Workers in Gazipur staged demonstrations on Thursday, blocking the busy Chandra-Nabinagar Highway to press home demands that include compensation for injured colleagues, improved safety measures, and unpaid wages. The blockade caused severe traffic disruptions, leaving commuters stranded and forcing vehicles to take alternative routes. The protest was triggered by an accident on Wednesday near the That’s It knitwear factory of the Hamim Group in Zirani. Three factory workers were injured when a bus ran them over. In response, workers took to the streets early Thursday morning, demanding compensation for the injured, construction of a flyover in the area to prevent future accidents, and resolution of ongoing mismanagement issues in the factory. These demands are part of a broader 11-point charter presented by the workers. Meanwhile, workers from Beximco Industrial Park staged a separate demonstration on the same highway, demanding payment of one month's overdue wages. This marks the sixth consecutive day of protests by these employees. Traffic chaos in Dhaka as battery-run rickshaw drivers block streets The highway blockade caused significant hardship for commuters and local residents. Many vehicles were forced to take the Dhaka-Tangail Highway and the Dhamrai-Kaliakair regional road as alternatives. Despite these routes being available, the disruption created congestion across the area. Industrial police and army personnel arrived at the scenes to mediate and persuade workers to vacate the highways. Efforts to restore normal traffic flow were ongoing as of Thursday afternoon.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, alleging his complicity in corruption involving industrialist Gautam Adani. The Leader of the Opposition called for Adani's immediate arrest following a United States indictment accusing the businessman and his nephew of bribing Indian government officials to secure solar power contracts worth ₹2,029 crore. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi asserted that Adani had flouted both Indian and American laws but continued to remain untouched due to the protection afforded by PM Modi. “It is now pretty clear and established that Adani has broken both Indian law and American law. I am wondering why Adani is running around as a free man in this country. It is a vindication of what we have been saying. The PM is protecting Adani and the PM is involved in corruption with Adani," he stated. The indictment by US prosecutors alleges that between 2020 and 2024, Adani’s nephew facilitated bribes to officials across four Indian states and one Union Territory, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu and Kashmir. Gandhi demanded that the investigation into these allegations be conducted without bias, covering all states irrespective of which party governs them. Elections in 2 Indian states seen as a test of Modi's popularity JPC Probe Demanded Reiterating his long-standing demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani Group’s transactions, Gandhi said, “It is my responsibility as LoP to raise this issue. This man has acquired India's assets through corruption. He provides support to the BJP, and it is established. JPC is our demand, but we want Adani to be arrested.” The Congress party has repeatedly accused the Prime Minister of having close ties with Adani, leveraging these allegations to attack the BJP at election rallies. Gandhi indicated that he would escalate the issue during the upcoming Winter session of Parliament, maintaining that holding the government accountable was part of his duty. Political Fallout Expected The accusations come at a critical time as the BJP and Congress gear up for several state elections and the Lok Sabha polls next year. Gandhi's comments are likely to intensify the political discourse, with the opposition aiming to highlight alleged corruption within the ruling dispensation. Neither the Adani Group nor the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has issued an official response to the allegations so far. As the US indictment and Gandhi's claims add fuel to the debate, the matter is expected to dominate the political narrative in the coming weeks. Whether the Congress can sustain the momentum remains to be seen, but the demand for accountability has certainly set the stage for fierce parliamentary discussions. Source: With inputs from Indian media 

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday said they are determined to build a Bangladesh where people are the true source of power and the nation will be recognised across the world as a beacon of humanity and benevolence. Prof Yunus also assured the freedom fighters, martyrs, martyred and injured students and others who joined the student-led revolution that the government would strive to build a prosperous future, using the sacrifices made by students and the common people as a foundation for a new Bangladesh. Marking the Armed Forces Day, the Armed Forces Division arranged the event in Dhaka Cantonment to accord reception to gallantry award winning freedom fighters and their inheritors. The Chief Adviser emphasised the importance of global collaboration to address the climate crisis, foster peace, and strengthen the global economy, while upholding friendly relations with all nations. “We will maintain friendships with all countries, built on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation. These principles will be the foundation of our foreign policy. It is crucial that we work together to combat the climate crisis and fortify global peace and economic stability,” he said. US team to reach Dhaka on Friday to discuss economic support and stability The Chief Adviser stressed the need for Bangladesh to move forward in tandem with global developments. "We must ensure that our young society, despite resource limitations, can contribute to nation-building by fostering creativity based on merit," he added. Reflecting on the contributions of the armed forces during the Great Liberation War, Prof Yunus recalled that on this day in 1971, the courageous members of the armed forces, together with the people of Bangladesh, launched a coordinated fight against the Pakistani occupation forces. “This marked the turning point in the struggle, leading to the victory that established Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign nation,” he said. It's in US' interest to see reforms succeed in Bangladesh: IRI regional chief Prof Yunus also honored the sacrifices of the nation's martyrs. “Today, I pay my deepest respects to all the brave souls who gave their lives in the War of Independence and pray for the forgiveness of their departed spirits,” he said. The Chief Adviser expressed his respect for the families of the freedom fighters and the war-wounded veterans present at the ceremony. On the recent student-led revolution, Prof Yunus said that a "new Bangladesh" was achieved on August 5, 2024, through the efforts of students and ordinary citizens. “Our responsibility now is to unite the people into one larger family,” he said. “Differences in opinion are natural, but we must never consider each other enemies due to those differences, be it ideological or religious.” He said that Bangladesh’s future should be one where all citizens are equal. "No one is above or below anyone else in the national life,” Prof Yunus said, reiterating the government’s commitment to fulfilling the dreams of the freedom fighters who envisioned a welfare state free from discrimination and exploitation. He wished peace, happiness, and prosperity for the people of Bangladesh, particularly the valiant freedom fighters and their families.

Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been arrested in Oslo on suspicion of rape, Norwegian police reported. The 27-year-old, who is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was taken into custody on Monday night under a preliminary charge. Authorities allege that Borg Høiby engaged in sexual intercourse with someone who was “unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act.” While a preliminary charge allows authorities to detain suspects during an investigation, it does not equate to a formal indictment. Police have not disclosed when the alleged incident took place but confirmed that the victim was reportedly unable to resist. Norwegian media have reported that Borg Høiby denies the accusations. Hege Salomon, the lawyer representing the alleged victim, stated that the woman is enduring significant distress. Salomon added that police initiated the case, not the victim. The woman, whose identity remains confidential, has not commented. The royal palace has declined to address the matter, according to the NTB news agency. Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies at 31 in Argentina hotel fall Previous Allegations and Legal Troubles This arrest adds to a growing list of legal issues for Borg Høiby, who holds no royal title or official duties. In early August, he was briefly detained following a disturbance in downtown Oslo and faced preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage. Since then, further charges have been filed, including allegations of violating restraining orders and driving without a valid license. The ongoing investigations reportedly involve four women and one man. A Royal Family Under Scrutiny Borg Høiby, who resides with Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, has faced heightened public and media scrutiny over his legal troubles. The Norwegian royal family, generally held in high regard, is now under an unwelcome spotlight. Princess Mette-Marit herself was once the subject of controversy when she married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. Her past, including her relationship with a man convicted on drug charges, drew significant attention at the time. As investigations into Borg Høiby’s case continue, the developments are being closely watched in Norway, where the royals are a central fixture of public life.

A court here on Thursday sent Shahjahan Omar, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Jhalakathi-1 constituency, to jail in a case filed with Kathalia Police Station in Jhalakathi district. Jhalakathi Senior Judicial Magistrate Afroza Binte Shahid passed the order after rejecting his bail petition. Earlier in the day, local people also vandalised the vehicle carrying Shahjahan when he was on his way back home and assaulted him physically. Police arrested him when he went to the Rajapur Police Station to file a complaint. Ex-MP Shahjahan Omar arrested The agitated BNP leaders and activists gathered in the court premises area following the arrest of Shahjahan and staged demonstration there. They also threw shoes and eggs at the former MP when he was being moved to the court. Muhitul Islam, additional superintendent of Jhalakathi Police, said Kathalia Police filed a case against Shahjahan on November 20 (Wednesday) in connection with vandalising the Kathalia unit BNP office on December 4, 2023. Former MP and Food Minister advocate Qamrul Islam arrested in Dhaka On Wednesday night, unidentified miscreants reportedly attacked and vandalised the former MP's residence in Rajapur-Kathalia area. Shahjahan Omar served as an MP for the Jhalakathi-1 constituency, covering Rajapur and Kathalia. On November 30, 2023, Shahjahan Omar, former BNP Vice Chairman of BNP, submitted his nomination paper as an Awami League candidate for Jhalakathi-1 constituency.    

Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Rinchen Kuentsyl met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday and discussed various issues of mutual interest, including the revival of Saarc. The meeting, which lasted around an hour, began at 11:00 pm at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obed were present at the meeting. Briefing reporters about the outcome of the discussions, Amir Khosru said the talks centred around a range of issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and Bhutan. “The economic relationship between the two countries has always been good. During BNP's time in government, the trade with Bhutan grew significantly, particularly as we removed duties on vegetables imported from Bhutan,” he said. People to decide which party to do politics or join polls: Fakhrul The BNP leader mentioned that they discussed expanding trade between Bhutan and Bangladesh on a larger scale, possibly through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the future. He also highlighted Bhutan's interest in exporting hydroelectric power to Bangladesh. “We discussed the potential for cooperation, as Bhutan has the capacity to produce about 30,000 MW of hydroelectric power, a significant amount. They have yet to explore 25,000 MW of this potential, from which they could export power to Bangladesh.” Khosru said the discussions also focused on reviving and strengthening Saarc and fostering greater integration across South Asia. “Ziaur Rahman’s vision was the integration of South Asia through Saarc, a dream we have yet to realise. We will all work together to leverage the potential for South Asia’s integration,” he added.

Bangladeshi youth leader and climate activist Sohanur Rahman has been awarded the prestigious Young Activist Laureate Award 2024 at the Young Activists Summit (YAS24) held on November 19 at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva. Sohanur, founder of YouthNet for Climate Justice, was among five global youth leaders recognized for their contributions to democracy, human rights, and environmental activism. In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the award to “young warriors fighting for justice” and emphasized collective action to tackle global challenges. The summit, themed "Go Far, Go Together", highlighted collaboration in addressing issues like climate change. Sohanur shared how surviving Cyclone Sidr as a child shaped his journey toward advocating for climate justice. Under his leadership, YouthNet has mobilized youth across Bangladesh, influencing key policies, including the cancellation of ten coal-fired power plants and the declaration of the climate crisis as a planetary emergency by the Bangladesh Parliament in 2019. Sohanur’s advocacy also extends to democratic reforms, with his active role in Bangladesh’s pro-democracy movement garnering widespread recognition. He attended COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, as Bangladesh's youth delegate, meeting figures like Professor Muhammad Yunus and Lutfey Siddiqui, who commended his efforts. Global institutions, including the US Embassy and the EU Mission in Geneva, congratulated him for his contributions to climate justice, further amplifying his voice on international platforms. YouthNet, founded in 2016, remains a key force in youth-led environmental and social advocacy in Bangladesh. Its campaigns focus on sustainable development, gender equality, and empowering youth to shape a better future. Other YAS24 honorees include Marley Dias from the US, Shanley McLaren from France, Alvaro Quiroz from Mexico, and Cynthia Houniuhi from the Solomon Islands. Sohanur’s recognition at YAS24 underscores the role of youth leadership in addressing global crises, highlighting Bangladesh’s significant contributions to climate advocacy and democratic progress.

