected to persist for another two days. Along with the ongoing waterlogging, there is also an increased risk of landslides due to the heavy rainfall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite ongoing projects by the Chattogram City Corporation, the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), and the Water Development Board (WDB), totalling Tk 11,344 crore over the past five years, the waterlogging issue remains unresolved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The heavy rain has caused substantial waterlogging on roads in areas such as Mohammadpur, Muradpur, Panchlaish, Katalganj, Chawkbazar, Sholokbahar, Number 2 Gate, Bakalia, and Agrabad in Chattogram. In some of these areas, water levels have reached waist height.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Cumilla, waterlogging has also been reported in various parts of the city, including Nazrul Avenue, BSCIC Road, and the Chanpur area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-19 19:15:55', '2024-08-19 19:15:55'),
(12814, 12814, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The High Court today issued a rule asking why the 15th amendment of the constitution would not be declared illegal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has also been asked to respond to the rule within eight weeks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A High Court division bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Sashanka Shekhar Sarkar passed the order today following a short hearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five prominent citizens of the country including Bodiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik -SHUJAN, filed the writ challenging the validity of the 15th amendment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 30, 2011, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh was made during the then Awami League-led government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this Amendment, the caretaker government system was abolished and the number of seats reserved for women in the National Parliament was increased from 45 to 50.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-19 19:19:05', '2024-08-19 19:19:05'),
(12815, 12815, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Mrs Marie Masdupuy today vowed to work for development of primary education aiming to ensure quality primary education in Bangladesh.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"France has assured to develop primary education by identifying the field of cooperation so that the quality primary education could be ensured,\" said the envoy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The French envoy came up with the pledge while she called on Primary and Mass Education Advisor Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar at his secretariat office here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The French envoy also praised various initiatives and programmes which have been taken in the primary education in Bangladesh and she assured cooperation on behalf of the French government in overall activities which would be undertaken in future to ensure quality of the primary education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also discussed on different bilateral issues related to mutual interests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Primary and Mass Education Secretary Farid Ahammad was also present during this time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-19 19:22:04', '2024-08-19 19:22:04'),
(12816, 12816, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US President Joe Biden said that a Gaza ceasefire remained a possibility, despite Israel and Hamas trading blame as top diplomat Antony Blinken landed in Tel Aviv to push a deal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden told reporters after spending the weekend at his Camp David retreat that talks were still underway and that \"we\'re not giving up,\" adding that an accord was \"still possible.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-19 19:24:14', '2024-08-19 19:24:14'),
(12817, 12817, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Jalal Yunus has resigned from his position as a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was in charge of cricket operations under the leadership of Nazmul Hassan at the board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jalal submitted his resignation letter to the National Sports Council (NSC) on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, another director, Ahmed Sajjaduul Alam, has also been asked by the NSC to resign. Both of them were NSC-nominated directors at the BCB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-19 19:28:21', '2024-08-19 19:28:21'),
(12818, 12818, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The government on Monday appointed administrators for 61 Zilla Parishad across the country as the chairmen of those parishad have been absent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Zilla Parishad Department under the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives issued a gazette notification signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional divisional commissioners (general) of eight divisions have been appointed as administrators for Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet, Khulna and Mymensingh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The administrators will exercise power and perform duty in their respective districts until further order, it reads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, they will only be provided duty allowance, no salary and facility will be available, according to the notification.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-19 19:31:10', '2024-08-19 19:31:10'),
(12819, 12819, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Women leaders had a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday and demanded expediting treatment of the injured persons and formation of judicial reforms commission to avoid repletion of previous mistakes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They put forward a number of recommendations and also sought steps to stop violence against women and make recruitment processes judicious.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser listened to them and considered their recommendations positively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adviser for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Syeda Rizwana Hasan briefed the media after the meeting held at state guesthouse Jamuna. Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our goal was to listen to all and take their opinions in line with the broader reforms agenda we have. Recommendations came in a broader way,” Rizwana told reporters, adding that emphasis was given on making a priority list.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said if they cannot bring those changes in line with priority proposals it might be difficult to do under a partisan government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We can’t finalise things in a one-hour meeting. These will be discussed with other stakeholders. There is no negative position by the interim government on any proposal,” Rizwana said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said there is an initiative from the government for the treatment of the injured persons but there was a proposal for expediting the process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana also talked about creation of a Foundation in which people can come up with financial support but there was a demand to do things for the interim period as it might need some time for the creation of the Foundation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was a discussion whether a Women’s Rights Commission can be formed instead of dealing with women issues separately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also proposed to truly empower the Bangladesh Information Commission and National Human Rights Commission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On violence against women, one of the female student coordinators said she bears the attacks of previous government’s students wing members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am not here to talk about that. But the entire system needs to be changed so that people involved in any violence against women must not go unpunished,” Rizwana quoted the student representative as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said there was a discussion on the importance of making the society friendly towards women and the issues of Kalpana Chakma, Tonu, Munia and Nusrat were raised seeking punishment against the responsible people.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana said there was a discussion on the overall situation of the country, not just women issues.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about the reforms, she said there was a proposal to see whether these things can be done through a “Judicial Reforms Commission” so that old mistakes are not repeated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The participants also sought steps so that NGOs are not harassed by NGO Bureau.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Appointments in Shilpakala Academies and CHT issues were also discussed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interim government Advisers Nurjahan Begum and Farida Akthar; principal coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) affairs Lamiya Morshed, Shireen Huq, Samia Afrin, Seema Das Seemu, Taslima Akhtar, Ritu Sattar, Bithi Ghosh, Sultana Begum, Nigar Sultana, Sufia Rahman, Taskin Fahmina, Meghna Guhathakurta, Rani Yan Yan, Prof Dilara Chowdhury, Barrister Sara Hossain, Shaheen Anam, Nirupa Dewan, Prof Fahmida Khatun, Shamali Sheel, Irene Khan and Nabila Idris were among the participants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-20 19:25:17', '2024-08-20 19:25:17'),
(12820, 12820, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Metro rail operations are expected to resume from August 25, Road Transport and Highways Department senior secretary Ehsanul Haq&nbsp; said on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ehsanul Haq visited the National Press Club metro rail station today and instructed the officials concerned to take necessary steps to resume the metro rail services.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The striking metro rail workers returned to work today.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The authorities suspended metro service since 18 July, citing damage due to arson and vandalism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The metro rail operations did not resume on Saturday as planned because officials were unable to finish the necessary technical tests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two stations in Mirpur-10 intersection and Kazipara which were vandalized during the recent student movement will remain shut for necessary renovation work.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-20 19:29:27', '2024-08-20 19:29:27'),
(12821, 12821, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Hundreds of students have stormed the Secretariat demanding the release of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) results through subject mapping and without taking tests of the remaining subjects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The students forcefully broke through police barriers at the gate near Zero Point and made their way into the secretariat on Tuesday around 2pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They were seen staging a protest march between building 6 and 11.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HSC exams were postponed in the midway following the mass uprising that overthrew the Awami League government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"34\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-20 19:32:27', '2024-08-20 19:32:27');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12822, 12822, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday asked India to extradite ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh and let her face trial here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is our call to you that you should hand her over to the government of Bangladesh in a legal way. The people of this country have given the decision for her trial. Let her face that trial,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP secretary general made this call while talking to reporters after paying tribute to BNP founder President Ziaur Rahman in the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He along with two newly inducted members of BNP Standing Committee –Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain– paid tribute by placing a wreath at the grave of President Ziaur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mirza Fakhrul said India does not seem to keep its commitment towards democracy by providing shelter to her.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Staying there, she has started various plots to thwart the revolution that happened in Bangladesh,” he alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP secretary general said the people of this country don\'t consider her offenses as minor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they think her fascist rule has weakened Bangladesh\'s independence and hindered the country\'s progress for the last 15 years.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her regime, she made a debt burden of Tk 18 lakh crores for the nation and nearly US 100 billion dollars were siphoned off from the country, said Fakhrul adding that all institutions of the country were destroyed during her misrule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interim government does commendable tasks:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mirza Fakhrul said the main task of this interim government, which was formed through a revolution and mass upsurge, is to hand over the power to the public representatives by holding an election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But we think it will definitely take some time to clear the garbage the Awami League government created. It will take time to hold a proper and fair election,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a question, the BNP Secretary General praised the current interim government’s activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The work done by it in 11 days is undoubtedly commendable work,” he said&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 16 last, BNP vice chairmen Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain were inducted into the party’s standing committee, the highest policymaking body.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the fresh appointment of the duo, the total number of the BNP standing committee members has risen to 16.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The current standing committee members include Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Zamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Rafiqul Islam Mia (sick and inactive), Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moueen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three posts in the party’s standing committee still remain vacant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-20 19:38:32', '2024-08-20 19:38:32'),
(12823, 12823, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The water level of Gumti river of Cumilla district may flow above danger level and may flashflood in the adjoining low-lying areas in the 24 hours commencing 9am on Wednesday according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The water level of Muhuri and Halda rivers of Feni and Chattogram districts may flow above danger level and flood situation in the low-lying areas may remain unchanged, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The water level of Manu, Khowai, Dhalai rivers of Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts may flow above danger level and flood situation in the low-lying areas may remain unchanged during the period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the information from meteorological organizations, medium to heavy rainfall is expected in the South-eastern, Eastern region and adjacent upstream parts of the country in&nbsp; next 24 hours. As a result, the water level of the Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Sangu, Matamuhuri and Gumti rivers may remain steady.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, medium to heavy rainfall is expected over the North-eastern region and adjacent upstream parts of the country in the next 48 hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a result, water level of major rivers in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrakona, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts of these regions may rise at times at some points during the mentioned period, FFWC said, quoting meteorological organizations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges rivers are in falling trend while the Padma River is in steady state. All these rivers may fall in the next 48 hours.&nbsp; Major rivers in the North-eastern and Eastern region of the country are in rising trend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-21 19:24:09', '2024-08-21 19:24:09'),
(12824, 12824, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Emphasising China\'s policy of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other nations, Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, affirmed on Wednesday China\'s commitment to supporting Bangladesh and its people as it has in the past.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a meeting with a BNP delegation, led by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, he also assured that China would enhance its investment in Bangladesh in the coming days to support the country\'s development and the welfare of its people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese envoy arrived at the BNP chairperson\'s Gulshan office around 11am and held an hour-long meeting with the party delegation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Briefing reporters after the meeting, Fakhrul said, “We had discussions in a very cordial atmosphere. We are very pleased to have had the Chinese Ambassador in our office after a long time.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said their party took the meeting with the Chinese envoy at their chairperson’s office very seriously, especially in the wake of the student-led mass movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul said China has a strong commitment to the people of Bangladesh. “They have made it clear that they do not believe in hegemony. They had previously promised to always stand by the people of Bangladesh, considering its geopolitical situation, and they have now reiterated this commitment.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said their party appreciated China’s significant global role, particularly in providing economic assistance to the least-developed and developing countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader mentioned that the Chinese Ambassador extended his greetings to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul said Yao Wen believes the relationship and cooperation between the BNP and the Chinese Communist Party will continue to strengthen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We believe our relations with China will deepen, and we will advance our ties based on mutual trust,” Fakhrul said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yao Wen said they had a very productive discussion with the BNP Secretary General and the party leadership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We reviewed and discussed our cooperation during the meeting,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Chinese Communist Party and the BNP share a strong relationship of friendly cooperation and exchange.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the Chinese envoy said they agreed to carry forward these excellent ties and to increase exchanges and cooperation in the future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also mentioned that they discussed the current situation in Bangladesh and reaffirmed China\'s policy of offering support without interfering in the internal affairs of any country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Vice-Chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and Law Affairs Secretary Kaiser Kamal were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-21 19:29:27', '2024-08-21 19:29:27'),
(12825, 12825, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Members of law enforcement agencies and army personnel conducted a drive at the Banani office of former state minister for power, energy and mineral resrouces Nasrul Hamid early Wednesday morning and recovered Tk 29 lakh.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They conducted the drive at Priyo Prangan on Road 17 in Banani and seized an electronic vault.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Sarjis Alam, another coordinator Hasnat Abdullah, Gono Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur and the Dhaka Additional District Magistrate were present during the drive.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the drive, Tk 308,700 was recovered from a drawer next to a large vault in the finance and accounts room of Hamid Group\'s office on the second floor of the Priyo Prangan building. Tk 394,300 more was found in a separate drawer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, Tk 2,093,000 was seized from the office. Some foreign currencies were also seized from the office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nur, told the media that they had received information indicating that Nasrul Hamid had been funding Chhatra League and others to suppress the recent student protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The drive was conducted to gather evidence supporting these claims, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nur also alleged that they had received information that professional gunmen had been paid from this building.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) ordered the freezing of bank accounts linked to several prominent individuals, including Nasrul Hamid and former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The action came as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering and other financial irregularities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-21 19:33:10', '2024-08-21 19:33:10'),
(12826, 12826, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former Bangladesh captain Faruque Ahmed has been appointed as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following the resignation of Nazmul Hasan, who fled the country after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in a popular uprising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BCB\'s media department confirmed Faruque\'s appointment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faruque, who previously served as the BCB\'s chief selector before resigning over undisclosed differences, will now lead the board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With Faruque\'s appointment, Nazmul’s long and somewhat controversial tenure as BCB president comes to an end.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nazmul’s third term was set to end in October 2024, with elections scheduled thereafter, according to the BCB constitution. However, recent political changes in the country have accelerated his departure and may lead to further shifts in the coming days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faruque was first made a director of the BCB by the National Sports Council (NSC), before being elected as president by the board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to Faruque, prominent cricket coach Nazmul Abedeen Fahim has also been appointed as a BCB director. It remains unclear what other roles he might take on within the board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Significant changes in key BCB positions are expected, with Jalal Yunus, the head of BCB\'s operations department, already resigning. Jalal, along with Ahmed Sazzadul Alam—who has now been suspended by the NSC—was an appointee under the previous board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During Nazmul’s leadership, Bangladesh cricket experienced many ups and downs, with the biggest challenge being his inability to establish a sustainable solution for the domestic cricket structure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under Faruque’s leadership, the new board’s primary task will be to develop creative solutions for domestic cricket issues and set future goals for the national team.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-21 19:39:33', '2024-08-21 19:39:33'),
(12827, 12827, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque, were implicated in a case lodged over the murder of private company employee Firoj Talukder in indiscriminate shooting from a helicopter of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) during recent anti-discrimination students\' movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other accused in the case are- former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Victim\'s wife Reshma Sultana filed the complaint with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mehedi Hasan. The court after recording statement of the complainant, asked the officer in-charge of Mirpur Model Police Station to accept the matter as first information report (FIR).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Firoj Talukder got shot while crossing through Mirpur-10 intersection around 6pm on July 19. He was declared dead as people rushed him to a nearby hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-21 19:45:24', '2024-08-21 19:45:24'),
(12828, 12828, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Home Affairs Adviser to the interim government Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said people who were injured during the anti-discrimination student movement are receiving world-class care under the supervision of a number of renowned</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">doctors at the BGB Hospital here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the remarks while replying to the queries of the newsmen present at Pilkhana Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) hospital premises this morning, shortly after visiting the injured BGB members and students.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said: \"The patients at the BGB hospital are in good hands. They have been doing better than before. The hospital authorities are working sincerely to provide them with necessary treatment and care.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Director General (DG) of the BGB has said some more patients will be brought to the hospital for better treatment,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The advisor then urged the countrymen to come forward along with the interim government and to work from their respective positions to ensure good care of the injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, he personally spoke to the injured BGB members and students admitted</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">there and enquired about their treatment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also gave instructions to all concerned officials including the BGB DG to ensure better medication for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, along with senior officials of the BGB headquarters were present at the time of his hospital visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-21 19:51:53', '2024-08-21 19:51:53'),
(12829, 12829, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Members of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), in two separate raids, arrested Awami League (AL) Organising Secretary Ahmed Hossain and former Chairman of Chittagong Port Rear Admiral (retd) Mohammad Sohail from city\'s Rampura and Banani areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">DMP\'s Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Md Obaidur Rahman confirmed the incident to BSS saying: \"Two DMP teams conducted raids in the areas on Tuesday night. During the drives, Ahmed Hossain was detained from the city\'s Rampura area while Mohammad Sohail was held from the Banani area.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More information in this regard will be given soon, the DMP official added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-21 20:02:05', '2024-08-21 20:02:05'),
(12830, 12830, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 1,796,248 people have been affected by floods across six districts in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One death was reported from Fulgazi upazila of Feni disrict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This information was shared in a report prepared by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, which detailed the situation as of Thursday morning (August 22).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report stated that weather agencies predict moderate to heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours in the northeastern part of the country and upstream areas. Water levels in the main rivers of the northeastern and eastern regions keep rising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Since the flood situation developed on Tuesday, six districts have so far been affected. The affected districts are Cumilla, Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, and Moulvibazar where 43 upazilas were submerged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 189,663 families have been stranded by floodwater in these six districts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report said that army and navy personnel have joined to rescue the trapped people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said 160 army personnel and 40 salvage vessels, 71 navy personnel and eight salvage vessels were sent to the flood-hit areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the current flood situation, the leave of the officials and employees of the offices and agencies under the Department of Posts and Telecommunications in Feni, Cumilla and other areas have been canceled to maintain constant contact with the people and to repair the damaged towers, said the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:08:01', '2024-08-22 19:08:01'),
(12831, 12831, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The water level of the Gomti River in Cumilla has risen to 70 centimeters above the danger mark, submerging homes in the low-lying char areas and leaving thousands of residents in distress.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">From Wednesday morning to 10 am on Thursday, the river\'s water level increased by 58 centimeters, exacerbating the situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several cracks have been reported along the riverbanks, raising concerns of further breaches. Continuous heavy rainfall in India\'s Tripura has contributed to the rising water levels in the Gomti River, according to sources from the Water Development Board.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 25 spots along the riverbanks in the Adarsha Sadar, Burichang, Brahmanpara, Debidwar, and Muradnagar upazilas are now at risk.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, low-lying areas in the Chauddagram and Nangalkot upazilas of the district have been flooded. Homes, fish farms, and various projects have been inundated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Heavy rainfall over the past few days has also caused severe waterlogging in several parts of Cumilla city. Areas such as Chakbazar, Kandirpar, Salauddin Mor, Chartha, Thakurpara, DC Road, and Bagichagaon have experienced significant waterlogging, leading to disruption and hardship for residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:15:10', '2024-08-22 19:15:10'),
(12832, 12832, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Nahid Islam today informed that 13 percent of the mobile network sites was down in the flood-affected areas while the network has disrupted in several upazilas due to damage of optical fibers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The electricity was cut off in several areas where generators are being used (to ensure power supply). If the network goes completely down, 10 VSATs are ready for deployment,\" the adviser was quoted as he saying in a press release issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nahid, also adviser for posts, telecommunications and information technology, said instructions have been given to make the mobile network available in the flood affected areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:20:12', '2024-08-22 19:20:12'),
(12833, 12833, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A case was filed today against 47 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, over the killing of hawker Md Shahabul Islam alias Shaon in Baipail area in Savar during the recent anti-discrimination student movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md Mojibul Hossain, relative of Shaon, filed the complaint over the killing with the court of Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Rabeya Sultana. The court, after recording statement of the complainant, asked the officer in-charge of Ashulia Police Station to accept the matter as first information report (FIR).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other prominent accused in the case are - Obaidul Quader, Salman F Rahman, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Anisul Huq, Hasan Mahmud and Chowdhury, Abdullah Al Mamun. Around 200 to 300 unnamed people were also implicated in the case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case documents, Shaon joined the anti-discrimination street protest in the morning of July 4. He got shot at around 11 am and succumbed to his injuries at Dhamrai upazilla health complex around 1:30 pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:24:49', '2024-08-22 19:24:49'),
(12834, 12834, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A Dhaka court here today acquitted BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain in a money laundering case filed with Ramna Model Police station in 2014.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Judge Abul Kashem of Dhaka Special Judge Court-1 handed down the verdict this morning in presence of Dr Mosharraf, as the accusations weren\'t proved beyond any reasonable doubt before the court,\" his attorney Taderul Islam Touhid told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ACC Director Nasim Anwar filed the case as the plaintiff, alleging money laundering.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Charge sheet was pressed against him on August 14, 2014. On October 28, 2015, the court framed charges against him and the trial began.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the trial, 9 witnesses testified before the court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the trial, it was revealed that ACC investigation found evidence of smuggling more than 9.5 crore Taka in the UK\'s Lloyd Bank during his tenure from 2001 to 2006.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:36:17', '2024-08-22 19:36:17'),
(12835, 12835, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A team of the United Nations (UN) today arrived here on an eight-day visit to discuss the process for investigating human rights violations in light of the recent violence and unrest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A team from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will be visiting Dhaka from August 22 to August 29, 2024 for preliminary discussions with the Interim Government and other stakeholders,\" according to a media advisory sent by the Communication Team of the United Nations Resident Coordinator\'s Office in Bangladesh.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said that the purpose of this visit is to understand their priorities for assistance in promoting human rights.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is important to note that this visit is not an investigation, but rather it will focus on discussing the process for investigating human rights violations in light of the recent violence and unrest,\" said the advisory.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN Resident Coordinator\'s Office said that the visit is in response to a request from Bangladesh\'s Interim Government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once the details are finalized, it said, a separate fact-finding team will be dispatched in the coming weeks to conduct the investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has conveyed admiration, solidarity, and support to the people of Bangladesh, particularly the youth, as they work towards advancing human rights for all, said the advisory.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The team is expected to meet with several government advisers and civil society members during their visit to gather information.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The move was announced by UN human rights Chief Volker Turk during a recent call with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has expressed its readiness to cooperate with the UN team to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN Resident Coordinator\'s Office noted that the UN team will not be available for media interviews during this visit.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:38:54', '2024-08-22 19:38:54'),
