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(12933, 12933, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>In politics, words hold immense power—they can inspire a nation or lead to the undoing of its leaders. Bangladesh’s recent political history stands as a clear example of how inflammatory rhetoric, coupled with authoritarian actions, can destroy even the most deeply entrenched political figures.</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, once praised for her role in the country\'s development, saw her legacy crumble under the weight of her words and oppressive governance. Her resignation in 2024, amid mass protests, serves as a stark reminder of how unchecked language and repression can trigger a people\'s revolt and erode political legitimacy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Seeds of Discontent: The Quota System and Youth Unrest</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina’s downfall was not sudden; it was the culmination of years of rising discontent, especially among the youth of Bangladesh. The flashpoint for this unrest was her government\'s decision to maintain a controversial quota system for public sector jobs, which allocated 30% of government posts to descendants of the 1971 Liberation War\'s “freedom fighters.” This policy, viewed by many as a tool for rewarding the Awami League’s loyalists, created resentment among the younger population who struggled with unemployment. With the public sector offering some of the most stable and well-paying jobs, many young Bangladeshis felt they were unfairly shut out of opportunities, deepening frustration ​(Honisoit, 2024)​(Telegraph India, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Student protests erupted in response to this policy, but Hasina’s reaction only intensified the situation. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the protesters, she referred to them as “razakars”—a highly derogatory term used for those who had betrayed Bangladesh during its war of independence. This inflammatory remark further alienated the protesters and added fuel to the growing movement. What had begun as a call for job reforms soon turned into a larger uprising against Hasina\'s leadership ​(Asia Society, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Words with Consequences: How Rhetoric Backfired</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s inflammatory language quickly backfired. Her harsh words and dismissive tone transformed a peaceful protest into a full-blown national revolt. By branding the protesters as enemies of the state, she further alienated the youth, who were already grappling with economic hardship and high unemployment. Instead of uniting the country, her rhetoric divided it further, turning what could have been a manageable political issue into a widespread demand for her resignation ​(Honisoit, 2024)​(Asia Society, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As protests spread across the country, Hasina’s government responded with force, deploying security forces to suppress dissent. The violent crackdowns resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries, further solidifying her image as a repressive leader. The more she used inflammatory language and brutal tactics, the more the public grew disillusioned with her leadership ​(Honisoit, 2024)​(Telegraph India, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Targeting Rivals: The Battle with Khaleda Zia and the Vendetta Against Dr. Yunus</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s use of harsh words was not limited to the student protesters. Throughout her tenure, she regularly targeted her political rivals, most notably Begum Khaleda Zia, leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The rivalry between Hasina and Zia, often referred to as the \"Battle of the Begums,\" has dominated Bangladeshi politics for decades. Hasina frequently directed shameful and degrading remarks at Zia, accusing her of corruption and incompetence. In 2018, Zia was jailed under corruption charges, which many saw as politically motivated to silence the opposition​(mint, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina also turned her ire toward Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank. Yunus, a global icon for his work in microfinance, became the target of Hasina’s personal vendetta when he voiced opposition to her policies. Hasina accused Yunus of corruption and launched investigations into his organization, damaging his reputation both at home and abroad. These attacks on respected figures like Zia and Yunus further isolated Hasina from the public, as many viewed her actions as authoritarian and driven by personal vendettas ​(Jacobin, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Authoritarianism and Repression: The Road to Revolt</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s inflammatory language was accompanied by increasingly authoritarian actions. Her government-imposed internet blackouts, enforced curfews, and deployed military forces to suppress peaceful protests. The repression reached a tipping point when mass killings occurred during student-led protests, with unofficial reports estimating the death toll in the thousands. Hasina’s regime was also known for enforced disappearances, with opposition figures being abducted and silenced by state forces. These actions further alienated the population, and Hasina’s image as a \"gigantic monarch\" ruling with an iron fist became cemented​(Telegraph India, 2024)​(Jacobin, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s disregard for democratic norms, her attacks on political opponents, and her repressive tactics created a toxic political environment. By belittling respected figures like Zia and Yunus, and using shameful language to vilify dissent, she contributed to the mass uprising that ultimately led to her downfall. As public protests grew in size and intensity, Hasina’s hold on power weakened. The military, once a key supporter, refused to enforce her repressive measures, leading to her resignation and flight from the country ​(Honisoit, 2024)​(Asia Society, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>The Fall of Sheikh Hasina: A Cautionary Tale</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina’s resignation in August 2024 was both swift and dramatic. A long march of protesters, demanding her removal from office, culminated in the storming of her official residence. Faced with an unrelenting protest movement and a loss of support from the military, Hasina fled the country, marking the end of her political reign ​(Telegraph India, 2024)​(Asia Society, 2024).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s fall from power is a powerful lesson in the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric and authoritarian rule. Her harsh words, combined with her oppressive actions, alienated large sections of the population and created the conditions for a people\'s revolt. What began as a protest against job quotas evolved into a national movement to overthrow a leader whose words and deeds had divided the nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Lessons in Leadership: The Power of Words</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina’s story is a cautionary tale for leaders everywhere. Words matter. Inflammatory rhetoric may seem like an effective short-term tool to rally supporters or silence critics, but its long-term consequences can be disastrous. Hasina’s downfall was not just the result of policy failures; it was the product of a leader who underestimated the power of her words to divide, alienate, and ultimately dismantle her political base.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bitter consequences of Hasina’s rhetoric will be felt in Bangladesh for years to come. Her downfall serves as a reminder that political power is fragile, and leaders who use words to inflame rather than unite may find themselves at the mercy of the very people they sought to control. As Bangladesh moves forward, future leaders must remember that words and actions matter and that inflammatory rhetoric can tear nations apart.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>References:</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Honi Soit - \"Sheikh Hasina’s regime: Bangladeshi student protests in context\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL: <a href=\"https://honisoit.com/2024/09/sheikh-hasinas-regime-bangladeshi-student-protests-in-context/\" target=\"_blank\">https://honisoit.com/2024/09/sheikh-hasinas-regime-bangladeshi-student-protests-in-context/</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Telegraph India - \"Timeline of tumult: How Bangladesh\'s student protests brought down Sheikh Hasina\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL: <a href=\"https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/timeline-of-tumult-how-bangladeshs-student-protests-brought-down-sheikh-hasina/cid/2038843\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/timeline-of-tumult-how-bangladeshs-student-protests-brought-down-sheikh-hasina/cid/2038843</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asia Society - \"Political Turmoil in Bangladesh: Hasina’s Fall, the Rise of an Interim Government, and Regional Dynamics\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL: <a href=\"https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/political-turmoil-bangladesh-hasinas-fall-rise-interim-government-and-regional-dynamics\" target=\"_blank\">https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/political-turmoil-bangladesh-hasinas-fall-rise-interim-government-and-regional-dynamics</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">LiveMint - \"Khaleda Zia vs Sheikh Hasina: How the ‘Battle of Begums’ shaped Bangladesh politics\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.livemint.com/news/world/bangladesh-latest-news-khaleda-zia-sheikh-hasina-battle-of-begums-dhaka-muhammad-yunus-bnp-attacks-on-hindus-muslims-11723005956747.html\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.livemint.com/news/world/bangladesh-latest-news-khaleda-zia-sheikh-hasina-battle-of-begums-dhaka-muhammad-yunus-bnp-attacks-on-hindus-muslims-11723005956747.html</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jacobin - \"The Bangladesh Protest Movement Won Out Against Repression\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">URL: <a href=\"https://jacobin.com/2024/08/bangladesh-protest-movement-hasina-yunus\" target=\"_blank\">https://jacobin.com/2024/08/bangladesh-protest-movement-hasina-yunus</a></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Author: A S M Shamem</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i>Doctoral Researcher</i></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i>Faculty of Languages and Linguistics</i></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i>University of Malaya, Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia</i></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">BN/AJOM</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-23 03:38:31', '2024-09-23 03:38:31'),
(12934, 12934, '<div><br></div><div>The number of dengue patients and fatalities continues to spike across the country this year too with hospitals struggling to provide treatment to the growing number of patients due to insufficient facilities.</div><div><br></div><div>Experts fear that the dengue situation may worsen in October when the hospitals and clinics are already overwhelmed with dengue patients.</div><div><br></div><div>Till September 22, the death toll from the mosquito-borne disease stood at 131 with 24,034 cases.</div><div><br></div><div>Two months back, experts warned about the possibility of severe dengue outbreak in September, yet there have been no visible efforts from the authorities concerned. Concern is growing among people as October is likely to see even worse dengue situation.</div><div><br></div><div>Visiting Dhaka Medical College and Mugda Medical College and Hospital, it was found that these hospitals have been struggling to accommodate the&nbsp; dengue patients and setting up additional beds on the corridors to provide treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to UNB some physicians at the hospitals said the current month is seeing continuous increase in dengue cases compared to previous months.</div><div><br></div><div>Over 2,800 patients were admitted to the two hospitals in August while some 2,500 patients have already been hospitalised this month—with eight days still remaining.</div><div><br></div><div>Many patients have been admitted in critical condition, showing symptoms such as low blood pressure, multiple organ dysfunctions, vomiting and lethargy, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>Recent rainfall and waterlogging might be the reason behind the surge in dengue patients. Physicians say that many patients are being hospitalized with severe symptom of Dengue, particularly shock syndrome.</div><div><br></div><div><b>What DGHS, experts say</b></div><div><br></div><div>According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the number of dengue cases is increasing compared to previous months, with 55% of patients hospitalized outside Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, negligence is also blamed for rising deaths. Without providing necessary treatment at upazila health complexes, patients are referred to other hospitals unnecessarily, exacerbating the crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed, an adviser to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said as the number of dengue patients&nbsp; rises, the death toll will proportionally increase, noting that the causes for which 2023 witnessed the highest deaths have not been resolved.</div><div><br></div><div>He emphasized the need for decentralization of medical care, as patients with less risks are often kept at the city hospitals unnecessarily instead of providing care at upazila or local hospitals, putting strains on the proper treatment of critical patients.</div><div><br></div><div>Prof Kabirul Bashar, a Zoology Department teacher of Jahangirnagar University, addressed that the primary healthcare facilities at the upazila level should be properly equipped to treat dengue patients instead of transferring them to district or divisional hospitals, which may delay necessary treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>To effectively control dengue, he urged for evidence-based integrated mosquito management strategies and a shift from a job-oriented to a service-oriented mindset among responsible agencies.</div><div><br></div><div>“Under hotspot management, crash programs should be done within 200 meters of houses where there are dengue patients. Flying Aedes mosquitoes and larvae must be destroyed.”the expert suggested.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Anti-mosquito drives in capital</b></div><div><br></div><div>DSCC Administrator Dr. Mohd Sher Ali told UNB that following the directives from Local Government Adviser AF Hassan Arif, instructions have been given to all concerned to ensure \'coordinated and proper implementation of mosquito control activities\' in Dhaka South and North City Corporations.</div><div><br></div><div>He, however, said they are implementing necessary activities with due importance to destroy the breeding places of Aedes mosquitoes.</div><div><br></div><div>DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said, \"Our health department and waste management department have started conducting special cleanliness and mosquito control activities in the areas where the prevalence of Aedes mosquitoes is high. Through this, we will be able to reduce the spread of dengue disease. \"</div><div><br></div><div>DNCC Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan said the sources where Aedes larvae can grow should be cleaned and destroyed alongside spraying insecticides regularly to control dengue.</div><div><br></div><div>The monitoring team consisting of officials of different departments is properly supervising the activities conducted in each region. Students and other citizens need to be involved, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our staffers clean the surroundings of the house and spray medicines. But it is not possible for our employees to work indoors. So you have to keep your houses clean. Refrigerators, ACs, flower tubs, unused tires, coconut shells, open packets of chips, various types of open containers, rooftops or any other places should be kept free from stagnant water,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>On September 19, the DNCC launched a week-long special mosquito eradication programme across all wards, which will continue until September 25. Each ward has been divided into sub-blocks for targeted inspections to identify and destroy mosquito breeding grounds.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-23 09:43:52', '2024-09-23 09:43:52'),
(12935, 12935, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to hold a meeting with US President Joseph R. Biden on Tuesday here on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which reflects growing relations between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is going to be a one-to-one meeting, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB, confirming the meeting in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is very significant as no US president has held a bilateral meeting with any Bangladesh head of government in the past decades, the official added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden will travel to New York City to participate in the 79th session of the UNGA on September 23-25.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to addressing the General Assembly on September 24, President Biden will meet with world leaders to discuss cooperation in tackling threats to international peace and security, advancing global prosperity, and protecting human rights, said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s travel to New York City.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Yunus is scheduled to arrive here on Monday night (NY Time) to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with a packed schedule of meetings with global leaders on the sidelines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith and CDA of The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C. Salahuddin Mahmud will receive him at JFK International Airport upon his arrival by a commercial flight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser will address the General Debate of the UNGA on September 27.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate already described the challenges facing the interim government to the US delegation in Dhaka recently, saying his administration has moved quickly to \"reset, reform, and restart\" the economy, initiate reforms in financial sectors, and fix institutions such as the judiciary and police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser sought the assistance when a high-powered US delegation met him at the state guesthouse Jamuna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US delegation affirmed their dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US stands ready to support those efforts,\" said the US side, after a meeting held at state guesthouse Jamuna.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus has a series of high-profile meetings lined up on the sidelines of the UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, the chief adviser will meet with leaders including the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Nepal, as well as the President of the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights chief, the World Bank President, and the USAID Administrator.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser said many meeting decisions are made at the last minute during this time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“New meetings may be added to that consideration; again, due to lack of time, any meeting may be omitted.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus is also likely to have meetings with the President of Italy and the Crown Prince of Kuwait.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 24, Prof Yunus will attend a welcome reception to be hosted by UN Secretary General António Guterres for the Heads of Delegation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will attend the inaugural session of the 79th UNGA. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) Lamiya Morshed, Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah will accompany the chief adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus will also attend a high-level side event on the Rohingya crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi is scheduled to call on the chief adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser will also attend a high-level side event – ‘Meet the Friends of Bangladesh’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There will be a reception on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations which will be hosted by Professor Muhammad Yunus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser said he will have a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-23 09:47:32', '2024-09-23 09:47:32'),
(12936, 12936, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A Sunamganj court on Monday sent former planning minister MA Mannan to jail after rejecting a bail petition in a case over the attacks on students and people during the recent student-led movement in the district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sunamganj Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Nirjan Mitra passed the order after hearing the prayer for bail, said the plaintiff’s lawyer Mashuk Alam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Law enforcement agencies arrested the former minister from his residence in Shantiganj area under Jagannathpur upazila on September 19.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was accused in the case filed by one Hafiz Ali, brother of a victim who was injured in clashes with the law enforcers and Awami League supporters in the district on August 4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the district witnessed a mixed reaction over the arrest of the former minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A group of people staged demonstration for the release of Mannan while another group opposed it demanding punishment of the former minister and accused him of amassing illegal wealth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Sunday, some students under the banner of general students took position in front of Shantiganj upazila parishad along Sunamganj-Sylhet road, demanding release of Mannan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Pagla Bazar of the upazil, another group of students formed a human chain demanding an exemplary punishment of the former minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-23 10:18:59', '2024-09-23 10:18:59'),
(12937, 12937, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Challenging the central bank to go further if it truly wants to save troubled banks, prominent businessman and newly-installed chairman of National Bank Limited (NBL) Abdul Awal Mintoo has said merely restructuring the board of directors of these banks after dissolving the previous ones will not be enough to resolve the crisis in the banking sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rather, Bangladesh Bank has to arrange liquidity support to the tune of at least Tk 1000 crore for each of the weak banks if it is serious about keeping them in operation&nbsp; with depositors’ trust restored, Mintoo told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In 1998, the United States government provided $2 trillion in liquidity support for their banking sector to overcome a crisis during that period,” Mintoo said. “The central bank of Bangladesh should follow that example and arrange liquidity support for the weak banks.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reference is to the U.S. government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, under which $700 billion was authorised to bail out banks at the onset of the financial crisis in 2008.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mintoo, also the CEO of Multimode Group, said: “You have to understand the practical situation, all the sectors including banks stand on false information during the immediate past government. Banks’ money was looted with the coordination and arrangement of the Bangladesh Bank. So now why would the central bank not do everything to financially revive these banks?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Without instant liquidity support, there is no way to regain the trust of depositors in the banks where the boards have been restructured. The loan guarantee from the central bank is not enough, as other banks also know the financial health of these banks, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh Bank will have to arrange a liquidity support package for these weak banks without delay. Because even a good decision, if delayed, will lead to another crisis and undermine the good that may have come out of that decision,” Mintoo opined.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He is also critical of the makeup of the central bank’s board following the induction of some new members. In Mintoo’s eyes, the share of academics is disproportionately high, while experienced bankers are lacking. He says this is causing the delays in decision-making.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The central bank’s wait-and-see approach is exacerbating problems that can be nipped in the bud with decisive action,” said Mintoo, a former president of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), as well as the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said a tight, contractionary monetary policy to curb inflation may backfire in some situations as it raises the rate of lending, which will hamper industrial production. As a result, unemployment increases and stokes social instability, which Mintoo views as another challenge to the macroeconomy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that around 25-26 lakh youth enter the country’s job market every year, of which several thousand are fortunate to get a government job, but the “lion’s share” of the youth are employed in the private sector.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At present, banks cannot provide the required working capital support for industries, LC-opening has dropped dramatically as many banks are facing a foreign exchange crisis, and industrial production gets disrupted due to a shortage of raw materials and lack of security, said Mintoo.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the central bank is called the lender of last resort, but the Bangladesh Bank is not lending to commercial banks. Many businessmen are “crying to open LCs”, but banks are not taking LCs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“How are businesses expected to run?” Mintoo questioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When people cannot withdraw money from banks to meet essential needs, or bank branches cannot open due to fear of public anger, the situation gets diverted into something more serious, he warned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mintoo believes the central bank as an institution is even more at fault than the directors who were in charge of the banks that have fallen into hard times.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“And yet, the central bank is not lending to these commercial banks, which is badly needed to pull them up,” he reiterated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The veteran businessman, also a vice chairman of the BNP, stressed&nbsp; that each day is of importance for banks and industries in the present situation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The central bank spent more than a month making policies, but the banks in question required immediate liquidity support which they still didn’t get,”said Mintoo.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is only once the troubled banks return to their regular transaction activities that clients’ or customers’ trust will be regained, Mintoo asserts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Only then can the wheels of the economy hope to get back on track, on the back of the banking sector,” he states in conclusion, before ending on a more sombre note.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“But if they (troubled banks) continue to struggle, not only will their financial health suffer, they will act as a bar on the sector’s performance, as well as the wider economy,” Mintoo said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:39:25', '2024-09-24 09:39:25'),
(12938, 12938, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh has requested technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address key areas of concern, including banking sector reforms, money laundering control, and tax reforms, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We sought technical assistance for banking sector reforms, tackling money laundering, and implementing tax reforms,” Dr. Salehuddin told reporters following a meeting with an IMF delegation at the Secretariat in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The delegation, led by IMF Mission Chief for Bangladesh Chris Papageorgiou, has commenced a weeklong visit to assess the country’s macroeconomic situation and explore potential reforms with the provision of additional funding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser emphasized the need for external resources to support these critical reforms. \"We will utilize our local resources as much as possible, but for specific areas, we will require foreign assistance,\" he explained.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMF delegation’s visit focuses on several pressing economic issues, including efforts to curb inflation, bolster foreign-currency reserves, and restore overall macroeconomic stability. \"We’ve discussed the areas where IMF assistance could be most beneficial,\" Dr. Salehuddin added, noting that the talks included balance of payment support, as well as banking and revenue sector reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Finance Adviser also informed the IMF delegation that Bangladesh’s interim government has initiated reforms across various sectors but will require time to implement them fully.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh is expected to engage in further discussions with the IMF in October, where final decisions on support and policy directions will be made in consultation with the lending agency’s policymakers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, the IMF team will review the country’s fiscal challenges, including high subsidy spending, rising inflationary pressures, and potential cuts in public expenditure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has already requested $3 billion in additional support from the IMF for budgetary assistance, on top of the ongoing $4.7 billion lending package.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:41:45', '2024-09-24 09:41:45'),
(12939, 12939, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A member of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) was detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today after he allegedly crossed into the Bangladesh territory illegally at the Pirganj border in Thakurgaon on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lt Col Ahsanul Islam, commander of BGB\'s 42nd Battalion, confirmed the development, saying that BSF personnel Up Kumar Das was apprehended near the Chandherhat camp around 11 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the BGB, the BSF personnel crossed the zero line of the international boundary near pillar number 334/sub-pillar 6, entering Bangladesh without authorisation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although the BSF member was in uniform at the time of his detention, he was unarmed, the BGB official noted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities are currently preparing to return the detained BSF member to the Indian authorities through a flag meeting, BGB added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:44:58', '2024-09-24 09:44:58'),
(12940, 12940, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 1,400 tourists who had been stranded in Sajek due to a 72-hour strike have returned to Khagrachhari with the help of the army.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday confirmed the development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, vehicular movement on all routes connecting Khagrachhari to Dhaka and Chattogram resumed this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to army sources, local residents and army personnel worked together on Monday night to clear the obstacles on the roads, making them passable again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sources further added that under the overall supervision of the Baghaichhari zone and with support from the Sajek Resort Owners Association, 50-75% of the accommodation fees for stranded tourists in Sajek were waived.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the blockade was called on Friday by protesting Jumma students and activists based in Dhaka, in response to the recent violent incidents in Khagrachhari and Rangamati. The United People\'s Democratic Front (UPDF) has supported the protest.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:46:59', '2024-09-24 09:46:59'),
(12941, 12941, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United Nations has conveyed best wishes to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as he attends the UNGA when Bangladesh is celebrating its 50 years relationship with the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Yunus, who arrived here on Monday night, will host a reception on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations on Tuesday evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"My best wishes to Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus as he attends the General Assembly. This year, Bangladesh celebrates its 50-year relationship with the UN,\" said UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis in a brief message shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An historic moment when we again reminded of the importance of listening to the voices of young people,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 17 September 1974, Bangladesh became a full member of the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus is on his first visit to the United States as head of the Bangladesh government to attend the 79th UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly opens on Tuesday, 24 September, continue through Saturday, 28 September, and conclude on Monday, 30 September 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The theme for the general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly is \"Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain spoke at the Summit of the Future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Summit of the Future offered a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change and a chance to commit to bold new solutions.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It provided an opportunity to create international mechanisms that better reflect the realities of the 21st century and can respond to today\'s and tomorrow\'s challenges and opportunities.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As part of the global community, Bangladesh has a role in setting a better course for the world, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By working together, \"we can achieve a safer, more peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The General Assembly started the meeting by adopting the Pact for the Future Resolution with annexes Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 09:49:09', '2024-09-24 09:49:09'),
(12942, 12942, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar have discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries, according to the foreign ministry here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They met on the sidelines of 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday, Bangladesh foreign ministry said on its X handle (former tweeter).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Had a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of Bangladesh in New York this evening. The conversation focused on our bilateral ties,\" Jaishankar said in his X handle after the meeting as well.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser is part of the Bangladesh delegation led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the 79th UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-24 10:11:05', '2024-09-24 10:11:05'),
(12943, 12943, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has sought support from foreign friends for Bangladesh\'s new journey towards a happy and prosperous future, stressing that they do not want to miss the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our job is to clean it up and reform it. We need to make a good start. We need all of your support to make that happen,\" he said while speaking at a reception on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday evening (New York time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Representatives of the countries attending the UNGA joined the reception hosted by Bangladesh to mark the 50th anniversary of the country’s United Nations membership.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 17, 1974, Bangladesh became a full member of the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar and Apurba Jahangir were present.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Photographer, writer, curator and activist Shahidul Alam joined Prof Yunus in unveiling two books that depict events of the student-led mass uprising.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recalling the sacrifices made by the students, Prof Yunus said the whole nation is united today. \"We don\'t want to make them (who dreamt of a new Bangladesh) disappointed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus said the students invited him to lead the interim government until the election is held, following implementation of the reforms agenda.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is a very significant year for us. It is brought by the young people of Bangladesh,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the United Nations conveyed best wishes to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as he attends the UNGA when Bangladesh is celebrating its 50 years relationship with the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"My best wishes to Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus, as he attends the General Assembly. This year, Bangladesh celebrates its 50-year relationship with the UN,\" said UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis in a brief message shared on X.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Yunus spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of an event at the UN headquarters on Tuesday.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also shared the stage with former US President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus is on his first visit to the United States as head of the Bangladesh government to attend the 79th UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly began on Tuesday and will continue through Saturday, September 28, and conclude on Monday, September 30, 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The theme for the general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly is \"Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:36:12', '2024-09-25 09:36:12');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12944, 12944, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US President Joseph R Biden and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus have affirmed the close partnership between Washington and Dhaka, which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued US support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda, said a White House statement after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US president congratulated Prof Yunus on his recent appointment as the head of the interim government of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus was sworn in as the chief adviser of the interim government on August 8 last after ousted Sheikh Hasina resigned to the President and fled the country in the face of a student-led mass uprising against her government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:38:34', '2024-09-25 09:38:34'),
(12945, 12945, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly held a meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday to discuss bolstering ties between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, both leaders explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation and emphasized Canada\'s support for the ongoing reform initiatives under Bangladesh\'s interim government, according to a message received here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The discussions covered a wide range of issues, from trade and investment to climate change and multilateral collaboration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Joly reiterated Canada\'s commitment to assisting Bangladesh during its transitional period and expressed her government\'s willingness to enhance collaboration on key global issues such as human rights, sustainable development, and climate adaptation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting comes at a transitional time for Bangladesh, which is undergoing significant reforms in governance and economic policies under the interim government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Strengthening diplomatic ties with key partners like Canada is seen as crucial for ensuring international support for these reforms.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:40:59', '2024-09-25 09:40:59'),