Bangladesh’s  expatriate community is much excited to see Bangladeshi rock legend Nagar Baul James' live performance here on Friday as "Bangladesh Culture" segment of the prestigious "Riyadh Season" began on Wednesday evening (KSA time), showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage and lifestyle of Bangladesh. "I am coming to Riyadh town," James conveyed to his vast fans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of his show at Al-Suwaidi Park. Thousands of Bangladeshis joined the first day of the four-day festival and James' fans say they are waiting for Friday's show. "Obviously, the highlight of the event will be James's much-sought first performance in Riyadh," a Bangladeshi youth, who came to Riyadh four years ago, told UNB.  

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday morning paid tribute to the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War by placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban in the Dhaka Cantonment area. After placing the wreath, he stood in solemn silence for some time to show profound respect to the memories of the armed forces martyrs, who made supreme sacrifices during the Liberation War. Earlier in the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban.. He was accompanied by the chiefs of the armed forces and other military personnel. Ready to help Bangladesh, ex-Serbian President tells Dr Yunus After placing the wreath, the president, who is also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs. Later, a smartly turned out contingent of the Army, Navy and Air Force presented a salute on the occasion. President Shahabuddin also signed the visitors’ book there. On his arrival at Shikha Anirban, chiefs of the three services and the principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division received the president. Bangladesh observes November 21 as Armed Forces Day marking the day in 1971 when the army, the navy, and the air force launched a coordinated offensive against the Pakistani forces.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the country's primary capital market, experienced a downtrend on Thursday, with its benchmark index, DSEX, dropping by 16.67 points to 5,243.59 within the first two hours of trading. Trading activity was subdued compared to previous days. During the initial two-hour window, shares and mutual funds worth Tk 152.3 crore were traded, marking a sharp decline from Tk 172 crore on Wednesday and Tk 224.3 crore on Tuesday. A total of 5.25 crore shares and units were exchanged through 54,647 transactions. Mixed trend at Dhaka Stock Exchange amid reduced turnover Out of the 378 companies participating in Thursday's trading session, 154 companies saw their share prices increase, 140 companies registered declines, and 84 remained unchanged. While the main index, DSEX, fell, the DSES Shariah index inched up by 0.95 points to 1,163.47. However, the DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip stocks, dropped by 1.9 points to 1,932.68.

The United States wants to see the human rights of the Bangladeshi people are upheld. "Our position with respect to human rights in Bangladesh is the same under this government as it was under the previous government," said Spokesperson at the US Department of State Matthew Miller in a regular briefing in Washington on November 20. "We want to see the human rights of the Bangladeshi people upheld," he added.  

A U.S. government-led delegation will arrive in Dhaka on Friday to discuss support to economic resilience, stability, growth, as well as meaningful and quality jobs in Bangladesh.  The Nov 22-25 visit "underscores" the United States’ commitment to improving and advancing economic development, internationally recognized labour standards, as well as sustainable growth and broadly shared prosperity, said the US Department of State on Thursday. The delegation will be led by Special Representative for International Labor Affairs Kelly M. Fay Rodríguez, on behalf of the Department of State, and Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee, on behalf of the Department of Labor. US vetoes UN resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza During their visit, the delegation will meet with officials from the Interim Government, private sector garment producers, and labor union stakeholders, said the Spokesperson at the US Department of State.  The delegation will engage representatives from American companies invested in the ready-made garment sector and global labor experts to discuss how to best support Bangladesh’s economy, democracy, and workers. 

The drivers of battery-powered rickshaws blocked roads in different parts of the capital on Thursday morning, protesting a ban on their movement in city streets. The roads include Mohakhali, Basila Dhaka Uddyan, Mirpur-10, Mirpur-12, Kazipara, Shewrapara and Mirpur Golchattar and Agargaon areas of the capital. Commuters have been experiencing a gridlock in different parts of the capital following the blockade programme. JU student dies in rickshaw accident, protests erupt for justice Besides, the rail communication between Dhaka and other parts of the country got snapped as the protesting drivers blocked the rail tracks in Mohakhali area at the same time, causing immense sufferings to travellers.

After a disappointing clean sweep at home against South Africa in their last Test series, Bangladesh are gearing up to take on the West Indies in a two-match Test series, with the first match starting Friday in Antigua. Ahead of the series, Bangladesh played a two-day practice match against a West Indies Board XI, which ended in a draw. The highlight of the match was left-arm spinner Hasan Murad, who claimed a hat-trick, boosting his confidence ahead of the main series. Bangladesh will be without key players Shakib Al Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mushfiqur Rahim for this series. Bangladesh finish preparation in West Indies as Hasan Murad registers hat-trick Shakib is unavailable due to personal reasons and public backlash over his political affiliations with the former ruling Awami League, which was ousted in a recent popular uprising. Najmul and Mushfiqur, meanwhile, are sidelined with injuries. In Shakib's absence, Hasan Murad is expected to play a pivotal role as the team’s lead left-arm spinner. His hat-trick in the practice match has raised hopes of a standout performance in the upcoming games. Hasan Murad played 31 First-class matches and bagged 139 wickets with 12 five-fors. Bangladesh enter the series with a mixed Test record. After suffering a clean sweep against India and South Africa in their last two Test series, they previously registered a historic win against Pakistan in Pakistan. BCB announces Bangladesh U-17 Cricket team's schedule for Sri Lanka tour Before this series, Tigers have played 20 Tests against the West Indies, winning four. However, this time the team will rely heavily on its younger players due to the absence of key senior members. To compensate for Najmul’s absence, the selectors have called up Shahadat Hossain Dipu, who played 33 First-class matches and scored 1752 runs with three centuries. The team will lean on allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who will also captain the side in this series. With a relatively inexperienced squad, Bangladesh face a tough challenge but hopes to capitalize on the promise of its young players and the leadership of Mehdiy who has the experience of leading Bangladesh in the U-19 level.    

