INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4441, 4441, '<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa stopped by the sets of Bigg Boss 16 with their son Laksh. Bharti, who also hosts Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L\'il Champs, shared a new video of their Bigg Boss appearance on Instagram on Friday.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The husband and wife left Laksh, nicknamed Gola, with host Salman Khan, saying they would be back in two days and asked him to babysit. Salman didn\'t seem to mind much as he made friends with Gola.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The comedian duo shared the same promo on Instagram. It was captioned, \"Bigg Boss tonight 10pm on @colorstv...\" In the brief but hilarious clip, Bharti can be seen wearing a pink ethnic outfit, while Haarsh is in a gold jacket, black shirt and black pants. Laksh is wearing a white and orange jacket with blue pants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The clip shows Bharti walking onstage saying, \"Golaaaa!\" She puts him in Salman\'s arms saying, \"Sir, ek minute pakado, main thak gayi (Sir, hold him for a minute, I\'m tired).\" Salman replies, \"Obviously, thakogi haan (you\'ll be tired)!\" as Haarsh laughs on. Bharti says, \"Haan, yeh Bharti ka bachha hain (Yes, he\'s my child).\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, they seem to rush off stage, leaving their baby with Salman. As they depart, Bharti shares, \"Do din bachha sambhalna hain (You have to take care of him for two days) and Haarsh adds, \"Chachu ko pareshaan maat karna (Don\'t trouble uncle).\" Salman asks if Laksh would like to do dance and they groove along to the actor\'s song Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai from Sultan (2016).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fans seemed to love this cute exchange with Salman ending up as babysitter. Actor Nisha Rawal wrote, “Patootie pie (red heart emoji),” while actor Karanvir Bohra dropped laughing face with tears emojis on their post.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One fan commented that one day Laksh would make it on the show as an adult, \"Bigg boss 40 contestant… Golla (grinning face emoji).\" Another shared, \"Gola ka launch on Bigg Boss (heart eyes and fire emojis).\" The episode with Bharti, Haarsh and Laksh airs on Friday on ColorsTV. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-13 11:38:25', '2023-01-13 11:38:25'),
(4442, 4442, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Noting Chattogram as the heartbeat of the country\'s economy, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said it will become \"one city with two towns\" after completion of the Bangabandhu Tunnel, being constructed beneath the Karnaphuli River.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is the first tunnel in South Asia. About 95.50 percent work of the tunnel project has been completed so far and it will be inaugurated on February 24,\" he said while exchanging views with journalists at local the circuit house here.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Quader, also the general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League (AL), said once upon a time, none thought that Bangabandhu Tunnel would turn Chattogram into \"one city with two towns\" like Shanghai in China.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said revealed that the feasibility study of metro rail project in Chattogram will be completed on January 31.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangabandhu\'s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has taken the responsibility of country\'s development giving economic freedom to the people of the country, he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AL general secretary said when the World Bank withdrew its funding from the Padma Bridge project, the dream was going to be broken.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then Sheikh Hasina stood in the House and announced that Padma Bridge would be constructed with own funding, he said, adding: \"Padma Bridge is no longer a dream but a reality now.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader said: \"We are going through a difficult and challenging time. Russia-Ukraine war is going on, and sanctions and counter-sanctions of Europe and America are being imposed on each other, and as a result, one-third of the world\'s countries are now moving towards a big rescission\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that the living cost in Europe has reached a record 40-year high, he said Sri Lanka\'s foreign reserve stands at the bottom while Pakistan\'s reserve is also in a critical condition now.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said there is no doubt that the prices of all commodities have increased in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid the global economic crisis, Bangladesh\'s reserve is still in a good position due to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Quader added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the reserve of Bangladesh, a developing country, is now US$ 34 billion and still it has the capacity to import goods for five months with the reserve.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chattogram City AL Acting President Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury and its General Secretary AJM Nashir Uddin, Chattogram North District AL President MA Salam, its General Secretary Sheikh Ataur Rahman, Chattogram South District AL General Secretary Mofizur Rahman, Chatogram Development Authority Chairman Zahirul Alam Dubash, Chattogram Jilla Parisad Chairman ATM Paiyrul Islam and Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman were, among others, present at the function. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-13 12:00:12', '2023-01-13 12:00:12'),
(4443, 4443, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The electricity tariff in Bangladesh hiked by 5 percent at the retail level is still less than that of many developed countries, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A slight increase in electricity tariff is proposed to adjust the subsidy borne by the government, he told the reporters at Rajshahi Circuit House.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our government is counting thousands of crores in subsidies for the power sector so that the people do not suffer and can get electricity at a cheap price.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rising fuel prices in Europe and the UK are driving electricity rationing, driving up prices. But in Bangladesh, the price has not been increased in that way as the power sector is still dependent on fossil fuels, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has raised the electricity tariff by 5 percent at the retail level that will be effective from January 1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now the average tariff for all consumers will go up by Tk0.36 to Tk7.49 from Tk7.13, the Power Division said in a media statement Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding the prime minister’s rally in Rajshahi on January 29, Hasan said the rally will be in a field, but the whole city will turn into a rally that day. There will be millions of people joining the rally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We believe in the power of the people. And they (BNP) believe in conspiracy and the power of arms. So, all evil forces should be eliminated by the power of the people and that should be shown in the rally of Rajshahi on January 29.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Marking the PM’s rally here, Hasan Mahmud arrived in Rajshahi this morning for an exchange of views with local leaders and a field visit. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-13 14:50:38', '2023-01-13 14:50:38'),
(4444, 4444, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Bank (BB) is going to announce a new monetary policy on Sunday in line with the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh requested the IMF for a loan of $4.5 billion last July, and the global lending agency agreed to give it to Bangladesh subject to conditions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before lending, the IMF gave several conditions for reforming Bangladesh’s financial sector including setting a monetary policy for every quarter of a fiscal year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In line with the IMF conditions, the central bank has decided to announce a monetary policy twice in a year, which was announced for a single time during a fiscal year under former Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BB announced the new monetary policy for the remaining period of the current fiscal year, which will be very challenging as inflation and liquidity crisis are mounting, experts say.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former BB Governor Dr Atiur Rahman told UNB that the economic situation is changing frequently due to variables and volatile geopolitical situations and financial conditions involving Russia-Ukraine war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The central bank’s decision to return to the announcement of the monetary policy twice a fiscal year is a good initiative, he said. However, it should be kept under close watch to readjust the policy instruments as the market conditions are so unstable, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Atiur said curbing demand for goods and services and increasing supply lines are necessary tools for controlling inflation. This is a challenging job given the fast changing external and domestic financial conditions, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The central bank should remain cautious about the multiplier effects of creating more reserve money as the private credit growth and public borrowing level have already reached their targeted limits, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indeed, containing inflation should remain the top objective of the upcoming monetary policy as the low and middle income groups of people are in troubled water due to this, said Dr Atiur, who also teaches at the Dhaka University.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former IMF official and economist Dr Ahsan H. Mansur told UNB that the monetary policy cannot bring any impact as the interest rate cap is fixed at maximum 9 percent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Policy interest rate rising will bring a little change in the economy while lending interest rate is a big tool of monetary policy to control money supply and reducing consumption’s demand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the fixed interest rate, the monetary policy cannot make any change in the economy, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mansur said that the central bank is bringing high power money (HPM) in the market, which will have multiple impacts, and the exchange rate of domestic currency (taka) will also fall then.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">[High powered money or powerful money refers to that currency that has been issued by the central bank]</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While the exchange rate will fall, inflation would go up and liabilities of external payment would definitely increase, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new monetary policy will be announced as per the IMF\'s wishes. As a part of lending, a team of IMF held a series of meetings in Dhaka from October 26 to November 9.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMF team led by Rahul Anand (Bangladesh’s mission chief) met with the Bangladesh Bank, the Ministry of Finance, the Energy Division, BBS, the planning ministry, BSEC, NBR, and BERC to know the latest economic situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of this, the IMF DMD Antoinette Monsio Sayeh is arriving in Dhaka to review the update and finalize the loan deal with Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BB is announcing monetary policy during her Dhaka visit starting on January 14.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A team led by Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukder met with the IMF on the side-lines of the World Bank-IMF annual meeting in Washington last October. After the meeting, the governor told reporters that Bangladesh will get the loan from the IMF. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-13 14:55:21', '2023-01-13 14:55:21'),
(4445, 4445, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has on Friday described the government\'s decision to hike the electricity tariff as \'anti-people\'.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He demanded the immediate cancellation of the decision, in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The government has taken the unjustified decision to increase the power tariff in the extreme distress of the people since it is unelected. This is an imprudent and anti-people decision,” the said.</div><div><br></div><div>He alleged that the government is raising the price of electricity step by step in the name of monthly price adjustment. “This is just a retail trick with the people.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul called upon their party leaders and workers&nbsp; and the common people to participate in the rally and procession programme in all cities and upazilas on January 16 to protest the power price hike decision.</div><div><br></div><div>The government on Thursday hiked the retail price of electricity by 5 percent, effective from January.</div><div><br></div><div>The last time the electricity price was hiked at retail level was in February 2020, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul Islam told the power price was increased at a time when people\'s lives are in a state of disarray due to the extreme increase in the prices of all commodities, including rice, pulses, oil and sugar, when people\'s living expenses are increasing uncontrollably and when people are losing their jobs. “So, the power hike move will only intensify the suffering of people.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also said that the fresh hike in the price of electricity at the retail and earlier at bulk level will increase the cost of living and the price of everything, including irrigation and the production cost in mills and factories.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader alleged that the people are actually paying the price for unlimited corruption and irregularities in the power sector.</div><div><br></div><div>The government is taking money from people’s pockets as the cost of power generation has increased due to corruption, wastage and mismanagement, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-13 16:34:11', '2023-01-13 16:34:11'),
(4446, 4446, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Antoinette Monsio Sayeh, arrives in Dhaka today for a 5-day visit.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She will stay in Dhaka till January 18. During her visit, Sayeh will meet with the prime minister, finance minister, governor of Bangladesh Bank and other senior officials of the government.</div><div><br></div><div>According to finance ministry sources, Sayeh is coming to Dhaka from Delhi after completing her current Indian visit.</div><div><br></div><div>The IMF DMD will visit Padma Bridge on January 18. A meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled for January 16. Sayeh will report to the IMF headquarters regarding the $4.5 billion loan for Bangladesh to combat the global recession.</div><div><br></div><div>The report will be presented at the IMF board meeting. Based on this, the process of providing the loan will be finalized.</div><div><br></div><div>The government has reached an in-principle agreement on the loan with the IMF. Now only the formalities remain.</div><div><br></div><div>Some conditions have already been implemented. Electricity prices were hiked by an average of 5 percent on Thursday to implement another IMF condition.</div><div><br></div><div>The government will seek some time to implement some other IMF conditions.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank will announce the new monetary policy for the period from January to June of the current financial year tomorrow in accordance with the conditions of the IMF. It will give the impression of raising the loan interest rate to a limited extent. At the same time, monetary policy will be used to control the rate of inflation.</div><div><br></div><div>For this reason, the matter of increasing the policy interest rate of the central bank is also in the process.</div><div><br></div><div>The government hopes to receive the first installment of the IMF loan in February. For the first installment, $45.45 crore will be received. Thereafter one installment will be made every six months. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 08:10:13', '2023-01-14 08:10:13'),
(4447, 4447, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, one of the biggest congregations of Muslims in the world, in Tongi is continuing for the second day today (January 14, 2023) - drawing devotees in the lakhs.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The three-day congregation began on the bank of the Turag river after Fajr prayers on Friday with sermons delivered by noted Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque of Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Several lakhs of Muslim devotees, both from home and abroad, are converging at the venue and attending the prayers - reciting the names of Allah and hearing the sermons.</div><div><br></div><div>Maulana Khurshidul Haque of Pakistan delivered sermons after Fajr prayers and Maulana Ibrahim Deula of India also delivered sermons in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Maulana Iftar Zaman will deliver sermons in English.</div><div><br></div><div>Devotees from different parts of the country are still coming to the Ijtema venue by buses, trucks, boats and on foot.</div><div><br></div><div>The first phase of Ijtema will end tomorrow (Sunday) with Akheri Munajat (final prayers).</div><div><br></div><div>Ijtema is being held in two phases from 2012 to ease accommodation issues.</div><div><br></div><div>The second phase of Ijtema is scheduled to be held on January 20-22 at the same place.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, six devotees died in separate incidents at the Ijtema venue on Thursday, Friday and today.</div><div><br></div><div>A mass wedding ceremony will be held today at the ground after Asr prayers.</div><div><br></div><div>Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mollah Nazrul Islam said additional police personnel have been deployed in and around the Ijtema venue to ensure the security of the devotees. The venue has been brought under closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera surveillance.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, thousands of volunteers are working round the clock to make sure the event runs smoothly.</div><div><br></div><div>Several health centres have been set up at different parts of the venue along with beds and almost all first aid and other treatment facilities with doctors doing round-the-clock duties at each centre.</div><div><br></div><div>Special measures have also been taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity during the three-day Ijtema.</div><div><br></div><div>Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the Tongi venue since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 08:32:00', '2023-01-14 08:32:00'),
(4448, 4448, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A total of 41 civilians and one police officer have died during nationwide clashes between supporters of former President Pedro Castillo and security forces in Peru that have lasted more than a month, the Attorney General\'s Office said Friday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In the wave of protests, especially in the southern region, 531 people were injured, including 355 civilians and 176 National Police agents, while 329 people have been arrested, the office said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>The political unrest in the South American country began following the impeachment and arrest of the left-wing president on December 7 and the swearing-in of Vice President Dina Boluarte to replace Castillo.</div><div><br></div><div>Castillo\'s supporters asked Boluarte to resign and demanded the release of Castillo as well as early presidential and congressional elections.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 14, the new president declared a nationwide 30-day state of emergency to stem the violence.</div><div><br></div><div>In Ayacucho, one of the regions hit the hardest in December, police arrested Rocio Leandro Melgar, president of the Ayacucho People\'s Defense Front on Thursday night. Melgar is under investigation for violent acts, the statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Attorney General\'s Office added that it has opened eight investigations into the deaths to determine responsibility, Xinhua reported.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 08:42:43', '2023-01-14 08:42:43'),
(4449, 4449, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary died of a heart attack during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab this morning. He was 76.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Santokh Singh Chaudhary, the party\'s MP from Jalandhar, collapsed during the foot march in Punjab\'s Phillaur when he was walking with Rahul Gandhi.</div><div><br></div><div>The veteran Congress leader was taken to a hospital in Phagwara where he was declared dead on arrival.</div><div><br></div><div>Rahul Gandhi left the march midway and rushed to the hospital where Mr Chaudhary had been taken, a party leader said. He also met Mr Chaudhary\'s family members at his home in Jalandhar\'s Dhaliwal.</div><div><br></div><div>The yatra has been suspended for now, said Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, adding Mr Chaudhary\'s cremation will be done tomorrow morning.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Mr Chaudhary was very excited about the yatra as it was passing through his area.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Gandhi later shared a photo collage from today\'s yatra in which Mr Chaudhary is seen walking with him and other party leaders, reports PTI.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Mr Chaudhary\'s death, saying \"he will be remembered for his efforts to serve the people of Punjab.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Pained by the passing away of MP Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary Ji. He will be remembered for his efforts to serve the people of Punjab. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,\" PM Modi tweeted.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 10:14:32', '2023-01-14 10:14:32'),
(4450, 4450, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina today firmly reiterated that her party always fulfills pledges made to the nation ahead of national elections, reports UNB.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said this while delivering her introductory speech at the joint meeting of the AL Working Committee, National Committee and Advisory Council at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>“Before every election, Awami League places its election pledges, and Awami League always fulfills its election pledges,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the government is working for the country and its people as per its election pledges. </div><div><br></div><div>“We work for the welfare of the nation and people are benefiting from the results,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, she said that the development of the country does not make them happy. </div><div><br></div><div>Regarding corruption, she referred to her recent speech at the Parliament - asking to give her specific information on where the corruption is happening.</div><div><br></div><div>“Give me information, and I will take action. This won’t just be lip service,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said that the discussion on corruption is coming from those who are corrupt and turned Bangladesh into “a champion in corruption” during their regime.</div><div><br></div><div>“Or doing microcredit business to overburden people with high interests against their loans - forcing them to leave their houses or commit suicide,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that through the ‘My House My Farm’, people won’t need to take loans from the microcredit lenders with high interest rates.</div><div><br></div><div>Briefly describing the development activities of the government, she said, “Through developing every sector of the country, we have been able to reduce the poverty rate and generate employment.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Anyone can remain unemployed if that person wants to remain so, but there is no scope to remain unemployed as we have created so many opportunities,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In this connection, she mentioned the freelancing opportunities across the country through which youths can earn money from their rural homes. </div><div><br></div><div>In the future, she said, the country’s exports will include food items and processed food, digital devices, and small mechanical items.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will be able to increase exports through the investments that are coming into our one hundred economic zones across the country,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said that due to the pragmatic and timely steps of the government in the last 14 years, people are now enjoying a better life.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 10:33:51', '2023-01-14 15:08:48'),
(4451, 4451, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) has issued some directives regarding traffic movement to reduce suffering of Biswa Ijtema devotees.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Movements of vehicles on some roads in Gazipur will remain suspended for around six hours due to the ongoing Biswa Ijtema.</div><div><br></div><div>GMP Commissioner Mollah Nazrul Islam disclosed this in a press briefing at police control room set up at the Ijtema venue saying that the traffic movement has been rearranged as devotees from remote areas of the country will join the Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on Sunday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the rationalized traffic system, movement of vehicles will remain suspended from 12am on Saturday till the Akheri Munajat (Sunday morning) from Tongi to Bhogra Bypass on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Khamarpara road, Abdullahpur to Bypile on Ashulia road, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Read more: Commuters asked to avoid airport road for BRT work till Saturday midnight</div><div><br></div><div>The GMP commissioner requested people to use the bypass road to avoid traffic gridlock.</div><div><br></div><div>The first phase of Biswa Ijtema started on Friday morning and it will end through the Akheri Munajat on Sunday morning. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 10:39:06', '2023-01-14 10:39:06'),
(4452, 4452, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Two Palestinians were killed on Saturday during an Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The two young men were shot dead by Israeli forces \"during an assault on the village of Jaba, south of Jenin\" in the north of the West Bank, the ministry said.</div><div><br></div><div>No further details were provided on the circumstances surrounding their deaths.</div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli army said in a brief statement that it had launched \"counterterrorism activity\" near the village, during which \"suspects shot live fire\" at them from a passing vehicle.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The soldiers responded with live fire. Hits were identified,\" it said, adding that no Israeli soldiers were reported injured.</div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian health ministry named the two young men killed as Ezzedine Bassem Hamamra, 24, and Amjad Adnan Khaliliya, 23. Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 11:05:04', '2023-01-14 11:05:04'),
(4453, 4453, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Three people were killed in separate road accidents at Koiargachi of sadar upazila and at Murotola of Shailkupa upazila on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased were identified as Shakil Hossain, 22, son of Rabiul Islam Moni, Rakib Hossain Rocky, 21, son of Mitul Hossian and Tushar Biswas, 35, son of Sohrab Biswas.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Mohammed Sohel Rana, officer-in-charge of Jhenaidah Sadar police station, said Shakil and Rakib were going to Jhenaidah Sadar on a motorbike.</div><div><br></div><div>A truck loaded with bricks hit their motorcycle at Koiargachi on Jhenidah-Jashore highway, leaving them dead on spot in the morning, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>In another accident, another motorcyclist, Tushar Biswas, 35, was seriously injured after a bus of&nbsp; Golden Line Paribahan hit his motorcycle, said Shailakupa thana OC Aminul Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 11:33:56', '2023-01-14 11:33:56'),
(4454, 4454, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Tetulia of Panchagarh recorded the season’s lowest temperature in Bangladesh at 6.1 degrees Celsius, in 24 hours till this morning (January 14, 2023) as a mild cold wave is sweeping across parts of the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Dhaka recorded 14.7 degrees Celsius temperature during this period with world\'s worst air.</div><div><br></div><div>Though a mild cold wave is sweeping across most of the divisions including Rajshahi and Rangpur, it may abate within the next one to two days, Hafizur Rahman, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), told UNB this morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, moderate to thick fog may occur over the river basins and adjoining area and light to moderate fog may occur elsewhere over the country from midnight to morning and it may continue at places till noon, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged and day temperature may rise by 1-2° Celsius over the country, the meteorologist said, adding that weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Temperature between 8 to 10 degrees Celsius is considered a mild cold wave, 6 to 8 degrees Celsius a moderate cold wave and less than 6 degrees Celsius a severe cold wave. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 12:32:21', '2023-01-14 12:32:21'),
(4455, 4455, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader, who sustained injuries fatally by Shibir attacks, got a job at Rajshahi University (RU) with the generosity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b></span><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>After getting instruction from the Prime Minister\'s Office the RU authorities gave appointment to Abdullah Al Masud on December 20 last.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Subsequently, Masud joined as store officer equal to section officer at RU Medical Centre on December 22 last.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>On April 29, 2014, a gang of Islami Chhatra Shibir men attacked Masud and chopped him indiscriminately, severing his knee from right leg in front of Zia Hall while he was going to attend his class.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Meanwhile, Masud met Rajshahi City Mayor and Awami League Presidium Member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton at his city bhaban office today.</div><div><br></div><div>He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the job.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Liton said the shibir terrorists\' unleashed attacks on many BCL leaders and workers cutting the tendons of both hands and legs, reports BSS.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina kept information of the grassroots leaders and workers of Awami League and its associate organisations and their whereabouts.</div><div><br></div><div>The city mayor also said they are very happy as Masud got the job at RU expressing his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Premier.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 12:48:48', '2023-01-14 12:48:48'),
(4456, 4456, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP on Saturday announced a 10-day programme to observe the 87th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on January 19.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>“In the current context, Ziaur Rahman is not only relevant but also an important. That’s why we on behalf of the party have taken various programmes to commemorate the day,” said Fakhrul.</div><div><br></div><div>“Let us remember the person with due respect who proclaimed independence and who showed us the way. We’ll celebrate the day to build a free and prosperous Bangladesh and build a safe abode for our next generation,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“We have to remember that we fought the Liberation War of Bangladesh, they talk about the spirit of the Liberation War but they have totally forget it and destroyed it. The spirit was building a free society and a democratic state but they destroyed it,” said the BNP leader.</div><div><br></div><div>“People of the country have now waken up, already 15 leaders and activists of BNP died in police firing and by the torture carried out by the Awami League led criminals. More than 600 leaders of BNP have been made disappeared in the past 15 years while thousands of leaders and activists have been killed. False cases have been filed against 34-40 lakh people and still more than 1000 BNP leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Abdus Salam, Khairul Kabir, Shimul Biswas are in jail,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The programmes include placing of wreaths at Zia\'s grave at Sher-e-Banglanagar at 11 am and discussions at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in memory of Zia at 3 pm on January 19.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohila Dal will hold a discussion on January 17, Sramik Dal on January 21, Muktijoddha Dal on January 22, Krishak Dal on January 23, Jubo Dal on January 24 and Swechchashebak Dal on January 26.</div><div><br></div><div>An art competition, organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, will be held on January 18.A milad mahfil, organised by Ulama Dal will held on the same day.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan BNP (North-South) will distribute winter clothes on January 19.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, a cultural programme will be held on January 20 arranged by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas), reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country\'s 7th president.</div><div><br></div><div>Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 13:15:16', '2023-01-14 13:15:16'),
(4457, 4457, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A large container vessel having a draught of 10 metres and length of 200 metres will anchor at the Chittagong Port for the first time on trial basis on Sunday, according to Chattogram port officials.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Enhancement of the port’s berthing capabilities will increase its container handling capacity, reduce transport costs and turnaround times- the time required for loading and unloading of goods at the port, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>The port authorities have completed all kinds of preparations including increasing the depth of the Karnaphuli River estuary and skills development training of the operators.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the port authorities, vessels having only 9.5 metres draught and 195 metres length have been anchored at the port jetty since 2015.</div><div><br></div><div>However, after receiving a positive response from the survey of UK-based consultancy firm \'HR Wallingford\', the port took the initiative to handle larger vessels.</div><div><br></div><div>The 10-metre draught ships will be able to carry 3,500 TEUs containers to the port and bring down the overall cargo handling costs.</div><div><br></div><div>Chief Hydrographer of Chittagong port authority Commander Arifur Rahman, said in view of the report provided by the research institute, the large vessels\' berthing trial run will begin on Sunday.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"If it becomes successful in this trial operation, the port will soon notify local and global shipping companies to operate bigger vessels on this route. Later, we will allow berthing when big ships arrive, added the commander\"</div><div><br></div><div>With the development, Chattogram port will notify shipping companies for allowing ships with bigger draught on this route, said Khairul Alam Suzan, vice-president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Bigger ships will reduce the cost of import-export significantly and huge money will be saved annually, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Having the capacity to handle larger vessels&nbsp; is essential for expanding trade, he said adding people involved sector and export-import trade have long been demanding an increase in the berthing capacity of the Chattogram port but the port authorities did not do it without a proper survey, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 14:57:32', '2023-01-14 14:57:32'),
(4458, 4458, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Preparations are underway to inaugurate 50 more model mosques and Islamic cultural centres across the country on Monday (January 16).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate 50 model mosques along with Islamic cultural centres on January 16,\" an official of Religious Affairs Ministry said today.</div><div><br></div><div>He said the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 50 model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in the second phase virtually at around 11am on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Religious Affairs M Faridul Haque Khan said, imbued with the spirit of Islam and following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has come up with the idea of constructing 564 model mosques across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has set a rare example in the world history by building 564 model mosques and Islamic centres in every district and upazilas throughout the country,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the ministry information, the model mosques include separate places for aju and namaj along with air-conditioned system. Besides, there will be registration and training arrangements for Haji pilgrims, Imam training centre, research centre and Islamic library, autism corner, rituals before burial, car parking facility, hifzakhana, pre-primary education and Quran learning arrangement, conference room for Islamic cultural activities and Islamic dawat, Islamic books sale centre, boarding facility for local and foreign guests along with the mosques.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Earlier, on June 10, 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first phase of 50 model mosques, out of total 564, simultaneously across the country, aimed at preaching the true messages of Islam to eliminate religious misconceptions.</div><div><br></div><div>The purpose of the project is publicity of Islamic brotherhood and its values as well as disseminating the essence of Islam against extremism and militancy as the religion never supports those.</div><div><br></div><div>It would also put concentration on creating awareness against terrorism and violence against women along with disseminating development activities of the government.</div><div><br></div><div>Under category A, some 69 four-storey mosques having the elevator facility and a floor space of 2,360.09 square metres each are being constructed in 64 districts and city corporation areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Under category B, 475 mosques are being built with a floor space of 1680.14 square metres each, while 16 mosques under C category in coastal areas will have a floor space of 2,052.12 square metres each.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangabandhu had established the Islamic Foundation and enacted Islamic Foundation Act, 1975. In line with Bangabandhu\'s thinking, the project also focused on building a strong Islamic organizational structure by setting up these mosques and Islamic cultural centers across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the ministry information, the mosques and Islamic cultural centres are located at Bhanga upazila, Nagarkanda in Faridpur, Kapasia in Gazipur, Sadar upazila in Gopalganj, Sadar upazila, Katiadi in Kishoreganj, Gheor upazila, Saturia in Manikganj, Sadar upazila, Monohardi in Narsingdi, Goalanda upazila in Rajbari, District headquarters, Bhedarganj upazila in Shariatpur, Dhunat upazila, Nandigram oin Bagura, Niamatpur upazila in Naogaon, Boraigram upazila in Natore, Sadar upazila in Chapainawabganj, Bhangura and Sujanagar upazila in Pabna, Kazipur in Sirajganj, Rajshahi city Corporation, Gangachara and Kaunia in Rangpur, Sadar upazila in Thakurgaon, Sadar upazila in Sherpur, District headquarters in Pirojpur, Sadar upazila and Koshba in Brahmonbaria, Sadar upazila and Manikchhari in Khagrachhari, Chandina and Chouddagram in Cumilla, Rupsha in Khulna, Khoksha and Bheramara in Kushtia, District headquarters and Gangni in Meherpur, Debhata in Satkhira, Goainghat in Sylhet, District headquarters and Jagannathpur in Sunamganj, Chunarughat in Habiganj district. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 15:07:57', '2023-01-14 15:07:57'),
(4459, 4459, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Bank (BB) will announce its Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) tomorrow (Sunday) for the second half of the financial year 2022-23 (FY23).</b></span><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>BB Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder will formally announce the MPS at a press conference at the central bank headquarters in the capital, a press release said today.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The governor will also brief journalists on the outcome of the current MPS in managing inflation, driving inflow of private sector credit and propelling economic growth.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Earlier on June, 2022, the BB unveiled a \'cautious\' MPS for the fiscal year 2022-23 (FY23).&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In the MPS, the central bank projected a domestic credit growth ceiling at 18.2 percent in the fiscal FY23 accommodating 14.1 percent credit growth in the private sector and 36.3 percent in the public sector. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 15:14:55', '2023-01-14 15:14:55'),
(4460, 4460, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The 16th death anniversary of “Natyacharya” Selim Al Deen is being observed on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>JU Drama and Dramatics department has taken up various programmes to commemorate the renowned playwright and theatre artiste.</div><div><br></div><div>As the part of the programme, they organised a three-day ‘Selim Al Deen drama festival’. Three dramas will be staged at Selim Al Deen Muktomancha on the campus.</div><div><br></div><div>Other programmes included a seminar, song performance from his dramas and recalling the memories of the dramatist.</div><div><br></div><div>He was born on 16the August 1949 in Sen Khil of Sonagazi upazila in Feni district.</div><div><br></div><div>The Department of Drama and Dramatics was established at Jahangirnagar University in 1986 at his initiative. He was made the chair of department when it started journey.</div><div><br></div><div>Selim al-Deen received numerous national and international awards. He was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1984, the National Film Award in 1997 and the Ekushey Padak in 2006.</div><div><br></div><div>He died on the day in 2008 at a private hospital in Dhaka. He was buried near the Central Mosque on the campus of Jahangirnagar University. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 15:33:20', '2023-01-14 15:33:20');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4461, 4461, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Women\'s Under-19 made an epic start in the first ever ICC Under-19 Twenty20 World Cup, crushing mighty Australia by 7 wickets at Benoni in South Africa today, reports BSS.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dilara Akter, the wicket-keeper batter was instrumental in the landmark victory, hitting a 42 ball-40 runs knock that included seven fours.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks to her serene innings, Bangladesh reached the victory target with 132-3, overhauling Australia\'s 130-5.</div><div><br></div><div>But Bangladesh made a disastrous start, losing opener Misty Shaha in the first ball of the innings. Dilara then took the anchor role and rescued Bangladesh from the precarious state, ably supported by Afia Prottasha who scored 24 off 22 with two fours and two sixes.</div><div><br></div><div>Australia\'s Chloes Ainsworth broke the partnership with the wicket of Dilara but not before then the batter paved Bangladesh\'s platform of a historical victory.</div><div><br></div><div>The rest was done by Shorna Akter and Sumaiya Akter who utilized the platform set by Dilara well to add an 61-run for the unbeaten fourth wicket stand as Bangladesh women\'s team won their first match against Australia in any format of the cricket at any level.</div><div><br></div><div>Claire Moore earlier helped Australia recover from a shaky start to post a good total on the board, hitting 51 ball-52, an innings studded with seven fours. Australia lost two openers in fourth over with 22 runs on the board.</div><div><br></div><div>Ella Hayward was the other notable scorer with 35 and shared 76-run with Moore to set the tune. But despite their effort, Australia lost the match as Bangladesh girls came up with more spirited show.</div><div><br></div><div>Marufa Akter and Disha Biswas took two wickets apiece. Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in their next match on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 15:40:08', '2023-01-14 15:40:08'),