(12946, 12946, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President and noted journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a condolence message, he said, \"Ruhul Amin Gazi played a courageous and praiseworthy role in ensuring freedom of expression\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said senior journalist Gazi, who used to believe in independent journalism, worked relentlessly with the great principle of objective journalism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His fellow journalists will forever follow this spirit with respect, he hoped.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tarique Rahman said his bold speech in favor of the freedom of speech of the people despite suffering prison and oppression was appreciated by the countrymen.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite facing anger from the fascist regime repeatedly, Gazi always played a leading role for democracy, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even in the face of the threat of undemocratic forces in his career, he was steadfast in fulfilling his duties, said the BNP acting chairman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that his contribution to the arena of journalism is undoubtedly undeniable, he also said his death created a deep wound in the hearts of democracy-loving people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Gazi\'s death made a vacuum which will not be fulfilled easily,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tarique Rahman prayed for eternal peace of his departed soul as well.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gazi passed away on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:43:10', '2024-09-25 09:43:10'),
(12947, 12947, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has sought international community\'s continuous attention to the Rohingya crisis, otherwise, he warned that it might put the entire region in trouble, not just Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We must pay attention,\" he said while speaking at a high-level discussion on the Rohingya crisis held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday afternoon (NY time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan, IOM Director General Amy Pope, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and CA\'s Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam, among others, spoke at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Yunus proposed to international community to re-visit approach to Rohingya crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the UN Secretary General may convene an all stakeholders\' conference on the Rohingya crisis soonest possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conference should review the overall situation of the crisis and suggest innovative and forward looking way outs, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Secondly, Prof Yunus said, the Joint Response Plan, managed jointly by the UN System and Bangladesh, needs to be energised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The resource raising mechanism needs further political push in view of the sliding funding situation, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his third proposal, Prof Yunus said the international community should seriously support the justice and accountability mechanism to address genocidal crimes committed against the Rohingya community.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eventually, the Chief Adviser said, redressing injustice that has been perpetrated by the military junta in Myanmar is the key to long term peace and security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Honoured to take part in the discussion on Rohingya refugees led by the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh. This is a yearly UNGA event but Dr Yunus’ presence and vision meant that it wasn’t business as usual,\" said the UNHCR chief.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they must strive to end the Rohingya people’s discrimination, statelessness and exile.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was a very successful meeting. Everyone appreciated Bangladesh’s efforts and reiterated their continuous support,\" Chief Adviser\'s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Tuesday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar and Apurba Jahangir were also present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at the event, IOM DG Amy Pope said the Rohingya people must not be forgotten.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We must do more and continue to provide much needed assistance and long-term solutions,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At UNGA, IOM DG said they reaffirm their commitment to doing everything possible to achieve this goal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As UNGA\'s high-level general debate took place in New York, some of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh sent a message for world leaders gathered here, \"Don’t let us down.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rohingya refugees cannot be forgotten, they said a video message.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While participating in the high-level UNGA side event on the Rohingya crisis, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced nearly $199 million in new assistance for Rohingya refugees and communities hosting them in Bangladesh and the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This funding includes nearly $70 million through the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and over $129 million from USAID, $78 million of which comes from the Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation which will help USAID to purchase, ship, and distribute food from American farmers to Rohingya refugees and host community members in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This U.S. assistance will save lives and help protect, shelter, and feed those forced to flee violence and persecution.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, it will be used to: support disaster preparedness and protection for refugees and host communities; bolster access to education and skills training; and prepare refugees for their potential return home when conditions allow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The U.S. government has provided more than $2.5 billion for the regional Rohingya response since August 2017, including more than $2.1 billion in Bangladesh, of which nearly $1.3 billion was contributed through PRM.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States remains committed to delivering assistance to crisis-affected communities in Bangladesh and the region and calls on other donors to continue their support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In August 2017, armed attacks, massive scale violence, and serious human rights violations forced thousands of Rohingya to flee their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many walked for days through jungles and undertook dangerous sea journeys across the Bay of Bengal to reach safety in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now, nearly 1 million people have found safety in Bangladesh with a majority living in the Cox Bazar’s region - home to the world’s largest refugee camp.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Nations has described the Rohingya as “the most persecuted minority in the world.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:46:55', '2024-09-25 09:46:55'),
(12948, 12948, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said Bangladesh will soon take steps to hold negotiations with India over sharing of water of transboundary rivers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The negotiations will be held after considering public opinion and the outcomes of the talks will be shared with the people,\" she said while speaking at a seminar titled \"Bangladesh\'s Fair Share of Water in Shared Rivers,\" held at Pani Bhaban in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The seminar was arranged marking the World Rivers Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Addressing as the chief guest, Rizwana said although the water sharing of international rivers is a complex issue, the exchange of essential information should not be political one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One country can want the rainfall data and location of structures in rivers and the data exchange can help prevent harm to lives and properties, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana, also environment, forest and climate change adviser, said a country cannot go to the international court unilaterally on such issues but both nations must go to it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Sharing rainfall data is a humanitarian issue. Necessary data should be given for saving lives. Bangladesh\'s claims will be made clearly and strongly,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser stressed protecting the country\'s internal rivers, describing those as living entities that must be collectively saved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Presided over by Mihir Biswas, convener of the World Rivers Day Celebration Council; and moderated by Md Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA); the seminar was addressed, among others, by Md Ejaz, Director of the River and Delta Research Centre; Md Shahidul Islam, Professor of Geography and Environment at Dhaka University; and Shamsul Huda, Executive Director of the Association for Land Reform and Development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Researchers, environmentalists, and government officials participated in the seminar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:52:02', '2024-09-25 09:52:02'),
(12949, 12949, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pope Francis on Wednesday slammed the \"terrible escalation\" of the conflict in Lebanon as \"unacceptable\", after Israeli bombings in the south of the country targeting Hezbollah killed hundreds of people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am saddened by the news coming out of Lebanon... but I hope that the international community will make every effort to stop this terrible escalation. This is unacceptable, I express my closeness to the Lebanese people, who have already suffered too much in the recent past,\" Francis said. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-25 09:57:27', '2024-09-25 09:57:27'),
(12950, 12950, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said his government is committed to upholding human rights and freedom of speech in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the comments when senior officials of more than half a dozen top global human rights groups met him at a hotel here on Wednesday (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, justice and accountability of the atrocities and abuse of human rights committed during the July-August mass uprising and also during Sheikh Hasina\'s 15 year long dictatorship were discussed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Human rights officials stressed the need for more investigations into some 3,000 extrajudicial killings carried out during the dictatorship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also called for security sector reforms, repeal of the cyber security act and unfettered access to justice and ensure accountability of activities of the detention centres where the victims of the enforced disappearances were kept during Sheikh Hasina\'s autocratic rule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kerry Kennedy, President of the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, led the delegation of nine HR officials. Agnes Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, also joined the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Callamard said the interim government should send \"a powerful message demonstrating that this is a new Bangladesh.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus briefly outlined how civil liberties and human rights were denied during the previous autocratic regime and what his government has so far done to establish human rights in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said his government has set up several commissions, including one regarding to the police, to carry out vital reforms and institutional changes in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the interim government would welcome any criticism of its activities and vowed that the interim administration would uphold freedom of speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This government isn\'t bothered by any criticism. In fact, we are inviting criticism,\" he said, adding the government \"won\'t restrict any voices\" in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, formerly a Hong Kong-based human rights activist, and Julia Bleckner, a senior researcher of Human Rights Watch, also spoke during the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 09:56:26', '2024-09-26 09:56:26'),
(12951, 12951, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World Bank (WB) Group President Ajay Banga today said the global lender would provide US$ 3.5 billion to support reform initiatives of Bangladesh’s interim government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WB president announced the assistance at a meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters here on Wednesday (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Banga, a long-time friend of Prof Yunus, said at least US$ two billion would be provided as fresh lending while another US$ 1.5 billion would be repurposed from the existing programmes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the WB would support reforms in digitisation, liquidity, energy, power and transport sectors in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Prof Yunus sought the World Bank’s support for the wide-range reforms the Interim government had taken.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He asked the WB to be creative about its lending programme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is a big opportunity to rebuild the country,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The WB president discussed the energy sector cooperation in South Asia and how hydro energy produced in Nepal and Bhutan could be shared by neighbours such as India and Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Energy and Power Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan was present at the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 09:58:47', '2024-09-26 09:58:47'),
(12952, 12952, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chinese Ambassador here Yao Wen has said Beijing’s commitment on its engagement with Bangladesh will remain untouched amid any changes inside the country.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“No matter what changes have taken place inside Bangladesh, China’s commitment to develop our bilateral relations remains unchanged,” he said while hosting a reception at a city hotel on Wednesday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said China sincerely hoped that under the leadership of the interim government, Bangladesh will carry out state reform, maintain political stability, advance economic development and improve people’s livelihood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We believe no one but the Bangladeshi people have the rights to choose their path of development,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said Bangladesh-China bilateral relations are based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, with full respect to the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Commerce and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed joined the reception as the chief guest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP’s senior leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami attend the reception among other dignitaries as Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin was also present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chinese ambassador said a nation will prosper only when it’s young people thrive. \"Young people are the most energetic and full of dreams. Youths are the hope and will be the leaders of the future,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said youths are living in a remarkable time, and enjoying a promising prospect to fulfill their dreams.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I expect the young people to devote themselves to China-Bangladesh cooperation, passing the torch of friendship from generation to generation,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To support the development of Bangladesh, the ambassador said China would unilaterally open its market and decides to grant zero-tariff treatment on 100% of taxable items to Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It means China will substantially increase import of cereals, sugar, edible oil, rubber and rubber products, wood products, jute and jute products, paper and paper products, wool and cotton from Bangladesh from December 1 next, he said, adding: “China will also import Bangladeshi fresh Mangos”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To combat the flood, wen said China is about to provide rescue facilities and equipment to Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the last one and a half month since the establishment of the interim government, the Chinese enterprises have invested more than 85 millions US dollars, demonstrating the confidence China holds for the future development of Bangladesh and its relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, he said China has sent the National Emergency Medical Team to provide assistance in treatment of those injured in the recent uprising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that the next year will be “China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges”, the ambassador said the embassy will come up with dozens of functions in the sectors of political exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, culture, education, tourism, sports, public health, youth, women, media and academic interactions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“All the celebrations aim at improving the friendly relations between us, delivering more benefits to the peoples of both countries, especially the young people,” he said, referring that the next year will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“China is looking forward to working closely with Bangladesh to cement our traditional friendship, deepen friendly exchanges and mutually-beneficial cooperation in various areas,” said the ambassador.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event featured cultural performances by artists from China, including the Yunnan Overseas Culture and Education Center, along with exhibitions showcasing Chinese culture and various companies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 10:02:11', '2024-09-26 10:02:11'),
(12953, 12953, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The South Africa president greeted the Bangladesh chief adviser, according to the CA’s press wing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both the leaders exchanged pleasantries on the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in New York today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He will also join a bilateral meeting with Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on the sidelines of the UNGA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser is scheduled to join a reception, hosted by US President Joe Biden, at 17.30 pm (NY time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 10:05:36', '2024-09-26 10:05:36'),
(12954, 12954, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Amid criticism for his political career and off-form, former Bangladesh captain and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This somewhat shocking announcement came when the Bangladesh team was gearing up for the second match of the two-match Test series against the hosts, India, in Kanpur.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite announcing his retirement in India, Shakib will play the home series against South Africa next month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am not hurt or disappointed,” Shakib said, announcing his retirement. “I think it is the right time to move on, and create a place for the new players.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib said that he has informed the board and the board president about his future in T20Is, too, where he will no longer appear in T20Is. The allrounder confirmed that his last T20I in the West Indies was his last T20I appearance, meaning he will not participate in the T20I series against India and West Indies later this year.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It is the best chance to take a look at new players. It will be a good move to build the team towards the 2026 T20 World Cup. We have taken this as a collective decision,” Shakib added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am happy. I don’t have any regrets in my life,” Shakib said further. “I have enjoyed my cricket career. I think it is the right time for me and Bangladesh cricket. The board president and selectors feel that it is the right time, too.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib did not rule out the possibility of getting back into T20Is again, but he said: “If I do well in the franchise leagues in the next months, BCB can call me up if they feel I can contribute to the T20 side. At this moment, I don’t see myself in the T20Is.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The left-handed batter scored 4600 runs in Tests with five centuries and 31 fifties. He also bagged 242 wickets, the most by any Bangladeshi bowler, with 19 five-fors. He has 2551 runs and 149 wickets in T20Is.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib is expected to return to Bangladesh ahead of the South Africa tour, but he said he and his family are concerned about his safety.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The allrounder was a parliament member under Sheik Hasina\'s leadership. The Hasina-government was ousted on August 5 in a mass uprising led by the students.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 5th, Hasina fled the country. Since then, dozens of murder cases have been filed against Awami League members, including Sheikh Hasina and Shakib.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib was also fined BDT 50 lakh for his involvement in the price manipulation of a company in the stock market. He might have to pay this fine when he comes back to Dhaka.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I should not have any problem going back to Bangladesh,” Shakib said. “My concern is my safety and security in Bangladesh. My close friends and family members are concerned. I hope things are getting better. There should be a solution to it.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 10:28:05', '2024-09-26 10:28:05'),
(12955, 12955, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Torrential rainfall drenched the capital on Thursday, disrupting commute and the workday in general.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Office and school goers were seen suffering due to lack of transportation and slow traffic during the rain in the morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rains, triggered by low pressure area over the West-central Bay and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal, started on Wednesday night and continued till Thursday noon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rains inundated lanes in different areas including Malibagh, Mouchak and Malibagh Chowdhury Para.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Met office recorded 44 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours from 6 am Wednesday till 6 am Thursday while 43 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the past six hours from 6 am to 12 pm on Thursday, said meteorologist AKM Nzmul Haque.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, there is a possibility of decrease in rainfall from Friday, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Met office regular bulletin, light to moderate rain or thundershower accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country’s highest 104mm rainfall was recorded in Kumarkhali in 24 hours till 6am Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The axis of monsoon trough runs through India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal to Assam across Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends upto North Bay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over North Bay.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The low pressure area over West-central and&nbsp; adjoining Northwest Bay moved west-northwestwards has become unimportant and merged with the monsoon axis, it says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 10:55:49', '2024-09-26 10:55:49'),
(12956, 12956, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government has promoted 47 Superintendents of Police (SPs) to the rank of Additional Deputy Inspectors General (Addl DIGs) of Police.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Public Security Division of the Home Ministry issued a gazette notification signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Habibul Hasan in this regard on September 24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the notification, the newly promoted Additional DIGs include SP of the Range DIG office, Rangpur, Ali Akbar Khan, SP of Highway Police Md Abdullah Al Mamun, SP of the Police Training Centre, Noakhali Sheikh Md Mizanur Rahman, SP of CID Shah Abu Saleh Md Golam Mahmud, SP of SB Md Nazmul Hossain, SP of Dhaka Range Office Md Ashique Sayeed, SP of Industrial Police Dr Md Al Mamunul Ansari, SP of Telecom Mohammad Abdul Mabud, SP of Training and Driving School, Dhaka, Mohammad Faizul Kabir, SP of In-Service Training Centre, Lalmonirhat, Muh Mahbubur Rashid, SP of CID Mohammad Shamsul Haque and SP of Dhaka Range Office Mohammad Zahidul Hasan .&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Home Ministry has also instructed the newly promoted officers to send joining letters to the Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division through concerned authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-26 11:06:00', '2024-09-26 11:06:00'),
(12957, 12957, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today left here for home wrapping up his four-day USA visit to attend the 79th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and other high level side events.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“A commercial flight of the Qatar Airways carrying the chief adviser and his entourages departed from the JKF International Airport, New York, at 9:30 pm (NY Time) on Friday,” CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus is expected to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 2:15 am (BD Time) on September 29.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alam said the chief adviser joined 40 high-level meetings with heads of government of 12 countries, including US President Joe Biden, and heads of different international organisations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We think it was a big step for Bangladesh to advance its economic and diplomatic relations and partnership with world,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser arrived in New York on September 23 to attend the 79th UNGA session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He held a bilateral meeting with US President Joseph R Biden on Tuesday (September 24) apart from addressing the UNGA session on Friday (September 27).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus also joined bilateral talks with the United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma and Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, among others, called on the chief adviser during his stay in New York.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Yunus also joined several high-level events in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-28 10:01:18', '2024-09-28 10:01:18');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12958, 12958, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today urged the international community to continue and deepen engagements with Bangladesh to help meet its people\'s quest for democracy, rule of law, equality and prosperity so that it can emerge as a just and inclusive democratic society.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I call upon the international community to engage with \'new Bangladesh\' anew that aims to realise freedom and democracy, beyond letters, for everyone,\" he said while addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Delivering his speech in Bangla, the chief adviser of the interim government said the country\'s youth and commoners together entrusted him and his council of advisers with enormous responsibilities to reconstruct a decaying state apparatus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As we took to the office, to our utter shock and dismay, we discovered how endemic corruption turned a \'functioning democracy\' into a farce, how key institutions were ruthlessly politicised, how public coffers were reduced to rubble, how oligarchs took over business, how \'chosen few\' concentrated wealth in their hands and amassed and laundered wealth out of Bangladesh,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In all, justice, ethics and morality, almost at every level, reached a low, he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under such circumstances, Prof Yunus said, his government was asked to rebuild Bangladesh and give back the country to the people, while it was also asked to correct the ills of the past and build a competitive and agile economy, and a just society.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a drastically changed scenario, he said, all political parties are now free to voice their views and opinions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A key priority for his government is to make all in public positions and institutions accountable for their decisions and actions, he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are committed to promote and protect the fundamental rights - for people to speak in freedom, to assemble without fear or inhibition, to vote whosoever they choose, to uphold the independence of the judiciary and freedom of press, including in the cyber domain,\" the chief adviser said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government prioritises allocation in education and health sectors instead of grandiose infrastructure development so that children of a farmer or worker can scale the highest in the society. \"We also aim at ensuring good governance, across all sectors.\"&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate assured that his government will adhere to all international, regional and bilateral instruments that Bangladesh is party to. \"Bangladesh will continue to remain an active proponent of multilateralism, with the UN at the core,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Bangladesh is open to nurture friendly relations with all countries based on mutual respect, upholding its dignity and pride and shared interests.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the reform agendas, Prof Yunus said his government has initiated several actions in just seven weeks of assuming power.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to the request of the Bangladesh government, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has dispatched a Fact-Finding Mission to probe the gross human rights violations during the recent student-people movement and to suggest for sustainable course correction, he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He informed that this mission has already started work on the ground in Bangladesh and expressed his deep appreciation to High Commissioner Volker Turk to this end.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to the enforced disappearances took place in Bangladesh, the chief adviser said his government acceded to \'the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance\' within two weeks in office.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Formulation of the required national legislation is underway so that \"we can effectuate its early implementation\", he said, adding that an Inquiry Commission has started probing into all the cases of enforced disappearances reported during the past decade and a half.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In order to restore people\'s trust and confidence, and to ensure that the tragic past never recurs in future Bangladesh, we have initiated reforms in certain prioritised sectors.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In that direction, we launched independent commissions to reform electoral system, constitution, judicial system, civil administration, law and order sectors. A few more commissions are on the cards to reform other sectors, including press and media,\" Prof Yunus said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Affirming not to let any foreign business interest to be affected, he said the government rolled out extensive reforms in banking and financial sectors to create a conducive environment for business.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Beyond rhetoric and numbers, we aim to establish effective safeguard mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of these reforms and create an enabling environment towards conducting free, fair and participatory elections,\" the chief adviser said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the student-led revolution that paved the way to build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination, Prof Yunus said he stood in this assembly of nations thanks to an epochal transformation that Bangladesh witnessed this July and August.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The \'power of the ordinary people\', in particular our youth, presented to our nation an opportunity to overhaul many of our systems and institutions,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The uprising led by the students and youth was initially aimed at ending discrimination. Progressively the movement evolved into a people\'s movement. The world eventually saw how people-at-large stood against autocracy, oppression, discrimination, injustice and corruption, both on the streets and online,\" he told the audience at UNGA.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser said the country\'s people, particularly youth, gained independence from an autocratic and undemocratic regime with their exceptional resolve and capability.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"That collective resolve should define Bangladesh of the future and place our nation as a responsive and responsible State in the comity of nations,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was indeed a movement that primarily brought together people who were long left in politics and development and those who asked \'prosperity\' to be shared, he said, adding that the people aspired for a just, inclusive and functioning democracy for which new generations made supreme sacrifice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We were moved by the wisdom, courage and conviction our youth showed. Even braving bullets, bare chest. Young girls were fiercely vocal against the illegitimate State power. School-going teenagers laid down their lives. Hundreds lost their eyes, forever,\" Prof Yunus said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that mothers, day labourers and scores of people across cities lent their shoulders for their children, he said defying sweat, rain and fear of death, they defeated all the evil designs and machinations of the few who manipulated the state machinery against truth and just aspirations of people for years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the student-people movement left an estimated over 800 martyrs in the hands of the autocratic regime.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh was born because of her people\'s profound belief in liberalism, pluralism, secularism. Decades later, our \'Generation Z\' is making us re-visit and re-imagine the very values that our people Bangladesh stood for back in 1971. As our people also did in 1952, to defend our mother language, Bangla,\" the Nobel Laureate said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they believe, the \'monsoon revolution\' that the world witnessed in Bangladesh in the span of a few weeks may inspire many across communities and countries to stand for freedom and justice.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About global peacekeeping, he said Bangladesh views that maintaining peace and addressing conflicts is central to peoples\' progress.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"During the recent Revolution, our valiant armed forces have once again shown their commitment to peace by standing firmly with the people in fulfilling their aspirations for freedom during a most difficult time in our history,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus said, \"This was possible thanks to our commitment to place human rights at the core of peacekeeping\".&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Bangladesh remains equally committed to peace-building, from the inception of the UN Peace-building Commission. We look forward to promoting and enhancing Bangladesh\'s value-driven contributions to the UN peace-keeping operations,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the third largest troop contributing country to the UN peacekeeping, he said, Bangladeshi peacekeepers had served across 63 Missions in 43 countries, to date.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers had laid their lives, from Bosnia to Congo. We do hope that Bangladesh defense forces would continue to be called upon in the future UN peace operations, regardless of the challenges or circumstances,\" the chief adviser said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-28 10:05:50', '2024-09-28 10:05:50'),
(12959, 12959, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Internet users in Bangladesh may experience slow speed or disruption for four hours due to maintenance work on the submarine cable system at Patuakhali’s Kuakata station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (SCPLC) issued a notice in this regard, apologizing for the inconvenience.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to a statement from the company’s General Manager of Operations and Maintenance, Saidur Rahman, the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) consortium will install a lighting filter in the country’s second submarine cable system at Kuakata from 2am to 6am on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During this time, all circuits connected to the Kuakata landing station via the SMW5 cable will be affected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, circuits connected through the SEA-ME-WE-4 (SMW4) submarine cable at Cox\'s Bazar landing station will remain operational.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Users may experience slow connectivity or temporary disruptions during the maintenance period, according to the statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-28 10:30:51', '2024-09-28 10:30:51'),
(12960, 12960, '<p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus returned home early hours of today wrapping up his four-day USA visit to attend the 79th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and other high level side events.</span><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">“A commercial flight of the Qatar Airways carrying the chief adviser and his entourages reached the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here at 3:32 am today\" CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Earlier, the flight departed the JKF International Airport, New York, at 9:30 pm (NY Time) on Friday.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">During his USA tour, the chief adviser had 40 high-level meetings with heads of government of 12 countries, including US President Joe Biden, and heads of different international organisations.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">He held a bilateral meeting with US President Joseph R Biden on September 24 apart from addressing the UNGA session on Friday (September 27).</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prof Yunus also joined bilateral talks with the United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma and Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, among others.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, among others, called on the chief adviser during his stay in New York.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">The chief adviser also joined several high-level events in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA session.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">He arrived in New York on September 23 to attend the 79th UNGA session.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</p>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-29 09:39:58', '2024-09-29 09:39:58'),