Farmers in Naogaon are hectically harvesting transplanted aman paddy amidst prospects of good yield. This season, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has set a target to produce 9.82 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, equivalent to 6,55,070 metric tonnes of rice. The autumn landscape of the district is painted in gold with ripened paddies, creating a picturesque view that brings smiles to the growers. Govt to procure 3.5 lakh MT Aman paddy at Tk 33 per kg Already the farmers are hoping to meet their household needs including buying clothes and other daily essentials by selling their produce. After harvesting, farmers bring the paddies to their home, where they separate it from the stalks using traditional methods. Housewives are busy cleaning and storing the grains for future use. According to the DAE, as of Wednesday, 25% of the district's total paddy fields have been harvested. 1000 hectares of Aush paddy, vegetables land damaged in recent flood in Habiganj Abul Kalam Azad, deputy director of DAE, said during the ongoing Kharif-2 season (2024-25), a total of 1,96,125 hectares of land have been brought under Aman paddy cultivation in 11 upazilas of the district. Of these, 11,250 hectares of land have been brought under Aman cultivation in Sadar upazila, 18,450 hectares in Raninagar upazila, 6,970 hectares in Atrai upazila, 14,485 hectares in Badalgachhi upazila, 28,925 hectares in Mohadevpur upazila, 23,420 hectares in Patnitala upazila, 21,010 hectares in Dhamoirhat upazila, 9,800 hectares in Sapahar upazila, 15,290 hectares in Porsha upazila, 16,100 hectares in Manda upazila and 30,425 hectares in Niamatpur upazila of the district. Farmers cultivated various high-yielding and local varieties of Aman paddy, including BRRI Dhan-34, BRRI Dhan-51, BRRI Dhan-52, BRRI Dhan-49, BRRI Dhan-75, BRRI Dhan-87, BRRI Dhan-90, BRRI Dhan-93, BRRI Dhan-94, BRRI Dhan-95, BRRI Dhan-103, Binnaphul, BINA Dhan-17, and Chini Atop.  

A waste treatment plant in Barguna town constructed at a cost of Tk 16 crore under the LGSP project with World Bank funding has been lying inoperative for the last three years amid environmental and health concerns. Meanwhile, 7–8 tonnes of municipal waste is being dumped daily in the densely populated Sonakhali area in the town, causing severe environmental pollution and health hazards, official sources said. Residents Suffer from Toxic Pollution Visiting the area the UNB correspondent found 10–15 families reside less than 50 yards from the Sonakhali dumping ground. These residents endure continuous smoke, stench, and an infestation of flies and mosquitoes. Bangladesh and Japan to sign MoU on waste management, carbon credits The nightly burning of waste by municipal sanitation workers exacerbates the situation, with black smoke lingering throughout the day. Sabina Yasmin, a local resident, said, “For 20 years, waste has been dumped in front of my house, forming a massive heap. Every night, trucks unload waste, which overflows by dawn. The smell of burning plastic and polythene is suffocating, making it unbearable to live here." Thousands of students and commuters who traverse the area daily are also affected. The stench and smoke force them to cover their noses. Dhaka’s waste management failed to improve in 53 years: Adviser Rizwana Lack of Skilled Manpower Delays Plant Operations The waste treatment plant in Helibunia village has not been made operational due to a lack of skilled manpower. Barguna Municipality Executive Officer Md. Rafiqul Islam Ripon said, "We are working on waste management. Skilled and experienced manpower will soon be recruited to operate the treatment plant in Helibunia." However, in the meantime, unregulated dumping continues to affect the densely populated Sonakhali area. Public Health Risks Highlighted Health experts have raised alarms over the mixture of hospital and general waste at the dumping site. Barguna Civil Surgeon Dr. Pradip Chandra Mondal said, “Unplanned waste management is harmful to the environment and public health. Open spaces cannot serve as dumping grounds. Mixing hospital and general waste produces toxic gases that cause severe diseases in humans. These two types of waste must be recycled separately." Locals demanded operationalising the waste treatment plant and proper waste management practices. Without immediate action, the health and well-being of residents, particularly children and the elderly, remain at risk, alongside the town's environment, they said. Waste management challenge in Bangladesh Municipal solid wastes have been a great challenge all over the world today for their huge volumes. Bangladesh faces many challenges due to its large, rapidly growing population in urban areas. Bangladesh is the ninth most populous and 12th most densely populated country in the world. With this population growth, there is an increasing problem of waste management, particularly in larger cities. Currently, according to an UNFPA report, Dhaka is one of the most polluted cities in the world and one of the issues concerned is the management of municipal waste.