(4462, 4462, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) believe they have cracked a hitherto clueless murder in the city\'s Dakkhin Khan, arresting six gangsters from Dhaka and Moulvibazar.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The arrestees were identified as Md. Khaled Khan Shubo, Md. Tipu, Md. Hasanul Islam alias Hasan, Md. Jahangir Hossain, Abdul Majid and Md. Sumon.</div><div><br></div><div>The detectives also recovered a Swiss gear, an autorickshaw used by the victim  and a mobile phone from their custody.</div><div><br></div><div>Based on secret information, the Airport Zonal team of DB (Uttara division) carried out simultaneous drives in a number of places in Dhaka city and Rajanagar thana areas of Moulvibazar district on Friday and early Saturday and arrested the six gangsters.</div><div><br></div><div>Briefing reporters at DMP\'s media center on Saturday, Additional Commissioner (Detective) of DMP Mohammad Haroon-ur-Rasheed said at around 9pm on December 7 last year, victim Md. Mustafa came out from his Dakkhin Khan residence to drive his battery-powered autorickshaw. As he did not return at night, his mother registered a general diary with Dakkhin Khan police station.</div><div><br></div><div>Later on December 17 at around 1.45 am, the victim\'s mother came to know through a local that an unidentified dead body was found on a vacant plot in Asian City under Dakkhin Khan police station. The victim\'s mother and father quickly went to the spot and identified their son Mustafa. </div><div><br></div><div>In this incident, the victim\'s mother then filed a murder case at Dakkhin khan police station.</div><div><br></div><div>The DB chief said that the airport zonal team of DB (Uttara Division) started a shadow investigation of the case. During the investigation, the accused involved in the incident of the case were identified using information technology. </div><div><br></div><div>After that raids were conducted in Rajnagar Thana area of Moulvibazar district along with various areas of the capital and arrests were made. - UNB </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 15:43:32', '2023-01-14 15:44:09'),
(4463, 4463, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is working tirelessly to spread Bangalee nation\'s traditions, culture and heritage of thousand years worldwide and expand and flourish the native culture.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>She said this in a message on the eve of the month-long Folk Craft Fair and Folk Festival 2023.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Folk Arts and Craft Foundation will arrange the month-long festival.</div><div><br></div><div>In her message, the premier extended heartiest greetings to all concerned with the fair and folk festival.</div><div><br></div><div>She said art and culture bears a nation\'s self-identity and enriches conscience.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Centering 1948-52 Language Movement, Bangalee nationalism movement had begun under the leadership of Greatest Bangalee of All Times Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said artistes had played a robust role to take ahead the movement.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>After the independence, under the patronization of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and sincere efforts of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Bangladesh Folk Arts and Craft Foundation was founded in 1975, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Since the inception, the foundation has been playing a pioneering role in research, collection, conservation, exhibition and regeneration of folk arts and craft.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said her government has implemented massive programme for the development of the foundation in the last 14 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Work is underway to turn Sonargaon Museum into a world class one through expansion of the museum building of the Bangladesh Folk Arts and Craft Foundation and construction of other physical infrastructures at a cost of Taka 147 crore under Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the government, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina hoped that the month long fair of the foundation will play an important role in the expansion of native cultures, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>She also expressed her optimism that craft artists will uphold the cultural heritage of Bangalee nation through arranging rural games which are almost on the verge of extinction, puppet show, folk songs of neglected singers of rural areas as well as famous singers, jari-sari, bhawaiya, murshidi, marfati, kavigan and palagan which will encourage all in building a Sonar Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation.&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">She wished all-out success of the fair and festival.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 16:38:04', '2023-01-14 16:38:04'),
(4464, 4464, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed his firm belief that the government will be brought down through a peaceful movement, no matter how repressive its tactics to survive become, reports UNB.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We’re passing through a bad time when a barbaric and monstrous force is destroying all our achievements, around 40 lakh of our people have been implicated in false cases while six thousand leaders and activists were killed and several thousand leaders and activists have been staying in jail,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at a programme at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office to provide assistance to the families of some BNP leaders who were killed in the recent movement on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>He also said their party rank and file remain upbeat and morally strong to continue the current anti-government movement despite widespread repressive acts.</div><div><br></div><div>“We’ll defeat this terrible monster (the govt) through a peaceful movement, defying any sort of repression and suppression. We’ll establish a truly democratic state here.&nbsp; We’ll surely win the struggle we’re carrying out,” the BNP leader said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul expressed his sympathy to the families of the slain BNP leaders and said their party will always remain beside them.</div><div><br></div><div>He said those who have sacrificed their lives have done it for an ideal and for achieving a goal:&nbsp; “That ideal and goal is to free our country from misrule and to establish the rights of all people for making Bangladesh a truly democratic state.”</div><div><br></div><div>He claimed that 15 BNP leaders and activists have so far been killed in the current movement since August 22 last year, in police firing or the torture of Awami League ‘cadres’.</div><div><br></div><div>“They (slain opposition activists) have embraced martyrdom but like heroes.&nbsp; None of them were killed while running away as they stood at the front and gave chests to take bullets. Their sacrifices imbued with patriotism will be written in golden letters in the democratic history of this country,” Fakhrul predicted.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-14 17:00:42', '2023-01-14 17:00:42'),
(4465, 4465, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Opener Ross Adair struck a brisk 65 as Ireland levelled a three-match Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe with a six-wicket victory in Harare on Saturday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zimbabwe made 144 with captain Craig Ervine top scoring on 42 and Ireland knocked off the runs with two balls to spare, setting up a series decider on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apart from Adair, fellow opener and skipper Andy Balbirnie (33) and Harry Tector (26) made significant contributions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A former Ulster rugby player, Adair faced 47 deliveries and struck four sixes and two fours at Harare Sports Club.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was a huge change of fortunes for him as he made only five runs in his international debut on Thursday, with Zimbabwe winning by five wickets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adair departed after trying to clear long-on off left-arm quick Richard Ngarava, miscuing his shot and picking out Wessly Madhevere.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"My switch to cricket was purely for fun, then I started scoring runs and took it more seriously,\" said Adair, whose younger brother Mark was also part of the winning team.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I took my time today and it paid off. I knew if I was patient, the boundaries would come. We pat ourselves on the back, and come back again tomorrow.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Balbirnie atoned for a poor showing in the first match with his runs coming off 31 balls in an innings that included a six and three fours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When Adair departed, Ireland were 119-3 and needed 26 runs from four overs to win. Tector departed with nine still required before George Dockrell hit a six to secure victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leg spinner Ryan Burl was the best of the Zimbabwe bowlers, taking two wickets for 26 runs in his four-over spell.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With former England Test batter Gary Ballance ruled out by concussion and star Sikandar Raza playing franchise cricket in Bangladesh, Ervine assumed the mantle of chief run-getter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Put in to bat after losing the toss and one wicket down with just six runs on the board, Ervine took charge with his 40-ball innings, which included four fours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was undone when attempting a scoop shot off a back-of-a-length delivery from Graham Hume, top-edging it to fine leg where Tector made the catch.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We worked pretty hard to set a decent platform of 160, 170, 180 runs,\" said Ervine. \"But Ireland bowled well and made it difficult for us to get boundaries.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Africa-born Hume, promoted in place of Barry McCarthy, was the most effective of the Irish bowlers taking three for 17 while Tector took two for 22. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 04:03:22', '2023-01-15 04:03:22'),
(4466, 4466, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The residents of six villages near the Sundarbans are literally living in fear for their lives as a hundred footprints of two tigers were spotted in Sonatala village of Bagerhat’s Sharonkhola.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Two tigers left the Sundarbans and crossed the Bhola river and entered the village early hours of Thursday (January 12) and roamed over an area of about one kilometer of Sonatala village, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East Division Muhammad Belayet Hossain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the forest department, Village Tiger Response Team (VTRT), Community Patrolling Group (CPG) and villagers searched various areas throughout the day in search of the tigers. However, no tiger was found in that village till Thursday evening, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two tigers went back to the forest after roaming different places in that village, claimed the Forest Department after tracing all the footprints the tigers left on the ground. However, villagers were advised to stay on alert, and have just spent an anxious weekend remaining vigilant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With this, tigers have left the Sundarbans and entered the locality more than 50 times in the last 15 years. During this time, both man and tiger have lost their lives due to counter-attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Villagers demanded effective measures to prevent tigers from entering the locality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harun Bhadda of Sonatala village said that he woke up early in the morning and saw hundreds of the unmistakable imprints of the tiger\'s paw around his house. Ever since seeing them, his entire family has been gripped by fear of tigers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Sonatala village, the Bhola River has almost filled up with silt and has only two to two-and-a-half feet of water. In the Tajur Gate area under the Bhola camp of the Sharonkhola range of the Sundarbans East Division, countless tiger footprints were spotted on the river bed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds of small and large tiger footprints were also spotted in various areas including Harun Bhadda and Abul Hossain’s houses along the river, crop fields and muddy roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are parts of the Sundarbans in the locality along the river. From Khuriakhali to Sonatala, the forest covers about 6 km in the locality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the two tigers entered the locality, the villagers of Sonatala, Bakultala, North Tafalbari, Rasulpur and Rajapur expressed the fear of the tiger among them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked why tigers entered the locality, DFO Belayet said tigers roam in their home range in the Sundarbans. Perhaps the two tigers crossed the Bhola River and entered the locality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even in different areas of the Sundarbans, tigers are seen roaming more than before, he said. They believe that the number of tigers in the Sundarbans has increased.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, some villagers claimed that many times wild animals including tigers, deers leave the Sundarbans and enter the locality due to the activities of poachers in the forest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Currently, more than half of the total area of the Sundarbans is reserved forest. And the Royal Bengal Tiger is more or less roaming the entire Sundarbans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tigers are under threat here now due to poaching activities, climate change and increasing salinity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the last fiscal year 2017-18, the number of tigers in the Sundarbans Bangladesh part was determined to be 114 through camera trapping. Tiger counting is going on in the Sundarbans through camera trapping to determine the latest population of tigers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the information from the Forest Department, from 2001 to 2022, 28 tigers died in various ways in the Sundarbans East Division. Of these, 14 were killed by miscreants, five by mob lynching, eight natural deaths and one in Cyclone Sidr. Besides, 19 hides of tigers were recovered. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 04:07:06', '2023-01-15 04:07:06'),
(4467, 4467, '<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukraine said Russia had unleashed a fresh barrage of missiles Saturday, killing at least 14 people, as Britain became the first Western country to offer it the heavy tanks it has long been seeking.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The British move drew a swift reaction from Moscow, which warned it would only \"intensify\" the conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moldova meanwhile, said debris from the latest Russian missiles had landed on its territory and condemned the attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine also insisted Saturday that the fighting in Soledar was continuing, a day after Russia\'s claim that it had captured the ravaged eastern town following a long battle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Victory there would be a rare achievement for Moscow after a series of military setbacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian officials denounced the latest wave of deadly Russian missiles strikes across the country, as the country celebrated the Old New Year, a popular holiday in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 14 people, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed and 64 wounded when an apartment building was hit in the eastern city of Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk governor Valentyn Reznichenko said on messaging app Telegram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seven children were among the wounded, the youngest three years old, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So far 38 people had been pulled from the rubble and the search operation was continuing, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rescuers were also working through the night to free a woman trapped under the rubble of a destroyed house in Dnipro after hearing her voice, the state emergency service said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike on the Dnipro apartment block destroyed dozens of flats, leaving between 100 and 200 people homeless while around 1,700 were without electricity and heating, the deputy head of presidency Kyrylo Tymoshenko said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- UK sending first heavy tanks -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Saturday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to provide Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, the first Western country to supply the heavy tanks Kyiv has been crying out for.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tanks would arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks, Sunak\'s Downing Street office said in a later statement, adding that Britain would also begin training the Ukrainian Armed Forces to use the tanks and guns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s embassy in the UK swiftly issued a warning that \"bringing tanks to the conflict zone, far from drawing the hostilities to a close, will only serve to intensify combat operations, generating more casualties, including among the civilian population\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But in his evening address on Saturday, Zelensky argued that Russian \"terror\" could only be stopped on the battlefield.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This can and must be done on our land, in our sky, in our sea,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moldova, Ukraine\'s southwestern neighbour, said Saturday it had found missile debris on its territory after the latest Russian strikes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Russia\'s brutal war against Ukraine directly impacts Moldova again,\" President Maia Sandu tweeted, posting photos of the wreckage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We strongly condemn today\'s intensified attacks.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Energy infrastructure hit -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s energy facilities operator Ukrenergo said it was working on \"eliminating the consequences\" of the latest Russian strikes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Kyiv, AFP journalists heard several explosions, while Ukrainian officials reported strikes on a power facility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is a hit to an infrastructure facility, without critical destruction or fire,\" the Kyiv city administration said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the northeastern Kharkiv region, \"the enemy launched another missile attack on critical infrastructure and industrial facilities,\" governor Oleg Synegubov said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Emergency blackouts were applied in \"most regions\" of Ukraine due to the fresh barrage of attacks, energy minister German Galushchenko said Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Attacks were also reported in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky said Ukraine had managed to shoot down 20 of the more than 30 Russian missiles fired.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Unfortunately, energy infrastructure facilities have been also hit,\" he added, with the Kharkiv and Kyiv regions suffering the most.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Soledar\'s status disputed -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was still uncertainty about the fate of Soledar, a salt mining outpost that Russia claimed to have captured, against denials from Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both sides have conceded heavy losses in the battle for the town.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s military governor in the embattled eastern region of Donetsk insisted Saturday that \"Soledar is controlled by Ukrainian authorities, our military controls it.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The \"battles continue in and outside of the city\", he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was responding to claims by Russia\'s defence ministry on Friday that it had \"completed the liberation\" of Soledar the previous day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The industrial town with a pre-war population of about 10,000 has now been reduced to rubble through intense fighting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capturing Soledar could improve the position of Russian forces as they push towards what has been their main target since October -- the nearby transport crossroads of Bakhmut. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 04:11:24', '2023-01-15 04:11:24'),
(4468, 4468, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In the maze-like streets of Old Dhaka, the rooftops of high-rise buildings host a festival unlike any other. Starting with the iconic, highly competitive kite-flying in the afternoon, the revelry is just getting started as night descends.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Residents celebrate the southward journey of the sun from the tropic of Capricorn to the tropic of Cancer. The festival, which usually takes place from January 14 to 15, is also known as Makar (Capricorn) Shankranti. The annual celebration marks the end of the ninth month of the Bengali calendar – Poush.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakrain – a celebration of kites and lights – is one of the oldest festivals of Bangladesh, which dates back to the Mughal period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The festival, a jewel in the crown of Old Dhaka traditions, is not only about the colour, performance and competition, but also a source of happiness and pride for Old Dhaka dwellers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the past, kings and royals would host Shakrain to entertain the populace during the harvest. But now the day is also known as Poush Sankranti and Shakrain or Ghuri Utshob, with kites being the central feature of it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakrain is celebrated mostly in the southern part of Dhaka city where colourful kites of all shapes and sizes speckle the precious bright blue sky, their threads forming an invisible cat\'s cradle overhead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of people get on their rooftops to fly kites, transforming the sky into a glittery kaleidoscope of hundreds of thousands of kites. They also have kite fights with their neighbours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the sun bids farewell, countless \"fanoosh\" (colourful paper lanterns) dot the sky like small fireflies. The celebrations turn merrier when people are greeted with pitha (cake) and traditional cuisine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The colours of Shakrain shine brighter across different parts of Old Dhaka as the winter sun starts setting. The light shows, paper lanterns, and fireworks that illuminate the sky take over the festivities as rooftops are abuzz with fire-breathing stunts – all meant to keep the heart of an Old Dhaka heritage beating.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Music awakens the whole town, and flamboyant groups arrange daylong programmes, including concerts and parties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This day is also celebrated by Hindus in India, Nepal and Bangladesh in many cultural forms, with different names – \"Maghesangkranti,\" (Nepal), \"Saakrat\" (Delhi and Haryana), \"Uttarayan\" (Gujarat), \"Maghi\" (Punjab) and many more.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A UNB Photojournalist captured the colours and lights of Shakrain at Old Dhaka on Saturday. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 04:15:20', '2023-01-15 04:15:20'),
(4469, 4469, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Awami League retains a “significant level of support” and there is still a lot for the government in Bangladesh to point to as a success story amid current challenges, says Michael Kugelman, director of the newly created South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have to keep in mind that the ruling party Awami League has been in power since 2009 and it retains a significant level of support,” he said, noting that the party has been able to bring success stories on the economic front and in countering terrorism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said that even if someone talks about all the bad things happening in Bangladesh, the bottom line is that there is still a lot for the government in Bangladesh which helps it sustain a significant level of success and there are people who see reasons to support it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mark Goldberg recently sat down with Kugelman to discuss the recent protests in Bangladesh. The Foreign Policy magazine published the podcast recently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, Kugelman said Bangladesh has been a regional success story for its economic growth. “It\'s a global success story.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He described what had happened over the last few months, including consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war, high level of inflation, rising fuel cost and responses from the government like rationing electricity amid power shortages.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said disruption in electricity supply was a major strain on the economy and sudden fall in economic productivity was an opportunity for the opposition to take to the street.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Corruption, one of the realities in Bangladesh, scandals in the financial sector could be another trigger for the opposition, he said, adding that economic problems and corruption gave the opposition opportunity to draw more attention.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman, however, said the protests launched by the opposition parties “was not a mass protest” but a partisan protest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign affairs expert said the government had the opportunity to explain the “temporary consequences” of external factors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said Bangladesh has demonstrated success in the area of counterterrorism and noted that there was a period when it was a significant problem in the country which had experienced series of deadly attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Awami League government took initiatives to crackdown really hard on the militants, and terrorism has not been a problem in Bangladesh over the last few years. “That’s another success story.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh has become a much bigger player on the global stage, including its role in peacekeeping operations and with its non-aligned and balanced foreign policy, he observed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on “democratic backsliding” he said it is important to look back at the broader history of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the past, he said, BNP (when it was in power) was resorting to similar types of tactics and there were crackdowns as well as reports of enforced disappearances.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said many things that are happening today were also happening when BNP was in power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said “undemocratic tactics” happen in many countries, including Bangladesh and elsewhere in South Asia, and described them as “hybrid democracy”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to another question, he said he does not think that there will be a Sri Lanka-like situation in Bangladesh as there are safety measures in the latter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kugelman said Bangladesh\'s economy is much more resilient than Sri Lanka’s has been.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also responded to questions on Bangladesh’s next national election which he hoped will be held as per the constitution. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 04:19:41', '2023-01-15 04:19:41'),
(4470, 4470, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China on Saturday reported nearly 60,000 deaths in people who had COVID-19 since early December, offering hard numbers for an unprecedented surge that was apparent in overcrowded hospitals and packed crematoriums, even as the government released little data about the status of the pandemic for weeks.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those numbers may still underestimate the toll, though the government said the “emergency peak\" of its latest surge appears to have passed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The toll included 5,503 deaths due to respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 and 54,435 fatalities from other ailments combined with COVID-19 since Dec. 8, the National Health Commission announced. It said those “deaths related to COVID” occurred in hospitals, which means anyone who died at home would not be included in the numbers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report would more than double China’s official COVID-19 death toll to 10,775 since the disease was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019. China has counted only deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official COVID-19 death toll, a narrow definition that excludes many deaths that would be attributed to COVID-19 in much of the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China stopped reporting data on COVID-19 deaths and infections after abruptly lifting anti-virus controls in early December despite a surge in infections that began in October and has filled hospitals with feverish, wheezing patients. Hospitals in Beijing across the country have been overwhelmed with patients, and funeral homes and crematoriums have struggled to handle the dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The World Health Organization and other governments appealed for information after reports by city and provincial governments suggested as many as hundreds of millions of people in China might have contracted the virus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Infection numbers now appear to be falling based on a decline in the number of patients visiting fever clinics, said a National Health Commission official, Jiao Yahui.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The daily number of people going to those clinics peaked at 2.9 million on Dec. 23 and had fallen by 83% to to 477,000 on Thursday, according to Jiao.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“These data show the national emergency peak has passed,” Jiao said at a news conference.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Whether China truly has passed a COVID-19 peak is hard to assess, said Dr. Dale Bratzler, chief COVID officer at the University of Oklahoma and head of quality control at the university’s hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“That’s difficult to know,” Bratzler said. “China quarantined people indoors, there are many people unvaccinated, the people are vulnerable.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious disease physician and professor of public health at the Yale School of Public Health, said the number of COVID-19 deaths China is reporting may be a “significant underestimation” because of how they define them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They’re using a very narrow case definition for (COVID) deaths,” Ko said. “They have to have respiratory failure ... in order to be counted as a case you have to be at a place where they can say you fulfilled all the requirements, and that’s at a hospital.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hospitals in China, Ko said, are located mostly in large cities where COVID outbreaks have been reported, not in isolated rural areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This is the Lunar New Year, people are traveling, going to the countryside where the population is vulnerable,” Ko said. “We’re really worried about what’s going to happen in China as this outbreak moves to the countryside.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For nearly three years, China had kept its infection rate and deaths far lower than those of the United States and some other countries at the height of the pandemic with a “zero-COVID” strategy that aimed to isolate every case. That shut down access to some cities, kept millions of people at home and sparked angry protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those rules were suddenly eased in early December after some of the largest shows of public dissent against the ruling Communist Party in more than 30 years. That set off new problems in a country that relies on domestically developed vaccines that are less reliable than others used globally, and where older people — those more susceptible to dying from the virus — are less likely to be vaccinated than the general population.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Health Commission said the average age of people who died since Dec. 8 is 80.3 years, and 90.1% are aged 65 and above. It said more than 90% of people who died had cancer, heart or lung diseases or kidney problems.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The number of elderly patients dying from illness is relatively large, which suggests that we should pay more attention to elderly patients and try our best to save their lives,” said Jiao.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States, South Korea, Japan and several other countries have imposed virus testing and other controls on people arriving from China. Beijing retaliated on Wednesday by suspending issuance of new visas to travelers from South Korea and Japan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This month, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said agency officials met with Chinese officials to underline the importance of sharing more details about COVID-19 issues, including hospitalization rates and genetic sequences. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 04:26:01', '2023-01-15 04:26:01'),
(4471, 4471, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka has topped the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality this morning (January 15, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 285 at 9:30 am on Sunday, Dhaka ranked first in the list of cities with worst air.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is said to be ‘unhealthy’ while 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, and 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India’s Delhi, Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan occupied the second and third places with an AQI of 193 and 190 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 04:51:04', '2023-01-15 04:51:04'),
(4472, 4472, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\'s new government to overhaul the legal system and weaken the Supreme Court — a step that critics say will destroy the country\'s democratic system of checks and balances.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protest presented an early challenge to Netanyahu and his ultranationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has ordered police to take tough action if protesters block roads or display Palestinian flags.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli media, citing police, said the crowd at Tel Aviv\'s Habima Square swelled to at least 80,000 people, despite cool, rainy weather. Protesters, many covered by umbrellas, held Israeli flags and signs saying “Criminal Government,\" “The End of Democracy” and other slogans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They are trying to destroy the checks and balances of the Israeli democracy. This will not work,” said Asaf Steinberg, a protester from the Tel Aviv suburb of Herzliya. “And we will fight until the very last minute to save the Israeli democracy.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No major unrest was reported, though Israeli media said small crowds scuffled with police as they tried to block a Tel Aviv highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, has made overhauling the country’s legal system a centerpiece of his agenda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In office for just over two weeks, his government, which is comprised by ultra-Orthodox and far-right nationalist parties, has launched proposals to weaken the Supreme Court by giving parliament the power to overturn court decisions with a simple majority vote. It also wants to give parliament control over the appointment of judges and reduce the independence of legal advisers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Netanyahu\'s justice minister says unelected judges have too much power. But opponents to the plans say the proposed changes will rob the judiciary of its independence and undermine Israeli democracy. Israeli opposition leaders, former attorney generals and the president of Israel\'s Supreme Court have all spoken out against the plan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The legal changes could help Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, evade conviction, or even make his trial disappear entirely. Since being indicted in 2019, Netanyahu has said the justice system is biased against him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police beefed up their presence ahead of the march. Israeli media quoted police as saying officers had been instructed to be “very sensitive” and allow the protest to proceed peacefully. But they also vowed a tough response to any vandalism or violent behavior.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smaller protests also took place in the cities of Jerusalem and Haifa. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 05:02:06', '2023-01-15 05:02:06');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4473, 4473, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh and Nigeria agreed to explore the possibility of signing a framework agreement on a free-trade agreement (FTA) or preferential trade agreement (PTA), the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sides also agreed to consider signing an agreement between the apex chambers of the two countries and establishing cooperation in the IT and ICT sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the invitation of Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, a 17-member government and private sector delegation of Nigeria is in Dhaka now.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Nigerian delegation, led by Communication and Digital Economy Minister Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, comprises government representatives from the economic, trade and investment department, Communication and National Identity Management commissions, the education department, the High Commission of Nigeria in New Delhi, private sector representatives from the Nigeria-Bangladesh Trade and Technology Forum and businessmen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pantami had a bilateral meeting with Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The commerce minister said mutual trade between Bangladesh and Nigeria is steadily growing and the Bangladesh government is making efforts to augment trade and commerce with Nigeria.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tipu said there is a huge potential for cooperation in economic areas like manufacturing and garments industries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He underlined the importance of more contacts among the chambers and businesses of the two countries and suggested the formation of a joint business council.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pantami talked about Bangladesh\'s excellence in the IT and garments sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tipu sought continued support from the Nigerian government on the Rohingya issue as well as at different UN elections where Bangladesh has launched candidature.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also urged the Nigerian government to set up a diplomatic mission in Dhaka. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 05:40:03', '2023-01-15 05:40:03'),
(4474, 4474, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge on Friday rejected Tesla CEO Elon Musk\'s bid to move or delay a trial over a misleading tweet about a potential buyout of the electric automaker, setting the stage for the mercurial billionaire to be thrust into a legal drama amid the turmoil of his Twitter takeover.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The decision by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen came during a hearing held in San Francisco federal court to go over the final details of a trial scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Musk\'s attorneys last week asked Chen to transfer the trial to a federal court in Texas, where Tesla moves its headquarters in 2021, arguing that negative coverage of Musk since his $44 billion purchase of Twitter in October had poisoned the jury pool in the San Francisco Bay Area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Chen brushed aside those concerns Friday, and expressed confidence that a panel of impartial jurors could be drawn from a region populated by millions of people. He also noted that a jury was pulled together for trial in the highly publicized criminal trial of former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, whose transformation from a Silicon Valley star to accused swindler was the subject of an HBO documentary and book before those proceedings began in nearby San Jose, California.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Holmes, 38, is now facing more than 11 years in federal prison of being convicted of investor fraud and conspiracy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Musk\'s upcoming trial revolves around a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of Tesla shareholders who allege they were duped by a n Aug. 7, 2018 tweet in which he indicated he had lined up financing for a Tesla buyout — a deal that never materialized and resulted in a $ 40 million settlement with U.S. securities regulators.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chen already has determined that Musk’s buyout tweet was false, leaving it to a jury to decide whether he acted recklessly by posting it and whether it caused financial harm to Tesla shareholders. After adjusting for two stock splits made since 2018, Tesla’s shares are now worth nearly six times more than at the time of Musk’s tweets about the bogus buyout.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tesla\'s stock was even worth even more before Musk decided to buy Twitter for a price that even he conceded was far more than the company was worth. Tesla\'s shares, currently hovering around $120, have lost nearly half their value since Musk took control of Twitter, partially affecting investor concerns that he is spending too much time running privately held Twitter instead of focusing at the automaker responsible for most of his fame and wealth at a time it\'s facing tougher competition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Musk, 51, has said he will step down as Twitter\'s CEO as soon as he can find a replacement, but has not set a timetable for handing off the reins. To help reduce Twitter\'s losses and reduce the massive debt stemming from the purchase, Musk has laid off about half of that company\'s staff and is facing allegations of refusing to pay the rent at some offices.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Media coverage of mass layoffs and other cutbacks at Twitter were one of the main reasons that Musk\'s lawyer, Alex Spiro, argued for the trial to be moved or at least delayed until the backlash to the harsh measures died down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the lawyers representing Tesla shareholders in the case argued Musk only has himself to blame for any negative perceptions, largely because of his frequent activity on Twitter, the social media platform that he now owns and runs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“For better or worse, Musk is a celebrity who garners attention from the media around the globe,” the shareholders’ attorneys wrote in their 19-page opposition to the transfer request. “His footprint on Twitter alone is partially to blame for that. If ‘negative’ attention was all that was required to disqualify a jury pool, Musk would effectively be untriable before a jury given his knack for attracting ’negative” coverage.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After sifting through about 200 juror questionnaires submitted earlier this week, Spiro argued many of them were peppered with derogatory remarks about Musk that underscored how difficult it will be for him to get a fair trial.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of those unflattering remarks surfaced during Friday\'s hearing as Chen pored through the questionnaires in preparation for Tuesday\'s jury selection. The judge disqualified jurors who he said had variously described Musk as an “idiot\" and a “buffoon.\" AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 05:44:27', '2023-01-15 05:44:27'),