(12961, 12961, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Donald Trump on Saturday called Democrat Kamala Harris \"mentally impaired\" and said illegal immigrants are out to cut the throats of ordinary Americans in their own homes as he doubled down on the racially charged rhetoric fueling his unprecedented bid to regain the US presidency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump was seeking to strike back at Harris after she visited the US-Mexico border on Friday and vowed to do more to control asylum claims and undocumented migrant crossings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The issue is one of the Democratic vice president\'s weakest in polling, as she runs neck-and-neck against Trump in the November 5 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump dismissed Harris\'s speech at the border, swearing and telling supporters in the small town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, that President Joe Biden and Harris are responsible for an \"invasion\" of violent criminals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Anti-immigrant sentiment has been at the core of Trump\'s appeal in economically depressed, majority-white parts of the country ever since his 2016 presidential victory, but the rhetoric is turning ever more extreme as election day nears.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 78-year-old businessman -- the first major presidential candidate in US history to be a convicted felon and subject of multiple ongoing court cases -- said former California prosecutor Harris, 59, is \"dumb.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harris, meanwhile, spent Saturday at a fundraiser in San Francisco, California, where she said Trump was using \"the same tired playbook we\'ve heard for years.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This election is about two very different visions for our nation and we see that contrast on the campaign trail,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump spoke in Wisconsin while flanked on stage by large mugshots of migrants accused of crimes, painting a hellish picture of an America under violent assault -- despite a plunge this year in illegal border crossings and what the FBI says is a steep decline in crime overall, particularly murder.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They will walk into your kitchen, they\'ll cut your throat,\" Trump said of illegal immigrants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Small towns in America are terrified of migrants coming in and, even when they haven\'t arrived, they\'re terrified,\" he said. They will \"rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The illegal migrants, whom he called \"animals,\" will take the jobs of minorities and of union workers, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apparently rankled by Harris\'s bid Friday to deliver a tough message on the Mexican border, Trump cursed on the nationally streamed event and branded her \"a liar.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He complained that Fox News, the conservative network which has provided him with a loyal platform throughout his White House career, had covered Harris\'s speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They shouldn\'t be allowed to put it on,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Evidently, Trump was aware that his speech was unlike what Americans have been used to in presidential campaigns over the years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He paused at one point to say: \"Isn\'t this a wonderful and inspiring speech? I\'ve got people sitting in the front row -- they\'re going \'oh my God.\'\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is a dark, this is a dark speech,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-29 09:43:11', '2024-09-29 09:43:11'),
(12962, 12962, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan on Sunday said processes have already started to take action against the police personnel who haven’t joined their workplace yet.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the remark while responding to a question from reporters at the opening ceremony of the CRAB-Walton Football Festival at Paltan Outer Stadium in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DMP commissioner said they arrested many criminals and recovered firearms from Geneva Camp in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur after conducting drives</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a query, he said police have already started working with a fresh endeavour to improve law and order in the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He warned that action will be taken upon investigation against the top criminals who were freed once they get involved in crimes further.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chaired by CRAB President Kamruzzaman Khan, General Secretary Sirajul Islam, former presidents Abu Saleh Akan and Abul Khayer, DMP’s senior officials, among others, were present at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-29 09:45:23', '2024-09-29 09:45:23'),
(12963, 12963, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Dhaka court on Sunday ordered Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the now-defunct Amar Desh, to be sent to jail after he surrendered in a case related to the abduction and attempted murder of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mahbubul Haque passed the order after rejecting Rahman’s bail plea, according to plaintiff’s lawyer Syed Joynul Abedin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmudur Rahman appeared in court around 10:50 am, surrendering through his lawyers with a request for bail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court denied the bail and sent him to jail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, on September 17, 2023, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Noor had sentenced Mahmudur Rahman to seven years in prison in the same case. Veteran journalist Shafik Rehman and three others were also sentenced to the same penalty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmudur Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Friday morning, following over five and a half years in self-imposed exile.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rahman has long been a critic of the then Awami League government, facing over 124 cases. Both he and his wife were sentenced to seven years in prison in one of those cases. Rahman was arrested in June 2010 and again in April 2013, during which the government shut down Amar Desh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-29 09:47:32', '2024-09-29 09:47:32'),
(12964, 12964, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed his determination to quickly advance reform and hold an election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus made the remarks in an interview with Tokyo based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York, where he went to attend the United Nations General Assembly, reports on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He became chief adviser of the interim government after the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina collapsed in August after 15 years in power, following student protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank, which extends small unsecured loans to underprivileged people. He and the bank won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the interview, Yunus said the interim government\'s job is to carry out reform as quickly as possible, and that the government will hold an election as soon as it is ready.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;He said, \"Failure is not something that we can accept.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to students who played a major role in the overthrow of the Hasina government, Yunus said young people gave their lives during what he called the \"revolution.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He indicated his stance of including the young generation in policy making.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser said Bangladesh looks forward to support from its biggest donor Japan \"during this very critical period. \"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that Japan\'s cooperation is essential in rebuilding his country\'s economy and helping democracy take root there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 09:55:07', '2024-09-30 09:55:07'),
(12965, 12965, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cases filed over \'speech offences\' under cyber acts will be revoked and people arrested in those cases will be released through legal process, an official of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry said today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have identified cases filed over expressing opinion on digital platforms under \'speech offence\' and those lodged over computer hacking and fraud through any other digital devices under \'computer offence\'. The government has decided to rescind the cases regarding speech offence quickly,\" Law Ministry spokesperson Dr Md Rezaul Karim said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ministry sources said a total of 5,818 cases are currently pending in eight cyber tribunals across the country till August 2024. The cases were filed under Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, Digital Security Act, 2018, and Cyber Security Act, 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Proceedings of a total of 1,340 cases over speech offence are now ongoing in the country, of which 461 are under investigation and 879 are pending in eight cyber tribunals. Of the 1,340 cases over speech offence, 279 have been filed under Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, 786 under Digital Security Act, 2018, and 275 were filed under Cyber Security Act, 2023,\" the law ministry official added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the 1,340 cases over speech offence, 879, which are currently pending with cyber tribunals, would be revoked first in coordination between law and home ministries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The concerned investigation officers would be given directions to dispose of the 461 under probe cases soon, by giving final reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 09:57:30', '2024-09-30 09:57:30'),
(12966, 12966, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan stated that Saudi Arabia issued over one million visas to Bangladeshi nationals last year and continues to do so, currently hosting more than 3.2 million Bangladeshi migrant workers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Last year alone, we issued more than 1 million visas, and we continue to welcome more,\" he said at a reception celebrating the 94th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held at the Saudi Embassy here last evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain joined the reception as the chief guest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said, currently, Saudi Arabia hosts over 3.2 million Bangladeshi migrant workers, making them the largest expatriate community outside Bangladesh while their contributions have a significant impact on both economies.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We successfully organized Hajj for over 85,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims (this year) through the Makkah Route Initiative. Additionally, this year\'s Umrah quota has increased by 37%, and we have made it easier for pilgrims to book through the mobile app Nusuk,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ambassador said Saudi Arabia will continue to extend its support and collaboration to Bangladesh for achieving shared goals, ensuring a bright and prosperous future for both the countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a brotherly nation, Saudi Arabia has consistently stood by Bangladesh in times of need,\" said the envoy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh is characterized by deep brotherhood and mutual respect, rooted in shared religion and cultural values.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Over the decades, this bond has strengthened as both countries collaborate in various fields, including trade, investment, sports, and culture. Saudi Arabia\'s multifaceted leadership encompasses in Hajj &amp; Umrah, Man power, and humanitarian aid,\" he elaborated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ambassador noted that through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, Saudi Arabia has provided over $7 billion in aid to 102 countries, delivering essential support to communities in Palestine, Yemen, Bangladesh, and other Arab and Muslim nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said Saudi Arabia continues to play a pivotal role on the global stage, shaping the world economy and promoting peace as a member of the G20, BRICS, and OPEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the Kingdom remains a key player in stabilizing global energy markets and has long been an advocate for the Palestinian cause, supporting a two- state solution based on 1967 borders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Since the time of Late King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia has been a steadfast advocate for the Palestinian cause, leading international efforts to insure that the Palestinian people achieve their rights, recognizing an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recently, the envoy noted that, during UN general assembly Prince Faisal AL Farhan announced the International Coalition to implement a two-state solution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, the Ambassador Saudi Arabia also actively engages in mediating global conflicts, including those in Sudan and between Russia and Ukraine, reinforcing its commitment to peace and justice.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:04:59', '2024-09-30 10:04:59'),
(12967, 12967, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite special export permissions granted since 2019, Bangladesh has once again fallen short of its hilsa export target to India ahead of Durga Puja, as in previous years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh exported 665 tonnes of hilsa in the 2023-24 fiscal year, significantly below the permitted 2,420 tonnes. Previous years also saw missed targets, with 477 tonnes exported in FY 2019-20, 1,880 tonnes in FY 2020-21, 1,211 tonnes in FY 2021-22, and 1,376 tonnes in FY 2022-23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government had initially allowed 79 traders to export a total of 2,420 tonnes of hilsa to India this year, but it appears the target will not be met. A senior official at the Ministry of Commerce said around 50 applications for export permits were received before the government approved the shipments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">First Shipment Of Hilsa Reaches India</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first shipment of 12 tonnes of hilsa was sent to India via Benapole Port, bound for Petrapole in West Bengal. Rashedul Sajib Nazir, Deputy Director of Benapole Port, confirmed that three trucks carrying hilsa were dispatched by two Kolkata-based importing companies, RS Enterprises and RJ Enterprises.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local Demand Remains High</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hilsa remains in high demand within Bangladesh, where local consumers have seen rising prices despite improved catches in recent years. In FY 2022-23, Bangladesh produced 571,342 tonnes of hilsa, a slight increase from 566,593 tonnes in FY 2021-22. However, the fish remains expensive in local markets, partly due to high demand and export restrictions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seasonal Exports for Durga Puja</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh, the largest producer of hilsa, typically relaxes its export ban ahead of Durga Puja to meet the high demand in India\'s West Bengal, where the fish is a delicacy. These shipments are often seen as goodwill gestures, with the government permitting exports during the festival season.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Policy and Government Position</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ministry of Commerce grants export permissions based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Bangladesh had banned hilsa exports in July 2012 to secure local supply, but since 2019, special permissions have been granted during Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There have been differing opinions among the advisers of the interim government regarding hilsa exports this year. Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed clarified on September 22 that the decision to export hilsa to India was made following directives from higher authorities, despite earlier indications that exports might be halted. \"One responsible person said hilsa would not be exported, but a much higher authority directed us to proceed,\" he told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar had earlier said that Bangladesh would not export hilsa this year to maintain local supply. However, the government reversed this decision following a \"special request\" from India ahead of Durga Puja. \"While we have acted on this request, my ministry has no direct role in the matter,\" the adviser explained.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources, dismissed concerns that exports would cause local price hikes. \"Prices have already increased before the export, so claiming prices will rise further due to exports isn’t accurate,\" she said during a visit to Noakhali’s Companiganj upazila on September 23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Legal Challenge to Hilsa Exports</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 22, Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Md Mahmudul Hasan served a legal notice to the government, demanding a halt to hilsa exports within three days. The notice claimed that due to exports and “smuggling” to India, Bangladeshis were being deprived of the superior-tasting Padma River hilsa and forced to buy sea hilsa, which is considered less flavorful. Hasan has threatened to file a writ petition if the government fails to act within the stipulated time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:12:51', '2024-09-30 10:12:51'),
(12968, 12968, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cricket South Africa finally confirmed their tour to Bangladesh to play a two-match Test series. Concerns had arisen about the tour due to the political situation in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the CSA was satisfied with the security assurance the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Bangladesh government promised.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A CSA delegation recently visited Bangladesh to assess the security arrangements and emergency protocols. The delegation included Cricket South Africa\'s operations manager, team security manager, safety and security consultant, and a representative of the South African Cricketers\' Association.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was removed from Bangladesh due to concerns regarding security.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BCB has already announced a schedule for the series. According to the official schedule, the South Africa team will arrive in Dhaka on October 16 ahead of their first Test in Dhaka, which will start on October 21.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second and final Test will be played in Chattogram, starting on October 29.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'Newsdesk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:18:36', '2024-09-30 10:18:36'),
(12969, 12969, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman\'s upcoming visit here will undoubtedly solidify the enduring bilateral partnership as the two nations prepare to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties next year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We eagerly anticipate the Crown Prince\'s visit, which promises to further enhance the momentum of our bilateral relations,\" he said at a reception on celebration the 94th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held at the Saudi Embassy here last evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Highlighting the deep bond between the two countries, the foreign adviser said since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1975, the partnership has flourished across the various sectors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We remain committed to forging a strategic partnership as we approach the Golden Jubilee of our diplomatic ties next year,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Touhid praised Saudi Arabia\'s Vision 2030, a transformative plan spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy and promote sustainability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He expressed Bangladesh\'s willingness to contribute to this ambitious vision by sharing its experience and expertise for sustainable, inclusive development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also extended gratitude to Saudi Arabia for employing around 3 million Bangladeshi workers, both semi-skilled and unskilled, who are contributing to the economies of both countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The proposal for establishing a Joint Task Force on labor issues reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of workers-a testament to our common values of social justice,\" he continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser emphasized that Saudi Arabia has been a steadfast partner in Bangladesh\'s development journey, with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) playing a key role in various infrastructure projects over the years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also highlighted that two-way trade between the two nations has exceeded $2 billion recent years, with growing interest from Saudi investors in sectors such as logistics, infrastructure, and renewable energy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Citing the recent investment initiative by the Red Sea Gateway Terminal in the operation of Potenga Container Terminal as an example, the adviser underscored Saudi Arabia\'s commitment to enhancing Bangladesh\'s logistical capabilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He invited Saudi companies to explore investment opportunities within Bangladesh\'s Special Economic Zones, offering significant prospects in infrastructure, power, tourism, and hospitality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Touhid further noted that both countries have identified new areas for collaboration, particularly in labor migration, investment, infrastructure, education, agriculture, and the environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Looking ahead, we plan to elevate our Joint Commission to the ministerial level, reflecting the growing importance of our relationship,\" he said, adding this move would unlock new opportunities and enhance cooperation in addressing global challenges and supporting each other in international forums.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan delivered the welcome speech at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:28:40', '2024-09-30 10:28:40'),
(12970, 12970, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The foreign ministerial BIMSTEC meeting has emphasized the importance of enhancing physical, maritime, and digital linkages to strengthen economic ties and people-to-people exchanges among the member states.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was observed at the first ever meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers in New York on the sidelines of the annual Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, a BIMSTEC press release said here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India hosted the meeting which was presided over by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and attended by Bangladesh foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain along with foreign ministers of Bhutan and Nepal, Permanent Representatives to UN of Sri Lanka and Thailand, a representative of Myanmar and Secretary General of BIMSTEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting took stock of the close cooperation in health, food security, climate change, security, trade and investment and energy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The member states also laid emphasis on exploring opportunities for capacity building and skill development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The support for the establishment of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence was expressed by the member States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to further deepen cooperation within BIMSTEC and prepare for the upcoming Leaders\' Summit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BIMSTEC comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It pursues regional cooperation in seven broad sectors: Agriculture and Food Security; Connectivity; Environment and Climate Change; People to People Contact; Science, Technology and Innovation; Security; and Trade, Investment and Development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cooperation also covers 8 sub-sectors: blue economy, mountain economy, energy, disaster management, fisheries and livestock, poverty alleviation, health and human resource development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:34:58', '2024-09-30 10:34:58');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12971, 12971, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The government has asked Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem to return to Dhaka immediately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Ministry issued a notice in this regard on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the notice, the government has taken a decision to transfer Muna to Dhaka Headquarters under Foreign Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government will bear the travel cost of her and her family and other allowances as per the rules, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-09-30 10:43:14', '2024-09-30 10:43:14'),
(12972, 12972, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today reaffirmed Bangladesh\'s continued support for the State of Palestine and its people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We will continue to support the cause of the Palestinian people,\" he said when Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Yousef Ramadan paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser of the interim government at the State Guest House Jamuna here.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Prof Yunus hoped Palestine would get the desired independent statehood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Issues of mutual interest, global support for the State of Palestine, the genocide in Gaza and the tension in the Middle East were discussed in the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Palestinian Ambassador Yousef Ramadan appreciated the Chief Adviser\'s speech in the United Nations, saying it was timely and it shed a much-needed spotlight on the Palestinian issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You\'ve called spade a spade,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Palestine envoy said some 60 Palestinian doctors who had received medical education in Bangladesh are now serving the patients in Gaza.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said two hundred more Palestinian students were waiting to receive higher education in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sept 27, 2024, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus urged the global leaders to enforce an immediate and complete ceasefire to protect the Palestinian people from brutalities along with holding accountable all those responsible for the crimes against humanity in Palestine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the genocide in Gaza continues unabated despite global concerns and condemnation.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The situation in Palestine just does not concern the Arabs or Muslims at large rather the entire humanity. Palestinians are no expendable people. All those responsible for the crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people must be held accountable,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser said Bangladesh calls for an immediate and complete ceasefire to protect the Palestinian people from the brutalities, particularly against the children and women.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He suggested that the international community, including the UN, needs to act in earnest to implement the two-state solution that remains the only path to bring lasting peace in the Middle-East.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:19:25', '2024-10-01 10:19:25'),
(12973, 12973, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Bangladesh\'s measures, taken by the interim government, to overcome economic challenges due to the recent turbulence and major floods.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In response to the challenging circumstances, the authorities\' efforts to initiate adjustments, including continued monetary tightening and rationalizing non-priority capital spending are commendable,\" IMF Mission Chief for Bangladesh Chris Papageorgiou told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The IMF mission team led by him visited Dhaka during September 24-30 to discuss recent developments and the authorities\' reform priorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Papageorgiou said the timely formation of an interim government helped stabilize the political and security conditions, alongside a gradual return to normalcy in the economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Nonetheless, economic activity has slowed markedly, while inflation remains at double-digit levels, owing to the recent turbulence and major floods. The deterioration in the balance of payments, reflecting outflows in trade credit, has put additional pressure on foreign exchange reserves,\" he mentioned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, what the government has taken to improve the economic issues is really praising, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on the past government fiscal target, Papageorgiou informed that the authorities\' budget has been perceived as aspirational, with optimistic tax revenue and ambitious capital spending projections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Historically, the government had to cut back on both recurring expenses and major investments given weak revenue collection, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He mentioned that this was necessary to keep the budget deficit within their target.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In this context and given continuously high inflation and external pressures, we support the interim government\'s intention to rationalize capital spending by considering execution capacity and cutting non-priority projects,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Given the country\'s low tax revenue-to-GDP ratio compared to peers, he said the IMF supports the authorities\' goal of setting ambitious revenue targets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, these targets must be supported by concrete revenue-generating measures, he noted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Papageorgiou, however, said Bangladesh\'s tax-to-GDP ratios has seen little improvement in recent years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sustainable revenue mobilization requires a multi-pronged approach, comprising both tax policy and revenue administration measures, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the tax policy front, he said, key areas for reform include reducing widespread tax exemptions, simplifying the value-added tax (VAT) system, and broadening the tax base, as part of an overarching strategy of shifting the tax burden from trade-related taxes toward income tax and VAT.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To improve tax administration, he said priority reforms include digitalization of tax collection processes and better tax compliance risk management.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:30:34', '2024-10-01 10:30:34'),
(12974, 12974, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government today announced \'horn-free zone\' the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and \'Silent Zone\' the 3-kilometer area stretching from La Méridien hotel to the Scholastica campus in Uttara aimed at reducing noise pollution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan formally declared the initiative at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) headquarters here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Presided over by CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, the event was attended by Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan and Director General of Department of Environment Dr Abdul Hamid were present among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before that an awareness rally was brought out in front of the CAAB headquarters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana urged all drivers, passengers, and vehicle owners to cooperate fully in implementing this initiative.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She expressed the hope that similar measures could be extended to other parts of the capital including hospitals and secretariat areas in the future, fostering a nationwide habit of refraining from unnecessary honking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To implement the decisions, mobile courts have been deployed at three key points along the designated route for seven days, with the possibility of extending the timeframe if necessary to enforce the decision.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Magistrates from the Department of Environment will be stationed near Le Méridien while CAAB magistrates will oversee the area near the airport\'s roundabout, and BRTA magistrates will be active at the Scholastica point, supported by traffic police, volunteers, students, and transport association representatives.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said taka 500 penalty are fixed for violation of rules in the honk-free zone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beside, several measures are being implemented under the guidance of Environment and Forest Ministry including installation of awareness-raising banners and billboards, distribution of leaflets, and media campaigns through electronic, print, and social media.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, there are speed control measures, proper parking management within the airport, and enforcement of the no-horn rule through mobile courts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has also installed awareness signs along the roads to ensure that drivers can easily see them even at night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh Truck and Covered Van Owners Association has also taken specific steps to curb noise pollution, instructing all bus and truck drivers to refrain from honking in the designated area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Leaflets are being distributed at relevant terminals to raise awareness among drivers, with the aim of fostering an environmentally conscious driving culture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Department of Environment will lead awareness campaigns to educate people about the harmful effects of noise pollution and encourage active participation in noise reduction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mobile courts were also deployed for implementing the decision of ban on single-use plastic at the airport, CAAB sources said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These courts will operate regularly to monitor and maintain the effectiveness of the initiative.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To raise awareness, necessary signage and digital display boards highlighting the harmful effects of single-use plastics were also installed around the airports and its nearby areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:34:01', '2024-10-01 10:34:01'),
(12975, 12975, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"The workers\' protest on the highway is obstructing traffic flow, but we are trying to remove them from the road and restore normal traffic movement,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Workers from a garment factory in Gazipur took to the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway on Tuesday, protesting for unpaid wages. The demonstration, which lasted for over two hours, severely disrupted traffic on the busy highway. Law enforcement agencies are currently working to control the situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protest began at the gate of APL Apparels, located in the Bhogra area of Gazipur, where workers had gathered early in the morning. The workers, demanding three months’ unpaid wages, eventually moved their demonstration to the highway.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the protesting workers, they were forced to take this drastic step after repeated promises by the factory management to pay their overdue wages went unfulfilled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gazipur Metropolitan Police\'s Deputy Commissioner of Traffic, Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, confirmed the disruption.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:40:56', '2024-10-01 10:40:56'),