Twenty-four Bangladeshis, including 11 women, have  returned home through Benapole check post after serving two years in jail in India. They were handed over to Bangladesh immigration authorities at Benapole on Wednesday night. They all hail from different parts of Narail, Chattogram, Thakurgaon, Cumilla, Gopalganj, Tangail, Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali districts, police said on Thursday. Benapole, Sundarbans Express trains’ routes to remain unchanged Benapole Immigration Police officer in-charge Imtiaz Ahsanul Kader Bhuiya, said they went to India without valid documents in search of jobs with the help of local brokers two years back. Kolkata police arrested them and a court sentenced them to two years imprisonment each for trespassing into the country. After the end of the jail term, Indian police handed them over to Benapole check post immigration police at night. Benapole police later handed them over to a representative of a human rights organisation in Jashore to send them back to their respective families.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War by placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban (Eternal Flame) in the Dhaka Cantonment area. The president paid the tributes to the martyrs to commemorate the Armed Forces Day today. He was accompanied by the chiefs of the armed forces and other military personnel while paying the homage at 8 am. After placing the wreath the president, who is also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, stood there in solemn silence for a while as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifices during 1971 War of Liberation. Later, a smartly turned out contingent of the Army, Navy and Air Force presented a salute on the occasion. President Shahabuddin also signed the visitors’ book there. Traffic restrictions in Dhaka Cantonment today for Armed Forces Day On his arrival at Shikha Anirban, chiefs of the three services and the principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division received the president. Khaleda to join Armed Forces Day reception after 11 years Bangladesh observes November 21 as Armed Forces Day marking the day in 1971 when the army, the navy, and the air force launched a coordinated offensive against occupation Pakistani forces.  

UNICEF has appointed Gargee Tanushree Paul as a new youth advocate in Bangladesh for the coming two years. During the signing ceremony for her new role, Gargee met with Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, and discussed children's rights in the country, said a press release received on Thursday. In her new role as a youth advocate, Gargee will engage with UNICEF in global and national moments to amplify children’s voices and advocate for children’s rights including increasing awareness of climate action, protecting their future from violence, neglect, abuse and childhood traumas, child marriage, learning crisis and prioritising the most vulnerable and marginalised children in all areas of development. Japan providing assistance worth USD 1 million to flood-affected areas through UNHCR, UNICEF Gargee, now 16-year-old, is a dedicated child rights advocate and journalist, currently a student in Grade 10 at Scholastica School, said the release.   She engages in supporting underprivileged children, as well as on projects to improve education for indigenous children. Gargee has published over 200 reports with child journalism media hello.bdnews24.com covering key issues like child marriage, education, and climate change, said UNICEF on Wednesday. She has also led impactful awareness campaigns and charity drives, highlighting her commitment to UNICEF’s mission. Her background and active engagement make her an inspiring role model for children and young people. As a youth advocate, Gargee will inspire other young people to take action towards making the world a better place.    

Vehicular movement in Dhaka Cantonment is restricted today (Thursday), in observance of Armed Forces Day. According to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the primary road from Shaheed Jahangir Gate to Staff Road will have limited access from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Only vehicles carrying residents of the cantonment and invited guests will be allowed during these hours. All other vehicles are requested to avoid the area during the specified times to ensure smooth execution of the day’s events. Honouring the Armed Forces The day began with special prayers at mosques within army cantonments, naval bases, and air force establishments across the country, seeking blessings for national prosperity, the progress of the Armed Forces, and the departed souls of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 Liberation War. President Md Sahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, in their messages, paid tributes to the Armed Forces for their contributions to the nation. They laid wreaths at the Shikha Anirban in Dhaka Cantonment to honour the martyrs. The Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan also placed wreaths on behalf of their respective forces. Celebrations Across the Nation A reception hosted by the Chief Adviser at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment will recognise gallantry award recipients and their families. The event will include speeches, the distribution of commemorative gifts, and interaction between distinguished guests, including members of the judiciary, senior civil and military officials, foreign diplomats, and renowned personalities. Later in the afternoon, a formal reception will be held at the Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment to be broadcast live by Bangladesh Television. Armed Forces Day to be observed Thursday Similar receptions are planned at cantonments in Barishal, Cox's Bazar, Bogura, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chattogram, Jashore, Rangpur, and Khulna under the respective area headquarters. Specially decorated naval vessels in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur, Barishal, and Chattogram will remain open to the public from 2:00 pm to sunset. Besides, the Armed Forces Day is marked by essay and art competitions at military-run educational institutions. Khaleda to join Armed Forces Day reception after 11 years National newspapers have published special supplements highlighting the significance of the day. The Armed Forces Day is celebrated with enthusiasm and reverence across Bangladesh, reflecting the nation’s pride in its military forces.  

Dhaka ranked fourth on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 185 at 8:54 am on Thursday morning. Dhaka’s air was classified as 'unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. India’s Delhi and Pakistan’s Lahore and Karachi occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 415, 366 and 219, respectively. Dhaka’s ‘very unhealthy’ air quality persists An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy' while 201-300 is 'very unhealthy' and 301-400 is considered 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents. 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. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka’s ‘very unhealthy’ air quality persists Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.      