(4475, 4475, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the High Court order granting bail to Sonia Akter Smrity, a Mahila Dal leader of Rajbari, in a case filed over posting \"offensive\" content on Facebook against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foyez Siddiqui passed the order withdrawing the stay order of the Chamber Court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior Advocate AJ Mohammad Ali, Barrister Kayser Kamal and Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal appeared in the court for Smriti. Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed represented the state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now there is no bar to the release of the Mahila Dal leader, Barrister Kayser Kamal said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smrity, wife of Md Khokon Mia of No 3 Beradanga area of Rajbari Sadar, is a member of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal’s Rajbari district unit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On November 2 last year, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division, M Enayetur Rahim, stayed the bail order granted by the High Court till November 7.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The High Court granted interim bail to Smrity in the case on November 1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police arrested Smrity on October 4 in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for posting offensive status on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Facebook.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Arefin Chowdhury, member secretary of Rajbari district Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, lodged an FIR against her.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 5, Judge Kaisun Nahar Surma of Rajbari No 1 Judicial Magistrate Court rejected Smrity’s bail plea and ordered to send her to jail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 26, Rajbari Sessions Judge Court also denied bail to Smrity which prompted her to seek bail from the HC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In her bail plea, Smrity requested the HC to consider her as a woman and a mother of two children.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the FIR, the accused BNP activist made \"insulting remarks\" about PM Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, from her personal Facebook account in two separate statuses on August 31 and September 28. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 05:50:20', '2023-01-15 05:50:20'),
(4476, 4476, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An aircraft with 72 people on board crashed in Nepal on Sunday, Yeti Airlines and a local official said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"There are 68 passengers on board and four crew members... Rescue is underway, we don\'t know right now if there are survivors,\" the airline\'s spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the plane crashed between the old and new Pokhara airports in central Nepal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The wreckage was on fire and rescue workers were trying to put out the blaze, said local official Gurudutta Dhakal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Responders have already reached there and trying to douse the fire. All agencies are now focused on first dousing the fire and rescuing the passengers,\" Dhakal said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepal\'s air industry has boomed in recent years, carrying goods and people between hard-to-reach areas as well as foreign trekkers and climbers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But it has been plagued by poor safety due to insufficient training and maintenance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The European Union has banned all Nepali carriers from its airspace over safety concerns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Himalayan country also has some of the world\'s most remote and tricky runways, flanked by snow-capped peaks with approaches that pose a challenge even for accomplished pilots.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aircraft operators say Nepal lacks infrastructure for accurate weather forecasts, especially in remote areas with challenging mountainous terrain where deadly crashes have taken place in the past.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The weather can also change quickly in the mountains, creating treacherous flying conditions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In May 2022, all 22 people on board a plane operated by Nepali carrier Tara Air -- 16 Nepalis, four Indians and two Germans -- died when it crashed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air traffic control lost contact with the twin-propeller Twin Otter shortly after it took off from Pokhara and headed for Jomsom, a popular trekking destination.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Its wreckage was found a day later, strewn across a mountainside at an altitude of around 14,500 feet (4,400 metres).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 60 people were involved in the search mission, most of whom trekked uphill for miles to get there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After that crash authorities tightened regulations, including that planes would only be cleared to fly only if there was favourable weather forecast throughout the route.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In March 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines plane crash-landed near Kathmandu\'s notoriously difficult international airport, killing 51 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That accident was Nepal\'s deadliest since 1992, when all 167 people aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane died when it crashed on approach to Kathmandu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Just two months earlier, a Thai Airways aircraft had crashed near the same airport, killing 113 people. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 06:47:40', '2023-01-15 06:47:40'),
(4477, 4477, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least six people, including four children, were killed late Saturday night in a gas cylinder blast in Pakistan\'s southwest provincial capital of Quetta, local media reported on Sunday.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;According to the reports, the blast occurred when a family member attempted to light a heater in the Satellite Town area of Quetta, the provincial capital of the country\'s southwest Balochistan province.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies to a hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;According to the rescue personnel, all the deceased, including a couple and their four children, died on the spot following the blast.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Local police told the media that the blast occurred due to gas leakage from the cylinder, which also damaged the house seriously.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Most parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, are facing intense cold weather with temperatures dropping up to minus 15 degrees centigrade. Xinhua</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 07:00:13', '2023-01-15 07:00:13'),
(4478, 4478, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A passenger plane with 72 people on board has crashed near Pokhara International Airport in Nepal, the daily newspaper Kathmandu Post reported Sunday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plane was carrying 68 passengers and four crew members, the newspaper reported, quoting a spokesperson for Yeti Airlines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the plane was flying from the capital, Kathmandu, to Pokhara in central Nepal, and urged security personnel and the general public to help with the rescue efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Images and videos shared on Twitter showed plumes of smoke billowing from the crash site as rescue workers and crowds of people gathered around the wreckage of the aircraft. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 07:10:18', '2023-01-15 07:10:18'),
(4479, 4479, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was admitted to Dhaka\'s Evercare Hospital this morning.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">He was admitted to the hospital for a health checkup around 10:30am as he was feeling unwell, BNP\'s Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul has been suffering from various health complications, including heart problems, which intensified during his recent imprisonment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He walked out of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj on January 9 after the bail order reached the jail authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On January 8, the Appellate Division upheld the High Court order granting bail to Fakhrul and BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas in a case filed over the clash between police and the party activists at Nayapaltan on December 7 last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On December 9, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked up Fakhrul and Abbas from their homes in separate raids in the capital, a day before the party’s much-talked about rally in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, they were shown arrested in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital\'s Nayapaltan on December 7, centring the rally. A Dhaka court sent them to jail rejecting their bail pleas. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 07:35:20', '2023-01-15 07:35:20'),
(4480, 4480, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 41 people were killed when a passenger aircraft of domestic carrier Yeti Airlines crashed in Nepal\'s Pokhara, an army spokesperson said, as per news agency Reuters.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“We expect to recover more bodies. The plane has broken into pieces,” ,\" Krishna Bhandari said. There were 72 people on aircraft including two infants, four crew members and some foreign nationals, airline spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here are ten points on the Nepal plane crash:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plane had 5 Indians, 4 Russian, 1 Irish and two South Korean nationals onboard when it crash, Nepal airport official said, as per news agency Reuters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rescue operations continued at the crash site local media reported thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the crash site in videos widely shared on social media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rescue workers and crowds of people gathered around the wreckage of the aircraft which was 15 years old, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Yeti Airlines\' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft took off from Kathmandu\'s Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:33 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pokhara is a major tourist destination in Nepal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plane crashed on the bank of the Seti river between the old and the new airport while landing, local media reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Tek Bahadur KC, Chief District Officer of the Kaski district, the plane crashed into the Seti river gorge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal \'Prachanda\' called an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers following the crash.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also expressed sadness over the crash and directed the Home Ministry, security personnel and all the government agencies to carry out immediate rescue and relief operations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The last major air accident in Nepal happened last year on May 29 when all 22 people onboard were killed as a Tara Air plane crashed in Nepal\'s Mustang district. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 08:20:43', '2023-01-15 09:04:01'),
(4481, 4481, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The death toll rose to at least 20 on Sunday after a strike on a residential building in Dnipro Saturday, a city in center-east Ukraine, the Ukrainian regional governor said.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Twenty innocent victims...” Dnipropetrovsk governor Valentyn Reznichenko said on messaging app Telegram, after posting that 73 were wounded and that “the rescue operation continues. The fate of more than 40 people remains unknown.”</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine reported a fresh barrage of Russian missiles and civilian deaths Saturday, as Britain became the first Western country to offer it the heavy tanks it has long been seeking.</div><div><br></div><div>The British move drew a swift reaction from Moscow, which warned it would only “intensify” the conflict.</div><div><br></div><div>Moldova meanwhile, said debris from the latest Russian missiles had landed on its territory and condemned the attacks.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine also insisted Saturday that the fighting in Soledar was continuing, a day after Russia’s claim that it had captured the ravaged eastern town following a long battle.</div><div><br></div><div>Victory there would be a rare achievement for Moscow after a series of military setbacks.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian officials denounced the latest wave of deadly Russia missiles strikes across the country, as the country celebrated the Old New Year, a popular holiday in Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak called for Russia to be expelled from the UN Security Council. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 09:35:27', '2023-01-15 09:35:27'),
(4482, 4482, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The World Health Organization has appealed to China to keep releasing information about its wave of COVID-19 infections after the government announced nearly 60,000 deaths since early December following weeks of complaints it was failing to tell the world what was happening.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The announcement Saturday was the first official death toll since the ruling Communist Party abruptly dropped anti-virus restrictions in December despite a surge in infections that flooded hospitals.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>That left the WHO and other governments appealing for information, while the United States, South Korea and others imposed controls on visitors from China.</div><div><br></div><div>The government said 5,503 people died of respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 and there were 54,435 fatalities from cancer, heart disease and other ailments combined with COVID-19 between Dec. 8 and Jan. 12.</div><div><br></div><div>The announcement “allows for a better understanding of the epidemiological situation,” said a WHO statement. It said the WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, talked by phone with Health Minister Ma Xiaowei.</div><div><br></div><div>“WHO requested that this type of detailed information continued to be shared with us and the public,” the agency said.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Health Commission said only deaths in hospitals were counted, which means anyone who died at home wouldn’t be included. It gave no indication when or whether it might release updated numbers.</div><div><br></div><div>A health official said the “national emergency peak has passed” based on an 83 percent decline in the daily number of people going to fever clinics from a Dec. 23 high.</div><div><br></div><div>The report would more than double China’s official COVID-19 death toll to 10,775 since the disease was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019. China has counted only deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official toll, which excludes many fatalities that might be attributed to the virus in other countries. - Arab News</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 09:54:00', '2023-01-15 09:54:00'),
(4483, 4483, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least 44 people have been killed after an aircraft carrying 72 people crashed in Nepal.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The plane was flying from the capital Kathmandu to Pokhara on Sunday when it crashed. Pokhara is a bustling tourist town about 200km (124 miles) west of Kathmandu.</div><div><br></div><div>There were 72 people on the twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines, including four crew members, said airline spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula.</div><div><br></div><div>Nepal Police Spokesperson, Tek Prasad Rai, told Al Jazeera that the death toll has gone up to 44, adding that no survivors have been found so far.</div><div><br></div><div>Jagannath Niroula, spokesman for Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed the figure.</div><div><br></div><div>“Thirty bodies have been recovered and sent to hospital,” Niroula told Reuters news agency. “Another 14 bodies are still lying at the crash site and authorities are bringing in a crane to move them.”</div><div><br></div><div>Local television showed thick black smoke billowing from the crash site as rescue workers and crowds of people gathered around the wreckage of the aircraft.</div><div><br></div><div>“Responders have already reached there and trying to douse the fire. All agencies are now focused on first dousing the fire and rescuing the passengers,” local official Gurudutta Dhakal said.</div><div><br></div><div>The craft made contact with the airport from Seti Gorge at 10:50am (05:05 GMT), the aviation authority said in a statement. “Then it crashed.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Half of the plane is on the hillside,” said Arun Tamu, a local resident, who told Reuters he reached the site minutes after the plane went down.</div><div><br></div><div>“The other half has fallen into the gorge of the Seti river.”</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking to Al Jazeera from Kathmandu, Ramyata Limbu said locals in Pokhara asserted weather and visibility was “good” when the plane crashed.</div><div><br></div><div>“So its [the crash] shocking and surprising,” said Limbu. “Eyewitnesses said the plane was having problems before it crashed into a gorge close to the airport.”</div><div><br></div><div>Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called an emergency cabinet meeting after the plane crash, a government statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am deeply saddened by the sad and tragic accident of Yeti Airlines ANC ATR 72 which was flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara with passengers,” he posted on Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>“I sincerely appeal to the security personnel, all agencies of the Nepal government and the general public to start an effective rescue.”</div><div><br></div><div>A committee to investigate the crash has been formed by the government.</div><div><br></div><div>The crash is Nepal’s deadliest since March 2018, when a US-Bangla Dash 8 turboprop flight from Dhaka crashed on landing in Kathmandu, killing 51 of the 71 people on board, according to Aviation Safety Network.</div><div><br></div><div>In May, a plane owned by Tara Air crashed less than 20 minutes after taking off from Pokhara.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 309 people have died since 2000 in plane or helicopter crashes in Nepal – home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Everest – where the weather can change suddenly and make for hazardous conditions. According to Al Jazeera reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 10:32:13', '2023-01-15 10:32:13'),
(4484, 4484, '<div><b><br></b></div><div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged the affluent section of the society to stand beside the destitute people as her government has been working to arrange houses for all homeless people of the country, reports UNB.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the representatives of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) during a meeting at her office here.</div><div><br></div><div>“Not a single person will remain landless and homeless in Bangladesh. That is our goal,” she said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, in the meeting 36 banks donated a total of Tk 113.25 crore for the construction of houses for homeless people under Ashrayan-2 project, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon while briefing reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said most of the country\'s homeless and landless people have already been given houses and the remaining people will also get abodes. “Nothing can be greater than the smile and satisfaction of the people who got Ashrayan houses,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She said many people who got Ashrayan houses on two-decimal lands are also growing vegetables, rearing chickens, opening cottage industry and shops there.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“They’re finding a way to make a (decent) living. The life of the people is changing for the better,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>“Not only the government, but we all together will take the country forward on the path of development,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM thanked the BAB and bankers for providing donations on different occasions saying, “I don\'t even need to tell you (for providing assistance). You all come spontaneously and help during any disaster and crisis.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 11:57:56', '2023-01-15 11:57:56'),
(4485, 4485, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Chattogram court on Sunday granted bail to Md Mostakim who was arrested during protests against the recent hike in dialysis fee at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Metropolitan Magistrate Oliullah passed the order when Advocate Zia Habib filed a bail petition in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Bangladesh Human Rights Foundation appointed a lawyer for Mostakim.</div><div><br></div><div>Mostakim was arrested during a protest and the court granted his bail unitl submission of a chargesheet in the case, said Advocate Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>The kidney patients and their relatives staged demonstrations in front of the dialysis centre of the hospital for several days protesting the hike in dialysis fee.</div><div><br></div><div>Police arrested Mostakim from the spot and a casewas filed against 60 people including Mostakim with Panchlaish police station on charge of attacking police. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 12:32:38', '2023-01-15 12:32:38'),
(4486, 4486, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Bank (BB) today announced ‘cautiously accommodative’ Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for the second half of the current fiscal year 2022-23 (H2FY23).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“BB’s monetary and credit programs for H2FY23 will pursue a cautiously accommodative policy stance to contain inflationary and exchange rate pressures, support desired economic growth, ensuring the necessary flow of funds to the economy’s productive and employment generating activities,” said BB Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder while unveiling the MPS at BB headquarters in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>In the new policy, private sector credit growth was kept unchanged to 14.1 percent while the public credit growth ceiling increased to 37.7 percent for June from the previous ceiling of 36 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>In his speech, Talukder said the world economy has been facing a complex situation owing to the war in Ukraine, zero-Covid policy in China, energy shortages in Europe, protectionism in the United States and skyrocketing debt burden in developing countries.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The new wave of Covid-19 in North-East Asia, particularly in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Russia, is also a great concern for the world economy. Bangladesh is no exception, facing inflationary, liquidity, and exchange rate pressures during the last few months, mainly due to external shocks. The high NPL ratio and the issue of good governance in banks and NBFIs are also matter of concern for the financial stability of the economy,” he added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>To overcome these challenges, he said, BB has already taken a series of policy initiatives, which include raising the policy interest rate amid quantitative tightening through the selling of a huge amount of dollars in the market; continuing the repo and liquidity support facilities for banks and NBFIs, and extending the refinance facilities to neutralize the tight liquidity condition; discouraging imports of luxury and non-essential commodities; enhancing the facilities to improve the export receipts and inward remittances; and engaging with concerned commercial banks and NBFIs to deal with NPLs and good governance issues.</div><div><br></div><div>Talukder, however, said BB has decided to increase its policy rates by 25 basis points, the repo rate to 6.00 percent from 5.75 percent, and the reverse repo rate to 4.25 percent from 4.00 percent as a part of its current policy stance.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“BB emphasizes raising production and employment opportunities by providing necessary funds to various productive sectors of the economy. BB’s monetary policy also seeks to promote import-substituting economic activities and dissuade imports of non-essential commodities to reduce the exchange rate pressure, protect foreign exchange reserves and control imported inflation,” he mentioned.</div><div><br></div><div>Considering the current market conditions, he informed, the lending rate cap for consumers’ credit has been relaxed to vary up to 3.00 percentage points, along with the complete removal of the deposit floor rate.</div><div><br></div><div>There is no cap for credit card loans, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>In the presence of a suitable economic condition, he said, the removal of the remaining lending rate cap will be considered,&nbsp; reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>He said BB is taking necessary measures to gradually move towards a market-based, flexible, and unified exchange rate regime (within a 2.00 percent variation) by the end of this fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>Talukder said the central bank is taking necessary measures to gradually move towards a market-based, flexible and unified exchange rate regime by the end of the ongoing fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 14:13:26', '2023-01-15 14:13:26'),
(4487, 4487, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka as they look to sweep the series in the third one-day international on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The hosts, who took an unassailable 2-0 lead after their victory on Thursday, made two changes in Thiruvananthapuram.</div><div><br></div><div>Hardik Pandya and Umran Malik have been rested, with Twenty20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar making the team.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka have also made two changes in their bid for a consolation win. Ashen Bandara and Jeffrey Vandersay come in for Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage.</div><div><br></div><div>India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Ashen Bandara, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara</div><div><br></div><div>Umpires: Jayaraman Madanagopal (IND), Nitin Menon (IND)</div><div><br></div><div>TV Umpire: Anil Chaudhary (IND)</div><div><br></div><div>Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND) - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 14:24:15', '2023-01-15 14:24:15'),
(4488, 4488, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Dhaka court on Sunday deferred till February 14 the submission of the probe report in a case filed over the death of Buet student Fardin Noor Parash.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shanta Islam Mallik fixed the fresh date as the investigating officer of the case failed to submit the report today.</div><div><br></div><div>Amatullah Bushra, a friend of Fardin and also a 3rd year student of East West University, who secured bail in the case recently, appeared before the court.</div><div><br></div><div>Fardin was a 3rd year student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology’s civil engineering department and a resident of Qutubpur area in Narayanganj\'s Fatullah.</div><div><br></div><div>Police recovered Fardin’s body from the Shitalakhkhya River, behind a cotton mill at Siddhirganj, on November 7, three days after he went missing.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Farhad, a physician at Narayanganj General Hospital where the autopsy was done, said there were several injury marks on Fardin’s head and body.</div><div><br></div><div>Kazi Nuruddin Rana, Fardin’s father, filed a case in connection with his son’s killing with Rampura Police Station on the same day and the case was later transferred to Detective Branch (DB) Police.</div><div><br></div><div>After a long 38-day investigation, the DB chief said on December 14 that Fardin roamed alone in different areas of Dhaka before he went missing, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>“Fardin was not murdered, he committed suicide by jumping into the river from Sultana Kamal Bridge On November 4 out of desperation,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 14:56:33', '2023-01-15 14:56:33'),
(4489, 4489, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday conveyed to the United States that they, as a government, want a “free, fair, transparent and credible” election and there should be no doubt about that.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Abdul Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that Bangladesh Awami League came to power always through democratic process.</div><div><br></div><div>“No country is perfect, not even the USA. We are trying hard to improve,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, visiting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu had meetings with Foreign Minister Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at the MoFA to discuss strengthening Bangladesh-US relations and the importance of human rights for all, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said they will accept if they get any good suggestions and Bangladesh has shown that sign already.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, they will take care of those issues if they find any weaknesses anywhere. “We want people’s welfare.”</div><div><br></div><div>“They are our good friends. Among the friends we can talk about issues very openly without any reservations. That’s what we did,” Momen said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Minister said there are transparent ballot boxes and a stronger and independent Election Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>We believe in people. We want peace across the world. We had very good discussions on many issues, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 15:14:34', '2023-01-15 15:14:34'),
(4490, 4490, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 68 people were killed Sunday when an aircraft went down near the city of Pokhara in central Nepal, a government official said, the country’s deadliest plane crash in more than 30 years.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Seventy-two people – four crew members and 68 passengers – were on board the ATR 72 plane operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines when it crashed, Yeti Airlines spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thirty-seven were men, 25 were women, three were children and three were infants, Nepal’s civil aviation authority reported.</div><div><br></div><div>Search efforts were called off after dark, Army spokesman Krishna Prasad Bhandar said, and will resume Monday morning. Hundreds of first responders had been still working to locate the remaining four individuals before then, Bhandar said.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the dead is at least one infant, according to the Nepal’s civil aviation authority.</div><div><br></div><div><iframe frameborder=\"0\" src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/94IbbjcEbBk\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"note-video-clip\"></iframe><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sunday’s incident was the third-deadliest crash in Himalayan nation’s history, according to data from the Aviation Safety Network. The only incidents in which more people were killed took place in July and September 1992.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Those crashes involved aircraft run by Thai Airways and Pakistan International airlines and left 113 and 167 people dead, respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>The civil aviation authority said that 53 of the passengers and all four crew members were Nepali. Fifteen foreign nationals were on the plane as well: five were Indian, four were Russian and two were Korean. The rest were individual citizens of Australia, Argentina, France and Ireland.</div><div><br></div><div>The aircraft had been flying from the capital of Kathmandu to Pokhara, the country’s second-most populous city, the country’s state media The Rising Nepal reported. Pokahara is located some 129 kilometers (80 miles) west of Kathmandu.</div><div><br></div><div>The plane was last in contact with Pokhara airport at about 10:50 a.m. local time, about 18 minutes after takeoff. It then went down in the nearby Seti River Gorge. First responders from the Nepal Army and various police departments have been deployed to the crash site and are carrying out a rescue operation, the civil aviation authorities said in a statement.</div><div><br></div><div>Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said he was “deeply saddened by the sad and tragic accident.”</div><div><br></div><div>“I sincerely appeal to the security personnel, all agencies of the Nepal government and the general public to start an effective rescue,” Dahal said on Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Sunday he was “deeply grieved” to hear about the crash and that his thoughts were “with the affected families.”</div><div><br></div><div>Nepal’s Yeti Airlines said it was canceling all regular flights on Monday, January 16, in mourning for the victims of the crash.</div><div><br></div><div>The Himalayan country of Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Everest, has a record of air accidents. Its weather can change suddenly and airstrips are typically sited in difficult-to-reach mountainous areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Last May, a Tara Air flight carrying 22 people crashed into a Himalayan mountain at an altitude of about 14,500 feet. That was the country’s 19th plane crash in 10 years and its 10th fatal one during the same period, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.</div><div><br></div><div>The aircraft involved in Sunday’s crash was an ATR 72-500, a twin-prop turbojet often used in the Asia-Pacific region, especially among low-cost carriers. Planes made by ATR, a joint partnership between European aeronautics companies Airbus and Leonardo, typically have a good reputation.</div><div><br></div><div>However, they have been involved in crashes before. Two ATR 72s operated by the now-defunct Taiwanese airline Transasia were involved in deadly crashes in July 2014 and February 2015.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The second prompted Taiwanese authorities to temporarily ground all ATR 72’s registered on the island.</div><div><br></div><div>In total, the ATR 72’s various models had been involved in 11 fatal incidents before Sunday’s crash in Nepal, according to the Aviation Safety Network.</div><div><br></div><div>ATR said in a statement Sunday that it had been informed of the accident.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our first thoughts are with all the individuals affected by this,” the statement read. “ATR specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation and the customer.” - CNN</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 15:55:17', '2023-01-15 15:55:17');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4491, 4491, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">More than 80,000 people took to the streets Saturday to protest the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding proposed judicial reforms.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Police said crowds were in Habima Square in the center of Tel Aviv which has witnessed anti-government demonstrations for two straight Saturdays.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the demonstrators were several opposition politicians including Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz.</div><div><br></div><div>Israelis in West Jerusalem and Haifa also joined demonstrations this week, although in smaller numbers.</div><div><br></div><div>Thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Israeli Presidential Residence in West Jerusalem and Netanyahu’s official residence.</div><div><br></div><div>The first mass protest against the far-right government that took office earlier this year was held in Tel Aviv last Saturday with nearly 10,000 demonstrators.</div><div><br></div><div>Michael, 24, who did not want to reveal his last name, was among those participating in West Jerusalem. He told Anadolu that the government was “trying to destroy the authority of the Supreme Court” with the new judicial regulation.</div><div><br></div><div>He described the reform that the government is trying to pass as “completely absurd.” He added that democracy needs “judges and members of the Supreme Court who will defend everyone\'s rights.”</div><div><br></div><div>Another protestor, Sharon, 25, said the high judiciary should not be “in the hands of the coalition government and should remain impartial.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Judiciary, Sharon said, should not be made up of people with “prejudices.”</div><div><br></div><div>She described the Netanyahu government as a “dark government.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The proposed changes will severely limit the power of the Supreme Court of Justice, give the government the power to choose judges and end the appointment of legal advisers to ministries by the Attorney General. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-15 16:11:32', '2023-01-15 16:11:32'),
(4492, 4492, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The mayor of Dnipro has warned there may be no further survivors after Saturday\'s Russian missile strike on an apartment building in the eastern Ukrainian city.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attack left 30 dead while a further 44 are missing, city officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dnipro mayor Borys Filatov said there was \"minimal\" chance of finding anyone else alive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to state TV in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that military operations were going to plan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa were also hit on Saturday in attacks which Moscow said were targeted at Ukraine\'s military and energy infrastructure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The devastating strike in Dnipro hit the entrance of a nine-storey building, turning several floors into smouldering rubble.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Filatov said that around 70 people required medical treatment and of those 10 were \"in a difficult condition\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called the missile strikes \"inhuman\", adding that \"Russia intentionally keeps on committing war crimes against civilians\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking on state TV, Mr Putin said \"everything is developing within the framework of the plan of the ministry of defence and the general staff\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his evening address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted he had received many messages of sympathy from around the world and condemned the Russian people\'s \"cowardly silence\" over the attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Switching to Russian during his message, he said he wanted to address those \"who even now could not utter a few words of condemnation of this terror\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Your cowardly silence, your attempt to \'wait out\' what is happening, will only end with the fact that one day these same terrorists will come for you.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He added the victims of the strike included a 15-year-old girl and that two children had been left orphans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It has been two weeks since the last wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine\'s power grid. On Saturday, Mr Zelensky said energy infrastructure in the Kharkiv and Kyiv regions had been badly hit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the attacks, Ukrainian state energy company Ukrenergo temporarily imposed round-the-clock consumption limits for all regions. Ukrainian energy minister German Galushchenko said the next few days would be \"difficult\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Sunday that Ukraine could expect more deliveries of heavy weapons from Western countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Recent pledges for heavy warfare equipment are important - and I expect more in the near future,\" Mr Stoltenberg told German media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s missile barrage came on the same day that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his government would give Challenger 2 tanks to Kyiv\'s armed forces in a bid to help \"push Russian troops back\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, Moscow said providing more weapons to Ukraine would lead to intensified Russian operations and more civilian casualties. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 02:51:49', '2023-01-16 02:51:49'),
(4493, 4493, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The U.S. military\'s new, expanded combat training of Ukrainian forces began in Germany on Sunday, with a goal of getting a battalion of about 500 troops back on the battlefield to fight the Russians in the next five to eight weeks, said Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Milley, who plans to visit the Grafenwoehr training area on Monday to get a first-hand look at the program, said the troops being trained left Ukraine a few days ago. In Germany is a full set of weapons and equipment for them to use.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Until now the Pentagon had declined to say exactly when the training would start.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The so-called combined arms training is aimed at honing the skills of the Ukrainian forces so they will be better prepared to launch an offensive or counter any surge in Russian attacks. They will learn how to better move and coordinate their company- and battalion-size units in battle, using combined artillery, armor and ground forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to two reporters traveling with him to Europe on Sunday, Milley said the complex training — combined with an array of new weapons, artillery, tanks and other vehicles heading to Ukraine — will be key to helping the country\'s forces take back territory that has been captured by Russia in the nearly 11-month-old war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This support is really important for Ukraine to be able to defend itself,” Milley said. “And we’re hoping to be able to pull this together here in short order.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The goal, he said, is for all the incoming weapons and equipment to be delivered to Ukraine so that the newly trained forces will be able to use it “sometime before the spring rains show up. That would be ideal.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new instruction comes as Ukrainian forces face fierce fighting in the eastern Donetsk province, where the Russian military has claimed it has control of the small salt-mining town of Soledar. Ukraine asserts that its troops are still fighting, but if Moscow’s troops take control of Soledar it would allow them to inch closer to the bigger city of Bakhmut, where fighting has raged for months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia also launched a widespread barrage of missile strikes, including in Kyiv, the northeastern city of Kharkiv and the southeastern city of Dnipro, where the death toll in one apartment building rose to 30.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Milley said he wants to make sure the training is on track and whether anything else is needed, and also ensure that it will line up well with the equipment deliveries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The program will include classroom instruction and field work that will begin with small squads and gradually grow to involve larger units. It would culminate with a more complex combat exercise bringing an entire battalion and a headquarters unit together.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Until now, the U.S. focus has been on providing Ukrainian forces with more immediate battlefield needs, particularly on how to use the wide array of Western weapons systems pouring into the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.S. has already trained more than 3,100 Ukrainian troops on how to use and maintain certain weapons and other equipment, including howitzers, armored vehicles and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS. Other nations are also conducting training on the weapons they provide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In announcing the new program last month, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said the idea “is to be able to give them this advanced level of collective training that enables them to conduct effective combined arms operations and maneuver on the battlefield.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Milley said the U.S. was doing this type of training prior to the Russian invasion last February. But once the war began, U.S. National Guard and special operations forces that were doing training inside Ukraine all left the country. This new effort, which is being done by U.S. Army Europe Africa’s 7th Army Training Command, will be a continuation of what they had been doing prior to the invasion. Other European allies are also providing training. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 02:56:43', '2023-01-16 02:56:43'),