(12836, 12836, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rail communication on Dhaka-Chattogram routs has been suspended as sections of rail tracks went under floodwater.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The flood has forced us to cancel movement of all trains from Dhaka to Chattogram and Chattogram to some other routes,\" Sardar Shahadat, director general of Bangladesh Railway told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said railway tracks in Feni area were submerged by floodwater.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the control room of the Bangladesh Railway (Ctg Division), stones and soil have been washed away from the tracks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said two trains had to return to Chattogram from Feni area till noon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, flood water disrupts traffic on Dhaka-Chattogram highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:41:21', '2024-08-22 19:41:21'),
(12837, 12837, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia\'s economic and trade links with China are \"yielding results\" as he welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang to the Kremlin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow has looked to Beijing as an economic lifeline since the Ukraine conflict began, with the two boosting trade to record highs as Russia faces heavy economic sanctions from the West.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our trade relations are developing successfully... The attention that the two governments on both sides are paying to trade and economic ties is yielding results,\" Putin said in a meeting with Li.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our states have worked out large-scale joint plans, projects in economic and humanitarian spheres, we expect for many years ahead,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Li told Putin that \"Chinese-Russian relations are at an unprecedentedly high level,\" according to the Kremlin\'s translation of his remarks, saying Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had created a \"strong impulse for further deepening of bilateral relations\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a separate meeting with Li, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin hailed the countries\' links as a stabilising element.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our partnership and strategic cooperation is especially important in a situation where new contours of the global order are being formed,\" Mishustin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"And in these conditions, the Russia-China link is a powerful stabilising factor, promoting economic growth in both countries and increasing quality of life for our citizens,\" the Russian premier said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Citing a joint communique, Chinese state media Xinhua said the two sides agreed to optimize trade structure, grow bilateral trade volume and promote development of e-commerce.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also said they would make efforts \"to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the Arctic\" as well as bilateral agricultural trade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Trade ties -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow and Beijing both rail against \"western hegemony\", particularly what they see as US domination of global affairs, and Mishustin on Wednesday said the two countries must \"focus efforts on protecting our shared interests\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Xinhua said the two denounced countries that \"use the so-called \'rules-based order\' to maintain their own privileges\" and decried their obstruction of \"the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Facing Western sanctions, Russia has pushed to use non-Western currencies as the basis for its trade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Today the share of the ruble and the yuan in mutual settlements is already over 95 percent,\" Mishustin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China presents itself as a neutral party in Russia\'s offensive on Ukraine and says it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But it is a close political and economic ally of Russia, and NATO members have branded Beijing a \"decisive enabler\" of the conflict, which it has never condemned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beijing has also benefited from cheap Russian energy imports and access to vast natural resources, including steady gas shipments through the Power of Siberia pipeline.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Li\'s visit comes as India\'s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Poland, set to make his first visit to Ukraine at the end of the week. India, China\'s regional rival, is also close with Russia, but Modi has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:46:13', '2024-08-22 19:46:13'),
(12838, 12838, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A Dhaka court on Thursday imposed a 60-day travel ban on Taqsem A Khan, the former Managing Director of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), in connection with ongoing corruption allegations against him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The order was issued by Judge Mohammed Ash-Shams Joglul Hossain of the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court of Dhaka, following a petition by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Syed Nazrul Islam, who is also leading the investigation, according to ACC spokesperson Aktarul Islam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ACC public prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir presented the petition on behalf of the commission, which argued that Taqsem was attempting to flee the country, and requested the travel ban to prevent his departure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ACC informed the court that an investigation is currently underway into allegations that Taqsem embezzled funds under the guise of various projects and engaged in illegal recruitment practices during his tenure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taqsem resigned from his position as the Managing Director of Dhaka WASA on August 14, citing health issues. He submitted his resignation letter online.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taqsem A Khan was first appointed as the Managing Director of Dhaka WASA in 2009. His tenure was extended multiple times, with the most recent extension in August of last year, marking his seventh reappointment for an additional three years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:52:28', '2024-08-22 19:52:28'),
(12839, 12839, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Russian air defences shot down 10 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, the city\'s mayor said early Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Moscow\'s layered defence against enemy UAVs that was created has allowed us to successfully repel all attacks,\" mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a Telegram post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is one of the largest attempts to attack Moscow with drones ever,\" he said, adding Russian air defences shot down 10 drones.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sobyanin said in an earlier post that no damage or casualties had been reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Drone attacks on Moscow are rare, with Russia saying in May it had downed a drone outside the capital, forcing restrictions to be imposed at two major airports in the city for under an hour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv has repeatedly targeted oil and gas facilities in Russia since the conflict began in 2022, some hundreds of kilometres from its borders, in what it has called \"fair\" retaliation for attacks on its energy infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian drones attacked an oil storage facility in Russia\'s southern Rostov region on Sunday, sparking a large fire, the local governor said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The blaze in the city of Proletarsk was still raging on Tuesday, with around 500 Russian firefighters working to put it out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his forces for hitting oil facilities in Russia, saying the attacks would help bring a \"just end\" to the conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The drone attacks come as Ukraine mounts an unprecedented cross-border assault into Russia\'s Kursk region, where it claims to control more than 80 settlements. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-22 19:59:38', '2024-08-22 19:59:38');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12840, 12840, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As severe floods devastate 11 districts of the country, citizens and volunteer groups have rallied alongside the government to provide much-needed relief to those affected. From Dhaka to remote regions, people are coming together in a show of unprecedented solidarity, delivering essential supplies and rescuing stranded victims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across the country, individuals and non-governmental organizations are filling covered vans, trucks, and pick-ups with dry food, essential medicines, safe drinking water, and staples like rice and lentils. Cash donations are also being handed directly to flood victims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to these efforts, volunteers from various parts of the country are bringing boats and speedboats by truck to flood-hit areas to assist in rescue operations. Many have remarked that such unity in the face of disaster is unlike anything they have seen before.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, numerous government and private institutions have also joined the cause, with employees donating a day\'s salary to support flood victims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>‘Gonotran’: Mass Relief Collection at Dhaka University’s TSC</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At Dhaka University\'s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), people from all walks of life have been pouring in with donations since last Thursday. The “Gonotran” (Mass Relief Collection) initiative, called by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has garnered overwhelming support.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of people have participated, contributing cash and relief supplies to the effort. On the first day alone, significant amounts of food, clothing, sanitary napkins, and several lakhs of taka were collected. By Friday afternoon, the influx of donations had only increased, with trucks, pick-ups, vans, rickshaws, and private cars arriving at TSC filled with relief materials for the flood-affected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even children are contributing their savings to the cause. With the TSC cafeteria and game room filled to capacity with supplies, additional storage has been arranged in the central auditorium and TSC’s hallways. A queue of vehicles bringing donations has formed in the TSC area, while over 300 school and college students are volunteering to package the relief items.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdul Munim, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s medical team, expressed his amazement at the public\'s response. \"We have never seen such a united effort from the general public before. It feels like a new movement to build a stronger Bangladesh has begun. This is our first test, and we are confident that together, we will pass it,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Fundraising Efforts Spread Across Dhaka’s Streets</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to the major initiatives, students are collecting donations at several locations in Dhaka. Youth groups in neighborhoods are also gathering funds and supplies for the flood victims.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Military and Emergency Services Mobilize for Flood Relief</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The police, army, navy, air force, coast guard, and fire service are actively working in flood-affected areas to assist residents. They are distributing dry and cooked food, while also conducting rescue operations using helicopters in the most severely impacted regions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>One Day’s Salary Donated to Flood Victims</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Members of the Bangladesh Army have donated the equivalent of one day\'s salary to the Chief Adviser’s Relief Fund, while employees of various government and private organizations have done the same through platforms like Nagad and bKash. Additional relief funds have been established by several autonomous institutions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Mobile Operators Provide Free Minutes and Internet for Flood Victims</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a bid to support those affected by the flood, the country\'s major mobile operators, including Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, Airtel, and the state-owned Teletalk, have announced free talk time and internet packages.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Imams Urge Support for Flood Victims During Friday’s Jummah Prayers</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During Friday’s Jummah prayers, Imams across the country, including in the capital, spoke about the sufferings of flood victims and urged people to offer assistance according to their means. They also led prayers for the victims and many mosques have started collecting donations for flood relief.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Free Rebooking for Missed Flights Due to Floods</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In light of the ongoing floods, passengers who miss flights due to travel difficulties are being allowed to rebook their tickets for free. This directive has been issued to 33 airlines operating from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Group Captain Md. Kamrul Islam, the airport’s Executive Director, has requested airlines to cooperate with passengers facing such challenges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the nation grapples with one of its most severe flood crises in recent memory, the unity and determination of its people offer hope for recovery and resilience.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-24 19:17:21', '2024-08-24 19:17:21'),
(12841, 12841, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least eighteen people died and over 49 lakh people were affected as floods wreaked more havoc in vast areas of 11 districts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Kamrul Hasan came up with the overall flood information at a press briefing held at the Secretariat on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the total deaths, four died in Cumilla, one in Feni, five in Chattogram, three in Noakhali, one each in Brahmanbaria and Laxmipur and three in Cox’s Bazar districts, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So far, some 49,38,159 people have been affected and a total of 3,527 shelter centers have been opened where 2,84,888 people took shelter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, a sum of Tk 3.52 crore has been allocated in the 11 flood-hit districts while 20,150 tonnes of rice, 15,000 pieces of dry foods/packets and baby foods and fodder worth Tk 35 lakh were allocated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kamrul said there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the northeastern part of the country and adjoining upstream in the next 24 hours. The flood situation in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts adjacent to the Manu, Khowai and Dholai rivers is likely to improve during this period, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the southeastern part of the country and adjoining upstream in the next 24 hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Flood situation is expected to improve in the adjoining areas of Muhuri, Feni, Gumti and Halda rivers in Feni, Cumilla and Chattogram districts of the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 70 medical teams have been kept prepared to provide medical treatment in the flood affected areas and the army personnel and district civil surgeons are providing medical services.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, adequate relief materials have been stocked in all districts of the country, the secretary said, adding that the deputy commissioners of the flood-affected districts have been instructed to work together in coordination with the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, army, navy, medical team and other volunteers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A control room has been opened in the ministry to monitor the flood situation and a hotline number 02-55101115 was opened to provide immediate services.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-24 19:20:44', '2024-08-24 19:20:44'),
(12842, 12842, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An attacker with a knife killed three people and seriously wounded at least five late Friday at a festival in the western German city of Solingen, authorities said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Witnesses alerted police shortly after 9:30 p.m. to an unknown attacker having wounded several people indiscriminately with a knife on a central square, the Fronhof. Police said the perpetrator was on the run, and they had only very little information on the man so far.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They said they believe the stabbings were carried out by a lone attacker.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of the festival organizers, Philipp Müller, appeared on stage and asked festivalgoers to “go calmly; please keep your eyes open, because unfortunately the perpetrator hasn\'t been caught.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said many people had been wounded by “a knifeman.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least one helicopter was seen in the air, while many police and emergency vehicles with flashing blue lights were on the road and several streets were closed off.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police put the number of seriously injured at five. The region\'s top security official, Herbert Reul, gave a figure of six as he visited the scene in the early hours of Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“None of us knows why” the attack took place, said Reul, who is the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I can\'t say anything about the motive now” and it isn\'t clear who the assailant was, he said, but the attacker left the scene “relatively quickly.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mayor Tim Kurzbach said in a Facebook post, “This evening, we in Solingen are all in shock. We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now have dead and wounded to lament.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It breaks my heart that an attack on our city happened,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local newspaper Solinger Tageblatt quoted Celine Derikartz, its reporter covering the festival, as saying that “the atmosphere is spooky.” She said a party atmosphere had turned to shock within minutes and she saw festivalgoers weeping.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The “Festival of Diversity,” marking the city’s 650th anniversary, began Friday and was supposed to run through Sunday, with several stages in central streets offering attractions such as live music, cabaret and acrobatics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The city canceled the rest of the festival after the attack. Solingen has about 160,000 residents and is located near the bigger cities of Cologne and Duesseldorf.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There has been concern about an increase in knife violence in Germany recently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In May, a knife attack by an Afghan immigrant on members of a group that describes itself as opposing “political Islam” left a police officer dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Germany\'s top security official, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, proposed toughening weapons laws to allow only knives with a blade measuring up to 6 centimeters (nearly 2.4 inches) to be carried in public, rather than the length of 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) that is allowed now.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-24 19:29:46', '2024-08-24 19:29:46'),
(12843, 12843, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser to the interim government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will hold a meeting today with leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss the recent flood situation in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting will be held at State Guest House Jamuna in the capital at 3 pm, Chief Adviser\'s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jhangir told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said many NGOs are distributing relief goods among the flood victims and are carrying rescue operations in the ongoing devastating floods.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In fact, Apurba said, the chief adviser will discuss with them the issues of addressing the flood situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 5 million people in 11 flood-hit districts have been affected by the ongoing unprecedented floods.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-24 19:40:41', '2024-08-24 19:40:41'),
(12844, 12844, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said China stands ready to share its experience in reform and development with Bangladesh, implement the agreements and consensus reached by the two sides, and push forward pragmatic cooperation in various sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“No matter what changes have taken place in the domestic situation of Bangladesh, China’s commitment to develop China-Bangladesh relations remains unchanged,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Yao welcomed the formation of the interim government, and congratulated Prof Yunus on assuming the position of Chief Adviser during a courtesy call on him at Jamuna on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He stressed China’s support for the interim government to build a poverty-free, democratic, and prosperous Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Yao said that China strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, respecting the development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people, and expects that Bangladesh would realize unity, stability, development and prosperity at an early date.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador said that China and Bangladesh are traditionally friendly neighbors and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bilateral relationship sets up a model of mutual respect, and cooperation for win-win results for developing countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said China firmly supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, maintaining national unity and stability, and playing a more significant role in international and regional affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that both China and Bangladesh are at a crucial stage of development and revitalization, with enormous potential for cooperation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China is about to import fresh mangoes from Bangladesh, expedite the negotiation for a Free Trade Agreement, optimize the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement, encourage local currency settlement in bilateral trade and support Chinese enterprises in investing in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“China is committed to working with Bangladesh to organize and carry out activities for the ‘China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges’ in 2025,” said the ambassador.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China will also maintain visits and exchanges at all levels and in various sectors, elevating the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new height, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Yao reiterated that China is determined to encourage and engage with the relevant parties in Myanmar for a ceasefire, so as to create amicable conditions for the early repatriation of the displaced people from Rakhine State of Myanmar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-25 19:24:33', '2024-08-25 19:24:33'),
(12845, 12845, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim government is taking decisive steps to designate the Dhaka Metro Rail as a Key Point Installation (KPI) and emergency service, aiming to prevent future attacks and vandalism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, made this announcement during a briefing at the Secretariat station of the metro rail on Sunday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The government is actively working to upgrade the metro rail\'s status to a KPI,\" said Khan. \"This measure will significantly enhance security and safeguard the metro rail from any acts of vandalism.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that declaring the metro rail an emergency service is essential to ensure its uninterrupted operations, which are crucial for the city\'s daily commute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked about the perpetrators behind the recent disruptions, the adviser dismissed the notion that those advocating for change in the country were responsible, instead attributing the incidents to \"miscreants.\"&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-25 19:32:09', '2024-08-25 19:32:09'),
(12846, 12846, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A case was filed today against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 27 others over the killing of a seller of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) products in the capital during recent anti-discrimination student movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mamunur Rashid, brother-in-law of victim Md Eusuf Sanowar, filed the complaint with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saddam Hossain. The court after recording statement of the complainant, asked the officer in-charge of Jatrabari Police Station to accept the matter as first information report (FIR).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other prominent accused in the case are- AWami League general secretary Obaidul Quader and former ministers Anisul Huq and Tajul Islam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case documents, Md Eusuf Sanowar on July 20 went to capital’s Shanir Akhra area after receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. As he reached the area, Awami League goons and police started firing at him, thinking him as a protester.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gun shot hit Sanowar critically and he was immediately rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where the attending doctors declared him dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-25 19:45:11', '2024-08-25 19:45:11'),
(12847, 12847, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir, the lawyer for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has said that the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs banning Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir is expected to be withdrawn on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Advocate Shishir provided this information at a press conference at the Supreme Court on Monday (26 August).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said, “I have spoken with the Ministry of Home Affairs. They have informed me that the entire procedure has been completed. Today is a public holiday, I am hopeful that the ban will be withdrawn tomorrow (Tuesday).”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 1 August, the Awami League government banned Jamaat-e-Islami, its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir and all of its front organisations as political parties and entities under the Anti-Terrorism Act-2009.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 5 August, Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled the country in the face of a mass uprising against her AL government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 18:40:19', '2024-08-26 18:40:19'),
(12848, 12848, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Mohammed Shahabuddin has urged the&nbsp;</span>countrymen to stand by the flood-affected people as he addressed the Janmashtami reception programme for the people of Hindu community at Bangabhaban here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I hope that everyone, being imbued with patriotism, will come forward to stand by the helpless and distressed people within their respective abilities whatever they have,\" he told the Hindu religious leaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Head of the State was exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community at a reception at Bangabhaban, marking Janmashtami, the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said, \"Eleven districts of the south-eastern region of Bangladesh are greatly affected by the severe floods. People in flood-affected areas are living inhumane lives at present. These affected helpless people need multi- faceted support, including food, water and medicine for their survival and safe shelter as well.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the incumbent government is making all-out efforts to help the flood-hit people, the President mentioned the members of the \'Anti- Discrimination Students Movement\' are also providing their support as much as they can.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Shahabuddin extended his sincere greetings and congratulations to the people of the Hindu community, irrespective of the caste, creed and political affiliations, urging everyone to work together for the country\'s betterment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Calling Sri Krishna as a benevolent and humanitarian man as well as a social reformer of Hinduism, he said the main philosophy of Lord Sri Krishna was to remove injustice, oppression and violence from the society, and building a</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">congenial atmosphere and harmony amongst all.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, a unique feature of our culture. . . The existing harmony and mutual amity in society should be maintained to accelerate national progress and prosperity,\" the President mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pointing out that the constitution of the People\'s Republic of Bangladesh guarantees equal rights to all citizens, he said, \"If we all want to move Bangladesh forward, we must forget the differences of religions and castes, and work together.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the main message of all religions is human welfare and religious values should be used for the welfare of the country and its people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Shahabuddin said this Janmashtami\'s pledge is to build a progressive and peaceful social system for the new generation in the bond of mutual sympathy, harmony and human values.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He asked everyone to maintain religious harmony in the society and behave in a tolerant manner, highlighting the country\'s long-cherished harmony and cultural heritage in the international arena.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Subsequently, the President went round the Durbar Hall and exchanged greetings with all the guests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President\'s wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana, Religious Adviser of the Interim Government AFM Khalid Hossain, Primary and Mass Education Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Justice Gobinda Chandra Thakur, Justice Biswajit Das, foreign diplomats, Ramakrishna Mission Principal Srimat Swami Purnatmananda Maharaj, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Secretary Dr. Krishnendu Kumar Pal, Deputy Director Prashanto Kumar Biswas, President of Bangladesh Puja Celebration Parishad Sri Basudeb Dhor, General Secretary Santosh Sharma and President of Mohanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee Sri Jayanta Kumar Deb and its General Secretary Dr. Tapas Kumar Pal attended.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Office\'s Senior Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani, Military Secretary Major General Mohammad Adil Chowdhury and Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin also accompanied the President on the occasion that lasted from 11am to</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">11:24am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 18:45:49', '2024-08-26 18:45:49'),
(12849, 12849, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has placed an indefinite ban on holding any type of meeting, gathering, procession, rally and demonstration in areas surrounding Bangladesh Secretariat and Chief Adviser’s official residence Jamuna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A public notification ordered by the DMP commissioner said the decision was taken considering the emerging recent situation in the public interest and it will be effective from Monday (August 26).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The restriction has been imposed under section 29 of DMP Ordinance (Ordinance No-III/76).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It comes after several people were injured in a clash between Dhaka University students and a section of agitating Ansar members outside the Secretariat on Sunday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The clash started after 9 pm, following reports that key figures from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement including Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah were being held hostage by the Ansars at the Secretariat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this month, the Ansar personnel intercepted the motorcade of Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus to realise their demand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday noon, the Ansar members blocked the gates of the Secretariat to press home their demand. The protest turned into clashes with students and police. Army members had to intervene to bring the situation under control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 18:48:25', '2024-08-26 18:48:25'),
(12850, 12850, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The water level of major rivers in northeastern, eastern and southeastern regions of the country continues to decrease, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the last 24 hours, no significant rainfall was observed in eastern Cumilla, Brahmanbaria andFeni districts bordering Indian Tripura and inland basins of Tripura province and water levels in upstream rivers continued to recede, said the FFWC in a bulletin on monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a result, the current flood situation in the lower areas of Feni and Comilla districts continues to improve.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The water level of the rivers in Moulvibazar, Habiganj district has come down below the danger level.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the data of meteorological agencies,&nbsp; heavy rainfall in the north-eastern region of the country and adjoining uplands in the next 48 hours is unlikely. At this time, the water level of Manu, Khoai, Dhalai rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts of northeastern region may decrease.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to meteorological agencies, there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall in theeastern part of the country and adjacent upstream regions in the next 24 hours. At this time, the water level of Gumti river in Cumilla district of the region may decrease and the flood situation of adjacent low-lying areas may improve.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The flood situation in the lower areas of&nbsp; Feni district may improve in the next 24 hours, but may remain stable at some places.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the information of meteorological agencies, there is a possibility of moderate</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">rainfall in the southeast region of the country and adjacent uplands in the next 24 hours. At</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">this time, the water level of Sangu, Matamuhuri, Karnaphuli, Halda and other major rivers of Chittagong district may increase at times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Water level of Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Surma-Kushiara rivers in northeastern part of the country is receding, water level of Ganga-Padma river is stable, normal flow of Teesta-DharlaDudhkumar river in northern region is prevailing, which may continue for next 48 hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 18:51:45', '2024-08-26 18:51:45'),
