INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6674, 6674, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The United States on Wednesday announced a new $300 million military aid package for Ukraine that features a slew of ammunition ahead of a planned offensive against invading Russian forces.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The package \"includes additional ammunition for US-provided HIMARS (rocket launchers), additional howitzers, artillery and mortar rounds, and anti-armor capabilities that Ukraine is using to push back against Russia\'s unprovoked war of aggression,\" the Defense Department said in a statement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cited \"extensive work by the US government over the past few months to fulfill Ukraine\'s request ahead of its planned counter-offensive.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States has provided more than $35.7 billion in security assistance for Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in late February 2022. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 12:11:42', '2023-05-04 12:11:42'),
(6675, 6675, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has shared the outline of Bangladesh’s recently released Indo-Pacific outlook.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US side noted a number of areas of convergence between the two countries’ respective Indo-Pacific documents.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen briefed his US counterpart about various measures taken by Bangladesh’s Election Commission to pave the way for free and fair elections at both regional and national levels.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US side appreciated the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s commitment to free and fair elections as well as openness to engage international election monitors.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 9th Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue was held at the US Department of State headquarters in Washington DC on Wednesday where key bilateral and global issues of mutual interest were discussed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Ambassador Victoria Nuland led their respective delegations to the dialogue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Secretary Momen briefed the US side about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Japan, and later to Washington DC to celebrate the 50 years of partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Secretary shared some positive developments in Bangladesh’s recent human rights performance.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He reiterated the call for lifting the sanctions on RAB and extraditing Rashed Chowdhury, a self-confessed killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nuland acknowledged the Bangladesh Government’s announcement to review the Digital Security Act by this year.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also emphasized the importance of continuing progress in the labour sector reform in order to attract enhanced investment from the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both sides expressed satisfaction over the growing and vibrant business cooperation in a number of critical sectors.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They agreed to continue working further on cyber security and data protection to enhance business engagements by the US tech giants in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambassador Nuland appreciated Bangladesh’s remarkable generosity in hosting the Rohingyas from Myanmar and assured USA’s continued humanitarian support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Foreign Secretary Momen briefed Ambassador Nuland about the latest situation concerning the funding for Rohingyas as well as the renewed pilot scheme for repatriating a limited number of Rohingyas to Myanmar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both sides agreed to further scale up the resettlement programme for some of the most vulnerable Rohingyas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two sides exchanged their views on the climate change-related issues and discussed areas of cooperation in this regard.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Foreign Secretary invited Under Secretary Nuland to the 10th round of the Partnership Dialogue which will take place in Dhaka next year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran and senior officials from relevant ministries and the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington were present at the meeting.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and senior officials from the US State Department, White House and the USAID were present from the US side. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 12:52:50', '2023-05-04 12:52:50'),
(6676, 6676, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Amsterdam\'s airport late Wednesday for an unannounced visit to the Netherlands, with a trip to the International Criminal Court on his agenda, local media reported.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dutch news agency ANP said Zelensky, making his first visit to the Netherlands, landed at Schiphol airport after attending a Nordic summit in Helsinki.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">ANP published a dark photo of an aircraft, claiming it was the Dutch government plane probably carrying the Ukrainian leader.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky will visit the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is based in The Hague, the news agency said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In March, he issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ukrainian president is also expected to deliver a speech in The Hague entitled \"No peace without justice for Ukraine\", according to public broadcaster NOS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A meeting with Dutch MPs is planned, as well as talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, ANP reported, citing unnamed sources.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Netherlands has pledged both financial and military support to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The EU nation announced last month that it would buy 14 Leopard 2 tanks with Denmark to give to Kyiv, which is demanding more heavy weapons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky made another surprise visit to Finland on Wednesday, promising that this year would be \"decisive\" in dealing with Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I believe that this year will be decisive for us, for Europe, for Ukraine, decisive for victory,\" he told reporters during a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky also denied that Ukraine launched an attack on Putin, after Moscow claimed to have shot down two drones launched against the Kremlin compound.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dutch government plane that picked up Zelensky flew on Wednesday from a Polish airport to Helsinki, according to NOS. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 13:09:01', '2023-05-04 13:09:01'),
(6677, 6677, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Packaging works were already completed for sending the first consignment of mango to Italy from Bagha upazila of the district of the current season.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Wednesday evening, the mangoes were sent to Dhaka and those are expected to be sent to Italy today (Thursday).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Confirming the issue Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan said mangoes are being exported to Italy this time in the initial stage of the current season of the delicious fruit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said 300 kilograms of mangoes, which are local varieties, to be exported through Adab International, an exporting entity in Dhaka, in the preliminary stage.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shafiqul Islam, owner of Sadia Enterprize, a mango growing organization, said the advanced variety mangoes are very much tasty and its demand is comparatively higher than many other varieties in local markets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are trying to export it to make the variety popular in foreign markets,\" he said, adding the mangoes were sold at Taka 100 per kilogram for export.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the juicy and delicious fruit Mango has started appearing in the markets of Rajshahi city and its adjacent areas as its harvesting began today morning, abiding by the instruction of local administration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Like the previous years, some of the indigenous varieties have appeared in the markets as farmers and traders have started harvesting mangoes since the morning following the instruction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mozder Hossain, deputy director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), told BSS that most of the mangoes will mature and ripen within the stipulated time and then those could be harvested normally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said some of the indigenous varieties of mangoes have already ripened. But the other delicious and famous varieties- -Gopalbhog, Khirshapat and Langra- need some more days to be ripened.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the administrative decision, the farmers can pluck local varieties from today, while Gopalbhog from May 15, Ranipachhand May 20, and Himsagar or Khirshapat from May 25.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They can also harvest Langra from June 6, Amropali and Fazly from June 10, Ashwina and BARI Aam-4 from July 10, Gormati from July 10 and Ilamati from August 20.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mozder Hossain said there are mango orchards on 19,578 hectares of land with 63,986 trees in the district and the target has been fixed to produce around 2.58 lakh tonnes of mango worth around Taka 1,500 crore this year. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 13:24:45', '2023-05-04 13:24:45'),
(6678, 6678, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The price of bottled soybean oil has been hiked by Tk 12 per litre to Tk 199, which is effective from today (May 4, 2023).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (BVORVMA), the association of owners of edible oil refining and marketing companies, has increased the edible oil price, a press release said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the price per litre of bottled soybean oil was Tk 187.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the price of unbottled soybean oil was fixed at Tk 176 and the price of palm oil was fixed at Tk 135 per litre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The price of 5-litre bottle of soybean oil was fixed at Tk 960.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Claiming the higher price of soybean and palm oil, the traders argued for hiking the price by Tk 15 per litre to the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The commission allowed the price of bottled soybean oil to be increased to Tk 12 per litre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per consultation with the ministry and tariff commission, the BVORVMA issued a notification of increasing the edible oil price on Wednesday night. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 13:53:29', '2023-05-04 13:53:29'),
(6679, 6679, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting The Hague on Thursday and will meet with the leadership of the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Russia\'s Vladimir Putin, his spokesman said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are in The Hague. We will meet the leaders of the International Criminal Court,\" spokesman Sergiy Nykyforov told AFP, referring to the court which issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president in March over a war crime charge AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 14:20:29', '2023-05-04 14:20:29'),
(6680, 6680, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The price of bottled soybean oil has been hiked by Tk 12 per litre to Tk 199, which is effective from today (May 4, 2023).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (BVORVMA), the association of owners of edible oil refining and marketing companies, has increased the edible oil price, a press release said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the price per litre of bottled soybean oil was Tk 187.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the price of unbottled soybean oil was fixed at Tk 176 and the price of palm oil was fixed at Tk 135 per litre.</div><div><br></div><div>The price of 5-litre bottle of soybean oil was fixed at Tk 960.</div><div><br></div><div>Claiming the higher price of soybean and palm oil, the traders argued for hiking the price by Tk 15 per litre to the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>The commission allowed the price of bottled soybean oil to be increased to Tk 12 per litre.</div><div><br></div><div>As per consultation with the ministry and tariff commission, the BVORVMA issued a notification of increasing the edible oil price on Wednesday night. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 15:42:07', '2023-05-04 15:42:07'),
(6681, 6681, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh and South Korea on Thursday signed a new framework arrangement concerning USD 3 billion of concessional loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for the year 2023 through 2027.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The signing ceremony took place in Incheon, South Korea on the occasion of 56th Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB). Kisun Bang, South Korean First Vice Minister for Economy and Finance, and Sharifa Khan, Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh, signed the arrangement on behalf of respective sides.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>On this occasion, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the cooperation for Dhaka MRT Line 4 and EDCF Loan Agreement (L/A) for two projects, procurement of CNG-run buses and modernization of railway signalling system, have also been signed by concerned representatives from both sides.</div><div><br></div><div>The signed arrangement will serve as a legal foundation for the South Korean government’s provision of up to 3 billion US dollars in concessional loans to the Government of Bangladesh for the next five years.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the arrangement, the repayment period of the EDCF loans will be 40 years, including 15 year grace period, with the annual interest rate between 0.01%-0.05%.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the arrangement, candidate projects will be identified in the future in close consultation between the two governments.</div><div><br></div><div>With the signing of the new framework arrangement, Bangladesh has become the second largest recipient of South Korea’s Official Development Aid (ODA) across the globe.</div><div><br></div><div>The amount authorized by the newly signed arrangement has more than quadrupled compared to that of previous EDCF Framework Arrangement which stipulated provision of up to 700 million US dollars for the year 2021 through 2025.</div><div><br></div><div>So far, the Korean government has supported 30 development projects with aggregate amount of 1.7 billion US dollars through the EDCF.</div><div><br></div><div>The government of the Republic of Korea has made a bold decision to increase assistance considerably in view of amicable relations with Bangladesh and of the bright future of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>South Korean Ambassador Lee Jang-kuen said it is particularly meaningful to sign a new EDCF Framework Arrangement in the year of 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>\"With the substantial increase of the concessional loan to Bangladesh, it is expected that Korea will be able to support mega projects in Bangladesh, thus contributing to continuous socio-economic development of Bangladesh,\" said the South Korean Ambassador.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped this 3 billion US dollars support serves as a catalyst for improving daily lives of Bangladeshis, such as in the areas of transportation, health and education, and for enhancing friendship between the people of Bangladesh and South Korea. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 18:13:23', '2023-05-04 18:13:23'),
(6682, 6682, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Mohammed Shahabuddin called upon the Buddhist people to work for the welfare of the country and its people as he addressed the \'Buddha Purnima\' reception for the Buddhist leaders at Bangabhaban here.</span><br></b></div><div><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div>\"Show the light to the people. Work for welfare of the country and its people,\" he told the function at Credential Hall of the Presidential palace on the occasion of the \'Happy Buddha Purnima\', the greatest religious festival of the Buddhist community.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Head of State added: \"All religions of the world always tell about the welfare of people. Every religion has good things.\"</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Calling Goutam Buddha as a symbol of humanity and liberty, he advised all Buddhist community people to accept the best thing from the religion.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"You are part of one of the largest religious communities in the world. . . You have a lot of responsibilities and duties to establish peace and harmony in this region as well as in the world,\" he told the Buddhist leaders.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>\"Let us be inspired to live an honest and beautiful life, refrain from all kinds of dishonest activities and build ourselves as country\'s worthy citizens through good deeds,\" the President said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Noting that the religion is for the welfare of the mankind, he said, \"Religion is for the people\".</div><div><br></div><div>He also urged the countrymen to think of doing something good for all.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The leaders of the Buddhist community must reflect the teachings of Mahamati Buddha in their own lives and encourage others to do so as well, he hoped.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Congratulating the Buddhists in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the world, the President said, \"Bangladesh soil and people are mingled with ancient Buddhist monasteries, including many 1000-year-old Buddha Bihars (Buddhist temples).\"</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>He also put emphasis on inspiring everyone to lead an honest and beautiful life, to do good deeds and be worthy citizens of the country.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>On the occasion, the President and his wife Dr. Rebecca Sultana exchanged greetings with the representatives of Buddhist community for about an hour from 4:00 pm to 4:50 pm.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Buddhist religious leaders also greeted President Shahabuddin, also a valiant freedom Fighter, by presenting a bouquet.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan, Sangraj (the highest religious leader of Buddhist Community) Dr Gyanashree Mahathero, President\'s Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry Kazi Enamul Hassan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Chittagong Professor Dr Pravat Chandra Barua, Vice-Chairman of Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Supta Voshan Barua, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Bangladesh Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and Secretary of the Trust Joydatta Barua, among others, were present.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Over one thousand people, including over eight hundred invited guests, Buddhist community leaders, ambassadors, high commissioners and heads of different international agencies working in Bangladesh attended the reception.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Buddhist religious songs or music were also played through the sound system on the occasion. Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 19:14:38', '2023-05-04 19:14:38'),
(6683, 6683, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The World Health Organization says it has fired the scientist who led a high-profile delegation from the UN health agency to China two years ago to jointly look into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, citing sexual misconduct.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Peter Ben Embarek, who led the WHO side of a joint team with scientists in China, was dismissed last year, the health agency said. WHO says it has stepped up efforts to root out sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment in recent months after a string of cases and incidents were reported in the press.</div><div><br></div><div>“Peter Ben Embarek was dismissed following findings of sexual misconduct against him and corresponding disciplinary process,” said spokeswoman Marcia Poole said in an email. “The findings concern allegations relating to 2015 and 2017 that were first received by the WHO investigations team in 2018.”</div><div><br></div><div>She said other allegations could not be fully investigated as the “victim(s) did not wish to engage with the investigation process.”</div><div><br></div><div>Ben Embarek did not immediately respond to a call or text message to his mobile phone on Thursday. The news was first reported by The Financial Times.</div><div><br></div><div>Ben Embarek led an international team picked by WHO that traveled to China in early 2021, visited the Huanan market in Wuhan — the city where the first human cases appeared — and worked closely with Chinese scientists to try to identify how the virus first began sickening people.</div><div><br></div><div>The team issued a report in March that year that said the most likely scenario was that COVID-19 jumped from bats to humans via another animal, dismissing a lab leak as “extremely unlikely.” WHO officials, including Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, have since said that the origins remain unclear and the lab-leak theory cannot be ruled out.</div><div><br></div><div>Ben Embarek, a Danish expert on disease transmission from animals to humans, told a TV program in Denmark later in 2021 that he had concerns about a Chinese lab near the market later in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>The impact of Ben Embarek’s dismissal on efforts to solve that lingering enigma remains unclear. The joint WHO-China team has since been disbanded, and a separate panel of experts drafted by WHO has taken up the role of trying to find the origins of the coronavirus.</div><div><br></div><div>Word of the dismissal comes as WHO is convening an expert group this week to decide if COVID-19 remains an international health emergency, after sharp declines in case counts and deaths from the pandemic in recent months — even if pockets of cases continue.</div><div><br></div><div>WHO says it has been working to root out sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment in its ranks after press reports first arose in 2020 about systemic abuse of dozens of women during the agency’s response to an Ebola outbreak in Congo.</div><div><br></div><div>More than 80 staffers under the direction of WHO and partners were alleged to have raped women and young girls, demanded sex in return for jobs and forced some victims to have abortions, in the biggest known sex abuse scandal in the UN health agency’s history.</div><div><br></div><div>Not a single senior manager connected to the Congo abuse has been dismissed, despite documents showing WHO leaders were aware as it was happening. An internal U.N. report submitted to WHO earlier this year found that despite senior managers being informed of the sexual abuse, no misconduct was committed. ‍Source: UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 19:39:51', '2023-05-04 19:39:51'),
(6684, 6684, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A total of 340 people were killed by lightning strikes in the country from April 2022 to May 3, 2023.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Among them, 274 people including 239 men and 35 women died due to lightning strikes during the period of April to December last year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF) published the death toll during an awareness program involving 300 farmers on Thursday.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The SSTF has been monitoring casualties from thunderstorms since 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Kabirul Bashar,&nbsp; president of the organization and General Secretary Rashim Mollah demanded steps&nbsp; from the government to reduce the number of deaths from lightning.</div><div><br></div><div>They presented the government with two points of demand that include raising awareness among people regarding thunderstorms by incorporating the topic in textbooks and building lightning-resistant towers and planting high and fast-growing trees in open fields.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>According to SSTF statistics, the first death due to lightning in 2023 was reported on March 15.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>From March to May 3, 66 people died by lightning. Of them, 63 are men and three are women.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Eight people were injured during this period. 51 people died while working in the field alone, it said.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, eleven people died while on boats or while fishing.</div><div><br></div><div>The figures of lightning casualties were collected from national dailies, local daily newspapers, online news portals and television channels.</div><div><br></div><div>This year, the highest number of casualties from thunderstorms&nbsp; occurred in Sunamganj of Sylhet division. Seven people have died in the district. and five people died in Sylhet district.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 19:56:59', '2023-05-04 19:56:59'),
(6685, 6685, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Khaleda Zia returned to her Gulshan residence \'Feroza\' from Evercae Hospital on Thursday evening after medical check-ups and treatment there for five days, said her personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He said, \"Madam was discharged from hospital as per the decision of the medical board. The board has taken this decision after reviewing the tests. Now she will be treated at home.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Khaleda Zia left the hospital at 4:30 pm and reached home at 6:20 pm,” said the BNP chief’s media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.</div><div><br></div><div>Khaleda Zia was accompanied by Sharmila Rahman Sithi, wife of late Arafat Rahman Koko, at the hospital.</div><div><br></div><div>\"She had some illnesses, some symptoms. That\'s why she was admitted to the hospital. After admission, she responded fairly well to the treatment given under the close supervision of the physicians,”said Professor Zahid Hossain.</div><div><br></div><div>She was admitted to the hospital on Saturday night for some medical tests and required treatment.</div><div><br></div><div>Her medical board member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said the BNP chief&nbsp; was kept in a cabin under close observation of doctors and her condition improved a little as she was given treatment as per the advice of her medical board.</div><div><br></div><div>Khaleda, a 77-year-old former prime minister, has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart and eye problems.</div><div><br></div><div>Since her conditional release in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.</div><div><br></div><div>She visited the same hospital for health check-ups on February 27 last. Khaleda received treatment at the hospital six times since she was infected with Coronavirus in April 2021. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 21:36:43', '2023-05-04 21:36:43'),
(6686, 6686, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>One man was killed and at least six others were injured in a fire that broke out at a re-rolling mill of Bhulta Gauchia area of Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deceased was identified as Shankar, a worker of the mill.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Rescue team member Ashiq Hasan said the accident occurred when sevem workers of a re-rolling mill were burnt from hot molten iron.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>Later, they were rushed to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn &amp; Plastic Surgery where Shankar was declared dead.</div><div><br></div><div>Inspector Md Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH Police Outpost, confirmed the matter. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 22:52:51', '2023-05-04 22:52:51'),
(6687, 6687, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>At least seven teachers have been killed in a shooting at a school in northwestern Pakistan, following a separate attack in which another teacher was shot dead, Geo TV reported.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Both incidents took place on Thursday in the Parachinar area of Kurram tribal district near the border with Afghanistan, the local television channel said.</div><div><br></div><div>It said the motive behind the killings remained unclear, and that the teachers killed in both incidents belong to the country’s Shia Muslim minority.</div><div><br></div><div>Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said the “gruesome incident” took place in an area that has witnessed in the past sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni tribes.</div><div><br></div><div>“Most of the teachers who were killed belonged to the Turi Shia tribe,” Hyder said.</div><div><br></div><div>“This particular attack targeted the teachers while they were in the staffroom … They were there to conduct examinations which are under way throughout the province for lower secondary school,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The circumstances have remained “mysterious”, as not many people were able to see what had transpired, how many attackers were involved, or what their motives were, Hyder said.</div><div><br></div><div>Another teacher was gunned down earlier “not far away from that location”, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The tribal district contains a majority Shia population who are often attacked by armed groups as part of the local Taliban movement.</div><div><br></div><div>Local police said they were gathering more information and investigating the incident. Source: Aljazeera</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 22:56:47', '2023-05-04 22:56:47'),
(6688, 6688, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Moscow on Thursday accused the US of masterminding a drone attack on the Kremlin, a charge denied by Washington, and said Ukrainian sabotage on Russian territory had reached \"unprecedented momentum\".</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Moscow said President Vladimir Putin was working from the Kremlin the day after the attack, which it said was a Ukrainian attempt to kill him.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Decisions on such attacks are not made in Kyiv, but in Washington,\" Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Kyiv only does what it is told to do... Washington should understand clearly that we know this,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine has denied responsibility, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying \"We do not attack Moscow or Putin.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The US also denied any involvement.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Peskov is just lying there, pure and simple,\" John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said on MSNBC.</div><div><br></div><div>Throughout its more than year-long offensive in Ukraine, Moscow has maintained that Kyiv is taking orders from the US -- accusing the West of leading a war against Russia by proxy.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Unprecedented\' sabotage -</div><div>The Kremlin attack came as Russia prepares to mark one of its main holidays of May 9 -- celebrating the Soviet victory over the Nazis -- with a traditional military parade on Red Square.</div><div><br></div><div>It came after five days of extraordinary apparent sabotage attacks, including trains derailed by explosions and massive fires in annexed Crimea.</div><div><br></div><div>On Thursday, Russia\'s southern Krasnodar and Rostov regions, both near Ukraine, reported drone strikes that caused fires.</div><div><br></div><div>But the Kremlin insisted the May 9 parade will go ahead, despite the attacks in border regions and in the heart of Russian power, though under \"strengthened\" security.</div><div><br></div><div>Russian television on Thursday showed Putin in the Kremlin for the first time since the drone attack.</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian leader does not plan \"any address on this topic\", according to his spokesman.</div><div><br></div><div>Moscow did however acknowledge that the country was facing an \"unprecedented\" wave of sabotage.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia has opened a terrorism probe into the Moscow attack.</div><div><br></div><div>Russia has not released official images of the attack. Unverified social media images showed a drone hitting the Kremlin Senate building.</div><div><br></div><div>Peskov said \"two copper sheets\" on the dome of the 18th-century building had been damaged by fire.</div><div><br></div><div>\"They have been or will be replaced, everything will be like new. There is no other damage.\"</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Criminal actions\' -</div><div><br></div><div>As Moscow accused the US of planning the Kremlin attack, Ukraine\'s Zelensky arrived on a surprise visit to The Hague.</div><div><br></div><div>He visited the International Criminal Court, which in March issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the alleged illegal deportation of Ukranian children.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We all want to see a different Vladimir here,\" Zelensky said, referring to the Russian President, his namesake, who he believes \"deserves to be sanctioned for his criminal actions here, in the capital of international law.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Zelensky called for a special tribunal to be created to hold Russia to account for its \"crime of aggression\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"There should be responsibility for this crime. And this can only be enforced by the tribunal,\" he told diplomats and officials at the court.</div><div><br></div><div>The Netherlands has pledged both financial and military support to Ukraine since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>Zelensky also met Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and said that Ukraine was \"realistic\" that it would not be able to join NATO while still fighting Russia.</div><div><br></div><div>\"But we want a very clear message that we will be in NATO after the war,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Putin has used Ukraine\'s wish to join the alliance to justify launching his offensive.</div><div><br></div><div>- Intense strikes -</div><div><br></div><div>On the day of the alleged Kremlin attack, Ukraine said Russia shelled the southern Kherson region, including in a strike on a supermarket.</div><div><br></div><div>At least 23 people died, and 46 were wounded in the strikes, officials said.</div><div><br></div><div>After the Kremlin accused Kyiv of attempting to kill Putin, Ukrainian authorities said they faced a new series of strikes overnight.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ukrainian air force said Thursday that Russia had fired 24 attack drones overnight, of which 18 were downed. Authorities said there were no casualties.</div><div><br></div><div>Sergiy Popko, the head of the city of Kyiv\'s military administration, said that \"all enemy missiles and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were destroyed over Kyiv by air defence forces\".</div><div><br></div><div>Popko said it was the third day of attempted strikes on Kyiv in May, reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our city has not experienced such intensity of strikes since the beginning of this year,\" he said, adding that debris from the downed drones had fallen on various parts of the city.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-04 23:06:57', '2023-05-04 23:06:57'),
(6689, 6689, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A 27-member delegation including 20 Rohingyas left for Myanmar’s Rakhine on Friday morning to monitor the arrangements made by the Myanmar government ahead of a planned repatriation of Rohingya refugees.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The delegation left Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila on a speed boat through the Naf River around 9am on Friday. There are 20 Rohingyas, including three women, a translator and six Bangladeshi officials of different departments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A 16-member BGB team accompanied them to ensure security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md Shamsud Douza, the additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner said the delegation will monitor Myanmar\'s repatriation arrangement and the situation in Rakhine’s Maungdaw town.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“They’ll visit the place where the Rohingya people will live following their repatriation,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The delegation will be back to Tekhnaf by the evening, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, a list of more than 800,000 Rohingyas was sent to Myanmar from the Bangladesh government. The country had identified about 1,140 people in the first phase as a pilot project to repatriate from the list.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, Myanmar voiced objections regarding 429 individuals on the list.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On March 15, a 19-member technical team came to Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf, and met 480 members of 177 Rohingya families and returned to Myanmar. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 15:14:50', '2023-05-05 15:14:50'),
(6690, 6690, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arrived&nbsp; in London on an official visit to the UK to attend the coronation of UK’s King Charles III.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The flight carrying the premier landed land at Heathrow International Airport in London at 11:49pm local time (4:49am Friday Bangladesh Time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She flew to London on a five-day visit after concluding a six-day visit to the USA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her stay in London, Hasina will attend the coronation of UK’s King Charles III, to be hosted by Buckingham Palace on May 6. She will represent Bangladesh at the ceremony.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It will be held at Westminster Abbey on May 6 and the King, who will be crowned along with the Queen Consort, will be the 40th reigning monarch crowned there since 1066.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She is expected to attend a reception for the King and Queen Consort to be held at Buckingham Palace on May 5.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also, on the same day, the PM will take part in the Commonwealth Leaders\' Forum hosted by the Commonwealth secretary general at Marlborough House in presence of the king.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is expected that the heads of states or governments of about 130 countries (including the heads of governments of most Commonwealth countries) will participate in the coronation ceremony to be held in the UK after 70 years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the visit, Prime Minister Hasina will also attend a civic reception organized at a London hotel and exchange views with expat Bangladeshis and British citizens of Bangladeshi origin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PM is expected to return home on May 9, concluding her 15-day three-nation visit to Japan, the USA and the UK.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM Hasina was in Japan from 25 to 28 April at the invitation of Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 15:18:23', '2023-05-05 15:18:23'),
(6691, 6691, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources, the two leaders may hold the talks&nbsp; at the bilateral meeting room of the Marlborough House of the The Commonwealth Secretariat here at London Pall Mall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This will be the British leader\'s first meeting with Hasina after he took office on October 25 last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hasina is in London on the third and final leg of a three-nation official tour that also took her to Japan and the US.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the afternoon the prime minister&nbsp; &nbsp;will attend the Commonwealth Leaders Event at Marlborough House of the The Commonwealth Secretariat&nbsp; at London Pall Mall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She will have Interaction with King Charles III, head of the Commonwealth at the Delegate\'s Lounge and join Commonwealth joint family photo session in the Garden of Marlborough House.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina will also attend the Commonwealth leaders\' closed discussion at the Main Conference Room which will be chaired by President of Rwanda and Commonwealth Chair in Office Paul Kagame.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the evening, she will attend King\'s reception for heads of the state,&nbsp; governments and overseas representatives at Buckingham Palace in advance of the coronation of&nbsp; the King and the Queen Consort.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, Professor Payam Akhavan will call on PM Hasina at the bilateral room of the Claridge’s Hotel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Akhavan is professor of International Law and Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto, Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and former Legal Advisor, Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 15:22:29', '2023-05-05 15:22:29');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6692, 6692, '<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A light earthquake jolted different parts of Dhaka in the early hours of today.</b></p><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The quake was felt around 5.57am at 4.3 degree on Richter scale, according to a Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) press release.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The quake\'s epicenter was Dohar, approximately 30 km away from East South East of BMD Seismic Centre, Agargaon, Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, no casualty was reported. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 15:57:19', '2023-05-05 15:57:19'),
(6693, 6693, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A strong earthquake hit near central Japan on Friday, but officials said there was no preliminary damage and no tsunami threat.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 6.2 quake happened in Ishikawa prefecture near the central west coast of the main Japanese island of Honshu, according to the U.S. Geological Survey\'s earthquake information center.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan\'s Kyodo News agency reported that there was nothing concerning at a nearby nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japanese officials said there could be small waves but no tsunami danger.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan is one of the world\'s most earthquake-prone nations. A massive 2011 quake in the country\'s northeast caused a devastating tsunami and nuclear plant meltdown that still reverberates today. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 16:00:25', '2023-05-05 16:00:25'),
(6694, 6694, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">An unnamed youth was killed last night after coming under a moving train in Karwan Bazar Rail Crossing in the capital.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The boy, 17, was trying to cross the rail line in a hurry as the Mymensingh bound Haor Express was going through the track at around 10.30 pm on Thursday. He was hit by the moving train and fell under that. He died on the spot,\" duty officer ASI Navera Nasrin of Kamalapur Railway Police Station told BSS.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police said the body of the boy, who was wearing a navy-blue full pant and sky blue full shirt at the time of the accident, was badly severed and barely recognizable. His body was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An unnatural death case has been filed in this regard. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 16:32:29', '2023-05-05 16:32:29'),