(4494, 4494, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Scores of rescue workers and onlookers crowded near a steep gorge outside a resort town in central Nepal where a regional passenger plane crashed Sunday, as rescuers combed the wreckage on the edge of the cliff and in the ravine below.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So far, 68 people have been confirmed dead after a regional passenger plane with 72 aboard crashed into a gorge while landing at a newly opened airport in the resort town of Pokhara, according to an announcement posted by the country’s Civil Aviation Authority to Twitter. It’s the country’s deadliest airplane accident in three decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was not immediately clear what caused the accident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A witness said he saw the aircraft spinning violently in the air after it began to attempt a landing, watching from the terrace of his house. Gaurav Gurung said the plane fell nose-first towards its left and then crashed into the gorge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the crash site near the Seti River, about 1.6 kilometers (nearly a mile) away from Pokhara International Airport, rescuers sprayed fire hoses and heaved ropes down to another smoldering part of the wreck below. Some bodies, burned beyond recognition, were carried by firefighters to hospitals, where grief-stricken relatives had assembled.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At Kathmandu airport, family members appeared distraught as they were escorted in and at times exchange heated words with officials as they waited for information.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The plane caught fire after the crash. There was smoke everywhere,” Gurung said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The aviation authority said the aircraft last made contact with the airport from near Seti Gorge at 10:50 a.m. before crashing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft, operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines, was flying from the capital, Kathmandu, to Pokhara, a 27-minute flight. It was carrying 68 passengers including 15 foreign nationals, as well as four crew members, Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement. The foreigners included five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Ireland, Australia, Argentina and France. No survivors have been found yet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tek Bahadur K. C., a senior administrative officer in the Kaski district, said he expected rescue workers to find more bodies at the bottom of the gorge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Images and videos shared on Twitter showed plumes of smoke billowing from the crash site as rescue workers, Nepali soldiers, and crowds of people gathered around the wreckage of the aircraft to find survivors. The aircraft’s fuselage was split into multiple parts that were scattered down the gorge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who rushed to the airport after the crash, set up a panel to investigate the accident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">”The incident was tragic. The full force of the Nepali army, police has been deployed for rescue,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it’s still trying to confirm the fate of two South Korean passengers and has sent staff to the scene. The Russian Ambassador to Nepal, Alexei Novikov, confirmed the death of four Russian citizens who were on board the plane.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The type of plane involved, the ATR 72, has been used by several airlines around the world for short regional flights. Introduced in the late 1980s by a French and Italian partnership, the aircraft model has been involved in several deadly accidents over the years. In 2018, an ATR 72 operated by Iran’s Aseman Airlines crashed in a foggy, mountainous region, killing all 65 aboard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Taiwan two earlier accidents involving ATR 72-500 and ATR 72-600 aircrafts happened just months apart.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In July 2014, a TransAsia ATR 72-500 flight crashed while trying to land on the scenic Penghu archipelago between Taiwan and China, killing 48 people onboard. An ATR 72-600 operated by the same Taiwanese airline crashed shortly after takeoff in Taipei in February 2015 after one of its engines failed and the second was shut down, apparently by mistake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 2015 crash, captured in dramatic footage that showed the plane striking a taxi as it hurtled out of control, killed 43, and prompted authorities to ground all Taiwanese-registered ATR 72s for some time. TransAsia ceased all flights in 2016 and later went out of business.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ATR identified the plane involved in Sunday’s crash as an ATR 72-500 in a tweet. According to plane tracking data from flightradar24.com, the aircraft was 15 years old and “equipped with an old transponder with unreliable data.” It was previously flown by India’s Kingfisher Airlines and Thailand’s Nok Air before Yeti took it over in 2019, according to records on Airfleets.net.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yeti Airlines has a fleet of six ATR72-500 planes, company spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pokhara, located 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Kathmandu, is the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a popular hiking trail in the Himalayas. The city’s new international airport began operations only two weeks ago. It was built with Chinese construction and financial support. The Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, said in a tweet he was “very shocked” to learn of the accident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“At this difficult time, our thoughts are with Nepali people. I would like to express my deep condolences to the victims, and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families,” he wrote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunday’s crash is Nepal’s deadliest since 1992, when all 167 people aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane were killed when it plowed into a hill as it tried to land in Kathmandu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Mount Everest, has a history of air crashes. According to the Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety database, there have been 42 fatal plane crashes in Nepal since 1946.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year, 22 people died when a plane crashed on a mountainside in Nepal. In 2016, a Tara Air Twin Otter flying from Pokhara to Kathmandu crashed after takeoff, killing all 23 people aboard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2012, an Agni Air plane flying from Pokhara to Jomsom crashed, killing 15 people. Six people survived. In 2014, a Nepal Airlines plane flying from Pokhara to Jumla crashed, killing all 18 on board.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 1992, all 167 people aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane were killed when it plowed into a hill as it tried to land in Kathmandu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The European Union has banned airlines from Nepal from flying into the 27-nation bloc since 2013, citing weak safety standards. In 2017, the International Civil Aviation Organization cited improvements in Nepal’s aviation sector, but the EU continues to demand administrative reforms. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 03:02:04', '2023-01-16 03:02:04'),
(4495, 4495, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said that stern action will be taken against Yaba traders after verifying the list which was recently published by an intelligence agency on Cox\'s Bazar\'s Yaba traders.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Minister said this while talking to the reporters after attending the 26th meeting of the Standing Committee on Ministry of Home Affairs held at the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Cox’s Bazar on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have heard about different crimes recently occurring in Cox’s Bazar. Steps must be taken over the incidents. None will get a chance of committing robbery, theft and abduction,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the different names including journalists, public representatives, politicians listed in Yaba smugglers, the Home Minister said, \"We will first check them. If someone is guilty then we will take action against the person whoever they are.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the meeting, the minister visited Shahpori Island in Teknaf on Saturday which is known as a hotspot for human and drug trafficking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, members of the parliamentary committee visited the disputed Ghumdhum border and Kutupalong Rohingya camp on Thursday and Friday, respectively. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 03:13:31', '2023-01-16 03:13:31'),
(4496, 4496, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Indonesia\'s Sumatra island early Monday, the US Geological Survey reported.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The epicentre of the quake was 48 kilometres (30 miles) south-southeast of the city of Singkil in Aceh province, at a depth of 37 kilometres, USGS said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It occurred around 6:30 am local time (2230 GMT), and USGS revised it up from its initial measurement at 6.0 magnitude with a 48 kilometres depth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesia\'s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) also put it at 6.2 and said there was no threat of a tsunami, while the country\'s disaster agency said there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The earthquake caused people to panic. It was felt between 3-10 seconds in four districts in Aceh and North Sumatra province,\" Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the BNPB disaster mitigation agency, said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific \"Ring of Fire\", where tectonic plates collide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On November 21, a 5.6-magnitude quake hit the populous West Java province on the main island of Java, killing 602 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most of the victims were killed as buildings collapsed or landslides were triggered.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of Sumatra island\'s deadliest quakes occurred on December 26, 2004, setting off an Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people including victims as far away as Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That powerful 9.1-magnitude quake triggered 30-metre (100-foot) waves that hit the shore of Banda Aceh on Sumatra. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 04:03:45', '2023-01-16 04:03:45'),
(4497, 4497, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The bullet-riddled bodies of three women from an Afro-Caribbean minority group were found slain on a beach, the National Human Rights Commission of Honduras said on Sunday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The women were all members of the Garifuna community, whose members live along coastal Honduras and Belize and are descended from an Afro-Indigenous population that migrated from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent more than two centuries ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The three Garifuna women were found shot to death on a beach in the village of Travesia in Puerto Cortes,\" Commission Director Blanca Izaguirre said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A commission statement said the women were sitting on the beach \"when heavily armed men arrived and shot them without saying anything.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The three new slayings bring to 17 the number of women murdered in Honduras so far in 2023, the commission said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the commission\'s tally, between 2002 and 2022, more than 7,500 women in Honduras lost their lives \"in violent circumstances.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Honduras has the highest homicide rate in Central America. Last year, the country tallied 35.8 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants, according to official figures. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 04:07:03', '2023-01-16 04:07:03'),
(4498, 4498, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Kylian Mbappe made his return from a post-World Cup holiday but Paris Saint-Germain went down 1-0 away to Rennes in Ligue 1 on Sunday, a result which leaves them just three points clear at the top of the table halfway through the season.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rennes captain Hamari Traore scored the game\'s only goal in the 65th minute in the rain in Brittany to condemn PSG to a second successive away league loss after they went down 3-1 at second-placed Lens on New Year\'s Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prior to that they had gone unbeaten through their first 23 matches this season in all competitions and this latest setback gives their rivals hope in the title race.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am disappointed with our performance because we conceded too many chances and created nothing,\" said PSG coach Christophe Galtier, who complained of a \"total absence of a presence in the penalty box\" after opting to leave Mbappe on the bench at kick-off.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was the first time that Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar had appeared on the pitch together since PSG\'s superstar attacking trio returned from the World Cup.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi had been afforded an extended holiday after guiding Argentina to glory in Doha and scored on his return in a 2-0 win against Angers in midweek.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mbappe, scorer of a hat-trick for France in the World Cup final as they lost on penalties to Argentina, had played in his club\'s first two games after the tournament before missing their last two as he took a holiday in New York with teammate Achraf Hakimi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was expected to start on Sunday but instead began on the bench as the 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike played in front of Messi and Neymar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Without their leading scorer PSG were blunt up front and Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda did not have a save of note to make until he kept out a Danilo Pereira header three minutes into the second half.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mbappe replaced Ekitike in the 56th minute and did so to applause from the home fans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yet Rennes went ahead soon after as their Malian right-back Traore swept in a cutback from Adrien Truffert, and Mbappe -- making his 200th Ligue 1 appearance -- then squandered a chance to equalise when he burst through on goal but blazed over with just the goalkeeper to beat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Neymar and Messi struggle -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With Neymar again ineffective and Messi not having the expected impact, it was Juan Bernat who came closest to equalising for PSG with a shot that was tipped over by Mandanda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Galtier will hope his attacking trio can rediscover their early-season form quickly with a Champions League last-16 showdown with Bayern Munich now just a month away.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"For eight weeks the squad has been scattered about all over the place, with players learning different ways of playing with their national teams,\" said Galtier when asked if he was worried about his side\'s current form.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We had two training sessions this week in which everyone worked together. We will need time and we will have time to work together and get back to playing the same direct style as before.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rennes, who recently lost top scorer Martin Terrier for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, have now won nine successive home league games.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They are fifth in the table, behind Monaco in fourth only on goals scored after the principality side crushed Ajaccio 7-1 earlier in the day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wissam Ben Yedder scored a hat-trick in Monaco\'s win, while Canada\'s Jonathan David netted twice as Lille crushed Troyes 5-1 to sit sixth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lens are PSG\'s closest challengers after beating Auxerre 1-0 on Saturday for their 10th consecutive home win.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Marseille are third, two points behind Lens and five clear of both Monaco and Rennes, after defeating Lorient 3-1 on Saturday. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 04:32:28', '2023-01-16 04:32:28'),
(4499, 4499, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Dhaka’s air has been ranked the third most polluted in the world this morning (January 16, 2023).</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 197 at 9:40 am on Monday, Dhaka’s air is deemed ‘unhealthy’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is said to be ‘unhealthy’ while 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, and 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Mumbai occupied the first and second places with an AQI of 234 and 211 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 05:02:56', '2023-01-16 05:02:56'),
(4500, 4500, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Barcelona convincingly beat Real Madrid 3-1 in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to win the Spanish Super Cup, their first trophy since coach Xavi Hernandez took over.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Inspired by teenager Gavi, who scored himself and set up goals for Robert Lewandowski and Pedri Gonzalez, the Catalans produced one of their best performances in years against their bitter Clasico rivals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Having enjoyed great success as a player at Barca, Xavi returned in November 2021 and after a summer of heavy spending this emphatic victory is a sign his project is moving in the right direction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Karim Benzema netted a late consolation for Madrid, who have been far from their best since the World Cup break and also fell three points behind Barcelona in La Liga last weekend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in a final since 2014, with Los Blancos surrendering the trophy they earned last season to Barcelona, who have now won the Super Cup a record 14 times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We knew it was a chance we had to take, we have lived through an era of changes at the club and in the dressing room, and this will reinforce us to keep fighting for more titles,\" Barca captain Sergio Busquets told Movistar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You know how (Gavi) competes, he\'s very young -- most players at his age would be in the youth team -- and he\'s playing at an incredible level, giving assists, getting goals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He has a brilliant future ahead of him and a lot of room to improve. I hope he\'s a player who marks an era at Barca.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Xavi crucially deployed four central midfielders, with 18-year-old Gavi drifting inside off a nominal starting position on the left and frequently giving Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal the slip.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Toni Kroos played as Madrid\'s deepest midfielder with Aurelien Tchouameni out injured, and he was overrun.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a brilliant early save to deny Lewandowski, tipping his low drive against the post, while Benzema headed narrowly off-target.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barcelona broke the deadlock when Busquets pressed well after a loose Antonio Rudiger pass, leading to Lewandowski feeding Gavi, who slotted home confidently.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pedri and Ousmane Dembele were also involved in an exchange of slick passes before Lewandowski teed up Gavi, whose clever run went untracked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gavi turned provider for the second, running on to De Jong\'s pass and sliding the ball across for Lewandowski to finish clinically.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Catalans\' dominance brought back memories of their 4-0 win over Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last season, which had been the highlight of Xavi\'s time in charge, until now.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Real \'weaknesses\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gavi, who won the Golden Boy award in 2022, was the game\'s outstanding performer and showed Barcelona are in good hands both now and for years to come.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Madrid\'s own young star Vinicius Junior was shackled by Ronald Araujo, the Uruguayan playing at right-back to directly subdue the Brazilian\'s threat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Courtois denied Dembele after a brilliant Alejandro Balde run and the overworked Belgian stopper was keeping Madrid\'s slim hopes alive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By contrast, Barcelona\'s Marc-Andre ter Stegen went untested until the 70th minute, when he collected a long-distance Kroos effort, by when his side had netted their third.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lewandowski released Gavi, who crossed for Pedri to tap home at the back post as Barcelona romped to a compelling victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pedri, 20, also won the Golden Boy award in 2021 and is another emblem of the maturing young talent at Xavi\'s disposal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The only blot on Barcelona\'s copybook was a late Benzema strike, finishing after his first effort was blocked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have to learn, it\'s a difficult moment and that\'s it,\" Ancelotti told Movistar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We don\'t have to do too much. We knew before the game the team wasn\'t at its very best.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The game exposed some weaknesses, it\'s a blow, we have to recover and prepare for the next game.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The biggest blow for Madrid may prove to be the morale boost the victory is for their rivals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although Xavi will ultimately be judged on his performance in major competitions -- and Barcelona have already been eliminated from this season\'s Champions League -- he will take heart from this victory. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 05:07:35', '2023-01-16 05:07:35');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4501, 4501, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Kyiv can expect more deliveries of heavy weapons from Western countries soon, NATO said Sunday, as Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his forces after their claimed capture of a Ukraine town.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dramatic rescue efforts unfolded at a tower block in the eastern city of Dnipro, shattered by a Russian missile strike that left 30 people dead and an estimated 34 people missing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the Russian people\'s \"cowardly silence\" over the attack, noting that Ukraine had received messages of sympathy from around the world over \"this terror.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine could expect more heavy weapons following Kyiv\'s requests to its allies for the vehicles, artillery and missiles it says are key to defending itself.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The recent pledges for heavy warfare equipment are important -- and I expect more in the near future,\" Stoltenberg told Germany\'s Handelsblatt daily, ahead of a meeting this week of a group that coordinates arms supplies to Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Days after Russia claimed to have taken Soledar in eastern Ukraine, a salt-mining outpost home to 10,000 before the conflict, Putin hailed it as a major success.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is a positive dynamic, everything is developing according to plans,\" Putin said, in an interview broadcast Sunday. \"I hope that our fighters will please us more than once again.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s defence ministry announced this week it had \"completed the liberation\" of Soledar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This could be a key gain as Russian forces push towards what has been their main target since October: the nearby transport crossroads of Bakhmut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Rivalries in Soledar -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine has denied Moscow\'s claims, insisting that heavy fighting continues in Soledar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But on Sunday, the US-based Institute for the Study of War said \"Ukrainian forces are highly unlikely to still hold positions within the settlement of Soledar itself\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s victory there, if that is what it proves to be, follows months of humiliating setbacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both sides have conceded heavy losses in the battle for the town.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rescuers in Dnipro meanwhile continued their search for survivors of Saturday\'s missile strike on a tower block that has so far claimed 30 lives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dozens of people were also wounded in the attack, said regional adviser Natalia Babachenko in televised comments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A 15-year-old girl was among the dead, officials said, after dozens of people were pulled from the rubble, including a woman brought out by rescuers Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Babachenko said that \"between 30 an 40 people are still under the rubble.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Survivor Kateryna, 17, said she was at home with her father when the missile struck.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I fell into a stupor, I didn\'t even know what to do. I started crying and screaming a lot,\" recalled Kateryna, wrapped in a powder-blue puffer jacket and hat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Ukrainian army, the block was hit by an X-22 Russian missile that it lacked the capacity to shoot down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Only anti-aircraft missile systems, which in the future may be provided to Ukraine by Western partners... are capable of intercepting these air targets,\" it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington joined a growing chorus of condemnation for the attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Yesterday\'s strikes are another example of the brutal and barbaric war Russia is waging against the Ukrainian people,\" said a US National Security Council spokesperson.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Weapons promised -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Saturday, Zelensky pleaded for more Western weaponry, saying that Russian \"terror\" could be stopped only on the battlefield.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this month, France, Germany and the United States respectively promised French AMX-10 RC light tanks, 40 German Marder infantry vehicles, and 50 Bradley fighting vehicles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, pressure is growing on the allies to go further and agree to delivery of battle tanks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Saturday to provide 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, making it the first Western country to supply the heavy tanks Kyiv has been calling for.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s embassy in Britain warned that \"bringing tanks to the conflict zone... will only serve to intensify combat operations, generating more casualties, including among the civilian population\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Power cuts -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine on Sunday was still reeling from Saturday\'s barrage, the 12th wave of large-scale missile attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Energy operator Ukrenergo said infrastructure was \"being restored\" but that the attacks had meant power cuts might increase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The head of the military administration in the southern Kherson region, Yaroslav Yanushevych, said it was again under \"massive attack\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian strikes had hit civilian and critical infrastructure, including Red Cross premises and a centre for disabled children, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia\'s army said it targeted \"the military command and related energy facilities... all targets were reached\". AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 05:27:35', '2023-01-16 05:27:35'),
(4502, 4502, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">After bagging a Golden Globe award for best song, SS Rajamouli\'s blockbuster Telugu film RRR has registered a double win at the 28th Critics Choice Awards. The film won the Critics Choice Award for Best Song for the hit Ram Charan and Jr NTR dance number, Naatu Naatu, and also for the Best Foreign language film. The event was held Los Angeles on Sunday (Monday in India).&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Soon after, the official Twitter handle of RRR shared a video with the caption, \"Naatu Naatu Again!! Extremely delighted to share that we won the #CriticsChoiceAwards for the BEST SONG #RRRMovie Here\'s @mmkeeravaani\'s acceptance speech!!\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Naatu Naatu composer MM Keeravani is heard saying in the video, \"Thank you so much I am very overwhelmed with this award. I am here to receive this wonderful award by the critics. Thank you all the critics, on behalf of my chorographer, lyrics writer, my singers, my programmers and of course my director.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Twitter handle of Critics Choice Award had also shared a post congratulating the RRR team on the win. The tweet read: \"Congratulations to the cast and crew of @RRRMovie- winners of the #criticschoice Award for Best Foreign Language Film. #CriticsChoiceAwards.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alia Bhatt also took to her Instagram Stories to express her happiness on the same. Sharing a tweet by RRR\'s account which informed that James Cameron has also admired the film, Alia wrote, “Ufff what a beautiful morning!” HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 05:55:54', '2023-01-16 05:55:54'),
(4503, 4503, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Gunmen shot dead an Afghan former lawmaker and one of her bodyguards in the capital Kabul in a night-time attack at her home, police said on Sunday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mursal Nabizada had been a member of parliament in the US-backed government that was overthrown by the Taliban in August 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Nabizada, along with one of her bodyguards, was shot dead at her house,\" Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The security forces have started a serious investigation into the incident,\" he said, adding that a brother of the former lawmaker was also wounded in the attack, which took place during the night between Saturday and Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nabizada was a \"fearless champion for Afghanistan\", former lawmaker Mariam Solaimankhil said on Twitter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A true trailblazer - strong, outspoken woman who stood for what she believed in, even in the face of danger,\" she wrote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Despite being offered the chance to leave Afghanistan, she chose to stay and fight for her people,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nabizada, 32, hailed from the eastern province of Nangarhar, and had been elected as a member of parliament from Kabul in 2018.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am sad and angry and want the world to know!\" tweeted Hannah Neumann, a member of the European parliament, in response to the killing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"She was killed in darkness, but the Taliban build their system of gender apartheid in full daylight.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Women had worked in prominent positions across Afghan society in the two decades since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, with many becoming judges, journalists and politicians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many women in such professions have fled the country, however, since the Taliban returned to power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taliban authorities have rapidly squeezed women out of almost all areas of public life, banning them from secondary and higher education, public sector work and even from visiting public parks and baths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They have also ordered women to cover their bodies in public, ideally in an all-encompassing burqa. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 06:03:13', '2023-01-16 06:03:13'),
(4504, 4504, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated 50 more model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in the country.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She opened the model mosques joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With opening those in the second phase, the premier so far inaugurated 100 mosques out of 564 being built at a cost of Taka 9435 crore across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She earlier opened 50 mosques in the first phase on June 10 in 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina is expected to open 50 more mosques and Islamic cultural centre in the third phase at the end of February next.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The construction of the remaining mosques and Islamic cultural centre is scheduled to be completed in June, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The newly opened model mosques and Islamic cultural centres are located at Bhanga upazila, Nagarkanda in Faridpur, Kapasia in Gazipur, Sadar upazila in Gopalganj, Sadar upazila, Katiadi in Kishoreganj, Gheor upazila, Saturia in Manikganj, Sadar upazila, Monohardi in Narsingdi, Goalanda upazila in Rajbari, district headquarters, Bhedarganj upazila in Shariatpur, Dhunat upazila, Nandigram in Bogura, Niamatpur upazila in Naogaon, Boraigram upazila in Natore, Sadar upazila in Chapainawabganj, Bhangura and Sujanagar upazila in Pabna, Kazipur in Sirajganj, Rajshahi city Corporation, Gangachara and Kaunia in Rangpur, Sadar upazila in Thakurgaon, Sadar upazila in Sherpur, district headquarters in Pirojpur, Sadar upazila and Koshba in Brahmonbaria, Sadar upazila and Manikchhari in Khagrachhari, Chandina and Chouddagram in Cumilla, Rupsha in Khulna, Khoksha and Bheramara in Kushtia, district headquarters and Gangni in Meherpur, Debhata in Satkhira, Goainghat in Sylhet, district headquarters and Jagannathpur in Sunamganj and Chunarughat in Habiganj district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The model mosques and Islamic cultural centres include separate places for aju (ablution) and namaj along with air-conditioned system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, there will be registration and training arrangements for Hajj pilgrims, Imam training centre, research centre and Islamic library, autism corner, ritual system before burial, car parking facility, hifzakhana, pre-primary education and Quran learning arrangement, conference room for Islamic cultural activities and Islamic dawat, Islamic books sale centre, boarding facility for local and foreign guests along with the mosques.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan and its Secretary Kazi Enamul Hassan spoke at the function from the Osmani Smriti Auditorium here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rajshahi, Shariatpur and Chouddagram sites of Cumilla district were also connected to the programme as the local lawmakers, public representatives, political parties\' leaders, government officers, alem-ulama and common people were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A video-documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Being imbued with the spirit of Islam and following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina has come up with the idea of constructing 564 model mosques across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The purpose of the project is to publicize Islamic brotherhood and its values as well as disseminate the essence of Islam against extremism and militancy as the religion never supports those.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It would also put concentration on creating awareness against terrorism and violence against women along with disseminating development activities of the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under category A, some 69 four-storey mosques having the elevator facility and a floor space of 2,360.09 square metres each are being constructed in 64 districts and city corporation areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under category B, 475 mosques are being built with a floor space of 1680.14 square metres each, while 16 mosques under C category in coastal areas will have a floor space of 2,052.12 square metres each.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Father of the Nation had established the Islamic Foundation and enacted Islamic Foundation Act, 1975.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In line with Bangabandhu\'s thinking, the project also focused on building a strong Islamic organizational structure by setting up these mosques and Islamic cultural centers across the country. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 06:38:33', '2023-01-16 14:24:01'),
(4505, 4505, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has emphasised the government and the opposition “working together peacefully” to ensure the freedom of assembly as Bangladesh moves towards the next national election.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We as Americans, we will condemn violence when we see it – if it is on the part of the opposition, or it is on the part of government security forces. At the same time, we are going to focus on whether there is any intimidation during the election… we will say this publicly,” he told Channel 24 in an interview before wrapping up his visit on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lu referred to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to a fair election and said US also wants a free and fair election without “violence and intimidation.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday conveyed to the United States that they, as a government, want a “free, fair, transparent and credible” election and there should be no doubt about that.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lu also expressed US’ commitment to upholding democracy and human rights. “We will speak when we see problems and when we can offer suggestions. We will stand up for freedom of speech, freedom of expression. And we look forward to working very closely with our partners here in Bangladesh,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, the US Assistant Secretary told Channel 24 that they did not designate more individuals from the Rab to face individual sanctions. “We did not do that because we recognize the progress being made by the government and by the Rab itself.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking to reporters at MoFA, Lu said they had “quite a good discussion” about the Rab. “If you have seen the statement this week by the Human Rights Watch, they recognised and we recognised tremendous progress in the area of reducing extrajudicial killings by the Rab,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the security of diplomats, Lu said they take the security of Bangladeshi diplomats in the US very seriously.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We spend a lot of time making sure that they are safe. We expect the same treatment from Bangladesh,” he said, adding that he was given assurance from every meeting he attended during his Bangladesh visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States has also said civil society voices in every country are crucial to upholding people’s right to freedom and dignity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Assistant Secretary Donald Lu and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas hosted a dinner on Sunday night and listened to the work of human rights advocates in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lu left Dhaka early Monday (2am), wrapping up his quick visit with a series of meetings. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 07:51:49', '2023-01-16 07:51:49'),
(4506, 4506, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">International Monetary Fund (IMF) will continue support for Bangladesh to accomplish its aspiration to become a developed, prosperous and higher income country by 2041.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Bangladesh has aspiration to become a developed, prosperous and higher income country by 2041, and IMF will continue its support,\" said the lending agency\'s Deputy Managing Director Antoinette Monsio Sayeh while paying a call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Antoinette Monsio said IMF cherishes the long standing partnership with Bangladesh, and she came here to further strengthen the relationship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister\'s Speech Writer Md. Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said Bangladesh does not want any assistance from the IMF for bail-out, rather the country has wanted the support as a preemptive measure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We don\'t\' want any bail-out. Our this programme is not a bail-out,\" she added. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 08:06:45', '2023-01-16 08:06:45'),