(12976, 12976, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Israeli army said Tuesday that troops have started \"ground raids\" in villages in southern Lebanon, after militant group Hezbollah said it had targeted \"enemy soldiers\" at the countries\' border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Lebanese security official said Israel had also conducted at least six strikes on south Beirut, while Syrian state media reported deadly strikes around the capital Damascus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite international calls for de-escalation, Israel has vowed to keep fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah and declared a military zone in parts of its border with Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned the battle was not over even after a massive strike on Beirut that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday, dealing the group a seismic blow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said troops, backed by airstrikes and artillery, launched ground raids targeting Hezbollah \"in villages close to the border\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The targets \"pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel\", the military said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel informed its main weapons supplier the United States of the incursions, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US President Joe Biden indicated earlier on Monday that he opposed an Israeli ground operation, calling for a \"ceasefire now\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah has said it is \"ready if Israel decides to enter by land\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Deadly strikes on Damascus -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As Israel announced its ground raids, Syria\'s official news agency SANA said the country\'s air defence systems had intercepted three rounds of strikes in the Damascus area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State television said anchor Safaa Ahmad was killed \"in the Israeli aggression\" on Damascus, while SANA reported three civilians killed and nine others wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has carried out hundreds of strikes on Syria in recent years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the Israeli air force pounded south Beirut, a Palestinian camp official in south Lebanon said an Israeli strike hit Ain al-Helweh camp in the city of Sidon, targeting a Palestinian militant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike hit \"the house of the son of Mounir Maqdah,\" the official said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. Israel has accused Maqdah of heading the Lebanese branch of Fatah\'s armed wing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah earlier said it \"targeted\" Israeli troops in the border village of Shtula, with a source close to the group saying the soldiers were \"right on the border\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah following the Israeli army\'s announcement of the ground raids, but the group\'s al-Manar television reported the Israeli statement on its Telegram channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US news site Axios cited two Israeli officials saying the military incursion is \"targeted and limited in time and scope and is not intended to occupy southern Lebanon\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s national army, dwarfed by Hezbollah\'s military power, was \"repositioning\" troops farther from the border, a military official told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">World leaders have urged de-escalation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres\'s spokesman Stephane Dujarric saying: \"We do not want any sort of ground invasion.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Israel orders Beirut evacuations -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This month, Israel launched a wave of deadly air strikes aimed at Hezbollah across Lebanon, the latest of which killed 95 people on Monday, according to Lebanon\'s health ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday evening, the Israeli military ordered people in three districts of southern Beirut to evacuate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You are located near interests and facilities belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah group... you must evacuate the buildings immediately,\" Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP correspondents in the capital heard explosions and saw a flash around ground level.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah began low-intensity strikes on Israeli troops a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, which triggered Israel\'s devastating assault on the Gaza Strip.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The border clashes rapidly escalated this month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Everyone is afraid\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s strikes on Lebanon have killed hundreds of people over the past week and forced up to a million to flee their homes, according to Lebanese officials.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah and other groups launched rockets, drones and missiles at Israel over the same period, causing some injuries but no deaths.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran, which backs Hamas, Hezbollah and other armed groups, of plunging \"our region deeper... into war\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran has said Nasrallah\'s killing would bring about Israel\'s \"destruction\", though the foreign ministry said Monday that Tehran would not deploy any fighters to confront Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for a ceasefire based on a recent US-French proposal, urging \"an end to the Israeli aggression against Lebanon\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier on Monday, an Israeli strike hit a building in central Beirut, with an armed Palestinian group saying it had killed three of its members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Central Beirut resident Kahier Bannout, 42, said it was \"supposed to be a safe area -- not a war zone\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Everyone is afraid.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s Health Minister Firass Abiad said more than 1,000 people have been killed since September 17.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said: \"Well over 200,000 people are displaced inside Lebanon\", while more than 100,000 have fled to neighbouring Syria.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Little time\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">France\'s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said \"there is still hope\" for a ceasefire, \"but there is little time\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is working \"to advance a diplomatic resolution\" for the Israel-Lebanon border and Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US, Qatar and Egypt tried for months to broker such a deal, which Netanyahu\'s critics accused him of obstructing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Gaza, AFP journalists said the number of Israeli air strikes has dropped significantly in recent days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A UN Satellite Centre assessment issued Monday said \"two-thirds of the total structures in the Gaza Strip have sustained damage\" in nearly a year of war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas\'s October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,615 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory\'s health ministry. The UN has described the figures as reliable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-01 10:49:53', '2024-10-01 10:49:53'),
(12977, 12977, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Egypt has extended an invitation to Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, to participate in the upcoming D-8 Summit scheduled to be held later this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Egyptian Ambassador to Bangladesh Omar Mohie Eldin Ahmed Fahmy conveyed the invitation during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain on Wednesday, according to a statement from the foreign ministry today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The summit, to be hosted by Egypt, will bring together leaders from the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, a grouping of eight developing nations - Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The organization was officially established through the Istanbul Declaration on June 15, 1997, with a mandate to enhance development cooperation among its members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The primary goals of the D-8 are to strengthen the member states\' positions in the global economy, foster new opportunities in trade, promote participation in international decision-making processes, and improve the standard of living within the member countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Fahmy reiterated Egypt\'s ongoing support for Bangladesh\'s development journey, expressing confidence in the nation\'s continued progress toward a brighter future.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The D-8 summit is expected to focus on key issues such as economic collaboration, trade diversification, and innovation, with member nations working together to address global challenges and foster mutual growth.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:42:33', '2024-10-03 09:42:33'),
(12978, 12978, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A court here today granted bail to Mahmudur Rahman, former acting editor of daily Amar Desh, in a case lodged over allegedly attempting to abduct and murder ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina\'s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in the US in 2015.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Ash Shams Zaglul Hossain passed the order after holding a hearing on the matter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have appealed against his conviction in the case today. The court accepted the appeal. Allowing a plea filed by the defence, the court later granted Mahmudur Rahman\'s bail,\" defence counsel Tanvir Ahammed Al Amin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahabubul Haque on September 29 sent him to jail as he surrendered before the court and pleaded for bail.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Mahmudur Rahman was sent to jail as this court has no jurisdiction to allow him bail, considering the term of his sentence. The court, however, asked jail authorities to provide him with a division facility,\" defence counsel Syed Joynul Abedin Mesbah told BSS that day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur on August 17, 2023, convicted and sentenced five people including veteran journalist Shafik Rehman and Mahmudur Rahman to seven years imprisonment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other convicts in the case are Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) vice-president Mohammad Ullah Mamun, his son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar and Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, an expat businessman living in the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahmudur was tried in absentia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police on August 3, 2015, filed the case with Paltan Police Station and on February 19, 2018, filed a charge sheet against the five.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 12 witnesses including Joy testified in the case on different hearing dates.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:45:21', '2024-10-03 09:45:21'),
(12979, 12979, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Meteorological Department has predicted that rains may continue across the country till October 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and&nbsp; Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country commencing 9am on Thursday,” said a Met office bulletin today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A low pressure area is likely to form over Bangladesh and adjoining North Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over North Bay and it trough runs through Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day and night temperature may fall by (2-4)°C over the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:47:50', '2024-10-03 09:47:50'),
(12980, 12980, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Donald Trump launched a \"private criminal effort\" to subvert the 2020 US election and should not be shielded by presidential immunity, Special Counsel Jack Smith said in a court filing unsealed on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smith, in a 165-page motion arguing for the historic case against Trump to move forward, also provided new evidence of the former president\'s efforts to overturn the results of the election won by Democrat Joe Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump, 78, the Republican candidate in November\'s White House election, had been scheduled to go on trial in March but the case was frozen while his lawyers argued that a former president should be immune from criminal prosecution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Supreme Court ruled in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution for official acts conducted while in office, but can be pursued for unofficial acts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smith, in the filing unsealed by District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is hearing the case, said Trump should not escape prosecution because \"at its core, the defendant\'s scheme was a private criminal effort.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The defendant asserts that he is immune from prosecution for his criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election because, he claims, it entailed official conduct,\" Smith said. \"Not so.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Although the defendant was the incumbent President during the charged conspiracies, his scheme was fundamentally a private one.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump, acting as a candidate and not in his official capacity, \"resorted to crimes to try to stay in office,\" the special counsel said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"With private co-conspirators, the defendant launched a series of increasingly desperate plans to overturn the legitimate election results in seven states that he had lost,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump\'s efforts allegedly included lying to state officials, manufacturing fraudulent electoral votes and seeking to get Vice President Mike Pence to obstruct congressional certification of Biden\'s victory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When all else had failed,\" the special counsel said, Trump directed an \"angry crowd\" of supporters to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, to disrupt the certification.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Smith\'s filing, a White House staffer told Trump during the January 6 rioting at the Capitol that Pence had been taken to a secure location, to which the president replied \"So what?\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Crazy\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smith said there was abundant evidence that Trump knew his claims of electoral fraud were false because close advisers had told him so.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former president even dismissed some of the most far-fetched fraud claims advanced by his supporters as \"crazy,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The special counsel said a former White House staffer would testify at trial that he heard Trump tell family members after the vote that \"it doesn\'t matter if you won or lost the election. You still have to fight like hell.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump, in a post on Truth Social after the filing was unsealed, said \"Democrats are Weaponizing the Justice Department against me because they know I am WINNING.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is egregious PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT, and should not have been released right before the Election,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chutkan has not set a date for a trial but it will not be held before the November 5 election between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress that was violently attacked by Trump supporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former president is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also faces charges in Georgia related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:56:37', '2024-10-03 09:56:37'),
(12981, 12981, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Nation Review Committee (NRC) has urged the people to submit their complaints and relevant documents to the body to help investigate the deals signed under the Speedy Increase of Power and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2010 during the previous Awami League regime.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The committee made the call though publishing a public notice in this regard, said a press release of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on September 5 formed a 5-member National Review Committee, headed by retired High Court Division Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, to review the contracts signed under the act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The other members of the committee are Professor Abdul Hasib Chowdhury of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department of Buet; Ali Ashfaq, former COO of KPMG Bangladesh, Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA); former lead economist of the World Bank Zahid Hossain and Moshtaq Hossain Khan, Professor of Economics, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of London.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per a gazette notification of the ministry, under the scope of work of the committee, it can collect information from any source and audit any necessary documents; may call any person or organization concerned to the hearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The committee will examine whether the interests of the government were protected in the contracts already signed under the act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ministry will provide secretarial and ancillary support to the committee based on the audit and make recommendations for further action.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the public notice, the NRC said that any person with any information and evidence related to corruption by any power and energy company can submit a complaint to the National Review Committee from October 4 to October 31 through the e-mail of the committee: nationalreviewcommittee@gmail.com.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was mentioned in the notification that if necessary further action will be taken by this committee against the accused person or his organization by communicating with the complainant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also said that the review committee will take the initiative to collect necessary information and receive assistance by separately communicating with the relevant institutions and organizations about the agreements under the Special Act 2010.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-03 09:58:49', '2024-10-03 09:58:49'),
(12982, 12982, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Irregularities including theft and missing of goods at Carew &amp; Co. (Bangladesh) Ltd, a traditional industry in the southwestern district of Chuadanga’s Darshana, have become a common phenomenon, thanks to the indifference of the authorities concerned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The mismanagement has apparently turned into a rule at the industry which is embroiled in ongoing issues of theft, particularly concerning foreign liquor. It also produces various alcoholic beverages along with sugar and vinegar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the authorities forming probe committees and imposing temporary punishments on those found guilty, these offenders often return to their illicit activities shortly after, leading to the establishment of a racket.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This situation continues even after the recent change in government following mass upsurge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of the Durga Puja, the syndicate has again become more active than ever as the demand for the liquor increases several times this time, said sources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 30, six bottles of foreign liquor were recovered from a toolbox of an electrician in the distillery department of the organization. Although the initial response was to downplay the incident until it became public knowledge.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last June, an allegation of missing 13,000 liters of DS spirit from the distillery department surfaced. Additionally, accusations of financial irregularities concerning the permanent hiring of 104 workers emerged in May, leading to legal action against several people, including the former Managing Director Mosharraf Hossain, Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) President Sabuj and General Secretary Masud respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Carew &amp; Co. (Bangladesh) Ltd is the only profitable state-owned sugar mill in the region, yet its alcohol production has become a significant source of profit. While law enforcement has made arrests related to the theft of alcohol, the company’s management appears largely indifferent to the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recent police operations have intercepted several shipments of locally made and imported alcohol, leading to multiple arrests of Carew employees. Allegations suggest that labour unions have been complicit in enabling this syndicate, and some local politicians have provided protection for these operations, further entrenching the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Preferring anonymity, a worker of the organisation said thefts during the transportation of local liquor to various depots have been common, with drivers and workers sometimes colluding to facilitate these activities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some workers wishing not to be named claimed that employees in the distillery department collaborate with labour union leaders to execute these thefts, which have reportedly increased during the current administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rajibul Hasan, acting general manager of the Distillery, admitted the recent attempt to steal the foreign liquor by electrician Md Abbas Ali saying that he along with General Manager (admin) Mohammad Yusuf recovered those and subsequently suspended the accused.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He informed the entire distillery is under CCTV surveillance and they are vigilant about security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previous incidents also reveal a troubling pattern of theft at the Carew, with drivers caught smuggling alcohol, and attempts to steal alcohol via ventilation systems. Critics argue that despite some arrests being made, many incidents go unreported, often due to the influence of powerful local politicians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Managing Director Rabbik Hasan could not be reached for comments despite visiting his office as he was on-leave.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The company, founded in 1938, not only produces sugar but also operates distilleries and agricultural farms, manufacturing nine brands of foreign liquor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 08:53:03', '2024-10-04 08:53:03');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12983, 12983, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A source close to Hezbollah said Israel had conducted 11 consecutive strikes on the group\'s south Beirut stronghold late Thursday, in one of the most violent raids since Israel intensified its bombardment campaign last week.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP correspondents in the capital and beyond heard loud bangs that made car alarms go off and building shake.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About an hour later, AFP journalists heard several explosions coming from the direction of the southern suburbs after the Israeli military ordered residents of the Hadath neighbourhood to evacuate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Israel struck the southern suburbs 11 consecutive times,\" the source said on the condition of anonymity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP footage showed giant balls of flame rising from the targeted site with thick smoke billowing and flares shooting out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s official National News Agency (NNA) said \"more than 10 consecutive strikes have been recorded so far, in one of the strongest raids on the southern suburbs of Beirut since the start of the Israeli war on Lebanon\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strikes echoed to mountain regions outside Beirut, the NNA said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Thursday, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee had issued an \"urgent warning\" for residents of the south Beirut area of Burj al-Barajneh to evacuate along with maps of the area. He later issued an evacuation order for the Hadath neighbourhood of Beirut\'s south.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"You are located near facilities and interests belonging to Hezbollah, and the IDF (Israeli army) will work against them in the near future,\" he had said in a statement on X.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the evening, a source close to Hezbollah said another Israeli strike had targeted a warehouse next to Beirut airport, in the capital\'s south.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An Israeli air strike targeted a warehouse adjacent to the airport,\" the source told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. It was unclear what the warehouse contained.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier in the afternoon, the NNA had reported several \"enemy raids\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A source close to the group had told AFP that the earlier strikes had \"targeted a building housing Hezbollah\'s media relations office\", which had already been evacuated.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This week, Israel announced that its troops had started \"ground raids\" into parts of southern Lebanon, after days of heavy bombardment of Hezbollah strongholds around the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After nearly a year of low-intensity cross-border fighting, Israel has expanded its military campaign from Gaza to Lebanon, where heavy bombing has killed more than 1,000 people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel last week killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in south Beirut, a densely populated area before residents fled Israel\'s intensifying bombardment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 08:55:53', '2024-10-04 08:55:53'),
(12984, 12984, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was on Friday accorded a red carpet reception on his arrival here on a very short official trip to take the relations between the two countries to a new height.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malaysian prime minister, who is leading a 58-member delegation, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 2 pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus received him amid gun salute and guard of honour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and High Commissioners of Malaysia and Bangladesh, among others, were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After almost a decade, a Malaysian Prime Minister is visiting Bangladesh, and this official visit is the first by any head of government to Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government on August 8.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was directly taken to Hotel InterContinental from the airport where he will be staying during the hours-long visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bilateral meeting between PM Ibrahim and CA Prof Yunus will be held at the same hotel, which will be followed by a joint press statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, issues of mutual interest including economic, political, trade and investment, education, technology and human resource development, manpower export, higher education cooperation, communications, infrastructure development, and defense cooperation are expected to be highlighted, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An estimated 800,000 Bangladeshis now live and work in Malaysia. Of them, about 450,000 migrated between August 2022 and May this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two leaders will also have a one-to-one meeting before the bilateral talks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus will also host high tea in honour of the Malaysian prime minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malaysian PM will also meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. He will sign visitor\'s book there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysia is going to be the next chair of ASEAN from January 2025, and the Rohingya issue will also be discussed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, the issue of Bangladesh to become a \"Sectoral Dialogue Partner\" in ASEAN in terms of regional cooperation will also be specially raised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This visit is very important in terms of bilateral relations,\" said the foreign affairs adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This visit is expected to be considered as an expression of deepening bilateral relations and enduring friendship between Bangladesh and Malaysia, said the Adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 58-member delegation will include the country\'s Foreign Minister, Trade and Investment Minister, Deputy Minister of Transport, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, two Members of Parliament and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In August this year, Prof Yunus invited Anwar Ibrahim to undertake a short visit to Bangladesh to further strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysia is the 8th largest investor in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus has long-standing good ties with Malaysia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least seven Malaysian universities have Yunus Centres, promoting social business ideas he champions and his three-zero concepts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysian companies, including several owned by its sovereign funds, have invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh and are now willing to invest more, including in education.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A second Malaysian car manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chattogram-based company for distributing and assembling cars.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malaysia says they could be a desired destination for medical tourism, saying the Bangladeshi people can avail essential medical treatment in the country at an affordable price.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malaysian prime minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 6:25pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 08:59:08', '2024-10-04 08:59:08'),
(12985, 12985, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United Nations Security Council on Thursday offered its full support to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, after Israel said he was \"persona non grata\" for not quickly condemning Iran\'s ballistic missile barrage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Without naming Israel, the council\'s five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and the 10 non-permanent members \"underscored the need for all member states to have a productive and effective relationship with the secretary-general.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Council also asked member states to \"refrain from any actions that undermine his work and that of his office.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Any decision not to engage with the UN secretary-general or the United Nations is counterproductive, especially in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East,\" it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Relations between the UN and Israel -- a state created by a UN resolution in 1947 -- have been difficult since Hamas\'s October 7, 2023 attack, which sparked the war in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Wednesday, Guterres was declared persona non grata by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who called him an \"anti-Israel secretary-general who lends support to terrorists, rapists, and murderers.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran\'s heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil,\" Katz said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That same day, at a tense emergency Security Council meeting on swirling tensions in the Middle East, with both the UN envoys from Iran and Israel in the rooms, Guterres said: \"I again strongly condemn yesterday\'s massive missile attacks by Iran on Israel.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he did call on all sides to end the \"sickening cycle of escalation\" of violence, warning it was leading the region \"straight over the cliff.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guterres has repeatedly called for a ceasefire to halt the fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 09:04:08', '2024-10-04 09:04:08'),
(12986, 12986, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain or thundershowers in all divisions including Dhaka of the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country,” said a met office update.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country’s highest 72 millimeter of rainfall was recorded in Aricha in 24 hours till 6am on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country, according to the BMD.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The country’s highest temperature was recorded in Khunla’s Koyra at 32.4 degree Celsius over the past 24 hours till 6pm on Thursday while the lowest temperature 23.5 degree Celsius was recorded in Chattogram’s Sandwip till 6am on Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, monsoon trough runs through Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong elsewhere over North Bay. A Low Pressure Area is likely to form over coastal areas of West Bengal &amp; adjoining southwest Bangladesh during next 24 hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-04 09:08:25', '2024-10-04 09:08:25'),
(12987, 12987, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The recent devastating floods in the southeastern region have caused a loss of property worth Tk 14,421 crore, according to a report by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the CPD presented the findings at press conference held at the CPD office in Dhanmondi on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also spoke on the damages and rehabilitation process in the southeastern region including Comilla, Feni, Noakhali and Laxmipur districts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The recent severe floods in the southeastern region caused a loss of Tk 14421 crore, which is 26 percent of the GDP. Agriculture and forest sectors suffered the most which is equivalent to Tk 5169 crore,\" said Fahmida.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mentioning that there was a loss of Tk 4,653 crore in the infrastructure sector, and damages to houses caused loss of Tk 2,407 crore, Fahmida also said that Noakhali district suffered the highest losses with 4191 crores, followed by Comilla district with losses of Tk 3390 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-06 09:41:37', '2024-10-06 09:41:37'),
(12988, 12988, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><br></span></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chief Adviser\'s Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam has said all political parties wholeheartedly extended support to the interim government for their efforts during the dialogue with the Chief Adviser yesterday.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All political parties extended their support to the government. They are considering this as their own government,\" he told reporters on Saturday night after a lengthy dialogue between the political parties and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The dialogue lasted till 9pm from 2:30pm at state guesthouse Jamuna where major political parties joined.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka, KL want stronger ties; next round of discussions on FTA soon</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the dialogue, Mahfuj said, the government sought proposals from the political parties and the current law and order situation was also discussed.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said there are six reform commissions in place and election preparation issues were discussed which will continue.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said there will be a consensus on reform programmes as the six reform commissions will submit their reports in December.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Timeline depends on that consensus,\" he said, adding that work towards election-centric preparations including Election Commission formation will go ahead simultaneously.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Elections, improving the law-and-order situation, rearranging public administration, and checking commodity prices were discussed in the dialogue.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser informed the political parties of his government\'s initiatives to address these concerns, and they all pledged to cooperate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-06 09:43:55', '2024-10-06 09:43:55'),
(12989, 12989, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A huge fireball lit up the night sky and plumes of smoke rose over south Beirut early Sunday as Israel unleashed intense air strikes targeting Hezbollah, nearly a year since the Gaza war erupted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli forces were on high alert ahead of Monday\'s anniversary of Hamas\'s October 7 attack, which sparked the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After a devastating year-long conflict in Gaza, Israel has now shifted its focus to northwards to Hezbollah, Hamas\'s Iran-backed ally in Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s official National News Agency said the Hezbollah stronghold in south Beirut was hit by more than 30 strikes, which were heard across the city. Targets included a petrol station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said it \"conducted a series of strikes on a number of weapons storage facilities\" and infrastructure, stressing it had taken \"numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFPTV footage showed a massive fireball over a residential area of south Beirut, followed by a loud bang and secondary explosions. Smoke still billowed from the site after dawn.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the Sabra area, near the southern suburbs, dozens of people, some carrying bags on foot and others on motorbikes, fled one of the most intense bombardments of the Israel-Hezbollah war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli forces with artillery after they tried to infiltrate towards Khallat Shuaib in Blida, in southern Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A statement said fighters fired a rocket barrage at Israeli troops during the evacuation of \"dead and wounded soldiers\" in the Menara border area shortly after midnight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah also said it launched assault drones against an Israeli military base.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Ongoing threat\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of Monday\'s grim anniversary, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a televised briefing: \"We are prepared with increased forces in anticipation for this day\", when there could be \"attacks on the home front\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last year\'s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian militants resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One year later, Israel\'s war in Gaza against Hamas continues despite having shifted its focus to Lebanon and Hezbollah.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said it had killed around 440 Hezbollah fighters \"from the ground and from the air\" since Monday, when troops began \"targeted\" ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel says it aims to allow tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by almost a year of Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel to return home.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Iran an \"ongoing threat\" after Tehran, which backs armed groups across the Middle East, on Tuesday launched around 200 missiles at Israel in revenge for Israeli killings of militant leaders including Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The missile attack killed a Palestinian in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and damaged an Israeli air base, according to satellite images.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It came the same day Israeli ground forces began their raids into Lebanon after days of intense strikes on Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Resistance won\'t back down\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One Israeli military official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to discuss the issue publicly, said the army \"is preparing a response\" to Iran\'s attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted Iran had twice launched \"hundreds of missiles\" at Israel since April.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Israel has the duty and the right to defend itself and to respond to these attacks and that is what we will do,\" he said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Netanyahu\'s critics accuse him of obstructing efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire and deal to free hostages still held by Hamas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A senior Hezbollah source said Saturday the group had lost contact with Hashem Safieddine, widely tipped to be the next Hezbollah leader, after air strikes in Beirut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The movement is yet to name a new chief after Israel assassinated Nasrallah late last month in a massive strike in Lebanon\'s capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran\'s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that \"the resistance in the region will not back down\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Late Saturday Israel issued a new order for residents of southern Beirut to evacuate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across Lebanon, strikes against Hezbollah have killed more than 1,110 people since September 23, according to a tally based on official figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Never-ending nightmare\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN\'s refugee agency head Filippo Grandi said Lebanon \"faces a terrible crisis\" and warned \"hundreds of thousands of people are left destitute or displaced by Israeli air strikes\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli bombardment has put at least four hospitals in Lebanon out of service, the facilities said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon said it rejected a request by the Israeli military to \"relocate some of our positions\" in south Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran\'s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Damascus Saturday after visiting Beirut, renewed his call for ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon, while threatening Israel with an \"even stronger\" reaction to any attack on Iran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">French President Emmanuel Macron said it was time \"that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza\" and criticised Israel\'s decision to send ground troops into Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators tried unsuccessfully for months to reach a Gaza truce and secure the release of 97 hostages still held there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gaza\'s civil defence agency said Sunday an Israeli strike on a mosque-turned-shelter in central Deir al-Balah killed 21 people, while Israel\'s military said it had targeted Hamas militants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,825 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory\'s health ministry and described as reliable by the UN.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of the October 7 anniversary, thousands joined pro-Palestinian rallies in London, Paris, Cape Town and other cities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s President Herzog said his country\'s October 7 \"wounds still cannot fully heal\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-06 09:46:57', '2024-10-06 09:46:57'),