(6695, 6695, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A ship carrying record numbers of reconditioned vehicles imported from Japan and Singapore has arrived at Chittagong port recently.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Malaysian flag carrier \'MV Malaysia Star\' carrying 1265 reconditioned vehicles berthed at&nbsp; the port\'s Jetty No. 7 and 8,&nbsp; said Barrister Badruzzaman Munshi, deputy commissioner of Chittagong Customs House.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said that 569 vehicles were unloaded at Chittagong Port. The rest will be cleared at Mongla port, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Chittagong Customs sources, because of the dollar crisis, the opening of LC for luxury goods was closed for a long time. Recently,&nbsp; vehicle LCs have been opened again as the economic situation has become normal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The port authorities have expressed hope that the revenue from these cars will be over Tk 200 crore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Habibur Rahman, the former general secretary of Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA), an organisation of car dealers, said that if the economy of the country is to be kept alive, the use of cars must be continued. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 16:35:05', '2023-05-05 16:35:05'),
(6696, 6696, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has criticised the government for its alleged lack of planning to protect the country\'s environment from the adverse effects of global climate change.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a seminar titled \'Climate Change: Bangladesh and Rivers,\' organized by BNP, he said that Dhaka has become one of the most polluted cities in the country due to the government\'s negligence in addressing the issue of environmental pollution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The BNP leader accused the government of having no plan to address these issues and improve people\'s future or livelihoods.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The small rivers that once existed in Savar-Dhamrai have nearly died out. You may have noticed that several clubs have emerged along the Turag river, with the backing and support of high-ranking government officials,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“These clubs have been constructed on top of the riverbed. Water levels are decreasing, and rivers are being encroached upon - anyone can see it. Those who are connected to the current government are responsible for these actions, yet no measures are being taken against them,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called for a people-oriented government to protect the environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fakhrul highlighted various measures, including the banning of plastic bags, a canal digging programme and the banning of tri-stroke baby taxis, taken under BNP\'s rule to protect the environment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He stressed that a people-oriented government is needed to protect the environment and democracy is necessary for accountability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The harmful aspects of building dams upstream in India and the threat to nature and biodiversity were also discussed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other speakers included BNP Standing Committee member, Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain, who criticised the government\'s Farakka Treaty agreement and the lack of a guarantee clause.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Media Cell Convener Zahir Uddin Swapan and Save the Sundar Foundation Chairman Sheikh Faridul Islam spoke at the seminar. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"4\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 17:54:26', '2023-05-05 17:54:26'),
(6697, 6697, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Train movement from Dhaka to the country’s Western, North and South regions has remained suspended since Friday afternoon after a freight train got derailed on Dhaka-Iswardi rail tracks in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Md Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sirajganj Bazar Railway Police Station, said the derailment occurred around 2pm when the freight train came from Ishwardi and was changing lines at the Ullapara Rail Station, causing suspension of the train movement.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A salvage train from Pakshi arrived at the spot and was trying to remove the two derailed bogies, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As of the filling of this report around 4:20pm, the train movement remained suspended, the railway officer added. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 18:45:22', '2023-05-05 18:45:22'),
(6698, 6698, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\'s government has been working constantly to build a toxic-free state structure.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The government is not making the state-structure toxic rather it is working incessantly to build a toxic-free country,\" he said in a statement protesting against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir\'s recent \"misleading comments\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quader said BNP, which was born at the hands of military dictator Ziaur Rahman who seized the state power through the barrel of gun, had poisoned the state-structure by staying in power for a long time. The state and society are still bearing the brunt, he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The minister said BNP, in the name of politics, established and nurtured the anti-liberation forces and the ideology against the spirit of Liberation War everywhere.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the course of time, BNP has become a poisonous tree, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government led by Bangabandhu\'s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is determined to build a non-communal, progressive, developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh after rooting out the poisonous tree.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AL general secretary said Mirza Fakhrul ascertained his stance against the independence by raising questions over the number of freedom fighters in AL.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the secretary general of BNP, formed with some brokers, killers and anti-liberation forces, is making derogatory comments against Awami League which led the country\'s great Liberation War.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These comments reveal their stance against the independence, he mentioned. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 18:59:50', '2023-05-05 18:59:50'),
(6699, 6699, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh reported 9 more Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours till Friday morning.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the new numbers, the country\'s total caseload rose to 2,038,300 according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,446 as no new fatalities were reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The daily case test positivity increased to 2.18 percent from Monday\'s 1.14 percent as 412 samples were tested.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.41 percent and 1.44 percent, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 in 2021 and highest number of fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 19:48:09', '2023-05-05 19:48:09'),
(6700, 6700, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend King Charles III\'s reception for heads of state and government or overseas representatives in advance of the coronation of the King and Queen Consort.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event will begin at the Buckingham Palace at 5:15 in the afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Prime Minister arrived in London at 11:49 pm on May 4 to attend the coronation of King Charles III, to be held on May 6, on the third leg of her visit after attending a programme of the World Bank marking its 50-year partnership with Bangladesh in Washington DC, the USA and a bilateral visit to Japan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prior to the reception, the Prime Minister, this afternoon, will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - a biennial summit of governmental leaders from all Commonwealth nations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The summit will be held at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat, London and the Bangladesh Premier is scheduled to attend the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interaction with King Charles III, Head of Commonwealth, by the Commonwealth Heads of the Governments is scheduled to be from 14pm to 14.45pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Closed discussion of the Commonwealth leaders will be held at the Main Conference Room, to be chaired by Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, Commonwealth Chair in Office, from 3pm to 4.30pm.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A Commonwealth joint family will also be captured at the event.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Charles III, 74, became King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on September 8, 2022, after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;As per royal tradition, a British monarch\'s coronation takes place some months later, after national mourning and intense preparations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">King Charles III\'s coronation ceremony will be held at London\'s Westminster Abbey on May 6.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The event is expected to be attended by heads of state from around the world, including Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium, Japan, Hungary and Australia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had met King Charles III last year in London and offered her condolences over the passing away of Queen Elizabeth II. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 19:56:37', '2023-05-05 19:56:37'),
(6701, 6701, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Covid-19 pandemic, which for over three years has killed millions of people, wreaked economic havoc and deepened inequalities, no longer constitutes a global health emergency, the WHO said Friday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is \"with great hope that I declare Covid-19 over as a global health emergency\", WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, estimating that the pandemic had killed \"at least 20 million\" people -- nearly three times the official estimate. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 20:06:29', '2023-05-05 20:06:29'),
(6702, 6702, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday afternoon attended the Commonwealth Leaders Event here in London.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The event started at 2pm local time (7:00pm Bangladesh Time) at Marlborough House of the Commonwealth Secretariat at Pall Mall.</div><div><br></div><div>In the event, Sheikh Hasina had Interaction with King Charles III, head of the Commonwealth at the Delegate\'s Lounge. She will join the Commonwealth joint family photo session in the Garden of Marlborough House.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina will also attend the Commonwealth leaders\' closed discussion at the Main Conference Room there, which will be chaired by President of Rwanda and Commonwealth Chair in Office Paul Kagame.</div><div><br></div><div>In the evening, she will attend the King\'s reception for heads of states, governments and overseas representatives at Buckingham Palace in advance of the coronation of&nbsp; the King and the Queen Consort.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Professor Payam Akhavan will call on PM Hasina at the bilateral room of the Claridge’s Hotel.</div><div><br></div><div>Akhavan is professor of International Law and Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto, Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and former Legal Advisor, Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Sheikh Hasina arrived in London on an official visit to the UK from Washington in the early hours of Friday to attend the coronation of UK’s King Charles III, to be hosted by Buckingham Palace on May 6.&nbsp; She will represent Bangladesh at the ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>It will be held at Westminster Abbey on May 6 and the King, who will be crowned along with the Queen Consort, will be the 40th reigning monarch crowned there since 1066.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM is expected to return home on May 9, concluding her 15-day three-nation visit to Japan, the USA and the UK. UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-05 20:12:10', '2023-05-05 20:12:10'),
(6703, 6703, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today held her maiden bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) Rishi Sunak this afternoon.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The bilateral meeting of the two leaders held at the bilateral meeting room of the Marlborough House of the Commonwealth Secretariat here at London Pall Mall, sources familiar with the process told BSS.</div><div><br></div><div>This was the first meeting of the two leaders since Sunak assumed his office on 25 October last year.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister arrived in London at 11:49 pm on May 4 to attend the coronation of King Charles III to be held on May 6, on the third leg of her visits after attending a programme of the World Bank marking its 50-year partnership with Bangladesh in Washington DC, the USA and a bilateral visit to Tokyo in Japan. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 11:49:48', '2023-05-06 11:49:48'),
(6704, 6704, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A 27-member delegation including 20 Rohingyas that left for Myanmar’s Rakhine on Friday morning returned to Bangladesh on Friday around 5.50 pm after visiting 15 villages and other infrastructure built for the Rohingyas.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“We have visited the places in our village, but I still don\'t see any opportunity to go there before fulfilling demands. We want to see the fulfillment of our demand from here (Bangladesh) and then we will return to Myanmar,” said Sufian, a member of the delegation and a resident of Rohingya camp number 26 while speaking at a briefing after returning at Teknaf-Myanmar Transit Ghat in Cox\'s Bazar.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We went there and made our demands. We have demanded citizenship, we have demanded our land,\" Sufian added.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, also the leader of the 27-member delegation team that went to Rakhine State, said, “We returned today with 20 Rohingyas after visiting the arrangements made for them around Maungdaw town. I have seen the goodwill of the Myanmar government regarding repatriation. We want to start repatriation.”</div><div><br></div><div>\"We also had Rohingya representatives with us. Basically this event is for them. They will be deported, so they have been shown it in person. Myanmar authorities have briefed, visited various places,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>At that time, Mizanur Rahman also assured that there are a lot of Rohingya in Maungdaw city.</div><div><br></div><div>“As far as I can tell, about 80% of the Rohingya are doing business. I have spoken to them and told them that they are not facing any problem,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Mohammad Selim, a Rohingya member of the delegation and a resident of Rohingya camp number 26, said that after many years, we have had the opportunity to see our country Myanmar.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our last word is that if we are not given security, citizenship and land, we will not go back to Myanmar,” Selim said.</div><div><br></div><div>Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Additional Secretary) Mohammad Khalid Hossain, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Biswajit Debnath and senior officials of various government agencies were present in the delegation.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, a list of more than 800,000 Rohingyas was sent to Myanmar from the Bangladesh government. The country had identified about 1,140 people in the first phase as a pilot project to repatriate from the list.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, Myanmar voiced objections regarding 429 individuals on the list.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 15, a 19-member technical team came to Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf, and met 480 members of 177 Rohingya families and returned to Myanmar. Accoridng to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 14:54:36', '2023-05-06 14:54:36'),
(6705, 6705, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The latest report of the Internal Monetary Fund (IMF) on Asia-Pacific region forecasts that Bangladesh\'s GDP growth rate in the current fiscal year will overtake that of China.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The report also predicts that Bangladesh will be in second place, after Vietnam, in terms of GDP growth rate in Asia-Pacific in the next fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the IMF\'s Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and Pacific May 2023 report, Bangladesh is expected to surpass both China and India in terms of growth in 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>In Bangladesh, GDP growth rate will slow down to 5.5 percent in 2023 because of demand-management measures, which is still higher than China\'s projected growth rate of 5.2 percent.</div><div><br></div><div>But the economy of China is much bigger than that of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The IMF report suggests that the recently approved Extended Fund Facility for Bangladesh will help address economic challenges caused by Russia\'s war in Ukraine, and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility arrangement will expand fiscal space to finance climate investment priorities and build resilience against long-term climate risks.</div><div><br></div><div>The report highlights the importance of international cooperation, particularly in securing financial assistance for climate change adaptation in vulnerable emerging markets in the region, including Bangladesh and the Pacific Islands. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 17:44:52', '2023-05-06 17:44:52'),
(6706, 6706, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>More than 170 people have died after heavy rains and flooding in eastern DR Congo\'s South Kivu province, officials said Friday, after torrential downpours killed dozens in neighbouring Rwanda.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>South Kivu governor Theo Ngwabije said dozens of people were unaccounted for in the Kalehe region, west of Lake Kivu and near the Rwandan border, where the floods also washed away hundreds of homes.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have about 176 people dead,\" he said while visiting the affected area.</div><div>\"This toll is provisional,\" he said. \"We also have about 100 people missing.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Archimede Karhebwa, the assistant administrator of Kalehe, had earlier told AFP that about 100 people had died, according to a provisional toll.</div><div><br></div><div>A day of national mourning will be observed on Monday with flags lowered to half-mast \"in memory of the lost compatriots\", the government announced on Friday evening.</div><div><br></div><div>Several villages in Kalehe were submerged when rivers burst their banks after heavy rains, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Karhebwa said the floods carried away hundreds of houses and also \"surprised vendors and their clients in the markets\".</div><div><br></div><div>Innocent Mupenda, a civil society figure from the region, said a downpour started on Thursday afternoon, before the \"river carried away villagers\".</div><div>His mother and 11 children died in the flood, Mupenda said.</div><div><br></div><div>Heavy downpours during rainy seasons in central Africa regularly lead to flooding and landslides. AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 17:52:47', '2023-05-06 17:52:47'),
(6707, 6707, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The admission test of first year honours of Dhaka University (DU) for the 2022-2023 academic sessions was held peacefully at the Khulna University sub-center on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>At least 95.46 percent admission seekers out of 8,597 students attended the first day’s examination from 11.00am to 12.30pm today. The admission seekers took part in the examination under humanity, law and social science group, said a KU press release.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides the KU, some students took part in the admission test at Dildar Ahmed Government Secondary School, Reverend Pauls High School and Hope Polytechnic Institute under the KU center.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor of KU Dr Mahmud Hossain visited different centers during the admission test.</div><div><br></div><div>Expressing his satisfaction, the KU VC said, admission seekers became very happy by participating the entry test in a peaceful atmosphere, reports BSS</div><div><br></div><div>He also thanked government, DU Authorities for taking admission test outside the capital for avoiding hassle free examination, the press release added.</div><div><br></div><div>The admission test for the Science faculty will be held at the same venue on May 12 while the admission test for the Business faculty will be held only at the KU center on May 13, the press release added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 18:11:13', '2023-05-06 18:11:13'),
(6708, 6708, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A wild elephant was found dead in a paddy field in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur district on Friday morning, said forest officials.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>According to the forest department and locals, several herds of elephants from Garo hill along the border had been damaging crops and&nbsp; vegetables at Kangsha union of the upazila for the past couple of weeks. To prevent damage of crops, farmers set electric wires surrounding the croplands.</div><div><br></div><div>Md Mokrul Islam Akanda, a Rangatiya&nbsp; range official of the Forest Department, said that they recovered the body from the cropland of one Nuhu Miah at Paschim Bakakura village under Kangsha union in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Primarily it seemed that the elephant died from electrocution while it was trying to enter the cropland, he said, adding that they seized&nbsp; some electric and GI wires from the area.</div><div><br></div><div>The exact reason behind the death of the three and a half year old elephant will be known after getting the autopsy report, the forest officer said.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr ATM Fayezul Razzak Akanda, a livestock officer of the upazila, said though they primarily found no marks of injuries on the body and collected samples for viscera test to know the exact reason of death. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 18:52:03', '2023-05-06 18:52:03'),
(6709, 6709, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The harvesting of onion, the main cash crop of three upazilas of the district, has already been completed with excellent production during the current season, Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;The onion cultivation exceeded the fixed target and the cultivators are happy to get bumper production of their products and high prices, the sources added.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>DAE office has set a target for cultivating onion on 6,500 hectares of land during the current season in all seven upazilas of the district with the production target of 96,395 metric tons of onion. But onion was cultivated on 6,782 hectares of land exceeding its fixed target by 282 hectares.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The DAE office had set a target for cultivating onion on 5,954 hectares of land last year with a production target of 63,113 metric tons of onion. But, the farmers had cultivated onion on 6,449 hectares of land exceeding the fixed target.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Most of the onion is cultivated in three upazilas of the district Harirampur, Ghior and Shibalaya. More than 80 percent of onion is cultivated only in those upazilas.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Ahmed Ali, 50, one of the onion cultivators of village Maluchi under Shibalaya upazila said \"We have achieved a bumper production during the current season as we got quality seeds, fertilizers and other agri inputs at the right time, adding that the prices of onion are satisfactory.\"</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Babul Mia, 43, another onion culvators of village Naudubi under Harirampur upazila of the district said \"every year the prices of onion declined on a large scale during the harvesting time, this year it does not happen, rather we are getting more than our expectation.\"</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Now per kilogram of moisturized onion is being sold at Taka 60 in retail markets and Taka 50-55 in wholesale markets all over the district, the market sources said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Abu Mohammad Enayet Ullah, Deputy Director (DD) of DAE, said the land of three upazilas of the district is suitable for onion cultivation and the farmers of the areas cultivate this spicy product as one of the best cash crops, reports BSS</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Most of the onions of these areas are supplied to the various markets in the country including capital city Dhaka round the year, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 21:00:04', '2023-05-06 21:00:04'),
(6710, 6710, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">King Charles III was crowned Saturday at Westminster Abbey, receiving the bejeweled St. Edward\'s Crown in a ceremony built on ancient traditions at a time when the monarchy is striving to remain relevant in a fractured modern Britain.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Trumpets sounded inside the medieval abbey and the congregation shouted “God save the king!” at a ceremony attended by more than 2,000 guests, including world leaders, aristocrats and celebrities. Outside, thousands of troops, tens of thousands of spectators and a smattering of protesters converged.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the culmination of a seven-decade journey for Charles from heir to monarch.</div><div><br></div><div>To the royal family and government, the occasion — code-named Operation Golden Orb — was a display of heritage, tradition and spectacle unmatched around the world. The rite was expected to by watched by millions, though the awe and reverence the ceremony was designed to evoke are largely gone — and many greeted the day with a shrug.</div><div><br></div><div>Some even met it with disdain. Republican protesters gathered outside to holler “ Not my king ” for a celebration of an institution they say stands for privilege and inequality, in a country of deepening poverty and fraying social ties. A handful were arrested.</div><div><br></div><div>Nonetheless, thousands of people from across the U.K. and around the world camped overnight along a 1.3-mile (2-kilometer) route that the king and his wife, Camilla, traveled to reach the abbey in a gilt-trimmed, horse-drawn carriage.</div><div><br></div><div>The church buzzed with excitement and was abloom with fragrant flowers and colorful hats as the congregation of international dignitaries and nobles arrived. Among them were U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, eight current and former British prime ministers and celebrities including Judi Dench, Emma Thompson and Lionel Richie.</div><div><br></div><div>At a traditional Anglican service slightly tweaked for modern times, Charles, clad in crimson and cream robes, swore on a Bible that he is a “true Protestant.”</div><div><br></div><div>But a preface was added to the coronation oath to say the Church of England “will seek to foster an environment where people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely,\" and the epistle from the King James Bible was read by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Britain\'s first Hindu leader.</div><div><br></div><div>A gospel choir performed a newly composed “Alleluia,” and, for the first time, female clergy took part in the ceremony. It was also the first to include representatives of the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh faiths.</div><div><br></div><div>In an ancient display of kingly power, Charles was anointed with oil from the Mount of Olives in the Holy Land and presented with an orb, swords and scepters, before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the solid gold crown bedecked with more than 400 precious stones on the monarch’s head. As trumpets sounded, gun salutes were fired across the U.K.</div><div><br></div><div>For 1,000 years and more, British monarchs have been crowned in grandiose ceremonies that confirm their right to rule. Charles is the 40th sovereign to be crowned in the abbey — and, at 74, the oldest.</div><div><br></div><div>These days, the king no longer has executive or political power, and the service is purely ceremonial since Charles automatically became king upon death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September.</div><div><br></div><div>The king does remain the U.K.’s head of state and a symbol of national identity — and Charles will have to work to bring together a multicultural nation and shore up support for monarchy at at time when it is waning, especially among younger people.</div><div><br></div><div>The anti-monarchy group Republic said six of its members, including its chief executive, were arrested as they arrived at a protest. Police have said they will have have a “low tolerance” for people seeking to disrupt the day, sparking criticism that they are clamping down on free speech.</div><div><br></div><div>The multimillion-pound cost of the all the pomp — the exact figure unknown — also rankled some amid a cost-of-living crisis that has meant many Britons are struggling to pay energy bills and buy food.</div><div><br></div><div>Still, Charles has sought to lead a smaller, less expensive royal machine for the 21st century. His was a shorter affair than Elizabeth\'s three-hour coronation, with fewer guests and an abbreviated procession — though there was still plenty to see: judges in wigs, soldiers with gleaming medals attached to red tunics, members of the House of Lords, world royalty, heads of state, public servants, key workers and local heroes.</div><div><br></div><div>The notoriously feuding royal family put on a show of unity. Heir to the throne Prince William, his wife, Kate, and their three children were all in attendance. William’s younger brother Prince Harry, who has publicly sparred with the family, arrived alone. His wife Meghan and their children remained at home in California.</div><div><br></div><div>Towards the end of the ceremony, William knelt before his father and pledged loyalty to the king — before kissing him on the cheek.</div><div><br></div><div>Then Welby invited everyone in the abbey to swear “true allegiance” to the monarch. He invited people watching on television to pay homage, too — though that part of the ceremony was toned down after some criticized it as a tone-deaf effort to demand a public oath of allegiance for Charles.</div><div><br></div><div>Today\'s public is very different from the audience that saw Elizabeth crowned. Almost 20% of the population now comes from ethnic minority groups, compared with less than 1% in the 1950s. More than 300 languages are spoken in British schools, and less than half of the population describe themselves as Christian.</div><div><br></div><div>Still, people came from around the world, and across Britain, to be part of the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>“It’s just to be surrounded by love and to see our King Charles. He’s our mainstay,\" said Jill Coughlin, a royal fan from Essex, east of London. \"We loved our queen and this is just further generations. So it’s wonderful for us, absolutely wonderful.” According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 21:04:36', '2023-05-06 21:04:36'),
(6711, 6711, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Bangladesh Metrological Department (BMD) has predicted formation of a low pressure area over the Southeast Bay and adjoining area.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“A low pressure area is likely to form over Southeast Bay and its adjoining area by May 8,” said Dr Abul Kalam Mallik, a meteorologist of BMD.</div><div><br></div><div>“Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places,” Met office said in its bulletin.</div><div><br></div><div>Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Day and night temperatures may rise slightly over the country.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, a trough of Westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 21:13:29', '2023-05-06 21:13:29'),
(6712, 6712, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chinese cut-price fast-fashion giant Shein defended its business model in an interview with AFP, saying demand-based production accounted for its low prices and not forced or cheap labour.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Founded in China in 2008, Shein has swiftly claimed a top place in the global fast-fashion marketplace, offering young social-media-savvy customers low-priced collections that turn over at a steady clip.</div><div><br></div><div>The Singapore-based firm\'s strategy chief Peter Pernot-Day told AFP that Shein is \"an on-demand manufacturer... the global pioneer of this technology\" during a visit to Paris to attend the opening of a Shein pop-up store.</div><div><br></div><div>Testing products with a small run and spooling up production if there was demand meant Shein has eliminated \"inventory risk\", Pernot-Day said, wiping out \"the most significant component of garment cost\".</div><div><br></div><div>Shein\'s sales rose 60 percent in 2021 to $16 billion worldwide, Bloomberg reported -- just behind Swedish high-street name H&amp;M.</div><div><br></div><div>With 9,000 employees worldwide and counting, Shein has big plans for further expansion.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s important to have teams that are in the countries and geographies and regions where we are doing business,\" Pernot-Day said.</div><div><br></div><div>The \"localisation\" strategy includes building a 40,000-square-metre (430,000 square feet) new warehouse in Poland allowing faster deliveries to the European market.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There will be more,\" he added.</div><div><br></div><div>Online, Shein plans to create a digital marketplace that will allow shoppers to buy other products from other brands through its platform.</div><div><br></div><div>Pernot-Day said the fashion and lifestyle shopping experience would resemble a \"digital grand magasin\", referring to Paris\' swanky department stores.</div><div><br></div><div>- \'Still learning\' -</div><div><br></div><div>But relentless expansion of sales and production is exactly what NGOs and some governments hold against Shein, saying its low costs cannot be compatible with fair treatment of labour or the environment.</div><div><br></div><div>Pernot-Day insisted that doing away with the risk of being left with unsold inventory and warehousing accounted for its ability to offer extremely low prices, such as T-Shirts for just 4.99 euros ($5.50).</div><div><br></div><div>\"We are able to accurately measure... demand and only produce enough garments to meet that,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Shein\'s efforts to green its image include a second-hand clothing business in the US, materials research and integrating recycled materials in its products.</div><div><br></div><div>While acknowledging \"fair criticism\" that its product pages offer consumers little detail about recycled content and other tracability factors, \"we\'re trying to enhance how we describe and categorise our products,\" Pernot-Day said.</div><div><br></div><div>He insisted that Shein is \"very connected digitally\" with suppliers\' information about sourcing.</div><div><br></div><div>The company carried out up to 300,000 chemical tests this year alone, Pernot-Day said, adding that it worked with Oritain, a product analysis firm that also works with the US government.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'re still learning,\" he added. \"The challenge is that we have a lot of suppliers, lots of products\".</div><div><br></div><div>Pernot-Day also maintained that Shein has \"no suppliers in Xinjiang\" in northwestern China, where aid groups have accused it of using forced labour by Uyghur people.</div><div><br></div><div>US lawmakers recently asked the SEC financial watchdog to require an independent investigation into allegations of forced Uyghur labour at several brands including Shein.</div><div><br></div><div>But the company uses a US government forced labour blacklist \"to look at our supply chain and understand whether or not the companies are in there,\" Pernot-Day said.</div><div><br></div><div>And when allegations are made of copied goods being sold on Shein, \"if it is (proved), we remove it from sale, if not, we won\'t,\" he added, although \"this is a difficult legal question\", reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We\'ve seen a reduction of the number of complaints against us\" for intellectual property violations, Pernot-Day told.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 21:22:24', '2023-05-06 21:22:24'),
(6713, 6713, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader had told his concerns about the upcoming elections in five city corporation polls, doubting whether the voters will be able to cast their votes without facing intimidation</b>.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>GM Quader said, \"Will voters be able to cast their votes? Even if they can cast their votes, will those be counted? Will not the ruling Awami League declare the candidates elected as per their choice?\"</div><div><br></div><div>Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader said this while speaking at the 40th founding anniversary of Jatiya Svechchasevak Party at Jatiya Party Chairman\'s Banani office.</div><div><br></div><div>The JP boss said, \"We have given candidates in five city corporation elections. We want to win in all the five city corporations because the candidates who have been nominated have acceptance among people.\"</div><div><br></div><div>GM Quader said, those who talk big in the name of democracy, those who talk about people\'s right to food and vote, have eroded people\'s confidence in voting system.</div><div><br></div><div>He said people are fade up and disappointed with politics. Because common people think that whether we vote or not, the government supporters will win.</div><div><br></div><div>\"People are worried about whether they will be beaten when they go to the vote centres, whether their homes will be attacked,\" Quader added.</div><div><br></div><div>The JP chairman said, Jatiya Party will stand for the people in the upcoming national elections. \"We will do what the people want in the parliamentary elections. We will establish people\'s right to vote.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Quader also said that there is no democracy in the country now. All the powers of the state are now in the hands of one person.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 21:31:28', '2023-05-06 21:31:28');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6714, 6714, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Sri Lanka\'s Matheesha Pathirana led an inspired pace attack to help Chennai Super Kings hammer Mumbai Indians by six wickets in a clash of IPL heavyweights on Saturday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Pathirana, who is called \"Baby Malinga\" for his slinging action similar to former Sri Lankan pace ace Lasith Malinga, returned figures of 3-15 to limit five-time winners Mumbai to 139-8 in Chennai.</div><div><br></div><div>New Zealand opener Devon Conway made 44 as M.S. Dhoni\'s Chennai -- four-time IPL champions -- romped home with 14 balls to spare.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhoni praised Pathirana, saying, \"People who don\'t have any clean action, batsmen have a difficult time picking it. But his consistency, pace makes him special.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Dhoni advised the youngster to stay away from Test cricket and concentrate on playing \"only ICC tournaments with ODIs\".</div><div><br></div><div>The left-handed Conway put on a strong opening stand of 46 with Ruturaj Gaikwad and moved second in the batting chart with 458 runs behind Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis (466).</div><div><br></div><div>The 41-year-old Dhoni hit the winning run at Chennai\'s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium as fans, who are coming in numbers to cheer the superstar cricketer in what it is expected to be his last IPL season as player, went wild.</div><div><br></div><div>Shivam Dube hit an unbeaten 26 off 18 balls as Chennai jumped a spot to second behind table-toppers Gujarat Titans in the 10-team table.</div><div><br></div><div>Chennai\'s bowlers set up victory after they rattled the Mumbai top-order including the key wickets of Cameron Green, out for six after opening the batting, and skipper Rohit Sharma, dismissed for a second successive duck after coming at number three.</div><div><br></div><div>The opening pace duo of Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande reduced Mumbai to 3-14 inside three overs before Nehal Wadhera (64) and Suryakumar Yadav (26) attempted to rebuild in their stand of 55.</div><div><br></div><div>Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja sent back Suryakumar and the 20-year-old Pathirana, who has played one T20 for Sri Lanka, bowled Wadhera with a yorker -- his main weapon -- to take the steam out of the Mumbai batting.</div><div><br></div><div>Pathirana with a unique celebration of his hands in front of his chest and eyes in meditation said, \"I\'m a die-hard fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and have modelled my celebration after him.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Wickets kept tumbling as the dangerous Tim David fell for two off Deshpande and Pathirana got South African batsman Tristan Stubbs for 20. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-06 21:40:45', '2023-05-06 21:40:45'),
(6715, 6715, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">King Charles and Queen Camilla have been crowned on a historic day of pageantry, capped by cheering from crowds in front of Buckingham Palace.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands packed the Mall despite the rain, after a deeply religious Coronation service at Westminster Abbey and a huge procession through London.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The King and Queen waved from the Palace balcony as the RAF Red Arrows painted the sky red, white and blue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the BBC understands Prince Harry was not invited to join them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Duke of Sussex had been at the ceremony in the abbey earlier, sitting two rows back from his brother Prince William - the first time they had been seen together since Harry\'s sensational memoir, Spare, was released. He left for the US straight afterwards.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The King\'s day began shortly after 10:00 BST, with the procession to Westminster Abbey in the horse-drawn Diamond Jubilee State Coach, past cheering crowds and an honour guard of 1,000 members of the armed forces.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Faith leaders and commonwealth leaders began the processions, with the King and Queen following behind.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The two-hour ceremony - the first to crown a monarch in 70 years - was watched on TV around the world, as well as some 2,300 people inside the abbey.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After the crown was placed on Charles\'s head cries of \"God Save the King\" were heard inside and outside, and gun salutes were made across the UK.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Celebrity guests were among those inside Westminster Abbey - including actress Emma Thompson and US singer Katy Perry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US First Lady Jill Biden and her granddaughter Finnegan arrived in a three-car motorcade, although President Biden did not travel to the UK. French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska were also in the abbey, as were Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and leaders of the Commonwealth countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In all, 90 heads of state attended, the Foreign Office said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Coronation\'s main theme was the importance of service.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I come not to be served, but to serve,\" the King said in his first prayer after reaching the abbey.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Charles was proclaimed as the \"undoubted King\" in the first stage of the ceremony. The congregation was then asked to show their homage and service, shouting \"God Save the King\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yet among the music and oaths, there were moments of complete silence as each stage of the ancient ceremony finished.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Traditions rarely seen elsewhere in modern life were maintained - such as the inclusion of the orb and sceptre and the carrying of the gilded Sword of State.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In one part of the service, the King was screened from public for the anointing - seen as the most sacred part of proceedings.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This was where the King was anointed with holy oils by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The need for privacy, the Palace said, was because it \"has historically been regarded as a moment between the Sovereign and God\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While waiting for the anointed King to reappear, choristers sang Handel\'s Zadok the Priest - performed at every coronation since 1727.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prince William also made a pledge of loyalty to King Charles, and kissed him on the cheek, before members of the congregation were invited to offer their own support.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Returning to the Palace, it was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry as the newly crowned King and Queen travelled up The Mall in the Gold State Coach flanked by thousands of servicemen and women.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In total, 4,000 armed forces personnel and 19 military bands took part - making it the biggest state occasion since the coronation of the late Queen in 1953.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the very English weather - constant rain - there was a celebratory atmosphere on The Mall, with periodic Mexican waves and police officers being cheered.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among the thousands of spectators, many of whom camped overnight for the best viewing spot, was Alexandra Hornyak, 57, from Montreal, Canada.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'ve known for years that I would want to attend this day, and the day that it was announced, I was driving to the office, and my husband just called me and said \'May 6\',\" she told the BBC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I knew exactly what it was. And I jumped on the phone to get a hotel reservation and we went from there.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hours later, the Prince and Princess of Wales tweeted a video of the family\'s day, writing: \"What. A. Day. Thank you to everyone who made it happen.\" BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbdd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 07:49:57', '2023-05-07 07:49:57'),