Walton, a leading Bangladeshi electronics brand, has been making waves with its NexG smartphone series. The Walton NexG N74, launched in October 2024,  offers features at an affordable price. Packed with a vibrant display, solid cameras, and decent gaming capabilities, it stands tall in its price bracket. Here is an in-depth review of its key features, compared to others.  Key Specs of Walton NexG N74 .Design and Build Quality The Walton NexG N74 has a sleek and modern design with a premium finish available in Black, Purple, and Green colours. The device feels sturdy in hand despite its plastic body. Its dimensions and weight strike a balance, making it slightly lighter than the NexG N73 but bulkier than the Vivo Y18t. Compared to the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro, the NexG N74 offers a more polished look. While the Vivo Y18t’s IP54 rating adds dust and splash resistance, the Walton NexG N74 is a solid contender for users who prioritise aesthetics without compromising durability. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro Review: Features, Performance, and Value – Is It Worth the Buy? Display Quality The Walton NexG N74 features a 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with 1080 by 2400 pixels resolution. With vibrant colours and sharp details, it is a clear step up from the 720p display of the ancestor NexG N73. The 90 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and gaming, like the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro. However, the NexG N74 lacks HDR support, which is offered by some competitors. This makes the Vivo Y18t slightly better for streaming content. However, the overall quality of the Walton device's display remains impressive for everyday use. Camera Performance Equipped with a triple-camera setup (52 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP), the NexG N74 delivers solid performance for its price. Daylight photography produces sharp and detailed images. Its LED flash helps in low-light conditions. But still, it struggles compared to Vivo Y18t’s slightly superior image processing. The 8 MP front camera offers decent selfies but lacks the dynamic range of some competitors. Read more: Tecno Camon 30S Review: Budget-friendly Smartphone with Reliable Features The Walton NexG N74’s camera is an upgrade from the NexG N73’s dual 50 MP + 2 MP setup. However, the Vivo Y18t’s camera featuring a larger aperture and the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Ring-LED flash please photography enthusiasts seeking versatility. Processor Performance The NexG N74 runs on an octa-core processor powered by MediaTek’s Helio G99 chipset. This is a significant improvement over the NexG N73’s Unisoc T606 processor. Everyday tasks like social media browsing, video playback, and multitasking are handled with ease. The G99 also provides better efficiency and moderate gaming performance. When compared to the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro, the NexG N74 holds its ground well. While the Vivo Y18t’s Unisoc T612 performs admirably for general usage, the Helio G99 in the Walton NexG N74 outshines it in raw processing power. Read more: vivo V40 Lite Review: A Stylish Performer or Just Another Mid-Range Option? Gaming Performance For gamers, the Walton NexG N74 offers a smooth experience for games like PUBG Mobile and Free Fire at medium settings, thanks to its Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. Its thermal management ensures extended gaming sessions without overheating. But resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact reveal the limits of the chipset. Compared to the NexG N73, the NexG N74 is a noticeable upgrade in gaming. However, it faces stiff competition from the Infinix Smart 8 Pro, whose PowerVR GE8320 GPU provides similar gaming experiences but with slightly better battery optimization. Battery Life The 5,000 mAh battery on the NexG N74 ensures a full day of use, whether for gaming, streaming, or multitasking. Unfortunately, the 18W charging speed feels slow compared to modern standards, especially when competitors like the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro offer faster charging. Read more: Infinix Hot 50 Pro Review: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse While the ancestor NexG N73 had a larger 6,000 mAh battery, its heavier weight and lower charging speed often hampered usability. In this regard, the NexG N74 strikes a better balance between capacity and efficiency. Software and User Interface The NexG N74 ships with Android 14, offering a clean and intuitive user interface with minor customizations by Walton. The updated software ensures better security, new features, and improved app compatibility. This is a significant improvement over the NexG N73, which runs on Android 13. Compared to the Vivo Y18t’s Funtouch 14, which is feature-rich but slightly bloated, Walton’s approach feels simpler and more user-friendly. The Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s XOS 13, though functional, comes with pre-installed apps that may detract from the user experience. Read more: Motorola Edge 50 Neo Review: Strong Contender in Mid-range Segment Storage Options The NexG N74 offers 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, which is expandable via microSDXC. This setup provides seamless multitasking and plenty of storage for apps, games, and media. It matches the storage options of both the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro. Compared to the NexG N73, which supports up to 256 GB of external storage, the NexG N74 focuses on balancing internal storage with RAM performance for better efficiency. Pros and Cons of Walton NexG N74. Pros  - 6.8-inch Full HD+ display with 90 Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals- 52 MP main camera delivers sharp photos in daylight- Face unlock and fingerprint sensor- 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal memory, expandable via microSDXC- 5000mAh battery capacity- 18W fast charging. Read more: Tecno Spark 30 Pro Review: Power-packed Performance at a Budget-friendly Price Cons  - Struggles in poor lighting conditions- 5G network not supported- Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset- No premium materials like glass or metal are used in construction- Lacks water or dust resistance, unlike some competitors Price of Walton NexG N74 The Walton NexG N74 is priced at 13,499 Tk in Bangladesh. Verdict The Walton NexG N74 is a commendable budget-friendly smartphone with an excellent display, capable cameras, and reliable performance. Its software experience and gaming capabilities make it appealing to casual users. However, power users and hardcore gamers might want to explore alternatives with faster charging and better gaming capabilities. For those seeking a balanced device at an affordable price, the NexG N74 is worth considering. Read more: vivo iQoo Neo9s Pro Review: The Mid-Range Gaming Powerhouse You’ve Been Waiting For?