(12990, 12990, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has highlighted the importance of upstream countries informing downstream countries in advance about rainfall, structural conditions, and water release timings noting that both must work together.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also emphasized the need for regional cooperation in addressing the impacts of climate change.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Environment Advieor made these remarks on Sunday while addressing the \'Annual Community of Practice (COP) Network Convention\' as the chief guest. The event was organized by Manusher Jonno Foundation under the project \'EmPower: Women for Climate Resilient Societies,\" at Dhaka Brac Centre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also mentioned that the government is taking steps to prevent food shortages during natural disasters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She called for international efforts to achieve zero carbon emissions and secure funding from the Loss and Damage Fund.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana Hasan further noted that women are the most affected by climate change and assured that their participation would be ensured in the National Adaptation Plan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event was presided over by Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation. Special guests included Maria Stridsman, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, and Gitanjali Singh, Country Representative for UN Women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the event, the \'Women\'s Climate Action Network\' was launched, and five female entrepreneurs were awarded the \'Women\'s Role in Combating Climate Change Award 2024\'.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Participants at the convention discussed strategies for increasing women\'s participation and leadership in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Various panel discussions, workshops, and presentations were held on women\'s empowerment, climate resilience, and gender equality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-06 09:49:16', '2024-10-06 09:49:16'),
(12991, 12991, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has instructed banks to freeze the accounts of Summit Group chairman Muhammad Aziz Khan, his brothers, and other family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BFIU, in a letter, asked banks to block transactions for 30 days under the provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention Act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It earlier collected accounts information of Aziz Khan and his family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He is among influential top 50 businessman in Singapore.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-07 10:30:44', '2024-10-07 10:30:44'),
(12992, 12992, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A&nbsp; Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on Saiful Alam, the owner of S Alam Group, his wife Farzana Parveen and 12 family members.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammad Zoglul Hossain passed the order in response to a petition from Anti-Corruption Commission’s Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to Saiful Alam and his wife, those barred from leaving the country include his sons Ashraful Alam and Ahsanul Alam, brothers Morshedul Alam, Shahidul Alam, Rashedul Alam, Abdus Samad, Osman Gani, and Mohammad Abdullah Hasan, Abdus Samad’s wife Shahana Ferdous, Osman Gani’s wife Farzana Begum, and an unidentified man, Miskat Ahmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-07 10:36:08', '2024-10-07 10:36:08'),
(12993, 12993, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said specific action plans are needed to make Dhaka livable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is urgent to have a city vision for Dhaka. Apart from implementing mega projects, green spaces should be increased. There should be open space, seating places and sports opportunities for the youth,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana was addressing a discussion organised at Rajuk Auditorium here on the occasion of World Habitat Day 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said Dhaka should be made livable for all while youth need to be involved in building a developed and environment-friendly city.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Their creativity can make cities livable and that is why the youth should be involved in the activities of Rajuk, the adviser said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the development plan should ensure the rights of slum dwellers and victims of riverbank erosion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Ministry of Industry, spoke at the meeting as the chief guest with Housing and Public Works Ministry Secretary Md. Hamidur Rahman Khan in the chair.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">United Nations Resident Coordinator Gwen Lewis and Additional Secretary Shakila Zerin Ahmed and Joint Secretary Naila Ahmed also spoke.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the meeting, the guests unveiled the covers of two publications on the occasion of World Habitat Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-07 10:41:08', '2024-10-07 10:41:08'),
(12995, 12995, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Housing and Public Works Affairs Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan today said Dhaka will be developed as a livable city involving youths and urban planners as he addressed a discussion on the World Habitat Day here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Dhaka will be developed as a livable city involving youths and urban planners,\" he said as the key speaker at the discussion organized by the Housing and Public Works Ministry in Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) auditorium.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment, Forest and Climate Change Affairs Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis addressed as the special speakers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Housing and Public Works Ministry\'s Secretary Md. Hamidur Rahman Khan presided over the function.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The housing adviser stressed reforms in bringing a change to the society saying, \"The student-led mass uprising should be kept in mind always so that it does not fail\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About land allocation by RAJUK, he said the land will be allotted through lottery, not based on quota system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the guests unveiled the covers of two publications on the occasion of World Habitat Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-07 10:43:13', '2024-10-07 10:43:13'),
(12996, 12996, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government is going to extend holiday for one more day on the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, to facilitate them for its smooth celebration, Chief Adviser\' Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam said today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The holidays will be extended for one more day on the occasion. A notification will be issued today, announcing Thursday as public holiday,\" he said while briefing reporters at Dhakeswari National Temple here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">So, this year the Hindu community people get a total of four-day holidays including weekends to celebrate the Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at the briefing, Mahfuj said after the fall of the ousted Awami League government on August 5 last, attacks were carried out on the minorities including Hindus (by vested quarters) but the interim government and student-people together resisted the attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government will provide assistance to the victim families of the Hindu community from the Chief Adviser\' Relief and Welfare Fund.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The special assistant said the assistance will be provided to them within a day or two so that they can celebrate the Durga Puja in a festive mood.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, CA\'s press wing in a release said the chief adviser\'s office is pleased to announce an additional public holiday on Thursday, 10 October, for Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It quoted CA\'s Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam saying, during a press conference held today at the Dhakeshwari Temple, the special assistant made the announcement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This extra holiday has been granted to ensure smooth and joyous celebrations of the Durga Puja,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chief adviser\'s press wing was present at the press conference, where the decision was warmly received by community representatives and religious leaders, the release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government encourages all citizens to maintain an atmosphere of unity, respect, and peace as the nation comes together to observe this important religious event, it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-08 09:45:52', '2024-10-08 09:45:52'),
(12997, 12997, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tiger population in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans, the country\'s lone habitat to the big cats, has increased to 125, according to the latest tiger population survey for 2023-24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the ministry of environment, forest, and climate change, revealed the survey findings at a press briefing at Bangladesh Secretariat here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tiger density is 2.64 per 100 square kilometers. Compared to 2018, the tiger population has increased by 11 percent, reflecting a growth rate of 9.6 percent, and a 17.92 percent rise since 2015, the survey says.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2015, the Sundarbans had 106 tigers with a density of 2.17. By 2018, the number had risen to 114, with a density of 2.55, marking an 8 percent increase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at the press briefing, Rizwana mentioned that 21 tiger cubs were photographed in the 2023-24 survey, although they were not included in the count due to the high mortality rate among cubs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Only five cubs were captured on camera in the 2015 and 2018 surveys, she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The tiger count was determined through the analysis of photos and data, with input from experts of India, New Zealand and the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The survey, which began in January 2023 and concluded in March 2024, deployed 1,210 cameras in 605 grids across the Sundarbans for 318 days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tigers were spotted in 368 grids, and from over one million photos and videos, 7,297 tiger images were obtained—an unprecedented number.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rizwana expressed that the rise in the tiger population is a source of joy for the entire nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"To support tiger conservation, the government has declared 53.52 percent of the forest as protected, built 60 kilometers of nylon fencing, established 12 shelter centers, provided compensation and rewards, and formed 49 Village Tiger Response Teams,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;She emphasised the need for public cooperation alongside with government efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, additional secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Prof M.A. Aziz of Jahangirnagar University, Khulna Circle Conservator of Forests Mihir Kumar Dey, and Project Director Dr Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, among others, were present at the press briefing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-08 09:50:45', '2024-10-08 09:50:45'),
(12998, 12998, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday hoped that Italian visa seekers’ demand for the quick issuance of visas would be resolved peacefully but warned of negative consequences if too much pressure is imposed on Indian authorities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If they feel threatened amid immense pressure, fear remains that they may drop us from the programme under which they are giving visas to take people legally. We hope there will be a peaceful solution,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a delegation of Italian visa seekers met him at his office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said he conveyed this message to the delegation members citing the likely impacts of programmes like processions, rallies and cordoning office physically. “It is their sovereign right whether they will issue a visa or not. We can’t say why you didn’t give the visa. This can’t be asked,” Hossain said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government knew the visa seekers\' positions and they tried to convey to them what the government is doing and what they can do to expedite the process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser said around 20,000 cases got stuck for long as the progress is slow and the government is urging to clear those cases by December this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 9, amid visa seekers\' peaceful demonstration demanding quick delivery of passports with visas, the Italian Embassy in Dhaka said applicants were warned against submitting forged or false documents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Italian Embassy said they are committed to working with Bangladesh authorities and in partnership with the European Union (EU) for actively preventing irregular flows and promoting legal pathways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A bilateral agreement has been proposed to further improve collaboration in migration and mobility issues, which they hope will soon be finalised.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Embassy assured of its commitment to increasing the output of processed applications and presented some initiatives undertaken to that end with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, including the creation of a dedicated taskforce.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Applicants were reassured that their ‘nulla osta’ will not expire once they have lodged the application or requested an appointment to do so. The nulla osta is the document issued by Italian immigration authorities which authorises a non-EU national to apply for a work visa at the Italian embassy/consulate in their country of residence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, the Embassy provided legal, technical and logistic explanations for the existing delays in the processing of working visas to Italy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The visa seekers also wanted to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to place their demands for addressing the issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Corruption and the production of false or forged documents or statements are serious crimes under both the Italian and Bangladeshi laws, which the Italian Embassy is committed to contrast together with the concerned Bangladeshi authorities, said the Embassy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-08 09:58:24', '2024-10-08 09:58:24');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(12999, 12999, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Nations (UN) has praised Bangladesh\'s contribution to different peacekeeping missions across the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The admiration came at a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin and UN Assistant Secretary General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific of Department of Political and Peace building Affairs Khaled Khiari at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, a press release said here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, Khiari recognized Bangladesh\'s leadership in extending cooperation to other countries, such as, the Gambia and Peru in peacekeeping.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign secretary briefed the assistant general secretary about the measures taken by the interim government in various fields and solicited UN\'s support to Bangladesh in this important trajectory.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both sides highlighted the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and UN in a wide range of areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also discussed enhanced cooperation in the fields of human rights, development and rule of law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the meeting, the UN also expressed its keenness to continue its peace operations with Bangladesh, the release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the foreign secretary delivered statements in the Second and First Committees of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his address, Jashim expressed Dhaka\'s promise to maintain stronger partnership with the UN and the broader international community in realizing a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Bangladesh, in the spirit of student-mass-led \"July-August Revolution\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the Second Committee, the foreign secretary highlighted the need to address the contemporary challenges, such as conflicts, financial crises, inflation, rising commodity prices, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, and promote measures to ensure growth and resilience in the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To safeguard present and future generations, he called for comprehensive reform of the global financial system, ensuring strong climate action and addressing illicit financial flows.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also stressed equipping young people with quality education and digital skills for youth-driven solutions and maintaining peace as an essential foundation for resilience and sustainability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the First Committee, the foreign secretary called upon all states to work collectively for total delimination of nuclear weapons and to promote a culture of peace against a culture of war and violence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-09 09:47:52', '2024-10-09 09:47:52'),
(13000, 13000, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam today released a commemorative postage stamp and an opening day cover on the occasion of World Post Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;He unveiled the commemorative postage stamp of Taka 10 and the opening day cover of Taka 10 at the Posts and Telecommunications Division, said a ministry release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A special canceller was also used on the occasion. Nahid Islam, also the adviser of the ministry of information and broadcasting, in a statement wished all on the occasion of World Post Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also unveiled the cover of the special album “Natural Beauty &amp; Wildlife of Bangladesh Postage Stamps”, containing pictures of rare postage stamps of the postal department at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Dr. Md. Mushfiqur Rahman, Director General of Directorate of Posts S M Shahab Uddin and officials concerned were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On this day in 1874, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) was formed with the participation of 22 countries in Bern of Switzerland. In 1969, in the 16th session of the Postal Union, the proposal to declare October 9 as the world “Postal Union Day” was unanimously accepted by the organization to commemorate the day of formation of the union.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, in the 19th session of the Universal Postal Union held in Hamburg, Germany in 1984, the name of \"World Postal Union Day\" was changed to \"World Postal Day\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-09 09:50:16', '2024-10-09 09:50:16'),
(13001, 13001, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday praised Russia’s cooperation in the power and energy sectors and acknowledged Russia’s role as a supplier of wheat and fertiliser to Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These issues were discussed when Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander V Mantytskiy paid a farewell call on the Chief Adviser at his Tejgaon office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that the interim government would resolve the payment issues over the Rooppur project and welcomed further Russian investment in Bangladesh. “We will work together.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">During the meeting, Mantytskiy focused on his eventful time during his over three-year tenure as the Ambassador of the Russian Federation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He updated the Chief Adviser on the progress of the Rooppur nuclear power plant, which is expected to generate power next year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plant is primarily funded by Russia and its experts are implementing the project.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia’s state-run company Gazprom’s exploration activities in Bangladesh, Russian exports of wheat and fertiliser and repayment of the debt for the Rooppur plant were also discussed during the meeting, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and Head of SDG Affairs, and Md Abul Hasan Mridha, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were also present during the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-09 10:03:01', '2024-10-09 10:03:01'),
(13002, 13002, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh has called for decisive collective action against nuclear threats while advocating for the peaceful use of nuclear energy for agriculture, healthcare, and power generation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The call was made by Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin while speaking at the First Committee of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday, according to a message received here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his address, the foreign secretary has reiterated Bangladesh\'s unwavering commitment to general and complete disarmament, highlighting the necessity of global peace and security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He underscored the inalienable rights of all states to harness nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, while stressing the importance of preventing its misuse.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also urged UN Member states to leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for promoting peace rather than conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Addressing the Second Committee of UNGA79, the foreign secretary emphasized the need for concrete actions to realize the goals of the \"Pact of the Future.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His statement outlined key areas of focus, including comprehensive reform of the global financial system, particularly sovereign debt architecture and stronger climate actions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jashim further highlighted the importance of addressing illicit financial flows, economic diversification, and fostering resilience through youth-driven solutions, technological investment, and human capital development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh\'s appeal at the UNGA reflects its broader vision of a secure and prosperous world, driven by sustainable development, equitable economic structures, and peace-oriented technological advancements.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-09 10:21:31', '2024-10-09 10:21:31'),
(13003, 13003, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser\'s Press Wing has clarified the words - reset button - that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus used in his recent statement, saying he meant making a new start from corrupt politics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus spoke about pressing the reset button, he meant making a new start from corrupt politics, which destroyed all Bangladesh\'s key institutions, pushed the economy to the brink of collapse and robbed the rights to vote and civil liberties of tens of millions of people,\" said a statement issued from CA Press Wing today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Prof Yunus did not mean wiping out Bangladesh\'s proud history.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When you press the reset button, you reset the software to start all over again. It doesn\'t change the hardware. The 1971 Liberation War created the hardware of Bangladesh,\" the statement read.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus\'s recent interview with Voice of America.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When he arrived in Dhaka on August 8 to take over as the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, Professor Muhammad Yunus told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal Airport that July-August student-led mass uprising was our Second Liberation -- the first liberation being the country\'s glorious war of independence in 1971.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Yunus was an assistant professor at Middle Tennessee State University. He formed the Bangladesh Citizens Committee immediately after the independence of Bangladesh which announced and launched a US-wide campaign to persuade the US government to recognise Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He published the Bangladesh Newsletter to inform the world about the genocide in Bangladesh perpetrated by the Pakistani army, according to the statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-10 09:49:40', '2024-10-10 09:49:40'),
(13004, 13004, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman today underscored the need for holding fair elections for continuation of democracy.<br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We must hold a free and fair election aiming to keep the country’s democracy continue,” he said in a message marking Shaheed Jehad Day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad, a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activist of Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj, was shot dead in Dhaka on October 10, 1990, during the anti-Ershad movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Election time non-party caretaker government is the prime condition to hold a free and fair election,” Tarique Rahman said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Democracy doesn’t only mean the elections, but restoring peoples freedom and fundamental rights,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Being imbued with the spirit of Shaheed Jehad, we must work together to restore democracy and protect country’s independence and sovereignty,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In doing this, he said, “We have to prevent all conspiracies being orchestrated by evil force at home and abroad”, the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Showing deep respect to Jehad, BNP acting chairperson said the sacrifice made by BNP activist during the movement against Ershad rule on October 10 in 1990, is unforgettable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The movement was for re-establishing the multi-party democracy, freedom of speech and press, Tarique Rahman said in his message.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP acting chairman said, tyrant Ershad had killed the democracy and that’s why Jehad embraced martyrdom to restore democracy with his firm determination.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;“His soul will suffer immensely if we fail to realize his dream,” Tarique noted.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-10 09:53:21', '2024-10-10 09:53:21'),
(13005, 13005, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eight people, including four children and two women, were killed after a private car lost control and fell into a roadside canal at Gyansha in front of Nurani gate of Pirojpur Sadar upazila in the early hours of today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased are Shawon, 32, his wife Amina, 25, their two children Sahadat, 7, and Abdullah, 3, from Bhaijhora village of Pirojpur\'s Nazirpur upazila and Motaleb Sheikh, 45, his wife Sabina, 30, their two children Mukta, 12, and Sowayib, 2, from Ramnathpur village of Sherpur Sadar upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md Mukit Hasan Khan, additional superintendent of police in Pirojpur, said the accident occured on Pirojpur-Nazirpur-Goplaganj road at Ghanosha village under Pirojpur Sadar upazila around 2am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police and a rescue team of Pirojpur fire station, being informed, rushed to the spot, brought out the victims from inside the car and rushed them to Pirojpur Sadar Hospital where doctors declared all the eight persons dead.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-10 09:57:26', '2024-10-10 09:57:26'),
(13006, 13006, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today affirmed that Durga Puja, a religious festival of the Hindu community, will be held smoothly and peacefully across the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Different law enforcing agencies including the RAB, police, army, air force and the navy units have been deployed for ensuring security,” he told journalists after visiting the Dhakeshwari Mandir here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Highest security will be ensured across the country on the occasion of Durga Puja, he said, seeking all-out cooperation from everybody in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Home Adviser said, the government has made first ever highest donation of Taka four crore for celebrating the puja this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;He urged the law enforcing agencies to follow the eight-point instructions given by the Ministry of Home Affairs to maintain security during Durga Puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mahanagar Sarbaoanin Puja Committee president Jayanta Kumar Deb and Bangladesh Puja Celebration Parishad general secretary Santos Sharma also spoke on the occasion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-10 10:08:38', '2024-10-10 10:08:38'),
(13007, 13007, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five-day Durga Puja, biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, is being celebrated in the districts across the country with traditional festivity and due religious fervor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to mythology, on Maha Shashti day, the first day of the 5-day festival, the Goddess Durga descends on the mortal earth from her heavenly adobe with her four children including Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshami and Saraswati. The beautiful idols of Maa Durga and other idols were opened for people to look through on Moha Shashti.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arrival of Goddess Durga was welcomed by the devotees with much fanfare, amidst the beats of dhak (Drum).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BSS Netrakona correspondent said Durga Puja is</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">being celebrated in 465 mandaps in the district. The government allocated over 232 metric tons of rice and Tk 5.50 lakhs as special support for the puja.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police have taken fool-proof security measures for ensuring security and peaceful celebration of the festival.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior government officials visited different Puja Mondops and exchanged greetings with the devotees and leaders of the Puja Udjapon Parishad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the first day a large number of worshippers and visitors were seen visiting the Puja Mandaps to have a look at the Goddess Durga and seek divine blessings for their welfare and betterment of the mankind.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Members of the police and Ansar and local volunteers were seen guarding the Puja mandaps round the clock. Army, BGB and RAB personnel were also seen patrolling around the Puja mandaps to ensure adequate security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BSS Chapainawabganj correspondent said, Durga Puja is being celebrated peacefully with enthusiasm and festivity in 155 mandops in five upazilas of the district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The puja started Wednesday morning with the installation of the idol of Durga at all the mandaps on the day of Mohashashti. Hindus welcomed the Goddess Durga with the hope that her arrival would remove all evils.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Male and female members of the Hindu community of all age groups were seen visiting from one mandop to another to show their adoration to Ma Durga.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Hindu Pundits the goddess this year came on a palanquin meaning prevalence of diseases and would depart by elephant, meaning abundance in crops production.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Puja Udjapon Parishad leaders expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by the government for holding the Puja in a peaceful manner.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials of the administration, law enforcement agencies, political leaders visited the mandaps, which were decorated having an eye-catching look.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Volunteers and members of Ansar are constantly on duty in all the mandaps while police forces, Army, BGB and RAB are on patrol duty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Durga Puja is being celebrated in 59 mandops in Sadar upazila, in 46 mandops in Shibganj upazila, 31 mandops in Gomostapur upazila, 16 mandops in Nachole upazila and three mandops in Bholahat upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BSS Gaibandha correspondent said, Durga Puja is being celebrated in 557puja mandaps in seven upazilas of the district this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some 95 mandaps have been erected in Sadar Upazila, 115&nbsp; in Sundarganj Upazila, 127 in Gobindaganj Upazila, 95in Sadullapur Upazila, 55in Palashbari Upazila, 57 in Shaghata Upazila, and 13in Fulchhari Upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The whole district has taken a festive look as the Hindu devotees including men, women, boys, girls, youths and adolescents attired in fine dresses are thronging different puja mandaps to have a look at Goddess Durga and seeking the blessing from her.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, hundreds of Muslims and people of other religious faiths are also visiting the mandaps decorated colorfully and exchanging greetings with their Hindu friends and neighbours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Initiative has been taken to provide uninterrupted power supply to the puja mandaps at nights to enable the devotees to offer their prayers, puja, archana, kirtons, arati and other religious rituals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">District administration has distributed 278.5 tonnes of rice for the puja mandaps through district and upazila administration to assist the Hindu community to celebrate the festival peacefully.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Puja Udjapan Parishad sources said Durga Puja would conclude on Bijoya Dashami on October 13 (Sunday) with the immersion of the goddess Durga.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-10 10:17:06', '2024-10-10 10:17:06'),
(13008, 13008, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka today protested killing of a Bangladeshi fisherman by the Myanmar navy, expressing deep concern over the incident.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The foreign ministry served a protest to the Myanmar government over the killing of Bangladeshi fisherman identified by Usman, 60, from Kona Para, Shah Pori Island under Cox\'s Bazar’s Teknaf Upazila, by the Myanmar navy on October 9,\" an official release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a diplomatic note sent to the Myanmar embassy in Dhaka, “Bangladesh expressed deep concern over this tragic incident”, said the foreign ministry\'s release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Myanmar is reminded to fully respect the integrity of Bangladesh\'s territorial waters and refrain from any further provocations, it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The note has also expressed deep concern to Myanmar over the abduction of 58 Bangladeshi fishermen and six fishing boats, including one owned by Usman, while they were fishing near St. Martin\'s Island in Teknaf Upazila.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fishermen, along with the boats, were eventually released yesterday in two phases following contact between the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Myanmar Navy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka urged Myanmar to take immediate steps to prevent the recurrence of such unwarranted actions, the release added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-11 07:42:47', '2024-10-11 07:42:47'),
(13009, 13009, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United Nations (UN) has reaffirmed its strong support for the reform initiatives of Bangladesh\'s interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The universal global organisation came up with the pledge at a meeting between its Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peace building Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo and visiting Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin in New York on Wednesday, a foreign ministry\'s press release said here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign secretary thanked DiCarlo for the assurance terming the UN support as \'crucial\' in realizing the aspiration of student-led July-August revolution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, they also discussed Bangladesh\'s contribution to the UN peace architecture, and the protracted Rohingya crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On UN peace operations, the foreign secretary made a request to the UN through USG to increase representation of Bangladeshi nationals at the senior policy making levels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the Rohingya issue, Jashim underlined \'global attention as well as global action\' to solve the crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He expressed concerns that the current conflicting situation in Myanmar is leading to new influx of Rohingyas inside the territory of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alluding to the possible spill over in the entire region, the foreign secretary urged the UN to play a greater role in resolving the crisis in Myanmar and facilitating the repatriation of the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also assured of Bangladesh\'s full cooperation to the special envoy of the secretary-general.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The foreign secretary recalled the proposal of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to convene an international conference on the Rohingya crisis, and requested the UN support in that regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, the under-secretary-general appreciated the ongoing cooperation between the Bangladesh\'s interim government and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She offered further cooperation to advance the reform initiatives in key areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also commended the role of Bangladesh in UN Peacekeeping.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the Rohingya issue, DiCarlo expressed hope that new Special Envoy of the Secretary General Julie Bishop will continue to work with all stakeholders to address this issue comprehensively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the foreign secretary delivered a statement at the Third Committee of the General Assembly on \'advancement of women\'.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his statement, he highlighted the importance of investing in women education and skill development, and underscored the need to mobilize necessary financial resources in this regard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jashim emphasized Bangladesh government\'s initiatives in female education, gender parity, close digital divide, ensuring wellbeing and economic empowerment of women to make them self-reliant.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The foreign Secretary also highlighted Bangladesh\'s commitment to the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, CEDAW and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda while mentioning Bangladesh\'s key role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the adoption of its founding resolution 1325 in 2000.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-11 07:44:55', '2024-10-11 07:44:55'),