(4507, 4507, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to consider approving $4.5 billion loan for Bangladesh on January 30.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">IMF Deputy Managing Director Antoinette M. Sayeh, who arrived here on Sunday on a 5-day visit to discuss the loan, said this in a press statement today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today, and Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal and Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder yesterday,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I congratulated them on Bangladesh’s impressive economic growth and social development in last decades, which have allowed steady progress in poverty reduction and significant improvements in living standards. Macroeconomic policies in recent years have helped keep inflation stable, debt-to-GDP ratio low, and external buffers adequate.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Just like countries around the world, Bangladesh is now dealing with the impact of global shocks – first from the pandemic and then from the ongoing war in Ukraine, she said, adding, “We discussed the impact of these shocks on Bangladesh’s economy, and I welcomed Bangladesh’s comprehensive set of measures to deal with them – including their focus on ensuring protection for the vulnerable during these difficult times.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh and the IMF recently reached a staff-level agreement under the Extended Credit Facility, Extended Fund Facility, and the IMF’s new Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), to support the authorities’ home-grown reform agenda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In our discussion, we focused on the key elements of this program, including the long-standing challenges of raising tax revenues, and building a more efficient financial sector. Reforms in these areas, combined with measures to facilitate private investments and export diversification will help create conditions to make Bangladesh’s economy more resilient and support long-term, inclusive and sustainable growth,” reads the statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We also discussed Bangladesh’s plans to address the longer-term challenges related to climate change that could threaten macroeconomic stability,” it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMF’s RSF aims to provide affordable, long-term financing to support Bangladesh’s climate investment needs, catalyze climate financing, and reduce balance of payment pressures from import-intensive climate investment, the statement added. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 08:40:12', '2023-01-16 08:40:12'),
(4508, 4508, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon Alem and Olama (Islamic scholars) to instil humanitarian values among people and guide them against terrorism, militancy and drug addiction.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“These are destroying families and the society as well,” she said while virtually inaugurating 50 more model mosques across the country from her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">She also requested all, particularly the children, not to get involved in militancy, saying, “Militancy is dishonouring Islam instead of dignifying it.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina urged the guardians and teachers of educational institutions to be cautious as children and youths are targeted by militants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We can develop our society in a beautiful manner by erasing miseducation, differences, conflicts, terrorism, and militancy through realising the true sense of Islam,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said that through the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres, people would get true knowledge on Islamic values and culture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This will help in not being misled in the name of religion, alongside contributing immensely to stop terrorism, militancy and repression on women, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that the government has undertaken the projects of constructing model mosques so that no one can mislead people in the name of Islam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said the model mosques would enhance people’s knowledge of Islam – a religion of peace, fraternity and friendship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It would help stop terrorism, militancy and repression on women, with imparting the true knowledge of Islamic values and culture on people,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Describing the Alem and Olama as the “Orasatul Ambia”, she said people of the country respect the Khatibs and Imams of mosques.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Make sure that none can mislead people using our religion. You can educate people to refrain from getting involved in social ills that include drug addiction, child marriage, repression of women, food adulteration and corruption through your daily sermons and khutba during Jummah,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said religion cannot be used as a political weapon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Our target is to put an end to torture and repression, using religion,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said Islam ensures free exercise of religions by people of all faiths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Irrespective of political identity and opinion, we can build a developed, prosperous and ‘Smart Bangladesh’ – with equal respect to every religion and with the non-communal spirit,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said that Awami League has always been a “servant of Islam”, and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stopped racing, gambling and alcohol sales.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She mentioned that Bangabandhu established madrasa board, allocated land for Baitul Mukarram Mosque and Ijtema ground – to uphold Islam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangabandhu had taken initiatives to hold Bishwa Ijtema in Bangladesh and incorporate the country as a member of the OIC,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the ideals of the Father of the Nation, she said they have taken various programmes to dignify Islam that includes constructing 564 model mosques at each of the upazilas and districts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said that she has so far opened 100 model mosques across the country while the rest will be opened in phases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government is now building three storey model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in every upazila and four storey mosque in every district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Religious Affairs Ministry Md Faridul Haque Khan and its Secretary Kazi Enamul Hassan spoke at the function from the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rajshahi, Shariatpur and Chouddagram of Cumilla district sites were also connected to the programme, where the local lawmakers, public representatives, political parties, government officers and common people were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A video-documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 09:26:35', '2023-01-16 09:26:35'),
(4509, 4509, '<div><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The minimum temperature in the capital, Delhi, dropped to 1.4C early on Monday as parts of northern India were hit by a cold spell.</b><br></div><div><br></div><div>The weather department has warned that cold wave conditions are likely to continue over the next two days.</div><div><br></div><div>Delhi saw a cold snap just days ago when the minimum temperature dipped to 1.9C.</div><div>India\'s weather department declares a cold wave when the temperature drops below 4C.</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, Delhi experienced its coldest day of the season, with temperatures plummeting below 2C in several parts of the city. BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 09:36:39', '2023-01-16 09:36:39'),
(4510, 4510, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Islamic preacher Mufti Kazi Ibrahim today pleaded guilty and sought mercy from the court in a case filed under the Digital Security Act.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Today was fixed for charge hearing against him.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Cyber Tribunal Judge AKM Zulfikar Hayat passed an order accepting his clemency plea and sentenced him to the time he had served in prison since his arrest (1 year, 3 months and 19 days) as he pleaded guilty.</div><div><br></div><div>On September 28, 2021, Detective Branch (DB) of police in an overnight raid detained Mufti Kazi Ibrahim from his Mohammadpur residence in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>Additional Deputy-Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) told BSS that he was taken to the DB headquarters for interrogation for some of his controversial recent speech on social media, which sparked debate countrywide.</div><div><br></div><div>Metropolitan Magistrate Abu Sufian Md Noman granted two-day remand for Mufti Ibrahim as he was produced before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate\'s Court on September 29.</div><div><br></div><div>He was sent to jail on October 2 of the same year. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 10:59:03', '2023-01-16 10:59:03'),
(4511, 4511, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday called upon the country\'s Islamic scholars to teach the people, especially the children, true humanitarian values to keep them away from terrorism, militancy and drug addiction.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“These vices are destroying families and the society as well,” she said while virtually inaugurating 50 more model mosques across the country from her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>She also appealed to all particularly the children not to get involved in militancy, saying, “Militancy is dishonouring the Islam instead of dignifying it.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina urged the guardians and teachers of the educational institutions to be cautious so their children cannot get involved in militancy.</div><div><br></div><div>“We can build our society in a beautiful manner by erasing wrong learning, differences, conflicts, terrorism, and militancy by understanding the true spirit of&nbsp; Islam,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said that through the newly opened model mosques and Islamic cultural centres people would get true knowledge of the Islamic values and culture.</div><div><br></div><div>This will help people to stay away from those who mislead them in the name of religion besides contributing immensely to stop terrorism, militancy and repression on the women, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that the government has taken the projects of constructing model mosques for creating awareness among the people about the Islamic values.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said the model mosques would increase the knowledge of the people about&nbsp; Islam, which is a religion of peace, brotherhood and friendship.</div><div><br></div><div>“The mosques would also help stop terrorism, militancy and torture on women by imparting the people with true knowledge of Islamic values and cultures,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Describing the Alem and Olamas as the “Orasatul Ambia”, she said the people of the country will respect the Khatibs and Imams of the mosques.</div><div><br></div><div>“Make sure none can mislead the people using our religion. You can aware people to refrain themselves from getting involved in irregularities in the society that include drug addiction, child marriage, repression on women, food adulteration and corruption in your daily sermons and Jummah’s khutba,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said religion cannot be used as a political weapon.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our target is to put an end to stop torture and repression on the people abusing the religion,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said&nbsp; Islam ensures free practice of religion by people of every faith.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We all irrespective of party and opinion can build a developed, prosperous and “Smart Bangladesh” having equal respect to every religion and with the non-communal spirit,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister mentioned that the Awami League is always a servant of the Islam and said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stopped playing race and gambling and taking liquor.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that Bangabandhu established madrasah board, gave places for Baitul Mukarram Mosque and Ijtema ground to serve the Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangabandhu had taken initiatives to hold Biswa Ijtema in Bangladesh and incorporate Bangladesh as a member of the OIC,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the ideal of the Father of the Nation, she said they have taken various programmes to dignify the Islam that included constructing of 564 model mosques at each of the upazilas and districts.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said that she has so far opened 100 model mosques across the country while the rest of the mosques will be opened in phases.</div><div><br></div><div>The government is now building three-storey model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in every upazila while four-storey mosque in every district.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan and the ministry\'s secretary Kazi Enamul Hassan spoke at the function from the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.</div><div><br></div><div>Rajshahi, Shariatpur and Chouddagram of Cumilla district sites were also connected to the programme, where the local lawmakers, public representatives, political parties, government officials and common people were present.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A video-documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 11:38:28', '2023-01-16 11:38:28'),
(4512, 4512, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Thirteen more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours till Monday morning.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Of the new patients, nine were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and four outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div><br></div><div>A total of 112 dengue patients, including 47 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>So far, the DGHS has recorded 412 dengue cases, 297 recoveries, and three deaths this year.</div><div><br></div><div>The country recorded 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>Also, the DGHS recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries in the last year. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 11:45:32', '2023-01-16 11:45:32'),
(4513, 4513, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Afia Prottasha and Shorna Akter hit half-centuries as Bangladesh Women\'s team kept their winning spree in the ICC Women\'s Under-19 World Cup, edging Sri Lanka past by 9 runs at Benoni in South Africa today.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>In their first game, they stunned Australia by 7 wickets and now their second consecutive victory meant, they are extremely favorite to go to the next round as group champions. The junior Tigresses will take on USA on Wednesday in their last match of the group phase.</div><div><br></div><div>Prottasha struck 53 off 43 with five fours and three sixes while Shorna showed her power-hitting skill in his 50 not out from 28 balls, as Bangladesh women\'s compiled a hefty 165-2 after being asked to bat first.</div><div><br></div><div>They then restricted Sri Lanka to 155-4 to achieve a famous victory.</div><div><br></div><div>Shorna smashed three fours and two sixes in her innings which helped the side propel past 150 runs mark after Prottasha gave the side a whirlwind start. Prottasha\'s fellow opener Misty Shaha however was run out for 14.</div><div><br></div><div>Dilara Akter also played her part well with 36 off 27, an innings studded with three fours and one six.</div><div><br></div><div>Marufa Akter took 2-19 to run through Sri Lanka\'s batting line up. But Sri Lanka still kept them in the hunt thanks to captain Vishmi Gunaratne\'s 60 not out and Dewmi vihanga\'s 55.</div><div><br></div><div>They kept the side close in on a victory but the Bangladeshi youngsters held the nerve in the death overs to help the side script yet another stunning victory. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 13:01:15', '2023-01-16 13:01:15'),
(4514, 4514, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal&nbsp; said that the US sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will be lifted soon as the US assistant secretary Donald Lu expressed his satisfaction over RAB\'s recent activities.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"I have discussed some issues with the US assistant secretary Donald Lu with cordial atmosphere yesterday and informed him about dealing of terrorism, militancy and Islamic extremism,\" he told reporters at his secretariat office here.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The minister said Donald Lu appreciated Bangladesh and its law enforcement agencies for its activities.</div><div>Quoting the US assistant secretary, Kamal said he (Donald Lu) assured Bangladesh that sanctions on RAB will be lifted soon through a process.</div><div><br></div><div>During the meeting with Bangladesh Home Minister, Donald Lu assured that American government\'s support will be continued for development of Bangladesh, as the country is moving forward for development.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The US wants to see Bangladesh as a more prosperous country, Kamal added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He said the US official wants better improvement of human rights of Bangladesh. \"We have discussed arson attacks, violence and militancy. They want fair elections in this country. None should engage for violence,\" the minister said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The US delegation informed Kamal that the way you are going in the right direction. We (US) think the sanctions may be lifted soon. We hope it will be over soon. We are not in favour of imposing sanction anyone,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The United States also wants Bangladesh to move forward. The visiting Donald Lu praised actions of the government in combating militancy, terrorism, arson, radicalism.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the national election, the minister said, \"We have said them that according to the constitution the Election Commission (EC) will conduct the national election.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Before 90 days the EC will take over everything for holding a fair election. Ministers will only do routine work. They (US delegation) also applauded the preparations for the fair elections,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Kamal, however, said that the US does not like vandalism, arson attacks and occupies of the roads in the name of public meeting.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding Rohingya repatriation, the minister said that the US delegation assured for their further support to Bangladesh for forcibly displaced Myanmar national-Rohingya- repatriation and will continue their financial support.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In reply to a question, Kamal said that every political party is doing their programmes and the government never create obstacle and will not do, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>But if any party creates barriers on the streets, damaged properties, set fire and took lives in the name of programmes then the law enforcers will take action, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 13:54:58', '2023-01-16 13:54:58'),
(4515, 4515, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The High Court on Monday granted BNP leaders Abdus Salam and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie six months’ interim bail in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital’s Nayapaltan on December 7 last year.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The HC bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Shahed Nuruddin passed the bail order.</div><div><br></div><div>The court issued a rule questioning why the BNP leaders should not be granted permanent bail.</div><div><br></div><div>Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin and lawyer Zahirul Islam Sumon appeared for the two BNP leaders in the court.</div><div><br></div><div>On December 7 last year, a Swechchasebak Dal leader was killed and around 50 others were injured in a clash between police and the BNP activists in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office, ahead of its December 10 rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Police arrested 470 BNP activists and leaders in connection with the clash and they were sued in two cases filed with Paltan and Motijheel police stations.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP\'s Dhaka Metropolitan South convener Abdus Salam and publication secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie were arrested on the same day following the clash.</div><div><br></div><div>A Dhaka court sent 445 BNP leaders and activists including Annie and Salam to jail in two cases filed over the violence and order to give division in jail to the five leaders on the following day.</div><div><br></div><div>Party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Chairperson’s Special Assistant Shimul Biswash, Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, former organizational secretary Fazlul Haque Milon, Co-Organisational Secretary Selimuzzaman, are among others who were sent to jail in the case.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 15:10:58', '2023-01-16 15:10:58');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4516, 4516, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>India\'s Virat Kohli won praise from the cricketing world on Monday after his third one-day international century in four matches silenced critics doubting his place in the team.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Kohli, 34, smashed an unbeaten 166 to lead India to the biggest-ever ODI win by 317 runs against Sri Lanka on Sunday, his 46th ODI ton and 74th in all formats.</div><div><br></div><div>The former captain ended last year with an ODI century against Bangladesh and began 2023 with another 113 in the Sri Lanka opener to announce his return as a run machine in style.</div><div><br></div><div>Kohli went through an extended lean patch last year, failing to reach three figures in over 1,000 days.</div><div><br></div><div>He quit as T20 skipper in late 2021 and in January 2022 was sacked from the ODI captaincy and gave up leading the Test side too.</div><div><br></div><div>\"King Kohli\" last week spoke again about his mental struggles during his dry phase, including how he had been \"snappy\" around his Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma.</div><div><br></div><div>\"In my case, in denial, frustration was creeping in. I was very cranky, very snappy in my space,\" Kohli told the Indian cricket board\'s website bcci.tv.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It was not fair on Anushka, my close ones, it\'s not fair on the people who support you. So I had to take responsibility and kind of put things in perspective.\"</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Different level\' -</div><div>But he hit his first century after 1020 days in the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament in September last year and hasn\'t looked back since.</div><div><br></div><div>Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle said, \"the king is back to doing what he does best, scoring hundreds\".</div><div><br></div><div>Kohli\'s long-time IPL friend and former teammate at Royal Challengers Bangalore AB de Villiers tweeted: \"Virat Kohli! Different level.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s wonderful to see Virat Kohli back at his best in white-ball cricket, this unbeaten 166 was special even by his lofty standards,\" batting great VVS Laxman wrote on Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews called Kohli a \"modern great\" and Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal said \"he is the boss of this era\".</div><div><br></div><div>Senior Indian journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, son of former India cricketer Dilip Sardesai, hailed Kohli as the greatest ever ODI player.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Recall how only a few months ago there were those questioning @imVkohli future, esp (especially) in white ball cricket,\" Sardesai wrote on Twitter.</div><div><br></div><div>But citing Kohli\'s tournament-leading run tally at the T20 World Cup and two ODI centuries against Sri Lanka, Sardesai wrote: \"the King is back\". - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 15:30:22', '2023-01-16 15:30:22'),
(4517, 4517, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Lalit Modi recently disclosed that he is on 24×7 external oxygen support. The founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) shared a post via Instagram on Friday with a message that his health worsened after getting infected by COVID-19 twice in two weeks, accompanied by influenza and deep pneumonia, The Statesman reported.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Lalit Modi was then airlifted to London from Mexico after three weeks of imprisonment. Sharing an update about his health, he added that he still needs time to recover and that he is presently on 24×7 outer oxygen support.</div><div><br></div><div>Soon after Lalit Modi shared the post, wishes for Lalit Modi’s quick recovery began pouring in. His alleged girlfriend Sushmita Sen’s brother, Rajeev Sen, also reacted to his Instagram post.</div><div><br></div><div>Lalit Modi on Instagram shared a series of photos and videos of himself from the hospital. In his caption, he wrote, “After 3 weeks in confinement with a double Covid in 2 weeks accompanied by influenza and deep pneumonia – and post trying several times to leave.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Finally landed via air ambulance accompanied by two doctors and superstar super efficient son who did so much for me back in london. The flight was smooth. Unfortunately still on 24/7 external oxygen. Thank u to all at @vistajet for going the extra mile. I am extremely grateful to all. Love to all. Big hug.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sushmita Sen’s brother Rajeev Sen commented, “Wishing you a speedy recovery Lalit. Stay strong,” while cricketer Harbhajan Singh wrote, “Get well soon.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 15:56:17', '2023-01-16 15:56:17'),
(4518, 4518, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Bangladesh Public Service Commission Bill -2022 was passed in the Parliament today incorporating the punishment for involvement in any irregularities in any examination under PSC.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain moved the bill in the House which was unanimously passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.</div><div><br></div><div>The maximum punishment for involvement in leaking the question paper of any PSC examination will be 10 years\' jail or financial penalty or both, according to a draft law.</div><div><br></div><div>According to section 8 of the draft law, those who will be involved in leaking the question paper of any examination to be held under the Public Service Commission, they might face the highest 10 years\' jail, financial punishment or both.</div><div><br></div><div>While placing the bill, some opposition lawmakers including Fakhrul Imam of Mymensingh-3, Mujibul Huq of Kishorganj-4, Dr Rustum Ali Faraji of Pirojpur-3, Begum Raushan Ara Mustafiz of women seat-47, Shamim Haider Patwary of Gaibandha-1and independent lawmaker Rezaul Karim Bablu of Bogura-7 spoke on the bill and urged to seek public review.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Bill will replace the Bangladesh Public Service Commission Ordinance, 1977 in line with a judgment of the High Court over the laws of military regimes.</div><div><br></div><div>The maximum punishment for adopting unfair means in examination and engagement in answer sheet forgery would be two years\' jail or financial penalty or both.</div><div><br></div><div>The penalty is the same for helping any examinees to take any unfair means in the examination hall, fake examinees and tampering with any answer sheet.</div><div><br></div><div>The penalty is one year of jail or financial penalty or both for creating obstacles in taking examinations and creating anarchy.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the bill, apart from the question paper leak crime, other crimes will also be punished by the mobile court. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 16:10:31', '2023-01-16 16:10:31'),
(4519, 4519, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Lawmakers today said country\'s GDP now exceeded Malaysia and Singapore with securing 35th position in ranking of the world economy.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh has made significant progress and now stands above Malaysia and Singapore in terms of GDP, they said while taking part in the discussion on thanksgiving motion of the President\'s speech at the Jatiya Sangsad here with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.</div><div><br></div><div>Taking part in the discussion, the lawmakers highlighted different development activities in various sectors including communication, socio-economic, education, youth and sports, information and communication technology (ICT) under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>The President in his 168-page speech on January 5 last, on the first day of the maiden session in 2023 of the 11th parliament, focused on the country\'s massive successes in different sectors.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The overall GDP during the BNP regime was only USD 60 billion while it now has reached to USD 465 billion and it is more than that considering the GDP of Malaysia and Singapore\", said Foreign Affairs Minister AK Abdul Momen.</div><div><br></div><div>Whereas the GDP of Singapore now reaches all time high of 396.99 USD billion and it is 372.98 USD billion for Malaysia, Momen also a lawmaker of Sylhet-1.</div><div><br></div><div>Participating in the discussion, Faruque Khan of Gopalganj-1 said Bangladesh now becomes a medium income country upgrading from the least developed country with the befitting leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Bangladesh will be smart one and a prosperous country by the stipulated timeframe of 2041 under the leadership of incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\", said Ganoforum lawmaker Sultan Muhammed Mansur Ahmed of Maulvibazar-2.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The per capita income during thirty-six years since 1971 was only US$600, but it was reached to US$2400-in the last fourteen years-which was significant, said Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh lawmaker Abdul Mannan of Laxmipur-4, adding that it was possible due to befitting leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,</div><div>Sharply criticizing the role of BNP-Jammat, Akhtaruzzaman of Khulna-6 said the new generation has wake up and the misrule of the BNP-Jammat will never come in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the chief whip Nur-E Alam Chowdhury came up with a proposal for holding discussion on thanksgiving motion of the President\'s speech in the House and then it was seconded by treasury bench lawmaker Shamsul Huq Tuku.</div><div><br></div><div>Treasury bench lawmakers including Moslem Uddin of Mymensingh-6, Khadizatul Anwar of Women seat-6, Zakia Tabassum of Women seat-32, Anwarul Azim (Anar) of Jhenaidah-4, Zafar Alam of Cox\'s Bazar-1, Ratna Ahmed of Women seat-43, Gazi Mohammad Shahnewaz of Hobiganj-1 and Independent lawmaker Rezaul Karim Bablu of Bogura-7, attended the discussion.</div><div><br></div><div>The lawmakers also thanked the President for giving a timely speech highlighting the success stories of the government and guiding the nation towards peace, progress and prosperity.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, they paid a rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his contribution to establishing an independent Bangladesh. According to BSS reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-16 16:20:25', '2023-01-16 16:20:25'),
(4520, 4520, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">In the hours after Nepal\'s deadliest plane crash for 30 years, a video went viral in India - it showed one of the victims, Sonu Jaiswal, livestreaming from the plane just seconds before the crash.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was part of a group of four friends from Ghazipur in India who were visiting Nepal, and were on the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the footage, Pokhara airport\'s surroundings are visible from the doomed plane as it comes into land, those on board unaware they are just moments from death.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">None of the 72 people on board are believed to have survived the crash.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The video shows the plane gliding gently over the honeycombs of buildings dotting brown-green fields, before the man filming it turns the camera around and smiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He then turns it around again to show other passengers in the aircraft.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The following details could be distressing to some readers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moments pass, then there\'s a deafening crash.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Within seconds huge flames and smoke fill the screen as the camera keeps recording. What sounds like the screeching of an engine is audible, as well as breaking glass and then screams before the video ends.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Friends and family members of Sonu Jaiswal told reporters that they had watched the video on his Facebook account, confirming its authenticity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Sonu did the [livestream] when the plane crashed in a gorge near the Seti River,\" Mukesh Kashyap, Jaiswal\'s friend, told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local journalist Shashikant Tiwari told the BBC that Kashyap showed him the video on Jaiswal\'s Facebook profile, which is set to private.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is not clear how Jaiswal accessed the internet to stream from the plane.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abhishek Pratap Shah, a former lawmaker in Nepal, told Indian news channel NDTV that rescuers had recovered the phone on which the video was found from the plane\'s wreckage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It [the video clip] was sent by one of my friends, who received it from a police officer. It is a real record,\" Mr Shah told NDTV.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials in Nepal have not confirmed his claim or commented on the footage, which could help crash investigators in their work.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But for the loved ones of the four men - Jaiswal, Abhishek Kushwaha, Anil Rajbhar and Vishal Sharma - none of this matters. They say they are \"too shattered\" to care.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The pain is hard to explain,\" said Chandrabhan Maurya, the brother of Abhishek Kushwaha.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The government needs to help us as much as they can. We want the bodies of our loved ones to be returned to us.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities in Ghazipur in northern Uttar Pradesh state said they are in touch with the four families and the Indian embassy in Kathmandu to offer any possible help.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have also told the families that if they want to travel to Kathmandu, we will make all the arrangements for them,\" district magistrate Aryaka Akhauri told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several villagers remembered the four men as \"kind, fun-loving souls\". They said they were devastated by the tragedy that had struck their otherwise quiet lives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of them also joined protests, demanding compensation for the families.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The four men, all thought to be in their 20s or early 30s, had been friends for many years, and often spent time together.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Locals say they had gone to Nepal on 13 January to visit the Pashupatinath temple, a grand shrine on the outskirts of Kathmandu which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The trip was reportedly Jaiswal\'s idea - a father of three, he wanted to pray at the temple for another son.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After visiting the temple, the friends set off on Sunday to Pokhara - a picturesque tourist town nestled near the Annapurna mountain range - to paraglide. They planned to return to Kathmandu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"But fate had something else in store for him,\" an unnamed relative of Jaiswal\'s told news agency PTI.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The four men were among five Indians on board. Officials said 53 of the passengers were Nepalese, along with four Russians and two Koreans. Others on board are reported to have included one passenger each from the UK, Australia, Argentina and France.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, social media in India was awash with images from the crash site and of the video shot by Jaiswal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jaiswal\'s father, Rajendra Prasad Jaiswal, said he could not bear to watch the clip himself. \"I have only heard about it from Sonu\'s friends. Our lives have come crashing down.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While groups of mourners stood around the neighbourhood in disbelief, Anil Rajbhar\'s father stayed away.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His son had left for Nepal on 13 January without informing his family. While his father was busy in the family\'s fields, Anil quietly packed his bags and left with his friends, neighbours said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His father is still in disbelief at the news. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 02:30:58', '2023-01-17 02:30:58'),
(4521, 4521, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Monday was just Day Two for Ukrainian soldiers at the U.S. military’s new training program, but the message was coming through loud and clear.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These are urgent times. And the lessons they will get in the next five weeks on weapons, armored vehicles and more sophisticated combat techniques are critical as they prepare to defend their country against the Russian invasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This is not a run of the mill rotation,” U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Monday afternoon as he met with commanders. “This is one of those moments in time where if you want to make a difference, this is it.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Milley, who visited the sprawling Grafenwoehr training area to get his first look at the new, so-called combined arms instruction, has said it will better prepare Ukrainian troops to launch an offensive or counter any surge in Russian attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He spent a bit less than two hours at “Camp Kherson” — a section of the base named after a city in Ukraine where Ukrainian troops scored a key victory against Russia last year. More than 600 Ukrainian troops began the expanded training program at the camp just a day before Milley arrived.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For the first time since the war began nearly a year ago, reporters were given broad access to watch various portions of the training. The reporters were allowed to follow Milley and watch his interactions with Ukrainian and U.S. troops and commanders, but were not allowed to report specific conversations with the Ukraine forces or take any photos or video. The restrictions reflect ongoing U.S. concerns about escalating Russian anger over the West’s involvement in the war or triggering a wider conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.S. has conducted training at Grafenwoehr for years, including for allied forces in Europe. But limited instruction for Ukrainian forces began last year, shortly after the Russian invasion. At the time it was focused specifically on various weapons systems that were being supplied by the U.S., such as the howitzer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last month, the Pentagon announced it would expand the training in an effort to hone the skills of the Ukrainian forces. The five-week course will teach them to effectively move and coordinate their company- and battalion-size units in battle, using combined artillery, armor and ground forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It will include classroom instruction and field work that will begin with small squads and gradually grow to involve larger units. It will culminate with a more complex combat exercise bringing an entire battalion and a headquarters unit together.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The training at Grafenwoehr is being done by the 7th Army Training Command.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to two reporters traveling with him to Europe on Sunday, Milley said the complex training — combined with an array of new weapons, artillery, tanks and other vehicles heading to Ukraine — will be key to helping the country’s forces take back territory that has been captured by Russia in the nearly 11-month-old war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, as he walked through the training area, Milley bantered with troops, asking them about their combat experience and talking to them about their mission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The urgency was clear,” said Army Col. Dave Butler, Milley\'s spokesman. “These soldiers are going off to defend their country in combat.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Milley said Sunday that the goal is for incoming weapons and equipment to be delivered to Ukraine so the newly trained forces will be able to use it “sometime before the spring rains show up. That would be ideal.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new instruction comes as Western analysts point to signs that the Kremlin is digging in for a drawn-out war, and say the Russian military command is preparing for an expanded mobilization effort.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across the battlefield, Ukrainian forces face fierce fighting in the eastern Donetsk province, where the Russian military has claimed it has control of the small salt-mining town of Soledar. Ukraine asserts that its troops are still fighting, but if Moscow’s troops take control of Soledar it would allow them to inch closer to the bigger city of Bakhmut, where fighting has raged for months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia also launched a widespread barrage of missile strikes over the weekend, including in Kyiv, the northeastern city of Kharkiv and the southeastern city of Dnipro, where the death toll in one apartment building rose to 40. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 02:36:26', '2023-01-17 02:36:26'),
(4522, 4522, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Images of a bright, family kitchen in Ukraine, which was exposed to the world when a Russian missile strike tore off its external wall, have caused shock and sadness on social media.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The apartment was home to well known boxing coach Mykhailo Korenovsky, who was killed in Saturday\'s attack. His wife and children reportedly survived.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A video of Korenovsky celebrating a recent birthday with his family in the same flat has also been published.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike in Dnipro killed 40 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victims included three children, with more than 30 people still unaccounted for on Monday evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The image is striking for the stark contrast between the normal and the abnormal; the everyday domesticity of the cosy kitchen is framed by the sudden and total devastation delivered by a Russian attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The modern-looking kitchen with bright yellow cupboards remained remarkably intact after the strike, despite the total destruction of its external wall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A bowl of apples sits on the table, dishes lie next to the sink waiting to be washed and oven gloves still hang neatly from a line of hooks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Here people cooked, had kitchen conversations, celebrated holidays, laughed, argued,\" Kyiv MP Zoya Yarosh wrote on Facebook.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She compared the destruction of the building to the fate of her country: \"These are the wounds on the body of Ukraine. Wounds on our homes.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On social media, many people highlighted the small details in the photograph, suggesting a family getting on with their life as best they could, despite the raging war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When I look at this kitchen all I see is the flat I grew up in, the flat my grandparents lived in, the flat my cousins lived in, because we all had two stools tucked under the kitchen table just like that,\" wrote Ukrainian Alina on Twitter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the missile strike, the kitchen seems to have been at the centre of a happy family moment - a child\'s birthday party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a video published online and reposted by Ukraine\'s armed forces, a young girl smiles as she is presented with a huge birthday cake, and blows out her four candles. The same yellow cupboards are clearly visible, as are the oven gloves and television on the wall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those in the video are believed to be Mykhailo Korenovsky\'s family, who reportedly survived the strike, while the boxing coach did not.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is not clear when the video was filmed, but it is a stark reminder of how suddenly war can destroy lives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Perhaps it was him [Korenovsky] who bought those apples for his family, left standing on the table after the building collapsed,\" said BBC Russian journalist Liza Fokht. \"Or perhaps it was him who left a plate in the sink - there\'ll always be time to wash it later.\" BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 02:54:51', '2023-01-17 02:54:51'),