An Indian businessman who is one of the world’s richest people has been indicted in the U.S. on charges he duped investors by concealing that his company's huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Gautam Adani, 62, was charged in an indictment unsealed Wednesday with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The case involves a lucrative arrangement for Adani Green Energy Ltd. and another firm to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power to the Indian government — enough to light millions of homes and businesses. The indictment paints Adani and his co-defendants as playing two sides of the deal. HC orders formation of committee to review power deals with Adani Group It accuses them of portraying it as rosy and above-board to Wall Street investors who poured several billion dollars into the project over the last five years while, back in India, they were paying or planning to pay about $265 million in bribes to government officials to help secure billions of dollars' worth of contracts and financing. Adani and his co-defendants sought to “obtain and finance massive state energy supply contracts through corruption and fraud at the expense of U.S. investors,” Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lisa Miller said. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the defendants “orchestrated an elaborate scheme” and sought to "enrich themselves at the expense of the integrity of our financial markets.” In a parallel civil action, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Adani and two co-defendants of violating antifraud provisions of U.S. securities laws. The regulator is seeking monetary penalties and other sanctions. Not demanded full payment from Bangladesh in 7 days: Adani Group Both cases were filed in federal court in Brooklyn. Adani's co-defendants include his nephew Sagar Adani, the executive director of Adani Green Energy's board, and Vneet Jaain, who was the company's chief executive from 2020 to 2023 and remains managing director of its board. Online court records did not list a lawyer who could speak on Adani's behalf. An email message seeking comment was left with an arm of his conglomerate, the Adani Group. Emails were also sent to lawyers representing his co-defendants. Sagar Adani's lawyer, Sean Hecker, declined the comment. The others did not immediately respond. Sanjay Wadhwa, acting director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division, said Gautam and Sagar Adani are accused of persuading investors to buy their company's bonds by misrepresenting "not only that Adani Green had a robust anti-bribery compliance program but also that the company’s senior management had not and would not pay or promise to pay bribes.” Adani is a power player in the world’s most populous nation. He built his fortune in the coal business in the 1990s. The Adani Group grew to involve many aspects of Indian life, from making defense equipment to building roads to selling cooking oil. In recent years, the Adani Group has made big moves into renewable energy, embracing a philosophy of sustainable growth reflected in its slogan: “Growth with Goodness." The company has a clean energy portfolio of over 20 gigawatts, including one of the world’s largest solar power plants in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Adani Group has stated its goal of becoming the country’s biggest player in the space by 2030. In 2022, Gautam Adani said the company would invest $70 billion in clean energy projects by 2032. Last year, a U.S.-based financial research firm accused Adani and his company of “brazen stock manipulation” and “accounting fraud.” The Adani Group called the claims “a malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations.” The firm in question is known as a short-seller, a Wall Street term for traders that essentially bet on the prices of certain stocks to fall, and it had made such investments in relation to the Adani Group. The company's stock plunged as a result and dipped again in August when the firm, Hindenburg Research, levied more corruption allegations. Jaain told The Associated Press last year that Hindenburg's allegations had little impact on its ongoing projects, including work building 20 gigawatts of a solar and wind energy project in the northwest Indian village of Khavda. Prosecutors allege that Adani and his co-defendants started plotting the bribery scheme in 2020 or 2021 to guarantee demand for the energy that Adani Green and another firm were under contract to produce for the national government's Solar Energy Corporation of India. Adani Green and the other firm’s high prices turned off India's state-run electricity distributors, which buy power from the national government and provide it to homes and businesses. But the companies needed those deals to make the project worthwhile and keep revenues high, so they offered bribes to get them done, prosecutors said. After the defendants started promising bribes to government officials, in 2021 and 2022, electricity distributors in five Indian states or regions entered into agreements to purchase their energy, prosecutors said. Adani's company issued a statement in which he touted his deals as the “world's largest” power purchase agreement. At the same time, prosecutors said, the Adanis and Jaain were attesting to global investors that Adani Green was and would never be involved in bribery. Those claims enabled them to secure billions of dollars in financing for the project at terms that “did not account for the true risk” involved, prosecutors said.

The United States vetoed a U.N. resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with the Americans saying they the resolution Wednesday was not linked to an immediate release of hostages still held by Hamas. Meanwhile in Lebanon, a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah was showing signs of progress. However Israel’s defense minister says his country wants the right to act militarily against Hezbollah in any agreement to end the fighting. Lebanon’s government is likely to view any such demand as an infringement on its sovereignty, complicating efforts to end more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that erupted into all-out war in September. Israeli strikes and combat in Lebanon have killed more than 3,500 people and wounded 15,000, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The war has displaced nearly 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanon’s population. On the Israeli side, 87 soldiers and 50 civilians, including some foreign farmworkers, have been killed by rockets, drones and missiles. Hezbollah began firing into Israel the day after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack triggered the conflict in Gaza. US vetoes UN resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza Israel’s blistering war of retaliation in the Gaza Strip has killed nearly 44,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. Some 1,200 people in Israel were killed in the Oct. 7 attack, mostly civilians, and another 250 were abducted. Around 100 hostages remain inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Two police officers, including Sub-Inspector (SI) Fahim Faisal Torofdar of Faridpur Kotwali Police Station, were injured on Wednesday night after being attacked by relatives of a warranted suspect during an arrest operation in Faridpur . The other injured officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Karna Kumar Halder, also serves at Faridpur Kotwali Police Station. The incident occurred around 7:30 pm in the Khodabox Road area of Goalachamot near the suspect's residence. Despite the assault, police managed to arrest the suspect, identified as Rabbi Hasan Bapi, 30, who is wanted under the Narcotics Control Act. According to police and local sources, SI Fahim, along with ASI Karna Kumar and Selimuzzaman, went to Rabbi Hasan's house to execute the arrest warrant. While apprehending him, Sheikh Rustam, 30, a neighbor of the suspect, punched SI Fahim in the left eye, causing injuries. During the commotion, Rabbi attacked ASI Karna with a sharp weapon, inflicting minor injuries. Both officers received primary medical treatment at a hospital. Asaduzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Faridpur Kotwali Police Station, confirmed the incident and stated that Rabbi Hasan has been taken into custody, along with Sheikh Rustam, who attacked SI Fahim. A new case is being filed against Rabbi and his accomplices for obstructing government duties and assaulting police officers.