(12851, 12851, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan\'s outspoken, social media-savvy digital transformation minister announced Monday that he was running to replace Fumio Kishida as prime minister, saying he would look beyond domestic affairs and \"help steer the world\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taro Kono, 61, who was formerly the minister for foreign affairs, became the third lawmaker to declare their candidacy in a key vote next month to choose the ruling party\'s president -- and by extension, Japan\'s next leader.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He joins ex-defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67, and former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, in the race.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I will run for the Liberal Democratic Party\'s presidential election,\" Kono told a packed news conference Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Touting his experience as foreign affairs chief, he added: \"I can help steer the world.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Unlike the previous LDP presidential elections, where we had been content to limit our discussions to Japan, this is the first race where we have to talk about the world,\" he said, citing the war in Ukraine and a potential crisis around Taiwan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kono\'s showmanship on X, where he speaks frankly to his 2.5 million followers, as well as his occasional disregard for red tape and formalities have earned him a reputation for being a maverick.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has also been a rare voice of support within the conservative LDP for measures such as legalising same-sex marriage and boosting immigration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The leadership race is taking place after Kishida announced earlier this month he would step aside, with polls showing plummeting approval ratings following a fundraising kickbacks scandal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Opinion polls have largely shown the public favouring Ishiba as the next prime minister, followed by Shinjiro Koizumi, 43-year-old scion of charismatic ex-PM Junichiro Koizumi. Koizumi hasn\'t officially declared his candidacy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kono, once a darling of the public, has slipped into fourth place in a Yomiuri Shimbun survey, behind vocal nationalist Sanae Takaichi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Over the weekend, perennial contender Ishiba announced his fifth shot at the top job, but added it would be his last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This will be the culmination of my 38-year career as a politician... I will give it my all,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rising star Kobayashi said upon announcing his candidacy last week that the LDP needed to rejuvenate itself, reinforcing his image as a leader for the next generation. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 18:57:28', '2024-08-26 18:57:28'),
(12852, 12852, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday voiced frustration that Chief Adviser Dr Mohammad Yunus\' address to the nation lacked a roadmap for transition to democracy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a discussion, he hoped that the interim government will soon engage in talks with political parties to make a decision on the national election and state reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’re still in a state of confusion as things remain unclear.&nbsp; We had anticipated that the Chief Adviser would present a roadmap. But we didn’t find that roadmap for moving to democracy in his speech,” the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Chief Adviser, in his speech, indicated some reforms, but these cannot be implemented in a short timeframe.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, Fakhrul expressed optimism, noting that they believe the situation is moving in a positive direction for the benefit of the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul said Dr Yunus correctly stated that the timing of the election is a matter of political decision. “It will surely be determined by a political decision. But, for this decision to be made, the government needs to engage in discussions with political parties and politicians.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He expressed hope that the Chief Adviser will soon begin talks with the political parties in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A faction of Jatiya Party (Zafar) arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 9th death anniversary of its founder Kazi Zafar Ahmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Sunday evening, Interim government’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation and assured that a free, fair, and participatory election would be arranged after completing necessary reforms in the administration, judiciary, election commission and electoral system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He, however, said the timing of the election is a political decision, and it is up to the people to determine how long the interim government will remain in power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 19:00:09', '2024-08-26 19:00:09'),
(12853, 12853, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen today said that Beijing is willing to continue providing assistance according to Bangladesh\'s needs to help in disaster relief and reconstruction efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We belief that under the leadership of the interim government, the people of Bangladesh will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes soon,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy made the remark during his meeting with Chairman of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Professor Dr. M.U. Kabir Chowdhury, at the latter\'s headquarters here and donated US$ 100,000 on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China to assist flood victims in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the donation ceremony, Ambassador Yao observed that Bangladesh has been suffering from a devastating flood, resulting in enormous loss of life and property.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese government and people are deeply concerned and empathize with the people of Bangladesh, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a country that also frequently suffers from natural disasters, the envoy said, China extends its sincere sympathies to the interim government and the people of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Though disasters are ruthless, people are compassionate. In the face of the floods, the Red Cross Society of China promptly provided humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh,\" said the envoy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese Ambassador said his country is keen to further consolidate and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, Ambassador Yao, during a meeting with Chief Advisor Professional Dr Yunus donated $20,000 to the \"Chief Advisor\'s Relief and Welfare Fund\" to support Bangladesh\'s flood relief efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh donated food, drinking water, and other relief supplies worth Taka 6 million to the severely affected city of Feni to help the local victims through this difficult time, according to a press release issued by the Chinese embassy here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh continue to actively donate money and supplies, fulfilling their social responsibilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As of August 25, Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh have donated over Taka 4.13 million to the flood-affected areas and provided supplies worth about Taka 6.19 million, totaling approximately Taka 10.32 million.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Donations and contributions are still ongoing, said the Chinese Embassy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 19:06:54', '2024-08-26 19:06:54'),
(12854, 12854, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A fire that broke out in a tyre manufacturing factory in Rupsi area under Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj remained uncontrolled 12 hours after the incident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lt. Col Md Rezaul Karim, director (training, planning and improvement) of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, at a media briefing at the spot on Monday morning said the fire erupted in Gazi Tyre Factory around 10:30pm and they received information within five minutes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to the call, two firefighting units from Demra station rushed to the spot and later five more units joined, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the intensity of the fire was massive due to the presence of flammable objects like rubber and tyre, five more firefighting units from several stations joined the previous ones and are still trying to tame the blaze, the FSCD director.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that a total of 120 firefighters have been engaged in dousing the flame while 14 people were rescued from the factory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a question, the fire service official said the cause of the fire and extent of damage will be known only after investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 19:11:49', '2024-08-26 19:11:49');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12855, 12855, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">At a time when Bangladesh is celebrating its first-ever Test win over Pakistan and overall 20th win in the format, its match-winning, record-breaking all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is standing in a judiciary crossroad - and netizens including his teammates and even celebrities are showcasing support towards him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former top position holder in the ICC Men’s All-Rounder list and former National Parliament member from Awami League, who was criticized and trolled for not speaking out in support of the student-led mass-uprising, has recently been accused of killing garment worker Md Rubel. A case was filed at the Adabar Police Station on August 22 against Shakib Al Hasan, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader and 156 named and 400-500 unidentified people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is seemingly jeopardizing Shakib Al Hasan’s future with Bangladesh Cricket, although Shakib’s inclusion in the murder case seemed confusing to netizens from all walks of life.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eminent music director Prince Mahmud who has been vocal about many social issues, came up with a handful of questions regarding the issue on his Facebook: “Shakib Al Hasan is accused of murder? Was the case intentionally made simpler by doing this? What is the intention? The true offenders remain disconnected. Are these cases being set up to cover up the actual offenders who are denouncing this regime both domestically and internationally? How was someone charged with murder who was not in the nation at the time of the movement?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Development professional and communications expert Tony Michael wrote: “One of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, Shakib Al Hasan, has been found guilty of murder. I believe that after Dr Muhammad Yunus, Shakib Al Hasan is the most renowned and respected Bangladeshi person that the world knows. Every Shakib hater in Bangladesh thinks, in my opinion, that the case against Shakib Al Hasan is fabricated, even if they don\'t actively discuss it on social media during their tea-time gossip.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several of Shakib’s present and former teammates also wrote on their social handles, in support of him. Cricketer Mahedi Hasan wrote: “For 17 years, Bangladesh has been represented in international arenas by a cricket player I know named Shakib Al Hasan. He has brought attention to our nation on a global scale today. Only Allah knows what’s happening and he is the greatest planner, hopefully, he planned the best for Shakib bhai as well.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Echoing the same, cricketer Sabbir Rahman wrote: “Shakib Al Hasan - the person through him the world of cricket recognizes and respects Bangladesh. My forever respect and love will remain for you.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cricketer Anamul Haque Bijoy wrote: “Shakib bhai your contribution to cricket in Bangladesh is undeniable. You have taken Bangladesh cricket to an incredible height on the world map. We are all with you. InShaAllah this darkness will pass. I say this loud and clear that you are innocent, and may Allah bless you.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib’s former teammate Rubel Hossain wrote: “Undoubtedly one of Bangladesh\'s unluckiest politicians, having spent nearly most of his 6-7 months term abroad. As a member of Parliament, you have lost more than gained. I am with you, all the Bangladeshi cricketers are with you. Cricket suits you Shakib, not politics.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sara Hossain, unpaid executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), has recently said that an influx of cases has been seen for two weeks. “Some of these cases have 30, 40 and more than 50 accused. Many may have anger and resentment, but filing such cases will not work, and will not last - will not even pass the first step. These cases are questioning the movement, and these must be stopped.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-26 19:15:21', '2024-08-26 19:15:21'),
(12856, 12856, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Kingdom (UK) today expressed their keen interest to help Bangladesh reform its banking and revenue sectors alongside the capital market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interest surfaced as the UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke called on Finance Adviser to the interim government Dr Salehuddin Ahmed at his Economic Relations Division (ERD) office in the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the meeting, the finance adviser said the UK is willing to help Bangladesh reform sectors like banking, revenue and capital markets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Those are very immediate concerns for us also. Because, unless we carry out those reforms it would be difficult for us,\" he told reporters after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said they have discussed enhancement of trade and commerce between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We want that the trade and commerce should flourish. The UK government was very helpful in the past and I hope that they will be helpful in the coming days as well. We are looking forward to their help and cooperation,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The finance adviser and the British envoy also discussed the cooperation between Bangladesh and the UK.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Salehuddin mentioned that the UK is working mainly in economic development and women\'s empowerment, adding, \"We will continue those as well. Private sector investment is also very much important. Big business houses of Britain have invested here,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said that he told them to diversify the import items from Bangladesh as his country mainly exports RMG items to the UK and the European countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that Bangladesh will have to improve the business environment to attract more private investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"For that, the condition is to make business environment, ease doing business that means we have to fix the climate of doing business, otherwise private sector will not come,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that the discussion was very fruitful, the British high commissioner said the UK and Bangladesh had a very strong economic, trade and investment relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re very keen to expand our trade and investment ties and we also discussed how the UK can support the economic reforms in Bangladesh that the adviser is leading and how we may jointly work to bring our experts together to discuss the issues of economic reform and also how we can boost our trade and investment ties between the two countries,\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on mobilizing more FDI from the UK, she said that the UK has a very strong partnership with Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'ve a very strong and investment environment. Off course, we would like to see more FDI into Bangladesh,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said the British investors for sure are responsible investors, adding, \"I discussed with the adviser how we can build investors\' confidence and strengthen our trade and investment ties.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to another question, Sarah Cooke said she also discussed the economic reforms that Bangladesh was prioritizing and how the UK can support Bangladesh in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:29:33', '2024-08-27 19:29:33'),
(12857, 12857, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Ukrainian authorities issued new air raid alerts across the country on Tuesday as Russian bombers took to the skies, a day after Moscow carried out a \'massive\' attack on Ukraine\'s power grid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Ukraine on Monday, killing at least four people and battering the country\'s already weakened energy grid, officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Russian attack triggered widespread blackouts and came after Kyiv claimed new advances in its incursion in Russia\'s Kursk region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s air force confirmed early Tuesday the \"takeoff of several Tu-95MS from the Engels airfield\" in western Russia, prompting air raid alerts across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two more people were killed overnight in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rig, according to a local official, in strikes that also damaged homes and businesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow launched at least 127 missiles and 109 drones in \"one of the largest Russian attacks\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of those, 102 missiles and 99 drones were shot down, according to Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, who described it as Russia\'s \"most massive\" attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States and Britain both condemned the assault, with US President Joe Biden calling it \"outrageous\" and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy branding it \"cowardly\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Germany\'s foreign ministry said that \"once again, Putin\'s Russia is saturating Ukraine\'s lifelines with missiles\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Very scary\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State-owned electricity supplier Ukrenergo announced emergency power cuts to stabilise its system following the barrage, while train schedules were disrupted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Residents in the capital Kyiv rushed to take shelter in metro stations early Monday, as AFP reporters heard the booms of what appeared to be air defences.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are always worried. We have been under stress for almost three years now,\" said Yulia Voloshyna, a 34-year-old lawyer taking refuge in the Kyiv metro.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was very scary, to be honest. You don\'t know what to expect,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since invading in February 2022, Russia has launched repeated large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, including punishing strikes on energy facilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Russian defence ministry confirmed it hit energy facilities in a statement, claiming that they were being used to aid Ukraine\'s \"military-production complex\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attacks early on Monday killed at least four people and wounded over 20 people across the country, officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two others were killed in later strikes during the day, according to authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Poland airspace \'violation\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NATO member Poland said its airspace was violated during the barrage, probably by a drone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are probably dealing with the entry of an object on Polish territory. The object was confirmed by at least three radiolocation stations,\" General Maciej Klisz, operational commander of the armed forces, told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Army command spokesman Jacek Goryszewski said it was \"highly likely that it could have been a Shahed-type drone\" of Iranian design, used by the Russian military.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But this has to be verified,\" he told AFP, adding that it could not be ruled out that the drone had already left Polish territory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky called for European air forces to help Kyiv down drones and missiles in the future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In our various regions of Ukraine, we could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbours worked together with our F-16s and together with our air defence,\" Zelensky said in an address.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Andriy Yermak, Zelensky\'s chief of staff, said the attack showed that Kyiv needed permission to strike \"deep into the territory of Russia with Western weapons\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky said Ukraine\'s surprise cross-border incursion into Russia\'s Kursk region launched on August 6 \"is, among other things, a way to compensate for the lack of range\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, he said that the surprise manoeuvre had yielded further advances, albeit small ones.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Saddened\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monday\'s aerial barrage came after a safety advisor working for the Reuters news agency, Ryan Evans, was killed in a missile strike on a hotel in eastern Ukraine late Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Britain\'s Lammy said he was \"deeply saddened to learn\" of his death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Six of the agency\'s crew covering the war were staying at the hotel in Kramatorsk, the last major city under Ukrainian control in the Donetsk region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin said there was \"still no clarity\" about the strike when asked about Zelensky\'s assertion that the attack was carried out \"deliberately\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I will say it again. The strikes are against military infrastructure targets or targets related to military infrastructure,\" Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky said defending the logistics hub of Pokrovsk, also in the Donetsk region, was \"most difficult\" with Ukraine strengthening its positions there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Over the border, one person died and six others were injured in a fire at an oil refinery in the Siberian city of Omsk on Monday, said regional governor Vitaly Khotsenko.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities did not specify the source of the fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian media reported that loud explosions were heard near the refinery, operated by Russian oil giant Gazprom and about 2,300 kilometres (1,430 miles) from Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine regularly carries out drone attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in Russia, sometimes far from its border. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:33:24', '2024-08-27 19:33:24'),
(12858, 12858, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two cases against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam, among 345 others, were filed in the district today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">District Coordinator of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Shalauddin Ahmed Shamim Sarker and JCD worker Zahid Hassan lodged the two cases with Bagha Police Station mentioning the names of 165 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his case, Shalauddin Sarker mentioned the names of 24 persons, including Sheikh Hasina and Shahriar Alam, and 20-30 others as unnamed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his petition, he pointed out that a group of leaders and workers of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) forcibly took him to an unknown place from Bagha New Bus Stand area at gunpoint at the direction of Sheikh Hasina and Shahriar on May 21, 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afterwards, they beat him mercilessly along with giving him electric shocks repeatedly. He was sent to court after a weeklong torture and filing false cases against him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, Zahid Hassan mentioned that the AL leaders and workers armed with firearms and lethal weapons attacked his business shop and set it on fire at Kishorepur Bazar under the same upazila on August 25, 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his case, he mentioned the names of 141 people, Sheikh Hasina and Shahriar, and 100-150 others as unnamed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abu Bakker Siddique, Officer-in-Charge of Bagha Police Station, said they recorded the two cases separately. He also said they are continuing their efforts to bring the accused to book as early as possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:36:11', '2024-08-27 19:36:11'),
(12859, 12859, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Tuesday sought soft loan facilities of around Tk 1,900 crore from the government to recoup their recent losses due to general holidays and severe flood&nbsp; disrupting communication on key Dhaka-Chittagong highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A BGMEA delegation led by its President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam made a he demand when it met with Finance and Commerce Adviser to the interim government Dr Salehuddin Ahmed at his ERD office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Emerging from the meeting, Khandoker Rafiqul said that they sought such soft loan facilities from the Adviser for one month which could be repaid in one year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Besides, they were a couple of issues for discussions. We’re confident that if we work with the government, then we can move forward the sector,” said the BGMEA President.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, he said their loans are now being made classified if any entrepreneur fails to pay three installments in a row which was earlier six installments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’re demanding to make it six installments again while if it made so, then it could be changed again when the situation becomes normal.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rafiqul Islam said that the Adviser was very much positive and assured the BGMEA of extending his highest cooperation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve also assured him that if we can make a turnaround, then our exports will make a fast come back…we just need cooperation from all, the foreign buyers have now trust and confidence on us as Bangladesh is stable now. We believe that more businesses now will move to Bangladesh,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about the details of soft loans, the BGMEA president said that the RMG exporters and entrepreneurs could not operate in full swing over the last 15 to 16 days out of the last 45 days which were disrupted by student-led mass uprising and the post prevailing situation including severe flash floods following the ouster of Awami League government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to another question, Rafiqul said there is now no problem with the formation of new committee of the BGMEA as the Ministry of Commerce had suggested them to move forward the sector with current leadership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also informed that they would sit with the international buyers and brand forums this afternoon centering the current situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:40:03', '2024-08-27 19:40:03'),
(12860, 12860, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United Kingdom has expressed its interest in assisting Bangladesh with reforms in the banking, revenue, and capital market sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UK High Commissioner Sarah Cooke conveyed this interest during a meeting with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday at his office in the Economic Relations Division (ERD) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the meeting, Dr. Salehuddin highlighted the urgency of these reforms for Bangladesh. \"These are very immediate concerns for us because, without these reforms, it will be difficult for us to move forward,\" he told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The discussion also covered the enhancement of trade and commerce between the two countries. The Finance Adviser expressed optimism about continued UK support, saying, \"We want trade and commerce to flourish. The UK government has been very helpful in the past, and we look forward to their continued cooperation.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He noted that the UK has been actively involved in Bangladesh\'s economic development and women’s empowerment, and these efforts will continue. He also emphasized the importance of private sector investment, noting significant investments by British companies in Bangladesh.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I urged them to diversify their import items from Bangladesh, as our exports to the UK and Europe are currently dominated by ready-made garments,\" Dr. Salehuddin said. He also stressed the need to improve the business environment to attract more private investment. \"We must improve the climate for doing business; otherwise, the private sector will not come.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke described the discussion as \"very fruitful,\" emphasizing the strong economic, trade, and investment relations between the UK and Bangladesh. \"We are keen to expand our trade and investment ties and support the economic reforms that the Adviser is leading. We discussed how our experts can collaborate to advance these reforms and strengthen our trade and investment relationships.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked about increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) from the UK, Cooke reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two countries. \"We have a strong investment environment, and of course, we would like to see more FDI in Bangladesh. British investors are responsible, and we discussed ways to build investor confidence and strengthen our trade ties.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States earlier proposed deploying skilled revenue advisers to help Bangladesh expand its domestic revenue base. The US Department of Treasury expressed its willingness to provide technical assistance for this purpose.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During his visit to Dhaka, Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, conveyed this offer to then-Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, emphasizing the United States’ commitment to supporting Bangladesh\'s revenue enhancement efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:43:12', '2024-08-27 19:43:12'),
(12861, 12861, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The death toll from the devastating flood has risen to 27, with at least 1,207,429 families adversely affected across seven districts in the country as of Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Farooq-e Azam, disaster management and relief adviser came up with the figures while addressing a press conference over the country’s overall flood situation at his secretariat office in Dhaka this afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The highest number of fatalities in the floods so far took place in Comilla, where 10 people have lost their lives, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:46:50', '2024-08-27 19:46:50'),
(12862, 12862, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Attorney General Advocate Md Asaduzzaman has requested the High Court to dismiss a petition seeking the ban of the Awami League as a political party. The petition, filed by the human rights organization Sarada Society, was presented in court on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the hearing before the High Court bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam, the Attorney General argued that the interim government has no intention of banning political parties, and such a move would undermine the constitutional power that allows political parties to operate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that while people have suffered under the previous authoritarian regime, there are legal and judicial mechanisms in place to address these grievances. The Attorney General also noted that Awami League members adhere to the party’s ideology, and therefore, there is no basis for banning the party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Attorney General further argued that the petitioner lacked the jurisdiction to file such a petition, as the Awami League was not named as a respondent. He added that the constitution of Sarada Society does not authorize it to file such petitions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reflecting on past instances where political issues were brought before the court, the Attorney General remarked, “We have paid the price for dragging political matters into court, which has even affected the judiciary. It pains me as a lawyer when such cases arise, so let politics remain in the political arena. The petition should be dismissed outright, and costs should be imposed on the petitioner.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The petitioner, Arifur Rahman Murad Bhuiyan, who is the executive director of Sarada Society, personally argued in favor of the petition. The court set September 1 for its decision after Bhuiyan requested additional time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The petition, filed on August 19, sought to ban the Awami League and revoke its registration, holding the party responsible for the indiscriminate killings of students and civilians. It also called for renaming institutions associated with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, extending the term of the current interim government to at least three years for national reform, recovering Tk 11 lakh crore allegedly laundered abroad, and transferring officials appointed during the last Awami League government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:49:08', '2024-08-27 19:49:08'),