(4523, 4523, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Under the Taliban, the mannequins in women’s dress shops across the Afghan capital of Kabul are a haunting sight, their heads cloaked in cloth sacks or wrapped in black plastic bags.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The hooded mannequins are one symbol of the Taliban’s puritanical rule over Afghanistan. But in a way, they are also a small show of resistance and creativity by Kabul’s dress merchants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Initially, the Taliban wanted the mannequins to be outright beheaded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Not long after they seized power in August 2021, the Taliban Ministry of Vice and Virtue decreed that all mannequins must be removed from shop windows or their heads taken off, according to local media. They based the order on a strict interpretation of Islamic law that forbids statues and images of the human form since they could be worshipped as idols — though it also meshes with the Taliban\'s campaign to force women out of the public eye.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some clothes sellers complied. But others pushed back.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They complained they’d be unable to display their clothes properly or would have to damage valuable mannequins. The Taliban had to amend their order and allowed the shop owners to cover the mannequins’ heads instead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shop owners then had to balance between obeying the Taliban and trying to attract customers. The variety of solutions they came up with are on display on Lycee Maryam Street, a middle-class commercial street lined with dress shops in a northern part of Kabul. The store windows and showrooms are lined with mannequins in evening gowns and dresses bursting with color and decoration — and all in various types of head coverings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In one shop, the mannequins’ heads were cloaked in tailored sacks made out of the same material as the traditional dresses they modeled. One, in a purple dress beaded with cowrie shells, had a matching purple hood. Another, in a red gown elaborately embroidered in gold, was almost elegant in a mask of red velvet with a gold crown on her head.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I can’t cover the mannequins’ heads with plastic or ugly things because it would make my window and shop look ugly,” said Bashir, the owner. Like other owners, he spoke to The Associated Press on condition he be identified only by his first name for fear of reprisals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shop owners need keep things attractive — the economy has collapsed since the Taliban takeover and the ensuing cutoff of international financing, throwing almost the entire population into poverty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Elaborate dresses have always been popular in Afghanistan for weddings, which even before the Taliban were usually gender-segregated, giving women a chance to dress in their finest in the country’s conservative society. Under the Taliban, weddings are one of the few remaining opportunities for social gatherings. But with incomes so strained, they have become less elaborate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bashir said his sales are half what they used to be.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Buying wedding, evening and traditional dresses is no longer a priority for people,” he said. “People think more about getting food and surviving.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another shop owner, Hakim, shaped aluminum foil over his mannequins’ heads. It adds a certain flash to his merchandise, he decided.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I made an opportunity out of this threat and ban and did it so the mannequins are even more attractive than before,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Not all can be so elaborate. In one shop, the mannequins in sleeveless gowns all had black plastic sacks over their heads. The owner said he couldn\'t afford more.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another shop owner, Aziz, said agents of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue regularly patrol shops and malls to make sure the mannequins are beheaded or covered. He was dismissive of the Taliban’s justification for the rules. “Everyone knows mannequins aren’t idols, and no one’s going to worship them. In all Muslim countries, mannequins are used to display clothes.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read more: Australia pulls out of Afghanistan cricket series</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A small number of male mannequins can be seen in display windows, also with their heads covered, suggesting that the authorities are applying the ban uniformly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Taliban initially said they would not impose the same harsh rules over society as they did during their first rule in the late 1990s. But they have progressively imposed more restrictions, particularly on women. They have banned women and girls from schooling beyond the sixth grade, barred them from most jobs and demanded they cover their faces when outside.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On a recent day, a woman shopping on Lycee Maryam Street looked at the hooded mannequins.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“When I see them, I feel that these mannequins are also captured and trapped, and I get a sense of fear,” said the woman, who gave only her first name, Rahima.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I feel like I see myself behind these shop windows, an Afghan woman who has been deprived of all her rights.”&nbsp; AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 03:18:47', '2023-01-17 03:18:47'),
(4524, 4524, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least six people were killed as an ambulance collided head-on with a speeding truck near Padma Bridge South police station in Shariatpur\'s Zajira upazila early Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately, said Selim Miah, deputy assistant director of Shariatpur Fire Service and Civil Defence Station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victims were passengers in the ambulance, he added. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The accident occurred around 3:45 am when the driver of the ambulance carrying six people, coming from Barishal, lost control and hit the Dhaka-bound truck loaded with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), leaving them dead on the spot, said the officer. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 03:39:08', '2023-01-17 14:48:58'),
(4525, 4525, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Search teams retrieved the flight data and cockpit voice recorders Monday of a passenger plane that plummeted into a gorge on approach to a new airport in the foothills of the Himalayas, officials said, as investigators looked for the cause of Nepal\'s deadliest plane crash in 30 years.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 69 of the 72 people aboard were killed, and officials believe the three missing are also dead. Rescuers combed through the debris, scattered down a 300-meter-deep (984-foot-deep) gorge, for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many of the passengers on Sunday\'s flight were returning home to Pokhara, though the city is also popular with tourists since it\'s the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit hiking trail. On Monday evening, relatives and friends were still gathered outside a local hospital, some shouting at officials to speed up the post mortems so they could hold funerals for their loved ones.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It\'s still not clear what caused the crash, which took place less than a minute\'s flight from the airport on a mild day with little wind.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In footage taken by a passenger out of a window as the plane came in for a landing, buildings, roads and greenery are visible below. The video, by Sonu Jaiswal and verified by The Associated Press, then shows a violent jolt and a series of jerky images accompanied by yelling before flames fill the screen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority said the aircraft last made contact with the airport, which began operations only two weeks ago, from near Seti Gorge. A witness who recorded footage of the plane’s descent said it looked like a normal landing until the plane suddenly veered to the left.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I saw that, and I was shocked,\" said Diwas Bohora. “I thought that today everything will be finished here after it crashes, I will also be dead.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After it clashed, red flames erupted and the ground shook violently, Bohora said. “Seeing that scene, I was scared,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amit Singh, an experienced pilot and founder of India’s Safety Matters Foundation, said Bohora\'s video appears to show a stall, a situation in which a plane loses lift, especially likely at low airspeeds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft, operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines, was completing the 27-minute flight from the capital, Kathmandu, to Pokhara, 200 kilometers (125 miles) west. It was carrying 68 passengers, including 15 foreign nationals, as well as four crew members, Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement. The foreigners included five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Ireland, Australia, Argentina and France.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jagannath Niraula, a spokesman for the authority, said the flight recorders will be handed over to investigators. Pemba Sherpa, spokesperson for Yeti Airlines, confirmed that both the flight data and the cockpit voice recorders were found.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains including Mount Everest. A pilot who routinely flies an ATR 72-500 plane from India to Nepal said the region’s topography, with its mountain peaks and narrow valleys, raises the risk of accidents and sometimes requires pilots to fly by sight rather than relying on instruments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The pilot, who works for a private Indian airline and insisted on anonymity due to company policy, called the ATR 72-500 an “unforgiving aircraft” if the pilot isn’t highly skilled and familiar with the region’s terrain and wind speeds.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hundreds of people have gathered outside the Pokhara Academy of Health and Science, Western Hospital, where the bodies are being kept.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bimala Bhenderi said was planning to meet her friend, Tribhuban Paudel, on Tuesday when she heard that his flight had crashed. “I’m so sad, I can’t believe it still,” she said in tears.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bikash Jaiswal said he could only identify his wife\'s brother only by the ring he wore, and that he had yet to tell his wife, who just gave birth to their daughter. Sanjay Jaiswal, who worked as a marketing agent for a private pharmaceutical company in Kathmandu, was flying to Pokhara for the birth. More than 24 hours after the crash, his body lay in the same hospital where his niece was born.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“He was a hardworking person, and now there’s no one left in his family to earn,” Bikash said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Park Dae-seong, a minister and spokesperson of the Won Buddhist order, confirmed on Monday the deaths of Arun Paudel and his daughter, Prasiddi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Arun Paudel, 47, had worked as a police officer in Nepal before being introduced into the religion by his brother. He studied the religion for years at a South Korean university before becoming a minister in 2009. He then returned to Nepal and established a school in the Lumbini province in 2013 where children received English, Korean and information technology instruction. Park said Paudel was returning to Nepal for work related to the school, called the Vishow Ekata Academy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Civil Aviation Authority said that 41 people have been identified. Gyan Khadka, a police spokesperson in the district, said the bodies would be handed over to family after officials finish post mortem reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The type of plane involved, the ATR 72, has been used by airlines around the world for short regional flights since the late 1980s. In Taiwan, two accidents involving ATR 72-500 and ATR 72-600 aircrafts in 2014 and 2015 led to the planes being grounded for a period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ATR identified the plane involved in Sunday’s crash as an ATR 72-500 in a tweet. According to plane tracking data from flightradar24.com, the aircraft was 15 years old and “equipped with an old transponder with unreliable data.” It was previously flown by India’s Kingfisher Airlines and Thailand’s Nok Air before Yeti took it over in 2019, according to records on Airfleets.net. ATR has not responded to a request for comment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Safety Matters Foundation’s data, there have been 42 fatal plane crashes in Nepal since 1946.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunday’s crash is the country\'s deadliest since 1992, when all 167 people aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane were killed when it plowed into a hill as it tried to land in Kathmandu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The European Union has banned airlines from Nepal from flying into the 27-nation bloc since 2013, citing weak safety standards. In 2017, the International Civil Aviation Organization cited improvements in Nepal’s aviation sector, but the EU continues to demand administrative reforms. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 04:01:33', '2023-01-17 04:01:33'),
(4526, 4526, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A senior US official traveled Monday to Kyiv where she met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and assured him of Washington\'s \"steadfast commitment\" to Ukraine, the State Department said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman led a delegation to the Ukrainian capital to discuss assistance to bolster Ukraine\'s security posture, improvements to its econony, and ways to develop an enduring bilateral trade partnership with the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US group met with Zelensky, members of his presidential office, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and other senior Ukrainian officials, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The purpose of the visit is \"to reaffirm the United States\' strong and steadfast commitment to Ukraine and its defense against Russia\'s unprovoked aggression,\" State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The delegation also \"heard from young Ukrainians who have adapted their businesses and advocacy to support their fellow citizens even as they look ahead to Ukraine\'s recovery and reconstruction,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sherman\'s visit came as clashes have ratcheted up in Ukraine in the 11th month of a bitter and deadly war, and as Moscow\'s forces stand accused of firing a missile that leveled part of a residential apartment bloc in the central city of Dnipro, killing at least 40 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last month Zelensky visited President Joe Biden at the White House where he made the case for some $45 billion in emergency military and economic aid for Ukraine. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 04:11:30', '2023-01-17 04:11:30');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4527, 4527, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">While still grappling with the fallout from a company he did take private, beleaguered billionaire Elon Musk is now facing a trial over a company he didn’t.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Long before Musk purchased Twitter for $44 billion in October, he had set his sights on Tesla, the electric automaker where he continues to serve as CEO and from which he derives most of his wealth and fame.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Musk claimed in a August 7, 2018 tweet that he had lined up the financing to pay for a $72 billion buyout of Tesla, which he then amplified with a follow-up statement that made a deal seem imminent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the buyout never materialized and now Musk will have to explain his actions under oath in a federal court in San Francisco. The trial, which begins on Tuesday with jury selection, was triggered by a class-action lawsuit on behalf of investors who owned Tesla stock for a 10-day period in August 2018.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Musk’s tweets back then fueled a rally in Tesla’s stock price that abruptly ended a week later, after it became apparent that he didn’t have the funding for a buyout after all. That resulted in him scrapping his plan to take the automaker private, culminating in a $40 million settlement with U.S. securities regulators that also required him to step down as the company’s chairman. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 04:29:57', '2023-01-17 04:29:57'),
(4528, 4528, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Joe Biden will travel to California’s central coast Thursday to visit areas that have been devastated by extreme weather.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The White House said in a statement Monday that the president would visit with first responders and state and local officials, survey recovery efforts and assess what additional federal support is needed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The president’s trip was announced as the ninth atmospheric river in a three-week series of major winter storms was churning through California.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The storms have dumped rain and snow on California since late December, cutting power to thousands, swamping roads, toppling trees, unleashing debris flows and triggering landslides. Monday’s system was relatively weak compared with earlier storms, but flooding and mudslide risks remained because the state was so saturated, forecasters said. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 04:52:12', '2023-01-17 04:52:12'),
(4529, 4529, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">China\'s population has fallen for the first time in 60 years, with the national birth rate hitting a record low - 6.77 births per 1,000 women.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The population in 2022 - 1.4118 billion - fell by 850,000 from 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China\'s birth rate has been declining for years, prompting a slew of policies to slow the trend.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But seven years after scrapping the one-child policy, it has entered what one official described as an \"era of negative population growth\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The birth rate in 2022 was also down from 7.52 in 2021, according to China\'s National Bureau of Statistics, which released the figures on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deaths also outnumbered births for the first time last year - China logged its highest death rate since 1976 - 7.37 deaths per 1,000 people, up from 7.18 the previous year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier government data had heralded a demographic crisis, which would in the long run shrink China\'s labour force and increase the burden on healthcare and other social security costs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Results from a once-a-decade census announced in 2021 showed China\'s population growing at its slowest pace in decades.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An ageing population and falling birth rates have been slowing down other developed economies in Asia, such as South Korea and Japan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China\'s population trends over the years have been largely shaped by the controversial one-child policy, which was introduced in 1979 to slow population growth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Families that violated the rules were fined and in some cases even lost jobs. In a culture that historically favours boys over girls, the policy had also led to forced abortions and a reportedly skewed gender ratio boys from the 1980s.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The policy was scrapped in 2016 and married couples were allowed to have two children. In recent years, the Chinese government also offered tax breaks and better maternal healthcare, among other incentives, to reverse or at least slow the falling birth rate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But these policies did not lead to a sustained increase in the births - experts say this is because policies that encouraged childbirth were not accompanied by efforts to ease the burden of childcare, such as more help for working mothers or access to education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In October 2022, Chinese president Xi Jinping made boosting birth rates a priority. Mr Xi said in a once-in-five-year Communist Party Congress in Beijing that his government will \"pursue a proactive national strategy\" in response to the country\'s ageing population. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 05:32:56', '2023-01-17 05:32:56'),
(4530, 4530, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Scientists have discovered a new species of lizard in a protected natural area in Cusco, southeastern Peru, national park officials said Monday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"Otishi National Park reveals a new species of lizard to science,\" the National Service of State-Protected Natural Areas said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new species, named \"Proctoporus titans,\" was found high in the Andes mountains at an altitude of 3,241 meters (10,600 feet).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lizard is dark gray with yellow and gold flecks on its sides and head. It has a tail that is longer than its body, and grooved dorsal scales and prefrontal scales.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Otishi National Park is a protected area in the Cusco and Junín region, covering almost 306,000 hectares (756,000 acres) of mountainous forests. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 05:43:32', '2023-01-17 05:43:32'),
(4531, 4531, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">To follow a healthy lifestyle, most people include dry fruits and seasonal fruits in their diet. As winters knock on our doors, people love to have Kinnow during this time. So if you are a Kinnow lover and plan to bring it home, do not throw away its peels.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Because you can use Kinnow pels in many ways — from skincare to gardening. The Kinnow peels are loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, potassium, and calcium. So today let’s know about the use of Kinnow peels and their amazing benefits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cleanser: You can make an amazing home cleaner with Kinnow peels. The Kinnow cleanser not only brightens the house but is also useful to get rid of the insects in the house. To make cleaner from Kinnow peels, first, boil 250 grams of Kinnow peels in 1 litre of water.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then wait for some time until the water cools down and next filter it. Then mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of neem oil in this water and fill it in a container. Your homemade cleaner is ready.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Garden Spray: Apart from cleaning the kitchen and bathroom of the house with a cleaner made from Kinnow peels, you can also use it to make the utensils smell-free. Along with this, you can also spray this cleaner in the garden to eliminate the insects in the plants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Skin Care: To take special care of the skin in winter, you can add Kinnow peels to your skincare routine. For this, put the peels of Kinnow in water and boil it. Now filter the water and mix it with your bathing water. This will make your skin look fresh and shiny. N18</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 06:17:34', '2023-01-17 06:17:34'),
(4532, 4532, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Actor Alia Bhatt has a dedicated fitness routine that she diligently follows every week. The star is known for trying her hands at different exercise styles, including Pilates, strength training, Yoga, and more.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, after one moment of giving birth to her and Ranbir Kapoor\'s daughter, Raha, Alia returned to her usual workout plan. Recently, she had a training session with celebrity Pilates instructor Yasmin Karachiwala, who shared a glimpse of Alia\'s workout with fans on her Instagram story. The Internet loved the video and called Alia a \'hardworking mommy\'. Keep scrolling to see the video and what Alia\'s fans commented on the post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, Yasmin Karachiwala posted a short clip of Alia Bhatt on her Instagram story. Celebrity photographer Varinder Chawla reshared the video on their page with the caption, \"DEDICATED Mommy. Have a look at this short glimpse of Alia Bhatt doing Pilates.\"&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The post shows the actor working out on the Cadillac Reformer by kneeling on the machine with a straight back, hands secured in resistance bands while pulling them up in the air to build upper body strength. Alia nailed the set dressed in a yellow tee, black tights and hair secured in a sleek bun. Watch the clip below.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alia\'s fans showered her with compliments after the video went viral on social media. One user wrote, \"Hardworking mommy [heart emoji].\" A few others dropped fire emojis to praise the actor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pilates Benefits:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Practising Pilates has several benefits that may convince you to try it out. We have listed some of them here - It helps relieve tension in your shoulders, back and legs, boost your body\'s natural ability to burn fat, and promote mindfulness and body awareness. It is also a great way to cross-train and prevent injury. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 06:45:29', '2023-01-17 06:45:29'),
(4533, 4533, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Six people including a 17-year-old mother and her 6-month-old baby — were killed in a shooting early Monday at a home in central California, and authorities are searching for at least two suspects, sheriff’s officials said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputies responded around 3:30 a.m. to reports of multiple shots fired at the residence in unincorporated Goshen, just east of Visalia, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Actually the report was that an active shooter was in the area because of the number of shots that were being fired,” Sheriff Mike Boudreaux told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputies found two victims dead in the street and a third person fatally shot in the doorway of the residence, Boudreaux said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three more victims were found inside the home, including a man who was still alive but later died at a hospital, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sheriff said investigators are searching for at least two suspects. They believe there is a gang connection to the killings. The sheriff’s office conducted a narcotics-related search warrant at the residence last week, Boudreaux said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We also believe this was not a random act of violence. We believe this was a targeted family,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Goshen is a semi-rural community of about 3,000 residents 35 miles (56 kilometres) southeast of Fresno in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 06:57:57', '2023-01-17 06:57:57'),
(4534, 4534, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the Russian missile strike on an apartment building in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, with at least 40 dead, as a possible war crime, his spokesperson said Monday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A strike hit a residential building in Dnipro on Saturday evening, in one of the deadliest attacks in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion last February,\" Stephanie Tremblay told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The secretary-general condemned this attack, saying that this was another example of a suspected violation of the laws of war,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, \"called for an effective investigation of suspected war crimes and appropriate prosecution of suspects,\" Tremblay said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The toll from the attack in Dnipro rose to 40 on Monday, as more bodies were pulled from the debris of the partially collapsed Soviet-style apartment building. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 07:22:56', '2023-01-17 07:22:56'),
(4535, 4535, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant has thanked \"two heroes\" who helped get him to hospital after his car crashed into a road divider and caught fire.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his first public comments since the accident, Pant said he would be \"forever grateful and indebted\" to Rajat Kumar and Nishu Kumar, posting a photo of the duo at his hospital bed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I may not have been able to thank everyone individually, but I must acknowledge these two heroes who helped me during my accident and ensured I got to the hospital safely,\" Pant said on Twitter late Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Rajat Kumar &amp; Nishu Kumar, Thank you. I\'ll be forever grateful and indebted.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman crashed his Mercedes SUV north of New Delhi before dawn on December 30.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He suffered multiple injuries when the car rammed into a crash barrier, flipped over and caught fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 25-year-old was rushed to a local hospital in Dehradun before being airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment and surgery.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Indian cricket board said that Pant suffered several injuries including a damaged ligament in his right knee, a hurt wrist and ankle, and abrasions on his back.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pant tweeted Monday that his \"road to recovery\" had now begun and that an operation -- reportedly on his knee -- \"was a success\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am humbled and grateful for all the support and good wishes... The road to recovery has begun and I am ready for the challenges ahead,\" he tweeted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also thanked the Indian cricket board and government authorities for their \"incredible support\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"From the bottom of my heart, I also would like to thank all my fans, teammates, doctors and the physios for your kind words and encouragement. Looking forward to see you all on the field. #grateful #blessed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pant, who is the captain of Delhi Capitals side in the Indian Premier League, is set to miss the cash-rich tournament due to start in late March or April.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was also left out of the squads for the first two Tests of Australia\'s upcoming tour of India in February and March, when the arch-rivals will play four Tests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pant is a mainstay of the Test squad and has played a key role in some of India\'s most memorable wins in the last three years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This includes his brilliant 88 not out in the fourth and final Test in Australia in 2021 that helped India win the match and the series. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 07:32:34', '2023-01-17 07:34:53'),
(4536, 4536, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Saudi government has announced that the cost of comprehensive Umrah insurance for foreign pilgrims has been reduced by 63 percent.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of KSA has cut the cost from SR 235 to SR 87 – with effect from January 10, reports Saudi Gazette.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The insurance for Umrah is a unified policy that is covered by pilgrims from Muslim countries of the world, including Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is included in the visa procedures and covers emergency cases such as treatment, admission, hospitalization, pregnancy, emergency childbirth, emergency dental cases, traffic accident injuries, dialysis cases, and internal and external medical evacuation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also covers general cases such as accidental permanent total disability, cases of death and death due to natural disasters, returning the body of the deceased to his country, and blood money issued by a court ruling. It also includes covers for flight delay compensation and flight cancellation compensation, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The insurance coverage period is 90 days, starting from the day of entering Saudi Arabia, and the scope of its coverage is only within the kingdom.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Intending Umrah performers can visit the website of the Comprehensive Insurance Program for the Guests of Rahman to view the Umrah insurance policy, verify its validity, and know services providers. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"7\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 08:21:22', '2023-01-17 08:21:22'),
(4537, 4537, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The High Court on Tuesday stayed the decision of the Election Commission that turned down the nomination papers of Ashraful Hossain Alam alias Hero Alam for contesting the upcoming by-elections to Bogura-4 and Bogura-6 constituencies as independent candidate.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the cancellation of Hero Alam’s nomination papers should not be declared illegal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Four people including the Chief Election Commission, EC secretary and returning officer were made respondents to the rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir passed the order following two separate writ petitions filed by Alam on Monday challenging the EC’s decision.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Advocate Md Yarul Islam, who appeared for the writ petitioner, said there is no bar to Hero Alam to contest in the polls following the order of the High Court.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The nomination papers of Hero Alam were turned down by the Election Commission on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said the nomination papers of eleven candidates including Hero Alam were cancelled as the Election Commission found mismatched documents against their affidavits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hero Alam collected nomination papers for contesting the upcoming by-election to Bogura-4 and Bogura-6 constituencies as an independent candidate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Election Commission announced the date of the by-election in the vacant post for February 1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hero Alam contested for Bogura-4 (Kahalu-Nandigram) constituency as an independent candidate in the 11th national election. He got 638 votes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On December 2, 2018, the nomination paper of much-talked-about independent candidate for Bagura-4 seats Ashraful Alam alias Hero Alam was turned down by the Election Commission as he could not properly submit the signatures of one percent voters of his constituency. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 08:34:13', '2023-01-17 08:34:13'),
(4538, 4538, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Over 9,000 civilians, including 453 children, have been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion last February, a senior Ukrainian presidential aide said on Tuesday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We have registered 80,000 crimes committed by Russian invaders and over 9,000 civilians have been killed, including 453 children,” Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential staff, said at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos.</div><div><br></div><div>“We will not forgive a single (act of) torture or life taken. Each criminal will be held accountable,” he said, reiterating that Ukraine wants a special international tribunal to try Russian political leaders and reparations for the destruction caused by Russia’s invasion.</div><div><br></div><div>The Office of the UN high commissioner for human rights said on Monday that more than 7,000 civilians had been killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 10:36:47', '2023-01-17 10:36:47'),
(4539, 4539, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Four cases have been filed over the clash between police and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Kazir Dewri area of Chattogram.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Zahidul Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali police station, said they filed the cases&nbsp; at the police station in the early hours of Tuesday against Metropolitan BNP convenor Shahadat Hossain, member secretary Abul Hashem, 90 others named and 500 unidentified people.</div><div><br></div><div>“After detaining 20 people during the clash, 16 people were shown arrested. Although drives were conducted at various places last night, no one was arrested,” said the OC.</div><div><br></div><div>These cases were filed under&nbsp; the Anti-Terrorism Act on charges of using explosives, attacking police and torching a motorcycle.</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, BNP\'s Chattogram unit arranged a protest rally in front of the party office at Nasiman Bhaban on Monday to press home its 10-point demand and to protest electricity price hike.</div><div><br></div><div>When BNP leaders and activists were going to join the rally around 3:30pm, police charged batons to disperse them, triggering the clash, said Idris Ali, former organising secretary of Chattogram unit BNP.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 7-8 BNP activists were injured as charged batons&nbsp; and fired shots, said the BNP leader.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Mostafizur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (South), said that police made arrangements for a peaceful rally but the BNP men attacked the police, leaving 5 policemen injured, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP activists also set a police motorcycle on fire and vandalised several shops in the area during the clash, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 11:28:47', '2023-01-17 11:28:47'),
(4540, 4540, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has returned home from hospital after receiving treatment.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He returned to his Uttara residence after discharge from hospital on Monday night.</div><div><br></div><div>He was admitted to Dhaka\'s Evercare Hospital for a health checkup on Sunday morning under the supervision of Cardiologist Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said to meida that I returned home and feeling much better now. The doctors asked to take the medicines timely and take proper rest.</div><div><br></div><div>“But there is no such thing like rest for politicians.” Fakhrul has been suffering from various health complications, including cardiac problems which intensified during his recent imprisonment.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 11:40:29', '2023-01-17 11:40:29'),
(4541, 4541, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The death toll from a weekend Russian missile strike on an apartment building in southeastern Ukraine climbed to 41 on Tuesday after the body of a child was pulled from the rubble, officials said, in what was the deadliest attack of the war on civilians at one location since the spring.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Another 25 residents of the building city of Dnipro were still missing, according to Valentyn Reznichenko, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, whose capital is Dnipro.</div><div><br></div><div>Emergency crews have cleared about 90% of the rubble during a 63-hour search since the Saturday afternoon strike, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>There are 79 wounded people, he said, with 28 of them hospitalized and 10 in serious condition. About 1,700 people lived in the multistory building. Some people were trapped on upper floors, with some signaling for help with lights on their cellphones.</div><div><br></div><div>The latest deadly Russian strike on a civilian target in the almost 11-month war triggered outrage. It also prompted the surprise resignation on Tuesday of a Ukrainian presidential adviser who said the Russian missile was shot down by the Ukrainian air defense system and exploded when it fell - a version that would take some of the blame off the Kremlin\'s forces.</div><div><br></div><div>Oleksii Arestovich\'s comments in an interview Saturday night caused an outcry. He said as he quit that his remarks were “a fundamental mistake.”</div><div><br></div><div>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to bring those responsible for the strike to justice, saying it\'s “a fundamental task” for Ukraine and its Western allies.</div><div><br></div><div>“This strike at Dnipro, as well as other similar strikes, falls, in particular, under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court,” he said in a video address late Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>“And we will use all available opportunities — both national and international — to ensure that all Russian murderers, everyone who gives and executes orders on missile terror against our people, face legal sentences. And to ensure that they serve their punishment,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The U.K. Defense Ministry said Tuesday that the weekend barrage of long-range missiles, the first of its kind in two weeks, targeted Ukraine’s power grid.</div><div><br></div><div>But the ministry identified the missile that slammed into the Dnipro apartment building as an anti-ship missile that “is notoriously inaccurate when used against ground targets as its radar guidance system is poor at differentiating targets in urban areas.”</div><div><br></div><div>Similar missiles were used in other incidents that caused high civilian casualties, it said, including a strike on a shopping mall in Ukraine’s central city of Kremenchuk last June.</div><div><br></div><div>Such incidents have helped stiffen international support for Ukraine as it battles to fend off the Kremlin’s invasion. The winter has brought a slowdown in fighting, but military analysts say a new push by both sides is likely once the weather improves.</div><div><br></div><div>Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that the country\'s military would increase its readiness from the current 1.15 million to 1.5 million in coming years.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the buildup, the military will form an army corps in the northwestern region of Karelia, near Finland, as well as three new motorized infantry and two airborne divisions. The military will also beef up seven existing motorized infantry brigades into divisions.</div><div><br></div><div>That announcement came a day after U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and other U.S. officials met in Kyiv with Zelenskyy. They reiterated Washington\'s “strong and steadfast commitment to Ukraine,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.</div><div><br></div><div>U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Monday visited Ukraine troops who are training at a military base in Germany under U.S. commanders.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 600 Ukrainian troops began the expanded training program at the camp the previous day.</div><div><br></div><div>“This is not a run of the mill rotation,” Milley told commanders. “This is one of those moments in time where if you want to make a difference, this is it.”</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine’s first lady was also helping to cement Western support and acquire more foreign weapons, as she was scheduled to give a rare international address at the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in the Swiss town of Davos.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency on Monday visited the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant and announced the organization’s permanent presence there to oversee operations and ensure safety.</div><div><br></div><div>Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, tweeted late Monday that the agency’s flag was flying over the power plant.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are here to stay to help ensure nuclear safety (and) security during ongoing conflict,” Grossi said, adding that “soon, IAEA will be permanently present” at all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine has a total of four nuclear power plants with 16 reactors. One of them, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, was taken over by Russian forces in the first months of the war and remains under their control. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 12:12:36', '2023-01-17 12:12:36'),