(13010, 13010, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Israeli air strike killed at least 22 people in central Beirut on Thursday as Israeli ground troops in Lebanon were accused of firing on the UN\'s peacekeeping headquarters, injuring two Blue Helmets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The raid on Beirut, where an AFP journalist heard several loud explosions, was the third such attack on the centre of the Lebanese capital since Israel escalated its campaign last month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s health ministry issued the updated death toll and said the number of injured had risen to 117.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP live TV footage showed two plumes of smoke billowing between densely packed buildings, while there was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities about the nature of the target.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Lebanese security source, without giving further details, said a \"Hezbollah figure\" was targeted after a series of killings of top officials in the Iran-backed movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most Israeli strikes have targeted the south Beirut area, not the city\'s centre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attack came the same day the UN\'s peacekeeping force in Lebanon accused Israeli soldiers of \"repeatedly\" firing on its positions, including with a tank, leaving two Indonesian soldiers with injuries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, whose country is a major contributor to the force, condemned the \"hostile acts\", which he said \"could constitute war crimes\", while Spain called it a \"grave violation of international law\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Washington said that while Israel targets Hezbollah facilities \"it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers\' safety and security\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military said it had been operating against Hezbollah militants near UNIFIL headquarters and had \"instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel has been pounding Hezbollah in Lebanon since September 23 in an escalated campaign that has killed more than 1,200 people and displaced more than a million others, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Its ground forces crossed into Lebanon on September 30 with the aim of stopping Hezbollah\'s cross-border fire in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas, which attacked Israel on October 7.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah missile and artillery fire has forced tens of thousands of Israelis to flee their homes near the border over the past year, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to fight until they can return.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Humanitarian law –</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Lebanon operation is a second front for Israel\'s stretched armed forces, which are continuing their campaign against Hamas Palestinian militants in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli forces launched a major operation in the north of the territory at the weekend around the Jabalia refugee camp, where about 400,000 people are trapped, according to Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to reporters on Wednesday about the humanitarian situation, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that Washington was \"incredibly concerned\" as Israel tightens its siege.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have been making clear to the government of Israel that they have an obligation under international humanitarian law to allow food and water and other needed humanitarian assistance to make it into all parts of Gaza,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Israeli strike on a school building being used as shelter by displaced people in Deir el- Balah in central Gaza on Thursday left at least 28 people dead and 54 injured, according to the Palestine Red Crescent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is the latest of numerous such incidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli army said in a statement that the strike targeted Palestinian combatants operating from a command-and-control centre \"embedded inside a compound that previously served as the (Rafida) School\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military accuses Hamas of hiding in school buildings where thousands of Gazans have sought shelter -- a charge denied by the militant group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN investigators on Thursday also accused Israel of deliberately targeting health facilities and killing and torturing medical personnel in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel is \"committing war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities\", the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Deadly, precise\' –</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of Yom Kippur starting on Friday, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Israelis are also braced for the country\'s reaction to a missile attack last week from Iran, which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran fired about 200 missiles in what it said was retaliation for the assassination of two of its closest allies, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, along with an Iranian general.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Thursday that \"we do not want a war\", but \"we are not afraid of it, and we will be ready for any scenario\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday that \"our attack on Iran will be deadly, precise and surprising. They will not understand what happened and how it happened.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden has cautioned Israel against attempting to target Iran\'s nuclear facilities and opposes striking oil installations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I don\'t think we are currently in a situation that the two countries are seeking an all-out direct war,\" Hamid, a 29-year-old university student in Tehran, told AFP on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It will have severe economic and military consequences\" for both countries, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Gaza war began on October 7 last year, when Hamas militants stormed across the border and carried out the worst attack in Israeli history.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The militants took 251 people hostage in an attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Hamas-run territory\'s health ministry, 42,065 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, a majority civilians, figures the UN has described as reliable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-11 08:12:21', '2024-10-11 08:12:21'),
(13011, 13011, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About 99.26 percent garments factories are open now at Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur as normalcy has returned to the RMG sector in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No crisis was reported in the garments at Savar, Ashulia, Narayanganj and Gazipur as of 8 this morning, according to a situation update issued by the Chief Adviser\'s Press Wing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Currently three factories (including 02 factories as per rule 13/1) out of 407 are closed throughout Savar and Ashulia areas, while all factories in Narayanganj are open.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two factories out of 871 are shut throughout the Gazipur area, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 09:32:02', '2024-10-14 09:32:02'),
(13012, 13012, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"text-align: left;\">The Home Ministry in a statement today said no cases, arrests and harassment would be made against those who actively participated in the mass uprising from July 15 to August 8 last.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A new journey towards building a discrimination-free new Bangladesh has started through the fall of the autocratic fascist government by the student-people mass uprising on August 5 last,\" said the statement signed by Senior Information Officer of the Home Ministry Faisal Hasan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The student-people, who actively worked staying at the field level to make the mass-uprising a success, would not face any case, arrest or harassment for the incidents regarding the mass uprising that took place from July 15 to August 8 last, the statement said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Home Ministry has asked the authorities concerned to remain alert at the highest level to this end.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ministry also asked the authorities concerned to remain alert against those who are getting advantage by spreading untrue information.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 10:04:20', '2024-10-14 10:04:20');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(13013, 13013, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said a Hezbollah drone had killed four soldiers at one of its northern bases Sunday, as it expanded its bombardments of Lebanon and troops battled militants across the border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The attack on a military training camp in Binyamina, near Haifa, is the deadliest such assault on an Israeli base since September 23, when Israel increased its attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Emergency services reported more than 60 wounded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities in Gaza, meanwhile, said the death toll from an Israeli strike Sunday on a school being used as a shelter for displaced people had risen to 15, including whole families.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And as fighting raged between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon\'s south, United Nations peacekeepers said they had again in the firing line.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They said Israeli troops \"forcibly\" entered a UN position with two tanks, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the force to withdraw from the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said a tank had backed into the UN post while under fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Hezbollah promises worse -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iran-backed Hezbollah said late Sunday that it launched \"a squadron of attack drones\" at the Binyamina camp, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) south of the major city of Haifa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The strike was in response to Israeli attacks, including air strikes on Thursday that Lebanon\'s health ministry said killed at least 22 people in central Beirut.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a later statement, Hezbollah warned Israel that \"what it witnessed today in southern Haifa is nothing compared to what awaits it if it decides to continue its aggression against our noble and dear people\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Israeli volunteer rescue service, United Hatzalah, said its teams in Binyamina assisted \"over 60 wounded people\" with injuries from mild to critical.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah has been firing rockets and drones into Israel for more than a year in support of Hamas militants in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since late September, however, its strikes have reached further into the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s sophisticated air defences have intercepted most of the projectiles, with few casualties caused by strikes or falling debris.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Defend this \'blessed land\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s recent strikes have increasingly focused on areas beyond Hezbollah\'s traditional strongholds in southern Beirut, and Lebanon\'s south and east.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel said its air force hit \"Hezbollah launchers, anti-tank missile posts, weapons storage facilities\" and other targets, while on the ground its soldiers \"eliminated dozens\" of fighters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lebanon\'s official National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli forces had \"escalated their attacks\" on southern Lebanon with \"successive air strikes\" pounding several border villages.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It later reported that an Israeli strike on Mayfadoun, near Nabatiyeh, in southern Lebanon, had killed five people and wounded one other.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hezbollah said its forces clashed several times with Israeli troops who tried to \"infiltrate\" villages along the border.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the drone strike it had said it launched a salvo of rockets at a \"base in southern Haifa\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group later aired an audio recording of its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah calling on fighters to \"defend this holy and blessed land and this honourable people\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike in south Beirut on September 27, and several other senior commanders of the movement have also been killed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said about 115 projectiles fired by Hezbollah had crossed into Israeli territory by Sunday afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Hezbollah fighter was captured emerging from a tunnel in south Lebanon on Sunday, Israel\'s military said, the first such announcement since the start of the ground offensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Shocking violations\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN peacekeepers accused Israeli troops of breaking through a gate and entering one of their positions before dawn Sunday in south Lebanon, the latest of several incidents the UNIFIL mission has reported since Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Five Blue Helmets have so far been injured, provoking international condemnation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Two IDF (Israeli military) Merkava tanks destroyed the position\'s main gate and forcibly entered the position\" in the Ramia area, before leaving 45 minutes later, UNIFIL said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military later said a tank \"backed several meters into a UNIFIL post\" while \"under fire\" and attempting to evacuate injured soldiers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu had called on the UN to move peacekeepers in southern Lebanon out of harm\'s way, after the mission rejected requests to abandon its positions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The peacekeepers\' presence had \"the effect of providing Hezbollah terrorists with human shields\", said Netanyahu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday said \"attacks\" against peacekeepers \"may constitute a war crime\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UNIFIL, with about 9,500 troops, is in southern Lebanon under the longstanding UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which stipulated that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should be deployed in south Lebanon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three Lebanese soldiers were wounded on Sunday, the country\'s army said, when Israeli forces fired on military vehicles in the Marjayoun area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call with Iran\'s President Masoud Pezeshkian, appealed to Iran to support \"a general de-escalation\" in Lebanon and Gaza, his office said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- US sending more air-defences -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gaza\'s civil defence agency said Israeli shelling had killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens more Sunday at a school turned shelter for displaced Palestinians in central Gaza\'s Nuseirat camp.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The school was bombarded with a large volley of Israeli artillery, resulting in an initial death toll of 15 martyrs, including children, women and entire families, and 50 wounded,\" said Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel\'s military said it was \"looking into the reports\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said late Sunday that a WHO-Red Cross operation had managed to resupply two hospitals in northern Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"WHO and partners finally managed to reach Kamal Adwan and Al-Sahaba hospitals yesterday after 9 attempts this past week,\" he posted on X.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas sparked the war in Gaza with the deadliest-ever attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The number includes hostages killed in captivity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says more than 42,000 people, the majority civilians, have been killed since Israel\'s military campaign began there. The UN considers these figures to be reliable.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,300 people since September 23, according to an AFP tally of official figures, including for Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That toll exceeds the entire Lebanese toll of 1,200 -- mostly civilians -- in the last Hezbollah-Israel war in 2006, when 160 people, mostly soldiers, died in Israel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Pentagon said it would deploy a high-altitude anti-missile system and its US military crew to Israel to help the ally protect itself from potential Iranian attack.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 10:07:41', '2024-10-14 10:07:41'),
(13014, 13014, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today said Dhaka is keen to strengthen both its economic and security ties with China along with deepening collaboration in several critical areas including clean energy and infrastructure development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need security cooperation from China,\" he said while speaking at a seminar titled \"Bangladesh-China Relations: A Future Outlook\' at a city hotel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Centre for China Studies (SIIS-DU) jointly organised the seminar while Dhaka and Beijing are looking forward to celebrating 50 years anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Underlining the significance of defence cooperation with China, the foreign adviser described it as vital for Bangladesh\'s military modernization efforts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that China is a major supplier of security equipment to Bangladesh, he said China is an important partner in the modernization of Bangladesh\'s military while Dhaka looks forward to further cooperation particularly in the military training programmes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also said that the enhanced defence cooperation could play role in increasing Bangladesh\'s involvement in the United Nations peacekeeping operations, which remains a key priority for the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser pointed to infrastructure development as another area of potential collaboration with China, stressing the need for sustainable projects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We welcome further cooperation in infrastructure development and energy projects, particularly in green energy,\" he said emphasising completing projects on time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also touched upon technological cooperation, particularly in the ICT sector, noting that China\'s visibility in this field could drive future economic growth in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The development of Bangladesh\'s ICT sector, with Chinese technological transfer could be one of the main drivers of the country\'s economic growth in the coming years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The foreign adviser highlighted China\'s role in the ongoing efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis, stressing that the only viable solution involves the safe repatriation of the Rohingyas to their land of origin in Myanmar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We appreciate China\'s cooperation, but unfortunately, the trilateral dialogue has not yet succeeded in returning even one Rohingya (in the last seven years),\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Touhid said Dhaka looks forward to seeing a more proactive role from China in the repatriation process, ensuring that Rohingyas are able to return to Myanmar with their rights, and security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As Bangladesh and China approach the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the foreign adviser expressed optimism about the future, noting that Bangladesh\'s trajectory, both politically and economically, will shape the direction of its relationship with China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the future of Bangladesh-China bilateral ties depends on various factors, including regional and global political dynamics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We need meaningful cooperation from China, and new avenues of collaboration must be explored by both sides,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and Chair, Committee on White Paper on the State of Bangladesh\'s Economy Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya were present as special guests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Director of the Academic Advisory Council, SIIS Professor Dr. Yang Jiemian made a special remark at the inaugural session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BISS Chairman Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker presided over the inaugural session while Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis gave the welcome speech.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his remark, the Chinese ambassador said Bangladesh has recently experienced significant political transformations and is now at a critical historical juncture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As a comprehensive strategic cooperative partner, China firmly supports the interim government in its endeavours for state reforms, maintaining law and order, promoting economic development, and improving the livelihoods of the people,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Referring to his recent interactions with Bangladesh\'s interim government, political parties, and various sectors of society, the envoy said he witnessed firm commitment from Bangladeshi people to China-Bangladesh friendship and their support for developing bilateral relations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They believe that our two countries are now facing significant historical opportunities for deeper cooperation,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador said China supports Bangladesh in becoming a partner country of the BRICS mechanism and a dialogue partner with ASEAN.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"China is willing to contribute to the repatriation of the Rohingyas and work closely with Bangladesh on international and regional affairs, strengthening coordination and cooperation within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his remarks, Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya urged Chinese companies to invest in the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasized that such investments are essential for making the Karnaphuli Tunnel economically viable and its role as a catalyst for enhanced economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There were three working sessions in seminar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first working session titled \"The Impact of Bangladesh\'s Changing Political Landscape on Regional Dynamics\" was moderated by former Foreign Secretary Ambassador Farooq Sobhan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second working session titled \"Bangladesh\'s Political, Economic, and Social Reforms and the Trends\" was moderated by Associate Research Fellow, Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies Dr. Zhang Jiuan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka University\'s International Relations Professor Amena Mohsin moderated the third working session titled \"Strengthening China- Bangladesh Cooperation and Advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In different sessions the speakers noted that the cooperation between Bangladesh and China has evolved in many ways and economic relations is the cornerstone of the relationship.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speakers commended China\'s status as Bangladesh\'s largest trading partner and highlighted several key initiatives undertaken by China to enhance Bangladesh\'s export capabilities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 10:12:36', '2024-10-14 10:12:36'),
(13015, 13015, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will visit Evercare Hospital in Dhaka this (Monday) evening for a health check-up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Madam [Khaleda] will be taken to Evercare Hospital in the evening for health check-ups as per the advice of her medical board,\" BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Khaleda will undergo some necessary medical tests at the hospital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 8, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital six days after she had been discharged from the same hospital with various ailments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A group of specialist doctors, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, successfully installed the pacemaker in Khaleda Zia’s chest on June 23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khaleda has long been battling various ailments, including livercirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes and issues related to kidneys, lung, heart and eyes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP chief’s doctors have long been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with livercirrhosis in November 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia\'s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She was placed in Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, after a special court sentenced her to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 30, 2018, the High Court raised her punishment to 10 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, she was convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail after 776 days through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 6, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The President passed the order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution, according to a gazette issued by the home ministry on August 6.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Article 49 states that \"The President shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves, and respites and to remit, suspend, or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal, or other authority.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 10:29:54', '2024-10-14 10:29:54'),
(13016, 13016, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Popular Playwright and Producer Faridul Islam Rubel has started working as a judge of Babhasi International Film Festival 2023-2024. He said that the movie verification work is going on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh-Bharot-Singapore (BaBhaSi) Trilateral Film Festival has so far received 153 films from within and outside the country. 50 out of 153 were selected for the second round after preliminary observation by the jury board. Then 10 films from the 50 films of the second round will be selected for the final round.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faridul Islam Rubel said, ‘’it’s a great honor for me to have the opportunity to work as a chief judge in all rounds of the International Babhasi Film Festival 2023-2024. As a playwright it is also a matter of pride for me.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first, second and third places will be determined by merit screening of the best screenwriter, producer, artist, cinematographer, set designer, art director, editing and background score from Babhasi Film Festival. Every year, Babhasi provides that opportunity to develop the talents of fresher’s according to their work qualifications. With this conviction, the International Babhashi Film Festival has been organized every year. After successful 7 years, Babhasi came out in its 8th year, which has really set a milestone and an inimitable example. Here the former winners are currently performing well in the media and advancing on their merits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faridul Islam Rubel also said, \"I am especially gratified for the authorities trusting me as a judge and I am very thrilled to be given the responsibility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:38:07', '2024-10-14 17:38:07'),
(13017, 13017, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Drama Director and Producer Naznin Hasan Khan has started working as a judge of Babhasi International Film Festival 2023-2024. She said that the movie verification work is going on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh-Bharot-Singapore (BaBhaSi) Trilateral Film Festival has so far received 153 films from within and outside the country. 50 out of 153 were selected for the second round after preliminary observation by the jury board. Then 10 films from the 50 films of the second round will be selected for the final round.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Naznin Hasan Khan said, ‘’it’s a great honor for me to have the opportunity to work as a chief judge in all rounds of the International Babhasi Film Festival 2023-2024. As a Drama Director it is also a matter of pride for me. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first, second and third places will be determined by merit screening of the best screenwriter, producer, artist, cinematographer, set designer, art director, editing and background score from Babhasi Film Festival. Every year, Babhasi provides that opportunity to develop the talents of fresher’s according to their work qualifications. With this conviction, the International Babhasi Film Festival has been organized every year. After successful 7 years, Babhasi came out in its 8th year, which has really set a milestone and an inimitable example. Here the former winners are currently performing well in the media and advancing on their merits. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Naznin Hasan Khan also said, \"I am especially thankful for the authorities trusting me as a judge and I am very thrilled to be given the responsibility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:46:08', '2024-10-14 17:58:58'),
(13019, 13019, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Popular Actor, Playwright and Director Enayet Ullah Syed. Who is known in showbiz as Shipul Syed. Shipul Syed is the busiest actor of the time has started working as a judge of Babhasi International Film Festival 2023-2024. He said that the movie verification work is going on.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh-Bharot-Singapore (BaBhaSi) Trilateral Film Festival has so far received 153 films from within and outside the country. 50 out of 153 were selected for the second round after preliminary observation by the jury board. Then 10 films from the 50 films of the second round will be selected for the final round. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shipul syed said, ‘’it’s a great honor for me to have the opportunity to work as a chief judge in all rounds of the International Babhasi Film Festival 2023-2024. As a playwright it is also a matter of pride for me. </div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first, second and third places will be determined by merit screening of the best screenwriter, producer, artist, cinematographer, set designer, art director, editing and background score from Babhasi Film Festival. Every year, Babhasi provides that opportunity to develop the talents of fresher’s according to their work qualifications. With this conviction, the International Babhashi Film Festival has been organized every year. After successful 7 years, Babhasi came out in its 8th year, which has really set a milestone and an inimitable example. Here the former winners are currently performing well in the media and advancing on their merits.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shipul syed also said, \"I am especially gratified for the authorities trusting me as a judge and I am very thrilled to be given the responsibility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:48:21', '2024-10-14 17:48:37'),
(13020, 13020, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The telefilm \"Futani Jamai\" is written by Faridul Islam Rubel and directed by Polash Moni Das.&nbsp; Akhomo Hasan and Punam Hasan Jui are paired together in the telefilm based on a family story.&nbsp; Apart from this, Tariq Swapan, Saika Ahmed, Farid Hossain, Kakon Chowdhury, etc. are also acting in the telefilm. Director Polash Moni Das said that the telefilm will be aired on any satellite channel very soon. The telefilm will then be released on the Beyond Network YouTube channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story shows-</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What will happen when you knock on your forehead with ghee?&nbsp; Samir always loves to walk with Futani.&nbsp; He has no focus on how the family will run.&nbsp; Presenting a lie in such a way that everyone thinks it is the truth.&nbsp; Alia, the wife of Sameer\'s torture, cannot understand what to do.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Suddenly Imran brought the news of a shooting unit coming to the village.&nbsp; After hearing about the shooting of the film from Imran, he made himself fit and ran to meet the director.&nbsp; At one point in the conversation, the relationship escalated to the point where Samir offered to feed the entire shooting unit.&nbsp; When he came home and told his wife, she was furious.&nbsp; Samir\'s mother is very happy thinking that Samir will also be the hero of the film.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The director is suddenly in danger when the hero of the shoot refuses to act with the heroine.&nbsp; Can\'t understand what to do in such a situation.&nbsp; Seeing Samir, the director was convinced that he would make the hero of the film.&nbsp; Sameer is very happy.&nbsp; Even he distributed sweets in the village.&nbsp; But suddenly one day the news comes, the heroine will not act opposite Sameer.&nbsp; The sky fell on Samir\'s head.&nbsp; He has highly promoted himself in front of the people of the village, now he bows down in front of everyone.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story of Futani Jamai, which happened in Samir\'s life, proceeds through various interesting incidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:54:54', '2024-10-14 17:54:54'),
(13021, 13021, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The telefilm \"Futani Jamai\" is written by Faridul Islam Rubel and directed by Polash Moni Das.&nbsp; Akhomo Hasan and Punam Hasan Jui are paired together in the telefilm based on a family story.&nbsp; Apart from this, Tariq Swapan, Saika Ahmed, Farid Hossain, Kakon Chowdhury, etc. are also acting in the telefilm. Director Polash Moni Das said that the telefilm will be aired on any satellite channel very soon. The telefilm will then be released on the Beyond Network YouTube channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story shows-</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">What will happen when you knock on your forehead with ghee?&nbsp; Samir always loves to walk with Futani.&nbsp; He has no focus on how the family will run.&nbsp; Presenting a lie in such a way that everyone thinks it is the truth.&nbsp; Alia, the wife of Sameer\'s torture, cannot understand what to do.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Suddenly Imran brought the news of a shooting unit coming to the village.&nbsp; After hearing about the shooting of the film from Imran, he made himself fit and ran to meet the director.&nbsp; At one point in the conversation, the relationship escalated to the point where Samir offered to feed the entire shooting unit.&nbsp; When he came home and told his wife, she was furious.&nbsp; Samir\'s mother is very happy thinking that Samir will also be the hero of the film.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The director is suddenly in danger when the hero of the shoot refuses to act with the heroine.&nbsp; Can\'t understand what to do in such a situation.&nbsp; Seeing Samir, the director was convinced that he would make the hero of the film.&nbsp; Sameer is very happy.&nbsp; Even he distributed sweets in the village.&nbsp; But suddenly one day the news comes, the heroine will not act opposite Sameer.&nbsp; The sky fell on Samir\'s head.&nbsp; He has highly promoted himself in front of the people of the village, now he bows down in front of everyone.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The story of Futani Jamai, which happened in Samir\'s life, proceeds through various interesting incidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-14 17:54:58', '2024-10-14 17:54:58'),
(13022, 13022, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh\'s post-COVID recovery continues to be impacted by high inflation, balance of payments deficit, financial sector vulnerabilities and increasingly limited job opportunities for its youths, especially women and educated youths, says the World Bank.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The multinational lender that provides financial support to developing countries for projects aimed at reducing poverty and fostering economic development said this in its twice-yearly-update, released on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“In recent years, Bangladesh’s growth has not translated into job creation for the large number of youths entering the job market every year. Particularly, the educated youth and women faced difficulty in getting jobs to fulfill their aspirations,” said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He went on to say, “But time and again, Bangladesh has shown extraordinary resilience and determination in the face of adversity. I am confident that with urgent and bold reforms to enhance economic and financial governance, improve business environment, Bangladesh can return to a strong and inclusive growth path, with millions of jobs for its youth.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest Bangladesh Development Update highlights that global and domestic factors have created a challenging macro-fiscal context for the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Bangladesh\'s real GDP growth moderated to 5.2% in FY24, primarily due to weak consumption and exports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is projected to decelerate to 4.0 percent in FY25, driven by subdued investment and industrial sector activities, before accelerating to 5.5 percent in FY26 and returning to a robust growth trajectory thereafter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh also faces increasing income inequality, particularly in urban areas. From 2010 to 2022, Bangladesh\'s Gini index—a measure of income inequality—increased by nearly three points from 0.50 to 0.53.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The report highlights urgent and bold reforms that are necessary to help the country return to a strong, inclusive and sustainable growth path.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the overall unemployment rate declining between 2016 and 2022, young people face significantly higher unemployment rates, particularly in urban areas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The availability of jobs has declined for urban educated youth, and job creation in large industries, like the ready-made garments sector, has stagnated. Since 2016, while more jobs were created in Dhaka, three divisions—Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Sylhet—faced significant net employment losses.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Inflation, driven by high food and energy prices, averaged 9.7% in FY24. Inflation spiked in the month of July and moderated in August. It is expected to remain elevated in the near term, but gradually subside in the medium term if supply-side issues stabilize and prudent monetary and fiscal policies are maintained.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fiscal deficit is estimated to have moderated marginally to 4.5% of GDP in FY24 and is expected to remain within the government\'s target of 4.3 percent of GDP in FY25, with fiscal space for productive expenditures increasing only gradually.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The implementation of the Annual Development plan declined to 80.9 percent in FY24 compared to 85.2 percent in FY23.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The current account deficit narrowed to $6.5 billion in FY24, thanks to a contraction in imports and robust remittances. Remittances declined in July due to disruptions but rebounded. The balance of payments deficit also improved.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Pressure on the external sector is expected to persist in FY25, easing later if global conditions improve and exchange rate flexibility increases,” said Dhruv Sharma, World Bank Senior Economist and Co-author of the report.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In May 2024, Bangladesh Bank implemented a crawling peg exchange rate system as a step towards a market driven exchange rate system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This led to a narrowing in the gap between the formal and informal exchange rates. While the banking sector faces tight liquidity conditions and elevated non-performing loans the Bangladesh Bank has made restoring discipline and stability in the sector a priority alongside managing inflation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-15 09:36:31', '2024-10-15 09:36:31'),