(12863, 12863, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said the interim government in Bangladesh should seek a resolution at the upcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish an independent mechanism to investigate and pursue accountability for recent grave abuses in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The global rights body said this in a letter to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and other interim government officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh’s human rights situation should be monitored by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and reported to the council, it said. The 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council will begin on September 9, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim government should also work with OHCHR and relevant UN experts to set up an independent domestic inquiry into enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, Human Rights Watch said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This domestic mechanism should operate with UN support and monitoring to ensure its independence and adherence to international human rights standards.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid mass protests, Bangladesh’s interim government has the heavy responsibility of accounting for the past to steer the country toward a rights-respecting future,” said Lucy McKernan, deputy UN Geneva director at Human Rights Watch. “The government should support a Human Rights Council-backed investigation into recent abuses while also seeking UN backing for an independent domestic inquiry into the former government’s 15 years of rights violations.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim government should urgently implement measures to bring civilian oversight over security forces, disband the notorious Rapid Action Battalion, reform institutions in line with international human rights standards, and revise abusive laws.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The crackdown on protests leading to Sheikh Hasina’s departure was the deadliest in Bangladesh’s recent history. At least 440 people were killed and thousands were injured between July 15 and August 5, with most deaths and injuries attributed to excessive force by law enforcement and violence by student and youth groups affiliated with the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina’s political party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An estimated additional 250 people died after August 5, mostly in violent reprisals against Sheikh Hasina’s supporters, HRW said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since taking office, the interim government has replaced officials who had allegedly engaged in political partisanship. The Supreme Court chief justice stepped down after protests demanding his resignation. Law enforcement had collapsed after the Hasina government’s fall, leaving Hindus and other minority communities at risk of violence, but the interim government has said that most police stations are now functioning, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, activists fear that the authorities are replicating the abuses of the previous government by arbitrarily arresting Awami League officials and supporters, including journalists, and denying due process and proper access to legal counsel, the HRW letter observed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Yunus administration has publicly urged calm, acted to quell the violence, and committed to investigate and prosecute those responsible for unnecessary and excessive use of force to crush the protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim government also swiftly released political prisoners detained during the protests, dropped charges against activists, committed to signing the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and pledged to investigate the over 700 cases of enforced disappearances committed under Sheikh Hasina’s rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To effectively follow through on its commitments to justice and accountability amid a highly divisive political environment, the interim government should ask the Human Rights Council to establish an independent mechanism with a comprehensive mandate to investigate, collect, store, and analyze evidence and cooperate with credible and independent national and international judicial bodies toward accountability for the July and August violence and its root causes, HRW said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Human Rights Council-mandated investigation would have the greatest independence and credibility for Bangladeshis, who distrust domestic institutions and could avoid the political interference that could undermine purely domestic measures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The council resolution should also mandate OHCHR to monitor the human rights situation in Bangladesh through the transition period until there are free and fair elections, and report back regularly, it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The recent protests reflect the frustration that Bangladesh’s economic progress has been unevenly shared. Social protection should be reformed to guarantee an adequate level of protection for all, and to ensure that no one is excluded from public benefits because of their inability to pay bribes or because they lack social or political connections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim government needs to reform institutions, the security sector, and its justice and legal system, all of which have been deeply eroded under the previous government and earlier administrations, to bring about lasting, human rights changes, Human Right Watch said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion, the interim government should implement robust human rights training protocols across all security forces and remove laws that enable impunity for security force abuse, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Without deep institutional reform and UN support to ensure independence and transparency, the hard-won advancements in Bangladesh could be easily lost,” McKernan said. “The UN and member states should demonstrate their support for all Bangladeshis by backing fact-finding and accountability measures and by investing in rights-based institutional and security sector reform.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:53:27', '2024-08-27 19:53:27'),
(12864, 12864, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Joe Biden over the phone. In a statement, India said that during the conversation, the two leaders exchanged views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the United States did not mention the Bangladesh issue regarding the conversation between Biden and Modi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh and emphasised the restoration of law and order and ensuring the safety of minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh,” read a statement issued by the Indian Prime Minister’s Office on Monday (26 August).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the cooperation in multilateral fora, including the Quad and they agreed to remain in touch, according to the readout.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was the first time Modi and Biden spoke to each other on the issue of Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister and her escape to India on 5 August in the face of weeks of street protests by students.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Modi also briefed Biden on his recent visit to Ukraine and reiterated India’s consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy and expressed full support for the early return of peace and stability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indian PMO claimed that Modi discussed the current situation in Bangladesh with Biden during the phone call. However, a statement issued by the White House on Tuesday (27 August) regarding the conversation between Biden and Modi did not mention the Bangladesh issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The White House statement read that Biden discussed Ukraine and other issues with Modi. There was no mention of whether the two leaders talked about the Bangladesh issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The statement also read President Biden commended Modi for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Leaders affirmed their continued support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law, on the basis of the UN Charter. The Leaders also emphasised their continued commitment to work together, including through regional groups like the Quad, to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-27 19:59:57', '2024-08-27 19:59:57'),
(12865, 12865, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Bank and the interim government are undertaking significant efforts to restructure the country’s banking sector, focusing on recovering both local and foreign assets embezzled by corrupt individuals. Officials have confirmed that these assets, laundered abroad, are being targeted for repatriation as part of a broader initiative to bring the financial sector up to international standards.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government emphasized its commitment to reforming the financial sector, acknowledging that the process is complex and time-consuming. A key element of this strategy will be the establishment of a banking commission tasked with investigating each implicated bank, uncovering the full extent of the corruption, and developing an action plan, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. This plan, which can be implemented within six months, aims to overhaul the sector to ensure compliance with global banking norms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The aim of Bangladesh Bank and the government is to be capable of complying with all international standards and building a strong banking sector. However, international technical assistance and funding will be required from the beginning to the end of the activities to achieve this objective.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reforms come in response to revelations that unscrupulous businessmen and influential figures have embezzled vast sums from the banking sector, laundering the funds abroad through fraudulent activities. Preliminary estimates suggest the total embezzled amount could exceed Tk 1 lakh crore, though the exact figure is still being determined.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Significant steps have already been taken, with reforms initiated in several banks linked to the scandal. The boards of Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, National Bank, United Commercial Bank, Global Islami Bank, and Union Bank have been reconstituted as part of the restructuring efforts. Similar measures will be implemented across other affected banks and financial institutions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has also sought assistance from foreign agencies to track and repatriate the laundered funds. As the new management teams take control, they will be responsible for gathering accurate data on the embezzled amounts and leading the recovery efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-28 09:45:27', '2024-08-28 09:45:27'),
(12866, 12866, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Adviser to the interim government on the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has sought support of&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">the country\'s business community to keep the supply chain of essentials like edible oil and sugar operative and normal.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In our country, there is a vast consumption of edible oil and sugar among all the essential items and the present government wants to keep the supply chain of such items operative and normal and also to reach those to common&nbsp; people at rational prices. We want the support of businessmen in this regard,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Commerce Adviser said this when the owners and representatives of&nbsp; country\'s six major edible oil and sugar refiners met him at his Economic Relations Division (ERD) office in the capital yesterday, said a Commerce Ministry press release here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mentioning that steps would be taken to facilitate opening up letters of credit (LCs) and reducing LC margin, he said prices of commodities could not be increased by any means. \"We\'ll have to minimize bad practice in trade and commerce,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The businessmen who were present in the meeting mentioned that they have to pay Taka 42 as VAT and other taxes in per kilogram of sugar which is totally unjustified and not in practice in other countries of the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also demanded for reorganizing the existing tax and VAT structure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The major edible oil and sugar refiners also appraised the Finance and Commerce Adviser about the current demand and stockpile of essential commodities in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Representatives of Deshbandhu Group, Meghna Group, S Alam Group, TK Group and Citigroup attended the meeting, among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-28 09:50:11', '2024-08-28 09:50:11');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12867, 12867, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The flood situation in the country is expected to improve within 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Water levels in all rivers are receding, and there is no forecast of heavy rainfall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional Secretary K.M. Ali Reza of the ministry provided an update on the ongoing relief efforts at a press conference held on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He reported that the recent flood has affected over 12 lakh families, impacting a total of 58 lakh people across 11 districts. The flood has claimed 31 lives so far. The deceased include 12 from Cumilla, 2 from Feni, 5 from Chattogram, 1 from Khagrachhari, 6 from Noakhali, 1 from Brahmanbaria, 1 from Lakshmipur, and 3 from Cox’s Bazar. Additionally, two people remain missing in Moulvibazar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To support those displaced by the floods, the government has opened 4,003 shelters, providing refuge to 540,510 people and 39,531 livestock. A total of 619 medical teams have been deployed in the affected districts to offer healthcare services to those in need.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ministry assured that sufficient relief materials are available across all districts. Both government and non-government organizations are working tirelessly to distribute aid in the flood-hit areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has sent 88,500 packets of dry food, clothing, and water to the affected regions. Continuous communication is being maintained between the department and the movement’s coordinators to ensure smooth relief operations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy Commissioners in the flood-affected areas have been instructed to coordinate with the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Fire Service and Civil Defense, medical teams, and volunteers to ensure effective disaster management and relief distribution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-28 09:52:54', '2024-08-28 09:52:54'),
(12868, 12868, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The interim government on Wednesday lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir. The home ministry issued a notification in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The gazette notification reads, \"Since there is no specific evidence of involvement of Jamaat, Shibir, and its front organisations in terrorist activities … And since the government believes that the organisations are not involved in terrorist activities.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So, the government as per Section-18 of the Anti-Terrorism Act- 2009, has cancelled the previous circular that banned Jamaat, Shibir and its front organisations, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The decision will come into effect immediately, the notification added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 1 August, the Awami League government banned Jamaat-e-Islami, its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir and all of its front organisations as political parties and entities under the Anti-Terrorism Act-2009.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 5 August, Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled the country in the face of a mass uprising against her AL government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-08-28 09:55:44', '2024-08-28 09:55:44'),
(12869, 12869, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser to the interim government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus today started his office at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO), previously known as Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), at Tejgaon in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the matter to BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Sheikh Hasina government was toppled on August 5 in 2024 in a student-people revolution. Later, on August 8, Nobel Peace Laureate and economist Prof Yunus was sworn in as the chief adviser to the interim government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since then, he was holding his office at the State Guest House Jamuna here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5, the PMO was vandalised, rendering it unusable. Repair work was carried out there for 15 consecutive days and now it has been made suitable for the office of the chief adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The nameplates of the PMO have already been changed inside and outside the office, while security measures have been tightened too.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-01 09:57:33', '2024-09-01 09:57:33'),
(12870, 12870, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to celebrate its 46th founding anniversary today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of founding anniversary programmes, the party flag will be hoisted at its offices across the country, including the central one in city\'s Nayapaltan area today morning.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party will pay homage to its founder and announcer of the country\'s independence Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at his mausoleum in the capital city at 11am today.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"BNP will observe its founding anniversary programme on a small scale to convey sympathy to the flood-hit people and stand by them,\" BNP\'s assistant office secretary Taiful Islam Tipu told BSS yesterday evening.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP will also hold a Doa mahfil after Asr prayers seeking ease to the plights of the flood affected people in some districts in south and southeastern regions of the country and peace for the departed souls of those killed in the recent student-people movement that ousted the Awami League government, he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They will also pray for early recovery of the BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia side by side with seeking quick return of the party\'s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to the country, he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The expenses of the BNP\'s founding anniversary programmes have already been donated to the relief fund formed to help the flood affected people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this regard, BNP\'s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, \"We will observe informal programmes marking the founding anniversary of BNP by limiting its six-day schedule to one day, on its founding anniversary on September 1.\"&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-01 10:00:12', '2024-09-01 10:00:12'),
(12871, 12871, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will present an outline on reforms soon to be brought in state apparatus after holding dialogues with political parties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As part of ongoing view-exchanges, the chief adviser exchanged views with political parties today and talked about reforms (to be brought by the interim government) and the outline,\" Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Mahfuj Alam told a press briefing at Foreign Service Academy here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser held a series of meetings with 35 political parties, including Jatiya Party, Gono Forum, Jasad (Ambia), Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and six Islami parties, at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the outcomes of the meetings, Mahfuj said the political leaders who joined meetings today presented many reform proposals and \"the chief adviser will present an outline on the reforms soon\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meetings, he said, some leaders suggested bringing reform in the country\'s constitution, while some proposed rewriting of the constitution. \"The chief adviser assured them of taking their proposals into the account,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The special assistant said the main goal of Prof Yunus is to build a greater national consensus aiming to make the success achieved by the student-led revolution a solid frame.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a question, he said the \"transition of power\" issue will be included in the reforms\' outline.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Briefing reporters, chief adviser\'s press secretary Shafiqul Alam said a long-term reform should be brought so that the country\'s people get benefits from it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An opportunity has come to repair the state and this opportunity should be utilised,\" he quoted Professor Yunus as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that many reform proposals were placed during the meetings, Alam said the political parties demanded reform in education, separation of judiciary and withdrawal of cases filed against political leaders and workers and others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Hefazat-e-Islam asked the interim government to investigate the killings of its men took place at a rally in Shapla Chattar in 2013 and other protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The press secretary said the leaders also demanded probes into custodial tortures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many also want proportional representation in parliament but Prof Yunus sought a concrete proposal from them to this end, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Alam said, the chief adviser wanted to know from the political parties how the state could be repaired. The chief adviser urged the parties to submit their written proposals, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, he said no political leader talked about the timeframe of the next general elections but all agreed that a radical reform will be seen under the leadership of Prof Yunus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-01 10:06:36', '2024-09-01 10:06:36'),
(12872, 12872, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The High Court (HC) on Sunday summarily rejected the writ petition that sought ban on Awami League and cancellation of its registration for its involvement in the killing of students and general people during the student-led mass upsurge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An HC bench of Justices AKM Asaduzzaman and Md Mahbubul Islam passed the order after hearing the petition, said Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before issuing the order, the court said the government is sincere about prosecuting the people who had ordered shooting of students and mass people and who executed it during the movement. Persons committed the crimes, not the party, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the writ petitioner sought an order on bringing back the laundered money, the court said that the interim government\'s Chief Adviser has already discussed the matter with the Swiss Bank authorities and other relevant parties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Attorney General Asaduzzaman represented the state while Arifur Rahman Murad Bhuiyan, executive director of human rights organisation Sarda, stood for the writ petitioner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Arifur submitted the petition with the HC on 19 August seeking the court’s directive to ban Awami League and rename the institutions named after Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The petition also sought a minimum three-year term for the interim government to implement necessary reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, it sought measures to bring back the laundered Tk 11 lakh crore and the removal of officials appointed on contractual basis during the Awami League administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-01 10:09:29', '2024-09-01 10:09:29'),
(12873, 12873, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Workers of at least 10 factories, including garment and pharmaceutical ones, staged demonstration in different areas of Tongi, Kaliakoir and Sadar upazilas of Gazipur to press home their various demands including making their jobs permanent and raising salaries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protesters blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in the morning to press home their demands, resulting in severe traffic gridlocks on both sides of the highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police and locals said male job seekers put up a barricade on the highway for around half an hour in front of the RMG factory, Interstoff Apparels Ltd, alleging that the factory authority decided not to recruit them after keeping them waiting for long.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Instead of male workers, the authority appointed only female workers, they alleged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At one stage, the aggrieved job seekers pelted brickbats targeting the factory while appointed workers from inside the establishment resisted them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, Army and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, allowing traffic movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, workers of UniMed UniHealth Pharmaceuticals Ltd went on work abstention to press home 21-point demand including making their jobs permanent, stopping retrenchment, and increasing wages. They took position in front of its main entrance in Bikebari area under Sadar upazila in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, around 11 am, the owner side met with the workers to resolve the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, workers of Bata Shoe Company went on strike with several demands including an increase in wages.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imran Ahmed, additional superintendent of Industrial Police-2 in Gazipur, said workers protested in 11 factories in different areas including Bhogra of Gazipur metro area demanding jobs, eliminating discrimination against women in jobs, increasing salaries and allowances and more.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police and law enforcers were trying to bring the situation under control, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-02 10:16:59', '2024-09-02 10:16:59'),
(12874, 12874, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Interim government’s Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury&nbsp; on Monday said full investigation into and fair trial for the BDR (now BGB) killings will commence shortly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said this while talking to reporters at his office at the Secretariat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The current government is committed to upholding the rights of the people by ensuring good governance, and establishing justice,\" said the adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Not only as a Home Adviser, but also as a common citizen and former member of the Bangladesh Army, I want justice for the BDR killings,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 25-26 February 2009, a mutiny in the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) left 74 people, including 57 army officers, murdered at the Pilkhana Headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 5 November 2013, a Dhaka court awarded death sentences to 150 BDR members and two civilians, and life imprisonment to 160 others in the case. On 27 November 2017, the High Court confirmed the death penalty for 139 out of 152 accused.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the heinous killings of the army officers at the Pilkhana headquarters, the government renamed the mutiny-hit paramilitary force BDR as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), changing its logo as well as uniform.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-02 10:22:47', '2024-09-02 10:22:47'),
(12875, 12875, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Hasan Mahmud, the right-arm pacer, claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, leading Bangladesh to dismiss Pakistan for 172 in their second innings of the Rawalpindi Test.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This set Bangladesh a target of 185 for a chance at another historic victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh won the first match of the ongoing series and is now on the brink of securing a historic series win.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pakistan had scored 274 in their first inning after the first day was washed out due to persistent rain and a wet outfield.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets in the first inning. In response to Pakistan’s 274, Litton Das scored a century, despite Bangladesh losing six wickets for just 26 runs. Mehidy also contributed with a fifty. Bangladesh concluded their first innings at 262.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, Pakistan lost two wickets for just nine runs at the end of day three. On the morning of day four, Nahid Rana delivered a superb bowling performance, claiming four wickets in the innings. Hasan was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking five wickets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan scored 47 and 43, respectively, to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh now needs to chase a target of 185 with more than a day remaining in the match.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-02 10:33:05', '2024-09-02 10:33:05'),
(12876, 12876, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adviser to the interim government on the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the export data would be reconciled soon while a projection would also be made after setting the target for export earnings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve discussed a wide range of issues including export data as there were something between the export data of EPB and ASYCUDA (NBR). I’ve asked them (EPB) to reconcile finally the export data and it will be done as soon as possible. I’ve also asked them (EPB) to make a projection,” he told the reporters at his ministry here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Salehuddin, also the Adviser to the interim government on the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that the board meeting of the EPB would be held soon where all things would be finalized.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He informed that the EPB officials are working on finalizing the export target and data reconciliation while all issues are likely to be approved there at the board meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Salehuddin said that there was a gap between the export data of the Bangladesh Bank and the ASYCUDA of the NBR while the final data is being reconciled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 3, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released data of the Balance of Payments (BoP) for July-April period of fiscal year 2023-24. It used draft reconciled export data, which showed the country\'s exports were nearly $14 billion below the figure reported earlier by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;It showed that exports fell 6.8 percent during the July-April period although the EPB initially reported 3.93 percent growth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked whether the reconciled export would put any impact on the GDP calculation, the Adviser said that the GDP calculation is usually based on production method where some 19 sectors are associated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“So, hopefully, it will put no such impact on GDP …details can be informed later and you can also know about it later,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to another question on the possible government measures about the torn and dilapidated currency and bank notes especially denomination of Taka 10, Taka 5 and Taka 20, he said that it often happens as the countrymen quite often tend to mishandle their notes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But, such mishandle of notes is not seen worldwide in case of the circulation of US Dollars, he cited.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former central bank Governor said that he would raise the issue with the incumbent central bank Governor as old currency and bank notes could not be replaced right now unless the new notes are in place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, he said that the present interim government has been acting promptly in various fronts as the provision for whitening black money has been repealed by the Council of Advisers recently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, he said the central bank Governor has also been reconstituting various Boards of the banks to infuse dynamism in those.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to another question, Dr Salehuddin said the Planning Adviser would do all necessary things to revise the ADP where the ERD would extend all cooperation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He, however, said that the national budget would be revised and definitely be rationalized through annexing unnecessary expenditure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked whether such exercise would take place in this month or before the annual meetings of the World Bank and IMF Group, the Finance Adviser denied to make further comments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Commerce Secretary Md Selim Uddin, EPB Vice Chairman Md Anwar Hossain and other senior officials were present, among others, at the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-02 10:39:12', '2024-09-02 10:39:12'),
(12877, 12877, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) granted amnesty for all 57 Bangladeshis earlier convicted by the UAE Federal Court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All 57 Bangladeshis who were earlier convicted by the UAE Federal Court have been granted pardon by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE, today,\" he told a meeting with the editors here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the newsmen saying the pardoned people will be deported to Bangladesh soon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-03 09:57:47', '2024-09-03 09:57:47'),
(12878, 12878, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was acquitted in five defamation cases lodged against her in various charges today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Begum Zia\'s lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder confirmed the matter to newsmen saying that, “The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate&nbsp; Mahbubul Haque ordered to acquit her in four cases. Also, she was acquitted in another defamation case in the court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain&nbsp; this morning.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Today was scheduled for hearing the charges against her in these cases. As the plaintiffs were absent and&nbsp; we filed an application for acquittal. The court granted the application and acquitted Khaleda Zia from these cases,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Late AB Siddiqui, former president of an organization called \'Jananetri Parishad\', filed multiple defamation cases&nbsp; against Begum Zia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Plaintiffs of other cases, however, did not appear in the court, and so the defendant’s lawyer pleaded for acquittal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbnd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"42\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-03 10:00:57', '2024-09-03 10:00:57'),
(12879, 12879, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday wanted to hear from top editors of the country regarding a “reasonable” tenure for the interim government, as discussed with political parties earlier.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser did not mention any specific timeline, but he is listening to all.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting was held at the state guest house Jamuna. Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, The New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Daily Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam, The Business Standard Editor Enam Ahmed, and Kalbela Editor Santosh Sharma, among others, were present at the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretaries Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir briefed reporters after the meeting at the Foreign Service Academy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All advisers will listen to the discussion held today between the Chief Adviser and the editors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The need for national unity was a highlight of the discussion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of the editors talked about two years as a reasonable tenure for the interim government, while some said the interim government’s reform initiatives should determine the reasonable tenure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It should be between two and three years,” one of the editors said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Issues related to rewriting or amending the constitution were also discussed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser said he wants media freedom and wants to see a vibrant media landscape.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It’s a major opportunity and this opportunity needs to be utilised properly,” Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted Prof Yunus as saying.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was also a proposal to form a Media Commission in the meeting. Twenty editors joined the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-03 10:17:26', '2024-09-03 10:17:26'),