(4542, 4542, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">After lighting up football\'s biggest stages, Cristiano Ronaldo faces a very different reality in Saudi Arabia with smaller stadiums and less exalted teams -- and some very high temperatures.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ronaldo, 37, says he\'s embracing the \"challenge\" of the Saudi Pro League, a step into the unknown for a player who is more used to Real Madrid\'s heaving Santiago Bernabeu stadium or the \"Theatre of Dreams\", Manchester United\'s Old Trafford.</div><div><br></div><div>The transition has been eased by the combined 400 million euros he\'ll receive in wages from his new team, Al Nassr, and a separate payment to act as an ambassador for an expected Saudi World Cup bid, according to sources close to the club.</div><div><br></div><div>But it will be a big adjustment for the five-time Ballon d\'Or winner, who will soon be running out at modest venues including the 6,000-seat Al Batin Stadium.</div><div><br></div><div>After an exhibition appearance against his great rival Lionel Messi\'s Paris Saint-Germain in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Thursday, Ronaldo will make his Saudi Pro League debut for Al Nassr on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>The 16-team league will take Ronaldo from Dammam on the Gulf coast to Jeddah on the Red Sea, as well as desert-bound provincial cities such as Majma\'ah and Hofuf, a hub for Saudi Arabia\'s date industry.</div><div><br></div><div>- Chartered planes -</div><div><br></div><div>While Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, the giants of Saudi football, play in 62,000-capacity home grounds, a handful of Pro League teams have small venues for less than 10,000 fans, and some pitches are surrounded by running tracks.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Sometimes the stadiums are not in the best condition,\" Moqbel al-Zabni, editor-in-chief of the Al Riyadiah newspaper, told AFP, cautioning that empty seats are a common sight.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The attendances that Ronaldo is used to will not exist. We are not used to seeing stadiums full to capacity,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Ronaldo\'s home ground will be Al Nassr\'s 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park, which lies on a university campus in Riyadh and was packed for his gala unveiling earlier this month.</div><div><br></div><div>Chartered planes will ferry the superstar and his team-mates to away games, club sources said, sparing him long coach trips through the desert landscape.</div><div><br></div><div>The Pro League season runs from August to May, avoiding the worst of the fierce summer heat when temperatures routinely top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).</div><div><br></div><div>Even the evenings, when many games are played, can remain above 30C (86 Fahrenheit) in August and September, and from March until the end of the season.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The weather will pose a challenge to Ronaldo... but I think he will adapt and excel,\" said Saleh al-Khalif, Al-Riyadiah\'s deputy editor-in-chief.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'No walk in the park\' -</div><div><br></div><div>Saudi Arabia is a leading force in Asian football with six World Cup appearances, including a famous victory over Messi\'s Argentina at the recent edition in Qatar.</div><div><br></div><div>Al Hilal and Al Ittihad have won six AFC Champions League titles between them. With Ronaldo, Al Nassr will have hopes of qualifying for this year\'s competition and joining their great rivals as Asian champions.</div><div><br></div><div>Although the Pro League\'s standards cannot match the heights of England, Spain and Italy, where Ronaldo has spent his career so far, it is a competitive division.</div><div><br></div><div>The Saudi league was launched in 1976 but in the 14 years since the Pro League became the top tier, there have been six different winners.</div><div><br></div><div>Khalif said the league\'s \"strength and diversity\" were comparable to English football, insisting it would be no \"walk in the park\" for Ronaldo.</div><div><br></div><div>The Pro League is packed with 128 foreign players from 48 countries, with each team allowed to sign eight.</div><div><br></div><div>At Al Nassr, coached by Frenchman Rudi Garcia, Ronaldo\'s team-mates include Colombia and ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina and Brazilian midfielder Luis Gustavo, formerly of Bayern Munich.</div><div><br></div><div>Ronaldo\'s first task will be to keep Al Nassr on top of the league and secure their first title in four years. But the other teams will be highly motivated to stop him, reports AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"Ronaldo is a legend... and all teams will play to beat Ronaldo,\" said Khalif.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 12:53:41', '2023-01-17 12:53:41'),
(4543, 4543, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved a Tk 5,651.13-crore project for the construction of an elevated road from Mithamoin upazila sadar to Karimganj upazila in Kishoreganj district, aiming to ensuring smooth and uninterrupted road communication in the haor region.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The approval came from an Ecnec meeting presided over by Ecnec chair and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC Conference Room in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Today the meeting approved a total of 11 projects with an overall estimated cost of Tk 10,640.58 crore. \"Out of the total cost, Tk 7,827.50 crore will be drawn from the fund of Bangladesh government while Tk 2,880.18 crore from foreign sources as project assistance,\" said Planning Minister MA Mannan at a press briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the 11 projects, six are fresh projects while five are revised ones, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Planning Minister said that the main objective of the elevated road construction project is to establish smooth road communication in the haor region from Mithamoin Sadar to Karimganj upazila connecting the Mithamoin cantonment.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, some 13.40 kilometer existing road from Nakbhanga circle to Morichkhali bazar would be widened to establish smooth and uninterrupted all weather road communication of Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram upazilas with Kishoreganj Sadar, Dhaka, Sylhet and other districts.</div><div><br></div><div>The main project operations include construction of 15.13 kilometer elevated road, widening of 13.40 kilometer existing road, construction of four bridges, construction of 13 toll plazas, toll monitoring buildings and check posts and construction of 13 kilometer temporary submersible roads.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam, the members of Planning Commission and concerned secretaries were present at the briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>Replying to a question if the draft EVM procurement project was placed at the meeting or not, the Planning Minister said that neither the project was in the agenda nor the Prime Minister wanted to know anything about it.</div><div><br></div><div>\"But, the draft project is under process and you\'ll know about it when it will progress further,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>In the meeting, a brief on the country\'s current economic situation was made, which was appreciated by all, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking about the PM\'s directives, the Planning Minister said that the authorities concerned were asked to complete the development works within the stipulated timeframe and maintain the quality of works.</div><div><br></div><div>Mannan said the PM put emphasize on proper scrutiny before making expenditures.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam informed that the PM directed all to remain cautious in expenditure as well as maintaining austerity in expenditure.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The other projects okayed in the meeting are construction of multipurpose hydraulic elevator dam on Srimai River under Patia upazila of Chattogram with Tk 133.53 crore, Protecting Sheikh Hasina Cantonment area from the erosion of Karkhana, Bighai and Payra Rivers under Barishal district, 1st phase with Tk 676 crore, Padma River dredging and protection of left embankment from Majhirchar to Moksedpur via Narishabazar under Dohar upazila in Dhaka, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 528.06 crore, Adaptation initiative for the small islands and river Char lands in the coastal areas vulnerable to climate change with Tk 77.86 crore, Matarbari coal-based power station construction project (roads and highways department portion, 2nd revised with an additional cost of Tk 364.81 crore.</div><div><br></div><div>The remaining projects are construction of multilane tunnel under Karnaphuli River, 2nd revised with an additional cost of Tk 315.29 crore, Establishment of global maritime distress and safety system &amp; integrated maritime navigation system (EGIMNS) project, 3rd revised with an additional cost of Tk 92.46 crore, Inclusive sanitation at 25 towns in Bangladesh with Tk 2,210.70 crore, Climate Change Adapted Urban Development, Phase II (CCAUD), Khulna with Taka 491.28 crore and Ghorashal, 4th unit re powering project, 2nd revised with an additional cost of Tk 99.46 crore. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 13:51:11', '2023-01-17 13:51:11'),
(4544, 4544, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh Bank (BB) has reset the prices of commemorative gold coins citing a price hike of the metals in local and international markets.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Prices of gold coins issued on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day 2000, Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh\'s independence have been increased to Taka 83,000 each, said a BB press release today.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The new price will be effective from Wednesday. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 14:41:30', '2023-01-17 14:41:30'),
(4545, 4545, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Eminent writer and academic Md Zafar Iqbal and Professor Hasina Khan have expressed their disappointment over the plagiarised contents found in the new class 7 science textbook edited by themselves.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The writers associated with editing the book also accepted their responsibility in a statement issued on Monday.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the new curriculum from this year, science textbooks for classes 6 and 7 have been printed and distributed to students as \'Anusandhani Path\'.</div><div><br></div><div>In an article published in vernacular daily Prothom Alo, a complaint was raised over copying some sections of this book from the National Geographic educational site.</div><div><br></div><div>“Comparing this particular part of the book and the same text on the website, the allegation appears to us to be true,” they said in the statement.</div><div><br></div><div>“Although we are not responsible for writing that part of the chapter, we acknowledge that the responsibility lies with us as editors.”</div><div><br></div><div>Writing a textbook involves many authors whose hard work and dedication results in the publication of the book. In particular, a kind of responsibility is expected from these authors in the preparation of national textbooks, said the teachers.</div><div><br></div><div>“It is a matter of disappointment and dismay for our entire team if such allegations are found to be true about any writer\'s work.”</div><div><br></div><div>The teachers assured that necessary revisions of the book will certainly be made in the next edition.</div><div>An experimental version of the book has been published this year and there is room for considerable refinement and editing from the coming academic year, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The editor of the textbook said, “So any rational opinion beside the mentioned complaint will be taken seriously and the necessary changes or modifications of the textbook will be made.”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-17 14:44:25', '2023-01-17 14:44:25');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4546, 4546, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rescuers called off the search Tuesday for victims of the Russian missile strike on an apartment building in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, with 20 people still missing and funerals being held in the grief-stricken community.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">After the carnage, Ukrainians pressed ahead with talks to obtain more Western weapons, and Ukraine\'s army chief Valery Zaluzhny met Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the first time in person in Poland.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian authorities said Tuesday the Russian strike in the eastern city of Dnipro at the weekend killed at least 45 people including six children.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The youngest was 11 months old, officials said, and one of the bodies recovered from the rubble Tuesday was that of a child.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The toll made Saturday\'s attack one of the deadliest since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine last February.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin has denied responsibility for the strike that also injured 79 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several hundred Dnipro residents gathered to pay their last respects to Mykhaylo Korenovsky, a Ukrainian boxing coach who died in the barrage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He gave many a start in life,\" said Taras Ivanov, whose son trained with Korenovsky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Everything inside me is shaking,\" the father told AFP, calling the coach a \"legend.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his pledge that everyone who \"caused this terror\" would be found and held to account.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At 1:00 pm (1100 GMT), emergency services said the search and rescue operations at the site were completed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Twenty people are still missing,\" they said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Moscow, at a monument to Ukrainian poet Lesya Ukrainka, a few residents laid flowers in the snow in memory of those killed in Dnipro.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Unwavering support\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyiv has called for more weapons to defend itself, and at the weekend received pledges of British tanks. On Tuesday Ukraine army chief Zaluzhny said he had met in Poland with Milley and \"outlined the urgent needs of the armed forces of Ukraine.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The pair \"discussed the unprovoked and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and exchanged perspectives and assessments,\" said Joint Staff spokesperson Dave Butler.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The chairman reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine\'s sovereignty and territorial integrity.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Germany announced on January 5 it was following the United States in sending a Patriot missile defence battery to Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte signalled his \"intention\" Tuesday during a meeting with President Joe Biden to assist in the effort.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have the intention to join what you\'re doing with Germany on the Patriots project, the air-defence system,\" Rutte told Biden in the White House.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin warned more armaments would only intensify fighting and the Kremlin vowed to burn the materiel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US elder statesman Henry Kissinger said Tuesday that Russia\'s invasion showed there was no longer a point to keeping Ukraine out of NATO, Kyiv\'s long-held aspiration which he had previously opposed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Fighting in Donetsk -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dnipro attack triggered the resignation of a high-profile Ukrainian official who had sparked outrage by suggesting air defence could have been responsible by intercepting a Russian missile, which then fell on the building.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine\'s army said the apartment block was hit by an X-22 Russian missile that it does not have the capacity to shoot down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile fighting was continuing across the frontline Tuesday, with AFP journalists in the eastern town of Bakhmut witnessing heavy shelling.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Outside the city, servicemen dug new trenches while tanks and armoured vehicles rolled past.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s like Verdun out there,\" said Ivan, a military ambulance driver, referring to the notorious World War I battle.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even as the booms of shelling echoed down Bakhmut\'s streets, volunteers were busy Tuesday providing food and shelter to the roughly 8,000 people still living in the city, many without electricity or gas but defying recommendations to evacuate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among them was Tetyana Starkova, 67, who cradled a paper cup of steaming tea in a busy humanitarian hub where a Baptist group sang religious songs and residents charged phones and warmed themselves by a stove.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We sit here while it\'s warm then we go home and get under the blankets,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nearby, uncertainty still surrounded the fate of the war-scarred town of Soledar that Russia claims to have seized.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Capturing Soledar could improve Russian forces\' position as they push toward what has been their main target since October, the nearby transport crossroads of Bakhmut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both sides have conceded heavy losses in the battle for the town, and a Ukrainian military spokesman said Tuesday that fighting was ongoing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deputy head of Ukraine\'s presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said two people died in Russian shelling of southern regions Mykolaiv and Kherson.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said two civilians were killed in Donetsk, the eastern region at the epicentre of recent fighting. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 04:33:43', '2023-01-18 04:33:43'),
(4547, 4547, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">International tourist arrivals doubled in 2022 over the previous year, and should reach near pre-pandemic levels in 2023 thanks to the lifting of travel restrictions, especially in China, the UN\'s tourism body said Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There were 917 million global tourist arrivals last year, up from 455 million in 2021, the Madrid-based World Tourism Organization said in a report, calling it \"stronger than expected results\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While the number of international arrivals last year was still just 63 percent of the level posted in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the UN body predicts it could reach 80 percent to 95 percent in 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A new year brings more reason for optimism for global tourism,\" the body\'s secretary-general, Zurab Pololikashvili, said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report said international tourism is set to consolidate its recovery in 2023, backed by pent-up demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as destinations and markets open up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In the short term, the resumption of travel from China is likely to benefit Asian destinations in particular,\" it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"At the same time, robust demand from the United States, backed by a strong US dollar, will continue to benefit destinations in the region and beyond. Europe, in particular, will benefit.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Travel in and out of China dropped dramatically from 2019 levels under Beijing\'s strict Covid curbs which all-but shut China\'s borders for three years before they were reopened earlier this month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The restrictions had left a gaping hole in the Asian travel market, where countries from Thailand to Japan had depended on China as their largest source of foreign visitors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Analysts expect Chinese airlines are likely to make significant increases to capacity from the end of March, with the start of the summer scheduling season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China was the world\'s largest outbound tourist market in 2019 and the removal of its virus travel restrictions \"is a significant and much welcomed step to the recovery of the tourism sector,\" the report said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the UN body warned that high inflation and interest rates, fears of a global recession and the \"uncertainty derived from the Russian aggression against Ukraine\" could hamper the recovery of the sector in 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Tourists are expected to increasingly seek value for money and travel close to home in response to the challenging economic environment,\" it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Strong spending –</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Europe, the world\'s most popular destination region, recorded 585 million arrivals last year, nearly 80 percent of its pre-pandemic level, due in part to a \"particularly strong\" summer season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Africa and the Americas only recovered to about 65 percent of pre-pandemic visitors, while Asia and the Pacific region reached only 23 percent due to stronger pandemic-related restrictions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most destinations also recorded \"notable increases\" in international tourism receipts, buoyed by people going on vacation for longer periods, a willingness to spend more on travel and rising costs due to inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Traditional markets, like France and Germany, and emerging markets like India and Saudi Arabia, posted \"strong\" spending numbers last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several destinations, including Mexico, Portugal and Romania, even reported tourism receipts above their pre-pandemic levels last year. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 04:38:16', '2023-01-18 04:38:16'),
(4548, 4548, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Microsoft is readying to cut more positions from its global workforce as tech giants continue paring headcount to ride out rough economic conditions, according to media reports on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The computer industry stalwart could announce layoffs in its engineering divisions as early as Wednesday, Bloomberg News reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Microsoft spokesperson told AFP that the company would not comment on what it referred to as \"rumor.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Washington state-based company, which industry trackers say has more than 220,000 workers, trimmed its ranks of employees twice last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A new layoff announcement would come a week before Microsoft is to report its earnings for the final three months of last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Over the last few weeks we have seen significant headcount cut reduction from stalwarts Salesforce and Amazon,\" Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wedbush is expecting staff cuts of another 5 to 10 percent across the tech sector, Ives told investors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Many of these companies were spending money like 1980\'s Rock Stars and now need to reign in the expense controls ahead of a softer (macro-economic conditions),\" Ives wrote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amazon announced in early January that it plans to cut more than 18,000 jobs from its workforce, citing \"the uncertain economy\" and the fact the online retail behemoth had \"hired rapidly\" during the pandemic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The job-slashing plan is the largest among recent layoffs that have impacted the once-unassailable US tech sector, including at giants such as Facebook-owner Meta.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of the Amazon layoffs would be in Europe, CEO Andy Jassy in a statement to staff, adding that the impacted workers would be informed starting on Wednesday, January 18.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Major platforms with an advertising-based business model are facing budget cuts from advertisers, who are reducing expenses in the face of inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meta announced in November the loss of 11,000 jobs, or about 13 percent of its workforce. At the end of August, Snapchat let go about 20 percent of its employees, around 1,200 people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And in early January, IT group Salesforce announced it was laying off around 10 percent of its employees, or just under 8,000 people</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Twitter was bought in October by billionaire Elon Musk, who promptly fired about half of the social media platform\'s 7,500 employees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An unknown number more resigned in protest of his policy changes. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 04:43:56', '2023-01-18 04:43:56'),
(4549, 4549, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh government has reshuffled four posts of Bangladesh Armed Forces,  by appointing two new director generals (DGs) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Ansar & VDP on Tuesday night.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A press release, signed by Abdullah Arif Mohammad, deputy secretary of the Public Administration ministry, confirmed it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Major General Shakil Ahmed was transferred to Bangladesh Army under the Armed Forces from the post of BGB DG while Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan from the post of Ansar & VDP DG to BGB DG.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, Major General AKM Aminul Hoque was transferred to the post of Ansar & VDP DG from the army and Brigadier General Md Moin Khan was also shifted to the army from the post of director of National Security Intelligence (NSI). UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 04:48:37', '2023-01-18 14:01:49'),
(4550, 4550, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality remains in the ‘unhealthy\' zone this morning. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 192 at 9:20 am, the capital of Bangladesh ranked fourth in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">An AQI between 151 and 200 is said to be ‘unhealthy’ while 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, and 301 to 400 is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek and Pakistan’s Karachi and Lahore occupied the first three spots with an AQI of 236, 233, and 205 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 04:54:40', '2023-01-18 04:54:40'),
(4551, 4551, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh won two prizes in two out of the six categories of the Zayed Sustainability Awards in the UAE.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prizes were in \'Water\' and \'Global High Schools\' categories.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UAE President Sheik Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan handed over the prizes to the winners at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week opening ceremony in presence of several heads of states &amp; governments including the president of the Republic of Korea.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh ambassador to the UAE Abu Zafar was also present at the ceremony and congratulated the winners and commended their innovative works that raised the flag of Bangladesh very high in this global event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NGO Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society (LEDARS) working on integrated water resource management approach in disaster-prone coastal area likely Sundarban and Satkhira won the prize in \'Water\' category with $ 600,000.00</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Starting its journey in 1996, it has been supporting vulnerable communities with water management solutions to make saline ground water suitable for drinking and cultivating crops.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the other hand, Dhaka Residential Model College working on nutrient conservation secured the school category prize with $100,000.00.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentionable, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, an evolution of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, is the UAE’s pioneering global award in sustainability and a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To recognise and reward the achievements of those who are driving impactful, innovative and inspiring sustainability solutions across five distinct categories--Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools, it has been awarding since its journey in 2008. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 05:16:48', '2023-01-18 05:16:48'),
(4552, 4552, '<div><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was hauled away and briefly detained on Tuesday during a protest near a German village being razed to make way for a coal mine expansion, police said.</b><br></div><div><br></div><div>Thunberg has been in Germany for several days to support protests against the demolition of Luetzerath, which have become a symbol of resistance against fossil fuels.</div><div><br></div><div>Images showed the activist, smiling and dressed in black, being picked up by police officers wearing helmets and then escorted to a waiting bus.</div><div><br></div><div>Police said a group of activists were detained after having \"broken away from the demonstration\", and run towards the edge of the open-cast coal mine.</div><div><br></div><div>They were taken away from the \"danger zone\" by bus, their identities were checked, and then they were released, a spokesman said.</div><div><br></div><div>The process took \"several hours\" as there were a large number of protesters, he said, without giving a precise figure.</div><div><br></div><div>The activists were not formally arrested, police said.</div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday, Thunberg joined thousands of demonstrators in a large-scale protest against the demolition of the hamlet, marching at the front of a procession.</div><div><br></div><div>She said it was \"shameful\" that the German government was \"making deals and compromises with fossil fuel companies\".</div><div><br></div><div>On Monday, the last two climate activists occupying the hamlet to stop it from being razed left their underground hideout, marking the end of the police operation to evict them.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 300 activists had occupied the village, staking out emptied buildings and constructing positions in the trees, to try to prevent the expansion of the adjacent Garzweiler open-cast coal mine.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Stop coal\' -</div><div><br></div><div>Luetzerath has been deserted for some time by its original inhabitants, as plans move forward to expand the open-cast mine, one of the largest in Europe, operated by energy firm RWE.</div><div><br></div><div>Police launched an operation last week to clear the protest camp, making quicker progress than expected, and by Sunday had succeeded in removing all but the last two, holed up in a self-built tunnel under the settlement.</div><div><br></div><div>The end of the operation came despite Saturday\'s demonstration, which was attended by thousands, with protesters holding banners with slogans including \"Stop coal\" and \"Luetzerath lives!\"</div><div><br></div><div>Protest planners accused authorities of \"violence\" after clashes between police and participants, which resulted in injuries on both sides.</div><div><br></div><div>RWE has permission for the expansion of the mine under a compromise agreement signed with the government, led by Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz.</div><div><br></div><div>Under the deal agreed in October, Luetzerath will be demolished, while five neighbouring villages are spared.</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, RWE also agreed to stop producing electricity with coal in western Germany by 2030 -- eight years earlier than planned.</div><div><br></div><div>With Russia\'s gas supply cut in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, Germany has fallen back on coal, firing up mothballed power plants.</div><div><br></div><div>The extension to the mine is deemed necessary to secure Germany\'s future energy supply.</div><div><br></div><div>But activists argue extracting the coal will mean Germany misses targets under the key Paris climate agreements. AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 05:23:23', '2023-01-18 05:23:23'),
(4553, 4553, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The overall number of global Covid-19 cases is gradually nearing 672 million, with the sudden surge of the virus’ Omicron sub-variant in Asia and some other parts of the world.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the latest global data, the total Covid-19 case count mounted to 671,889,386 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,733,572 this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US has recorded 103,614,411 Covid-19 cases so far, while 1,125,895 people have died from the virus in the country, both highest counts around the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India recorded 89 new coronavirus infections, the lowest since March 27, 2020, while the active cases declined to 2,035, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The Covid-19 case tally for the country stood at 4.46 crore (4,46,81,233) while the death counts were at 5,30,726.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, France has registered 39,461,387 Covid-19 cases so far, occupying the third position in the world, while 163,562 people have died in the country, as per the Worldometer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh reported nine more Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours till Tuesday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read: Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 9 more cases</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the new number, the country\'s total caseload rose to 2,037,386, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,441 as no new fatalities were reported. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 05:26:21', '2023-01-18 05:26:21'),
(4554, 4554, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The head of Ukraine\'s armed forces Valery Zaluzhny said Tuesday he had met Mark Milley, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the first time in person in Poland.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I outlined the urgent needs of the armed forces of Ukraine,\" Zaluzhny said on Telegram after meeting one of the key figures of US military support for Kyiv. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 05:42:15', '2023-01-18 05:42:15'),
(4555, 4555, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated 45 more community vision centres at Upazila Health Complexes in 13 districts across the country, raising its number to 135, bringing one third grassroots people under modern eye treatment free of cost.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She opened the centres at a function at city\'s National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the newly opened community vision centres in the third phase, 20 were launched at Barishal division, 20 in Chattogram division, four in Rajshahi division and one in Khulna division.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister in the first and second phase had opened 90 community vision centres which has became role model in South Asia giving modern and developed eye treatment free of cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque and Health Services Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain Howlader spoke at the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital Director Professor Dr Golam Mostafa briefly described activities of the community vision centres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local lawmakers, government officials and local elites from Char Fashion in Bhola, Amtali in Barguna, Pekua in Coxsbazar and Banshkhali in Chattogram were connected to the function.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier also exchanged views with mostly beneficiaries of the community vision centres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A documentary on giving eye treatment free of cost from the community vision centres was also screened at the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">As many as 1331577 persons have so far received eye treatment from these centres while 210868 persons have got eye glasses free of cost from those. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 06:06:05', '2023-01-18 06:55:12'),
(4556, 4556, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">If there are errors in textbooks, they will be corrected, Education Minister Dipu Moni has said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">“This year’s textbooks are experimental and trials have been conducted at 62 educational institutions over them. Even after that, there could be errors, and they will be corrected,” she said at a programme in Chandpur on Tuesday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to social media posts on “errors” in textbooks for classes 9 and 10, the education minister said, “Many have raised questions about the textbooks for classes 9 and 10 published this year. But these textbooks are not new, these have been there since 2013. There could be inadvertent errors, however, and corrections are being sent.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If anyone finds errors in these books, let us know, and we’ll correct it,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is impossible to have good students without transforming the education system. Rote learning is not being effective. That’s why we are trying to transform the education system. We are trying to encourage learning by doing.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A teacher will play the role of a guide. Evaluations will be done every day. Education should also be fun. We just get the certificates but cannot say we have truly learnt. There are skills gap in the job market,” said the education minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that technical and madrasa education will also be transformed, she said. “We want our students to be ready for the job market. We want them to go for higher education and research. They will materialize the ‘Sonar Bangla’ dream.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has provided corrections for nine mistakes they found in three of the textbooks distributed for this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NCTB issued a notification in this regard on January 15, 2023 and posted the corrections on their website.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mistakes were spotted in three textbooks of classes 9-10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Four mistakes were found in ‘History of Bangladesh and World Civilization’, three in ‘Bangladesh and Global Studies’ while two in ‘Civics and Citizenships’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">NCTB provided all the corrections in detail on their website.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eminent writer and academician Dr. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal and Professor Hasina Khan have expressed regret over the plagiarised content found in the new class 7 science textbook that they edited.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also took responsibility in a statement issued on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of the new curriculum from this year, science textbooks for classes 6 and 7 have been printed and distributed to students as ‘Anusandhani Path’. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 06:23:12', '2023-01-18 06:23:12'),
(4557, 4557, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is working to ensure world class healthcare service for all.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b> </b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re taking measures to make sure that all can get international standard healthcare services,\" she said while opening 45 more community vision centres at the Upazila Health Complexes in 13 districts across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">She virtually joined the inaugural programme held at National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in city from her official Ganabhaban residence here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister also opened the newly-built main office of Banshkhali Upazila Awami League in Chattogram and hoped the office will spread her party\'s policy and ideals among the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After opening the 45 community vision centres, she mentioned her inaugurated 90 centres in two phases earlier, saying she planned to build community vision centres across the country in phases to bring all people under free modern and developed eye treatment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re attaching priority on reaching eye medicare services to the people at the grassroots as we\'re providing other healthcare services to their doorsteps,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said many people were saved from getting blind after providing treatment from the community vision centres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is a great achievement for us as a nation while many people have got rid of getting blind,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Briefly describing her government\'s measures for ensuring overall development of the health sector, Sheikh Hasina said her government has a plan to upgrade the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMC) into a 5000-bed hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said they have yet to start the work relating to upgrading the Dhaka Medical College due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, hoping that they will soon begin the work.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister in the first and second phase opened 90 community vision centres which have become the role model in South Asia giving modern and developed eye treatment free of cost.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Twenty of the vision centres were opened at Barishal division, 20 in Chattogram division, four in Rajshahi division and one in Khulna division today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque and Health Services Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain Howlader spoke at the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital Director Professor Dr Golam Mostafa briefly described activities of the community vision centres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A documentary on giving eye treatment free of cost from the community vision centres was also screened at the programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"> </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As many as 1331577 persons have so far received eye treatment from these centres while 210868 persons have got eye glasses free of cost from those. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 06:54:35', '2023-01-18 13:59:14'),