(6716, 6716, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Police say a shooting at a Dallas-area mall left 9 dead and others injured.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A gunman stepped out of a silver sedan and began shooting people at an outlet mall in Allen, Texas, on Saturday, sending hundreds of shoppers fleeing in panic in the latest gun violence to strike the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Witnesses who were at the Allen Premium Outlets told The Associated Press they saw multiple victims, including some who appeared to be children, and that they saw a police officer and a mall security guard who appeared to be unconscious on the ground.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A gunman stepped out of a silver sedan and began shooting people at an outlet mall in the Dallas suburb of Allen, Texas, on Saturday, killing an unknown number and sending hundreds of shoppers fleeing in panic in the latest gun violence to strike the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Witnesses who were at the Allen Premium Outlets told The Associated Press they saw multiple victims, including some who appeared to be children, and that they saw a police officer and a mall security guard who appeared to be unconscious on the ground.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Allen police said in a Facebook post that nine victims had been taken to hospitals. Medical City Healthcare, a Dallas-area hospital system, said in a written statement it was treating eight between the ages of 5 and 61. Their conditions were unknown.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dashcam video that circulated online showed a gunman step out of a vehicle outside the mall and immediately start shooting at people on the sidewalk. More than three dozen shots could be heard as the vehicle recording the video drove off.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Allen Police officer was in the area on an unrelated call when he heard shots at 3:36 p.m., the police department wrote on Facebook.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“The officer engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat. He then called for emergency personnel. Nine victims were transported to local hospitals by Allen Fire Department,” the agency wrote in the Facebook post. “There is no longer an active threat.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mass killings are happening with staggering frequency in the United States this year: an average of about one a week, according to an analysis of The AP/USA Today data.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The White House said President Biden had been briefed on the shooting and that the administration had offered support to local officials. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has signed laws easing firearms restrictions following past mass shootings, called it an “unspeakable tragedy.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A crowd of hundreds of people who had been shopping stood outside, across the street from the mall, Saturday evening. Officers circulated among them asking if anyone had seen what happened.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fontayne Payton, 35, was at H&amp;M when he heard the sound of gunshots through the headphones he was wearing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It was so loud, it sounded like it was right outside,” Payton said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">People in the store scattered before employees ushered the group into the fitting rooms and then a lockable back room, he said. When they were given the all-clear to leave, Payton saw the store had broken windows and a trail of blood to the door. Discarded sandals and bloodied clothes were laying nearby.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once outside, Payton saw bodies.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I pray it wasn’t kids, but it looked like kids,” he said. The bodies were covered in white towels, slumped over bags on the ground, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It broke me when I walked out to see that,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Further away, he saw the body of a heavyset man wearing all black. He assumed it was the shooter, Payton said, because unlike the other bodies it had not been covered up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tarakram Nunna, 25, and Ramakrishna Mullapudi, 26, said they saw what appeared to be three people lying motionless on the ground, including one who appeared to be a police officer and another who appeared to be a mall security guard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another shopper, Sharkie Mouli, 24, said he hid in a Banana Republic store during the shooting. As he left, he saw what appeared to be an unconscious police officer lying next to another unconscious person outside the outlet store.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“I have seen his gun lying right next to him and a guy who is like passing out right next to him,” Mouli said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stan and Mary Ann Greene were browsing in the Columbia sportswear store when the shooting started.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We had just gotten in, just a couple minutes earlier, and we just heard a lot of loud popping,” Mary Ann Greene told The Associated Press.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Employees immediately rolled down the security gate and brought everyone to the rear of the store until police arrived and escorted them out, the Greenes said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eber Romero was at the Under Armour store when a cashier mentioned that there was a shooting.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As he left the store, Romero said, the mall appeared empty, and all the shops had their security gates down. That is when he started seeing broken glass and people who had been shot on the floor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Video shared on social media showed people running through a parking lot while gunfire could be heard.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Read more: Teenage boy kills 8 children, guard at school in Belgrade</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 30 police cruisers with lights flashing were blocking an entrance to the mall, with multiple ambulances on the scene.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A live aerial broadcast from the news station showed armored trucks and other law enforcement vehicles stationed outside the sprawling outdoor mall.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ambulances from several neighboring cities responded to the scene.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dallas office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Allen, a suburb about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of downtown Dallas, has roughly 105,000 residents. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 08:32:54', '2023-05-07 08:32:54'),
(6717, 6717, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the Awami League (AL) government also wants free and fair elections in Bangladesh likewise the United Kingdom (UK) as its Foreign Minister James Cleverly along with his wife Susannah Sparks called on her here.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We also want fair elections. My party always maintains democracy in the country. We have given the country’s democracy a strong footing,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen quoted her as saying while briefing reporters after their meeting on Saturday (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s younger daughter and the Bangladesh premier’s only sister Sheikh Rehana, among others, was present at the meeting held at the bilateral meeting room of Sheikh Hasina’s Palace of Residence, The Claridge Hotel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Briefing the newsmen at the hotel, the foreign minister said the UK foreign minister has talked about the upcoming general election in Bangladesh and they want a fair election to be held in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In response, the Bangladesh prime minister said, “We’re committed to hold a fair election. It requires participation of all and I want cooperation from all to hold a fair poll.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the AL government has done everything required to hold a fair election that includes introducing a voter list with photographs and transparent ballot boxes as none can manipulate the polls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the contrary, the BNP had prepared a voter list with 1.23 crore fake voters for rigging votes during its tenure, she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We have made the Election Commission (EC) as independent and powerful enough alongside bringing institutional frameworks to hold a fair election,” she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said they believe in Westminster like democracy following which Bangladesh has introduced a question-answer session.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the meeting, several bilateral issues like climate, trade and commerce alongside the Rohingya have come up for the talks prominently among others issues, Momen said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UK foreign minister has highly praised the humanitarian role of Bangladesh premier for sheltering a huge number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Britain will remain beside Bangladesh for quick repatriation of Rohingyas,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Momen said the British government has taken a bill on the Rohingya issue in the Security Council and played an effective role to pass the resolution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UK foreign minister also expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh premier as she joined the coronation of King Charles III.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has a very good relationship with the UK since Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur&nbsp; Rahman arrived in London after being released from the Pakistani jail following the country’s independence and was warmly received there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The UK foreign minister said, “Relations between Bangladesh and the UK is very deep-rooted and it is being further consolidated as the days approaches and the relationship has been strengthened over the years.”&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He lauded the economic advancement of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh premier has highly praised the late Queen Elizabeth II recalling that the Queen had always inquired about her and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Momen said Sheikh Hasina also had interactions with King Charles III during the Commonwealth Leaders’ Event while she invited the King to visit Bangladesh and the King replied positively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, PM’s Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida&nbsp; Muna Tasneem, among others, were present at the briefing. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 08:46:44', '2023-05-07 08:46:44'),
(6718, 6718, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has offered Bhutan to build an economic zone in Bangladesh for mutual benefits as Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema had a meeting with her here.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“We’re establishing economic zones in Bangladesh. You can build an economic zone in our country which will be familiar with the Bhutan Economic Zone,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen quoted her as saying in a news briefing after their meeting on Saturday (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the Bangladesh premier and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana received the Bhutanese King and Queen upon their arrival at Sheikh Hasina’s Palace of Residence, The Claridge Hotel as the meeting was held at its bilateral meeting room.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh premier said they have already provided economic zones in Bangladesh to India, Japan and South Korea.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“If you want, we can give you an economic zone in Kurigram,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina has made the offer when the Bhutanese King said they wanted to build an administrative economic zone in his country keeping the environment unharmed.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh foreign minister said Bhutan doesn’t want to endanger their country environmentally as their country is a happy one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said that Bangladesh has been developing communication with neighbours through all the ways that include railways.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Bangladesh is a connectivity hub. Bhutan can use Bangladesh’s two ports and the Syedpur International Airport as we make those open for this purpose,” she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bhutanese King and Queen highly praised the economic advancement of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has expressed his desire to get direct transit with Bangladesh through India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladesh premier has welcomed the Bhutan’s eagerness, saying, “If necessary, we will talk to India over the matter.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bhutanese King said his country’s prime minister and foreign minister have a special attachment with Bangladesh as both of them studied in Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said both the premier and foreign minister of Bhutan have wanted to visit Bangladesh privately.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">To this end, Sheikh Hasina said, “My door is open for your people.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the 50 minutes meeting, they also discussed various family affairs and the Bhutanese King and Queen considered the prime minister as their maternal aunt, the Bangladesh foreign minister said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, PM’s Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida&nbsp; Muna Tasneem, among others, were present at the meeting. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 09:45:21', '2023-05-07 09:45:21'),
(6719, 6719, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">With eight more days left to appear the Bangla month of Jyestha, commonly known as \"Modhumash\", the juicy fruit litchi has started appearing in the local markets including Rajshahi city and its adjacent areas in limited scale.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But due to its less quantity, the present price is beyond the purchasing capacity of the commoners.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The summer season will bring many other juicy fruits like mango and jackfruit naturally in the region by mid of this month and June abundantly that will infuse dynamism into the local economy like the previous years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Shafiqul Islam, principal scientific officer of Fruit Research Station, told BSS that only the local varieties of litchi have started appearing in the markets at present. But, the Bombay variety is expected to come to the markets within the next couple of weeks abundantly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said many people are getting benefits by growing litchi as China-3 (hybrid), Bombay and Madrazi are the most popular varieties in the region. Litchi is grown well in Rajshahi and Dinajpur districts but \'litchi of Ishwardi\' is very delicious and famous across the country, Dr Islam added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to commercial farming, high yielding China-3, Bombay and Madrazi variety litchis are also being cultivated on homestead lands.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said commercial farming of some of the fruits especially mango and litchi are gradually increasing in the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dr Shafiqul Islam, however, mentioned that satisfactory flowering was seen in many of the trees in the region including Ishwardi, which is famous for litchi production, during the current season that will create a positive impact on total production.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seasonal traders set up makeshift shops at different points in the city especially Shaheb Bazar, Bindurmore, Laxmipur Bazar, Sheroil Bus Terminal, Railway Station and Court Bazaar with the eye-catching fruit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the advent of the season, every 100 litchi fruits are being sold at Taka 300 to 450 based on quality and size.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sellers said the price is high as the supply is scanty but it will be reduced to some extent when the supply will be enhanced within the next couple of days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trader Shamim Hossain in Shaheb Bazar area said many farmers are harvesting immature litchi with the hope of getting more money.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abdur Razzaque of Kapasia village said all of his 30 litchi trees on one bigha of land bloomed this year and there were large number of \'guti\' (young litchi) on the branches.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sharing his personal experience, he said a five-year-old tree can produce around 100 to 150 kilograms of litchi which are equivalent to 2,000 to 6,000 pieces of fruits in number.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most of the families at Bargachhi, Bagsara, Charghat and Bagha have become economically solvent by cultivating the fruit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Shamsul Wadud said many people became self-reliant by cultivating litchi in recent years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said there are hundreds of litchi orchards on more than 1,000 hectares of land which produces huge yields. This production meets the local demand as well as being consigned to other parts of the country every year, Wadud added. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 10:45:45', '2023-05-07 10:45:45'),
(6720, 6720, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka’s air ranked 9th most polluted among cities around the world this morning, as per Air Quality Index (AQI).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The air in Dhaka was categorised as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, with an AQI score of 104 at 9:10am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chile’s Santiago, India’s Delhi and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 170, 158, and 157 respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 10:48:33', '2023-05-07 10:48:33'),
(6721, 6721, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Vietnam posted a record high temperature of 44.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday, officials said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The reading from a weather station in the north-central Thanh Hoa province breaks the country\'s previous high of 43.4 degrees and comes only a month after much of South Asia endured record-breaking temperatures. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 11:10:36', '2023-05-07 11:10:36'),
(6722, 6722, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in South Korea on Sunday as Seoul and Tokyo seek to restart their \"shuttle diplomacy\" and mend ties in the face of growing nuclear threats from Pyongyang.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plane carrying Kishida landed at Seoul Airport in Seongnam on Sunday -- the first official bilateral visit by a Japanese leader to South Korea in over a decade. He was greeted by officials ahead of a key summit later in the day with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The East Asian neighbours, both key security allies of the United States, have long been at odds over historic issues linked to Japan\'s brutal 1910 to 1945 colonial occupation of the Korean peninsula, including sexual slavery and forced labour.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But President Yoon has made resetting ties with Japan a top priority for his administration, and was in Tokyo in March for a key fence-mending visit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida said Sunday ahead of his departure that the two leaders were working to resume their so-called \"shuttle diplomacy\" -- paused for years during a bitter trade spat linked to the forced labour issue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During their March summit, Kishida and Yoon agreed to end tit-for-tat trade curbs, with Kishida inviting the South Korean leader to a G7 meeting in Hiroshima this month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida said he was looking forward to \"an honest exchange of views\" with Yoon, \"based on a relationship of trust\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After his arrival, Kishida will visit the Seoul National Cemetery -- where South Korea\'s war veterans are buried -- to lay flowers. He will hold talks with Yoon on Sunday afternoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yoon is expected to host a dinner party at the presidential residence -- likely serving Korean barbeque -- and he may even cook for Kishida, according to local reports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Forced labour dispute -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2018, South Korea\'s Supreme Court ordered Japanese firms to compensate the wartime victims of forced labour, enraging Tokyo and triggering a breakdown in ties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Yoon, who took office last year, has sought to bury the historical hatchet, earlier announcing a plan to compensate victims without direct involvement from Tokyo.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida said Sunday that the leaders planned to hold \"candid exchanges\" on this topic.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Around 100 South Koreans gathered Saturday to protest Kishida\'s trip, saying that Japan\'s wartime animosities must be on top of the agenda at Sunday\'s summit.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kishida \"must sincerely apologise for Japan\'s crimes against humanity and fulfil its responsibilities,\" said demonstrator Kim Jae-won.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The best possible outcome for Koreans would be for \"Kishida to apologise in his own words,\" Benjamin A. Engel, research professor at the Institute of International Affairs at Seoul National University, told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Even then it probably won\'t be enough for many Koreans, but if Kishida has nothing new to say compared with the previous meeting the summit will not be well received in Korea,\" Engel said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Efforts to mend ties come as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who last year declared his country an \"irreversible\" nuclear power, doubles down on weapons development and testing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pyongyang has conducted a record-breaking string of launches in 2023, including test-firing the country\'s first solid-fuel ballistic missile -- a technical breakthrough.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States and South Korea have in turn been ramping up their defence cooperation, staging a series of major military exercises including two trilateral drills involving Japan this year. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 12:01:17', '2023-05-07 12:01:17'),
(6723, 6723, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The UN nuclear chief warned of dangerous conditions around Europe\'s largest nuclear power plant as Russia\'s evacuation of civilians from near the Zaporizhzhia station has sparked fears of escalating conflict in the area.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly raised concern over the safety of the six-reactor plant in southern Ukraine, which has been on the front line since Russian forces seized it last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Blaming stepped-up shelling from the Ukrainian side, Russia last week ordered families with children and elderly to temporarily leave the nearby town of Enerhodar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The general situation in the area near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous,\" IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in a statement on Saturday. \"I\'m extremely concerned about the very real nuclear safety and security risks facing the plant.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While the nuclear plant\'s staff remain onsite, IAEA experts have \"received information that the announced evacuation of residents from the nearby town of Enerhodar -- where most plant staff live -- has started and they are closely monitoring the situation for any potential impact on nuclear safety and security,\" Grossi added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Enerhodar evacuation is part of a wider removal order that extends to 18 other frontline locations in the Zaporizhzhia region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ivan Fedorov, mayor of Melitopol, a city in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, accused the Russian forces of proceeding too quickly with the evacuation, with buses departing every 20-30 minutes starting Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Posting pictures on Telegram of the checkpoint between Russian-occupied Melitopol and annexed Crimea, he said on Saturday that there was \"a mad panic and no less mad queues\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The partial evacuation they announced is going too fast, and there is a possibility that they may be preparing for provocations and (for that reason) focusing on civilians,\" Fedorov wrote on Telegram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moscow has blamed Kyiv -- and its Western supporters -- for a series of attacks and sabotage operations, including on the Kremlin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine has been preparing an offensive against Russian forces for months and some analysts see these recent incidents as a sign it is now imminent. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 12:06:18', '2023-05-07 12:06:18');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6724, 6724, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Rodrygo Goes fired Real Madrid to Copa del Rey glory with a clinical double in a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in Seville on Saturday, with Brazilian compatriot Vinicius Junior playing a part in both goals.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carlo Ancelotti\'s Madrid earned their 20th Spanish Cup at La Cartuja in their 40th final, ending a nine-year wait to lift the trophy again.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Osasuna, who have never won a major trophy, fought well but ultimately fell short against the reigning Spanish and European champions, who face Manchester City on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-finals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Madrid have now won all six of the trophies available to them during Ancelotti\'s second reign at the club, after the Italian returned in 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rodrygo fired Madrid ahead inside two minutes after Vinicius\' run down the left, and Ancelotti\'s team had the better chances in the first half.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, Lucas Torro levelled for Osasuna in the 58th minute to give them hope of an upset in their first cup final since 2005, and second ever.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rodrygo whisked it away, firing home after a rebound fell his way following another Vinicius charge, ensuring Madrid would take the trophy back to the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They made the difference, Vini unbalanced them and Rodrygo scored the two goals,\" said Ancelotti of his Brazilian wingers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Madrid beat both Atletico Madrid and then rivals Barcelona to reach the final and Ancelotti said it was time to celebrate, but not too heavily ahead of the clash with City.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This Copa arrived at an important moment, we came through very tricky ties, it\'s a deserved prize against strong opponents,\" added the coach.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This night we will celebrate, a little bit, not too much, and then we will get back to work for Tuesday.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate deployed midfielder Jon Moncayola at right-back to try and stop Madrid winger Vinicius.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It didn\'t work. Vinicius broke in down the left in the second minute and his dangerous cut-back was missed by Fede Valverde but slammed home by Rodrygo.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Brazilian, in sparkling form, scored the earliest Copa del Rey final goal since 2006 -- a year after Osasuna finished runners-up to Real Betis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Karim Benzema should have doubled Madrid\'s lead but Sergio Herrera saved brilliantly to deny the forward after another lightning Vinicius break.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Osasuna earned a foothold in the game and came inches from equalising when on loan Barcelona winger Ez Abde broke through on goal but Dani Carvajal cleared his effort off the line.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Vinicius in wars -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Madrid continued to push for their second goal -- David Alaba struck the crossbar with a free kick and Vinicius went down in the box under pressure from Osasuna defender David Garcia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">His appeals were waved away and Vinicius clashed with Garcia, who attended the 2005 final as a childhood supporter, who ruffled his hair to annoy him further.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vinicius was booked just before half-time for complaining, and exchanged heated words with Osasuna substitute Chimy Avila as the players walked in at half-time.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Torro drilled Osasuna level from the edge of the box when Abde\'s deflected cross fell into his path.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The club\'s passionate supporters celebrated wildly, including letting off a flare which needed to be extinguished, and one fan was taken away on a stretcher, although he appeared to be smiling.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Osasuna\'s joy did not last long though, with Vinicius making another dangerous burst in down the left -- Madrid president Florentino Perez later calling him the best in the world in his position.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vinicius fed Toni Kroos, whose shot was blocked, but Rodrygo was in the right place at the right time to finish with aplomb and put Madrid\'s name on the trophy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I\'m really happy, we were talking about this in the week, that it was a long time since Madrid had won this competition,\" Rodrygo told Spanish television broadcaster La 1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Osasuna departed with the taste of defeat but their heads held high.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s very difficult to defend against (Vinicius) and on Tuesday I am sure City will suffer too,\" said coach Arrasate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s not news that Vinicius stood out, Rodrygo scored two as well, we\'re talking about two of the best players in the world.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"(Madrid) are champions because they deserve this cup, but we\'re proud of the team, and let\'s try to do it again.\" AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 12:18:09', '2023-05-07 12:18:09'),
(6725, 6725, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Gazipur City Corporation’s (GCC) former mayor Jahangir Alam on Sunday submitted a writ petition to the High Court, challenging the legality of cancellation of his nomination paper for the mayoral post in the upcoming GCC election.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barrister Nakib Saiful Islam, on behalf of the former mayor, submitted the petition to the HC bench concerned a week after Gazipur’s Returning Officer (RO) Faridul Islam cancelled his nomination paper in a primary scrutinization, as he is a “loan defaulter”.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On May 4, Jahangir appealed to Dhaka divisional commissioner against the cancellation; the appeal was rejected on the same day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After being rejected, Jahangir moved the HC, challenging the cancellation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 30, during primary scrutinization, Jahangir’s nomination was cancelled while his mother Zaida Khatun’s nomination was declared valid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jahangir was the guarantor of an industrial organization. Jahangir was declared a loan defaulter along with the organization, the returning officer said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Though the former mayor and his counsel submitted documents demonstrating paying off the loan along with the nomination paper, the returning officer cancelled his nomination during the scrutinization. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 13:58:12', '2023-05-07 13:58:12'),
(6726, 6726, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for their foreign trips amid the country\'s current \"crises\", Dawn reported.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently in the UK for the coronation of King Charles III while Foreign Minister Bilawal visited India on Thursday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)\'s Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imran Khan, while addressing a PTI rally from inside his vehicle in Lahore, took aim at the two leaders. The rally was held to show support and solidarity with the Supreme Court, Constitution and Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Pakistan is being humiliated in the world. We ask the question, Bilawal you are touring the entire world but first tell us, before going, do you ask anyone that you\'re spending the country\'s money on a trip, so what will be the benefit or loss from it?\" Khan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The PTI chief questioned what benefit was gained from the trip to India, Dawn reported.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his remarks at the SCO meeting, said terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, must be stopped, usually a reference to Pakistan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We firmly believe that there can be no justification for terrorism and it must be stopped in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later, he alleged that Pakistan backed terrorists in Kashmir and the Pakistan foreign minister\'s position was \"found out and called out\", according to Dawn. NTDV</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 14:06:08', '2023-05-07 14:06:08'),
(6727, 6727, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Kangana Ranaut has said that she does not want many people to see the conversation that she has with her fans. She was responding to a suggestion that she should ‘buy followers’ on social media.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A fan of Kangana\'s tweeted to her, \"Seriously @KanganaTeam you are top actress you should also buy fake followers like other actresses you deserve better than this.\" Kangana responded to the suggestion and wrote, \"No, no I don’t want too many people to see my personal communication with my fans only those who are deserving. Even if they become less it’s better …. Lord Krishna has said anything of value you must never offer unless asked for … there are consequences to such an act of irresponsibility.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kangana\'s fans were happy with her response and many tweeted to apperiate her take. \"Exactly, and why need fake followers she is the real person in the outer world and inner too ..much love,\" one of them said. Another one added, \"That’s what make you different from others. This is the reason we admire you.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most recently seen in Rajneesh Ghai\'s Dhaakad, Kangana has several interesting projects lined up for next. She will star in P Vasu\'s Chandramukhi 2 - a sequel to the blockbuster hit Tamil horror comedy film Chandramukhi that featured Rajinikanth and Jyothika. Kangana will essay the role of a court dancer in the new film.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kangana is also set to make her directorial debut later this year with the film Emergency. She essays the role of India\'s first woman prime minister, late Indira Gandhi in the film that also stars Pankaj Tripathi, Mahima Chaudhry, Anupam Kher, and Shreyas Talpade. Kangana will also has Tejas, Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda, and The Incarnation: Sita in the pipeline. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 14:30:59', '2023-05-07 14:30:59'),
(6728, 6728, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A man who went on a rampage at a Texas outlet mall on Saturday shot dead eight people before he was himself killed, authorities said.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>More 7 others also sustained critical injuries in the incident.</div><div><br></div><div>\"(We) found seven deceased individuals on scene. We transported nine individuals to the hospital... Of those we transported, two have since died,\" said fire chief Jonathan Boyd of Allen, Texas.</div><div><br></div><div>The shooting sparked panic at Allen Premium Outlets, a sprawling shopping complex in Allen, 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Dallas, filled with weekend shoppers.</div><div><br></div><div>A police officer was in the mall on an unrelated call when gunfire broke out around 3:30 pm (2030 GMT), said chief Brian Harvey of the Allen police department.</div><div><br></div><div>\"He heard gunshots, went to the gunshots, engaged the suspect and neutralized the suspect,\" Harvey said. \"He also then called for ambulances.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The identity of the shooter was not released. His body, sprawled on a sidewalk, was one of the seven deaths at the mall when more police arrived.</div><div><br></div><div>Among the wounded at area hospitals, \"three are in critical surgery, and four are stable,\" Boyd, the fire chief, said.</div><div><br></div><div>Some of the victims were as young as five years old, a hospital official told NBC News.</div><div><br></div><div>Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the mass shooting an \"unspeakable tragedy.\"</div><div><br></div><div>President Joe Biden \"has been briefed on the shooting,\" a White House official told reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>Local officials hailed the actions of the police officer who charged and killed the shooter.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We owe a debt of gratitude to first responders that ran toward the gunfire and acted swiftly to neutralize the threat,\" said Keith Self, a Republican congressman whose district includes the city of Allen.</div><div><br></div><div>Video footage aired by CNN showed the shooter getting out of a sedan in the parking lot of the mall, and beginning his rampage.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities believed initially that a second shooter might be on the loose. As police combed through stores in the mall, frantic shoppers and store employees rushed into parking lots.</div><div><br></div><div>Harvey later said police believe the unidentified shooter, who CNN said was wearing tactical gear, \"acted alone.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Janet St. James, a spokesperson for Medical City Healthcare, which operates multiple trauma facilities in North Texas, said it received eight patients from the shooting, ranging in age from five to 61, NBC News reported.</div><div><br></div><div>A father who arrived at the mall after his daughter, who was inside, phoned to tell him about the shooting, also told CNN that police had informed him there may have been a second shooter.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We saw the police outside the door, and they told us we had to go, and that they are still looking for the person,\" Jaynal Pervez said, according to CNN.</div><div><br></div><div>\"There\'s no more safe places. I don\'t know what to do.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Pervez later told broadcaster CBS that scenes in the mall parking lot were chaotic.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I saw the shoes around there, people\'s cell phones on the street,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>With more firearms than inhabitants, the United States has the highest rate of gun deaths of any developed country -- 49,000 in 2021, up from 45,000 the year before.</div><div><br></div><div>There have been more than 195 mass shootings -- defined as four or more people wounded or killed -- so far this year in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Source: AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 16:24:34', '2023-05-07 16:24:34'),
(6729, 6729, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Sunday underlined the need for ensuring that the public money is spent properly.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said this when Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury presented the annual audit and account report to him at Bangabhaban, President\'s press secretary Joynal Abedin said.</div><div><br></div><div>Sahabuddin said the importance of audit to ensure discipline in the financial sector is immense.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the president directed the authorities concerned to be more proactive in resolving audit objections.</div><div><br></div><div>The CAG briefed the president about various aspects of the report.</div><div><br></div><div>He submitted 47 audit and accounting reports to the president.</div><div><br></div><div>President\'s office secretary Sampad Barua, military secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam were also present. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 18:40:55', '2023-05-07 18:40:55'),