(12880, 12880, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday said steps are being taken to improve the law and order situation and control narcotics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said this while talking to reporters after holding a meeting of with the Law and Order Advisory Committee at the Secretariat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This was the first meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Committee. We mainly discussed the law and order situation in the country and how can the law and order situation be improved. We will take some more steps in this regard,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said, \"You know the deadline to submit all the illegal firearms will end today. The operation of the joint forces will start from 12 pm tonight to recover the arms.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser emphasised controlling drugs. “That\'s why we\'re going to take various steps. So that it comes under control and we can bring the godfathers of drugs under the law.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jahangir Alam said they are taking various steps so that the upcoming Durga Puja can be held in a peaceful manner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-03 10:20:19', '2024-09-03 10:20:19'),
(12881, 12881, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh, who needed 14 Tests to secure their first victory over Pakistan, now find themselves on the brink of a historic Test series win against the same opponent, and on Pakistan’s home soil.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As of lunch on the fifth day in Rawalpindi, Bangladesh were comfortably positioned at 122 for two, needing just 63 more runs to claim their second Test victory over Pakistan, with eight wickets in hand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the first innings of the ongoing Test, Pakistan was bowled out for 274, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking five wickets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, Bangladesh\'s batting line-up collapsed, losing six wickets for just 26 runs, signaling what seemed like an inevitable defeat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, a record-breaking partnership between Mehidy and Litton Das pulled Bangladesh back from the brink. Litton scored a century, and with Mehidy\'s half-century, Bangladesh managed to post a total of 262 runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In their second innings, Pakistan could only muster 172 runs, setting a target of 185 for the visitors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this innings, Bangladesh’s pacers made history by taking all 10 wickets in a Test innings for the first time. Hasan Mahmud claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, Nahid Rana recorded the best bowling figures of his career with four wickets, and Taskin Ahmed took the remaining one wicket.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previously, Bangladesh’s pacers had taken nine wickets in a Test innings on four occasions, but this was the first time they had claimed all 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh then began their chase of 185 runs. However, bad light brought an early end to play on the fourth afternoon. On the fifth morning, Bangladesh lost two quick wickets but remained resolute.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque guided Bangladesh to a strong position before lunch on the final day, leaving them on the verge of a momentous series victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-03 10:25:43', '2024-09-03 10:25:43'),
(12882, 12882, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A case was filed today against 56 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina over the killing of Hafez Mawlana Sadikul in the capital\'s Uttara area during the recent anti-discrimination student movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other prominent accused in the case are- Obaidul Quader, Abdur Razzak, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah-Al Mamun.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mawlana Sadikul\'s uncle Ashraf Siddiqui filed the complaint with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Fazana Shakila Sumu Chowdhury. The court after recording statement of the complainant, asked Uttara West Police Station to file the matter as First Information Report (FIR). </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hafez Mawlana Sadikul got severely injured at Uttara Sector 9 as police fired indiscriminately on the rally of anti-discrimination student movement on July 19. He succumbed to his injuries the next day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-04 10:24:46', '2024-09-04 11:45:21'),
(12883, 12883, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">In response to ongoing worker unrest in Ashulia and other parts of the country, which officials believe is largely driven by outsiders, the government has announced plans to take a firm stance to protect the nation’s economy and its workers. Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Adviser AF Hassan Ariff made the announcement following an emergency meeting at the Home Ministry on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, attended by key advisers including Dr. Asif Nazrul (Legal Affairs), Farida Akhter (Fisheries and Livestock), Adilur Rahman (Industries), and Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan (Labor and Employment), concerns were raised about the escalating unrest in the garment sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have received reports that the real workers are not involved in these acts of sabotage, as they would not destroy their own workplaces, which are their source of livelihood. These actions are being perpetrated by outsiders,” Hassan Ariff said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We urge the workers to resist these outsiders. If you stand against them, we will support you. However, these individuals have blended in so well that it has become difficult to segregate them,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He further highlighted that the most significant disruptions have occurred at major factories, such as the Pran company’s plant in Cumilla, which was set ablaze. “Pran has never experienced worker unrest before,” the adviser said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser emphasized the need for decisive action to protect local factories and the broader economy. “If our local factories are destroyed, who stands to gain? Clearly, the real workers are not behind this chaos. Most of those involved are outsiders, and we need to be tougher in dealing with them,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked about the nature of these measures, he indicated that further deliberations are needed but hinted that arrests or detentions could be possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-04 10:51:28', '2024-09-04 10:51:28'),
(12884, 12884, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A court here today granted remand to two former Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and AKM Shahidul Hoque in separate cases over killing two persons here during student-mass uprising ending Sheikh Hasina\'s 15 years autocratic rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Court sources said Mamun was placed on eight-day remand in the case lodged over murder grocery shop owner Abu Sayed in capital\'s Mohammadpur area while Shahidul was placed on seven-day remand in the case filled over killing trader Abdul Wadud in the New Market area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Akhteruzzaman passed the orders as police produced them before the court and pleaded to grant 10-day remand each.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and AKM Shahidul Hoque were arrested by Detective Branch (DB) of police in the wee hours of today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abu Sayed was killed as police started firing indiscriminately on agitating students and people in Bosila area under Mohammadpur Police Station around 4pm on July 19.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One SM Amir Hamja filed the case on August 13 against seven people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina over the death of Sayed. The other prominent accused in the case are Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and Habibur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Abdul Wadud was killed in front of gate number 1 of the New Market in the capital on July 19. His relative Abdur Rahman filed the case on August 21 against 130 people including Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, Salman F Rahman and AKM Shahidul Hoque.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-04 11:00:21', '2024-09-04 11:00:21');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12885, 12885, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina making political remarks from India is an “unfriendly gesture”, asserting that she must remain silent to prevent discomfort to both countries until Dhaka requests her extradition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If India wants to keep her until the time Bangladesh (government) wants her back, the condition would be that she has to keep quiet,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an interview with the Press Trust of India at his official residence in Dhaka, Yunus, who was appointed the country’s Chief Adviser after Hasina’s ouster, stressed that while Bangladesh values strong ties with India, New Delhi must move “beyond the narrative that portrays every other political party except Awami League as Islamist and that the country will turn into Afghanistan without Sheikh Hasina.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“No one is comfortable with her stance there in India because we want her back to try her. She is there in India and at times she is talking, which is problematic. Had she been quiet, we would have forgotten it; people would have also forgotten it as she would have been in her own world. But sitting in India, she is speaking and giving instructions. No one likes it,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus was apparently referring to Hasina’s statement on August 13 in which she demanded “justice”, saying those involved in recent “terror acts”, killings and vandalism must be investigated, identified and punished.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is not good for us or for India. There is discomfort regarding it,” he told PTI.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following unprecedented anti-government protests that peaked on August 5, Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India. Her presence in India for nearly four weeks has fuelled speculation in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked whether Bangladesh has communicated its stance to India, Yunus said it has been conveyed verbally and quite firmly that she should keep quiet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Everyone understands it. We have said quite firmly that she should keep quiet. This is an unfriendly gesture towards us; she has been given shelter there and she is campaigning from there. It is not that she has gone there on a normal course. She has fled following a people’s uprising and public anger,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus stated that the interim government is committed to ensuring justice for the people of Bangladesh against the atrocities, and justice requires that she be brought back to the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Yes, she has to be brought back or else the people of Bangladesh won’t be at peace. The kind of atrocities she has committed, she has to be tried in front of everyone here,” he emphasised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Discussing the future of the India-Bangladesh relationship, Yunus expressed a desire for good ties with India but insisted that New Delhi must abandon the narrative that only Hasina’s leadership ensures the country’s stability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The way forward is for India to come out of the narrative. The narrative is that everybody is Islamist, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is Islamist, and everyone else is Islamist and will make this country into Afghanistan. And Bangladesh is in safe hands with Sheikh Hasina at the helm only. India is captivated by this narrative. India has to come out of this narrative. Bangladesh, like any other nation, is another neighbour,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the recent incidents of alleged attacks on Hindu minorities in the country and India raising concerns about it, Yunus said this is just an excuse.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The issue of trying to portray the conditions of minorities in such a big way is just an excuse,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address on August 15, expressed hope that the situation in violence-hit Bangladesh would return to normal soon and stated that 1.4 billion Indians are concerned about the safety of Hindus and minorities in the neighbouring country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel laureate emphasised the need for India and Bangladesh to work together to improve their currently strained relationship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked about ways to improve the Indo-Bangla relations, Yunus said both the countries need to work together, and that it is at a low presently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We need to work together to improve this relationship, which is now at a low,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking about the future of bilateral treaties with India, Yunus said there are demands for a relook at certain treaties such as transit and the Adani electricity deal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Everybody is saying that it is needed. We will see what is on paper and, second, what is actually happening on the ground. I can’t answer it specifically. If there is any need to review, we will then raise questions about it,” he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-05 09:34:31', '2024-09-05 09:34:31'),
(12886, 12886, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Outgoing Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, who tendered resignation, on Thursday said the last general election drew controversy logically as it was not an inclusive one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Since the election was not inclusive in terms of participation of the political parties, it has been controversial. It is correct and logical,” he said adding that his commission conducted elections and by-elections in a total of 318 constituencies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The CEC made the remarks during the announcement of the resignation of his and other election commissioners at a press conference in the Nirbachon Bhaban in the city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said since it was actually a one-party election, there was no need for vote-rigging and exercising influence from the government-level.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The election was held within the party. It was within not between (the parties),” said Kazi Habibul Awal.But in the 53-year history of Bangladesh, there is no instance that any election commission voluntarily resigned, canceling an election by ignoring the constitution, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The CEC said the Commission has conducted elections (including by-polls) in 992 Union Parishads, 496 Upazila Parishads, 71 Zilla Parishads, 90 municipalities, and 16 City Corporations in the last two years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There was no widespread controversy or criticism about the integrity, completeness, and impartiality of the elections as in the past,” he claimed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Habibul Awal said his commission has tried to arrange all the elections with caution, considering the disputed and questionable matters in all past elections since 1973, including the 2008, 2014 and 2018 polls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-05 09:37:59', '2024-09-05 09:37:59'),
(12887, 12887, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday paid tribute to the Armed Forces Division by placing a floral wreath at its headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus, who visited the division as part of his official duties, laid the wreath to honor the sacrifices and dedication of the members of the Armed Forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the wreath-laying ceremony, he signed the visitor\'s book.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-05 09:41:44', '2024-09-05 09:41:44'),
(12888, 12888, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain has called upon the government officials to submit their wealth statement for ensuring good governance and transparency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All the government officials will have to submit their wealth statement. We, the advisers, are submitting our asset details. Accountability is a must in case of (unnatural) increase in the assets. A state can\'t run without good governance and the rule of law,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the remarks in a view-exchange meeting with officials and civil society people at Lakshmipur district circuit house on Wednesday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said the nation wants state level reform to the interim government and they are committed to doing so.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that one might have attraction to a special political party, leader or symbol, he said, \"But, it is a crime to politicize an office by giving promotion and appointment of own party people suppressing dissents,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Khalid said, \"We want an end to such heinous culture. We want the culture of fair politics to flourish.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said they have taken the charge of running the country in a changed situation, adding, \"So, we want to do reforms.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that corruption has been ruining the country like cancer, he said, \"We want to change the culture of making money (through illegal means) and laundering those abroad,.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said they are now in a challenge as they are out to meet the aspirations of the nation through reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"To meet the expectations, our first priority will be to restore normalcy in law and order situation,\" he opined.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they want to go away after handing over the responsibility of running the state to a party to be mended by the majority upon reinstating the political stability and upgradation of the economic condition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stating that the Durga Puja is ahead, Dr Khalid called upon all to remain alert as a vested quarter at home and abroad being inspired by political motivation could do sabotage to destroy religious harmony.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also gave necessary instructions to the district administration to maintain the highest caution in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy Commissioner Suraiya Jahan and Superintendent of Police (SP) Tareq Bin Rashid, among others, were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-05 09:48:31', '2024-09-05 09:48:31'),
(12889, 12889, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has slashed duty on import of onions, potatoes, and pesticides in an effort to control its prices in the local market.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tax reductions for potatoes and onion will remain in effect until 30 November next, an official release said today, saying the customs wing issued three separate gazette notifications in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NBR has waived the 5.0 per cent regulatory duty on onion imports, reduced customs duty from 25 per cent to 15 per cent for import of potatoes, and set a 5.0 per cent customs duty on pesticide imports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The decision was taken following requests from the stakeholders and relevant ministries, taking into account the impact of flood and supply chain disruptions caused by the recent student-led mass uprising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Local farmers meet a significant portion of domestic potato and onion demand. Lower import taxes may discourage them from producing these essential crops, that is why the NBR has set a timeline for the tax benefit,\" the statement added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NBR is committed to supporting farmers with long-term fiscal incentives and is optimistic that the tax cuts will help stabilise onion and potato prices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-05 10:14:41', '2024-09-05 10:14:41'),
(12890, 12890, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The death toll from a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Poltava rose to 54 with nearly 300 wounded, Ukrainian officials said Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike hit the Poltava military communications institute, according to Ukrainian officials who did not specify how many of the victims were military or civilians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The death toll rises to 54 after the Russian strike on educational institution in Poltava. Another 297 people were injured,\" Ukraine\'s emergency services said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Up to five people could be trapped under the rubble, it added, two days after two ballistic missiles hit the central city of Poltava, in one of one of the single deadliest strikes of the two-and-a-half-year war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attack triggered widespread condemnation, including from Washington which denounced it as \"another horrific reminder of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin\'s brutality.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also prompted criticism in Ukraine after unconfirmed reports said the strikes had targeted an outdoor military ceremony, with many blaming reckless behaviour from officials who allowed the event to take place despite the threat of attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered an investigation into the circumstances of the strike.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-05 10:20:59', '2024-09-05 10:20:59'),
(12891, 12891, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The 14-year-old suspect in a shooting that killed four people at a Georgia high school and his father, who was arrested for allowing his son to have a weapon, will stay in custody after their lawyers decided not to seek bail Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Colt Gray, who has been charged with four counts of murder, is accused of using a semiautomatic assault-style rifle to kill two fellow students and two teachers Wednesday at Apalachee High School in Winder, outside Atlanta. His father, Colin Gray, faces related charges in the latest attempt by prosecutors to hold parents responsible for their children’s actions in school shootings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“You don’t have to have been physically injured in this to be a victim,” District Attorney Brad Smith said outside the Barrow County courthouse. “Everyone in this community is a victim. Every child in that school was a victim.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The father and son appeared in back-to-back hearings Friday morning with about 50 onlookers in the courtroom, where workers had placed boxes of tissues along the benches, in addition to members of the media and sheriff’s deputies. Some victims’ family members in the front row hugged each other and one woman clutched a stuffed animal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During his hearing, Colt Gray, wearing khaki pants and a green shirt, was advised of his rights as well as the charges and penalties he faced for the shooting at the school where he was a student. He was escorted out in shackles at the wrists and ankles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The judge then called the teen back to the courtroom to correct an earlier misstatement that his crimes could be punishable by death. Because he’s a juvenile, the maximum penalty he would face is life without parole.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shortly afterward, Colin Gray was brought into court dressed in a gray-striped jail uniform. Colin Gray, 54, was charged Thursday in connection with the shooting and answered questions in a barely audible croak, giving his age and saying he finished 11th grade, earning a high school equivalency diploma.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Colin Gray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder related to the shooting. Arrest warrants said he caused the deaths of others “by providing a firearm to Colt Gray with knowledge that he was threat to himself and others.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The charges come five months after Michigan parents Jennifer and James Crumbley were the first convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. They were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for not securing a firearm at home and acting indifferently to signs of their son’s deteriorating mental health before he killed four students in 2021. The Georgia shootings have also renewed debate about safe storage laws for guns and have parents wondering how to talk to their children about school shootings and trauma.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The hearings for the father and son came as police in the Atlanta suburb of Dunwoody said schools there and nationwide have received threats of violence since the Apalachee High School shooting, police said in a statement. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also noted that numerous threats have been made to schools across the state this week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to arrest warrants obtained by The Associated Press, Colt Gray is accused of using a “black semi-automatic AR-15 style rifle” in the rampage. Authorities have not offered any motive or explained how he obtained the gun or got it into the school.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was charged as an adult in the deaths of Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. A neighbor remembered Schermerhorn as inquisitive when he was a little boy. Aspinwall and Irimie were both math teachers, and Aspinwall also helped coach the school’s football team. Irimie, who immigrated from Romania, volunteered at a local church, where she taught dance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional charges will be filed against Colt Gray, Smith said. When the teenager was taken into custody Wednesday, authorities did not know the identities or conditions of the nine people injured in the attack, so they weren’t initially able to file charges related to those, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Colt Gray denied threatening to carry out a school shooting when authorities interviewed him last year about a menacing post on social media, according to a sheriff’s report obtained Thursday. Conflicting evidence on the post’s origin left investigators unable to arrest anyone, the report said. Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum said she reviewed the report from May 2023 and found nothing that would have justified bringing charges at the time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attack was the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas. The classroom killings have set off fervent debates about gun control but there has been little change to national gun laws.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was the 30th mass killing in the U.S. so far this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. At least 127 people have died in those killings, which are defined as events in which four or more people die within a 24-hour period, not including the killer — the same definition used by the FBI.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cases will be presented to a grand jury, which has its next scheduled meeting Oct. 17, Smith said. Grand jury proceedings are not open to the public or news media. If the grand jury issues indictments for Colt and Colin Gray, they will then be scheduled for arraignment. Colt Gray faces another hearing on Dec. 4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd242/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-07 03:57:54', '2024-09-07 03:57:54'),
(12892, 12892, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has condemned border killings of Bangladeshis by India\'s Border Security Force, describing it as callousness and insisting they must stop because killing is no solution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an interview with India\'s state-owned news agency the Press Trust of India, or PTI, at his official residence in Dhaka, he also said the interim government would pursue ways to resolve differences over the long-pending Teesta water sharing treaty with India, as delaying it for years serves no purpose for either nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking about the contentious issue of border killings, Yunus condemned it and said killing is not a solution to dealing with anything.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Killing someone is not a solution, as there are legal ways to deal with this. There has to be a ground mechanism and legal procedure to handle it. This is a one-sided thing. No one is crossing the border to capture your country; those who are being killed by shooting are just couriers. This is callousness. This has to stop,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus stated that the water-sharing issue between the two countries must be resolved according to international norms, emphasising that lower riparian countries like Bangladesh have specific rights that they seek to uphold.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"By sitting over this issue (water sharing), it is not serving any purpose. If I know how much water I will get, even if I am not happy and sign it, it would be better. This issue has to be resolved,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a query on whether the interim government would push for resolving the issues over the Teesta water-sharing treaty at the earliest, he said the new regime will pursue it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Push is a big word; I am not saying it. We will pursue it. But we have to sit together and resolve it,\" he told PTI.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"This is not a new issue but a very old issue. We have spoken on this issue on several occasions. The discussions began during the period of Pakistan\'s rule. While we all wanted this treaty to be finalised, even the Indian government was ready for it. However, the state government of West Bengal was not ready for it. We need to resolve it,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking about the flood situation in Bangladesh and reports from Dhaka blaming India for the floods, Yunus said that until the treaty is signed, a humanitarian approach can be adopted to deal with such crises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When the High Commissioner (of India) came to meet me, I said that we can work on better management to see how the situation can be controlled during the floods. For such coordination between two countries, we don\'t need any treaty.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We can work on this together on humanitarian grounds and resolve this, as this will ease the suffering of the masses. Such humanitarian steps would really help,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was the second part of PTI\'s interview with the CA. The first part was released on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd242/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-07 04:10:51', '2024-09-07 04:10:51'),
(12893, 12893, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Referring to Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent remarks, Foreign Adviser Md Tauhid Hussain on Sunday said he does not in any way think that there is any apprehension of war between Bangladesh and India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We do not want to show any reaction. We have to understand whether he (Rajnath) has said this for the consumption of his own country or not,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said he was more surprised than concerned by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh\'s recent remarks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the way he (Rajnath) says it, it is like beating around the bush. “I do not see any reason for India\'s war preparations for the war in Ukraine. I don\'t understand what the problem of Hamas has to do with it, and how it compares with Ukraine and Hamas with Bangladesh. We will look into it why he said this.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked whether the Indian defense minister\'s statement was a threat to Bangladesh or not, the foreign adviser said, \"I still think that he (Rajnath) said it for internal consumption. So I don\'t want to speculate on that. We will definitely see what is happening and why it’s happening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political asylum, Hossain said normally any country can give political asylum to anyone. “We will see (if that happens).”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-08 09:44:00', '2024-09-08 09:44:00'),
(12894, 12894, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said there is a regular procedure in terms of holding any meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York which will be followed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We will proceed as per the procedure that exists,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter wanted to know about the possibility of a meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said it is not like they would seek such a meeting a month ago, rather there is a system to follow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Adviser said they are not 100 percent sure that Modi will be there at the UNGA. “In fact, if they do not want to meet us, there is nothing to do compulsorily.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Indian media outlet Hindustan Times claimed that Bangladesh made a formal request in this regard earlier this week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the Chief Adviser’s delegation, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said it will be very limited and the members would not be more than 10-12.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said there is another list beyond the list published by some media outlets. “I am going with the Chief Adviser,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser is likely to reach New York on September 22 while he will return home on September 29.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) will open on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Summit of the Future takes place on September 22 and 23, 2024.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first of its kind, the Summit will bring together leaders, advocates, and activists of all ages to determine how the international system can better meet the needs of current and future generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-08 09:45:45', '2024-09-08 09:45:45'),