(13023, 13023, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The results of the 2024 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams have been released, with a total pass rate of 77.78%. The general education boards recorded a 75.56% pass rate, while the madrasa and technical boards saw significantly higher success rates of 93.40% and 88.09%, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A major highlight this year is the surge in students achieving the highest GPA-5, with 1,45,911 students earning the distinction, a sharp increase from last year’s 92,595.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A total of 13,31,058 students appeared for the exams, with 10,35,309 successfully passing. The Sylhet board boasted the highest pass rate at 85.38%, followed by Barishal at 81.85%, Rajshahi at 81.24%, and Dhaka at 79.21%. Other board results include Dinajpur with 77.56%, Cumilla at 71.15%, Chattogram at 70.32%, Jashore with 64.29%, and Mymensingh at 63.22%.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Key Highlights:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Overall Pass Rate: 77.78% (down from 78.64% in 2023)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">GPA-5 Achievers: 1,45,911 (up from 92,595 in 2023)</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Top Performing Board: Sylhet with 85.38% pass rate</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Number of Exam Centers: Increased to 2,695 from 2,657</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Institutions Participating: 9,197, up from 9,187</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-15 09:41:17', '2024-10-15 09:41:17'),
(13024, 13024, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Sylhet Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board delivered an unexpected boost in this year\'s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination results, achieving the highest pass rate among the nine general education boards in Bangladesh. The board reported a remarkable pass rate of 85.39%, up significantly from last year\'s 73.7%—a nearly 12% increase.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Girls have outshone boys across the board in this year\'s HSC results. Of the 49,354 female candidates, 86.04% passed, with 3,829 achieving the coveted GPA-5. In comparison, 33,811 boys appeared for the exams, with a pass rate of 83.85%. Among them, 2,869 secured GPA-5, a noticeable gap in top scorers between genders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In terms of absolute numbers, Sylhet saw a record 6,698 students earn GPA-5 this year, a dramatic rise from just 1,699 in 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sylhet\'s overall performance in the HSC exams highlights significant improvement. The board saw 83,156 candidates, with 71,012 passing the exam—a notable achievement. The pass rate of 85.39% represents a 13.77% increase over the previous year’s 71.62%. This places Sylhet ahead of the other general education boards, a substantial leap from previous years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Professor Tapan Kumar Sarker, president of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, the pass rate for the Madrasa Board\'s Alim examination stood at an impressive 93.40%, while the Technical Board recorded an 88.09% pass rate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The HSC and equivalent examinations, which commenced on June 30, included a total of 1,450,790 candidates from across Bangladesh. However, the exams faced delays due to various issues, resulting in some tests being canceled and grades being awarded based on Secondary School Certificate (SSC) results.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-15 09:50:59', '2024-10-15 09:50:59'),
(13025, 13025, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Road Transport and Bridges Adviser M Fouzul Kabir Khan said the Mirpur-10 metro rail station was reopened on Tuesday after repairing the station at a cost of Tk 1.25 crore. “Today we reopened the Mirpur-10 metro station after two months and 17 days. Tk 1.25 crore has been spent to repair the Mirpur-10 metro rail station. Some damaged equipment was replaced here by unused ones from the other two stations,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But when the equipment for the other two stations will be brought, then the final cost against repairing the Kazipara and Mirpur-10 metro rail stations would be some Tk 18.86 crore, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some unused equipment has been brought from other stations and installed here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said this while exchanging greetings with metro rail passengers and journalists at Mirpur-10 metro rail station in the capital on the occasion of reopening the station.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Mirpur-10 metro rail station has resumed operations, almost three months after it was damaged in July last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On July 19, miscreants went on a rampage at Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro stations amid the student movement for quota reform in the public service jobs, which later turned into a student-people uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina-led government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser said the Kazipara metro rail station was reopened on September 20 last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said they will not seek money from the government for the repair works as the cost of Tk 18.86 crore will be spent from the fund of the Mass Rapid Transit Company.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division Md. Ehsanul Hoque and Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd Mohammad Abdur Rouf were present.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-15 09:54:39', '2024-10-15 09:54:39');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(13026, 13026, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands of travellers on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway were left stranded for hours on Wednesday due to a massive traffic jam, stretching over 40 kilometres.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The chaos was triggered by a workers\' blockade in Gajaria, creating widespread disruptions on one of the country\'s most vital roadways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The roadblock, enforced by factory workers at around 8:00 am, brought traffic to a standstill, with many passengers and transport workers trapped in the tailback for hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The gridlock, which extended from Gazaria to Daudkandi, affected both directions of the highway, severely delaying travellers between Bangladesh’s two largest cities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One frustrated passenger, Hasan Shahriar Chowdhury, who was travelling from Mirsarai, Chattogram, shared his ordeal with UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I started my journey at 6:30 in the morning and got stuck after crossing Daudkandi Bridge due to the huge traffic jam. I don’t know what exactly caused it, but this is horrible,\" Shahriar said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His travel plans were derailed, and an important business meeting in Dhaka had to be missed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He lamented, \"Planning a trip to Dhaka has become increasingly difficult. Today, I wasted four long hours due to this notorious traffic jam. And it’s not just me – thousands of passengers in hundreds of buses were stuck on both ends of the highway.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shahriar noted the absence of highway police during the crisis, raising concerns about road management and safety. \"There was no police presence to manage the situation or assist the stranded passengers,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, which connects two major cities in Bangladesh, is known for its frequent traffic disruptions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even minor accidents or blockades often cause significant delays, especially during peak travel hours. Passengers and transport workers have long called for improved highway management to address such situations promptly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The blockade, which sparked the massive traffic disruption, was reportedly staged by around 200-250 employees of a medical device manufacturing factory, JMI Group, in Anarpura, Gazaria.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Bhoberchar Highway Police sub-inspector (SI) Riyadul Islam, the workers took to the highway in protest after the death of a colleague on October 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deceased worker, an employee of the JMI factory, reportedly died from a stroke. The protesting workers demanded compensation for the deceased\'s family, among other requests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protest, which lasted over three hours, caused the traffic jam to worsen, with a tailback of nearly 20 kilometres forming on both sides of the highway. The blockade was lifted at around 11:15 am, after which traffic slowly began to return to normal, SI Riyadul confirmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the resumption of vehicular movement, passengers like Shahriar expressed frustration over the poor response time of law enforcement and the lack of communication from the authorities. The highway, which is essential for trade and travel between Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram, continues to face congestion issues that disrupt daily life for thousands.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As of now, no official statement has been released by the authorities regarding the workers’ protest or the long traffic jam that ensued. Passengers and transport workers alike are urging swift action to ensure smoother management of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in the future, particularly in dealing with unforeseen incidents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked about the factory workers\' demands, Md Abdur Razzaq, Managing Director of JMI Group, said that his factory is the only one in the country producing medical devices and is fully export-oriented.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that the employees of his industrial group enjoy more benefits than those mandated by existing labour laws.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He alleged that certain vested groups are inciting the workers to protest with unreasonable demands.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Deputy Inspector General (Admin) of the Highway Police Headquarters, commented on the significance of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, calling it a crucial national route with a high volume of traffic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Even a minor disruption, whether caused by an accident or a protest blockade, can lead to severe traffic congestion,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">About the Highway Police, he said they are responsible for law enforcement in public matters and for restoring order in the event of rule violations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-16 09:41:06', '2024-10-16 09:41:06'),
(13027, 13027, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Veteran politician and former minister Matia Chowdhury passed away at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday. She was 82.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She suffered a cardiac arrest in the morning and breathed her last at Evercare Hospital around 12:57pm , said general manager of the hospital Arif Mahmud.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Matia, also a presidium member of Awami League, served as a Deputy Leader of parliament and elected MP from Sherpur-2 constituency during 2009–2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She was the Minister of Agriculture from 1996 to 2001 and then again from 2009 to 2019 during the previous tenures of Bangladesh Awami League.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She was born on June 30, 1942 in Nazirpur of Pirojpur district. She graduated from the University of Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-16 10:06:49', '2024-10-16 10:06:49'),
(13028, 13028, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Council of Advisers of the Interim Government has recently decided to cancel eight national days, according to a post of verified Facebook page of the chief adviser today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The cabinet division will soon issue a gazette notification cancelling these days, CA\'s press wing also confirmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The days which will be cancelled are:</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Historical March 7 Day</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">March 17: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman\'s birthday and National Children\'s Day</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">August 5: Birth anniversary of Sheikh Hasina\'s brother Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">August 8: Sheikh Hasina\'s mother Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib\'s birth anniversary</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">August 15: Bangabandhu\'s death anniversary and national mourning day</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">October 18: Sheikh Hasina\'s younger brother Sheikh Russell Day</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">November 4: National Constitution Day</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">December 12: Smart Bangladesh Day</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-16 10:15:55', '2024-10-16 10:15:55'),
(13029, 13029, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” over the recent influx of more than 40,000 Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh fleeing conflict in the bordering states.<br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Regional stability is crucial for both the nations,” the Adviser emphasized when Ambassador of Myanmar to Bangladesh Kyaw Soe Moe paid a maiden call on the Foreign Adviser at the latter\'s office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Adviser reiterated the need for the safe and sustainable repatriation of the displaced Rohingya population, underscoring the importance of peace and stability in Myanmar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, they discussed a range of bilateral issues including sustainable repatriation of Rohingya people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hossain stressed that Bangladesh and Myanmar, being two close neighbours, have certain challenges in the bilateral relations that need to be resolved on a priority basis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Myanmar Ambassador acknowledged the difficulties caused by the conflict, explaining that efforts toward the repatriation of displaced persons had been delayed due to the ceasefire breakdown by the Arakan Army in November 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Adviser expressed hope that the Myanmar government and other key players would soon engage in constructive dialogue to address the crisis. He highlighted the security concerns stemming from the volatile border situation such as rise in human trafficking.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adviser Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation with South-East Asian Countries, where Myanmar is a vital gateway. He sought Myanmar’s support for Bangladesh’s bid to become a part of ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They also discussed strengthening bilateral trade, increasing people-to-people contact, and the potential resumption of direct flights between Dhaka and Yangon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They emphasized finalizing the coastal shipping agreement currently under negotiation between the two countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe conveyed his government’s gratitude to Bangladesh for providing shelter, food, and medical support to Myanmar troops, as well as facilitating their repatriation after they had recently crossed into Bangladesh amidst the ongoing conflict in Rakhine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-16 10:54:52', '2024-10-16 10:54:52'),
(13030, 13030, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amidst concerns over facing possible public anger for his role in the student-led protests that ousted Bangladesh’s iron-fisted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan said he is not coming home to play a Test match in Dhaka, which he said his last match in the format.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This made the last Test of the series between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur the last Test of Shakib’s career.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before that match in Kanpur, Shakib announced his retirement from the longest format of international cricket and expressed his desire to play his last Test in front of the home crowd in Dhaka. But this wish is about to remain unfulfilled.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an interview with bdnews24 from Dubai, Shakib—on a transit stop during his journey back—addressed his change of plans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I was supposed to return home, but now I might not be able to do so due to security issues, for my own safety,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It’s clear that Shakib was forced to cancel his plan due to ongoing protests about his homecoming. A group of protesting students burned his effigy on Wednesday at the University of Dhaka. Another group planned to submit a letter to BCB urging them to prevent Shakib from entering the stadium.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shakib\'s silence during the student-led protest against the Sheikh Hasina government led to this situation. The toppled administration led by Sheikh Hasina tried to quell the protest using deadly weapons that eventually left at least 1000 killed.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite being one of the most celebrated cricketers in Bangladesh’s history, Shakib was silent during the protests, which triggered an angry reaction from the protesting students, who expected Shakib to stand by them. But Shakib, who was also a member of the Awami League government, posted his happy pictures on social media during the protests, which&nbsp; fueled the anger against him.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When Shakib announced his retirement in Kanpur, he also expressed concerns about his safety if he returned home. He urged the board to ensure his safety during his stay in Dhaka. But the board and the sports ministry reacted in tough words. The sports ministry was led by a student leader, Asif Mahmud, who was among the top organizers of the porters. He is one of the two student leaders who were appointed as advisers in the current interim government.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, the sports adviser said they would ensure security for Shakib when he returned home. However, the government changed its stance in reaction to the ongoing protests against Shakib.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A high-ranking government official confirmed Wednesday night that Shakib was advised to forgo his plan to return due to the current political climate. This situation suggests that Shakib’s Test career may now have reached an unofficial end.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-17 09:56:33', '2024-10-17 09:56:33'),
(13031, 13031, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Trial proceedings for the July-August genocide, which took place during the recent mass upsurge, have begun with issuing warrants for the arrest of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others, including Awami Legaue general secretary Obaidul Quader, as part of these developments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Advocate Mohammad Tajul Islam, the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, revealed the information on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A three-member tribunal, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, ordered that Sheikh Hasina must appear before the court by November 18.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud said two petitions were submitted before the tribunal. In the first petition, they sought a warrant for Sheikh Hasina’s arrest while in the other petition they sought arrest warrants for 45 others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The tribunal accepted the two petitions and asked to submit a report within November 18, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier reports suggested that the prosecution would seek arrest warrants against 50 people, including Sheikh Hasina, in connection with the atrocities that took place during the July-August period.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The trial, now in progress, marks a significant step towards justice for the alleged crimes committed during the movement, with the international community closely watching the developments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Reconstitution of ICT</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 14, the government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal by appointing its chairman and two members to start the trials of people who committed crimes against humanity during the July-August mass uprising.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Golam Mortuza Mozumder was appointed as Chairman of the ICT. The other members of the tribunal are--Additional Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and District and Session Judge (retd) Md Mohitul Haq Anam Chowdhury.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Earlier, Advocate Tajul Islam, a Supreme Court lawyer was appointed as the chief prosecutor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>List of those killed in mass upsurge</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The interim government published a draft list of 708 people killed during the student-led mass upsurge in July and August.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quoting the available public reports by media and the protest movement itself, the UN rights body said between 16 July and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed, according to the report titled ‘Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh’.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of these, nearly 400 deaths were reported from 16 July to 4 August, while around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave of protests between 5 and 6 August.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fall of Hasina’s Regime</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protests that led to Sheikh Hasina’s fall started centring reforming quota system in government jobs and it escalated on July 16 when clashes between security forces and pro-government activists and students turned violent.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Supreme Court intervened to roll back the quota decision, but the unrest continued.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A renewed wave of anti-government demonstrations saw violent clashes and killing of students and general people by law enforcement agencies and then ruling party activists that left over 1000 people dead and many injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 6, when thousands of demonstrators started to move towards her official residence Ganobhaban Sheikh Hasina resigned.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shortly after her resignation, Hasina, accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana, left Dhaka for India via a helicopter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The approval for Hasina to go to India was granted at a short notice, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina’s fall was so dramatic that she had only 45 minutes to leave her official residence Ganobhaban, which was stormed by jubilant protesters shortly after her exit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since her exit, Hasina is facing more than 100 cases, nearly all of them filed by aggrieved members of those killed by law enforcement agencies during the massive protests. The unprecedented violence left over 1000 people – many of them children and youth – killed and thousands injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She is also facing complaints filed before the International Crimes Tribunal accusing her of mass killings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Diplomatic sources in both the capitals believe Hasina’s continued presence in India may become a headache for New Delhi in its bid to build a rapport with the Yunus-led administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the interim government revoked her diplomatic passport, questions arose as to how long Sheikh Hasina can stay in India and whether she will face a possible extradition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina was elected Prime Minister in 1996 after winning the general election. Her tenure lasted until 2001. During the 2006–2008 political crisis, Hasina was detained on extortion charges.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She again won the 2008 election, solidifying her position as a key political figure.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2014, Hasina was reelected for a third term in an election boycotted by the opposition BNP, raising questions about the legitimacy of her government. Nevertheless, she continued to lead the country and won her fourth term after the 2018 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2024, Sheikh Hasina secured her fifth term as Prime Minister which was marred by controversy and violence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-17 10:05:39', '2024-10-17 10:05:39'),
(13032, 13032, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The United States has said there is no excuse for violence and anyone responsible for violence should be held accountable in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have made clear that there’s no excuse for violence, either conducted against those conducting peaceful protests or conducted by those protesting, and anyone that’s responsible for violence should be held accountable,\" said US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He made the remarks during a regular media briefing in Washington on October 16 when a journalist drew his attention to the latest government decision and claimed that over \"3000\" police personnel were killed between August 5 and 8 following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The interim government has said no cases can be filed against students and people who actively participated in the mass upsurge in July-August, apparently giving impunity to those who carried out attacks even after the fall of&nbsp; the Hasina-led government on August 5.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement said there will be no cases, arrests or harassment for the events related to the July uprising, organized from July 15 to August 8.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chairperson of human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) Z.I. Khan Panna told BBC Bangla that there is no chance of impunity for criminal offences. “All the efforts that are going on now are illegal,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A new journey started to build a new Bangladesh free of discrimination through the fall of the autocratic and fascist government in the mass uprising of the students-people on August 5. The students and people actively worked for it on the grounds of movement to make this a success; there will be no cases, arrests or harassment for incidents related to the July mass uprising from July 15 to August 8,” said the Home Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on an Islamic song sung at a puja mandap during the recent Durga Puja, Miller said obviously they are committed to religious freedom in Bangladesh and elsewhere.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"With regard to that specific incident, I’ll take it back and get you an answer,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-17 10:13:51', '2024-10-17 10:13:51'),
(13033, 13033, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The BNP on Thursday demanded that the government fully cancel the appointment of officials based on the final results of the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination held during the Awami League regime to ensure justice for job seekers.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The party also called for the scrapping of all the processes for the 44th, 45th, and 46th BCS to ensure that meritorious and deserving candidates are appointed through a fair and transparent process.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We demand the interim government to immediately revoke the gazette notification on the appointments made based on the 43rd BCS examinations results, which were conducted by a partisan commission during the fascist regime of the Awami League,” said BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he noted that there is a precedent for annulling BCS recruitment, referencing the interim government\'s actions in 2007 when it scrapped the appointments based on the results of the 27th BCS.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He pointed out that the final results of the 27th BCS were revoked in the same context, and the then government subsequently completed the process issuing the recruitment circular after retaking viva exams.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader emphasised that the government could follow the example set by the 27th BCS appointment process regarding the 43rd BCS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Within just 2 months of the people\'s bloody mass uprising, he said the opportunity to expand the dominance of the Awami ghosts in the administration by appointing deposed Awami party loyalists without any proper scrutiny has become a big question.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We feel that this appointment is tantamount to deception and betrayal with the unforgettable sacrifices of the students in the anti-fascist movement,” Salahuddin said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“On behalf of the country and the nation, we strongly demand the interim government to cancel the 43rd BCS which was considered and recommended on party basis, depriving thousands of eligible and talented candidates,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-17 10:16:48', '2024-10-17 10:16:48'),
(13034, 13034, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Iran\'s mission to the United Nations said Thursday the killing of Yahya Sinwar would lead to the strengthening of \"resistance\" in the region, hours after Israel said it had killed the Hamas chief.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The spirit of resistance will be strengthened. He will become a model for the youth and children who will carry forward his path toward the liberation of Palestine,\" the mission said in a post on X. \"As long as occupation and aggression exist, resistance will endure, for the martyr remains alive and a source of inspiration.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-18 06:55:15', '2024-10-18 06:55:15'),
(13035, 13035, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The government has appointed Islamic law expert and Hadith scholar Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek as khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The approval of his appointment came from the government high level yesterday (Thursday), said a press release of the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mufti Abdul Malek is a renowned Islamic scholar with advanced degrees in Islamic Studies, Hadith and Fiqh from well-known institutions both at home and abroad, the release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Globally respected Islamic scholar Mufti Justice Muhammad Taqi Usmani is his Ostad (teacher).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mufti Abdul Malek also conducted two years of advanced research in Hadith and Islamic law under the supervision of Sh. Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah, one of the best Islami pandit (scholar) of the Arab world and a professor at the Faculty of Usul al-Deen at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has travelled to Makkah, Madinah, Pakistan, India and Turkey, and has presented articles at various national and international seminars.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Malek has authored of 16 books in Bangla, Arabic, English and Urdu.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A research journal called the Monthly Al-Kawsar was published regularly under his supervision.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-18 06:59:24', '2024-10-18 06:59:24'),
(13036, 13036, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said the next national election could be arranged by the next year - 2025 - after completing the pre-election preparations including formation of a new Election Commission through a search committee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I think realistically, holdind the election can be possible by the next year. There are many factors. This is a preliminary assumption to me,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The law adviser made remarks when Daily Manabzamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury wanted to know about the election timing during a programme titled \"Ajker Patrika\" hosted by Channel I late Thursday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Asif said a search committee will be formed soon to help form the new Election Commission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new EC will then prepare a flawless voters\' list and then election will be held, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s extradition, the law adviser said there is an extradition treaty with India and Hasina should be returned to Bangladesh if India obeys by the treaty.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said it will be protested strongly from the Bangladesh side if India tries to talk about a provision that it was not done in \"good faith.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asif said they will have many legal arrangements. \"India is certainly bound to return Hasina (to Bangladesh) if India honestly interprets this.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina, staying in India, is now facing arrest warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a media briefing recently, the law affairs adviser said Bangladesh will definitely seek extradition of any convicted person under the extradition treaty with India once trials begin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said they will take the necessary steps and try to bring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back home as the ICT issued arrest warrant against Hasina and top Awami League leaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We will try and take necessary preparations,\" he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that the court has given one month time. The adviser did not want to elaborate further.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid various conflicting reports on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s status and location, the government of India on Thursday evening clarified that she arrived in India on short notice, while indicating that her stay there is likely to continue for the time being.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have seen some reports…I don\'t have any comments to offer. I had earlier mentioned she had come here (India) at a very short notice for safety reasons. She continues to be,” said Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while responding to a question at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the TV programme with Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, adviser Asif mentioned that he had never said that any journalist would be tried in the International Crimes Tribunal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was a big misinterpretation of what he actually said in overall context, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked about a perception that he is the most powerful adviser, Asif said it is completely a wrong publicity and he has the same and equal power like other advisers in the Council of Advisers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus holds the most of the consultations with the student leaders and it is logically done.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The adviser acknowledged tremendous work pressure on him and he had enjoyed much freedom in the past compared to the current position.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Past life was simple. People used to be happy to see I am pointing out others\' mistakes. Now I work round the clock, yet I can\'t make people happy. I feel bad for that,\" Asif said, sharing his current experiences.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The qdviser said he had passed similar hardworking period while doing his PhD and he would be happy if he can make people happy with his works.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-18 07:02:49', '2024-10-18 07:02:49'),
(13037, 13037, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, on Thursday regretted the inability to accord the country\'s biggest cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan his farewell from cricket on home soil.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, he acknowledged the ongoing public discontent regarding Shakib\'s association with the ousted Awami League government, describing it as a natural response.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is public resentment due to Shakib Al Hasan\'s association with the Awami fascist government,\" he stated, emphasising the importance of addressing these concerns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite Shakib\'s efforts to clarify his political position through a Facebook post aimed at soothing public frustration, recent protests demonstrated that \"it has become evident... that it was not enough.\" The sports adviser remarked that \"those who are protesting also have the constitutional right to do so, underlining the legitimacy of their grievances.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In light of the upcoming series between South Africa and Bangladesh, Asif advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to discourage Shakib playing in the country for the time being, aiming to prevent any undesirable situations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He explained that this decision was made \"as an urgent measure to protect both the players\' safety and the country\'s image in international sports.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asif concluded with a call for respecting the law, stating, \"If there are any complaints, solutions can be sought through the legal process.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'news desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-18 07:07:09', '2024-10-18 07:07:09'),
(13038, 13038, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seeking apology to the people who are suffering due to price hike of essential commodities, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said the government is working hard and taking joint efforts to improve the situation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I am seeking apology to you. I feel so bad. This is intolerable to us. We are working very hard. We are working together,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The law adviser made the remarks when Daily Manabzamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury wanted to know about the issue during a programme titled \"Ajker Patrika\" hosted by Channel I late Thursday night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asif said the impact of the floods is reducing and the winter is approaching. \"We expect the situation will improve to a great extent. In some areas, the situation has already started improving,,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The law adviser said it was a syndicate involved in importing commodities during the previous government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He acknowledged that the syndicate is very powerful, noting that it is not that much easy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The government is doing in every possible way to deal with the issues of essential commodities and highlighted the steps taken so far in cooling down the market, Asif said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said this is an issue that gives mental pains to all of them in the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-18 11:29:32', '2024-10-18 11:29:32'),