(6730, 6730, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>In Dasherkandi village, located around the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, local children happily swam in the clean river under the scorching sun. Deng Mingze, deputy manager of the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant project, felt elated as he observed this scene.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Things were completely different before,\" explained the 33-year-old Chinese engineer from PowerChina Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, adding that untreated sewage went straight into the river, making it so dirty in the past.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, financed by the Export-Import Bank of China and constructed by HydroChina Corporation, a subsidiary of PowerChina, started operation in April 2022. It marked the first modern large-scale sewage treatment plant in Bangladesh, capable of providing modern sewerage services to approximately 5 million people in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>From then on, all water that flows into the river has been treated, making the river clear and visible to the naked eye, Deng said, citing that children frequently play in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>However, the project was not without its challenges. During the busiest period of construction, Deng and his colleagues worked from 6 a.m. until late at night for nearly six months.</div><div><br></div><div>As the saying goes, \"no pain, no gain.\" Deng recalled that despite difficulties throughout the project, he became stronger mentally and more capable.</div><div><br></div><div>\"As young people, we should have adaptability, innovation and problem-solving skills while working on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects to demonstrate the positive spirit of the Chinese youth to the world,\" he stressed.</div><div><br></div><div>In Keraniganj, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Zhang Yadong, an engineer from China Railway Group Limited, is working alongside his local colleagues on Bangladesh\'s largest BRI rail project.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Zhang arrived in Bangladesh right after his graduation in 2016, and he vividly remembers his initial struggles. \"The first difficulty I encountered was having a meeting with the quantity surveyor to discuss measurements independently. It took me a long time to communicate with him due to differences in our understanding of the measurements,\" he said, adding that \"it was a small thing, but I was really nervous at the time.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Using this experience as a foundation, Zhang has grown from an assistant economist to a commercial executive, working on key projects such as the 172-km Padma Bridge Rail Link Project that connects over 20 districts in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>In early April, the project, financed by the Export-Import Bank of China and constructed by China Railway Group Limited, conducted a successful test run of the train. Despite the challenges during construction such as the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhang said all the efforts were worthwhile when he saw the first train travel on a newly-built BRI railway on Bangladesh\'s largest Chinese-built Padma Bridge.</div><div><br></div><div>The BRI, a reference to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was initiated by China in 2013 to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.</div><div><br></div><div>In recent years, Bangladesh has actively participated in the BRI and has cooperated with China on many infrastructure projects, including the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.</div><div><br></div><div>The project is expected to employ more than 10,000 people during the construction and reduce travel time from the airport to the N1 national highway to about a quarter of the original time upon its launch.</div><div><br></div><div>Yao Yao, the finance manager of the Asia-Pacific company of China Shandong International Economic and Technical Cooperation Ltd., the investment platform of Shandong High-Speed Group, is proud to work on this project.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I arrived in Bangladesh in March 2020, just one month before the project financing was closed. We had to work overtime every day to communicate with the local government, bank agents and legal advisers to meet various requirements within such a limited time. Fortunately, we secured the first bank loan in early April,\" Yao said, adding that completing the expressway as scheduled was not easy, \"but our whole team was great.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The team Yao mentioned is a youth group consisting of 12 members, with the youngest being born after 2000 and the oldest in the 1980s, and an average age of less than 30. At every crucial stage of the project, young engineers spontaneously built a team to ensure its success.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Everyone on the team is positive, enthusiastic and dynamic,\" he said. They also organize badminton and basketball games in their spare time. \"Busy but fulfilling. Balancing work and life is what young people should strive for.\"</div><div><br></div><div>\"Young people involved in the BRI projects are not just constructors but also a shining light of China and the bond that connects China with other countries. We must do our best,\" Yao added. - XINHUA</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 19:24:17', '2023-05-07 19:24:17'),
(6731, 6731, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday requested the Commonwealth to send diversified election observers from different member countries for the upcoming general election&nbsp; in Bangladesh.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>She made the request while the Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland called on the visiting prime minister her at the Claridge Hotel here.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed the reporters after the call on.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the prime minister raised the issue of election and made the request for diversified election observers from various Commonwealth countries.</div><div><br></div><div>In reply, Patricia Scotland said that the Commonwealth is ready to help Bangladesh in holding the election, according to Momen.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that In many Commonwealth countries they&nbsp; made the same arrangement where all political parties express their commitment that they will participate in the election, and what they want for making the polls fair.</div><div><br></div><div>“If they do not win in the election, they must accept it,” Momen quoted her as saying.</div><div><br></div><div>She also said that the political parties will pledge that they will not go for violence.</div><div><br></div><div>“All political parties will express their commitment for free and fair election,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen said that Bangladesh government also wants that.</div><div><br></div><div>“All political parties will make their political commitment,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Commonwealth secretary general said that the political parties will make their public commitment where they will say that they will participate in the election, will do everything for ensuring fair and non-violent election.</div><div><br></div><div>“They want to help us,” Momen said adding, “We said of course.\"</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina requested them to impart training to the Election Commission officers in the district level like they did in the past.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina asked them to hold meetings with the Election Commission as it is now independent.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister informed the Commonwealth that her government has taken a number of steps to strengthen the Election Commission and ensured voting rights in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that apart from ruling Awami League all other major political parties of the country originated from the cantonment, after grabbing state power illegally.</div><div><br></div><div>“Awami League is the only political party that belongs to the people and has always upheld the country’s democratic process,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida&nbsp; Muna Tasneem were also present in the briefing.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from the election, artificial intelligence, climate, mental health and digital connectivity were prominently discussed in the meeting, Momen said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Premier has expressed her desire that Bangladesh wanted to lead artificial intelligence committee of Commonwealth from June next as the country is now leading the Commonwealth’s business to business event, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He went on saying that the Commonwealth Secretary General has agreed to the matter, reports UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 20:28:54', '2023-05-07 20:28:54'),
(6732, 6732, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A multi-vehicle crash in southern Turkiye\'s Hatay province killed at least 12 people and injured 31 others, including three seriously, officials said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A truck crossed into opposite lanes after the driver lost control late on Saturday, colliding with nine cars and two minibuses, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.</div><div><br></div><div>Many of the vehicles were parked by the roadside near a gas station as friends and relatives said goodbye to men leaving to carry out mandatory military service.</div><div><br></div><div>Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that fires broke out on the Iskenderun-Antakya highway.</div><div><br></div><div>The minister tweeted that 22 ambulances and three medical rescue teams were sent to the scene in Topbogazli.</div><div><br></div><div>“May God have mercy on our citizens who lost their lives, I express my condolences to their relatives,” he tweeted. “We will do our best to ensure that the injured regain their health as soon as possible.”</div><div><br></div><div>Hatay was one of the worst hit of the 11 Turkish provinces affected by a Feb. 6 earthquake that devastated parts of Turkiye and Syria. At least 50,783 died in Turkiye, according to the government.</div><div><br></div><div>The private Demiroren news agency said that the truck was carrying excavated earthquake rubble and hit another truck before crossing the highway at around 7 pm local time (1600 GMT).</div><div><br></div><div>Witness Ali Sarrac said that some of those killed had burned to death, Anadolu reported. Images showed burning vehicles as emergency teams tried to keep people away from the blaze. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 21:57:54', '2023-05-07 21:57:54'),
(6733, 6733, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has highly praised Bangladesh’s tremendous economic advancement under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Paying a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister at the Claridge\'s hotel on Sunday, he also expressed his desire to help Bangladesh for further development in various sectors.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Dr Ak Abdul Momen briefed reporters afterwards.</div><div><br></div><div>“The former UK Prime Minister has highly admired Bangladesh’s development and wanted to help Bangladesh in its further development,“ the foreign minister said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister told Blair that Bangladesh needs more foreign investment to generate more employment, according to Momen.</div><div><br></div><div>Tony Blair said that he has good relations with the Middle East countries particularly the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) ones and he can help Bangladesh to increase business connectivity.</div><div><br></div><div>Blair, also head of the Tony Blair Institution for Global Change, was quoted as saying: “The current economy of Bangladesh is very attractive and Bangladesh is doing very well economically.”</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign minister said the ex-prime minister of UK expressed his happiness over the bilateral relations between the UK and Bangladesh, saying, “The UK and Bangladesh relationship is very excellent.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also greeted the Bangladesh premier for coming to attend the coronation of King Charles III.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities concerned from the Tony Blair Institution for Global Change will visit Bangladesh and sit with BIDA to identify the sectors for which Bangladesh needs help in development.</div><div><br></div><div>PM’s Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem, among others, were present at the briefing. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 22:05:54', '2023-05-07 22:05:54'),
(6734, 6734, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">DMP Commissioner Khandkar Golam Faruq today asked his subordinates to face any situation in ‘cool brain’ to keep law and order normal.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“To keep the law and order, subordinates will follow orders of the commander with patience and cool brain in any situation” he said after inspecting the master parade at Mirpur POM (Public Order Management) Police Lines ground this morning.</div><div><br></div><div>The DMP Commissioner said everyone has to know the parade for discipline and future leadership, adding, “Police have to be efficient in both civilian dress and uniform. In any situation, keep brain cool and obey the command of the commander.”</div><div><br></div><div>He also made directives to deputy commissioners concerned to conduct continuous parades for increasing physical capacity and mental refreshment.</div><div><br></div><div>Faruq also instructed for ensuring necessary training on how to defend oneself with bare hands and do public management.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the POM\'s force played a humanitarian role in the Newmarket fire incident. As a result, the status of DMP and Bangladesh Police has increased.</div><div><br></div><div>The DMP chief expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the POM Force in the last few months.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the commissioner took salute of the well-equipped contingent and flag-bearers comprising members of various units of the DMP. Deputy Commissioner of POM West Division Momtazul Ehsan Ahmed Humayun led the parade. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 22:12:34', '2023-05-07 22:12:34'),
(6735, 6735, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The Taliban agreed with China and Pakistan to extend the Belt and Road Initiative to Afghanistan, potentially drawing in billions of dollars to fund infrastructure projects in the sanctions-hit country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang and his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met in Islamabad on Saturday and pledged to work together on Afghanistan’s reconstruction process including taking the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to the Taliban-ruled nation.</div><div><br></div><div>“The two sides agreed to continue their humanitarian and economic assistance for the Afghan people and enhance development cooperation in Afghanistan, including through extension of CPEC to Afghanistan,” according to a joint statement issued by Pakistan’s foreign ministry following the meeting</div><div><br></div><div>Chinese and Pakistani officials have previously discussed extending the project to Afghanistan built under President Xi Jinping’s flagship Belt and Road initiative that started almost a decade ago. The cash-strapped Taliban government has expressed readiness to participate in the project and the prospect of getting much needed infrastructure investment.</div><div><br></div><div>The Taliban’s top diplomat, Amir Khan Muttaqi, traveled to Islamabad to meet his Chinese and Pakistani counterparts and reached an agreement, his deputy spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad said by phone.</div><div><br></div><div>The Taliban have also harbored hopes for China to boost investments in the country’s rich resources, estimated to be $1 trillion. The government inked its first contract in January with a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation to extract oil from the northern Amu Darya basin.</div><div><br></div><div>The Chinese and Pakistani ministers also stressed on the need to unfreeze Afghanistan’s overseas financial assets. The Taliban has been blocked from accessing about $9 billion of Afghanistan’s central bank reserves held overseas on concerns the funds will be used for terror activities.</div><div><br></div><div>Washington later agreed to release half of it to bolster the economy but put it on hold after the Taliban imposed certain school and work restrictions on Afghan women last year.</div><div><br></div><div>The militants-turned-administrators see investments as a way to fix a cash-strapped economy after international aid, accounting for 60% of public spending, was halted following the chaotic withdrawal of US troops in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>China, Russia, and Iran are among a handful of countries that maintain warm ties with the Taliban. They have provided aid in the tens of millions of dollars to the Taliban, but have stopped short of formally recognizing the government.</div><div><br></div><div>The US remains the single largest donor to the humanitarian response by global agencies, having provided more than $2.1 billion since the Taliban retook power, according to a report.</div><div><br></div><div>A UN agency said last week it requires $4.6 billion this year to help more than two-thirds of the country’s 40 million population who’re living in extreme poverty. A 2022 Gallup poll showed that nine in ten Afghans find it “difficult” or “very difficult” to survive on their present income.</div><div><br></div><div>Chinese businesses have been wary of investing in Afghanistan due to attacks by the Islamic State group, which is competing with the Taliban for influence. In December, the militant group took credit for an attack at a Kabul hotel popular with Chinese diplomats and businessmen.</div><div><br></div><div>There’s also the presence of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, a Xinjiang-based separatist group, that’s kept Beijing rather cautious about expanding its influence.</div><div><br></div><div>Muttaqi’s second visit to Pakistan comes days after the United Nations stressed the need to engage with the Taliban rulers as Afghanistan is facing the “largest” humanitarian crisis in the world. Source: Times of India</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-07 22:59:26', '2023-05-07 22:59:26'),
(6736, 6736, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Texas authorities have named a heavily armed gunman who killed eight people including children at a Dallas shopping mall as Mauricio Garcia, aged 33.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The man, from Dallas himself, was shot dead by a police officer who was attending a different call in the area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The gunman in Saturday\'s attack used an AR-15 style rifle and wore combat gear, President Joe Biden said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Investigators quoted by US media say he may have had far-right links, as suggested by a clothing patch he wore.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two sources told CBS News - the BBC\'s US partner - that the patch bore the letters RWDS, standing for \"Right Wing Death Squad\" - believed to be a neo-Nazi group.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police searched a nearby hotel where Garcia was staying, as well as a home in the city, reports say. He opened fire on shoppers at the Allen Premium Outlets mall, in the north Dallas suburbs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least three injured victims remained in critical condition on Sunday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Garcia also had a handgun, and more weapons and ammunition were found in his car, an investigator said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A law-enforcement source told CBS that he used an assault weapon to gun down his victims and multiple rounds of ammunition were found on his person. He was wearing armoured ballistic gear.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Investigators are combing through social media and online accounts looking for clues as to whether he may have had links to domestic violent extremists and like-minded individuals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Biden called for a ban on such assault rifles earlier on Sunday, lamenting what he called \"the latest act of gun violence to devastate our nation\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Confirming that children had been killed in the attack, the president said that \"too many families have empty chairs at their dinner tables\" - and called once again on his political opponents in the Republican party to support tougher gun controls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Garcia was reportedly working as a security guard at the time of the shooting and did not have a serious criminal record.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Warning: You may find descriptions below upsetting</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Footage seemed to show the suspect stepping out of his vehicle in the mall car park, and opening fire on people walking nearby without warning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One woman working in the mall said the first she knew about the attack was a customer approaching her and warning: \"You all need to close the doors.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I was confused. Next thing you know, we hear gunshots... all you hear is like 50, 60 gunshots,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We kept our calm as best that we could, tried to keep our customers calm... we shut the door, everything is closed. Nobody can buy anything. We\'re all hiding in the back.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another witness, Elaine Penicaro, said she was finishing her shopping trip when she heard \"all this popping\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"So we kind of just all just stopped. But then a second later, like pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. And we saw sparks flying like it was right in front of us,\" she said. \"So we just ran into the Converse store. They locked the door. We all hunkered down in the back - and that\'s where we stayed.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to CBS, Steven Spainhouer described how he rushed to the scene after getting a call from his son who reported shooting. He spoke of \"unfathomable carnage\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said at least three victims could not be saved even after he applied CPR. \"The first girl I walked up to was crouched down covering her head in the bushes,\" he recalled. \"So I felt for a pulse, pulled her head to the side, and she had no face.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He helped a boy who was under his mother\'s dead body. \"When I rolled the mother over, he came out. I asked him if he was OK and he said, \'My mom is hurt, my mom is hurt\'. So, rather than traumatise him any more, I pulled him around the corner sat him down.\" The boy was \"covered from head to toe\" in blood, Mr Spainhouer said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">President Biden has ordered the US flag to be flown at half-mast on federal buildings. His call for tighter gun controls, however, was seen differently by Texas\' Republican governor Gregg Abbott.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking to Fox News Sunday, he said his aim was to target the possession of weapons by criminals and deal with a rising mental health crisis, rather than consider wider bans.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is something that we have been grappling with over the past year, and there are some potential easy solutions such as passing laws, that we\'re working on right now, to get guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals and to increase penalties for criminals to possess guns,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"One thing that we can observe very easily and that is there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of anger and violence that\'s taking place in America. And what Texas is doing in a big-time way, we are working to address that anger and violence by going to its root cause, which is addressing the mental health problems behind it.\" BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh&nbsp;</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 07:43:20', '2023-05-08 07:43:20');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6737, 6737, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Russia launched a large-scale wave of strikes on Kyiv and across Ukraine sowing destruction and injuries, officials said early on Monday, as Moscow prepares for its cherished Victory Day holiday that marks the anniversary of its defeat of Nazi Germany.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least five people were injured due to Russian strikes on Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, while Russian missiles set ablaze a foodstuff warehouse in the Black Sea city of Odesa and blasts were reported in several other Ukrainian regions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fresh attacks come as Moscow prepares for its Victory Day parade on Tuesday, a key anniversary for President Vladimir Putin who has evoked the spirit of the Soviet army that defeated Nazi German forces to declare that Russia would defeat a Ukraine supposedly in the grip of a new incarnation of Nazism.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russia intensified shelling of Bakhmut hoping to take it by Tuesday, Ukraine\'s top general in charge of the defence of the besieged city said, after Russia\'s Wagner mercenary group appeared to ditch plans to withdraw from it.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three people were injured in blasts in Kyiv\'s Solomyanskyi district and two others were injured when drone wreckage fell onto the Sviatoshyn district, both west of the capital\'s centre, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on his Telegram messaging channel.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kyiv\'s military administration said that drone wreckage fell on a runway of the Zhuliany airport, one of the two passenger airports of the Ukrainian capital, causing no fire, but emergency services were working on the site.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also said that in Kyiv\'s central Shevchenkivskyi district, drone debris seemed to have hit a two-storey building, causing damages. There was no immediate information about potential casualties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reuters\' witnesses said they had heard numerous explosions in Kyiv, with local officials saying that air defence systems were repelling the attacks. It was not immediately clear how many drones were launched on Kyiv.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Odesa military administration, posted on his Telegram channel photos of a large structure fully engulfed in flames, in what he said was a Russian attack on a foodstuff warehouse, among others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">After air raid alerts blared for hours over roughly two-thirds of Ukraine, there were also media reports of sounds of explosions in the southern region of Kherson and in the Zaporizhzhia region in southeast.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed local official in Zaporizhzhia, said that Russian forces hit a warehouse and Ukrainian troops\' position in Orikhiv, a small city in the region. Reuters was not able to independently verify the report.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Separately, Russian forces shelled eight locations in Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine on Sunday, the regional military administration said in a Facebook post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the past two weeks, strikes have also intensified on Russian-held targets, especially in Crimea. Ukraine, without confirming any role in those attacks, says destroying enemy infrastructure is preparation for its long-expected ground assault.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, calling it a \"special military operation\" to defend Russia from neo-Nazis in Ukraine, but Kyiv and its allies say it was an unprovoked, land grab.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The invasion sparked the biggest conflict in Europe since World War Two and has killed thousands and forced millions to flee the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">(Reporting by Valentyn Ogirenko, Gleb Garanich, Lidia Kelly and Elaine Monaghan; Writing by Lidia Kelly;Editing by Himani Sarkar and Michael Perry). Reuters</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 08:05:56', '2023-05-08 08:05:56'),
(6738, 6738, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Arab League on Sunday welcomed back Syria\'s government, ending a more than decade-long suspension and securing President Bashar al-Assad\'s return to the Arab fold after years of isolation.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In November 2011, the body suspended Damascus over its crackdown on peaceful protests which began earlier that year and which spiralled into a war that has killed more than 500,000 people, displaced millions and battered the country\'s infrastructure and industry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While the front lines have mostly quietened, large parts of the country\'s north remain outside government control, and no political solution has yet been reached to the 12-year-old conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Government delegations from the Syrian Arab Republic will resume their participation in Arab League meetings\" starting Sunday, said a unanimous decision by the group\'s foreign ministers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ministers in a statement emphasised their \"keenness to launch a leading Arab role in efforts to resolve\" the Syria crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They agreed to form a ministerial committee to continue \"direct dialogue with the Syrian government in order to reach a comprehensive solution\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahmed Aboul Gheit, head of the 22-member Arab League, said the decision \"brings the Arab side into communication with the Syrian government for the first time in years\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Syria\'s return to the body is \"the beginning... not the end of the issue\", he added, noting it was up to individual countries to decide whether to resume ties with Damascus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Diplomatic victory\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the announcement, Syria\'s foreign ministry stressed the importance of \"Arab cooperation\", in a statement carried by state news agency SANA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The next stage requires an effective and constructive Arab approach... based on dialogue, mutual respect and common Arab interests\", it added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several Arab countries cut ties with Syria early in the conflict, betting on Assad\'s demise, while some including Qatar and Saudi Arabia provided support to the Syrian opposition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Qatar on Sunday said it would not normalise relations with Assad\'s government, but foreign ministry spokesman Majid bin Muhammad Al-Ansari told state media Doha would not be \"an obstacle\" to the Arab move.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The last Arab League summit Assad attended was in 2010, while the opposition attended the pan-Arab group\'s summit in Doha in 2013, to Damascus\'s fury.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aboul Gheit told a press conference Assad was welcome to attend the Arab League\'s next summit on May 19 once invited by host Saudi Arabia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regional capitals have gradually been warming to Assad as he has stubbornly held onto power and clawed back lost territory with crucial support from Iran and Russia.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United Arab Emirates, which re-established ties in late 2018, has been leading the recent charge to reintegrate Damascus into the Arab fold.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A February 6 earthquake that wreaked devastation in Turkey and Syria sparked Arab outreach to Assad\'s government, while intensified regional diplomatic activity has been underway since a March decision by rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume ties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Syria\'s regional isolation is officially broken,\" analyst Fabrice Balanche told AFP, calling Sunday\'s decision a \"diplomatic victory\" for Assad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Opposition \'abandoned\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">April saw first a first Saudi official, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visit Damascus since the start of the war, days after a trip to Jeddah by Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mekdad has travelled to a string of Arab countries in recent weeks, including a May 1 meeting in Amman with counterparts from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt to discuss the long-running conflict.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Assad is hoping normalisation with wealthy Gulf nations could bring economic relief and money for reconstruction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the war far from over and Assad still internationally isolated, analysts say sanctions will likely continue to deter investment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition alliance, said Sunday\'s decision meant \"abandoning\" and ignoring \"the will of the Syrian people\", leaving them \"without official Arab support\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is unacceptable to allow (Assad) to avoid punishment for the war crimes he has committed against Syrians,\" said the Turkey-based coalition.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman said on Sunday Damascus must \"address the roots of the crisis that led to its boycott, and to take positive steps towards addressing the issues of the Syrian people\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In northwest Syria\'s rebel-held Idlib region, displaced Syrians expressed frustration.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We were pushed out of our homes,\" said Ghassan Yussef, 54.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I ask the Arab rulers: where are you taking us?\" AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 09:35:15', '2023-05-08 09:35:15'),
(6739, 6739, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The UN\'s top aid official was in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for ceasefire talks between Sudan\'s warring generals, as concern grows for the humanitarian situation at the start of a fourth week of gun battles and air strikes in the Sudanese capital.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Multiple truce deals have been eclared, without effect, since fighting erupted between army and paramilitary forces on April 15 in the poverty-stricken country with a history of political instability.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fierce combat since then has killed hundreds of people, most of them civilians, wounded thousands and sparked multiple warnings of a \"catastrophic\" humanitarian crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than 100,000 people have already fled the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahmed al-Amin, a resident of the Haj Yousif district in northeastern Khartoum, on Sunday told AFP he \"saw fighter jets flying above our heads and heard the sounds of explosions and anti-aircraft\" fire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across the Red Sea in the Saudi city of Jeddah, talks were underway aiming for a ceasefire that could push efforts to bring humanitarian aid to the besieged population.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those unable to flee face dire shortages of water, food, medicines and other staples.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even before the war began about one-third of Sudan\'s people required humanitarian assistance, the UN said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The fighting has seen aid workers killed, health facilities attacked, and the UN projects that the number of \"acutely food insecure people\" in Sudan could increase by between two and 2.5 million if the war is prolonged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Analysts expect that it will be.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Gunfire everywhere\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Martin Griffiths, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, was in Jeddah Sunday \"and the purpose of his visit is to engage in humanitarian issues related to Sudan,\" spokesperson Eri Kaneko said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Port Sudan last week, Griffiths said he had been informed by the UN\'s World Food Programme that six trucks bringing aid to the Darfur region had been \"looted en route\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He called for security guarantees \"clearly given by militaries, to protect humanitarian systems to deliver\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no indication that Griffiths would play a direct role in the Saudi discussions about a possible ceasefire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The generals leading the warring parties have said little about the talks being held in Jeddah since Saturday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Thursday US President Joe Biden signed an executive order that broadens authority to impose sanctions over Sudan\'s conflict. It did not name potential targets.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdalla said the Jeddah talks were on how a truce \"can be correctly implemented to serve the humanitarian side\", while Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who heads the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, only said on Twitter that he welcomed the technical discussions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Riyadh and Washington have supported the \"pre-negotiation talks\" and urged the belligerents to \"get actively involved\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed his support Sunday for the \"indirect negotiations\" in order to prevent \"an escalation of the current conflict\" into a prolonged war \"that divides Sudan into warring regions.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the same meeting of the bloc in Cairo, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry warned of \"a slide into a worse and more dangerous security situation\" affecting the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Heavyweights in the pan-Arab bloc are divided on Sudan. Egypt solidly supports the regular army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the UAE is in favour of the RSF, according to experts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Egypt, to which more than 60,000 refugees have fled, announced Shoukry will head Monday to South Sudan and Chad, both of which also border Sudan and have themselves received tens of thousands of people escaping the war.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands have also crossed into neighbouring Ethiopia, most of them third-country nationals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This is my second war that I flee,\" Syrian refugee Salam Kanhoush told AFP at the Ethiopian border town of Metema.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Women carrying infants and donkey carts laden with baggage converge on the bustling, dusty crossing.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our safety and life comes first,\" Eritrean refugee Sara told AFP, asking to be identified only by her first name. \"We can\'t be thinking of the things that we have left behind\" in Sudan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The one thing they were relieved to abandon was the violence. Muhammad Yusuf, a Sudanese refugee, described \"gunfire everywhere\" and \"expecting to be a victim at anytime.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'No apparent consensus\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hopes for international efforts to silence the guns are modest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The lowest common denominator of the international community is a cessation of hostilities,\" said Sudan researcher Aly Verjee at Sweden\'s University of Gothenburg. \"But there is no apparent consensus on what to do beyond that initial objective.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Burhan and Daglo jointly staged Sudan\'s latest coup in 2021.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That putsch derailed a transition to democracy after the ouster two years earlier of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir following mass pro-democracy protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bashir had unleashed the Janjaweed militia in response to an uprising in Sudan\'s Darfur region in 2003, leading to war crimes charges against him and others.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The RSF are descended from the Janjaweed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since their coup, Burhan and Daglo have fallen out in a bitter power struggle, lastly over a plan to integrate the RSF into the army.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least 700 people have been killed in the fighting, which has spread beyond Khartoum to Darfur and elsewhere, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The Sudanese doctors\' union said 479 of the dead were civilians. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 09:38:25', '2023-05-08 09:38:25'),
(6740, 6740, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called the BNP-Jamaat vote thieves, saying the Bangladesh people will vote for Awami League (AL) in the next elections as she was accorded a civic reception by expatriate Bangladeshis in the United Kingdom (UK).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"They (BNP-Jamaat) will destroy Bangladesh. So, make sure that BNP-Jamaat clique couldn\'t come to power again,\" she told the function held at London Marriott Hotel here on Sunday (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister also called upon the countrymen not to cast vote for BNP-Jamaat as they\'re out to destroy the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said her party will win the next general polls as it is always beside the people in their needs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Insha Allah, the people will give us scope to serve them. All (AL leaders and activists) will have to work confidently as we can win the vote,\" the premier said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She, as well, expressed her hope that the people of the country will not keep trust in the BNP-Jamaat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina said: \"They (BNP) laundered the country\'s money abroad and such destroyed the country. So, how the people will have confidence in them.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the people have already known they (BNP-Jamaat) are thieves, corrupts, killers, grenade attackers, looters and patrons of killers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier said that BNP-Jamaat nexus siphoned off money and put the country on the verge of the destruction.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that Tarique Rahman has been sentenced for his corruption and the government has been able to bring back some Tk 40 crore that was siphoned off by Khaleda Zia\'s younger son Coco.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier reiterated her vow that the country will be a Smart Bangladesh by 2041, saying, \"We have formulated Delta-2100 plan. We have to take the country forward.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that there will also be no homeless, landless people in the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Awami League works for the welfare of the people. No person in Bangladesh will remain without food,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister again dubbed the BNP and its leaders as vote thieves, saying, \"Tarique Zia is a vote thief and his mother is also a vote thief.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said that Awami League did not come to the power through vote rigging like BNP-Jamaat.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Awami League always fights for the rights of the people. It comes to power after being elected by people. It never grabbed or stole power,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier asked the BNP leaders that how many parties did participate in the February 15, 1996 election and how many votes were cast?</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sheikh Hasina, also AL president, said that the people of the country are aware enough about their right to vote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We have made the people aware of it,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister said no one has anything to say about the 2008 election.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"What was the result of that election? How many seats did BNP\'s 20-party alliance get? The 20-party coalition won 29 seats in that election and 1 in a by-election, totaling 30 seats. And the remaining seat was of the Awami League led alliance. We got all. What is their (BNP-Jamaat) position to the people that they jump so much?\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister also briefly enunciated her government\'s various development programmes in the last 14 years. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 09:41:46', '2023-05-08 09:41:46'),