(12895, 12895, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It will be the first time Kamala Harris and Donald Trump meet in person -- and millions of Americans will get a ringside seat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Democratic vice president and Republican former president will face off in Philadelphia on Tuesday in their first -- and possibly only -- televised debate before what promises to be a nail-bitingly close 2024 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The high-stakes ABC debate will be a chance for US voters to finally see the two go head-to-head, after a month of shadow-boxing since President Joe Biden threw in the towel as candidate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The gloves will be off in what is a critical test for both.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris, 59, has turbocharged and unified the Democratic party, and will now face an opponent who has called her \"crazy\" and subjected her to racist and sexist taunts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">America\'s first female, Black and South Asian vice president has overhauled Trump\'s lead in the polls but insists she remains the \"underdog\" in a tight race.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Knowing what\'s at stake, she is spending five days holed up in the nearby city of Pittsburgh preparing for the debate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 78-year-old Trump is meanwhile expected to opt for an aggressive approach, after Harris\'s entry into the race upended his White House bid and turned him into the oldest candidate in US history.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"These are two very different candidates that have previously never met in person,\" Erin Christie, of the Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"So it will prove to be a very enlightening debate which could even be the make-it-or-break-it factor in the election.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That lack of any prior face time is a result of Trump having refused to attend Biden\'s inauguration after falsely claiming he was cheated in the 2020 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adding an extra frisson is the fact that the debate is happening in Pennsylvania, the most bitterly-fought of the battleground states that will decide the election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tuesday\'s debate could meanwhile be the last. Harris and Trump have not agreed to any more, and this one is only happening after a bitter row ended with Harris\'s camp reluctantly agreeing to have the candidates\' microphones muted while the other is speaking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Americans will now be watching closely to see how it actually plays out on stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Break out the popcorn\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While opinions differ about how much US presidential debates generally move the polls, there is no doubt they can cause political earthquakes on occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is after all just over two months since Biden was forced to drop his bid for a second term after a disastrous debate against Trump sparked Democratic concerns about his age and mental fitness.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden himself will be watching on Tuesday, his spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday. \"The vice president is smart. She is someone that knows how to get the job done,\" added Jean-Pierre, a former senior aide to Harris during her failed 2020 campaign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While few are predicting anything quite as dramatic from Tuesday\'s encounter between Trump and Harris, it still has the potential to be a decisive moment in the final sprint to November 5.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And despite their differences both will have the same goal -- to reach out to a core of undecided voters in a deeply polarized America.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the red corner, Harris will rely on her coolly cutting style and her history as a prosecutor, as she takes on a convicted felon who also faces charges of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss against Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But she will still however have to battle sexist and racist stereotypes about \"angry Black women,\" said Rebecca Gill, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While Harris will also face pressure to be less vague on policy, her campaign is expected to keep up the \"do no harm\" strategy that has seen Harris give just one televised interview since replacing Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the blue corner, Trump\'s challenge will be to decide just how much Trump voters want.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump\'s angry, rambling style fires up his right-wing base but it remains to be seen how it will play against a candidate vying to be America\'s first Black woman president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All eyes will be on ABC\'s moderators too to see if they fact-check what will be a stream of falsehoods, if Trump\'s six previous presidential debates are anything to go by.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This debate may go down in the history books. Break out the popcorn,\" said Andrew Koneschusky, a former press secretary for US Senate leader Chuck Schumer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-08 09:49:19', '2024-09-08 09:49:19'),
(12896, 12896, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 100,000 left-wing demonstrators rallied across France on Saturday to protest against the nomination of the centre-right Michel Barnier as prime minister and denounce President Emmanuel Macron\'s \"power grab\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interior ministry said 110,000 people took to the streets nationwide, including 26,000 in Paris, while one leading left-winger put the turnout across France at 300,000.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rallies took place in cities across France including Nantes in the west, Nice and Marseille in the south and Strasbourg in the east.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Macron on Thursday appointed Barnier, a 73-year-old former foreign minister who acted as the European Union\'s Brexit negotiator, as prime minister, seeking to move forward after snap elections in which his centrist alliance came second.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barnier said on Friday that he was open to naming ministers of all political stripes, including \"people from the left\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But a left-wing coalition, which emerged as France\'s largest political bloc after the June-July elections, although short of an overall majority, has denounced Macron\'s appointment of Barnier.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The alliance wanted Lucie Castets, a 37-year-old economist, to become prime minister, but Macron quashed that idea, arguing that she would not survive a confidence vote in the hung parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday, many demonstrators directed their anger at Macron, 46, and some called on him to resign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Old elephant\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Fifth Republic is collapsing,\" said 21-year-old protester Manon Bonijol, referring to France\'s current system of government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Expressing one\'s vote will be useless as long as Macron is in power,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, whose France Unbowed party (LFI) and allies belong to the left-wing bloc, had called for people to take to the streets, arguing that the election had been \"stolen from the French\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday, he urged supporters to prepare for battle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There will be no pause,\" he vowed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Democracy isn\'t just the art of accepting that you\'ve won, it\'s also the humility of accepting that you\'ve lost,\" Melenchon said at the Paris march.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Project manager Alexandra Germain, 44, accused Macron of riding roughshod over the wishes of voters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Demonstrating is my only way of saying that I don\'t agree, even if I am well aware that it is useless,\" said Germain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abel Couaillier, a 20-year-old student, said he was stunned by the appointment of Barnier whom he called an \"old elephant\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am still young, I want to believe that we can change things,\" added Couaillier.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leading LFI figure Mathilde Panot claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that 160,000 demonstrators had protested in Paris and 300,000 people across France.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police said five people had been detained in Paris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Under surveillance\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Marine Le Pen, who leads far-right National Rally (RN) lawmakers in parliament, has said her party will not be part of the new cabinet, and that she will wait for Barnier\'s first policy speech in parliament before deciding whether or not to back him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Barnier is a prime minister under surveillance,\" said RN party president Jordan Bardella on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am under the surveillance of all French people,\" said Barnier, on the sidelines of a visit to the Necker children\'s hospital in Paris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barnier will be in charge of the budget, security, immigration and healthcare.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will have to take into account the interests of the National Rally -- the single-largest party in a fragmented legislature -- if he wants to avoid a motion of no-confidence in parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barnier -- who is likely to have only minority support in the National Assembly -- faces the urgent task of presenting the 2025 budget by early October.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-08 09:56:19', '2024-09-08 09:56:19'),
(12897, 12897, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A court here today sent to jail former shipping minister Shajahan Khan in a case lodged over the killing of Abdul Motalib,&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">14, in the capital\'s Dhanmandi area during the recent anti-discrimination student movement.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ali Haider passed the order as police produced him before the court after the end of his two out of seven-day remand in the case and pleaded to keep him behind the bars till the end of the probe.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Ahmed on September 6 had placed Shajahan Khan, also Awami League presidium member, on seven-day remand in the case. Khan was arrested from the capital\'s Dhanmandi area on September 5.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdul Motalib joined student-people\'s procession in the capital\'s Dhanmandi area on August 4. He was shot on chest and throat as police opened fire on the procession.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Motalib\'s father Abdul Matin filed the case with Dhanmandi Police Station against 176, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Shajahan Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-08 10:06:44', '2024-09-08 10:06:44');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12898, 12898, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox\'s bazar; Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisting local cautionary signal no. three and the river ports have been asked to hoist cautionary signal no. one, two separate special weather bulletin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The deep depression over West central Bay and adjoining West central Bay of Bengal moved slightly north-northwestwards and now lies over the same area at 06 am about 705 kms west-southwest of Chattogram port, 685 kms west-southwest of Cox\'s bazar port, 525 kms west- southwest of Mongla port and 550 kms west-southwest of Payra port,\" a bulletin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is likely to move northwesterly direction and may cross Odisha coast near Puri.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bulletin also said maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kms of the deep depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gust or squalls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sea will remain rough near the system centre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain closed to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another bulletin said, monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and strong elsewhere over North Bay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary south or southeasterly gusty or squally wind speed 45-60kph is likely to occur over the regions of Khulna, Jashore, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram and Cox\'s bazar wherein river ports shall hoist cautionary signal no one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-09 09:47:22', '2024-09-09 09:47:22'),
(12899, 12899, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The debate over the recently revised Detailed Area Plan (DAP) has escalated, with real estate developers and architects demanding its repeal, citing discriminatory provisions. On the other hand, urban planners are warning that canceling or suspending the DAP under pressure from vested interests would be a “suicidal” decision for Dhaka city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Real estate developers and architects have voiced strong opposition to the revised DAP, labeling it as discriminatory. Last week, they held a press conference where they argued that the plan should be either repealed or, at the very least, temporarily suspended. However, urban planners countered that such a move would plunge Dhaka into further chaos. Dhaka’s livability is already at rock bottom, they said, adding that reverting to previous regulations would only invite unregulated construction and disorder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof. Dr. Adil Mohammed Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), in an interview with UNB highlighted the pressures faced by the authorities, noting that a group of developers and architects had pushed for their demands during a recent technical committee meeting on the revised DAP at RAJUK, the capital’s development authority. “It’s unfortunate that these groups are trying to impose their will on the planning process,” he remarked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that while any master plan may have flaws, these should be corrected through proper technical channels rather than succumbing to external pressures. “A certain group is determined to abolish the DAP for their own interests, but we cannot allow this to happen,” Prof. Adil said firmly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), representing the developers, has been vocal about the negative impact of the DAP on the housing sector. At a press conference on August 21, REHAB claimed that the plan has brought the housing industry to a standstill, warning that the crisis will worsen in the coming year. They argued that the DAP, described as “discriminatory and flawed,” would lead to the rapid reduction of wetlands and agricultural land, ultimately harming future generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">REHAB further warned that if the DAP is not repealed, nearly forty lakh people employed in the housing sector could lose their jobs. They called for a return to the Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules of 2008 and the 2010 Master Plan to ensure the continued approval of building designs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a similar vein, the Bangladesh Institute of Architects (BIA) held a press conference last week, demanding the DAP’s cancellation. They claimed that the plan was drafted in violation of the country’s existing urban planning laws and that it lacked transparency. The BIA also noted that their repeated requests for the data and working papers used to draft the plan were ignored, raising concerns about the process’s integrity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) expressed serious concerns about the developers’ push to cancel the DAP. In a virtual press conference, IPD representatives stressed the importance of proper urban planning for creating a livable city for all. It’s alarming that business interests are trying to derail planned development, an IPD spokesperson said. They warned that repealing the DAP would further endanger Dhaka’s livability, urging the interim government and relevant urban bodies to take necessary measures to prevent vested interests from obstructing sustainable urban development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DAP (2022-2035) was approved on August 23, 2022, but faced immediate opposition from developers, leading to its revision in September 2023. Despite the pressures, urban planners continue to advocate for maintaining and refining the DAP to ensure the city’s long-term sustainability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">RAJUK, the authority responsible for urban development in Dhaka, has initiated the revision process and held meetings with stakeholders. RAJUK Chairman, Major General (Retd) Siddiqur Rahman, told UNB that repealing or suspending the existing DAP would not be a good decision. “We’ve already started working on revisions, and we are striving to make changes that satisfy all parties involved. It’s important that everyone understands the need for these measures.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-09 09:58:03', '2024-09-09 09:58:03'),
(12900, 12900, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan rallied on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad on Sunday, demanding his release. He has been in prison for more than a year in connection with more than 150 police cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan, the main rival of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, remains a popular figure despite these cases, which critics and his party say are politically motivated. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in parliament.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunday\'s rally, one of the biggest this year by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party, or PTI, was held peacefully, though police briefly clashed with some activists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan’s spokesman Zulfi Bukhari denounced the police action against his “peaceful” supporters, in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, authorities had blocked key roads by putting shipping containers to prevent his supporters from attending the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“God willing, we will secure the release of Imran Khan soon,\" said Ali Amin, the top elected official in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, addressing the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He gave an ultimatum of two weeks to the government for his leader\'s release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan has been in prison since 2023 when he was arrested after being sentenced in a graft case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-09 10:12:51', '2024-09-09 10:12:51'),
(12901, 12901, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">She is either an unproven quantity who \"can\'t talk,\" or a well-prepared candidate ready to \"destroy\" her rival on stage. Voters are weighing in before the first US presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A massive television audience is expected to tune in Tuesday to watch Democrat Harris, the current US vice president, go toe to toe with Republican former president Trump over what both are calling the most important election of modern times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP has spoken to several American voters on the campaign trail, and -- no surprise here -- people by and large believe the flagbearer of their party will prevail in the face-to-face showdown.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They are looking forward to discussions on policy and values, but will also be closely watching their style, composure, and presidential bearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I think Trump definitely has the advantage,\" Flo Eberhart, a 73-year-old retiree from Pennsylvania\'s Cambria County, said at the ex-president\'s recent rally in her state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris \"doesn\'t know anything, basically, about what\'s going on. She can\'t talk.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The vice president and former California attorney general and US senator is actually a seasoned debater.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And while she has not participated in such a showdown in four years, she earned praise for her sharp attacks when she ran for president in the 2020 cycle, including against her now-boss Joe Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As for Trump, \"he\'s going to be absolutely fine,\" Eberhart said. \"There\'s not one topic that Trump doesn\'t know something about.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jamila Scales, a young Harris supporter from Nashua, New Hampshire who was on hand for the Democrat\'s rally in nearby North Hampton on Wednesday, said Harris was more than capable of holding her own against Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"She\'s going to do well, she is going to efficiently destroy him,\" Scales smiled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I can\'t wait. I really cannot,\" she said of the debate. \"I believe it\'s going to be an excellent day in America.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump is known for his bluster and aggression on the debate stage. But Trump supporter Jimmy Taggart, a retired jack of all trades from Pennsylvania, suggested a different tack in dealing with Harris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All he has to do is keep quiet and she\'ll hang herself, because she has nothing to go on,\" Taggart said. \"She did nothing for three and a half years\" as vice president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Values and positions -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Remaining passive is not Trump\'s style. He is relentlessly combative in debates, and was a looming presence behind Hillary Clinton in 2016, prowling the stage as the former secretary of state answered questions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Kate Thompson, a woman at the New Hampshire rally, warned against trying to intimidate Harris, a former prosecutor who has famously said: \"I know Donald Trump\'s type.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I think that Kamala Harris will show up prepared, ready to articulate her values and her positions,\" Thompson said. \"And I don\'t think she\'ll let him push her around.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kirk McKendree, a 54-year-old former state trooper from Altoona, Pennsylvania, said he wanted Trump to be disciplined and allow debate viewers to ponder the question: Were they better off four years ago, \"before Biden took office?\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He can address that we were in a much better place,\" McKendree said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And while Harris may be a generation younger than Biden, and more energetic than the current president, \"I don\'t look at her as a threat,\" he added. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-09 10:15:45', '2024-09-09 10:15:45'),
(12902, 12902, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Kamala Harris has unveiled a few centrist-leaning policies, abandoned some past positions and left much else vague as she gears up for a critical US presidential debate with Donald Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Democratic vice president unveiled a list of policies on her website on the eve of the clash, with Republicans accusing her of \"flip-flopping\" on key issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here is where the White House hopeful stands in five key areas:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Opportunity economy\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has stressed her commitment to the United States\' middle class, citing her own background of being raised by a single mother in California, and said she wants to create an \"opportunity economy.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of her most concrete policies so far is a child tax credit of $6,000 for families of newborn children. She has also promised tax cuts for 100 million Americans while raising taxes on the richest, and to bring down housing prices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tax is one of the few policy areas where she has broken with President Joe Biden. In a nod to moderate voters, she wants a 28 percent tax on capital gains, less than the 39.6 percent proposed by Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has also promised to end taxes on tips paid to service industry workers -- weeks after Trump announced a similar policy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She has said she will take on \"price gouging\" by corporations to tackle high prices -- one of her main weak spots against Republican Trump -- but her plans on that front remain vague.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Environmental flip-flops -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has not set out a detailed environmental policy except on one key area: fracking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She has vowed not to ban the practice, which uses high-pressure water to extract oil and gas -- despite previously saying that she was opposed to it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her first and only on-screen interview since becoming the Democratic candidate, she told CNN that her \"values have not changed\" even if her position had.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has, according to the Axios news site, also backtracked on her opposition to plastic straws.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As vice president, she has strongly backed Biden\'s green energy transition under the so-called \"Inflation Reduction Act.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Border \'consequences\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Illegal migration over the US-Mexican border is one of the most sensitive issues in the campaign.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris said in her CNN interview there would be \"consequences\" for people crossing illegally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She supported Biden\'s bid to toughen migration policy and has backed investing in the border \"wall\" that Trump called for -- despite her criticizing it in the past.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden\'s proposals, however, have never made it through a divided Congress, with Republicans blocking them to cause Democrats political damage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Firm on abortion -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris\'s position on abortion, another key election issue, is not in doubt.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She has repeatedly criticized Trump for bragging that he enabled the US Supreme Court to overturn the federal right to terminate pregnancies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has said that if elected she would push to enshrine protections for abortion in US law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Gaza quagmire -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris has been more vocal than Biden on the issue of civilians killed by Israel in the war in Gaza, leading to speculation that she might take a tougher line with the US ally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But during her CNN interview she said she would not halt arms deliveries to Israel, despite calls among Democrats and Arab American voters to do so, and pledged to help Israel defend itself.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-10 05:44:53', '2024-09-10 05:44:53'),
(12903, 12903, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Israel’s military conducted a missile strike early Tuesday that targeted a humanitarian area in the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians there, authorities said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Details about the strike in the Mawasi coastal community just west of Khan Younis that the Israeli military has designated as a humanitarian zone remained unclear. The area is home to many Palestinians displaced by the Israel-Hamas war in which the Israeli military has devastated the wider Gaza Strip after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Footage circulating on social media showed deep craters at the site of the attack, the strewn ruins around it covered in shredded tents, a bicycle and other debris. Rescue workers used shovels to shift through the sand. Bystanders used their hands to dig, illuminated by mobile phone light. At least one crater at the site looked to be as deep as 10 meters (32 feet).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military described the strike as hitting “significant Hamas terrorists who were operating within a command-and-control center,” without immediately providing additional evidence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Palestinian news agency WAFA said dozens had been killed and wounded, without providing precise casualty figures. It described five missiles striking the area, cratering the ground.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military said it used “precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional means” it did not immediately describe to limit civilian casualties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gaza’s Health Ministry says over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began. It does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count. The war has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, often multiple times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in their Oct. 7 attack. They abducted another 250 and are still holding around 100 after releasing most of the rest in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire last November. Around a third of the remaining hostages are believed to be dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the United Nations agency in charge of aid for displaced Palestinians said the Israeli military stopped a convoy for more than eight hours on Monday, despite it coordinating with the troops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The agency’s head Philippe Lazzarini said the staffers who were held had been trying to work on a polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza and Gaza City. “The convoy was stopped at gun point just after the Wadi Gaza checkpoint with threats to detain UN staff,” he wrote on the social platform X. “Heavy damage was caused by bulldozers to the UN armoured vehicles.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the staff and the convoy later returned to a U.N. base but it was unclear if a polio vaccination campaign would take place Tuesday in northern Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“UN Staff must be allowed to undertake their duties in safety + be protected at all times in accordance with international humanitarian law, he wrote. “Gaza is no different.” The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-10 05:57:03', '2024-09-10 05:57:03'),
(12904, 12904, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">At the invitation of the Interim Government, a UN Human Rights Office fact-finding team is conducting an independent and impartial investigation into alleged human rights violations that took place between July 1 and August 15 this year, arising from the recent protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fact-finding team is mandated to establish facts, identify responsibilities, analyze root causes, and make concrete recommendations for Bangladesh to address past human rights violations and prevent their recurrence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Individuals, groups, and organizations are invited to provide first-hand information that is not already on social media or otherwise in the public domain concerning the period of July 1 to August 15 2024 and human rights violations and abuses in the context of the protests during that period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Submissions should be sent to OHCHR-FFTB-Submissions@un.org.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The team also plans to conduct interviews with victims, law enforcement officers, medical practitioners, and witnesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fact-finding mission is not a criminal investigation and is conducted independently of any national criminal justice process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fact-finding process is strictly confidential. The team will not be conducting any media interviews during the investigation phase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We appeal for respect for the confidentiality of the fact-finding process,\" said the UN Human Rights Office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">After its on-site examination and data analysis, the UN Human Rights Office will publish a detailed human rights report containing key findings, conclusions, and recommendations.</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-16 09:56:37', '2024-09-16 09:56:37'),
(12905, 12905, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The interim government is considering the issuance of additional bonds to address the Bangladesh Power Development Board’s (BPDB) mounting unpaid dues to private power producers. This move aims to ease the financial strain on independent power producers (IPPs) and stabilize the country’s power sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to official sources, the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has already initiated a move in this regard and consulted with the Power Division so that it could discuss the issue with the Finance Division.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’ve been calculating BPDB’s dues with the private power producers, known as independent power producers (IPPs),” a top official of the BPDB told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also noted that currently the BPDB’s total unpaid bills amount to about Tk 42,000 crore, of which the IPPs will get about Tk 7,000 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the remaining amount, the gas bill will be about Tk 17,000 crore while state-owned public sector power plants will get Tk 10,000 crore, and Indian public and private sector including Adani Group will get Tk 8,000 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, in a significant move to stabilise its power sector, the then Awami League government had secured Tk 20,620 crore through the issuance of special bonds. This initiative, aimed at clearing outstanding liabilities to private power plants, involved collaboration with two prominent private banks: City Bank and Pubali Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A comprehensive agreement was inked on January 25, marking a critical step in addressing the financial challenges faced by the power sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per this agreement, the government issued bonds worth Tk 19,850 crore to City Bank and Tk 77.50 crore to Pubali Bank, as confirmed by the Ministry of Finance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sources reveal that the government’s inability to disburse subsidy funds has left private power plants struggling to meet their financial obligations, leading some to the brink of insolvency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To counter this crisis, the government’s issuance of special bonds comes with an 8 percent coupon rate, mirroring the repo rate set by Bangladesh Bank. Notably, any future fluctuations in the repo rate will correspondingly adjust the bond interest rate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the term’s end, the government will settle the bank dues along with interest, subsequently reclaiming these bonds. Unlike typical 15–20-year bonds, these special bonds have a maximum tenure of 10 years, a move tailored to the urgent needs of the power sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Key players in the power sector, including Summit Power, United Power, Confidence Power, Baraka, Kushiara, Doreen, and Akron Power, are among the beneficiaries of this initiative.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Finance Division also disclosed plans for phased agreements with other banks, including BRAC Bank and Bank Asia, to further address the sector’s liabilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reflecting on the agreement’s significance, managing directors of several banks expressed optimism. While banks can leverage these bonds with Bangladesh Bank, it provides the government with crucial financial breathing space.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-16 09:59:53', '2024-09-16 09:59:53'),