(4558, 4558, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The days of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regularly downgrading global economic growth are almost over, according to Kristalina Georgieva, the organization’s managing director.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the IMF chief told CNBC on Tuesday, “I don’t see a downgrade now, but growth in 2023 will slow down.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The good news though is that we expect growth to bottom out this year and 2024 to be a year in which we finally see the world economy on an upside,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since October 2021, the IMF has revised its growth projection three times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Georgieva told CNBC that although inflation is dropping, it is “still quite high,” and that we are “not quite there yet” in terms of central banks possibly lowering interest rates.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added that central banks must be careful “not to remove their foot off the brake too early”. The US inflation rate plummeted last week to its lowest level since October 2021, while inflation in the euro zone fell in December for a second consecutive month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Georgieva also spoke on China, reiterating IMF predictions that the country’s GDP will expand but that it won’t contribute as much to global growth as in the past.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China will achieve the IMF’s projected growth of 4.4 percent by the end of the year if it continues with its present Covid-19 reform plan, she said. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 07:37:37', '2023-01-18 07:37:37'),
(4559, 4559, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today said AL never considers what it gets in return of working for the people.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“…Rather we consider what we can do for their welfare,” she said while inaugurating the newly-constructed Bashkhali Upazila Awami League office in Chattogram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She inaugurated the AL office virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban through video conference.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM said that her government has transformed Bangladesh and people’s fates in the last 14 years as “we always think of what we can do for the people.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Sheikh Hasina said that the new AL office will help disseminate the policy and ideology of her party in the grassroots.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She termed AL as a “pro-people” party and said that Awami League will always stand beside the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read: We need dedicated hospital for children in every division: PM Hasina</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her government has worked tirelessly to reduce poverty and has ensured services, that include healthcare, for people over the last 14 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM thanked the countrymen who voted her party to power. “We want to ensure all types of services for the people.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local AL MP Mustafizur Rahaman Chowdhury also spoke at the programme. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 08:33:53', '2023-01-18 08:33:53'),
(4560, 4560, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Actor Shah Rukh Khan will be seen at loggerheads with John Abraham in their upcoming action film, Pathaan. Amid the rumours of their real-life tiff, Shah Rukh recently opened up about working with John.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He revealed how John refused to punch him during the shoot and called him a ‘national treasure.’</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Directed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan stars Shah Rukh as a soldier named Pathaan, who ends his ‘hiatus’ as he is called to take down a terrorist outfit led by John Abraham. Deepika Padukone joins Shah Rukh in his mission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now talking about the film, Shah Rukh in a chat session, shared on Yash Raj Film\'s YouTube account, shared his thoughts on John playing a negative role. He recalled how he has known John since he shifted to Mumbai and became friends. Describing him as ‘shy, very quiet and reculsive’, Shah Rukh said he was keen on seeing John in Pathaan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I met him many times when he was doing a film or we wanting to do a film together and this happened per chance. I was very keen he does it and he was kind enough to do a role where he is really a bad guy. He is a top star. He has his own franchises happening and he has got these really cool action films happening and to decide to take on a film where he is a bad guy, you know, so takes a lot of guts,” he added. Shah Rukh also shared while most actors refuse to play antagonists in films, John is different.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Takes a lot of confidence in your own self, especially when I see in the Hindi film scenario. Heroes don\'t play bad guys. I\'d love to play a bad guy. I gained deep respect for him.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was nice working with him and all so I realised he is a gentle giant. You know when we were doing action and everything. He says...he called me a national treasure and said, \'I will not hurt you.\' I said you can, it\'s ok. He is very shy and I had to do a lot of convincing to tell him it\'s ok, you can punch me and I won\'t get hurt. I think he is so proficient in action.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He really helped me look nice you know, in body language. It was very kind of him. I think when you are doing a film with a co-star like John, there is a lot to learn from him. Being the star that he is and the respect that he has for me,\" said the superstar. He signed off with these words: “I hope when Pathaan comes out, one of the most liked characters, genuinely is John\'s.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">I really wish it because it takes a lot of guts to do what he has done as an actor and as a star,” Shah Rukh shared his work experience with John in their first film together.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previously, reports suggested things were not alright between John and Shah Rukh. Reportedly, John was upset about the final cut of Pathaan which might have strained his equation with Shah Rukh.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What fuelled the rumours was John\'s appearance at an event where he dodged a question regarding Shah Rukh Khan\'s physique in Pathaan. Later John penned a note on Pathaan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pathaan will release on January 25. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 09:14:44', '2023-01-18 09:14:44');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(4561, 4561, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Due to rapid increase of motorbike accidents on highways and city streets during the last few years, the government is formulating a policy to control motorcycle movement in the country.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per available data of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), a total of 3892 people were killed in 4,477 road accidents during January to October 2022 while 5,084 people were killed in 5,472 road accidents in 2021 across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Talking to BSS, BRTA Director (Safety) Sheikh Mohammad Mahbub-e-Rabbani said last couple of years, number of road accidents increased due to reckless motorbike movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"During 2010 to 2018, the number of road accident was below 3,000. But the number crossed 4,000 marks in 2019 due to increasing motorbike movement on national highways and city streets. We have no separate statistics on motorbike accidents. But as per our investigation, motorbike accidents caused around 40 percent deaths among total number of deaths in road accidents,\" he mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So, he said, BRTA has taken the initiative to formulate a policy for controlling motorbike movement on highways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have already formulated draft policy to this end. We have submitted it to the ministry (Road Transport and Bridges Ministry). The ministry will discuss on the draft policy with stakeholders and they will finalize it,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the policy will lay emphasis on controlling the motorcycle on the highways rather than restricting those.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a question over close monitoring on the highways, he said,\"We cannot do it so closely....there is a lack of manpower. Despite this, we are monitoring. It is going on.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the initiative, Mahbub-e-Rabbani mentioned that the government will ensure use of safety equipment for motorbike users and take different programmes for creating awareness among the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On January 7, the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) released its annual report on road accidents mentioning that 7,713 people were killed in 6,829 road accidents in 2022 in the country while 12,615 people were injured in the accidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It said 3,091 people died in 2,973 motorcycle accidents, which is 40.07 percent of the total deaths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foundation prepared the report based on data from nine national dailies, seven online news portals, and electronic media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report said apart from motorcycle accidents, the number of accidents and deaths are almost the same in the 4 years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The total number of accidents and fatalities increased in 2020, 2021 and 2022 mainly due to increasing motorcycle accidents and fatalities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 945 people were killed in 1189 motorcycle accidents in 2019, 1463 people in 1381 accidents in 2020, 2214 people in 2078 accidents in 2021 and 3091 people in 2973 accidents in 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Compared to 2019, motorcycle accidents increased by 16.14 percent and fatalities increased by 54.81 percent in 2020. Compared to 2020, motorcycle accidents increased by 50.47 percent and fatalities increased by 51.33 percent in 2021. Compared to 2021, motorcycle accidents increased by 43.07 percent and fatalities increased by 39.61 percent in 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2022, there were 2973 motorcycle accidents, killing 3091 people and injuring 2154 people. Among deaths, 76.41 percent were in the age group of 14 to 45 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Motorcycle collisions with other vehicles was 21.26 percent, 32.22pc accident occurred due to loss of control of motorcycles, 44.87pc accidents occurred as motorcycle was pushed and hit by heavy vehicles and 1.65pc were other accidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many factors have contributed to the increase in motorcycle accidents and fatalities. It is noteworthy that most of the motorcyclists are teenagers and young people. The lack of knowledge and disobedience of traffic laws is rampant among them. Teenagers are riding motorcycles recklessly causing accidents themselves and others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A large proportion of motorcycle accidents occur in collisions with trucks, covered vans, pickups and buses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most of the drivers of these speeding vehicles are unskilled and sick. Due to their reckless driving, even the careful motorcyclists suffer accidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Motorcycles are 30 times more dangerous than 4 wheelers. But due to poor and accessible public transport system in the country and traffic congestion, people are encouraged to use motorcycles and accidents are increasing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahbub-e-Rabbani, however, said the government is working relentlessly considering 3 Es (Engineering, Education, Enforcement) to prevent road accidents by ensuring safe roads as directed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Notable activities of the government include making restroom for drivers on the side of the highways, construction of separate lane for slow moving vehicles at both sides of the road, installation of traffic sign and road marking, treatment of black spot, installation of rumble strips at accident prone places,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the implementation of road transport act, 2018 has already been started.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Despite various measures taken by the movement, according to the police report of the last five years road accidents in Bangladesh claim an average of 3133 lives every year,\" he mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Experts observed that it is not possible for anyone alone to prevent road accident, it requires a concerted effort. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 09:28:07', '2023-01-18 09:28:07'),
(4562, 4562, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Sixteen people, including Ukraine’s interior minister and two children, were killed when a helicopter crashed near a nursery outside the capital Kyiv, the head of national police, Igor Klymenko, said. Among the dead are several top officials of the interior ministry including Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Emergency services are working to rescue children and employees after the crash near Brovary, Kyiv region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine is a step closer to winning approval for German-made modern battle tanks and has secured pledges of more Patriot defence missiles.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska urges delegates at the World Economic Forum in Davos to do more to help end the war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to speak to the forum on Wednesday. Aljazeera</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 09:55:24', '2023-01-18 09:55:24'),
(4563, 4563, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Supreme Court Administration has appointed eight administrative officers of the High Court Department as superintendents (temporary).</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A notification signed by the Registrar of the High Court Division, Munshi Moshiar Rahman has been published on the website of the Supreme Court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The promoted officials are- Amena Khatun, Md Nurul Momen Chowdhury, Rabindra Kumar Das, Md Shah Jalal, Md Tabibur Rahman, Md Belayet Hossain, Md Abdur Rahman and Apurba Halder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the notification, the officers concerned will remain as trainees for one year from the date of appointment.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the authorities can extend the period of apprenticeship up to 2 years by recording the reasons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The promotion order will be effective from the date of their joining, the notification added. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 10:47:55', '2023-01-18 10:47:55'),
(4564, 4564, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police arrested 14 hundi traders involved in illegal and over-the-rate transactions while conducting drives in Dhaka.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Legal action has also been taken against three money exchangers – Gulshan’s JMCH Pvt Ltd, Mohammadpur’s Alam &amp; Brothers, and Ashkona’s Taimur Money Exchange, Mohammad Ali Mia, Additional IGP of CID, told media at CID headquarters in Malibagh, Dhaka today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Currently, there are 235 licensed legal money exchangers in Bangladesh. According to information received from the related organisations, more than 1,000 illegal money exchangers are operating in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Besides, there are many floating, illegal businesses in various areas including Motijheel, Gulshan, Uttara and near the Dhaka airport, said the CID officer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tipped-off, a special team of CID conducted drives simultaneously at five locations in Dhaka city – Gulshan-1, Ring Road, Mohammadpur, Ashkona, AB Market and China Market in Uttara – on Tuesday and arrested 14 people with huge amount of local and foreign currencies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the drive, a total of Tk 1,99,61,376, including foreign currencies of 19 countries worth Tk 1,11,19,826, were seized from their possession.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arrestees trade foreign currency without the permission (license) of Bangladesh Bank through their own offices and floating operations in different areas of the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During primary interrogation, the arrestees admitted that each of the mentioned businesses illegally trade foreign currency worth about Tk 70-75 lakh daily.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cases will be filed against the arrestees under the Special Powers Act, 1974, said the officer. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 11:02:11', '2023-01-18 11:02:11'),
(4565, 4565, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The government of Bangladesh has raised the retail gas prices for public, private and captive power plants and also for industries and commercial users with effect from February 1.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>As per the new government announcement on Wednesday (January 18, 2023), the gas prices have been increased by almost three times for public and private power plants while almost double for captive power plants and industries, and significantly hiked for commercial users.</div><div><br></div><div>However, prices for household consumers, CNG-run for motor vehicles and tea estates were kept unchanged.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Energy and Mineral Resources Division set the prices through a gazette notification issued on Wednesday applying the new amendment to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act, which empowered the government to set all kinds of energy prices bypassing the regulator’s jurisdictions at any time.</div><div><br></div><div>As per the gazette notification, the public and private power plants including the IPP and rental power plants will pay gas price at Tk 14 per unit (each cubic metre) instead of previous price of Tk 5.02 while the captive power plants, small power plants and commercial power plants will pay Tk 30 per unit instead of previous price of Tk 16.</div><div><br></div><div>The large, medium and small industries will pay Tk 30 per unit against the previous price of Tk 11.98 for large, Tk11.78 for medium and Tk 10.78 for small, cottage and other industries.</div><div><br></div><div>The commercial users of gas like hotels and restaurants will pay Tk 30.50 instead of previous Tk 26.64 per unit.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The household consumers will continue to pay Tk 18 per unit for metered burners while Tk 990 for single burners and Tk 1080 for double burners each month.</div><div><br></div><div>The CNG price remained unchanged at Tk 43 for the motor vehicles, while tea estates will pay Tk 11.93 per unit as usual, said the gazette notification.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the BERC had raised the average gas price by 22.78 percent for the retail consumers, except for CNG-run vehicles, in the country with effect back from June 1 in 2022. - Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 12:37:26', '2023-01-18 12:37:26'),
(4566, 4566, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Chinese film fans on Wednesday celebrated the return of Marvel movies to the country\'s cinemas after an absence of nearly four years.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Foreign films are tightly controlled in China, which imposes an annual release quota, and movies in the hugely popular Marvel franchises have been off the silver screen since the release of \"Spider-Man: Far from Home\" in July 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>Disney-owned Marvel Studios on Wednesday said on Weibo that \"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever\" will be released in Chinese cinemas on February 7, followed by \"Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania\" on February 17.</div><div><br></div><div>The China Film Administration, affiliated with the Communist Party\'s propaganda department, has not offered any explanation on why Marvel movies were blocked.</div><div><br></div><div>Disney had previously declined requests by Chinese censors to remove references to same-sex relationships in films including \"Eternals\" and \"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness\".</div><div><br></div><div>Chinese fans welcomed the announcement.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It feels surreal... I\'ve missed the Marvel universe, one Weibo user wrote, referring to the huge set of interconnected franchises that have raked in billions of dollars worldwide for the company.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Will they also release the other six instalments of the Marvel (franchises) that were blocked?\" wrote another, adding: \"Now we can at least escape from our Covid-hit reality.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever\", the sequel to the 2018 blockbuster \"Black Panther\", debuted in cinemas worldwide in November.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania\" -- the third movie in that franchise -- will hit Chinese cinemas on the same day it premieres in the United States.</div><div><br></div><div>A return to China would mark an end to Disney\'s lost earnings in one of the world\'s biggest movie markets.</div><div><br></div><div>The first Black Panther film took in $105 million at Chinese cinemas, while the second Ant-Man movie generated $121 million, according to Box Office Mojo. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 12:48:12', '2023-01-18 12:48:12'),
(4567, 4567, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forward a draft bill to terminate the country’s agreements with the Council of Europe (CoE).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The CoE expelled Russia last March and suspended relations with Belarus in the wake of the Ukraine war.</div><div><br></div><div>The bill sent by Putin to Vyacheslav Volodin, head of the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, calls for cancelling 21 agreements with the CoE.</div><div><br></div><div>These include the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, the European Charter of Local Self-Government, and the European Social Charter.</div><div><br></div><div>Putin also signed a decree on Tuesday allowing Russian companies to disregard the votes of shareholders from “unfriendly countries.” - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 13:09:23', '2023-01-18 13:09:23'),
(4568, 4568, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that the loan Bangladesh is taking from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has no significant conditions attached with it.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“IMF provides loan to a country only when it has the capacity to repay the loan. We’re not taking loan (from IMF) with any conditions,” she said replying to an opposition lawmaker in the House.</div><div><br></div><div>Taking the floor on a point of order, Jatiya Party lawmaker Mujibul Haque Chunnu said Bangladesh is now meeting some conditions to get loan from IMF and already raised the electricity tariff and will increase gas price due to the loan and this will lead to soaring prices of commodities and inflation.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said the government is providing subsidy to power and gas. “My question is that which other country of the world provides subsidy to electricity and gas. We’ve increased the electricity generation and ensured electricity supply. But all will have to exercise austerity in using electricity,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the price of electricity was raised by 150 percent in England following the Ukraine-Russia war. “We’ve just enhanced the price of electricity by only 5 percent and also raised the price of bulk gas to some extent now,” she added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The PM said the spot price of LNG which was only US$ 6 is now US$ 68 US dollar in the international market. “If so, how much subsidies will the government provide?&nbsp; The government provides the subsidies from the public money,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said the commodity prices have soared throughout the world. In Bangladesh, the government provided fair price card and TCB card for the lower and middle-income people so that they can purchase some essential commodities including rice at subsidized rates, she added, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier told, “We’re providing huge subsidy to agriculture. Now if we need to provide Tk 40,000-60,000 crore to electricity-gas generation and supply then how will we provide this?”</div><div><br></div><div>She also said that the inflation came down slightly in December and January last in the country. The food inflation is 13.3 percent in a country like England. The same situation prevails in all other countries of the world. But Bangladesh has not fallen into such situation yet, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM put emphasis on austerity in usage of electricity and gas. The use of electricity was reduced by 50 percent in Prime Minister’s Office and Ganabhaban. If all take such measures, they can practice austerity in the use of electricity, she said</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said she clearly told the businesspeople that the government can provide uninterrupted gas supply to them, if they agree to pay the same rate what the government spends to procure gas from international market.</div><div><br></div><div>“If they want uninterrupted gas supply, they would have to pay the same price what the government needs to procure gas. There is no reason to provide subsidy here,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 13:48:01', '2023-01-18 13:48:01'),
(4569, 4569, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Indian opener Shubhman Gill hit a career-best 208 to take his team to 349 for 8 in the first one-day international against New Zealand in Hyderabad on Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Gill anchored the innings capably before he fell in the last over, after hitting 19 fours and nine sixes in a 149-ball marathon of an innings, achieving his first double ton.</div><div><br></div><div>India\'s other opener -- and skipper -- Rohit Sharma, who won the toss and decided to bat first, fell early after scoring 34 off 38 balls.</div><div><br></div><div>The team\'s in-form star batsman Virat Kohli fell cheaply to Mitchell Santner\'s left-arm spin after scoring eight runs.</div><div><br></div><div>India\'s wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan scored only five runs before he fell to Lockie Ferguson\'s pace in a mini middle-order collapse for the hosts.</div><div><br></div><div>Two cameos by Suryakumar Yadav, a 26-ball 31, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, 28 of 38 balls, stitched two crucial partnerships with Gill for India in the first game of the three-match ODI series.</div><div><br></div><div>Santner, who took one wicket for 56 runs in his 10 overs, and Daryl Mitchell, with two wickets for 30 runs in his five overs, were the standout bowlers for New Zealand. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 14:43:24', '2023-01-18 14:43:24'),
(4570, 4570, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said the wild clutch of the patrons of militancy is becoming visible in the country and they must be resisted at any cost.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"There is a deep conspiracy going on in the country. Our country is once again affected by the bites of communalism. A vested quarter has started creating chaos in this country through militancy,\" he told the opening ceremony of a month-long folk and craft fair and folk festival at Sonargaon in Narayanganj.</div><div><br></div><div>Under their patronage, the ferocious clutch of the patrons of militancy is becoming visible in the country, he said, adding that politics along with culture has a responsibility to this end.</div><div><br></div><div>Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said that militancy is the eternal enemy of culture and they are the anti-liberation forces.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They do not belong to Bangladesh in their hearts. But Sonargaon was once the capital of ancient Bengal. We need not to make Sonargaon Museum a smart one as various history and traditions are related to it,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The AL general secretary said BNP leaders know that they will not be defeated if an election is held and that is why they have left the field.</div><div><br></div><div>After falling sick, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has admitted to hospital, he said, questioning \"Isn\'t this sickness a political illness? Why was he suddenly admitted to hospital after announcing a movement programme? Mr Fakhrul has fallen sick after doing ill politics\".</div><div><br></div><div>Quader said the AL is in power and it wants peace but the BNP is provoking in the name of the movement. \"Stop this provocation; otherwise the people of the country will resist you\".</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 100 bridges simultaneously in a day, he said BNP men removed the plaque of an inauguration ceremony in Narsingdi through vandalism and they were inciting sabotage.</div><div><br></div><div>If the security of commoners\' lives and properties is hampered due to any violent movement in this country, it is the responsibility of the ruling AL government to stay alert to protect the people\'s lives, the AL general secretary said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are not announcing any counter-programme against BNP. We are holding peaceful rallies. But, they are instigating violence and vandalism. They are carrying out attacks on police. We have to give a befitting reply to their attacks, vandalism and violence,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>As they (BNP) could not have done anything, Quader said, now their hearts have started burning after seeing the development work of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s government.</div><div><br></div><div>Terming Sonargaon a deposit of culture, he said the ancient treasures of Sonargaon must be preserved as the beauty of Panam City attracts all.</div><div><br></div><div>If the authorities give proper attention to these issues in Sonargaon, the aim of the Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation, which was established by Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin will be worthwhile, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 15:55:20', '2023-01-18 15:55:20'),
(4572, 4572, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>International Monetary Fund (IMF) Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Antoinette Monsio Sayeh expressed her happiness for Padma Bridge during a three-hour visit to the project site.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"We, including IMF DMD, today visited Padma Bridge. She (Sayeh) was really impressed with it and was very happy that she visited it,\" said a IMF spokesperson after visiting the bridge.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The IMF DMD led a 10-member team to the bridge site.</div><div>After reaching the site at around 9am, she visited the bridge, saw river training works and resentment areas.</div><div><br></div><div>The project director also briefed her about different perspective of the project before her departure from the site at around 12 noon, the spokesperson said.</div><div><br></div><div>Padma Bridge and the country\'s first metro rail are two very important project of the country. Padma Bridge was built with the government\'s own resources while metro rail project is being implemented with Japanese loan.</div><div><br></div><div>Sayeh reached Bangladesh on Saturday for a five-day visit and left Dhaka this evening, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>She also visited metro rail on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 16:36:47', '2023-01-18 16:36:47'),
(4573, 4573, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A Saudi real estate mogul won a ticket to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi face off in a friendly after bidding $2.6 million at auction, an official said Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The match on Thursday in Riyadh is set to pit Messi\'s Paris Saint-Germain against a select side made up of players from Ronaldo\'s new club Al Nassr and their Saudi rivals Al Hilal.</div><div><br></div><div>It will mark the first time Ronaldo has played any football in the kingdom since signing a contract with Al Nassr that runs until 2025 and is worth more than 200 million euros ($214 million), according to sources close to the club.</div><div><br></div><div>The five-time Ballon d\'Or winner is scheduled to make his Saudi Pro League debut for Al Nassr on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>To promote Thursday\'s friendly, Turki al-Sheikh, an advisor at the Royal Court and head of Saudi Arabia\'s General Entertainment Authority, announced a charity auction for a special ticket that would come with perks like photo opportunities with players and access to the locker rooms.</div><div><br></div><div>Bidding started at 1 million Saudi riyals ($266,000) and the auction closed at 11:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh then announced on Twitter the winning bid of 10 million riyals ($2.6 million) had come from Mushref al-Ghamdi.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Congratulations, you deserve it, and may God reward you with good,\" Sheikh said.</div><div><br></div><div>The proceeds from the auction are due to go to the national charity campaign known as Ehsan.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides Messi, PSG stars expected to play on Thursday include France striker Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi, who last year in Qatar helped make Morocco the first Arab and African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.</div><div><br></div><div>The Saudi select team includes Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored the winning goal in the Green Falcons\' shock defeat of Argentina in the World Cup\'s group stage.</div><div><br></div><div>Oil-rich monarchy Saudi Arabia, which has been snapping up sports assets as part of a drive to soften its austere image, is often accused of \"sportswashing\", or using sport to distract attention from human rights controversies.</div><div><br></div><div>Ronaldo is expected to receive a combined 400 million euros in the kingdom, including a separate payment for his work as an ambassador for an anticipated World Cup bid for Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Greece, according to sources close to Al Nassr. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-18 16:42:31', '2023-01-18 16:42:31'),
(4574, 4574, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Jacinda Ardern has announced she will quit as New Zealand prime minister next month, saying she no longer has \"enough in the tank\" to lead.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Ms Ardern choked up as she detailed how six \"challenging\" years in the job had taken a toll.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will step down as Labour Party leader no later than 7 February. There will be a vote in the coming days to determine her replacement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">New Zealand will hold a general election on 14 October.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ms Ardern, 42, said she had taken time to consider her future over the summer break.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I had hoped that I would find what I needed to carry on over that period but, unfortunately, I haven\'t, and I would be doing a disservice to New Zealand to continue,\" she told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ms Ardern became the youngest female head of government in the world when she was elected prime minister in 2017, aged 37.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And a year later she became the second elected world leader to ever give birth while in office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She steered New Zealand through the Covid-19 pandemic and its ensuing recession, the Christchurch mosque shootings, and the White Island volcanic eruption.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s one thing to lead your country through peace time, it\'s another to lead them through crisis,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"These events... have been taxing because of the weight, the sheer weight and continual nature of them. There\'s never really been a moment where it\'s ever felt like we were just governing.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ms Ardern led the Labour Party to a landslide election victory in 2020, but her domestic popularity has declined to new lows in recent months, according to opinion polls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However Ms Ardern said she was not resigning because she believed Labour could not win the election, but because she thought it would.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need a fresh set of shoulders for that challenge,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy leader Grant Robertson said he would not contest the leadership vote, which will occur on Sunday. If one candidate cannot garner the support of two-thirds of the party room, the vote will go to Labour\'s lay membership.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Ms Ardern as a leader of intellect, strength and empathy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me,\" he wrote on Twitter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ms Ardern listed her government\'s achievements on climate change, social housing and reducing child poverty as ones she was particularly proud of.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But she said she hoped New Zealanders would remember her \"as someone who always tried to be kind\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused. And that you can be your own kind of leader - one who knows when it\'s time to go,\" she said. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-19 02:50:28', '2023-01-19 02:50:28'),
(4575, 4575, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said there are \"no accidents at war time\" after 14 people died in a helicopter crash in the capital, Kyiv.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Ukraine has not claimed Russian involvement, but Mr Zelensky told the World Economic Forum in Davos the tragedy was a consequence of the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky died, alongside several colleagues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Zelensky also used his video address to urge allies to quickly send more weapons before new Russian offensives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The time the free world uses to think is used by the terrorist state to kill,\" he explained. The remark was interpreted as a request for Germany to hurry along a delivery of its much-coveted Leopard tanks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Berlin has reportedly been unwilling to send the vehicles unless the US commits to providing its own Abrams battle tanks. The UK recently pledged to send a number of its own tanks to Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The head of the Nato military alliance said at Davos on Wednesday that Ukraine could expect to receive \"more support, more advanced support, heavier weapons and more modern weapons\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jens Stoltenberg said Nato\'s member states would meet on Friday to discuss what military equipment could be sent to Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wednesday\'s helicopter crash occurred near a nursery in Brovary, outside Kyiv, at around 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT). One of the 14 who died was a child.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Monastyrsky, 42, was one of President Zelensky\'s longest serving political advisers. He is the highest-profile Ukrainian casualty since the war began.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His death cuts to the heart of the government in Kyiv as the interior ministry has the vital task of maintaining security and running the police during the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was a recognisable face for Ukrainians throughout the war, updating the public on casualties caused by Russian missile strikes since Ukraine was invaded in February 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deputy head of Ukraine\'s presidential office said Mr Monastyrsky had been travelling to a war \"hot spot\". The head of police in Kharkiv added that the ministerial team had been on its way to meet him.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is no indication the crash was anything other than an accident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the SBU state security service said it was considering several possible causes - including sabotage, a technical malfunction or breach of flight rules.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Key officials are often flown by helicopter across Ukraine at tree-level to avoid detection, but that comes with risks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All that was recognisable of the helicopter was a door panel and one of its rotors which landed on the roof of a car. Next to it were three bodies covered in foil blankets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other officials who died in the crash included first deputy minister Yevhen Yenin and state secretary Yuriy Lubkovych, as well as Tetiana Shutiak, an aide to Mr Monastyrsky.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the disaster, Ihor Klymenko - the head of Ukraine\'s national police force - was appointed acting interior minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A friend of the late minister, MP Mariia Mezentseva, said it was a tragedy for everyone as the ministry had a significant role in Ukraine\'s response to the invasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He responded 24/7 to his colleagues, friends and family. He was very close to President Zelensky from day one of his presidential campaign,\" she told the BBC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US President Joe Biden labelled the crash a \"heartbreaking tragedy\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Parents were bringing their children to the kindergarten before going to work when the helicopter came down nearby.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many of the casualties were on the ground. As well as the child that was killed, 11 of the 25 injured on the ground were youngsters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Witnesses in Kyiv agreed with President Zelensky that the war was to blame for the disaster.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was very foggy and there was no electricity, and when there\'s no electricity there are no lights on the buildings,\" local resident Volodymyr Yermelenko told the BBC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other witnesses said the pilot had tried to avoid high-rise buildings before the crash, and instead went down near the kindergarten.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Parents were running, screaming. There was panic,\" said local volunteer Lidiya. Emergency services and residents rushed to evacuate the children as fire spread through the nursery building.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One resident, Dmytro, described jumping over a fence to help get children out. He said he picked up one girl whose father did not recognise her as her face was covered in blood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incident came four days Ukraine was hit by one of the deadliest attacks on civilians since the start of the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Russian missile hit a block of flats in the central city of Dnipro, killing 45 people, including six children. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-01-19 02:55:19', '2023-01-19 02:55:19');