(6741, 6741, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least seven people were killed Sunday in south Texas and several others injured when a car plowed through a group waiting at a bus stop outside a migrant aid center, police said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Law enforcement said they were treating the incident as an accident for now, though a witness told AFP the driver had yelled insults at the group before accelerating.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">The gray sport utility vehicle \"went through a red light and ran over several people\" at around 8:30 am (1330 GMT) in Brownsville, a border city at the southernmost tip of the state, local police spokesman Martin Sandoval told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said seven people died and \"nearly 10\" other people were injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Witness Luis Herrera, whose arm was hurt in the incident, told AFP the crash was \"sudden.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"A woman went by in a car and warned us to get out of the way,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It was a matter of moments. The killer came (through) in the car, gesturing at us, insulting us,\" the 36-year-old Venezuelan said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Herrera then described the driver as accelerating the car to full force.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The motorist, whom Sandoval said was also taken to the hospital, was detained by witnesses until police arrived. He has been charged for now with reckless driving.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"More than likely there\'s going to be other charges coming on later,\" Sandoval earlier told a local ABC affiliate, without clarifying what the additional charges might be.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities have launched an investigation into whether the fatal crash was an accident or intentional, Sandoval said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We\'re looking (into it),\" he told AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Intense\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victims were among a crowd of about 25 people waiting at a bus stop, according to Victor Maldonado, the executive director of the Ozanam Center, a homeless shelter across the street from the crash.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group, whom he said were all Venezuelan, had just eaten breakfast at the facility.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He described a grisly scene, with body parts left behind along the street.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Witnesses were \"really shocked,\" Maldonado told AFP. \"It was pretty intense.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The homeless center is open 24 hours per day, Maldonado said, as \"we\'ve been housing individuals coming from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, China, Ukraine - and multiple Venezuelans,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sandoval said at least some of the victims were migrants, but could not confirm whether they all were.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s something that we are investigating with border police,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The news of the tragedy comes as authorities brace for the lifting on Thursday of a Donald Trump-era federal policy that allows border patrol officers to deport or turn away migrants without even accepting their asylum applications.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The looming expiration of the rule known as Title 42 has authorities fearing a spike in undocumented migrants entering the United States.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It also comes a day after a shooter killed at least eight people at a shopping mall, also in Texas, in the latest mass shooting to rock the country. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 09:46:41', '2023-05-08 09:46:41'),
(6742, 6742, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Henry Shipley and Rachin Ravindra shared six wickets as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 47 runs in the fifth and final one-day international in Karachi on Sunday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The victory meant New Zealand avoided being swept in the five game series, which Pakistan won 4-1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">New Zealand batted first and were bowled out for 299 in 49.3 overs with half centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Fast bowler Shipley then took 3-34 and spinner Ravindra a career best 3-65 as New Zealand survived a brilliant 72-ball 94 not out by Iftikhar Ahmed to dismiss Pakistan for 252 in 46.1 overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The defeat means Pakistan\'s rise to number one in the ODI rankings lasted just 48 hours and they are now third behind Australia and India.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s is certainly pleasing to put on a complete performance in the last game,\" said Latham.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Shipley bowled fantastically well with the new ball, he found the right lengths on this wicket after we got a par score.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahmed led Pakistan\'s fightback from 66-4 as he added 97 for the fifth wicket with Agha Salman who scored run-a-ball 57 but New Zealand held their nerve to get last man Haris Rauf run out for one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahmed\'s fiery knock contained eight fours and two sixes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A holiday crowd of around 20,000 had come in anticipation of Babar Azam making his 100th ODI memorable but they were left disappointed when Pakistan skipper was caught off a miscued shot off Shipley for a five-ball one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before that opener Shan Masood had fallen for seven. Fakhar Zaman managed a laborious 64-ball 33 and Mohammad Rizwan fell for nine, leaving Pakistan struggling on 66-4.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The way we planned, we couldn\'t finish it that way,\" said Azam.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"However, the entire series was outstanding. There were good performances. There were many positives, we were able to check on our bench strength.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Usama Mir scored 20, Shadab Khan 14, Shaheen Shah Afridi nought and Mohammad Waseem six but could not offer enough to support Ahmed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">New Zealand\'s innings was built around Young\'s 91-ball 87 and a 58-ball 59 from Latham after the visitors won the toss and opted to bat at the National Stadium.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">New Zealand lost Tom Blundell for 15 and then Henry Nicholls for 23 before Young steadied the innings in a 74-run third wicket stand with Latham.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Young hit eight fours and two sixes and was looking set for a hundred but was smartly caught by wicketkeeper Rizwan off leg-spinner Shadab in the 30th over.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mark Chapman upped the tempo with a breezy 33-ball 43 with two sixes and five fours, adding 56 for the fourth wicket with Latham.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chapman was unlucky to be caught behind off the glove as he tried to sweep Shadab to leg side. He took 22 off one over from spinner Agha Salman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Latham also holed out off spinner Mir in the 42nd over after hitting five boundaries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ravindra (28) and Cole McConchie (26) added useful runs before New Zealand were bowled in 49.3 overs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For Pakistan, Shaheen took 3-46 while Mir and Shadab claimed two wickets apiece.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pakistan won the first two matches by five and seven wickets in Rawalpindi before taking the next two in Karachi by 26 and 102 runs. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 11:05:16', '2023-05-08 11:05:16'),
(6743, 6743, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Dhaka\'s air quality is unhealthy for sensitive people this morning (May 8, 2023).</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 119 at 9:25 am, Dhaka ranked 10th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Qatar\'s Doha, India\'s Delhi and Thailand\'s Chiang Mai occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 174, 165 and 157, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 151 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 11:08:50', '2023-05-08 11:08:50'),
(6744, 6744, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The overall number of global Covid-19 cases is gradually nearing 688 million.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the latest global data, the total Covid-19 case count is 687,803,066, while the death toll reached 6,871,031 this morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US has reported 106,768,296 Covid-19 cases so far, while 1,162,431 people have died from the virus in the country — both highest counts globally.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India on Sunday logged 2,380 new cases of Covid-19, bringing down the active cases to 27,212 from 30,041 a day before.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the global data, the Covid-19 case tally was recorded at 44,969,630.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">France and Germany have registered 40,021,190 and 38,411,062 Covid-19 cases so far, occupying the third and fourth positions in the world number-wise, and 166,811 and 173,375 people have died in the European countries, as per Worldometer.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday announced that the Covid-19 pandemic was no longer a global health emergency. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, made the announcement while addressing a media briefing on Covid-19 and global health issues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bangladesh reported 23 more Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the new numbers, the country\'s total caseload rose to 2,038,338 according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,446 as no new fatalities were reported. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 11:15:21', '2023-05-08 11:15:21'),
(6745, 6745, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A low-pressure area has been formed over Southeast Bay and adjoining South Andaman Sea.</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is likely to intensify, said the Bangladesh Metrological Department on Monday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions and Dhaka, Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalgonj, Manikgonj, Narayangonj, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Moulvibazar, Chattogram, Rangamati, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Noakhali and Bandarban districts ,”said a BMD bulletin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;The heat wave may continue and spread, it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country in 24 hours from 9 am today.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day and night temperature may rise slightly over the country during the period. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 11:59:39', '2023-05-08 11:59:39'),
(6746, 6746, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">NASA launched two small satellites designed to track tropical cyclones hour by hour from a base in New Zealand on Monday, in a project that could improve weather predictions on devastating storms.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new storm trackers, sent into orbit on a rocket built by US company Rocket Lab, can fly over hurricanes (or typhoons in the Pacific) every hour, compared to every six hours with current satellites.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Researchers will be able to see storms evolve on an hourly basis, said NASA scientist Will McCarty at a press conference for the first launch of the TROPICS mission.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We still need the large satellites,\" he added. \"What we get from this is the ability to add more information to the flagship satellites that we already have.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A second Rocket Lab-built vessel is due to launch in about two weeks carrying two more satellites to complete a small constellation of four storm-tracking satellites.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The information gathered on rainfall, temperature and humidity could help scientists determine where a hurricane will make landfall and how intense it will be, helping people living in coastal areas be better prepared for possible evacuations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Many operational organizations like the National Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and many others are ready to receive tropical imagery to help inform their forecasters,\" said Ben Kim, a program executive at NASA.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the long term, a better understanding of the formation and evolution of these storms could help improve climate models.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The constellation was originally intended to have six satellites, not four, but the first two were lost when a US Astra rocket malfunctioned shortly after lift-off last year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hurricanes, or typhoons, are becoming more powerful as the ocean surface warms, scientists say.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hurricane Ian, which devastated Florida in 2022, killed dozens of people and caused more than $100 billion in damage, making it by far the world\'s most expensive weather disaster of the year. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"18\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 12:29:32', '2023-05-08 12:29:32'),
(6747, 6747, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The Appellate Division on Monday rejected a petition to scrap the trial proceeding in the case filed against Nobel Laureate and Chairman of Grameen Communications Dr Muhammad Yunus for violating the Labour Law.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The three-member appellate division headed by Justice Md. Nuruzzaman passed the order.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Now there is no legal bar to continuing the trial proceeding against him in the labour court, said Khurshid Alam Khan, counsel of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun appeared in the court hearing on behalf of Prof Yunus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 9, 2021, Labour Inspector Arifuzzaman of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, filed the case with Dhaka 3rd Labour Court.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other accused in the case are- Ashraful Hasan, Managing Director of Grameen Telecom, its directors Nurzahan Begum and Shahjahan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the case, in an inspection visit to Grameen Telecom inspectors of the department found that 101 workers and staff who were supposed to be permanent were not made so.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">No participation fund and welfare fund was formed for them and five per cent of the company’s profit was not provided to the workers following the law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Upon a complaint, a criminal case was filed under sections 4, 7, 8, 117, 234 of the Labour Act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On October 12, the labour court granted bail to all four accused.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later on December 7, Prof Yunus filed a petition with the High Court seeking scrapping of the case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On December 12, HC stayed the procedure of a case for six months.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On August 17 last year, the High Court (HC) rejected a petition to scrap the case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Later Prof Yunus filed a leave to appeal against the High Court verdict. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 12:58:43', '2023-05-08 12:58:43');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6748, 6748, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A total of 136 Bangladeshi nationals, who were among those stranded in crisis-hit Sudan, arrived in Dhaka via Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Monday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Bangladeshi nationals left Jeddah around 1am Monday and reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 10:30 am , said Seheli Sabrin, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed welcomed the Bangladeshi nationals at the airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sudan conflict: 136 Bangladeshi evacuees arrive in Dhaka&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Bangladeshi nationals reached Jeddah on Sunday from Sudan by special flights of the Royal Saudi Air Force as fighting between the army and a paramilitary force continues in the African country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mohammad Javed Patwary, Bangladesh\'s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Consul General of Bangladesh in Jeddah Md Nazmul Hoque welcomed the Bangladeshis Jeddah airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the sources, about 1,500 Bangladeshi citizens live in Sudan, who can register to come back to the country, after which they will be brought back in phases. Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah have made all preparations in this regard, sources added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sudan conflict: 136 Bangladeshi evacuees arrive in Dhaka&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, 675 Bangladeshi nationals looking to leave crisis-hit Sudan reached Port Sudan from Khartoum.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Those who are without passports have already been provided with travel permits,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said in a Facebook post on Thursday. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 15:08:14', '2023-05-08 15:08:14'),
(6749, 6749, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Air raid sirens have sounded across Ukraine after Russia launched a fresh wave of missile and drone strikes on cities around the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Explosions were heard in Ukraine\'s capital Kyiv, where the city\'s mayor said five people had been injured by falling debris from down drones.</div><div><br></div><div>Blasts also hit Kharkiv, Kherson, Odessa and Mykolaiv, officials said.</div><div>It marks the fourth attack in eight days on Kyiv, and comes just 24 hours before Russia celebrates Victory Day.</div><div><br></div><div>The annual holiday commemorates Russia\'s victory over Nazi Germany during World War Two, a conflict the Kremlin has baselessly tried to draw parallels to, since launching its invasion of Ukraine last year.</div><div><br></div><div>After a lull in Russian attacks on civilian targets in recent months, which saw Kyiv go days without an attack, Moscow has intensified its air raids over the past week ahead of an expected Ukrainian offensive in the south-eastern Zaporizhzhia region.</div><div><br></div><div>The Ukrainian military said Monday morning\'s raids - which lasted more than four hours and were launched shortly after midnight - saw 16 missiles fired at targets across the country.</div><div><br></div><div>It said that 61 airstrikes and 52 rocket salvos were also fired at cities and military positions. Officials added that some 35 Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones had been destroyed. The BBC has not been able to verify these numbers.</div><div><br></div><div>In Kyiv, emergency services responded after drone wreckage fell on a runway at Zhuliany international airport - one of the city\'s two commercial airports - Kyiv\'s military administration said.</div><div><br></div><div>And civilians were injured after drone debris hit a residential building in the central Shevchenkivskyi district, the administration added.</div><div><br></div><div>Elsewhere, in the Black Sea port city of Odessa, a warehouse was set ablaze in the strikes. - BBC&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 15:38:43', '2023-05-08 15:38:43'),
(6750, 6750, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called the BNP-Jamaat vote thieves, saying the Bangladesh people will vote for Awami League (AL) in the next elections as she was accorded a civic reception by expatriate Bangladeshis in the United Kingdom (UK).</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"They (BNP-Jamaat) will destroy Bangladesh. So, make sure that BNP-Jamaat clique couldn\'t come to power again,\" she told the function held at London Marriott Hotel here on Sunday (local time).</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister also called upon the countrymen not to cast vote for BNP-Jamaat as they\'re out to destroy the country.</div><div><br></div><div>She said her party will win the next general polls as it is always beside the people in their needs.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Insha Allah, the people will give us scope to serve them. All (AL leaders and activists) will have to work confidently as we can win the vote,\" the premier said.</div><div><br></div><div>She, as well, expressed her hope that the people of the country will not keep trust in the BNP-Jamaat.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said: \"They (BNP) laundered the country\'s money abroad and such destroyed the country. So, how the people will have confidence in them.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She said the people have already known they (BNP-Jamaat) are thieves, corrupts, killers, grenade attackers, looters and patrons of killers.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said that BNP-Jamaat nexus siphoned off money and put the country on the verge of the destruction.</div><div><br></div><div>She said that Tarique Rahman has been sentenced for his corruption and the government has been able to bring back some Tk 40 crore that was siphoned off by Khaleda Zia\'s younger son Coco.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier reiterated her vow that the country will be a Smart Bangladesh by 2041, saying, \"We have formulated Delta-2100 plan. We have to take the country forward.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She said that there will also be no homeless, landless people in the country.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Awami League works for the welfare of the people. No person in Bangladesh will remain without food,\" she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister again dubbed the BNP and its leaders as vote thieves, saying, \"Tarique Zia is a vote thief and his mother is also a vote thief.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She said that Awami League did not come to the power through vote rigging like BNP-Jamaat.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Awami League always fights for the rights of the people. It comes to power after being elected by people. It never grabbed or stole power,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier asked the BNP leaders that how many parties did participate in the February 15, 1996 election and how many votes were cast?</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina, also AL president, said that the people of the country are aware enough about their right to vote.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We have made the people aware of it,\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said no one has anything to say about the 2008 election.</div><div><br></div><div>\"What was the result of that election? How many seats did BNP\'s 20-party alliance get? The 20-party coalition won 29 seats in that election and 1 in a by-election, totaling 30 seats. And the remaining seat was of the Awami League led alliance. We got all. What is their (BNP-Jamaat) position to the people that they jump so much?\" she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister also briefly enunciated her government\'s various development programmes in the last 14 years. According to BSS reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 16:23:13', '2023-05-08 16:23:13'),
(6751, 6751, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>A second blast in 36 hours rocked the area around the Sikh holy site of the Golden Temple in India\'s Amritsar city on Monday, police said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Authorities said that there were no casualties or damage reported in the incident, with police investigating the possible cause.</div><div><br></div><div>The late Saturday night blast, which police said they were still probing, left at least one person wounded in the northern city in the Sikh-majority Punjab state.</div><div><br></div><div>The Golden Temple - a gleaming edifice in a large artificial pond -- is revered by Sikhs the world over.</div><div><br></div><div>But it has been the scene of violence in the past, most notably when Indian special forces stormed it in 1984 to remove Sikh militants.</div><div><br></div><div>Devotees told AFP that officials arrived soon after the early morning blast on Monday -- when hundreds of people would have been at the shrine -- to collect forensic samples.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Such happenings are creating panic,\" said worshipper Jasbir Singh Patti, who visits the temple daily.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is time for the police administration to act swiftly to present the truth before the public.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Several windows cracked in the blast in the same area on Saturday -- when the site can see around 200,000 visitors.</div><div><br></div><div>In March, a manhunt was launched in Punjab to arrest a firebrand Sikh separatist that sparked protests and vandalism among the diaspora.</div><div><br></div><div>It was unclear if the latest blasts were linked.</div><div><br></div><div>Thousands of officers were deployed in the northern state and mobile internet was cut off for days in the effort to locate Amritpal Singh, 30, who was arrested last month.</div><div><br></div><div>Singh rose to prominence calling for a separate Sikh homeland known as Khalistan, the struggle for which sparked deadly violence in India in the 1980s and 1990s. According to BBC reports </div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 17:28:20', '2023-05-08 17:30:15'),
(6752, 6752, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Pakistan and Afghanistan\'s Taliban-appointed government have agreed to boost trade and lower tensions along their border amid a surge in militant attacks on security forces, officials said Monday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, struck the deal Sunday in Islamabad, according to Pakistan\'s Foreign Ministry. The agreement is designed to improve bilateral trade, combat terrorism and boost bilateral ties.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Bhutto Zardari and Muttaqi also held talks with China\'s Foreign Minister Qin Gang, a departure from recent years when such dialogue had been on hold, according to analysts, who say China is expanding its influence in the region. China also has played a role in the resumption of Saudi-Iran diplomatic ties.</div><div><br></div><div>In Pakistan, Beijing is bankrolling the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC — a sprawling package that includes such projects as road and power plant construction and boosting agriculture production.</div><div><br></div><div>The package is considered a lifeline for this impoverished Islamic nation, which is currently facing one of its worst economic crises amid stalled talks on a bailout with the International Monetary Fund.</div><div><br></div><div>CPEC, also known as the One Road Project, is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a global endeavor aimed at reconstituting the ancient Silk Road and linking China to all corners of Asia.</div><div><br></div><div>Qin arrived in Islamabad on Friday and met with President Arif Alvi, Foreign Minister Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan\'s powerful army chief, Gen. Asim Munir. During these meetings, he was assured that Pakistan will boost security for all Chinese nationals who are working on multi-billion dollar projects in cash-strapped Pakistan.</div><div><br></div><div>China has been demanding more security from Pakistan for its nationals residing and working in the Islamic country since 2021, when a suicide bomber killed nine Chinese and four Pakistanis in an attack in Pakistan’s volatile northwest.</div><div><br></div><div>According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Bhutto Zardari and Muttaqi on Sunday “held a candid and in-depth exchange on key issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, as well as trade and connectivity.\" The two sides “reaffirmed their desire to pursue continuous and practical engagement,\" it said.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the Afghan embassy, Muttaqi and his delegation met with Bhutto Zardari and other officials. “During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, Afghan-Pak political, economic, and transit relations as well as challenges of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan have been discussed,” it said on Twitter early Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan\'s military said Muttaqi also met with Munir, the army chief, to discuss \"issues of mutual interest including aspects related to regional security, border management, and formalization of bilateral security mechanisms for improvement in the current security environment.” Munir sought enhanced cooperation to “effectively tackle the common challenges of terrorism and extremism,\" the statement added.</div><div><br></div><div>Relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have featured ups and down in the past year.</div><div><br></div><div>In February, the two sides shut the main Afghan-Pakistan border crossing at Torkham, stranding people and trucks carrying food and essential items. After a Pakistani delegation traveled to Kabul for talks on the crisis, the border was reopened after a week and Muttaqi\'s visit to Islamabad was planned.</div><div><br></div><div>Afghanistan\'s Taliban have been shunned by most of the international community for harsh and restrictive measures they have imposed since seizing power in August 2021, when U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. The Afghan Taliban has banned girls from education beyond the sixth grade and barred women from most jobs and public life.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan has lately expressed concern over a surge of deadly attacks across the country by the Pakistani Taliban — an independent militant group that is allied with and sheltered by the Afghan Taliban.</div><div><br></div><div>Islamabad has demanded from the Taliban in Kabul that they do more to rein in anti-Pakistani groups such as the Pakistani Taliban — also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP — which have stepped up attacks on Pakistani security forces in recent months. - AP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 18:47:10', '2023-05-08 18:47:10'),
(6753, 6753, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court set July 13 for submitting&nbsp; probe report in a graft case filed against former chief justice Surendra Kumar Sinha by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Asaduzzaman set the date as investigation agency Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) couldn\'t submit the report today.</div><div><br></div><div>On October 10, 2021, ACC deputy director Md Gulshan Anwar filed the case against Sinha for amassing wealth of Taka 7.14 crore on his brother and relative\'s names through misuse of power, later transferring and handing over the money.</div><div><br></div><div>The ACC in its probe found that the former chief justice paid Taka 75 lakh to Rajuk against a plot in Uttara and raised a nine-floor apartment complex on it at a cost of Taka 6.31 crore.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The anti-graft body however, said that they did not find any legal source of earning for the money used in buying the plot and developing the apartment complex. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 19:01:27', '2023-05-08 19:01:27'),
(6754, 6754, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Breakingnews.combd, a leading Bangla and English online newspaper, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a cake-cutting ceremony at its Bijoynagar office in the capital.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Publisher Md. Mainul Islam led the event, which was attended by journalists and officials from Aman Builders Group Limited. In his speech, Islam expressed his pride in the newspaper\'s accomplishments and its continued success in the competitive news market.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Breakingnews.combd has made a significant impact on the news industry with its exclusive and authentic reports,\" he stated. \"Our success story is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and reliable news to our readers.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Over the past decade, Breakingnews.combd has established itself as a trusted source of news and information, covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, entertainment, and sports. </div><div><br></div><div>The newspaper\'s dedicated team of journalists works tirelessly to provide its readers with timely and relevant news updates, making it a go-to source for breaking news in Bangladesh and beyond.</div><div><br></div><div>As the newspaper enters its 11th year of publication, its management and staff remain committed to upholding its high standards of journalism and providing its readers with the latest and most accurate news from around the world.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 20:38:14', '2023-05-08 20:38:14'),
(6755, 6755, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Police are preparing to arrest the hospitalized driver of an SUV that slammed into a crowd, killing eight people waiting for a bus Sunday outside a migrant shelter in the border city of Brownsville, Texas. At least 10 others were injured, authorities said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>With no bench at the unmarked city bus stop, some of the victims were sitting on the curb around 8:30 a.m. when the driver hit them, surveillance video from the Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center showed.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Brownsville police investigator Martin Sandoval, who confirmed the latest death Sunday evening, said police did not know whether the collision was intentional.</div><div><br></div><div>Shelter director Victor Maldonado said the SUV ran up the curb, flipped and continued moving for about 200 feet (60 meters). Some people walking on the sidewalk about 30 feet (9 meters) from the main group were also hit, Maldonado said. Witnesses detained the driver as he tried to run away and held him until police arrived, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"This SUV, a Range Rover, just ran the light that was about 100 feet (30 meters) away and just went through the people who were sitting there in the bus stop,” said Maldonado, who reviewed the shelter’s surveillance video.</div><div><br></div><div>Victims struck by the vehicle were waiting for the bus to return to downtown Brownsville after spending the night at the overnight shelter, said Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.</div><div><br></div><div>Most of the victims were Venezuelan men, Maldonado said. Brownsville has seen a surge of Venezuelan migrants over the last two weeks for unclear reasons, authorities said. On Thursday, 4,000 of about 6,000 migrants in Border Patrol custody in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley were Venezuelan.</div><div><br></div><div>The driver was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained when the car rolled over, Sandoval said. There were no passengers in the car, and police didn’t immediately know the driver’s name or age, Sandoval said Sunday afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>Sandoval said there are three possible explanations for the collision: “It could be intoxication; it could be an accident; or it could be intentional. In order for us to find out exactly what happened, we have to eliminate the other two.</div><div><br></div><div>“He’s being very uncooperative at the hospital, but he will be transported to our city jail as soon as he gets released,\" Sandoval said. \"Then we’ll fingerprint him and (take a) mug shot, and then we can find his true identity.”</div><div><br></div><div>Police retrieved a blood sample and sent it to a Texas Department of Public Safety lab to test for intoxicants.</div><div><br></div><div>The surge in the number of migrants this week has prompted Brownsville commissioners to indefinitely extend a declaration of emergency during a special meeting Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We don’t want them wandering around outside,” Pedro Cardenas, a city commissioner, said Sunday after the crash. “So, we’re trying to make sure they’re as comfortable as they can be so they don’t have to go out and look for anywhere else.”</div><div><br></div><div>Brownsville has long been an epicenter for migration across the U.S.-Mexico border, and it has become a key location of interest for next week\'s end to pandemic-era border restrictions known as Title 42. The Ozanam shelter is the only overnight shelter in the city and manages the release of thousands of migrants from federal custody.</div><div><br></div><div>Maldonado said the center had not received any threats before the crash, but did afterward.</div><div><br></div><div>“I\'ve had a couple of people come by the gate and tell the security guard that the reason this happened was because of us,” Maldonado said.</div><div><br></div><div>About 2,500 migrants have crossed through the river daily into Brownsville in the past few days, Cardenas said. He said the Border Patrol is aware of the city’s capacity of 1,000 at their processing area near the crossing point and a downtown building where city employees and volunteers guide migrants on how to purchase bus or plane tickets to their final destinations. The city is considering expanding services to accommodate needs in the coming days, Cardenas said.</div><div><br></div><div>While 80% of people released from federal custody leave the same day, the city’s emergency management official said, a bottleneck has formed over the past few days.</div><div><br></div><div>“Most of the people coming across don’t want to stay in Brownsville, but we don’t have enough buses for them to buy their ticket to leave,” Cardenas said. “Some are waiting for family members.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Ozanam shelter can hold 250, but many who arrive leave the same day. In the last several weeks, an uptick in border crossings prompted the city to declare an emergency as local, state and federal resources coordinated enforcement and humanitarian response.</div><div><br></div><div>“In the last two months, we’ve been getting 250 to 380 a day,” Maldonado said.</div><div><br></div><div>While the shelter offers migrants transportation during the week, they also use the city’s public transportation.</div><div><br></div><div>Rochelle Garza, president of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said in a statement shared Sunday afternoon: “I hope that today serves as a wake up call, and that state officials will begin investing in a humanitarian response that might have helped the people who were impacted by this morning’s tragedy.\"</div><div><br></div><div>U.S. Rep. Vicente González said Sunday that local officials are in communication with the federal government about the crash, reports AP</div><div><br></div><div>“We are all extremely sad and heartbroken to have such a tragedy in our neighborhood,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 20:59:18', '2023-05-08 20:59:18'),
(6756, 6756, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Renowned author and novelist Samaresh Majumdar died in Kolkata on Monday. He was 81.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>He breathed his last around 5:45pm at a private hospital in Kolkata, Anandabazar daily reported.</div><div><br></div><div>He had long been suffering from multiple health complications. The Sahitya Akademi award-winning novelist was admitted to the hospital on April 25 due to brain haemorrhage. Later, his respiratory problems worsened.</div><div><br></div><div>Samaresh Majumdar is the author of many timeless novels including Uttaradhikar, Kalpurush, Kalbela. He was born in 1942 in North Bengal. He spent his childhood in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.</div><div><br></div><div>His other notable novels include Satkahan, Tero Parvan, At Kuthuri Noy Dorja, Anurag etc, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, winning many national and international awards, Samaresh Majumdar has won the hearts of millions of readers at home and abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 21:07:00', '2023-05-08 21:07:00'),
(6757, 6757, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed on Monday said the government will provide all possible financial assistance to returnees from Sudan, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will be offering their support as well.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“Our primary goal is to alleviate any inconvenience you may face during this difficult time,” he said while receiving the returnees at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.</div><div><br></div><div>He said, \"Don\'t worry. You have contributed significantly to our country, but unfortunately, you\'ve lost everything in Sudan. Now, each of you is returning empty-handed. Rest assured, we are here to help and support you.”</div><div><br></div><div>The 136 Bangladeshi nationals who arrived this morning at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were supported by IOM with air tickets through its internal emergency assistance funding mechanisms to travel from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Dhaka Bangladesh with the coordinated support from the Biman Bangladesh Airlines.</div><div><br></div><div>Upon arrival the returnees were provided with hot meals, refreshments and onward transportation allowance from the Wage Earners\' Welfare Board (Tk 3,000) and IOM (Tk 2,000), facilitating their safe return back to their places of origin.</div><div><br></div><div>Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their gratitude to the IOM for its cooperation during this delicate operation and emphasized the government of Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to the safety of its nationals abroad.</div><div><br></div><div>The government said they are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of every Bangladeshi, no matter where they are in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>While the government of Bangladesh in close coordination with its diplomatic Missions in Sudan and Saudi Arabia made all necessary arrangements to ensure the safe passage of more than 682 vulnerable Bangladeshi nationals, their air travel from Jeddah to Dhaka was sponsored by IOM with flight tickets and other necessary arrangements.</div><div><br></div><div>Fathima Nusrath Ghazzali, Officer in Charge, IOM Bangladesh, reiterated the organization\'s commitment to supporting the government of Bangladesh in this humanitarian effort.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Our priority is the safety and well-being of these vulnerable individuals. We are fully committed to working with the Government to ensure a smooth and efficient repatriation process.\"</div><div><br></div><div>This group is the first of over 680 Bangladeshis to safely return home thanks to the combined efforts and collaboration of IOM and the Government of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>As the volatile situation in Sudan continues to escalate, the government of Bangladesh and IOM remain on alert in monitoring events and are prepared to offer further assistance as needed.</div><div><br></div><div>The remaining Bangladeshi nationals are expected to return to the country in the coming days.</div><div><br></div><div>In a joint effort to safeguard the well-being of its citizens, the government of Bangladesh and IOM on Monday successfully repatriated the first group of Bangladeshi nationals who were stranded in various locations across the Republic of Sudan.</div><div><br></div><div>The ongoing conflict in Sudan has left many Bangladeshi expatriate nationals in a precarious situation. In response to this crisis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the support of its Missions in Sudan and</div><div><br></div><div>Jeddah, Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment and the IOM have taken the initiative to repatriate affected Bangladeshi nationals. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 21:42:47', '2023-05-08 21:42:47'),