(12906, 12906, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladeshi landowners are set to regain around 200 acres of land previously lost to India due to the erosion of the Padma River along the Daulatpur border in Kushtia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A joint decision to resurvey the disputed land and return it to the rightful owners was reached in a meeting held between senior officials of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India\'s Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The land in question, located in the Challishpara area of Ramkrishnapur union in Daulatpur upazila, has been under dispute due to shifts in the Padma River\'s course and natural disasters, which disorganised international boundary pillars over a stretch of three kilometers. The problem was first identified in a survey conducted earlier this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lieutenant Colonel M Mahbub Murshed Rahman, Commander of BGB\'s 47th Battalion, confirmed the matter. \"It has been agreed to conduct a resurvey of the disputed land and return it to the rightful owners.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the survey on February 10, it was revealed that about 200 acres of Bangladeshi land had ended up inside Indian territory, and approximately 40 acres of Indian land in Bangladesh territory. Both countries are now preparing to officially correct the boundaries in October.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunday\'s meeting, held at the border pillar 152/7-S of Jamalpur Border Outpost in Mahishkundi, Daulatpur, also addressed broader issues such as preventing border killings and tackling drug trafficking. The Bangladeshi delegation was led by Lt. Col. Rahman, while Commandant Vikram Dev Singh of the Rowshanbagh Battalion represented BSF.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lt Col Rahman emphasized that until the resurvey is complete, no one will be allowed to utilize the disputed land. He also conveyed Bangladesh\'s strong protest against recent border killings, urging BSF to refrain from detaining innocent citizens and prevent illegal cross-border activities, particularly in the lead-up to the Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-16 10:02:02', '2024-09-16 10:02:02'),
(12907, 12907, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The World Bank is committed to increasing lending to Bangladesh in this fiscal year to help the reform agenda of the Interim Government, its Country Director Abdoulaye Seck said today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdoulaye Seck informed that the World Bank can mobilise about $2 billion new financing in this fiscal year to support critical reforms, flood response, better air quality and health.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seck spoke about the new assistance when he called on Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We would like to support you as fast as possible and as much as possible,\" Seck said, adding that the bank would support the critical financial needs of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to the new commitments, he said, the multilateral lender would repurpose about an extra US$ one billion from its existing programmes in consultation with the government in response to the calls for support by the Chief Adviser to all development partners of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seck said the extra lending would raise the amount of soft loans and grants the World Bank would be giving to Bangladesh this fiscal year to about US$ 3 billion once the funds from the existing projects are repurposed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Bank country chief said the completion of the reforms would be \"critically important\" for Bangladesh and its young people, including the two million people who are joining the job market every year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus told the World Bank country head that the bank must have flexibility to fund Bangladesh\'s reforms and help restart a new journey after 15 years of \"extreme misgovernance.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Out of these ashes, we have to build new structures. We need a big push, and we have to focus on the dreams of the students,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I will suggest, help us. Be a part of our team,\" said the Chief Adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus asked the World Bank to lend its technical support to recover billions of dollars of stolen assets siphoned off from Bangladesh by corrupt individuals during Sheikh Hasina\'s 15-year-long dictatorship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You have the tech to bring back stolen assets,\" he said, adding Bangladesh would also need the bank\'s expertise to build \"a zero-corruption Bangladesh\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Bank country chief agreed to help Bangladesh bring back the stolen money. \"We are happy to help you,\" Seck said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the global lender would also like to help Bangladesh with data transparency, data integrity, digitalisation of tax collection, and financial sector reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus said Bangladesh cannot afford to lose this once in a lifetime opportunity to fix its institutions and undertake major reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Once we lose it, it will never come back,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seck offered condolences for the martyrs of the July-August student-led uprising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WB country director said he was impressed by the graffiti and murals painted by young people on Dhaka\'s walls. \"In 30 years of my career, I\'ve never seen it anywhere,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need to empower them,\" Seck said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-17 11:28:40', '2024-09-17 11:28:40'),
(12908, 12908, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started its public rally in front of the party\'s Nayapaltan headquarters marking the International Democracy Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rally formally started around 2:30 pm today with the recitation from the holy Quran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of BNP leaders and workers have been gathering at Nayapaltan to join the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the occasion of the International Democracy Day, leaders and workers of BNP have been gathering from different parts of the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They were seen chanting slogans in the name of the founder of BNP, Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and national hero Tarique Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nayapaltan and its surrounding areas were abuzz with slogans criticizing the dictatorial, fascist Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vehicular movement has been limited in and around Nayapaltan area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leaders and workers took position on the surrounding roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the fall of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina\'s government, a joyous environment was seen in everyone after being able to join the rally without any barricade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visiting the area, it was seen that Nayapaltan and surrounding areas, leaders and workers of BNP and its associate organizations started coming to the rally venue after 12:30 pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Soon after then, BNP leaders and workers started coming from various wards to the rally venue at Nayapaltan with different festoons, placards and posters in their hands.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Acting Chairman of BNP Deshnayak Tarique Rahman will address the rally virtually as the chief guest, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will preside over it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior leaders of BNP said that Tarique Rahman will deliver an important speech at the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) leaders and leaders and workers were performing dances and singing songs to make them vibrant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Publicity Secretary of BNP Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Member Secretary of Dhaka City North Aminul Haque and Member Secretary of Dhaka City South Tanveer Ahmed Rabin moderated the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Member of BNP Standing Committee AZM Zahid Hossain and Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohail were on the stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Standing Committee members and senior leaders will also address the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, BNP had fixed the date of the rally on Sunday last (September 15), but the rally date was rescheduled two days later (September 17) due to inclement weather.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-17 11:31:20', '2024-09-17 11:31:20'),
(12909, 12909, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said Germany will provide 1 billion Euro to Bangladesh in the next 10 years, including 15 million Euro this year, to develop its renewable energy sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both countries will promote knowledge exchange and cooperation with non-state actors like private sector, research institutes, academia, and civil society, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The environment adviser made the remarks after a meeting with German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Tröster at her ministry\'s office here, an official release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana said the collaboration will also involve small ethnic minorities, women, and youth, fostering a multi-stakeholder approach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She thanked the ambassador for Germany\'s continued support in environmental and climate matters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She emphasised the need for increased international cooperation to address global climate challenges and the importance of sustainable forest management.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy expressed Germany\'s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in its fight against climate change and appreciated the government\'s efforts in protecting the environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also highlighted Germany\'s expertise in renewable energy and offered technical assistance in Bangladesh\'s green energy initiatives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the adviser and the envoy discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation on environmental protection, river cleaning projects and climate change mitigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also discussed potential collaboration on sustainable development projects, green technology adoption for tackling environmental and climate-related challenges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to explore further avenues for collaboration, particularly in technology transfer and environmental sustainability projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-17 11:33:56', '2024-09-17 11:33:56');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12910, 12910, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Home Adviser of the interim government Lieutenant General (retd) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said the government would transform Ansar-VDP into a skilled, well-organised, befitting and professional force through requisite reformation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The government will reform the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) with a target to make it a skilled, well-organized, professional and befitting force ... The ministry will do whatever is needed for the reformation,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser told the concluding parade of the basic training programme of 40th BCS (Ansar) cadre officials and 25th batch sipahi recruit (male) of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at Bangladesh Aasar VDP academy at Shafipur in</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gazipur this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser said the paramilitary auxiliary force has performed a significant role in the overall development of the country, including maintaining law and order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After ousting of the autocratic regime led by Sheikh Hasina through the student-people uprising, the Ansar and VDP personnel have been working sincerely to protect important establishments, including police stations and</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">airports, risking their lives, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Particularly, the Ansar-VDP personnel have ensured the security for the police stations under Dhaka Metropolitan Police,\" he said, adding that even the force is also engaged in protecting Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the assumption of office by the incumbent government, the members of the Ansar-DVP ensured security of the State Guest House \"Jamuna\" despite the inadequacy of the police forces, he continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser greeted all the members of the force as they had done their duties with the utmost sincerity during the critical period of the nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The members of the force deployed in every village across the country have played an important role in maintaining the law and order situation of the country, he said, adding, \"The Ansar-VDP kept surveillance at all the places of worship for upholding religious harmony.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior secretary of the public security division of the ministry Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen and director general of Bangladesh Ansar-VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud also spoke at the function as special guests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser took salute at the concluding parade function and distributed prizes among the feat trainees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-18 09:40:15', '2024-09-18 09:40:15'),
(12911, 12911, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A case has been filed today against 163 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina for allegedly attempting to murder a private company deliveryman during the recent anti-discrimination student movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other prominent accused in the case are- Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Kamal Ahmed Mazumder and Gazi Mesbaul Hossain Bacchu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Victim Shimul Ahmed filed the complaint himself at the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saifuzzaman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court after recording statement of the complainant, asked Mirpur Police Station to file the matter as first information report (FIR).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case documents, Shimul joined anti-discrimination student movement on July 19. At around 5pm on that day, he got shot on the thigh, making him cripple for life.b</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-18 09:42:44', '2024-09-18 09:42:44'),
(12912, 12912, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon Tuesday, killing at least nine people and wounding some 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the wave of explosions, which came just hours after Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by Hamas\'s October 7 attacks to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The blasts \"killed nine people, including a girl\", Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added that some \"2,800 people were injured, about 200 of them critically\" with injuries mostly reported to the face, hands and stomach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member was killed in east Lebanon\'s Bekaa Valley when his pager exploded, the family and a source close to the group said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A son of Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Ammar was also among the dead, a source close to the group told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tehran\'s ambassador in Beirut was wounded in a pager explosion but his injuries were not serious, Iranian state media reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The influx of so many casualties all at once overwhelmed hospitals in Hezbollah strongholds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At one hospital in Beirut\'s southern suburbs, an AFP correspondent saw people being treated in a car park on thin mattresses, with medical gloves on the ground and ambulance stretchers covered in blood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In all my life I\'ve never seen someone walking on the street... and then explode,\" said Musa, a resident of the southern suburbs, requesting to be identified only by his first name.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert denounced in a statement \"an extremely concerning escalation\", urging all sides to refrain from any action \"which could trigger a wider conflagration that nobody can afford\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- \'Remote detonation\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah blamed Israel for the blasts and warned it would be punished.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression,\" the group said in a statement, adding that Israel \"will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States, Israel\'s top arms provider and close ally, was \"not involved\" and \"not aware of this incident in advance\", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The afternoon blasts hit Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon and dealt a heavy blow to the militant group, which already had concerns about the security of its communications after losing several key commanders to targeted air strikes in recent months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Analysts said Israeli intelligence services had somehow managed to infiltrate the supply chain used by Hezbollah for its pagers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute said: \"This was more than lithium batteries being forced into override. A small plastic explosive was almost certainly concealed alongside the battery, for remote detonation via a call or page.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s spy agency \"Mossad infiltrated the supply chain\", he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A source close to Hezbollah, asking not to be identified, told AFP that \"the pagers that exploded concern a shipment recently imported by Hezbollah of 1,000 devices\" which appear to have been \"sabotaged at source\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- Israel expands war aims -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Early Tuesday, Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the Gaza war to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To date, Israel\'s objectives have been to crush Hamas and bring home the hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack that sparked the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The political-security cabinet updated the goals of the war\" to include \"the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes\", Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\'s office said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since October, the unabating exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon have forced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border to flee their homes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Not formally declared as a war by Israel, the exchanges of fire have killed hundreds of mostly fighters in Lebanon, and dozens including soldiers on the Israeli side.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that failing a political solution, \"military action\" would be \"the only way left to ensure the return\" of displaced residents to the border area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas,\" Gallant\'s office quoted him as telling visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Netanyahu later told Hochstein he was seeking a \"fundamental change\" in the security situation on Israel\'s northern border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said at the weekend that his group had \"no intention of going to war\", but that \"there will be large losses on both sides\" in the event of all-out conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>- Blinken headed back to region -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due this week back in the region to try to revive stalled ceasefire talks for the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After months of mediated negotiations failed to pin down a ceasefire, Washington has said it was still working with mediators Qatar and Egypt to finalise an agreement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US officials have expressed increasing frustration with Israel as Netanyahu has publicly rejected US assessments that a deal is nearly complete and has insisted on an Israeli military presence on the Egypt-Gaza border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Militants also seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,252 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory\'s health ministry, which does not provide a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday, UN member states were debating a draft resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian territories within 12 months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">General Assembly resolutions are not binding, but Israel has already denounced the new text as \"disgraceful\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Gaza, rescuers said several Israeli air strikes killed at least seven people overnight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-18 09:47:14', '2024-09-18 09:47:14'),
(12913, 12913, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Authorities at Dhaka University on Thursday formed a seven-member committee to investigate the death of a man in mob lynching inside the university\'s Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victim, Tofazzal, was beaten to death allegedly by a group of students of the hall suspecting him as a thief, hospital and university sources said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are shocked at the death of the man,\" said Dhaka University Proctor Mohammad Saifuddin Ahmed. He said that a seven-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident and submit its report by this evening.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to witnesses, the man sneaked into the hall on Wednesday evening. Some students then caught and interrogated him about the theft of six mobile phones and wallets from the hall the previous day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under intense questioning, the man agreed to tell them about the real thieves provided they give him something to eat.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The students fed him, but the man failed to give the promised names.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then the angry students then beat the man for two hours starting from 10 pm, according to the witnesses.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the proctorial team got informed about the matter, it went to the spot and took the severely injured Tofazzal to hospital for treatment. The doctors declared him dead.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tofazzal, according to some in Dhaka University campus, was a mentally unstable person.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased Tofazzal hailed from Kathaltoli union of Pathorghata upazila of Barguna district and he lost his parents long ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The proctor said they are preparing to file a police case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the probe committee is headed by residential teacher of Fazlul Haque Muslim hall Dr. Alomgir Kabir.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Six other members of the probe committee are Dr. Mohammad Shafiul Alam Khan, Prof. Johir Raihan, Mohammad Mahabub Alam, Dr. Asib Ahmed, and Dr. Touhidul Islam and AKM Nure Alam Siddique.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 09:53:13', '2024-09-19 09:53:13'),
(12914, 12914, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A Dhaka court on Thursday placed former law minister Anisul Huq and former prime minister’s adviser Salman F Rahman on a 5-day remand each in a case filed with Kotwali police station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Arifur Rahman passed the order when Sub-Inspector Md. Rashidul Hasan, also investigation officer of the case, sought a 7-day remand for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court rejected the bail petition of the defence lawyers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 13 Sub-Inspector Md. Sajib Mia of New Market Police Station&nbsp; filed the case with Kotwali police station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Anisul and Salman were arrested on August 13 while allegedly trying to flee via waterways from the Sadarghat area of the capital. They were remanded for a total of 25 days in three separate phases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court sent them to jail showing them arrested in a new case on Wednesday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case details, acting on intelligence information from Bangladesh Bank revealing that the accused in a murder case were illegally holding various foreign currencies near the Number 2 Mosque at Sadarghat. When police conducted a raid, the accused attempted to escape but were arrested. Some foreign currencies were seized from their possessopn.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 09:55:42', '2024-09-19 09:55:42'),
(12915, 12915, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shamim Ahmed alias Shamim Molla, a former leader of the&nbsp; Jahangirnagar University Chhatra League, has died from injuries he had suferred after being lynched by a student mob on the campus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He died on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at Savar\'s Gonoshasthaya Samajbhittik Medical College Hospital. Doctor on duty at the hospital Selimuzzaman Sujan confirmed this information.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr. Selimuzzaman said, \"He was brought to the hospital around 9:30 pm. We checked and found him dead. The cause of his death can be confirmed after post-mortem.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ashulia Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Md. Kamal Hossain also confirmed Shamim\'s death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, a group of students beat up and injured Shamim Mollah on Jahangirnagar University campus. He was later handed over first to the University Proctoral Body and later to the police, witnesses said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to university sources, Shamim Molla lived in the area next to the university. He is alleged to have been involved in the attacks on students at the Vice-Chancellor\'s residence on the night of July 15 during the anti-discrimination student movement. The attacks were allegedly carried out by Chhatra League and outsiders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to witnesses and security officials, Shamim Molla was caught in a shop near the University\'s Joy Bangla gate on Wednesday afternoon. On hearing the news, a group of university students went there and starting beating him up.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the university\'s proctorial team reached the spot. At one point, he was brought to the security wing with the help of security personnel. Then a team of Ashulia police station came to the security office on the information of the proctorial team. Meanwhile, the police and proctorial team interrogated Shamim about the attack on the vice-chancellor\'s residence on the night of July 15. Later he was handed over to Ashulia police on previously registered case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:15:03', '2024-09-19 10:15:03'),
(12916, 12916, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today asked the police personnel to be people friendly in a real sense.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Police will really have to be people friendly. There is no chance to remain in black and white anymore,\" he said emerging from a view exchange meeting with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) officials at its headquarters here this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser said all want police to be a force of the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The countrymen expect police to be people friendly. You (journalists) and I also expect so,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser asked the police force to work for regaining their past glory discharging duties sincerely by enhancing morale.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You (journalists) know, the police have incurred a huge damage (during the mass uprising). So, obstacles are being seen in their works in many stages. I have asked them to revive their past glory after being motivated mentally,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also provided some directions to the police including rendering quick services to the people, stopping extortion, corruption and harassment of the masses and solving the traffic related problems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that the people are going to police stations with various problems, he asked the police to solve their problems if possible and give them patience hearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser also instructed the law enforcers to find the way out on how the traffic related problems can be improved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He, as well, asked the police force to stop extortion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If the extortion can be contained, the price of the commodities would be brought to tolerable level,\" he opined.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He ordered the police personnel to stop the bribery and corruption as the menaces have reached every step in the society.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About random cases, the home adviser said the police are not filing the cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cases are being filed by the commoners, he said, calling upon them to lodge cases against the real offenders as no innocent person is subjected to be harassment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It would require long time to conduct investigations, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the past, he said police filed such cases naming 10 persons and several hundred of persons without names.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But now, police are not filing such cases, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The home adviser again assured that none would be arrested without investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I have asked the DB (Detective Branch of police) not to arrest any innocent people rather to nab only the criminals,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to another question about mob justice, he called upon all not to take law in own hands, referring to a recent incident happened in Jahangirnagar University.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is no scope to take law in own hands,\" he warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Mainul Islam and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md. Mainul Hassan were present at the view exchange meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:18:36', '2024-09-19 10:18:36'),
(12917, 12917, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United Nations General Assembly\'s 10th Emergency Special Session has adopted a key resolution endorsing the International Court of Justice\'s (ICJ) advisory opinion which declared Israel\'s occupation of the Palestinian territories illegal under international law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution was tabled by Palestine, and was co-sponsored by 53 countries, including Bangladesh, according to a message received here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adoption came through a vote on Wednesday, with 124 countries in favour, 14 against and 43 abstentions. As a co-sponsor, Bangladesh voted in favour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the debate in the General Assembly, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith delivered Bangladesh\'s national statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Muhith welcomed the advisory opinion of the ICJ as a historic one, and called upon all member states to abide by this.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also expressed Bangladesh\'s grave concern about the ongoing atrocities and high death toll in Gaza, and called for an immediate ceasefire referring to the UN Security Council resolution 2728.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that the two-state solution, based on the pre-1967 border of the Palestinian state, is the only pathway for achieving sustainable peace in the Middle East.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The permanent representative also appreciated the roles of the ICJ and the International Criminal Court in the process of ensuring accountability of illegal occupation and mass atrocity crimes in Occupied Palestinian Territories.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He appreciated the UN Secretary-General and UN Human Right High Commissioner\'s statements concerning the grave humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution, in light of the recent ICJ verdict, calls upon Israel to end its unlawful presence in the Palestine, the first step to end its military campaign in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution also calls for, among others, the establishment of an international mechanism for reparation for all damage, loss or injury arising from the internationally wrongful acts of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also requests the UN secretary-general to present a report on the implementation of the resolution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resolution also calls for ensuring accountability for the atrocity crimes committed by Israel, especially in light of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Through adopting the resolution, the general assembly has also decided to hold an international conference within one year on Palestine, with the objective to find out ways and means to establish an independent Palestinian state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In general, the resolution is being considered as an important step towards achieving solution of the Middle East crisis through implementing the two-state solution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:21:35', '2024-09-19 10:21:35'),
(12918, 12918, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adviser to the interim government on the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the World Bank would provide support to Bangladesh in carrying out necessary reforms in the banking and other sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'ll receive support from the World Bank for the reforms we\'ve undertaken in the banking sector,\" said the Finance Adviser while talking to reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said this after a meeting with Martin Raiser, Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, at the Finance Division at Bangladesh Secretariat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Finance Adviser said, \"We discussed various issues, including budget support, assistance in the health and energy sector, even fertilizer imports, food self sufficiency, post-flood rehabilitation and Rohingya support with the World Bank\'s South Asia Vice President and his team.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, Dr Salehuddin said they also talked about supporting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The World Bank was very positive about all the proposals that we presented, and they provided concrete responses. They (WB) assured us that they, along with other development partners, would coordinate, and there would be no hesitation in providing necessary funding or assistance,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Finance Adviser said they also discussed issues related to boosting investment in the private sector and addressing various challenges in business and trade. \"They have assured us of their assistance, and we will receive the necessary support,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the amount of possible fresh support from the Washington-based lending agency, the Finance Adviser denied revealing the amount.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Abdoulaye Seck, Operations Manager Gayle Martin, IFC Country Representative Martin Holtman, among others, were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, Finance Division Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky were also present at the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:24:10', '2024-09-19 10:24:10'),
