Bashundhara Kings earned a 4-0 win over Sheikh Russel in the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla on Wednesday.

Brazilian forward Robson Robinho and Argentine booter Raul Becerra struck two goals for the Kings.

Also read: BPL Football: Robinho, Becerra’s hat-tricks help Kings beat Arambagh 6-1

Star-studded and Federation Cup champions Kings have dominated the prestigious league with an unbeaten run securing 31 points from eleven matches.

And Sheikh Russel remained at the fourth spot in the league table with their previous credit of 17 points.

Argentine forward Becerra scored twice in the 23rd and 74th minutes while Brazilian forward Robinho netted two goals for the Kings in the 42nd and 83rd minutes – netting 12 individual goals.

Also read: BPL Football: Sheikh Jamal drop point with Dhaka Abahani in 2-2 draw

In the day's other match, Saif Sporting Club earned their fifth win in their 10th league matches, beating Uttar Baridhara Club 2-1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Arif Hossain put Baridhara ahead in the 20th minute (1-0) while Nigerian booter John Okoli restored parity for Saif SC in the 44th minute (1-1).

Sajjad Hossain sealed the fate of the game, scoring the match-winner for Saif SC, just one minute before the final whistle (2-1).

Also read: BPL Football: Kings consolidate solo lead beating Muktijoddha 3-0

After the day's win, Saif SC remained at the fifth slot in the league table, securing 16 points from 10 outings.

And Uttar Baridhara stood at the 11th slot with six points from 10 matches.

Islami Bank Bangladesh inaugurated its Shyambazar sub-branch – under Sadarghat Branch – on Wednesday.

Md Omar Faruk Khan, additional managing director of the bank, inaugurated the sub-branch as chief guest.

Presided over by Abu Sayed Md Idris, executive vice-president and head of Dhaka South Zone of Islami Bank, BM Habibur Rahman, senior vice-president and head of Sadarghat Branch, gave the welcome speech.

Md Abdul Jabbar Talukder, a social organiser, addressed the programme as the special guest.

And SM Ruhul Amin, in-charge of the sub-branch, thanked the audience.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Wednesday announced the appointment of British actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw as its newest global Goodwill Ambassador.

Gugu has been working as a high-profile supporter for UNHCR since 2018 and is a powerful advocate for the rights of refugees.

Also read: Bangladesh becomes UNHRC member

“I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to work in support of refugees and help amplify their voices. I am always amazed by their courage and strength in the face of such seemingly insurmountable odds and it’s a real honour to play a part in sharing their stories," she said.

The Covid crisis has made them all aware of the fragility of the lives they build and the importance of doing all they can to support those who have had to leave the place they call home, said Gugu.

“The crisis has also taught us that, in this interconnected world, we are only as strong as the most vulnerable in society. Inclusion of refugees is vital in ensuring the wellbeing of whole communities.”

Also read: Tahsan becomes UNHCR goodwill ambassador

Gugu’s robust engagement with UNHCR and advocacy for people forced to flee has seen her take part in UNHCR’s EveryOneCounts campaign, challenging xenophobia and advocating for stronger partnerships to find solutions to global displacement.

She also contributed to UNHCR’s COVID-19 awareness appeal and to an IMDb and UNHCR partnership, Films of Hope, to raise funds for the Covid Solidarity Appeal.

She has spent time in the field, hearing directly from refugees about their experiences of conflict, displacement and exile.

This included visits to Burundian and Congolese refugees in Rwanda as well as in Uganda, learning from refugee women who survived conflict-related sexual violence and also refugee youths living with albinism.

In her public advocacy for refugees, Gugu has spoken at UNHCR events in Venice , Los Angeles and London and has written about the refugee cause in outlets such as Refinery29 and Vogue.

She has also used her own artwork to raise awareness for refugees on social media and is a keen supporter of MADE51, a programme that empowers refugee artisans by helping them sell products globally.

Also read: 'No place' for coups in today's world, UN chief tells Myanmar military

“We appreciate Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s heartfelt advocacy and support for refugees and welcome her to the UNHCR family. We look forward to continuing our work together to help raise attention on the issues and needs facing refugees,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.

“Now more than ever, in the context of the unprecedented impact of the Covid pandemic, the voices of refugees – some of the most marginalized and forgotten people on earth – need to be heard and amplified”.

Gugu is known for her award-winning role in Belle, Beyond the Lights and Black Mirror San Junipero and most recently starred in The Morning Show, Misbehaviour and Summerland.

She will next be seen in Loki, the Marvel limited series coming to Disney + this Spring. Gugu was awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to Drama.

Students of seven colleges affiliated with the Dhaka University withdrew their protest progamme shortly after the Education Ministry announced on Wednesday afternoon that their ongoing examinations would continue.

The movement of vehicles in Nilkhet and Science Lab and adjacent areas became normal after the withdrawal of the road blockade by the students after 4 pm.

Also read: Examinations of 7 DU-affiliated colleges to continue: Ministry

Amid demonstrations by the students protesting the postponement of their ongoing examinations, the Education Ministry in the afternoon announced that their examinations would continue maintaining the Covid-19 health guidelines.

Education Minister Dipu Moni announced the decision after a virtual meeting with principals of the seven colleges.

Also read:DU students demand ending affiliation with 7 colleges

Earlier in the morning, the students from the seven colleges blocked the Nilkhet intersection in the capital demanding continuation of their examinations.

The road blockade had created heavy traffic congestion in the area, resulting in immense suffering to commuters, including office-goers.

On Tuesday night, the students also took to the streets after the Dhaka University authorities at a meeting with the principals of the seven colleges decided to postpone all the exams till May 1, citing the Covid-19 pandemic.

The agitating students blocked the road around 9am as declared earlier.

Hundreds of students joined the protests and were chanting various slogans demanding that their examinations be allowed to continue, and asked the authorities concerned to take immediate steps in this regard.

They had threatened to continue their protests until the authorities change their decision.

Also read: 7 DU-affiliated colleges' admission tests begin Friday

Earlier, the government decided to reopen the residential halls of all universities on May 17 and resume classes on May 24.  The Ministry of Education issued a directive to keep all the examinations postponed till then.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said, "Before reopening, the teachers, students and employees will be vaccinated."

There are 1.30 lakh residential students, 15,000 teachers and 25,000 employees in different public universities of the country.

The Central Police Hospital (CPH) would be converted into an international standard one, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Wednesday said.

"All types of diseases are now being treated in this hospital. People suffering from heart disease will have the facility to get an artificial heart valve ring from here. Next year, we will arrange cancer treatment in this hospital," he said.

The IGP was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed six-storey emergency department building of the CPH at Rajarbagh in the capital.

Referring to the great efforts of the doctors, nurses and health workers of the CPH during the ongoing pandemic, the IGP said, "The services of this hospital have been considered the best for Covid-19 treatment in the country."

"Not only police members, but also government officials and the general public got Covid-19 treatment here."

"The CPH was transformed into a full-fledged Covid-19 hospital in just six weeks. Also, 25,000 police members and 3,000 general public have been vaccinated at the hospital up to now," Benazir said.

The IGP said the police members always have to perform challenging duties. So, they suffer from common diseases and critical ones like stomach, kidney, heart diseases, and cancer.

"We want to provide an international standard treatment from this hospital. Several hospitals in Singapore have memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the CPH. And we also plan to have MoUs with hospitals of other developed countries as well," the IGP said.

"The formation of a police medical service is underway and steps will also be taken to set up a police medical college."