(6758, 6758, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Lionel Messi returned to training with Paris Saint-Germain on Monday six days after Argentina\'s World Cup-winning captain was suspended for going on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"Leo Messi returns to training Monday morning,\" tweeted the club along with a photo of the 35-year-old in action.</div><div><br></div><div>His return makes it likely he will feature in PSG\'s home match with relegation-threatened Ajaccio next Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>PSG hold the whip hand in defending their Ligue 1 title, a six point lead over Lens with four matches remaining.</div><div><br></div><div>He was suspended by the Qatar-owned club after failing to turn up for training last Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Instead, the seven-time Ballon d\'Or winner travelled to Saudi Arabia without PSG\'s permission to fulfil commitments as part of a contract with the country\'s tourist office.</div><div><br></div><div>Messi subsequently apologised in a video posted on Instagram to his 458 million followers.</div><div><br></div><div>\"I had organised this trip to Saudi Arabia having cancelled it previously. This time I couldn\'t cancel it. I am sorry for what I did and I wait to see what the club decides to do.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The affair has made it increasingly unlikely that Messi will remain at PSG beyond this season, when his two-year contract with the club expires. Source: AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 21:49:36', '2023-05-08 21:49:36'),
(6759, 6759, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal is expected to present the national budget for FY2023-24 in Parliament on June 1, a ministry spokesman said on Monday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The finance division got the approval of relevant official documents on Monday as part of the preparation, Gazi Tawhidul Islam, public relations officer of the Finance Ministry, told UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>In the documents, responsibilities on the budget day have also been defined so that everyone can do their respective work smoothly, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The government is willing to finish the next national budget before the vacation of Eid-ul-Azha.</div><div><br></div><div>The budget for the FY 2023-24 will be around Tk 7.5 lakh crore, which will be the highest ever budget amount,&nbsp; in the history of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Economic Council is scheduled to announce the new annual development programme of Tk 2.74 lakh crore on May 11, sources said. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-08 22:03:02', '2023-05-08 22:03:02'),
(6760, 6760, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Tens of thousands of Serbs have joined protests against gun violence in the capital Belgrade and another city after two mass shootings last week.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Seventeen people died in the shootings on Wednesday and Thursday, including eight children in a primary school.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protesters called for the resignation of top government officials and want newspapers and TV stations they say promote violence shut down.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Serbia\'s President, Aleksandar Vucic, condemned the protests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He accused the opposition of capitalising on a national tragedy to promote their own interests. He said he was ready to test his party\'s popularity at a snap vote.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I will continue to work and I will never back down before the street and the mob... Whether it will be a reshuffle of the government or an election, we shall see,\" he said on TV.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The next parliamentary elections are set to take place in 2026.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police were stationed near all of Belgrade\'s schools as they restarted classes on Monday. The government is planning to recruit more officers to be stationed at schools.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Crowds marched through the centre of the city behind a banner that read \"Serbia against violence\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are here because we can\'t wait any longer. We\'ve waited too long, we\'ve been silent too long, we\'ve turned our heads too long,\" Marina Vidojevic, a schoolteacher, told the crowd, as quoted by AFP news agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We want safe schools, streets, villages and cities for all children.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands also turned out across the northern city of Novi Sad, where protests threw flowers into the Danube river which flows to the capital.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The protesters called for the resignation of the interior minister and the head of Serbia\'s intelligence agency.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Serbia\'s Education Minister, Branko Ruzic, stepped down on Sunday, citing the \"cataclysmic tragedy\" of the recent school massacre in his resignation letter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Serbia has the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, with about 39 out of 100 people owning guns according to a 2018 survey.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Vucic has started a one-month amnesty for surrendering illegal weapons, with people able to drop off their guns to police with no questions asked.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The amnesty will last 30 days.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the first day of the amnesty around 1,500 guns were surrendered, according to Serbian police. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 07:00:25', '2023-05-09 07:00:25'),
(6761, 6761, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Providing simple and cheap healthcare measures to pregnant women -- such as offering aspirin -- could prevent more than a million babies from being stillborn or dying as newborns in developing countries every year, new research said on Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An international team of researchers also estimated that one quarter of the world\'s babies are born either premature or underweight, adding that almost no progress is being made in this area.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The researchers called for governments and organisations to ramp up the care women and babies receive during pregnancy and birth in 81 low- and middle-income countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eight proven and easily implementable measures could prevent more than 565,000 stillbirths in these countries, according to a series of papers published in the Lancet journal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The measures included providing micronutrient, protein and energy supplements, low-dose aspirin, the hormone progesterone, education on the harms of smoking, and treatments for malaria, syphilis and bacteria in urine.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">If steroids were made available to pregnant women and doctors did not immediately clamp the umbilical cord, the deaths of more than 475,000 newborn babies could also be prevented, the research found.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Implementing these changes would cost an estimated $1.1 billion, the researchers said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is \"a fraction of what other health programmes receive\", said Per Ashorn, a lead study author and professor at Finland\'s Tampere University.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Shockingly\' common -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another study author, Joy Lawn of the London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told AFP that the researchers used a new definition for babies born premature or underweight.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said the traditional way to determine a baby had a low birthweight -- if it was born weighing under 2.5 kilogrammes (5.8 pounds) -- was \"a bit randomly selected\" by a Finnish doctor in 1919.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This \"very blunt measure\" has remained the benchmark for more than a century, despite plentiful evidence that \"those babies are not all the same\", Lawn said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The researchers analysed a database that included 160 million live births from 2000 to 2020 to work out how often babies are born \"too soon and too small\", she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Quite shockingly, we found that this is much more common once you start to think about it in a more nuanced way.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The researchers estimated that 35.3 million -- or one in four -- of the babies born worldwide in 2020 were either premature or too small, classifying them under the new term \"small vulnerable newborns\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While most of the babies were born in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, Lawn emphasised that every country was affected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">One reason progress has flatlined is that these problems tend \"to be something that happens to families and women with less of a voice\", Lawn said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For example, pregnant African-American women in the United States received a lower level of care than other groups, she added. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 08:53:05', '2023-05-09 08:53:05'),
(6762, 6762, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Canada struggled on Monday to control wildfires that have forced thousands to flee, halted oil production and razed towns, with the western province of Alberta calling for federal help.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some 30,000 people were ordered to leave their homes over the past three days, as nearly 100 fires flared across the province -- including 27 out of control.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Federal disaster officials and the military were on standby, after Alberta leader Danielle Smith spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to formally ask for assistance.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Canadians stand with the people of Alberta as they deal with these terrible, terrible wildfires,\" Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We were watching images from the communities affected by these wildfires and I assured Danielle that we will be there to help,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Details of what supports would be made available were not immediately released.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Alberta, firefighters prioritized dousing flames threatening homes and businesses. Many roads near the provincial capital Edmonton were blocked off as temporary shelters welcomed evacuees.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Officials said 390,000 hectares had burned, patients and long-term care residents had to be relocated and many schools were closed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Oil firms -- including Vermilion Energy and Crescent Point Energy -- announced temporary shutdowns of operations, slashing production by more than 125,000 barrels of oil per day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many residents and oil workers rode to safety in motorhomes or with campers in tow, and set up in empty parking lots.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Others are staying with friends or family, like Jerry Greiner, a resident from Dayton Valley, west of Edmonton, the capital of Alberta.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We could see the smoke on Friday and there was a pretty strong wind,\" the 55-year-old told AFP, his eyes tearing up as he recounted receiving the order to evacuate that night.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We quickly grabbed our bags (and went) to our friends\' house. About 12 people stayed there,\" he said. This was the first time Greiner has ever had to flee wildfires.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dayton Valley, a small town of 7,000, was completely abandoned. Trees and grass fields all around were blackened by the fires, and smoke billowed from a few charred buildings, but most of the homes appeared intact, observed an AFP reporter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Black smokey skies -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was not clear when residents would be permitted to return.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Resident Randy Braun, 57, said the fire chief told locals it would be \"at least a week minimum.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smith said the fires \"may continue on for several months,\" but added that evacuation orders had been lifted in the morning for three communities.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kathy Bereuwski, 61, escaped with her family and dogs. \"The sky,\" she told AFP, \"was pitch black\" with smoke and falling ash.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the northern community of Fox Lake, a fire destroyed 20 homes, a store and a police station. Residents had to be evacuated by boat and helicopter.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Alberta premier declared a state of emergency on Saturday, calling the wildfire situation \"unprecedented.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The province -- one of the world\'s largest oil-producing regions -- \"has been experiencing a hot, dry spring and with so much kindling, all it takes is a few sparks to ignite some truly frightening wildfires,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Almost all of Alberta as well as much of neighboring Saskatchewan province, parts of British Columbia and a large swath of the Northwest Territories face extreme fire risks.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two out-of-control wildfires in westernmost British Columbia have also forced residents to evacuate, and authorities have warned they expect strong winds to swell those blazes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In recent years, western Canada has been hit repeatedly by extreme weather, the intensity and frequency of which have increased due to global warming.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Forest fires in Canada\'s oil sands region in 2016 disrupted production and forced out 100,000 residents from Fort McMurray, pummelling the nation\'s economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More recently in 2021, British Columbia suffered record-high temperatures over the summer that killed more than 500 people, as well as wildfires that destroyed an entire town.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">That was followed by devastating floods and mudslides.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Christie Tucker, a spokesperson with Alberta\'s wildfire agency, said Monday brought \"a continuation of yesterday\'s break in the hot weather across most of the province, with light scattered showers.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s a much needed chance to make progress on some of these powerful, challenging wildfires,\" she said. \"But we\'re not out of the woods yet.\" AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 08:58:16', '2023-05-09 08:58:16'),
(6763, 6763, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israeli air strikes killed nine people before dawn on Tuesday in the Gaza Strip, according to the health ministry of the Hamas-controlled territory.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military announced it had carried out strikes against Palestinian \"Islamic Jihad targets\" in the area, without giving further details. An AFP journalist in Gaza saw the top of a building on fire after the strikes and ambulances evacuating victims. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 09:19:11', '2023-05-09 09:19:11');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6764, 6764, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US President Joe Biden said Monday he wants to see striking movie and television writers in Hollywood get a \"fair deal\" on contract negotiations quickly.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I sincerely hope the writers\' strike in Hollywood gets resolved and writers are given the fair deal they deserve as soon as possible,\" he said during a film screening at the White House in honor of the Asian-American community. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 09:22:07', '2023-05-09 09:22:07'),
(6765, 6765, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">President Vladimir Putin is set to preside Tuesday over Victory Day celebrations overshadowed by Russia\'s battlefield failures in Ukraine, confrontation with the West and fear of new attacks at home.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But in a major coup for the Kremlin, at least six post-Soviet leaders including the prime minister of Armenia and the president of Kazakhstan are expected to attend the military parade that fetes the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Putin, who has become the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, is expected to address thousands of troops standing at attention in Moscow\'s Red Square amid ramped-up security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, after 14 months of fighting in Ukraine, Russia has little to show for its military campaign, with troops failing to take control of the eastern town of Bakhmut, its military leadership riven by conflict and Kyiv preparing to go on the offensive.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Political analyst Arkady Dubnov said that \"for the first time in many years\" Putin will be surrounded at a Victory Day parade by a number of post-Soviet leaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Despite the serious weakening of its global positions after February 24, 2022, Russia remains to a certain extent the metropolis of a former empire whose actions have to be taken into account,\" Dubnov said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that \"all necessary measures\" were being taken to ensure the safety of the leaders.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the run-up to the festivities, Russia has witnessed numerous incidents, including explosions derailing trains, fires, a drone attack on the Kremlin and a bombing attack that wounded a fiercely pro-Kremlin writer, Zakhar Prilepin.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than two dozen cities and towns -- near the Ukraine border, but also in more distant Russian regions -- have cancelled plans to stage their own military parades over security concerns.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin has, however, said that the Red Square parade, which is essential to Putin\'s legitimacy, will take place.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since coming to power in 2000, Putin has promoted a patriotic cult around the 1945 Soviet victory over the Nazis, used to stoke patriotism and boost his standing as the heir of Soviet power.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Kremlin has also used the memory of the Soviet war effort to justify its offensive in Ukraine, claiming it is fighting \"fascists\" supported by the West.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities have scrapped plans to hold so-called \"Immortal Regiment\" marches that see people carry photos of veterans or family members who died in World War II.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">While officials said the events would not take place due to security concerns, Kremlin critics say many Russians could have brought photos of those who died fighting in Ukraine, highlighting the scale of Moscow\'s losses.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- Problems at the front -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ahead of the parade, Yevgeny Prigozhin, chief of the mercenary group Wagner, issued a series of blistering, profanity-laced videos, blaming Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov for withholding ammunition amid talk of infighting and rivalries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Institute for the Study of War has pointed to \"chain of command problems\" for the Russian army in Ukraine that cast doubt on Moscow\'s ability to \"coordinate a coherent theatre-wide defensive campaign\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">By contrast, Ukraine commemorated the end of World War II together with Europe on Monday, with President Volodymyr Zelensky vowing that Russian forces would be defeated just as Nazi Germany was beaten in 1945.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Ukrainian leader said the Kremlin was responsible for \"aggression and annexation, occupation and deportation\", as well as \"mass murder and torture\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Zelensky said he had submitted a bill to parliament to formally commemorate World War II in Ukraine on May 8. For years the anniversary was marked on May 9, as it was in Russia and other ex-Soviet countries.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ukraine will also mark a separate Europe Day on May 9, which promotes peace and unity on the continent, he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Kyiv for talks with Zelensky on Tuesday. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 09:37:54', '2023-05-09 09:37:54'),
(6766, 6766, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 160 at 9:10 am today, Dhaka ranked 4th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India\'s Delhi, Pakistan\'s Lahore and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 245, 186, and 160, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 151 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be \'very unhealthy\', while a reading of 301+ is considered \'hazardous\', posing serious health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 10:37:02', '2023-05-09 10:37:02'),
(6767, 6767, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday morning returned home from London after her 15-day official visit to Japan, the US and the UK.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:05am. The flight departed Heathrow International Airport, London at 6:25pm on Monday (London Time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 25 last, Hasina left Dhaka for Tokyo on a four-day official visit to Japan on the first leg of her official three-nation visit. She went to Japan at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her stay in Tokyo, the Bangladesh PM met Emperor of Japan Naruhito, held summit meeting with her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She and her Japanese counterpart witnessed the exchange of eight instruments, mostly memorandums of cooperation signed between Dhaka and Tokyo to boost cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, metro-rail, industrial up-gradation, ship-recycling, customs matters, intellectual property, defense, ICT and cyber security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also attended an investment summit and a community reception as well as handed over the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” to two Japanese nationals for their special contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, Hasina held meetings separately with Foreign Minister of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr Tanaka Akihiko, Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial & Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC) Fumiya Kokubu, Chairman and CEO of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Ishiguro Norihiko and President of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL) Taro Aso.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 28, the PM left Tokyo for Washington DC on a six-day official visit to the USA on the second leg of her three-nation tour in a bid to attend the celebration of the 50 years of partnership between the World Bank and Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She attended a seminar titled \"Reflection on 50 years of Bangladesh-World Bank Partnership\" organized at the headquarters of the World Bank in Washington DC, USA on May 1.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Washington DC, Sheikh Hasina also had meetings separately with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and President and CEO of US Chamber of Commerce Suzanne P. Clark.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, she attended a high-level executive roundtable with the US business delegation and a community reception.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On May 04, the premier left Washington DC for London on a five-day official visit to the UK to attend the coronation of UK\'s King Charles III, hosted by Buckingham Palace on May 06.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In London, Hasina had interaction with King Charles III, a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also attended the Commonwealth Leaders Event, the King\'s reception for heads of states, governments and overseas representatives at Buckingham Palace in advance of the coronation of the King and the Queen Consort, and a community reception.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She had a meeting with and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, PM Hasina had interactions with Presidents of Egypt and Rwanda, Prime Ministers of Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Namibia and Uganda in the coronation programme of King Charles III. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 10:47:05', '2023-05-09 12:18:48'),
(6768, 6768, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Boro cultivation has brought smiles to the farmers of Chapainawabganj district with a bumper yield this season.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a recent visit to different parts of the district, this correspondent found that some farmers are busy harvesting paddy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ibrahim Ali, a farmer in Sadar upazila, said, “I have brought three bighas of land under boro cultivation. I got 80 maunds of paddy from my land and I am happy with this.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Though I did not face any shortage of seeds and fertilizers this year, the production cost has shot up,” he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Shafiqul Islam, another farmer of Nunapokhar area, said, “I have cultivated boro paddy on 12 bigha land. Now paddy harvesting is going on. This year the yield is quite good, and I’m getting 25–26 maunds of paddy per bigha. The current price is also good – Tk 1,100–1,200 per maund. If the cost of fertilizer, irrigation and pesticide were down, we would be benefited more,” he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), a total of 51,555 hectares of land have been brought under boro cultivation as farmers are showing more interest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year, the DAE set a target to cultivate boro paddy on 51,150 hectares of land but the farmers cultivated 51,555 hectares exceeding the target, said Palash Sarkar, deputy director of DAE.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under agricultural incentives, boro seeds and fertilizers were provided free of charge to 36,200 marginal farmers in the district.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Farmers have cultivated the Ufsi variety of paddy in their fields as it is more profitable than the other varieties.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, this time the cultivation of BRRI Dhan-88 and BRRI Dhan-89 has been expanded, Deputy Director Palash Sarkar said. UNB</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', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 11:40:51', '2023-05-09 11:40:51'),
(6769, 6769, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today returned home from London after wrapping up her 15-day tri-nation visit to Japan, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier and her entourage members, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here at 10:05 am.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, the flight departed from Heathrow International Airport, London at 6:25pm on Monday (London time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 25, the prime minister on the first leg of her three-nation visit reached Japan as a special VVIP flight (BG1403) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying her and entourage members landed at the Haneda International Airport, Tokyo at 4:45pm (local time).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan had rolled out a red carpet to welcome the Bangladesh prime minister and gave her the state guard of honour at the airport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her stay at Tokyo, Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart witnessed the exchange of eight instruments, mostly memorandums of understanding, signed between Dhaka and Tokyo to boost cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, metro-rail, industrial up-gradation, ship-recycling, customs matters, intellectual property, defense, ICT and cyber security.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On April 26, the premier had a courtesy call on the Emperor of Japan Naruhito. Then on the same day, she held a bilateral meeting with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier also attended an investment summit and a community reception alongside handing over the \"Friends of Liberation War Honour\" to four Japanese nationals on April 27 for their contribution to Bangladesh\'s Liberation War in 1971.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister, as well, attended several additional bilateral meetings with Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi as well as leaders of JAICA, JETRO, JEBIC, JBPFL and JBCCEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also had meetings with the former late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe\'s wife Akie Abe and Japanese architect Tadao Ando.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the second leg of her visit, on April 29, the premier arrived in Washington DC wrapping up her four-day official tour to Tokyo in Japan at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her visit to the United States, the prime minister attended a programme marking 50 years of Bangladesh-World Bank partnership and some side events that include a roundtable with US business leaders and several meetings with WB\'s incoming President Ajay Banga and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva alongside a civic reception.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On May 4, on the third leg of her visit, the prime minister arrived in London to attend the coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla as the King and the Queen of the United Kingdom (UK) and the other Commonwealth realms from Washington DC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During her stay in the UK, Sheikh Hasina attended the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen at Westminster Abbey on May 6.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In London, Sheikh Hasina had interaction with King Charles III, and a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">British Foreign Minister James Cleverly along with his wife Susannah Sparks also called on her at her place of residence, the Claridge Hotel in London.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The premier attended a dinner in honour of her hosted by Bangladesh high commissioner to the UK at the Foyer Private Dining Room of Claridge Hotel on the same day.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She had a meeting with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Besides, Sheikh Hasina had interactions with Presidents of Egypt and Rwanda, Prime Ministers of Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Namibia and Uganda in the coronation programme of King Charles III.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former Prime Minister of UK Tony Blair and Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland also met the Bangladesh prime minister at her place of residence on May 7.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The prime minister was accorded a civic reception by expatriate Bangladeshis in the UK at London Marriott Hotel on the same day and she also gave an interview to BBC. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 12:18:16', '2023-05-09 12:18:16'),
(6770, 6770, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said Bangladesh would become another China in terms of economic development due to the strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I can see Bangladesh will become another China, may be better, since it has strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,\" he said</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador said as per the forecast, the GDP growth of Bangladesh will overtake the China next year and Beijing very much appreciate Dhaka\'s such success.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We are encouraged to see Bangladesh\'s development,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yao was speaking at the pre-departure reception on Sunday evening at the Chinese Embassy here in honour of the Bangladeshi participants attending Chinese government training programmes of 2023.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The envoy said Bangladesh is already a model for many countries in the world in terms of development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Our (Bangladesh and China) final objective is common- development,\" he added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yao said that the participants of the first batch of the training are very lucky as such visits have resumed after three years of Covid-19 related restrictions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ambassador said this programme will help the participants study China in a better way as the two countries eye strengthening bilateral relations on all aspects.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy Song Yang coordinated the programme. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 12:47:43', '2023-05-09 12:47:43'),
(6771, 6771, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Dhaka court on Tuesday sentenced Mohammad Rabiul Islam alias Arav Khan, a Dubai-based gold dealer, to 10 years\' rigorous imprisonment in an arms case filed in January 2015.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Judge Murshid Ahmed of Dhaka Metro Special Tribunal-14 passed the order this noon, in absence of Arav Khan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, Arav Khan was sentenced to a fine of Tk 10,000, in default of which he will have to serve another three months\' imprisonment.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) AKM Salahuddin confirmed the development.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier, on March 28, the court heard the testimonies of 10, out of 20, witnesses. Arav Khan could not claim his innocence as he was absconding.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the prosecution, Arav Khan was arrested in January 2015, with a loaded revolver from Dhaka\'s Moghbazar area as he went to his father-in-law Sekendar Ali’s house to collect money at gunpoint.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the same day, Sujan Kumar Kundu, the then Sub-inspector of DB West\'s Car Theft Prevention and Rescue Team, filed a case against Arav Khan with Ramna Model Police Station under arms act.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">DB Police Sub-inspector Sheikh Hasan Mohammad Mostafa Sarwar, also the investigating officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against Arav Khan to the court on March 1, 2015. The tribunal framed charges against him on May 10.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was granted bail in the case on March 14, 2018. The court issued an arrest warrant against Arav Khan on October 24, 2018 declaring him as \"fugitive\". UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 13:02:10', '2023-05-09 13:02:10'),
(6772, 6772, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Argentina and Paris Saint Germain veteran star Lionel Messi on Monday scooped a unique double, landing individual and team Laureus awards for his exploits and those of his World-Cup winning nation.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi, 35, finally landed a first World Cup winners medal in Qatar last December after a thrilling penalty shootout final win over France -- enough to earn him an individual accolade while the seven-time Ballon d\'Or winner also accepted the team award at a prestigious Paris ceremony.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Argentine, who attended the ceremony with wife Antonela Roccuzzo, previously had won the award jointly with British Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton in 2020.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The accolade saw Messi, who earned a fine and suspension from PSG for making an unauthorised promotional visit to Saudi Arabia, see off competition notably from clubmate Kylian Mbappé, whose World Cup final hattrick was not enough to earn him glory in Qatar.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who last August earned a fifth world 100m crown at Eugene, Oregon, picked up the female athlete award while US Open tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz earned the World Breakthrough of the Year award.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Going back to football, Denmark and Manchester United star Christian Eriksen earned a Comeback Award for returning to the top of the European game after collapsing with cardiac arrest during the Euros two years ago.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Swiss para-athlete sensation Catherine Debrunner meanwhile picked up the Disability Award after triumphing in her opening two marathons.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Sport for Good Award was presented to TeamUp -- a programme for children displaced by war -- by Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Chinese-American Olympic ski freestyle champion Eileen Gu won the World Action Sportsperson accolade.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The awards have been made annually since 2000 by a jury comprising 71 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, representing the past 50 years of athletic excellence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">This year\'s ceremony following two virtual editions owing to Covid restrictions. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 13:21:16', '2023-05-09 13:21:16'),
(6773, 6773, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The low pressure area over Southeast Bay and adjoining South Andaman Sea intensify into a well-marked low over the same area.</span><br></b></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The low pressure area over Southeast Bay and adjoining South Andaman Sea intensify into a well-marked low over the same area. It is likely to intensify further. Trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area\", according to latest weather bulletin on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, having chances of rain thunders at one or two places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions; the release added which is valid for the next 24 hours begins from 9am on Tuesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the same time, severe heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Netrokona, Khulna, Chudanga and Kushtia and mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping elsewhere over the country and it may continue.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Day and night temperature may rise slightly over the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Country\'s maximum temperature on Monday was recorded by 41.0 degree celsius at Chuadanga while minimum one was recorded today by 22.5 degree celsius at Badalgachhi.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Today\'s sunset at Dhaka at 06-31 PM while Tomorrow\'s sunrise at 05-19 AM. BSS</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 13:45:14', '2023-05-09 13:45:14'),
(6774, 6774, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Actor Priyanka Chopra has spoken about her daughter Malti Marie Chopra\'s first India trip and how she loved the food including paneer (cottage cheese). In a new interview, Priyanka also talked about how her mother Madhu Chopra and mother-in-law Denise Jonas help by taking care of Malti when the actor is away. She added that because of Madhu and Denise, Priyanka and her husband-singer Nick Jonas can focus on their work.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Priyanka and Nick Jonas announced that they welcomed their daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas via surrogacy last year in January. The couple didn\'t reveal Malti\'s face for a year. Earlier this year, Malti made her first public appearance as she attended the Jonas Brothers\' Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony with Priyanka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an interview with ABC\'s The View, Priyanka agreed that after Malti\'s birth, she re-prioritised her life. She said, \"Definitely. I was really grateful that she happened to me at a time where I had the ability to put a pin in it. Not everyone has the ability to say that, \'Hey I won\'t go to work\' or take a year off but I did. I took a year off and I\'m someone who has done four movies a year because I\'m greedy.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">I don\'t want anyone else to do the job, just in case I don\'t get it again. I still have that energy. But when she came there\'s nothing else matters. She is my honing signal. Wherever I go I have to come back home. She is with me everywhere. She is in New York right now which means my mother schlepped everywhere.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She added that she can\'t go to work without someone in the family being with Malti. The actor added that Madhu \'loves it though\'. Priyanka said that as she was being interviewed, her mother-in-law took care of Malti. She added that between her mother and mother-in-law, the couple has \'so much support to be able to do our jobs\'.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talking about Malti\'s recent India trip, Priyanka said, \"It meant everything. She loved everything about India the sights, the sound, the fact that you don\'t need car seats. I was like, \'Oh boy, getting her back into the car seat will be an issue\'. She loved everything. She had right hand paneer and left hand paneer in her mouth and \'Mmmm\'. Loved Indian food, loved the sights, the sounds. It made me so happy we could be there as a family--Nick, me and the baby, went. It was so special.\" Priyanka, Nick and Malti visited India together last month.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Priyanka currently features in Citadel, created by The Russo Brothers. The action-packed show revolves around two elite agents Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka) of the global spy agency Citadel. She was also seen in Love Again. Priyanka will be seen with Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif in Farhan Akhtar\'s directorial Jee Le Zaraa. HT</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 14:05:29', '2023-05-09 14:05:29'),