(12919, 12919, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">South Korea\'s national police said Thursday that they planned to spend nearly $7 million over the next three years on technology to battle deepfakes, voice cloning and other forms of digital fraud.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In recent weeks, authorities have uncovered a sprawling network of Telegram chatrooms, often set up within schools and universities, in which users shared AI-generated deepfake porn depicting female students and staff.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The revelations have prompted public outrage, with the president vowing stern action.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seoul\'s National Police Agency said Thursday that it had allocated 2.7 billion won ($2 million) a year until 2027 for developing deep-learning technology to detect digitally-fabricated content such as deepfakes and voice cloning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, they would also spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to upgrade their current software for monitoring deepfake and other AI-generated videos.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Super-wired South Korea has long battled sexual cyber-violence, but cases are up 11-fold this year from 2018, official figures show.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prosecution rates, however, remain dismal. From 2021 to July this year, 793 deepfake crimes were reported, but only 16 people were arrested and prosecuted, according to police data obtained by a lawmaker.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said last week that the \"issue of deepfakes has sparked widespread concern, particularly among women, as it represents a serious crime that undermines social harmony\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I have urged the relevant ministries to take decisive action,\" Yoon added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In late August, 84 women\'s organisations released a joint statement saying the root cause of the deepfake crisis was \"structural gender discrimination and the solution is gender equality\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:27:36', '2024-09-19 10:27:36'),
(12920, 12920, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A court has granted a 7-day remand for Abul Hasan, former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jatrabari Police Station, in connection with the death of student Sakib Hasan during the recent anti-discrimination student protest in Jatrabari.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Arifur Rahman passed the remand order following a hearing on Thursday.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The case\'s investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Mojahidul Islam of Jatrabari Police Station, had requested a 10-day remand for the former OC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the hearing, Abul Hasan’s lawyer filed a petition seeking cancellation of the remand petition and requested for bail, which was denied.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abul Hasan was arrested by police on September 16 in Teknaf, Cox\'s Bazar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sakib was killed by gunshot and physical assault on July 18 in the Kazla Biswaroad area of Jatrabari during an anti-discrimination student protest. Following the incident, his relative, Abu Bakkar, filed a case with Jatrabari Police Station on September 2.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-19 10:32:06', '2024-09-19 10:32:06');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12921, 12921, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is set to leave Dhaka on September 23 to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York which is seen as a big opportunity for him to share his government’s priorities following the student-led mass uprising, and economic plans including which areas specifically the international community can be helpful in strengthening and stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first day of the high-level General Debate will be held on Tuesday, September 24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The Chief Adviser will stay three days in New York and he will leave New York on September 27,” Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters on Saturday at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy. He said the Chief Adviser will go to New York on a commercial flight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Chief Adviser will go to New York on a commercial flight. The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech on September 27, said the Foreign Adviser.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and Director General (East Asia &amp; Pacific Wing) Toufique Hasan were also present at the briefing.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With a packed 3-day schedule, Chief Adviser Yunus to deliver speech at UNGA on Sept 27&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain said a major political changeover has taken place in Bangladesh and they want to let people know so that no confusion remains regarding what happened in Bangladesh. He said Prof Yunus is highly respected globally and all countries will take his remarks seriously.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain said he will go to New York by a separate commercial flight two days prior to Chief Adviser\'s arrival in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about any possibility to have a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Foreign Adviser said it seems there is no possibility as Modi is going there a bit early while Chief Adviser Yunus is going there a bit late.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser will have meetings—bilateral and call on—with prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, Nepal and the President of the European Union, US Secretary of State, UN Secretary-General, UN Human Rights chief, the World Bank President, and USAID Administrator, said the Foreign Adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Adviser, however, said he will have a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain said reforms and human rights will be highlighted and the government will continue to make commitments to take steps on human rights issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I can\'t justify why there were large delegations in the past. But the current government wants to avoid unnecessary expenses,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Adviser said, this time the delegation will have 57 members, and a big number of them are security personnel. On previous occasions, the Bangladesh delegation was varied between 300 and 100 plus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain said only those with direct responsibilities at the UNGA will accompany the Chief Adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh will host a high-level reception on September 24 marking 50 years of Bangladesh’s UN membership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The theme of the General Debate is \"Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Asian affairs expert Michael Kugelman previously said Prof Yunus’ participation at the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA) will be a big opportunity for him to share his government’s economic plans, including which areas specifically the international community can be helpful in strengthening and stabilizing Bangladesh\'s economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“He would be speaking in New York on the biggest global platform since he took over the role of adviser leading the interim government,” said Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said there are several things that Prof Yunus could do, several things that he could say.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think that above all he should lay out a vision for governance, the goals of the interim government, his plans for reforms and his efforts to push for the restoration of democracy.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said he thinks that Prof Yunus’ platform at the UNGA would give him an opportunity to weigh in on what is arguably Bangladesh\'s biggest humanitarian challenge, the Rohingya refugee issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I think that it would be useful for him to make a pitch for international assistance or more international assistance for Rohingya refugees, which would be an especially important pitch for two reasons,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) opened on September 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the heads of states and governments will gather at UN Headquarters in New York on September 22-23 to address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Summit of the Future, the first of its kind, will bring together leaders, advocates, and activists of all ages to determine how our international system can better meet the needs of current and future generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Countries must use a once-in-a-generation UN summit to address current and emerging global challenges and reform outdated international institutions, Secretary-General António Guterres said in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres was speaking as negotiations for the Summit of the Future, which opens at UN Headquarters on Sunday, enter the final stretch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I have one overriding message today: an appeal to Member States for a spirit of compromise. Show the world what we can do, when we work together,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">‘An essential first step’</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two-day Summit of the Future is “an essential first step towards making global institutions more legitimate, effective, and fit for the world of today and tomorrow,” Guterres told journalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said work already done in the lead-up reveals “potential breakthroughs on a number of important fronts”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This includes “the strongest language on Security Council reform in a generation—and the most concrete step towards Council enlargement since 1963,” the first-ever governance measures for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies, and advancements in reforming the international financial architecture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other items cover financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and commitment to advance an SDG Stimulus to boost financial support to developing countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It would be tragic if all of these would be lost,” he warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Challenges, crises and conflict</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres said the Summit is “so critical” because “international challenges are moving faster than our ability to solve them.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He pointed to “out-of-control geo-political divisions and runaway conflicts – not least in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and beyond,” in addition to “runaway” climate change, inequalities and debt, and the development of AI and other technologies that lack guidance or guardrails.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Crises are interacting and feeding off each other – for example, as digital technologies spread climate disinformation that deepens distrust and fuels polarization,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reform multilateral institutions</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, multilateral institutions “born in a bygone era for a bygone world” simply cannot keep up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres said so many of the challenges the world is facing today were not on the radar 80 years ago when these institutions were created.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our founders understood that times would change,” he said.&nbsp; “They understood that the values that underpin our global institutions are timeless – but the institutions themselves cannot be frozen in time.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An ever-changing world</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the peacebuilders back then could not have predicted the changes that have occurred over the past eight decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They include the independence movements, the economic and geopolitical rise of many developing countries, catastrophic climate consequences, space exploration, and the development of the Internet, smartphones and social media, which are boosted by AI.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Like our founders, we cannot know precisely what the future holds,” he acknowledged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But we don’t need a crystal ball to see that 21st century challenges require problem-solving mechanisms that are more effective, networked and inclusive; that serious power imbalances in global institutions must be adjusted and updated; and that our institutions must draw on the expertise and representation of all of humanity.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although change will not happen overnight, “it can start today,” he insisted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finish the job</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Member States attending the Summit are expected to adopt a Pact for the Future, with a Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations annexed to it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres expressed hope that they will “do everything possible” to get these documents “over the finish line”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We can’t create a future fit for our grandchildren with systems built for our grandparents,” he said, stressing that the Summit “cannot fail”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World leaders</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 130 Heads of State and Government are scheduled to attend the Summit of the Future, which is taking place from 22-23 September - just ahead of the annual debate in the UN General Assembly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Summit will be preceded by two “action days” where non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academics and private sector representatives will engage on the main themes.&nbsp; 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, '2024-09-21 09:45:56', '2024-09-21 09:45:56'),
(12922, 12922, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has said that mobile network and fixed broadband internet services have been disrupted in Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts due to ongoing clashes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A day-long clash occurred in Dighinala, Khagrachhari on Thursday leading to significant damage to local telecommunications infrastructure. A fire incident around 4:00 pm resulted in the damage of optical fiber cables belonging to Summit Communications Limited and Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), causing 16 towers of mobile operator Robi to go offline, according to a press release issued on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Robi, which has about 150 towers in the district, was unable to conduct immediate repairs due to the tense situation. By September 20, Robi managed to restore 14 of the affected towers, while repairs to two towers are still pending. The company expects all sites to be operational soon, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, Teletalk’s service has also been affected in Khagrachhari. Out of its 72 towers in the district, 29 are currently out of service, with 23 towers offline due to power disconnections by the Power Development Board (PDB) and six others due to various technical reasons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the unrest, broadband internet services in Khagrachhari and Rangamati remain mostly operational. However, damage to internet cables and unstable electricity in some areas has left some customers without service. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are actively working to restore connections through network repairs and generator support, leading to a gradual reinstatement of broadband services, the release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BTRC emphasised that no official directive has been issued to shut down mobile networks or broadband services during this time. The commission expresses regret to customers for the temporary inconveniences caused by the ongoing situation and assures them that efforts are being made to restore full services as quickly as possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:20:26', '2024-09-21 10:20:26'),
(12923, 12923, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Ministry of Commerce has approved export of Hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja festival.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an official order signed by Sultana Akhter, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, it was announced that the export of 3,000 metric tonnes of hilsa fish has been approved, according to a press release on Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This decision came following requests from several exporters, with the ministry setting specific conditions for the export.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exporters have been asked to submit their applications to the Ministry of Commerce by 12 pm on September 24. Applications should be addressed to the Deputy Secretary, Export-2 Branch, Room 127, Building-3, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No applications will be accepted after the deadline, though those who have already applied are not required to submit new applications.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Bangladesh banned Hilsa export to India&nbsp; to ensure adequate hilsa supply in the local market so that the prized fish remains more accessible to people.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:22:58', '2024-09-21 10:22:58'),
(12924, 12924, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A high level delegation led by Home Adviser Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) is going to visit Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other members of the delegation are - Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs (CHT) Adviser Supradip Chakma, LGRD Affairs Adviser A. F.&nbsp; Hassan Ariff and special assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Unity Development Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has earlier expressed profound shock and sorrow at the casualties in the attacks at different places, centering death of a person in mass beating at CHT on September 18.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A small message, sent from the Chief Adviser\'s press wing, said that the government has been working sincerely to resolve the problems created in Khagrachhari and Rangamati.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The law enforcement agencies have been asked to show maximum tolerance and ensure security of the people living in the three CHT districts, it reads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that the government is committed to ensure peace, amity and harmony in the CHT, the government has asked all not to take law into their own hands or engage in destructive activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Damaging any property is punishable and grave offense, it warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Fair probes into all incidents related to violence and the trial of those responsible will be ensured,\" the statement read.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To this end, the government is going to form a very powerful investigation committee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the government has asked the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatments to the injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:26:03', '2024-09-21 10:26:03'),
(12925, 12925, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam on Saturday said internet was not shut down by the government in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“There were isolated instances of temporary internet disruption which was exaggerated as internet shutdown. No such instruction was given. There is no evidence that internet was suspended in Chittagong hill tracts or any other place for a long time,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He came up with the remarks responding to a question from reporters during a visit to a flood-affected area in Andharmanik in Feni district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He further mentioned that he had personally spoken with the Deputy Commissioners and other officials concerned, who confirmed that no long-term internet shutdown had occurred.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He advised individuals making such claims to verify facts with the relevant authorities before spreading misinformation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the ongoing challenges in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Nahid Islam highlighted the region’s long-standing internal issues, stressing that these problems must be solved domestically.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He mentioned that several advisers are scheduled to visit the area today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nahid also urged people to remain vigilant as various efforts are being made to destabilize the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:37:17', '2024-09-21 10:37:17'),
(12926, 12926, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim government has decided against the proceeding with gas extraction and supply agreements with four foreign companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The companies are- India\'s H Energy, Russia\'s Gazprom, China\'s Sinopec, and Uzbekistan\'s Ariel, according to Energy and Mineral Resources Division officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previous Awami League government selected these companies to make deals for gas extraction and supply, which had been developed and were nearing completion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The officials said that the contracts will not be signed since the Quick Energy Supply Act, under which they were being processed, has been repealed by the interim government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The present government will review the agreements and proceed with those it considers necessary, they added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The contracts will be awarded to interested companies through an open tender process,\" Energy Secretary Md Nurul Alam said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Energy Division officials, the agreements with Russia\'s Gazprom to drill five gas wells in Bhola, with H Energy to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) via pipeline from India, and with Dipon Gas, a Bangladesh-based company, to build a pipeline from Bhomra to Khulna to supply the imported LNG were nearly finalised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, discussions were ongoing with China\'s Sinopec to drill five gas wells in Sylhet and with Uzbekistan\'s Ariel to drill six wells and perform a workover on another.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Plans were underway to work on 17 onshore wells with Gazprom, Sinopec, and Ariel, and the Energy Division was in the final stages of approving the proposals after reviewing their financial details, they added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Agreements under questions</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gazprom has drilled 20 wells in Bangladesh, including seven in Bhola under the Quick Energy Supply Act. The Russian company is currently drilling four more wells in Bhola under the same act. The Hasina government had planned to award them the contract to drill five additional wells in Bhola using the same approach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the five wells, one is an exploration well and the remaining four are development wells. Gazprom proposed a budget of $120 million for the project. The Energy Division and Gazprom were negotiating this cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deal with India\'s H Energy Limited involved importing 0.8 to 1 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) of LNG to Bangladesh. After nearly four years of discussions, the agreement was in its final stages. The LNG was intended to be supplied to the power plants in Khulna and western regions of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An official from Petrobangla, speaking on condition of anonymity, said discussions were ongoing with a company called Dipon Gas to establish a 65 km pipeline from Satkhira to Khulna for importing LNG from India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dipon Gas is a Bangladesh-based company with operations in India and Singapore, according to its website. The company has previously worked on installing the pipeline for importing fuel oil from Numaligarh in India and was involved in the construction of Excelerate Energy\'s LNG terminal and pipeline at Maheshkhali.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Discussions were also ongoing with the Chinese company Sinopec regarding the drilling of five wells under Sylhet Gas Fields Company Limited. The wells include Rashidpur-11 and 13, Kailash Tila-9, Dupi Tila-1, and the only development well, Sylhet-11. These projects were estimated to cost around Tk1,200 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Uzbek company Ariel was in the final stages of negotiations to drill seven wells under Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited across various districts. The Energy Division had completed the evaluation of Ariel\'s proposal to drill and renovate these wells. The proposal included drilling four new wells and performing workovers on three existing ones, with a proposed cost of $131 million.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-21 10:40:46', '2024-09-21 10:40:46'),
(12927, 12927, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman today called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his office here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his office,\" his press wing said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:36:22', '2024-09-22 09:36:22'),
(12928, 12928, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Senior officials from Indian companies involved in critical power transmission projects in Bangladesh, which are essential for evacuating electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), have yet to return to their jobs, raising concerns about the progress of these projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Few staff from KEC International Limited and Transrail Lighting Limited (TTL) have returned, but none from Larsen &amp; Toubro Limited (L&amp;T) or other companies have come back,\" a top official from Power Grid Bangladesh PLC told UNB. The official clarified that the returning staff are mostly locally recruited temporary workers and mid-level officials from KEC, with no senior officials back on site yet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, another senior Power Grid Bangladesh official indicated that Indian staff from L&amp;T are expected to rejoin the projects from September 24. \"We are waiting to see them resume their work,\" the official said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The return of Indian personnel has been delayed since all staff from Indian companies left Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, in the wake of a mass uprising. As a result, the transmission projects involving Indian contractors have come to a standstill.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Currently, Indian companies are engaged in 17 transmission projects across Bangladesh, with L&amp;T, Transrail, and KEC being the primary contractors. Some of these projects are crucial for connecting the Rooppur NPP, scheduled to begin operation in December this year, to the national grid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The sudden departure of Indian contractor staff has created uncertainty around these critical projects,\" said the Power Grid Bangladesh official.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Larsen &amp; Toubro, one of the key contractors, has been awarded major contracts to build transmission infrastructure necessary for evacuating electricity from Bangladesh\'s first nuclear power plant in Rooppur, Pabna. The company is responsible for installing 400kV and 230kV transmission lines, which are critical components of the grid synchronization and testing process for the RNPP’s first unit, now scheduled for completion in early 2025.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The transmission project, estimated to cost Tk 10,981 crore, is being financed primarily by Exim Bank (Tk 8,219 crore), with contributions from the Bangladesh government (Tk 1,527 crore) and Power Grid Bangladesh (Tk 1,235 crore).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Power Grid Bangladesh PLC, the transmission project includes five major packages—the 464km long 400kV transmission lines, including a 13km river crossing; 205km long 230kV transmission lines, including 7km river crossing; 400kV five Bay extensions; 230kV four bay extensions; and qualitative upgradation of Bangladesh power system for frequency control and frequency drop protection, protection system, emergency control system and other associated tasks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">.bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:39:13', '2024-09-22 09:39:13'),
(12929, 12929, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh lost the first Test of the India series by 280 runs. In the fourth innings, Ravichandran Ashwin took six wickets and helped India secure a lead in the two-match series.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh needed to score 515 to win this match. But they only managed 234 runs and lost the match by a big margin. In this match, Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh captain, was the only batter to score a fifty for Bangladesh. He made 82 before falling to Ravindra Jadeja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh started cautiously in this innings, scoring 60 without losing any wickets. But before posting 100 runs on the board, they lost two. And then, they kept losing wickets regularly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan got good starts, but they failed to capitalize on those. Shanto kept one end intact, though, that was not enough for Bangladesh to offer some fightback to India’s quality attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh’s last hope was Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, but they also failed to resist the Indian bowlers with ample runs to score.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ashwin, who scored a hundred in the first innings, also ended the match by taking six wickets. This all-round performance earned the player of the match award.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the first innings of the match, India scored 376. Hasan Mahmud registered the maiden five-for against India for a Bangladeshi bowler. In reply, Bangladesh tumbled for only 149 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking four wickets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the second innings, India scored 287. Rishabh Pant and Shubhman Gill struck a hundred each. With a 227-run lead from the first innings, India’s lead reached 514 runs, a total Bangladesh never scored in the fourth innings of a Test match.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the match, Bangladesh\'s captain praised his pace attack but said they should have continued the momentum that the pacers brought for them. He also credited Indian batters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The positive is how Taskin (Ahmed), Hasan bowled in the first 2-3 hours but India batted really well after that,” Shanto said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indian captain Rohit Sharma applauded his wicketkeeper-batter Pant, who was playing his first Test after coming back from a nasty injury that he sustained during a car drive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“(Pant) has been through some tough times, the way he has managed himself through those tough times has been superb to watch,” Rohit said after the match.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh will look to bounce back when they take on the hosts in the second Test on Friday. After the two-match Test series, both teams will take on each other in a three-match T20I series.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:42:35', '2024-09-22 09:42:35'),
(12930, 12930, '<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Dhaka Court today remanded former railway minister Nurul Islam Sujon for five days in a case lodged over the killing of Rafiqul Islam, during anti-discrimination movement in Dhaka\'s Jatrabari area on July 19.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saddam Hossain passed the order after accepting a plea from the investigating officer of the case, this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sujon was present before the court at that time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 17, Sujon was arrested by police from Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in city\'s Shyamoli area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:56:19', '2024-09-22 09:56:19'),
(12931, 12931, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of the Nagorik Oikya, has been admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital after falling seriously ill late last night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His personal physician, Dr. Shoaeb Muhammad, confirmed the news, saying, \"He has suffered a heart attack and is currently under intensive observation in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). He is not out of danger until at least 72 hours have passed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A media release, signed by Nagorik Oikya organizational secretary Sabik Anwar, said that Manna was abducted by law enforcers in plainclothes in 2015 and was later shown as arrested.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He spent two years in prison due to false charges. During his imprisonment, he suffered a heart attack, which led to hospitalization, where multiple blockages in his heart were diagnosed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At that time, the government did not allow him proper medical treatment and sent him back to prison instead of providing care.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even after his release, his passport was withheld, preventing him from seeking advanced medical treatment abroad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party has called upon people to pray for his early recovery.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 09:59:39', '2024-09-22 09:59:39'),
(12932, 12932, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Classes at Dhaka University (DU) resumed on Sunday after more than three months of closure due to unrest centering student-led movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The campus including Arts building, Social Science Faculty premises, Madhur Canteen, TSC regained its familiar look with the gathering of students since morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Students expressed their relief and joy after returning to classes after a long break.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the academic activities of the first year students are scheduled to begin on September 30.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vacation in Dhaka University began on June 2 before Eid-ul-Azha. After the Eid holidays, academic activities were scheduled to start on July 1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But academic and administrative activities of all public universities of the country came to a halt on July 1 as teachers and employees went on an indefinite strike demanding their exclusion from the \"discriminatory\" pension scheme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The then Awami League government shut down all educational institutions on July 16 as violence escalated over the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 19, the university administration decided to prohibit all political activities by students, teachers, officials, and employees on the campus until further notice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This decision was made during an emergency Syndicate meeting held at the Vice-Chancellor\'s Lounge in the administrative building.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-22 10:02:19', '2024-09-22 10:02:19');