(13039, 13039, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday urged the interim government to take pragmatic steps as a priority to control the rising prices of essential goods to ease the financial strain on the people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Addressing a discussion programme virtually, he also urged the government to prioritise the elimination of the market syndicate that was established during the previous regime.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“People from all walks of life, particularly those in low-income groups and small businesses, are enduring significant hardships due to the unusual price hikes in essential items,” the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that mere sweet words will not suffice while people remain half-fed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I call upon the interim government to take pragmatic steps immediately as a priority to lower commodity prices and provide relief to the public,” Tarique said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He lamented that commodity prices have surpassed the purchasing power of the ordinary people.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“While it may be challenging to dismantle the business syndicate established during the previous regime, it is not impossible with genuine will and appropriate interventions,” the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ziaur Rahman Foundation organised the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, to mark its silver jubilee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tarique warned that associates of the deposed despotic regime are still conspiring to create difficulties for the government and undermine its success.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader also noted that the government\'s disarray has become evident and it has failed to establish a clear priority agenda.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the conflicting statements from various government advisers regarding the next election have caused confusion among the public.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ziaur Rahman Foundation adviser Dr Zubaida Rahman also addressed the programme virtually, extending her greetings to the members on the occasion of its silver jubilee.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She wished the foundation continued success and urged its members to work towards the betterment of humanity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I hope the Ziaur Rahman Foundation will set a benchmark for serving humanity,” said Zubaida, who is also the wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-18 14:13:54', '2024-10-18 14:13:54');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(13040, 13040, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Saturday said the election timing will be fixed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus as it is a very important policy decision.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He (CA) alone has the authority to declare it (election timing),\" Prof Asif Nazrul said in a statement, further explaining his remarks made in a TV programme on Thursday night.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, Dr Asif Nazrul said the next national election may be arranged by the next year - 2025 - after completing the pre-election preparations, including the formation of a new Election Commission through a search committee.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I think realistically, holding the election may be possible by next year. There are many factors. This is a preliminary assumption to me,\" he said when Daily Manabzamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury wanted to know about the election timing during a programme titled \"Ajker Patrika\" hosted by Channel I .</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Asif said a search committee will be formed soon to help form the new Election Commission.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new EC will then prepare a flawless voters\' list and then an election will be held, he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his statement, Dr Asif said he did not get a chance to fully explain these factors there.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But everyone will understand from the words of the government that there are issues of reform and political consensus for the elections, said the Adviser.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"These are the factors. I also spoke about the reforms,\" he said.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Some other factors I have explained in the programme, such as: formation of search committee and election commission, preparation of voter list etc,\" he added.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Adviser said if these factors remain okay, the election may be held next year. \"I also said this from my primary assumption.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These conditional ideas and assumptions are presented by some media as an election announcement. Honestly, this is not correct,\" Asif Nazrul said in his statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-19 09:58:26', '2024-10-19 09:58:26'),
(13041, 13041, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The advisers council led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, will hold dialogues with political parties today on continuation of its new round of political dialogue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"As part of ongoing dialogue, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus will hold talks with some political parties, which will start at State Guest House Jamuna here at 3 pm today\", CA\'s Press Secretary Safiqul Alam told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gano Forum, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, 12-parties, Jatiya Mukti Council, Labour Party, Jatiya Party (Andalib) and some other political parties will join the dialogues this afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The dialogues will be held with the political parties to discuss how the reform process can be advanced and their (political parties) opinions will be sought to this end.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 5, 2024, the government initiated a new round of dialogue with the political parties, while Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and some major political parties joined the dialogues on that day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-19 10:04:20', '2024-10-19 10:04:20'),
(13042, 13042, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Students and the public now have a forum to present their concerns to the appropriate authority through reviving the Supreme Judicial Council(SJC), which is a positive development, said Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There are some judges in the High Court against whom various sections of society have many complaints. Some of them became instruments of the fallen oppressive regime. There are also allegations of corruption against a few. There have been reports in the media, and many are angry about this. Now, through the SJC, there is a constitutional way to address these grievances,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nazrul made this remarks while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The forum responsible for ensuring accountability of judges has been reinstated through transferring the power of removing judges to the Supreme Judicial Council, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The Supreme Judicial Council has been reactivated. There was some confusion surrounding this, but the court\'s verdict has cleared that. Now, the SJC can be made fully operational.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Law Adviser said the higher judiciary remains entirely independent and will act accordingly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court disposed of the review petition regarding the 16th amendment of the constitution, restoring the SJC’s authority. The court has fully reinstated Article 96 of the constitution, which transfers the power of removing judges back to the SJC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The full bench of the six-member Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed the order today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nazrul said the SJC, formed under the constitution, comprises the Chief Justice and the senior-most judges of the Appellate Division. \"If a complaint is lodged today, the process will begin immediately. There’s no need for a separate notification; it is clearly stated in the constitution.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"When the SJC was inactive, there was no forum to ensure the accountability of the higher judiciary. At that time, the court administration also lacked the will to ensure such accountability, as they were delivering judgments dictated by others,\" Nazrul claimed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-20 10:57:32', '2024-10-20 10:57:32'),
(13043, 13043, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Habibur Rahman, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in the US, recently returned to the country after nearly two years to reunite with his loved ones.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Though he anticipated delays and hassle upon landing at Dhaka\'s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he was surprised by a different experience. “I was able to leave the airport in no time,” Rahman said, expressing his satisfaction .</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ataur Rahman, another returnee from Saudi Arabia, shared a similar experience. \"After completing immigration, I found my luggage already on the belt. In the past, we had to wait a long time for it, but this time I got it without much delay.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once it was common for passengers to endure long waits—often hours—before receiving their luggage. However, the situation has significantly improved, with luggage now being delivered to passengers swiftly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Usually passengers had to endure long queues at immigration after disembarking, followed by hours of waiting for their luggage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Group Captain Kamrul Islam, told UNB that continuous monitoring has allowed passengers to receive their luggage within a maximum of one hour or less. “Delivery is being ensured within 15 to 60 minutes for almost 88% of passengers. Further efforts are underway to reduce the delivery time even more.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kamrul also noted that incidents of luggage theft, tampering, or stolen items have significantly decreased, and such occurrences are now rare.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He emphasised that strict monitoring measures have stopped luggage tampering.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Air Vice Marshal Md. Mofidur Rahman Bhuiyan, said long queues at immigration used to be a longstanding issue, which resulted in prolonged wait times for luggage as well. Now, the airport\'s condition has drastically improved, with immigration and luggage handling becoming more efficient.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Luggage left behind problem improvement</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Previously, there were numerous complaints about luggage left behind. The issue has now decreased substantially. To address this, the capacity of incoming seats for airlines with excessive left-behind luggage has been reduced, and airlines have received overall support, significantly improving the situation. Currently, 99.80% of luggage is being delivered to passengers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Passengers trolley problem</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another inconvenience for passengers was the limited number of trolleys compared to passenger demand. The number of trolleys has now been significantly increased to 3,600, with plans for further expansion. Arrangements have been made to ensure trolleys are available from inside the terminal to the multi-level parking and the east side of the road.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To improve service, new help desks have been established in the arrival and departure areas of the airport to provide passengers with information and guidance. Previously, passengers from various regions, both domestic and international, often faced issues due to a lack of proper information.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, two help desks have been set up in the arrival area and three in the departure area, where 54 staff provide free information round the clock.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>24-hour hotline and new web portal</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A 24-hour hotline service has been introduced to ensure passenger service, along with a new website and web portal. These services allow passengers to easily access assistance and resolve complaints by calling the 13600 hotline anytime. Up-to-date information is also available on the website.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b>Free internet service introduced</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The airport has introduced free internet service for passengers. Arriving passengers can use free Wi-Fi to stay connected, especially if they do not have a local SIM card, allowing communication through platforms like WhatsApp.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Number of free telephone booths increased</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ten free telephone booths have been set up to facilitate free calls and communication for passengers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Shuttle bus service launched</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2024, a shuttle bus service was introduced for passengers. The shuttle bus service connects the airport to nearby bus stands and railway stations in coordination with BRTC, providing air-conditioned buses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Executive Director, Group Captain Kamrul Islam, added that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport handles around 55,000 international flights and 53,000 domestic flights annually.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Approximately 9 to 9.5 million passengers travel on international routes each year, with 2.3 to 2.5 million on domestic routes. In 2023, around 11.7 million passengers used the airport, and with increasing demand, this number is expected to rise further in 2024.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Efforts to provide better services and prevent passenger harassment are ongoing, with hopes that service quality will continue to improve, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-20 11:11:56', '2024-10-20 11:11:56'),
(13044, 13044, '<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said that it is unfortunate that Shakib Al Hasan cannot play the Test series against South Africa starting on October 21 in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh\'s interim government advised Shakib, who was a member of the government toppled by a student-citizen movement in August, not to come to the country now due to the security threat posed by the protesters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It’s unfortunate,” Shanto said about Shakib’s absence in the Dhaka Test, which he said would be his last appearance in the longer format of the game. “It should have happened. But we all know why it didn\'t happen.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh captain also said they are now focusing solely on cricket.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I would say that it was unfortunate, it should have happened (Shakib’s participation in the Dhaka Test). But we all know why it didn\'t happen. But we don’t want to talk much about it before a Test match. I want everyone to focus on cricket.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh captain also said it is difficult for Bangladesh to set up a combination when Shakib is not available.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We can use an extra bowler or batter (when Shakib plays). But we cannot do anything talking about it much. What we can do is to focus on cricket,” Shanto added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh played 14 Tests against the Proteas but never won. But this time, Shanto says, the result can be changed if they can play according to plan and execute their game well on the field.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-20 11:29:28', '2024-10-20 11:29:28'),
(13045, 13045, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh received $1.553 billion in remittances during the first 19 days of October 2024, according to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank. This marks an average inflow of $87 million per day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In comparison, remittances in the same period of September totaled $1.47 billion, indicating a significant boost in October’s figures.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State-owned banks contributed $400.8 million.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Specialized banks accounted for $78 million.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Private banks led the way, bringing in $1.0496 billion.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign bank branches in Bangladesh facilitated $4.10 million in transfers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Additionally, Bangladesh Bank reported that from October 13 to 19, expatriates sent $546.30 million, while $561.9 million was received between October 6 to 12, and $424.7 million in the first five days of the month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-21 10:08:13', '2024-10-21 10:08:13'),
(13046, 13046, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today allowed a leave to appeal plea filed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and six officials of Grameen Telecom against a High Court order that dismissed an appeal for cancellation of the case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Leave is granted,\" said the Appellate Division short order passed by the four-member apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. The Appellate Division also asked to submit the summary of the appeal and set November 19 to hold hearing on the matter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior advocate Abdullah-Al-Mamun moved the case for Professor Muhammad Yunus and others, while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman stood for the state.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The six other pleaders are Grameen Telecom Managing Director (MD) Nazmul Islam, Directors Ashraful Hasan, Naznin Sultana, Md Shahjahan, Nurjahan Begum and Prof SM Huzzatul Islam Latifee.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The High Court on July 24 dismissed an appeal for cancellation of the case against seven including then Grameen Telecom Chairman Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">\"We had filed leave to appeal petition on three grounds against the High Court order. The case was scheduled for testimony at the lower court concerned on August 5. The court later deferred the hearing till September 5. But the ACC, without informing us, pleaded to withdraw the case, which was allowed by the court,\" Barrister Abdullah-Al-Mamun said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The senior jurist further said the case was withdrawn in inappropriate way and was not legal, adding, we would face the trial legally and it is our constitutional right.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ACC filed the case on May 30, 2023, for misappropriating Taka 25.22 crore and transferring the money elsewhere. ACC deputy director Gulshan Anwar later filed the charge sheet against a total of 14 accused.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on April 2, 2024, took into cognizance the charge sheet filed in the case and sent the matter to Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 for further proceedings. The court on June 12 framed charges against the 14 accused.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-21 10:15:02', '2024-10-21 10:15:02'),
(13047, 13047, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senior BNP leader Hafizuddin Ahmed on Monday said the discussions surrounding Sheikh Hasina\'s resignation represent a new dimension of conspiracy, asserting that her fleeing the country in the face of public anger is clear proof of her resignation from the post of Prime Minister.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“There have been numerous false campaigns day after day and now it has started again. Disturbing and concerning news is being spread, claiming that Sheikh Hasina did not resign as Prime Minister,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader said President Mohammed Shahabuddin has said he has not received any resignation paper from Hasina, and the Cabinet Secretary also stated he does not have this document.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“This is a new dimension of their conspiracy. She (Hasina) has definitely resigned, and there is no doubt about it. We saw the resignation paper signed by Sheikh Hasina on YouTube. Moreover, there is no need for an official resignation since she fled the country with just 45 minutes\' notice. This itself constitutes her resignation,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hafiz, a BNP standing committee member, said Sheikh Hasina no longer has a passport, as the Bangladesh government has canceled it. “She has taken refuge in a neighbouring country that wants to send her to another country. Even then, what is the necessity of her resignation letter?” he asked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader asserted that a vested interest group is spreading such news to mislead the public into believing that Hasina is still a legitimate Prime Minister. “What could be a greater falsehood than this?”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, freedom fighters\' wing of BNP, organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), demanding the immediate withdrawal of false cases filed against BNP leaders and activists, including party acting chairman Tarique Rahman. They also called for bringing killer Sheikh Hasina back home to face trial and banning the Awami League as a terrorist organisation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hafiz said the nation had hoped for a new government to be established that would prioritize the welfare of the people following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government. “We’re now increasingly concerned as two and a half months have passed, yet we remain uncertain about the aims of this government, how they plan to implement reforms, and the extent of what they can achieve. We are also confused about whether they are aware of their limitations.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He voiced frustration that no steps have been taken to withdraw the numerous false and conspiratorial cases against those who fought against the fascist Hasina regime over the past 16 years. “We cannot understand why the false cases against our leaders, Tarique Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and others who have been repeatedly jailed, have not yet been dropped.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader demanded that the government immediately withdraw all cases filed against Tarique and those who struggled against Awami League’s conspiracy and misrule.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He warned that Bangladesh is currently facing a conspiracy, with efforts underway, aided by India, to harm national unity and jeopardise independence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The neighbouring country is devising various plots to cause suffering for the people of Bangladesh. Those who were ousted by the public are now conspiring against the people of Bangladesh from India. We must rid ourselves of these plots,” the BNP leader said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-21 10:26:33', '2024-10-21 10:26:33'),
(13048, 13048, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain has clarifies his recent statement on election delivered at a recent meeting with local journalist in Cox\'s Bazar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a clarification issued last night, the adviser said he would like to clarify some misunderstandings regarding his discussion with local journalists at Cox’s Bazar Circuit House on October 18 last.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"My statement in response to questions about the upcoming parliamentary elections, have unfortunately been misrepresented by some newspapers, online news portals, and other media outlets,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was reported that I stated the Honourable Adviser, Dr. Asif Nazrul, and the Chief of Army Staff\'s comments were not aligned with the government’s position on the elections. This assertion is both incorrect and misleading,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khalid Hossain said, \"he did not mention the Chief of Army Staff or the Honourable Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs in any of his remarks\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Additionally, my comment regarding the interim period — where I explained that \'Interim means one government has stepped down, and until the next government assumes office, we are fulfilling this interim role\' — has also been distorted,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noting that such misreporting is deeply regrettable, the religious affairs adviser said his office has already issued a rejoinder to the concerned media, respectfully requesting that future reporting should be based on accurate and objective information.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For reference, he said, a video recording of the briefing held at Cox’s Bazar Circuit House is available online and archived in his office.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-21 10:30:28', '2024-10-21 10:30:28'),
(13049, 13049, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is expected to join the COP29 Summit at the Azerbaijan capital in November, where at least 32,000 people will get together to mainly discuss the thorny issue of climate finance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once finalised, the Chief Adviser is likely to be in Baku in the second week of November, a senior foreign ministry official told UNB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The COP29 is seen as a pivotal opportunity to accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With global temperatures hitting record highs, and extreme weather events affecting people around the globe, COP29 will bring together leaders from governments, businesses and civil societies to advance concrete solutions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A key focus of COP29 will be on finance, as trillions of dollars are required for countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from the worsening impacts of climate change, according to the United Nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conference will also be a key moment for countries to present their updated national climate action plans under the Paris agreement, which are due by early 2025.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If done right, these plans will limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and double as investment plans advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, non-resident ambassador of Azerbaijan to Bangladesh Elchin Huseynli on Tuesday called on Chief Adviser Prof Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The upcoming COP29 Summit in Baku, energy, trade, business cooperation, and a planned air services agreement between the two countries were discussed during the meeting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Huseynli stressed deeper trade ties between two countries, with Baku seeking \"new opportunities\" and ways for opening up doors for more businesses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said a foreign office consultation between two countries was held in Baku in June. Azerbaijan has sought to sign an air services agreement with Bangladesh, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser called Azerbaijan \"a good friend\" and sought increased business and trade between the two nations, according to his press wing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Prof Yunus recalled his long relationships with the Azerbaijani people, its leadership, and universities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-22 09:47:15', '2024-10-22 09:47:15'),
(13050, 13050, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">A Dhaka court has placed former Member of Parliament Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman on a five-day remand in connection with an attempted murder case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka’s Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain passed the order following a hearing on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the investigating officer of the case, Sub-Inspector Abdul Halim of the Mirpur Model Police Station, sought a 10-day remand to facilitate the investigation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On behalf of the state, Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki argued in favour of granting the remand. In response, Barrister Suman’s lawyer, Jahangir Hossain Bipu, filed a bail petition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Suman was arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of a student during the July-August student-led movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before the arrest Barrister Suman said on his verified Facebook account, \"I am going with the police. See you in court. Pray for me, everyone.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Suman was elected as an independent candidate in controversial January 7 polls from Habiganj-4 constituency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-22 09:53:08', '2024-10-22 09:53:08'),
(13051, 13051, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has granted a petition to restore the appeal made against the verdict that declared the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami illegal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed and consisting of four judges, issued this order on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddique and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir represented Jamaat in the court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a result of today\'s order, the appeal against the verdict that declared Jamaat-e-Islami\'s registration illegal will again be heard in the highest court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the order, lawyer Shishir Monir told journalists, “The Appellate Division had earlier dismissed the appeal during the hearing regarding the cancellation of Jamaat\'s registration because no lawyer was present on behalf of the party.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“However, as constitutional questions were involved in the case, the High Court had referred it directly to the Appellate Division. The petition was made to restore the appeal as its dismissal without a hearing was deemed inappropriate. Along with this, there was also a petition for delayed forgiveness. The Appellate Division granted our petition. Now, the appeal regarding the cancellation of Jamaat\'s registration will be heard again.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After resolving a writ petition, the High Court issued a verdict on August 1, 2013, cancelling and declaring the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami illegal. Subsequently, on December 7, 2018, the Election Commission (EC) issued a notification cancelling the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, Jamaat appealed against the High Court\'s verdict. However, since Jamaat\'s main lawyer was absent during the appeal hearing against the High Court\'s verdict, the Appellate Division, led by the then-Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, issued a dismissal order on November 19 last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Consequently, the High Court\'s verdict declaring the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami illegal remained upheld. Nevertheless, the appeal that had been dismissed was restored for hearing after the fall of the Awami League government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 2, the chamber court set the petition for hearing in the full bench of the Appellate Division on October 21. However, on October 22, the matter came up in the hearing schedule of the Division.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, during the ongoing anti-discrimination movement, on August 1, the then Awami League government declared a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification banning Jamaat, Chhatra Shibir, and their other affiliated organisations under section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act. However, on August 28, the decision to ban Jamaat and Shibir was revoked through a notification.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-22 10:04:21', '2024-10-22 10:04:21'),
(13052, 13052, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two dozen world leaders are gathering in Russia on Tuesday for the opening of a summit of the BRICS group, an alliance of emerging economies that the Kremlin hopes will challenge Western \"hegemony\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The summit is the biggest such meeting in Russia since it ordered troops into Ukraine and comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to demonstrate that Western attempts to isolate Moscow over the two-and-a-half-year offensive have failed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- all key partners for Russia -- are scheduled to join the summit, hosted in the city of Kazan from October 22 to 24.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow has made expanding the BRICS group -- an acronym for core members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- a pillar of its foreign policy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The main issues on the agenda include Putin\'s idea for a BRICS-led payment system to rival SWIFT, an international financial network that Russian banks were cut off from in 2022, as well as the escalating conflict in the Middle East.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin has touted the gathering as a diplomatic triumph that will help it build an alliance to challenge Western \"hegemony\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- \'Brick by brick\' -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States has dismissed the idea that BRICS could become a \"geopolitical rival\" but has expressed concern about Moscow flexing its diplomatic muscle as the Ukraine conflict rages.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow has been steadily advancing on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine this year while strengthening its ties with China, Iran and North Korea -- three of Washington\'s adversaries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By gathering the BRICS group in Kazan, the Kremlin \"aims to show that not only is Russia not isolated, it has partners and allies,\" Moscow-based political analyst Konstantin Kalachev told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Putin in 2023 over the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine, and the Russian leader abandoned plans to attend the previous summit in ICC member South Africa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This time round, the Kremlin wants to show an \"alternative to Western pressure and that the multipolar world is a reality,\" Kalachev said, referring to Moscow\'s efforts to shift power away from the West to other regions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin has said it wants global affairs to be guided by international law, \"not on rules that are set by individual states, namely the United States.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We believe that BRICS is a prototype of multipolarity, a structure uniting the Southern and Eastern hemispheres on the principles of sovereignty and respect for each other,\" Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"What BRICS is doing is gradually -- brick by brick -- building a bridge to a more democratic and just world order,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- Security -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Kazan, Putin is set to meet individually with Modi and Xi, as well as the leaders of South Africa and Egypt on Tuesday, followed by separate talks with Erdogan and Iran\'s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is also undertaking his first trip to Russia since April 2022 to attend the summit. He will sit down with Putin on Thursday, according to a programme shared by Ushakov.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of the summit, AFP journalists in the city reported heightened security measures and a visible police presence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The surrounding Tatarstan region, which is some 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the border with Ukraine, has previously been hit by long-range Ukrainian drone attacks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Movement around the city centre is being limited, residents advised to stay home, and university students moved out of dormitories, local media reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>- Emboldened -</b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The West believes Russia is using the BRICS group to expand its influence and promote its own narratives about the Ukraine conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned other countries could feel emboldened if Putin wins on the battlefield in Ukraine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Starting with four members when it was established in 2009, BRICS has since expanded to include several other emerging nations such as South Africa, Egypt and Iran.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the group is also rife with internal divisions, including between key members India and China.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Turkey, a NATO member with complex ties to both Moscow and the West, announced in early September that it also wanted to join the bloc.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cancelled his planned trip to the summit at the last minute after suffering a head injury that caused a minor brain hemorrhage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'International desk', '[\"43\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-22 10:10:49', '2024-10-22 10:10:49'),
(13053, 13053, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is in completely sound health, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Last night, we got a huge number of phone calls and they inquired about the health of Prof Yunus. We want to inform you that he (chief adviser) is in completely sound health and well,\" he told a press briefing in front of the State Guest House Jamuna here.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alam said the chief adviser held a meeting with a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) delegation today as part of the ongoing dialogue of the government.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Chief Adviser\'s Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam were present at the meeting, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Chief Adviser\'s Press Wing released a huge number of photos on the meetings that he (CA) joined during last a week as the press secretary said Prof Yunus held meeting yesterday and also was present at a meeting with the BNP leaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to a question, Alam said the government is holding talks with the political parties and as part of it, the meeting was held at the State Guest House Jamuna here today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Replying to another query over removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, he said the government has not taken any decision so far to this end and it asked those who are demonstrating in the surrounding areas of Bangabhaban to leave the place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rumours were spread over the illness of Prof Yunus as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) formed a medical team on Tuesday for the treatment of the chief adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, BSMMU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Md Sayedur Rahman in a statement asked all not to spread rumours over the medical team for the treatment of the chief adviser.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prof Sayedur said the BSMMU forms such medical teams regularly to provide treatment for the heads of state and government and it is a routine matter (work).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2024-10-23 10:38:12', '2024-10-23 10:38:12');