(6775, 6775, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israeli air strikes on Gaza killed three Islamic Jihad militant group leaders early Tuesday and left 10 others dead, including several children, according to officials in the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Islamic Jihad vowed to \"avenge\" the deaths after the pre-dawn raid in which more than 40 Israeli jets hit targets for nearly two hours in the crowded coastal enclave from just after 2:00 am (Monday 2300 GMT).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Gaza health ministry said four children were among those killed and 20 people were wounded, some of them in serious or critical condition, after the attacks which left buildings ablaze and reduced others to rubble.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Violence also flared later in the occupied West Bank when Israeli forces launched a raid in Nablus that left at least a dozen people suffering bullet wounds, according to Palestinian medics.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli army said that in its Gaza air strikes it had targeted three leaders of Islamic Jihad, which it considers a terrorist group, as well as its \"weapon manufacturing sites\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel \"achieved what we wanted to achieve\" in the operation, said army spokesman Richard Hecht. Asked about child casualties, he said: \"If there were some tragic deaths, we\'ll look into it.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Islamic Jihad confirmed three of its senior members were killed in Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It named them as Jihad Ghannam, secretary of the Al-Quds Brigades military council, Khalil al-Bahtini, commander of the military wing in northern Gaza, and Tareq Ezzedine, a military leader in the West Bank who operated from Gaza.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AFP photographers saw the body of a man identified as Ghannam in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip, and also a boy\'s body in the morgue of Gaza City\'s Shifa hospital, where mourners had gathered.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Islamic Jihad vowed to retaliate, with spokesman Daoud Shehab warning that \"the resistance considers that all cities and settlements in the Zionist (Israeli) depths will be under its fire\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hecht said the military was \"looking where this thing will develop\", while instructing Israeli residents within 40 kilometres (25 miles) of the Gaza border to stay near bomb shelters until Wednesday evening.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Avenge the leaders\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel last week traded air strikes on Gaza for rocket fire from the enclave, an exchange sparked by the death in Israeli custody of a Palestinian hunger striker with ties to Islamic Jihad, which ended with an Egypt-brokered truce.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Islamic Jihad charged on Tuesday that Israel had \"scorned all the initiatives of mediators\" and vowed it would \"avenge the leaders\" killed in the latest air strikes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Israeli military described Ghannan as \"one of the most senior members\" of Islamic Jihad who had coordinated weapons and money transfers with Hamas.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bahtini was \"responsible for the rocket fire toward Israel in the past month\", Israel said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">And Ezzedine had been planning \"multiple attacks against Israeli\" civilians in the West Bank, it charged.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Israel for his involvement in suicide attacks in the 2000s, before being freed in a 2011 prisoner exchange and transferred to Gaza, according to the army.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An Islamic Jihad source told AFP that Ezzedine was part of a delegation from the group that had been due to travel to Cairo for a meeting Thursday, which had now been cancelled.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Treacherous operation\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The army later Tuesday said its troops had entered Nablus in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967, with residents telling AFP they heard explosions during the raid.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its medics treated 145 injuries in Nablus, including a dozen people who were shot with live fire and many more who suffered tear gas inhalation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement on the Gaza attacks that \"assassinating the leadership in a treacherous operation will not bring security to the occupier, but instead greater resistance\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The militant group\'s spokesman, Hazem Qassem, warned that Israel \"bears responsibility for the repercussions of this escalation\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel and Gaza militants have fought multiple wars since Hamas took control of the enclave in 2007.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A three-day conflict in Gaza last August left 49 Palestinians and no Israelis dead, with Cairo playing a key role in securing a ceasefire.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tuesday\'s deaths bring to 121 the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so far this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nineteen Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian have been killed over the same period, according to an AFP count based on official sources from the two sides. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 14:41:52', '2023-05-09 14:41:52'),
(6776, 6776, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">At least 22 people were killed and several others were injured when a bus they were travelling in fell from a bridge in Indian Madhya Pradesh\'s Khargone on Tuesday, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bus, with 50 people on board, was on its way to Indore when it fell from a bridge in Khargone\'s Dasanga village. Emergency services with the help of local villagers are engaged in rescue operation, Mr Mishra said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a compensation of ₹ 4 lakh to the families of those who were killed in the accident, ₹ 50,000 each to those who are \'seriously\' injured and ₹ 25,000 each to people with minor injuries. Chief Minister Chouhan\'s government will also bear the costs of treatment of those injured.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi\'s office announced today that a compensation of ₹ 2 lakh each will be given to the families of those who died.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A probe is underway to determine the cause of the accident, the police said. NDTV</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 14:57:37', '2023-05-09 14:57:37'),
(6777, 6777, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bhutan and Bangladesh are close to sign a Memorandum of Understanding( MoU) on cooperation in hydropower between the two neighbouring countries.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Ambassador of Bhutan Rinchen Keuntsy said this during a courtesy meeting with President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Press secretary to the president Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>President Shahabuddin said signing a bilateral MoU on cooperation in hydropower will strengthen the relationship between the two countries.</div><div><br></div><div>The president recalled the unwavering support of the people of Bhutan during Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Dhaka gives special importance to the relationship with Bhutan as it was the first country to recognise Bangladesh December 6, 1971, even before the final victory in our war of liberation.</div><div><br></div><div>He said that the excellent relations between the two neighbourly countries would be elevated to even newer height in the coming days and the two countries will continue to cooperate at different regional and multilateral forums to harness the existing potentials for the benefit of the entire region.</div><div><br></div><div>He also emphasised increasing the connectivity between the two countries to explore the possibilities.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that Bhutan is the second largest commercial partner of Bangladesh, he said the markets in the Himalyan kingdom display many Bangladeshi products including garments.</div><div><br></div><div>Secretaries concerned to the president were also present during the meeting. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 15:44:15', '2023-05-09 15:44:15'),
(6778, 6778, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been taken into custody by paramilitary force, local GEO TV reported on Tuesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Khan was taken into custody from a court premises in Islamabad in a corruption case, the broadcaster reported.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Imran Khan\'s car has been surrounded,\" Khan\'s aide Fawad Chaudhry said without confirming his arrest.</div><div><br></div><div>Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb did not immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking confirmation of the report. According to Reuters reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 15:52:29', '2023-05-09 15:52:29'),
(6779, 6779, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and sent Bangladesh into bat first in the three-match ODI series opener at County Ground Chelmsford.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Just one and half months on from beating Ireland in their own backyard, Bangladesh found themselves on English shores to play the Irish again.</div><div><br></div><div>But the series is particularly important for Ireland. Had they win the series 3-0, they\'ll pip South Africa and push them to the World Cup qualifiers. Bangladesh, however want to keep the winning momentum going on ahead of the World Cup.</div><div><br></div><div>As it was expected, Bangladesh are going with three fast bowlers.</div><div><br></div><div>\"After the first ten overs, when it stops swinging, I think it will be a very good wicket,\" Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal said.</div><div><br></div><div>Ireland also want to make a good start to the series.</div><div><br></div><div>\"We want to try to turn this into our home for this week, and have a good week,\" Irish captain Balbirnie said.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Line Ups:</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh : Tamim Iqbal(c), Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Shakib Al Hasan,Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain</div><div>Ireland: Paul Stirling, Stephen Doheny, Andrew Balbirnie(c), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Graham Hume. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 16:35:52', '2023-05-09 16:35:52');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6780, 6780, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>One of India\'s biggest states on Monday banned a movie critics accused of stoking communal hatred and propaganda against Muslims but defended strongly by the ruling right-wing Hindu government.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"The Kerala Story\" claims that 32,000 Hindu and Christian women from the mixed-faith state of Kerala have converted to Islam, and that some were recruited by the Islamic State jihadist group.</div><div><br></div><div>Critics have called the film out for peddling lies aimed at fomenting communal polarisation and unrest.</div><div><br></div><div>But the movie has been endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and seized on by Hindu hardliners who say its portrayal is accurate.</div><div><br></div><div>The state of West Bengal, which has a larger population than Germany, on Monday banned the movie, with chief minister Mamata Banerjee -- whose party opposes Modi\'s -- slamming it as a \"distorted story\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"This is to avoid any incident of hatred and violence, and to maintain peace in the state,\" she told reporters in Kolkata.</div><div><br></div><div>The trailer for the Hindi-language film initially claimed that thousands of women had fled their homes \"to be buried in the deserts\" but as controversy mounted it was edited to say it was a story about three women from Kerala.</div><div><br></div><div>But the closing credits still say it is \"dedicated to the thousands of girls in Kerala and Mangalore who didn\'t come back home after their conversions\".</div><div><br></div><div>Anurag Thakur, the information and broadcast minister, said the film showed \"the reality of ISIS\" and that by banning it, West Bengal was effectively siding with terror outfits that \"lure women with love\".</div><div><br></div><div>\"Everyone must see this movie to understand the agenda of these terror outfits who operate globally but do their recruitment in some parts of India,\" Thakur told broadcaster India Today.</div><div><br></div><div>Indian authorities have not previously expressed concern that thousands of their citizens may have joined Islamic State (also known by the acronym ISIS), a prospect which would alarm counter-terrorism experts.</div><div><br></div><div>Multiplexes in the southern state of Tamil Nadu have also stopped the screenings of the movie fearing violence and unrest.</div><div><br></div><div>The controversy comes after \"The Kashmir Files\", about Hindus fleeing from Muslim-majority Kashmir in 1989-90, last year saw incidents of people in cinemas calling for revenge killings of Muslims.</div><div><br></div><div>India, the world\'s largest democracy, in January banned the screening of a BBC documentary about Modi\'s role during deadly 2002 sectarian riots in Gujarat, calling it \"hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage\". According to AFP reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 17:03:30', '2023-05-09 17:03:30'),
(6781, 6781, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The High Court scrapped a petition of former superintendent of police (SP) Babul Akter, challenging a Chattogram court\'s order, framing charges against him in a case lodged over his wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>\"Rejected as being not pressed,\" said the High Court bench of Justice S M Kuddus Zaman and Justice Shahed Nuruddin.</div><div><br></div><div>Concerned lawyers said because of today\'s order, now there is no legal bar in continuing the case proceedings against Babul. Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir argued for Babul, while Deputy Attorney General Sujit Chatterjee Bappi stood for the state.</div><div><br></div><div>Chattogram 3rd Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jasim Uddin on March 13, 2023, framed charges against seven including Mitu\'s husband Babul Akter in the sensational murder case. The other accused in the case are- Motaleb Miah alias Wasim, Anwar Hossain, Ehteshamul Haque Bhola, Shahjahan Miah, Kamrul Islam Shikder Musa and Khairul Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>Babul after that filed the petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of Chattogram court\'s indictment order.</div><div><br></div><div>Police Bureau of Investigation on September 13, 2021, filed charge-sheet against the seven. The court on October 10, 2021, accepted it. Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 17:32:14', '2023-05-09 17:32:14'),
(6782, 6782, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will play in Saudi Arabia next season under a \"huge\" deal, a source close to the negotiations told AFP on Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>\"Messi is a done deal. He will play in Saudi Arabia next season,\" said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity and without naming the club.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The contract is exceptional. It\'s huge. We are just finalising some small details,\" added the source, who is not authorised to speak to media.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked about the comments, Messi\'s current club Paris Saint-Germain simply noted he remains under contract until June 30.</div><div><br></div><div>A separate PSG source said: \"If the club had wanted to renew his contract, it would have been done earlier.\"</div><div><br></div><div>The 35-year-old World Cup winner was suspended by Qatari-owned PSG last week for an unauthorised trip to Saudi, where he is a tourism ambassador.</div><div><br></div><div>Messi\'s expected arrival in the oil-rich kingdom follows in the footsteps of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in a massive deal in January.</div><div><br></div><div>Ronaldo\'s agreement to June 2025 is said to total more than 400 million euros ($439million), making him the world\'s highest paid athlete according to Forbes.</div><div><br></div><div>Both deals are being bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the world\'s biggest sovereign wealth funds with more than $620 billion in assets, the source said.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The negotiations didn\'t take as much time as the ones with Ronaldo. As we now know the recipe to contract world-class players,\" said the source.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It\'s Saudi Arabia that brought him not a specific club. The Money comes from one place -- PIF.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Ronaldo\'s arrival has not had the impact Al Nassr would have hoped for on the pitch.</div><div><br></div><div>They have lost top spot in the Saudi Pro League table and are out of the running in the King\'s Cup and Super Cup.</div><div><br></div><div>French coach Rudi Garcia departed in April.</div><div><br></div><div>- PSG protesters -</div><div><br></div><div>Messi, who turns 36 in June, has had two lacklustre seasons in Paris after a glorious era at Barcelona where he won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles, and is still worshipped by the fans.</div><div><br></div><div>The record seven-time world player of the year, joining a mouth-watering attack featuring Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, scored just 11 goals in his first season as he helped PSG to a routine Ligue 1 title.</div><div><br></div><div>But PSG have got no closer to a coveted maiden Champions League victory, bowing out twice in the last 16 even with the illustrious Argentine in the line-up.</div><div><br></div><div>Frustrations boiled over last week when black-clad PSG protesters let off flares and sang hostile chants targeting the underperforming Messi, Neymar and Italian midfielder Marco Verratti.</div><div><br></div><div>The angry scenes contrasted with Messi\'s career-crowning moment in December, when he led Argentina to a breathless World Cup final victory over Mbappe and France in Doha to fill the biggest gap in his resume.</div><div><br></div><div>Qatar\'s emir draped him in a traditional bisht robe at the trophy ceremony, a reminder of the fossil-fuel riches pouring into football and Messi\'s bank account via PSG.</div><div><br></div><div>However, Messi is also a highly paid tourism ambassador for Qatar\'s neighbours and sometime rivals Saudi Arabia, the world\'s biggest oil exporter that is attempting to diversify its largely single-stream economy. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Sports Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 18:24:19', '2023-05-09 18:24:19'),
(6783, 6783, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Chattogram court on Tuesday sentenced a former commander of banned militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to 20 years imprisonment in two cases filed over the Explosives Substances Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The convict was Ershad Hossain alias Mamun, son of Riazul Islam of Dinajpur district.</div><div><br></div><div>Judge of the Chattogram Additional Session Judge Court-4, Shariful Alam Bhuiya announced the verdict.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also fined him Tk 20,000 and if he failed to pay the money he will be jailed for one year more.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the prosecution, police arrested Ershad from a house in Akbar Shah area and seized some explosives, bomb-making materials and some books from his possession on March 23, 2015.</div><div><br></div><div>Sub-inspector of Akbar Shah Police Station, Shahidur Rahman filed two separate cases against him under the Explosives Substance Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act.</div><div><br></div><div>On April 8, 2016, police submitted chargesheets against him in the two cases.</div><div><br></div><div>The court also acquitted three persons—Bulbul Ahmed Sarkar alias Fuad, 26, Md Sujon, 24 and Mahabubur Rahman alias Khokon, 35—as allegations brought against them could not be proved. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 18:57:18', '2023-05-09 18:57:18'),
(6784, 6784, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday at Moscow\'s Red Square Victory Day parade that the world was at a \"turning point\" and claimed a \"war\" had been unleashed against Russia.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He vowed victory and said Russia\'s future \"rests on\" its soldiers fighting in Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>The traditional Soviet-style event celebrating Moscow\'s victory over the Nazis took place amid security fears, 15 months into Russia\'s Ukraine offensive.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Today civilisation is again at a decisive turning point,\" Putin said at the parade, which included elderly veterans and soldiers from Russia\'s Ukraine campaign.</div><div><br></div><div>\"A war has been unleashed against our motherland,\" he claimed.</div><div>He called for Russia to be victorious: \"For Russia, for our armed forces, for victory! Hurrah!\"</div><div><br></div><div>The Russian leader has increasingly portrayed the campaign in Ukraine as an existential conflict, which he says the West has escalated by supporting the Ukrainian government.</div><div><br></div><div>Putin told soldiers taking part in Moscow\'s Ukraine campaign, several hundreds of whom were present at the Red Square parade, that \"the whole country is with you.\"&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"There is nothing more important now than your combat effort,\" he said.</div><div>\"The security of the country rests on you today, the future of our statehood and our people depend on you.\"</div><div><br></div><div>Putin also railed against \"Western globalist elites\", accusing them of sowing conflicts and \"coups\" around the world.</div><div><br></div><div>\"Their goal, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the collapse and destruction of our country,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The longtime Russian leader vowed that Moscow would overcome this.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>\"But we have rebuffed international terrorism, we will protect the people of (eastern Ukraine\'s) Donbas, we will ensure our security,\" he said.</div><div><br></div><div>This appeared to be a reference to an unprecedented series of attacks on Russian soil in the run-up to the Victory Day parade, a central event under Putin\'s rule. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 21:30:53', '2023-05-09 21:30:53'),
(6785, 6785, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Tuesday said they are not here to \"mediate or interfere\" in politics in Bangladesh but they are here to meet and listen to all political parties to understand the situation.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He, however, said they “of course want to see free and fair elections” in Bangladesh without any violence and that he thinks all Bangladeshis want to see the same.</div><div><br></div><div>The EU Ambassador made remarks while responding to a question on the next national election in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Diplomats from the EU countries joined the media conference hosted at a hotel in Dhaka, marking Europe Day 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>The European Union will send an exploratory election monitoring mission in July. The EU has already received a written invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>The EU Ambassador recently had a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-09 22:25:23', '2023-05-09 22:25:23'),
(6786, 6786, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A British national extradited to the US last month has pleaded guilty in New York to a role in one of the biggest hacks in social media history.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The July 2020 Twitter hack affected over 130 accounts including those of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Joseph James O\'Connor, 23, known as PlugwalkJoe, pleaded guilty to hacking charges carrying a total maximum sentence of over 70 years in prison.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US justice department said he had also used technology to stalk a minor.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">US Assistant Attorney-General Kenneth Polite Jr described in a statement O\'Connor\'s actions as \"flagrant and malicious\". saying he had \"harassed, threatened, and extorted his victims, causing substantial emotional harm\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Like many criminal actors, O\'Connor tried to stay anonymous by using a computer to hide behind stealth accounts and aliases from outside the United States. But this plea shows that our investigators and prosecutors will identify, locate, and bring to justice such criminals to ensure they face the consequences for their crimes.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2020, an estimated 350 million Twitter users saw suspicious tweets from official accounts of the platform\'s biggest users. Thousands fell for a scam, trusting that a crypto giveaway was real.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cyber experts agreed that the consequences of the Twitter hack could have been far worse if O\'Connor and other hackers had had plans more sophisticated than a get-rich-quick scheme.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Disinformation could have been spread to affect political discourse and markets could have been moved by well-worded fake business announcements for example.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The hack showed how fragile Twitter\'s security was at the time as the hackers managed to use social engineering tricks more akin to those of conmen than of high-level cyber criminals to get access to the powerful internal control panel at the site.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was, and still is, a hugely embarrassing moment in Twitter\'s troubled history.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">O\'Connor\'s admission has not come as a shock though as there was a wealth of evidence in the public domain thanks to the hackers making some bad mistakes or being too loud in their celebrations in the aftermath of the hack. BBC</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 07:20:37', '2023-05-10 07:20:37'),
(6787, 6787, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">&nbsp;Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will play in Saudi Arabia next season under a blockbuster deal, a source close to the negotiations in the kingdom told AFP on Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The deal would mean Messi potentially joins his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi league as the Gulf state lavishes its oil wealth on sport.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">There was no confirmation from Messi\'s current club Paris Saint-Germain, who noted simply that he was under contract until June 30 when contacted by AFP.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The source said Messi will sign a \"huge\" deal with an as-yet-unnamed Saudi club just months after the 35-year-old lifted the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar in December.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Messi is a done deal. He will play in Saudi Arabia next season,\" said the source, who is not authorised to speak to media and spoke on condition of anonymity.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The contract is exceptional. It\'s huge. We are just finalising some small details,\" added the source.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A separate PSG source said the Qatar-owned French club had not offered Messi a new deal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If the club had wanted to renew his contract, it would have been done earlier,\" that source said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite several reports linking Messi with Al Hilal, one of the top Saudi teams, club sources told AFP they had not been in direct contact with PSG.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lionel Messi\'s father and agent Jorge insisted Tuesday his son has not decided where he will play next season.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"There is absolutely nothing agreed with any club for next year,\" Messi\'s father wrote on Instagram.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The decision will not be made before Lionel finishes the league with PSG.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Just five years after allowing its first non-Muslim tourists visit and letting women drive, Saudi Arabia is attempting to open up its conservative society and diversify its oil-reliant economy.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The world\'s biggest oil exporter has thrown hundreds of millions at sports deals including Ronaldo\'s signing, Formula One in Jeddah and the divisive LIV Golf tour, drawing frequent claims it is \"sportswashing\" its human rights record.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi was suspended by Qatari-owned PSG last week for an unauthorised mid-season trip to Saudi, where he is a tourism ambassador.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has also been heavily linked to a return to his former club, Barcelona. A spokesman for the Spanish La Liga leaders said, \"We don\'t know anything about that,\" when asked about a potential Saudi deal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'Not a specific club\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi\'s long-time sparring partner Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in a massive deal in January.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ronaldo\'s agreement to June 2025 is said to total more than 400 million euros ($439 million), making him the world\'s highest paid athlete according to Forbes.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both deals -- along with others including LIV Golf and the 2021 purchase of Newcastle United football club -- are being bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the world\'s biggest sovereign wealth funds, the source said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In any transfer involving such enormous financial stakes, last-minute changes are not unusual.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">However the source in Saudi Arabia said the negotiations with Messi had gone smoothly.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The negotiations didn\'t take as much time as the ones with Ronaldo. As we now know the recipe to contract world-class players,\" the source said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It\'s Saudi Arabia that brought him, not a specific club. The money comes from one place -- PIF.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ronaldo, 38, has not been a guarantee of success at Al Nassr, who have slipped off the top of the Saudi Pro League and missed out on silverware in the Saudi cup competitions.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Messi is also intended to raise the profile of Saudi Arabia as it tries to bring in tourists and investment, the source said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"He is a player at the end of his career and he is not here only for football. He is here to secure international attraction for the kingdom,\" said the source who is following the Messi negotiations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The plan is not only Messi and Ronaldo, the plan is to bring glorious players like these two and also upcoming youth players who have a promising future.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"We want people to visit Saudi Arabia to watch football stars,\" the source added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- World Cup bid -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Messi has had two lacklustre seasons in Paris after a glorious era at Barcelona where he won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles, and is still worshipped by the fans there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The record seven-time Ballon d\'Or winner, joining a mouth-watering attack featuring Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, scored just 11 goals in his first season as he helped PSG to a routine Ligue 1 title.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But PSG have got no closer to a coveted maiden Champions League victory, bowing out twice in the last 16 with the illustrious Argentine in their line-up.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Saudi Arabia has held talks with Egypt and Greece about a joint World Cup bid, according to officials. In coming years it will hold the men\'s Asian Cup football tournament, the Asian Games and even the Asian Winter Games on artificial snow. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"20\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 07:26:12', '2023-05-10 07:26:12'),
(6788, 6788, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Donald Trump has been found liable for battery and defamation, after a civil trial jury found he sexually abused writer E Jean Carroll in the 1990s.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The jury rejected the rape claim but awarded the former Elle magazine advice columnist $5m (£4m) in damages.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The nine-person jury began discussing the battery and defamation lawsuit on Tuesday and deliberated for just under three hours.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ms Carroll, 79, had claimed that the former US president raped her in a department store changing room in Manhattan in 1995 or 1996.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said he defamed her by claiming she made up the story and was seeking compensation and punitive damages.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the verdict, Ms Carroll said in a statement that she filed the lawsuit to \"get my life back\" adding that \"today the world finally knows the truth\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed,\" she said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump calls verdict \'disgrace\'</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump, who did not attend the trial, has insisted he never sexually assaulted Ms Carroll or even knew her. He has called the verdict a \"disgrace\" on his Truth Social platform.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump said: \"I have absolutely no idea who this woman is. This verdict is a disgrace - a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former US president, campaigning to retake the White House in 2024, will appeal, his lawyer confirmed. He will not have to pay so long as the case is on appeal.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the trial, Ms Carroll testified and told jurors Trump \"shattered\" her reputation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Her defamation claim concerns an October 2022 post on Truth Social in which he called her allegations a \"complete con job\" and \"a hoax and a lie.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\'No one is above the law not even a former president\'</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Because this was a civil case, Trump faces no criminal consequences.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Former Trump aide Sean Spicer has said the charge of rape would have \"stung a lot\" for Donald Trump.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said to \"keep in mind this is a civil proceeding not a criminal proceeding\", but added: \"It\'s never a good thing to have a verdict against you... especially of this nature.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr Spicer said the \"optics do matter in politics, but I think if you were president Trump right now... the charge of rape would have stung a lot\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ms Carroll\'s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, said the verdict is a victory not only for Ms Carroll but \"for democracy itself and for all survivors everywhere\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"No one is above the law, not even a former President of the United States,\" she added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the seven-day trial, jurors were also shown a deposition by Trump confusing Ms Carroll for his ex-wife Marla Maples in a photograph - which Ms Carroll\'s lawyers said undermines the former president\'s argument that she was not his type.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trump\'s lawyers previously said Ms Carroll has \"abused the system\" for \"money, status and political reasons\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking outside the court, Trump\'s lawyer Joe Tacopina said it was an \"inconsistent verdict\" but added that he was happy Trump \"was not branded a rapist\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said: \"For me it\'s about the results. While it was strange, part of me was obviously very happy that Donald Trump was not branded a rapist I didn\'t think there should be any liability findings so we\'ll pursue that.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former president waived his right to testify at trial and opted not to present a defence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ms Carroll first made her accusations in a 2019 memoir.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She testified that she had a chance encounter with Trump at the Bergdorf Goodman store across the street from Trump Tower.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">She said it was a light-hearted interaction in which they teased each other about trying on a piece of lingerie before Trump became violent inside a dressing room. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 07:29:48', '2023-05-10 07:29:48'),
(6789, 6789, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested and dragged from court Tuesday as he appeared to face charges in multiple graft cases, a dramatic escalation of political tensions that sparked violent demonstrations by his angry supporters across the country.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The arrest of Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 but remains the leading opposition figure, represented the latest confrontation to roil Pakistan, which has seen former prime ministers arrested over the years and interventions by its powerful military.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At least one person was reported killed in clashes between protesters and the military in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, with another five people wounded there, while about 15 injuries were reported amid similar violence in Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Lahore. Police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amid the violence, officials at Pakistan’s telecommunication authority said regulators blocked social media, including Twitter, and internet service was suspended in the capital of Islamabad and other cities. Classes at some private schools were canceled for Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan was removed from the Islamabad High Court by security agents from the National Accountability Bureau, said Fawad Chaudhry, a senior official with his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, and then shoved into an armored car and whisked away.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chaudhry denounced the arrest of the 71-year-old former cricket star as “an abduction.” Pakistan’s independent GEO TV broadcast video of Khan being hauled away.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">A scuffle broke out between Khan’s supporters and police outside the court. Some of Khan’s lawyers and supporters were injured in the melee, as were several police, Chaudhry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan was taken to the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, for questioning at the offices of the National Accountability Bureau, according to police and government officials. He also was to undergo a routine medical checkup, police said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan had arrived at the Islamabad High Court from nearby Lahore, where he lives, to face charges in the graft cases.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He has denounced the cases against him, which include terrorism charges, as a politically motivated plot by his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, saying his ouster was illegal and a Western conspiracy. Khan has campaigned against Sharif and demanded early elections.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tuesday\'s arrest was based on a new warrant from the National Accountability Bureau obtained last week in a separate graft case for which Khan had not been granted bail. His lawyers challenged the legality of the arrest, but the court upheld it, although it added that Khan should not have been forcibly removed from the courtroom. Khan is scheduled to appear at an anti-graft tribunal on Wednesday, officials said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Imran Khan has been arrested because he was being sought in a graft case,” Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan told a news conference. He alleged Pakistan’s treasury had lost millions of dollars while Khan was in office due to illegal purchases of lands from a business tycoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Accountability Bureau is Pakistan’s powerful anti-corruption organization that has detained and investigated former officials, including prime ministers, politicians and retired military officers. But some view the NAB as a tool used by those in power, especially the military, to crack down on political opponents. When Khan was in power, his government arrested Sharif, then the opposition leader, through the NAB.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">At a news conference, Law Minister Azam Tarar said Khan was arrested because he was not cooperating with the investigations. He also denounced the violence by Khan supporters, saying that protests must remain peaceful.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“It should have not happened,” he said, shortly after TV video emerged of burning vehicles and damaged public property in parts of the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities said they have banned rallies in the eastern province of Punjab.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the news of the arrest spread, about 4,000 of Khan’s supporters stormed the official residence of the top regional commander in Lahore, smashing windows and doors, damaging furniture and staging a sit-in as troops there retreated to avoid violence. The protesters also burned police vehicles and blocked key roads.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Protesters also smashed the main gate of the army’s headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where troops exercised restraint. Hundreds of demonstrators shouted pro-Khan slogans as they moved toward the sprawling building.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the port city of Karachi, police swung batons and fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of Khan supporters who had gathered on a key road.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Raoof Hasan, another leader from Khan’s party, told Al Jazeera English television that the arrest is “blatant interference in the judicial affairs by the powers-that-be.\" Hasan added that Khan \"was virtually abducted from the court of law.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan\'s arrest came hours after he issued a video message before heading to Islamabad, saying he was “mentally prepared” for arrest there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan was wounded by a gunman at a rally in November, an attack that killed one of his supporters and wounded 13. He has insisted, without offering any evidence, that there is a plot to assassinate him, alleging that Pakistan\'s spy agency was behind the conspiracy. The gunman was immediately arrested and police later released a video of him in custody, allegedly saying he had acted alone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a strongly worded statement Monday, the military accused Khan of “fabricated and malicious allegations” of its involvement in the November shooting, saying they are “extremely unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The military has directly ruled Pakistan for more than half of the 75 years since the country gained independence from British colonial rule, and wields considerable power over civilian governments.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sharif, whose government faces spiraling economic woes and is struggling to recover from last year’s devastating floods that killed hundreds and caused $30 billion in damage, slammed Khan for assailing the military.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">“Let this be abundantly clear that you, as former prime minister, currently on trial for corruption, are claiming legitimacy to overturn the legal and political system,\" Sharif tweeted after Khan\'s arrest.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement, the European Union urged “restraint and cool headedness” in the country, through dialogue and the rule of law.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly both said at a news conference they were aware of reports about Khan’s arrest but declined any substantive comment. “We just want to make sure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law, with the constitution,” Blinken said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cleverly said he had not been briefed in detail but added, “The U.K. has a longstanding and close relationship with Pakistan. We are Commonwealth partners. We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want ot see the rule of law adhered to. I’m uncomfortable to speculate further without having a detailed briefing on that.”</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan is the seventh former prime minister to be arrested in Pakistan. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was arrested and hanged in 1979. The current prime minister’s brother, Nawaz Sharif, who also served as prime minister, was arrested several times on corruption allegations.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In March, police stormed Khan’s Lahore residence, seeking to arrest him based on a court order in a different case. Dozens of people, including police, were injured in ensuing clashes. Khan was not arrested at the time and later obtained bail in the case.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Khan came to power in 2018 after winning parliamentary elections and had initially good relations with the military which gradually soured. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">&nbsp;bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 10:03:53', '2023-05-10 10:03:53'),
