Dhaka, Mar 14 (UNB)- The 14th edition of an international motor vehicle exhibition 'Dhaka Motor Show-2019' had its curtains raised on Thursday. 

The fair, divided into three segments - Dhaka Bike Show, Auto Parts Show and Commercial Automotive Show is arranged by CEMS Global and is taking place at International Convention Center, Bashundhara (ICCB). 

Minister of Industries Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun inaugurated the 3-day long exhibition.

In his speech he stressed the improving of local automobile parts manufacturers saying that country will soon start producing cars at local plants. 

He also credited Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's contribution for the improvement of country's industrial sections. 

Dhaka Motor Show 2019 will see automobile industry leaders like Peugeot, Honda, Toyota, Honda, Haval, TVS, Suzuki and more showcasing their latest car and bike models.

The fair will continue till Mar 16. 

Dhaka, Mar 9 (UNB) - Travelling is fun, just like a breath in fresh air. My each journey is made of countless stories, meaningful memories and new discoveries. Exploring new things is the best part of my every journey. There are lots to learn while visiting new places. I am always open to new experiences, get to know the people and the culture of each new place I visit and all memories end with some kind of change. And the feeling is different, oh-so-refreshing!
 
Last year, I went to an incredible country `INDIA’ and explored four cities in Rajasthan and Agra for one week. But here I will share my unforgettable experience of my first camel safari in the Golden city ‘Jaisalmer’.
 Jaisalmer, the ancient fort city is famously known as `Golden City’ of India because the yellow sandstones used throughout the every architecture of the city that shines like gold.  The main attraction of Jaisalmer is to ride a camel through the rolling sand dunes of the Thar Desert.
When I first came across some wonderful shots of Thar Desert in my Instagram explore, they straightaway got stuck so deep in my mind.
 
My dream came true when I first stepped into the sand dunes. I was totally overwhelmed to see this dusty golden beauty. 

 
Before getting into there we needed to book our camel safari. There are loads of companies in every alley of the city offering safaris. But I was lucky enough to get the booking done by our hotel owner. It was a great deal, only 600 rupees for two persons whereas others were offering 1,000 rupees per person. Isn’t it great??? 
 
Then I met my super cute camel ‘Bablu’ and climbed aboard for our sunset ride out into the desert. When the camel stood up, I was up high...YAY!!! 
 
At first, the ride was a bit less comfortable but when my camel started plodding along I got to enjoy the scenery. During the ride, my little camel handler stopped us in the mid of the desert for taking insta-worthy desert and camel pictures. Click Click! 

 
After one hour of riding, we reached our designated sunset point and sat on the sand to admire the sunset. OH! This was so beautiful, surreal and so romantic. I can never forget this magical view over the barren sand dunes.
 
Post sunset we headed towards the hotel. Though we missed the desert, safari camp under the sky was full of stars. I think, I will come back just to experience this desert campfire. All I can say, it was truly an incredible experience to witness this dramatic desert life of India. I just love every bit of it.

By: Farah Seraj
 

Roswell, Feb 23 (AP/UNB) — A New Mexico woman is on a desperate hunt for her disappearing pet that can't run fast and can't be missed — a 100-pound tortoise.

KOB-TV reports Dusty the Turtle went missing earlier this month in Roswell, New Mexico after strong winds knocked open a gate that housed him.

Shana Emmert, who was pet sitting Dusty for her niece, says she believes the turtle strolled away from the backyard and into the desert during the wind storm.

According to Emmert's neighbors, the 100-pound (45-kilogram) Dusty was last spotted near Berrendo Creek in Roswell and hasn't been seen since.

The family is offering a $500 reward for the turtle's safe return.

New Orleans, Feb 6 (AP/UNB) — The jaguar that escaped last summer and killed nine animals is back on display at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.

Valerio apparently chewed a hole in the 4-inch-wide (10-centimeter-wide) steel mesh roof above a column in the exhibit sometime before the zoo was to open July 15.

"We're assuming he probably went up to chase a possum or a raccoon or a cat or something that was walking across the top of his habitat," said Joel Hamilton, curator and vice president at the zoo.

Now the walls and roof are of 2-inch (5-centimeter) mesh, too small for Valerio's jaw. The twisted steel is also thicker.

The zoo also installed four video cameras and an electrified wire around the roof, including around the tops of internal columns. The "hot-wire" is used on a number of exhibits, but hadn't been installed in the jaguar exhibit before Valerio's escape.

"We have added that as another level of precaution," Hamilton said.

Tuesday was the 3-year-old adolescent's first time on public view since his July escape, when he killed five alpacas, an emu and three foxes. He had been allowed into the habitat for about an hour Monday, a day the zoo is closed.

Valerio spent a while Tuesday morning exploring a new ramp, two new platforms and snarfing chunks of meat that keepers had placed on them.

"That's his new playground," Anne Zwerner of New Orleans told Bonnie Jane Zwerner, 3, and her 2-year-old brother, Ryan Kent Zwerner. Their 6-month-old brother, Carson James Zwerner, shared a double stroller with Ryan Kent.

After Valerio ate the biggest chunk from the top of the ramp, he investigated the damp wood where the food had been set out.

"What is he eating right now?" asked Bonnie Jane.

"You know, like how you can lick the plate? He was licking his plate," her mother said.

Valerio is alone in the display. The zoo's female jaguar, Ix Chel, who had given birth to five cubs, was euthanized in September because of kidney failure. The zoo is looking for another female who is genetically compatible with Valerio, Hamilton said.

In the meantime, Hamilton said, the animal doesn't mind his solitude: "Jaguars, like most large cats — other than lions — are solitary animals."

Bonnie Jane wanted to know about the small crowd of reporters, photographers and videographers who had cameras and cellphones aimed at Valerio.

"He's famous today," Zwerner said. "He's always famous. But he's extra-special famous today."

London, Jan 28 (AP/UNB)  — Officials say a rare red panda is safe and sound, a day after it escaped from Belfast Zoo in Northern Ireland.

The animal went missing on Sunday, and Belfast City Council had urged members of the public to report any sightings to the zoo.

The council said Monday that the mammal had been found, adding that "it is safe and well and has been returned to the zoo."

Two red panda cubs were born at the zoo in June, bringing the population there to four.

A small tree-dwelling mammal native to the Himalayas, the red panda is not closely related to the better-known giant panda.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says the red panda faces a very high risk of extinction due to habitat loss.