(6790, 6790, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">A Tunisian naval guard shot and killed a colleague and two civilians Tuesday as he tried to reach a synagogue on the Mediterranean island of Djerba during an annual Jewish pilgrimage, the Tunisian Interior Ministry said. The attacker was slain by security guards, and 10 people were injured.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The motive for the attack was under investigation. It came as Tunisia, once a prized tourist destination and birthplace of the Arab Spring pro-democracy uprisings, has fallen into political and economic crisis.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Djerba, a picturesque island off the southern coast of Tunisia, is home to the North African country’s main Jewish community.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The civilians killed were French and Tunisian, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry said. It was not immediately clear if they were pilgrims attending ceremonies at the 2,500-year-old Ghriba temple, one of Africa\'s oldest synagogues.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those injured include six security agents and four civilians, the Interior Ministry said. It did not specify how they were injured or whether they were all shot by the attacker, who was not publicly identified.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The assailant, a guard affiliated with the National Guard naval center in the port town of Aghir on Djerba, first killed a colleague with his service weapon and then seized ammunition and headed toward the Ghriba synagogue, the ministry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">When he reached the site, he opened fire on security units stationed at the temple, who fired back, killing him before he reached the entrance, the ministry said. The synagogue was locked down and those inside and outside were kept secure while authorities investigate the motives for the attack, the ministry said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ghayda Thabet, a member of the Tunisian Association for the Support of Minorities, was at the Ghriba synagogue and appealed for help on Facebook. “They are shooting with live ammunition. Help us,” she pleaded in a post.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Videos circulating online showed panic-stricken visitors running while gunshots rang out.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It occurred during an annual pilgrimage that attracts thousands of visitors from around the world to Djerba.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2002, a truck bombing killed some 20 people at the entrance to the same temple during the annual Jewish pilgrimage. Al-Qaida claimed responsibility for that attack, whose victims included German and French tourists as well as Tunisians.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2015, an attack in Tunisia at the Mediterranean resort of Sousse killed 38, mostly British tourists. The Islamic State group claimed that attack, along with attacks that year on the famed Bardo Museum in the capital Tunis and on a bus carrying presidential guards. AP/UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 10:07:16', '2023-05-10 10:07:16'),
(6791, 6791, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Health professionals must warn the world about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), a group of academics wrote on Wednesday, as clamours grow for work on the technology to be halted.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The academics wrote in the BMJ Global Health journal that time was running out to take action because corporations, the military and governments were working so fast to develop AI tools.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">AI exploded into the public consciousness last year with ChatGPT, a bot capable of generating tracts of coherent text from short prompts.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The wild popularity of the bot sparked a race between tech giants like Google and Microsoft to embed AI in everything from spreadsheets to search tools, and prompted investors to pour money into AI startups.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the health academics pointed to a range of threats, including powerful AI surveillance systems being developed in dozens of countries, killer robots and disinformation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">For healthcare, they wrote, people with darker skin were at serious risk of harm or reduced care because the datasets used to \"train\" AI algorithms were often biased.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They argued that \"the window of opportunity to avoid serious and potentially existential harms is closing\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The authors, led by Frederik Federspiel of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and David McCoy of the United Nations University in Kuala Lumpur, wrote that global cooperation would be needed.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"Healthcare professionals have a key role in raising awareness and sounding the alarm on the risks and threats posed by AI,\" they wrote in an analysis piece.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"If AI is to ever fulfil its promise to benefit humanity and society, we must protect democracy, strengthen our public-interest institutions, and dilute power so that there are effective checks and balances.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Concern about the direction of AI research is prompting alarm even among those at the centre of the field.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Earlier this month, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, often dubbed \"the godfather of AI\", quit his job at Google to warn of the \"profound risks to society and humanity\" of the technology.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In March, billionaire Elon Musk -- whose Tesla carmaker deploys AI systems -- and hundreds of experts called for a pause in AI development to allow time to make sure the technology was safe and properly regulated. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"6\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 10:10:32', '2023-05-10 10:10:32');
INSERT INTO `news_details` (`id`, `news_id`, `details`, `ticker`, `representative`, `keyword`, `video_link`, `google_drive_link`, `audio_link`, `shoulder`, `created_at`, `updated_at`) VALUES
(6792, 6792, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The United States said it has opened an embassy in the Kingdom of Tonga, as it jostles with China\'s growing clout in the South Pacific.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tonga, a Polynesian archipelago of about 100,000 people, is the latest in a string of Pacific island states targeted in a renewed US diplomatic push into the region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The new embassy in the capital Nuku\'alofa was officially opened Tuesday, the US State Department said in a statement, with more diplomatic staff to follow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"This opening symbolises the renewal of our relationship and underlines the strength of our bilateral relations, to the people of Tonga, and to our partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region,\" it said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The State Department tipped the \"potential appointment\" of a resident US ambassador to Tonga.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States also has plans to open embassies in Vanuatu and Kiribati, and in February it restored its embassy in Solomon Islands after a 30-year hiatus.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States has been the dominant military force in the South Pacific since World War II.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the region is increasingly the arena for powers to compete for commercial, political and military influence.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">China, the rising military power in the region, has also asserted itself through its expanding diplomatic reach, investment, police training, and security deals.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States and its allies were taken by surprise when China reached a secretive security pact last year with Solomon Islands.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite denials from Solomon Islands, US and Australian officials have voiced concerns the pact could open vast waters to China\'s military. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 10:13:01', '2023-05-10 10:13:01'),
(6793, 6793, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>The United States and Britain on Tuesday pressed Russia to extend again a deal to export Ukrainian grain, accusing Moscow of exploiting global hunger for advantage in the war.</b></span><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Black Sea Grain Initiative, in place since July after diplomacy by the United Nations and Turkey, allows the export by port of Ukrainian grain, helping ease shortages and resulting price spikes triggered by Russia\'s invasion of the breadbasket nation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Russia has not committed to a third renewal before the deal expires on May 18.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"In recent days, Russia has once again returned to blocking ships from sailing to Ukraine\'s ports to pick up the grain, in a cynical action that directly results in less food getting to global markets and to human beings in Africa, the Middle East and around the world,\" US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The world shouldn\'t need to remind Moscow every few weeks to stop using people\'s hunger as a weapon in their war against Ukraine,\" he said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">British Secretary James Cleverly, speaking alongside Blinken, said Russia \"should re-sign the Black Sea Green Initiative and do so immediately.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"It is completely wrong that Russia uses the hunger of some of the poorest people in the world to pursue leverage during this conflict,\" Cleverly said.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Russian officials say they have not seen progress on a parallel part of the initiative which calls for unhindered Russian food and fertilizer exports.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The United States argues that food has never been under sanctions, despite the other wide restrictions it has led against Russia over its invasion. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 11:10:11', '2023-05-10 11:10:11'),
(6794, 6794, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The depression over southeast Bay and the adjoining area has intensified into a deep depression.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">At 6 am on Wednesday, it was centred about 1550 km south of Chattogram port, 1470 km south of Cox’s Bazar port, 1550 km south-southeast of Mongla port and 1505 km south-southeast of Payra port.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction till May 11 (Thursday). Thereafter, it is likely to recurve gradually and move north-northwards.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 km of the deep depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sea will remain moderate near the deep depression centre.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant cautionary signal no one.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 11:30:30', '2023-05-10 11:30:30'),
(6795, 6795, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">The US border with Mexico will be \"chaotic for a while,\" President Joe Biden acknowledged Tuesday, days before pandemic-era rules that have made claiming asylum at the frontier all but impossible are due to end.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tens of thousands of people are massing at border crossing points awaiting the expiration of Title 42 overnight Thursday into Friday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thousands have already entered the United States, squeezing through the holes that pockmark the division between the world\'s wealthiest country and its poorer neighbor, and a spike in asylum claims is expected.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Texan cities of El Paso, Brownsville and Laredo have declared a state of emergency as they struggle to cope with hundreds of people -- most from Latin America, some from China, Russia and Turkey -- who are already there.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Asked if the United States was ready for a surge in people, Biden told reporters: \"It remains to be seen. It\'s going to be chaotic for a while.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Title 42 was put in place under Donald Trump, ostensibly to prevent people with Covid-19 from entering the country.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In practice, it has been little more than a crude tool to swiftly expel those trying to migrate.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">From Friday, migrants will once again be able to lodge asylum claims and have their cases dealt with through the legal system, a process that can take years.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden\'s Republican Party opponents have hammered the veteran Democrat over his border policy, which they say amounts to throwing open the doors, with dire forecasts that more than a million people could arrive in the next three months, overwhelming an already-stretched system.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biden has ordered 1,500 active duty troops to the frontier, where they are expected to assist border patrol agents with the processing of applicants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With a presidential election 18 months away and immigration a regular fault line in the country\'s fractious politics, Biden is hoping new rules -- and the influx of troops -- will help staunch that flow.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday lashed out at the president, accusing him of \"laying down the welcome mat.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Republican said he was sending Texas National Guard Soldiers to \"hotspots all along the border to help intercept and repel large groups of migrants trying to enter Texas illegally.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of those troops were visible Tuesday at the border in El Paso, across from Mexico\'s Ciudad Juarez.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">- \'I was left alone\' -</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the city, hundreds of migrants who have already crossed into the country -- many of them Venezuelans -- were queueing to hand themselves in to border patrol agents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those fleeing the dysfunctional South American country previously had a carve-out from the Title 42 rules, and were still able to claim asylum.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They fear that once the measure lapses, they will be stuck in Mexico, unable to reverse the difficult journey back to a hostile homeland, and living without money at the mercy of human traffickers.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"I waited for four months trying to lodge my request but I was left alone,\" Gleidys Losada told AFP in El Paso.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"All the people I knew were crossing through the gaps. I was left alone, and I decided I couldn\'t wait any longer.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lopez has spent the last four nights outside Sacred Heart Church in downtown El Paso, which has become a gathering point for thousands of migrants.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They huddle there, dependent on charity and hoping to somehow be able to scrabble together enough money to get them to cities across the United States, where they may have friends or family waiting for them. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 11:55:58', '2023-05-10 11:55:58'),
(6796, 6796, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Israeli forces killed two Palestinians accused of shooting at soldiers in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, with the Palestinian health ministry confirming the deaths near the northern city of Jenin.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ministry identified the two men as Ahmed Jamal Tawfiq Assaf, 19, and Rani Walid Ahmed Qatanat, 24, saying they were \"shot dead by the Israeli occupation\" in the town of Qabatiya.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a statement, the army said \"assailants opened fire at IDF soldiers from a vehicle\".</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"The soldiers responded with live fire toward the two assailants and killed them.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\"An M-16 rifle and a handgun\" were found at the scene, the statement added.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The incident came just one day after a series of Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday killed three Islamic Jihad militant group leaders and 12 civilians, leaving both sides braced for an escalation.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The latest violence brings to 125 the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so far this year.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nineteen Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian have been killed over the same period, according to an AFP count based on official sources from the two sides.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">These figures include combatants as well as civilians, and, on the Israeli side, three members of the country\'s Arab minority.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. AFP</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"1\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 12:33:54', '2023-05-10 12:33:54'),
(6797, 6797, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">With an air quality index (AQI) score of 158 at 8:51 am on Wednesday, Dhaka ranked 4th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality for the second consecutive day.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">India’s Delhi, Kazakhstan’s Astana and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first, second, and third spots, with AQI scores of 204, 173 and 160, respectively.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while between 201–300 is ‘’very unhealthy’, and 301–400 is \'hazardous\', posing severe health risks to residents.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 12:36:52', '2023-05-10 12:36:52'),
(6798, 6798, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh\'s partnership with countries in the Indian Ocean will become stronger through hosting the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Dhaka on May 12-13, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Wednesday.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun, minister and state minister-level delegation from 25 countries including Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the conference.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Briefing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Momen also said around 150 foreign guests will participate in the conference including representatives from D8, SAARC and BIMSTEC.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The participating ministers will also visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay respect to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh maintains good relations with Mauritius and the relations will further strengthen through the visit of the country\'s president.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Responding to a question, Dr momen said Myanmar was not invited to the conference.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference at a Dhaka hotel on May 12. The Prime Minister will also host a dinner in honour of the guests.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 6th edition of the conference is being organised by India Foundation in association with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the theme of “Peace, Prosperity and Partnership for a Resilient Future”, the conference would bring together a luminary gathering of key stakeholders to chart the roadmap for strengthening the Indian Ocean Region.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) was started in 2016 and in the last six years it has emerged as the \"flagship consultative forum\" for countries in the region over regional affairs.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conference endeavours to bring critical states and principal maritime partners of the region together on a common platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first edition of the conference was held in Singapore in 2016.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was attended by over 300 delegates from 22 countries including ministers, political leaders, diplomats, strategic thinkers, academics, and media. UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 12:57:59', '2023-05-10 12:57:59'),
(6799, 6799, '<div style=\"text-align: justify; \"><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Bangladesh is operating four chartered flights from Sudan, at its own cost, to evacuate the remaining Bangladeshi citizens to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.</b><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three of the chartered flights will be operated today, while the fourth will be operated tomorrow, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the government has sent required financial support for providing food to Bangladeshis who are waiting in Sudan.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once they reach Jeddah, they will fly back to Dhaka as soon as possible.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Tuesday, 136 Bangladeshi nationals arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">They were supported by IOM with air tickets through its internal emergency assistance funding mechanisms to travel from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Dhaka, Bangladesh with the coordinated support from Biman Bangladesh Airlines.</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Upon arrival the returnees were provided with meals and onward transportation allowance from the Wage Earners\' Welfare Board (Tk 3,000) and IOM (Tk 2,000). UNB</div><div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></div><div style=\"text-align: justify; \">bnbd24/kh</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"19\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 13:37:01', '2023-05-10 13:37:01'),
(6800, 6800, '<div><b><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Police held scores of opposition activists in an overnight crackdown across Pakistan following outrage and widespread protests over the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges Tuesday.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>At least three people were killed in clashes between the protesting workers belonging to Khan\'s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and police, according to officials.</div><div><br></div><div>The detainees included Umar Sarfraz Cheema, former governor of the northeastern Punjab province, several lawmakers and second-tier party leaders.</div><div><br></div><div>The PTI on Wednesday called for nationwide protests and a shutdown, but distanced itself from violence, calling upon the supporters to remain peaceful and gather outside police headquarters in Islamabad, where Khan is expected to appear before a judge.</div><div><br></div><div>According to a government notification, the hearing would take place at a police guest house to avoid any security situation.</div><div><br></div><div>While mobile internet and social media platforms remain restricted, schools were shut in many parts of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the party had no information about Khan\'s whereabouts.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan\'s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry also told reporters that he had no contact with his client.</div><div><br></div><div>The former prime minister was arrested from the Islamabad High Court in one of the several dozen cases filed against him since his ouster last April. His party says the cases are politically motivated.</div><div><br></div><div>Since being removed from power after losing a vote of confidence, he has led a campaign for early elections, and accused the US, as well as the country\'s powerful military, of removing him from office.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan was arrested in connection with alleged corruption involving the Al Qadir University Trust.</div><div><br></div><div>It is alleged that the cricketer-turned-politician and his wife, Bushra Bibi, received billions of rupees and a large piece of costly land to build the educational institution in return for releasing an amount of £190 million to a property tycoon in 2020.</div><div><br></div><div>The amount, equivalent to around PKR 60 billion, was identified and returned to the country by the UK\'s National Crime Agency (NCA), following a settlement with real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in 2019.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Accountability Bureau, Pakistan\'s anti-corruption body, alleges that Khan’s PTI government struck a deal with Riaz that caused a loss of more than $239 million to the national exchequer, in a quid pro quid arrangement with the businessman.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan and his party leaders, however, deny the allegations. - Anadolu Agency</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 16:02:14', '2023-05-10 16:02:14'),
(6801, 6801, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US aircraft manufacturer giant Boeing has predicted that air travel in Bangladesh will double in the next decade – driven by the country’s growing population, expanding economy and the middleclass.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Boeing provided details about the increasing demand and capacity for air travel in Bangladesh in a briefing today on its Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), a yearly forecast of global and regional demand for aircraft.</div><div><br></div><div>Through 2032, Bangladesh is expected to achieve an annual economic growth rate of more than 5% -- double the global average, supporting air traffic growth at nearly 8.5% annually, according to Boeing.</div><div><br></div><div>“As travel restrictions were relaxed over the past year, capacity growth in Bangladesh has increased by 11% year-over-year,” said Dave Schulte, Boeing Commercial Marketing Managing Director for Asia Pacific and India, on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Led by regional traffic to the Middle East and India, Bangladesh’s air travel could double over the next 10 years, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>To meet strong demands in passenger travel and air cargo, Boeing anticipates South Asia’s carriers will need more than 2,300 new commercial airplanes over the next 20 years, more than tripling South Asia’s current in-service fleet of 700 airplanes.</div><div><br></div><div>“We see tremendous opportunity in South Asia, with more than 80% of new deliveries supporting air travel growth and 20% replacing older, less fuel-efficient airplanes,” said Schulte.</div><div><br></div><div>Single-aisle airplanes like the Boeing 737 family will make up nearly 90% of South Asia’s future fleet, while 10% of the regional fleet will be widebody airplanes like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Both airplane models are currently in operation with Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines.</div><div><br></div><div>“Boeing airplanes have played a tremendous role in the rapid growth of commercial aviation in Bangladesh. Commonality across the fleet will continue to play a major role in furthering growth, especially as it enables our airline customers to reduce operating costs and expenditures associated with training and maintenance,” added the Boeing Commercial Marketing Managing Director for Asia Pacific and India. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 16:50:53', '2023-05-10 16:50:53'),
(6802, 6802, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>NATO military chiefs met on Wednesday to prepare for the leaders’ summit to be held in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in July.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The officials will discuss new regional plans that “provide a much more precise requirement for what is needed to help transform our militaries,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in his opening remarks.</div><div><br></div><div>With the new arrangements that are expected to be adopted by the NATO leaders in July, “allies will know exactly what forces and capabilities are needed, including where, what, and how to deploy,” he added.</div><div><br></div><div>These “geographically specific plans describe how we will defend key and relevant places in our alliance against” the threats of Russia and terrorism, Adm. Rob Bauer, the chair of the NATO Military Committee, explained.</div><div><br></div><div>“For the first time since the end of the Cold War, we will have objective, threat-based capability targets to offer to nations,” Bauer added.</div><div><br></div><div>Stoltenberg expressed hope that NATO heads of states and governments will show “political courage” at the Vilnius summit to adopt reforms, as the alliance must “redouble” its efforts to keep its 1 billion citizens safe and to uphold the rules-based international order as it prepares for “more dangerous future.”</div><div><br></div><div>“High-intensity warfare is back in Europe; global competition is rising, authoritarian regimes are challenging our values, interests and security,” while climate change and terrorism also remain significant threats, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>In order to meet new challenges, NATO leaders should agree on a new defense investment pledge that sees 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP) as a minimum investment, Stoltenberg asserted.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, he said he expects leaders to “endorse the new NATO defense production action plan” to boost investment and production capacities in the allied countries. - Anadolu Agency&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 17:09:16', '2023-05-10 17:09:16'),
(6803, 6803, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Superstar Priyanka Chopra is in a happy place thanks to her web series Citadel receiving positive response across the world. During the promotions of the spy thriller, which features her alongside Richard Madden, the actress said that for the first time in her over two-decade-long career she received equal pay.&nbsp;</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Now, as a guest on the American talk show The View, Priyanka Chopra has shared how she initially did not believe that equal pay was a possibility and attributed the positive development to Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke\'s vision. Speaking about receiving equal pay for Citadel, Priyanka Chopra said: “Thank God. 23 years later.</div><div><br></div><div>But I do think – and I have talked about this a little bit – the head of film and TV for Amazon Prime is Jennifer Salke whose idea was Citadel. She came in five years ago and she wanted to build this global universe.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I wonder if the head of the studio was not female, would this have been a different conversation? Would it have been a conversation because with her it wasn\'t. They [the team] went back and said, ‘They\'re playing co-leads, and should be paid the same.\' She was like, ‘Yeah, it\'s only fair\'.”</div><div><br></div><div>Sharing that she didn\'t even believe equal pay was a possibility before Citadel, Priyanka Chopra continued, “My cynical self was like, ‘No, it\'s never going to happen\'. I am telling my agents – ‘You can ask for it, but, guys, I\'ve done this for a long time\'.\"</div><div><br></div><div>She added that this is why it is important for women to be in decision-making positions, “Because it changes other women\'s lives. After Citadel, every job I have done where I\'m the co-lead, I\'ve gotten parity. So, it did change my life. ”</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, Priyanka Chopra revealed during an interview at the 2023 South by Southwest Film Festival with Jennifer Salke, the head of Amazon Studios, that she had finally received equal pay for her work on Citadel and that this was a first in her career.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Priyanka acknowledged that her statement might land her in trouble depending on who was listening. She said, “I might get into trouble for saying this, depending on who\'s watching. I\'ve been working in the entertainment industry for 22 years, and I have done almost 70-plus features and two TV shows. But when I did Citadel, it was the first time in my career that I had pay parity. I\'m laughing about this, but it\'s kind of nuts.”</div><div><br></div><div>Before that in an interview with BBC 100 Women, Priyanka Chopra spoke about pay parity and said, “It (the pay gap) is large, substantially large. And so many women still deal with that. I\'m sure I will too if I worked with a male co-actor now in Bollywood.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“I thought it was absolutely OK to sit for hours and hours on set, while my male co-actor just took his own time, and decided whenever he wanted to show up on set is when we would shoot,” she added about her working experience in Bollywood. Source : NDTV</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'Entertainment', '[\"13\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 17:22:57', '2023-05-10 17:22:57'),
(6804, 6804, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan can be held for questioning for eight days, a court ruled Wednesday, a day after the country\'s popular opposition leader was dragged from a courtroom and arrested.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>His detention set off clashes between his supporters and police Tuesday, leaving at least four people dead. On Wednesday, angry protesters stormed and set fire to a building housing Radio Pakistan in the northwest.</div><div><br></div><div>The 70-year-old politician lost power last year but remains the country\'s most popular opposition figure. He is the seventh former prime minister to be arrested in Pakistan. His dramatic arrest on Tuesday deepened the political turmoil.</div><div><br></div><div>Two people were killed first, one Tuesday in the southwestern city of Quetta and another in the northwestern city of Peshawar overnight. Two more were in clashes with police Wednesday in Peshawar.</div><div><br></div><div>In eastern Punjab province, where authorities said 157 police officers were injured in clashes with Khan supporters, the local government asked the army to step in and restore order.</div><div><br></div><div>Pakistan\'s GEO television broadcast footage showing Khan appearing before a judge at a temporary court inside a police compound Wednesday. The former premier was seen seated in a chair, holding documents. He appeared calm but tired.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, the National Accountability Bureau requested 14-day detention of Khan, but the tribunal said authorities could keep him in their custody for eight days.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Khan’s legal team challenged his arrest before the Islamabad High Court, seeking his release.</div><div><br></div><div>Also in Peshawar, Khan\'s supporters raided the building housing Radio Pakistan, damaging equipment and setting fire to it, said police official Naeem Khan. Some of the employees were trapped inside, he said, and police were trying to restore order.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan\'s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party had called for demonstrators to remain peaceful, hours after mobs angered over the dramatic arrest set fire to the residence of a top army general in the eastern city of Lahore.</div><div><br></div><div>When he was arrested on Tuesday, Khan was appearing in court on multiple graft charges brought by Islamabad police. As he showed up in court, dozens of agents from the National Accountability Bureau backed by paramilitary troops stormed the courtroom, breaking windows after Khan\'s guards refused to open the door.</div><div><br></div><div>Khan’s supporters attacked the military’s headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near the capital, Islamabad, but did not reach the main building housing the offices of army chief Gen. Asim Munir.</div><div><br></div><div>Other demonstrators tried to reach the prime minister\'s residence in Lahore, but were driven off by baton-wielding in police. Others attacked vehicles carrying troops and hit armed soldiers with sticks. So far, police and soldiers have not fired at protesters.</div><div><br></div><div>The military has not commented on the attacks on its facilities. None of the leaders from Khan’s party denounced the attacks on the military.</div><div><br></div><div>A police statement Wednesday said officers in eastern Punjab province arrested 945 Khan supporters since Tuesday - including Asad Umar, a senior leader from Khan\'s party. Dozens of Khan supporters were also detained in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and elsewhere.</div><div><br></div><div>Shah Mahmood Qureshi, senior vice president from Khan’s party, appealed for peaceful demonstrations Wednesday, urging followers: “Don’t damage public property, don’t attack offices, as we are peace lovers.” He said the party is considering challenging Khan\'s arrest in the Supreme Court.</div><div><br></div><div>By morning, police said some 2,000 protesters still surrounded the fire-damaged residence in Lahore of Lt. Gen. Salman Fayyaz Ghani, a top regional commander. They chanted slogans at the military, including “Khan is our red line and you have crossed it.” Ghani and his family members were moved to a safer place when the mob on Tuesday first attacked their sprawling house.</div><div><br></div><div>Police deployed in force across the country, and placed shipping containers on a road leading to the sprawling police compound in Islamabad where Khan is being held and where he appeared before a judge at the temporary court placed there for security reasons, according to the government.</div><div><br></div><div>Amid violence, Pakistan’s telecommunication authority on Tuesday blocked social media, including Twitter. The government also suspended internet service in Islamabad and other cities. Classes at some private schools were canceled for Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Rights group Amnesty International said it was alarmed by reports of Pakistani authorities blocking access to mobile internet networks and social media — Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are suspended for a second day. Amnesty urged authorities to show restraint, saying clashes between law enforcement and Khan’s supporters risk human rights violations.</div><div><br></div><div>The National Accountability Bureau has detained and investigated former officials, including former prime ministers, politicians and retired military officers. But some view the NAB as a tool used by those in power, especially the military, to crack down on political opponents.</div><div><br></div><div>When Khan was in power, his government arrested Shahbaz Sharif, then the opposition leader, through the NAB. Sharif was facing multiple corruption cases when he managed to oust Khan in a 2022 no-confidence vote. The charges were later dropped, citing a lack of evidence.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sharif returned to Pakistan on Wednesday from a U.K. trip and was to hold a Cabinet meeting on the latest developments. His brother, Nawaz Sharif, who also served as prime minister, was arrested several times on corruption allegations.</div><div><br></div><div>In March, police stormed Khan’s Lahore residence, seeking to arrest him in a corruption case related to hiding income from the sale of official gifts.</div><div><br></div><div>Later Wednesday, Khan appeared in a different courtroom at the high security court and was indicted in the lingering graft case, pleading not guilty, local media said.</div><div><br></div><div>As violence spread, diplomats from various countries and common people in Pakistan stayed home. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad canceled all its Wednesday consular appointments following Khan’s arrest and issued a nationwide alert, telling Americans to review their personal security plans and avoid large crowds. - AP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 19:44:34', '2023-05-10 19:44:34'),
(6805, 6805, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohammad Enamur Rahman on Wednesday said Cyclone Mocha is likely to intensify into a super cyclone. However meteorologists are predicting by the time it makes landfall, it would most likely take the form of a severe cyclonic storm.&nbsp;</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The cyclone is likely to make landfall on Cox’s Bazar coast by Sunday (May 14), he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister made the remarks at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon. Earlier, the state minister held an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss preparations for Cyclone Mocha.</div><div>\"We have predicted that it will intensify into a super cyclone. The wind speed can be upto 220-232 kilometers per hour.”</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister said the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>“According to the forecast, the cyclone is likely to make landfall between the evening of May 13 and the morning of May 14,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The state minister further said the cyclone is now moving towards north and northwest direction citing reports of the forecast agencies of different countries including the meteorological departments of Bangladesh and India.</div><div><br></div><div>\"It is still located an average of 1,500 km south of the coast of Bangladesh. It will turn northeastwards by May 12,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>In fact, according to the Indian Meteorological Department\'s latest update, the system intensified into a deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal during the early hours of Wednesday morning. As of 6am today, it lay centred about 540 km west-southwest of Port Blair (capital city of Andaman-Nicobar Islands) and 1350 km south-southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar).</div><div><br></div><div>IMD said the Deep Depression is expected to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm by today evening. A system is categorised as a cyclonic storm when its 3-minute average maximum sustained wind speeds fall between 63-88 kmph.</div><div><br></div><div>Cyclone Mocha will then move north-northwestwards over southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal, and gradually strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm (wind speed 89-117 kmph) by Thursday morning and then a very severe cyclonic storm (118-165 kmph) by Friday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>Thereafter, it will gradually recurve, and start its move north-northeastwards towards the Bangladesh coast. As it does though, it will start weakening by Saturday (May 13), according to IMD.</div><div><br></div><div>Come Sunday (May 14) afternoon, it will make landfall over southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts — between Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar) — as a Severe Cyclonic Storm, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph, gusting to 130 kmph. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'News Desk', '[\"30\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 20:58:36', '2023-05-10 20:58:36'),
(6806, 6806, '<div><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>US President Joe Biden will host India Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit on June 22 that will affirm the two countries\' \"deep and close partnership,\" the White House announced Wednesday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The visit, the highest level of diplomatic reception at the White House, will boost Washington and New Delhi\'s \"shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific,\" the statement said.</div><div><br></div><div>The invitation comes as both India and the United States seek to shore up support against China\'s growing assertiveness, and despite rising concerns about human rights and democratic backsliding in the world\'s most populous nation.</div><div><br></div><div>Modi\'s government has been widely accused by political opponents and rights groups of using the law to target and silence critics.</div><div><br></div><div>It will be the first state visit by Modi to the United States. He visited Biden at the White House in 2021, but as part of the Quad summit bringing together the United States, Australia, Japan and India.</div><div><br></div><div>This time India is understood to have pushed for the pomp of a full state visit. The trip will include a state dinner.</div><div><br></div><div>The visit will also strengthen the two countries\' \"shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership, including in defense, clean energy, and space,\" the White House statement continued, reports AFP.</div><div><br></div><div>\"The leaders will discuss ways to further expand our educational exchanges and people-to-people ties, as well as our work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security,\" it said.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>', NULL, 'International Desk', '[\"29\"]', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, '2023-05-10 21:40:13', '2023-05-10 21:40:13');