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mansour Chavoshi on Wednesday underscored the immense potential for enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, highlighting Iran’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties. He proposed the signing and renewal of various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, including those related to investment, preferential trade, tariff reductions, visa exemptions, cultural exchanges, city-to-city partnerships, and media collaboration. The envoy paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed bilateral issues. IOM urged to facilitate safe, regular migration for skilled human resourcesThe discussions centered on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, with particular emphasis on economic and cultural cooperation. During the meeting, Ambassador Chavoshi congratulated the Foreign Secretary on his recent appointment and conveyed his gratitude for Bangladesh's longstanding support on international platforms. The ambassador expressed hope for continued collaboration in multilateral fora. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral mechanisms, including the convening of the next round of the Joint Ministerial Commission and Foreign Office Consultations at an early date. Foreign Secretary highlights regional diplomacy for peace and development in virtual meeting with Bangladesh envoys Discussions also included the resumption of the Joint Commission meeting in Tehran in the near future.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Guyana on Wednesday, marking the first visit by an Indian leader in more than 50 years to the South American country with diaspora ties. Guyana serves as headquarters for the 15-member Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom, and Modi was expected to meet with regional leaders Wednesday as part of the India-Caricom summit. They last met in 2019. He arrived with promises to help the region in areas including health, energy and agriculture. But Modi also was thinking of home. Noting Guyana’s growing importance as an oil-producing nation after vast quantities of oil and gas were discovered off its coast in 2015, he said: “Guyana will play an important role in India’s energy security.” Indian and Nigerian leaders vow to deepen security ties and strengthen support for Global South Speaking after meeting with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, Modi promised to help Guyana and the region improve agriculture production, saying food security is important to island nations. Trade between India and Guyana has strengthened in recent years, with India providing Guyana lines of credit for military passenger planes and funding to buy a fast river ferry that services far-flung jungle areas close to neighboring Venezuela. India's Modi likely to find comfort in Trump's return and a shared worldview Modi also noted that indentured laborers from India were brought to Guyana during the British colonial era and now make a significant contribution to the country. Nearly 40% of the population is East Indian. Modi's visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has come to Guyana since Indira Ghandi in 1968.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged top Republican Party leaders to visit Bangladesh to witness the interim government's efforts to restore democracy in the country. He made the call when senior officials of the International Republican Institute called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. IRI, the think tank tied with the Republican Party, promotes democracy worldwide. Led by Steve Cima, the institute's regional chief, the IRI officials have been meeting with politicians, student groups, and civil society officials during their ongoing visit. Ready to help Bangladesh, ex-Serbian President tells Dr Yunus Cima said the IRI's priority is to support the Interim Government's reform initiatives, especially now that there have been widespread calls to fix the country's key institutions. "Under the Awami League, the real concern was over the true trajectory of the country," Cima said. "It is in the US' interest to see reforms succeed here," he said. Prof Yunus said his government would hold elections after carrying out vital reforms. He said the train for the election had already left the first station, and a new election commission would prepare the ground for the general election. He said Bangladesh would like to work closely with the newly elected US President Donald Trump administration. Nothing negative suddenly emerging as Trump is President: Prof Yunus He said he would invite top Republican Senators and Congresspersons to visit Bangladesh to witness the unprecedented changes ushered in by the student-led mass uprising. IRI official Geoffrey Macdonald, IRI country chief Joshua Rosemblum and Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh government Lamiya Morshed were present during the meeting.  

A promotional video for a rebrand of British luxury car brand Jaguar is being criticized online for showing models in brightly colored outfits — and no car. The rebrand, which includes a new logo, is slated to launch Dec. 2 during the Miami Art Week, when the company will unveil a new electric GT model. But Jaguar Land Rover, a unit of India’s Tata Motors Ltd., has been promoting it online. The Jaguar brand is in the middle of a transition to going all-electric. “Copy Nothing,” marketing materials read. “We're here to delete the ordinary. To go bold. To copy nothing.” The promotional video, posted on X and Instagram, shows models dressed in futuristic brightly colored outfits walking in an alien-like landscape. “Break Moulds,” copy reads. It drew ire online, with people complaining about the lack of a car and the confusing message. X owner Elon Musk wrote on X, “Do you sell cars?” People also complained about the new, stylized, logo. The “leaper” jaguar image has also been reimagined. Charles Taylor, marketing professor at the Villanova School of Business in Villanova, Pennsylvania, said the promotional video strikes the wrong tone for potential buyers, and said the company is making a mistake by not using the brand's heritage as an elegant British high-performance sports car in its marketing. “If they came back with a really good electric vehicle, they could build on their prior image as opposed to really throwing out the heritage of the brand and going in this kind of direction,” he said. “It’s hard to see how the market of people that would like that approach is large enough for them to thrive.” Rebranding is a common tactic for companies seeking to spark sales. Campbell Soup Co. on Wednesday officially changed its name to Campbell's Co., and companies like Airbnb and Instagram update their logos from time to time. But if they strike a wrong chord, the result can be disastrous. Past rebranding failures include Tropicana changing its logo in 2009 to omit its trademark orange — it soon changed it back. And Radio Shack rebranded to “The Shack” in 2008, alienating its core shoppers, before eventually filing for bankruptcy protection in 2015. Jaguar Land Rover, based in Whitney, Coventry, in the U.K., did not return a request for comment.

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the war in Gaza because it is not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken captive by Hamas in Israel in October 2023. The U.N. Security Council voted 14-1 in favor of the resolution sponsored by the 10 elected members on the 15-member council, but it was not adopted because of the U.S. veto. The resolution that was put to a vote “demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” The Security Council in June had adopted its first resolution on a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas. The U.S.-sponsored resolution welcomed a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States said Israel had accepted. It called on the militant Palestinian group Hamas to accept the three-phase plan – but the war goes on. With more than 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza killed, according to its health authority, the threat of famine, especially in the north, and no sign of an end to the war, the council’s 10 elected members decided to focus first on a cease-fire. Guyana’s U.N. Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett introduced the resolution on behalf of the elected members, saying “It was prompted by the council’s deep concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including what was unfolding in North Gaza, and the need for an urgent response to that situation.” She stressed the resolution's demand for immediate access for humanitarian aid deliveries throughout Gaza, and the Security Council’s primary responsibility to uphold international peace and security and its demands for an immediate cease-fire, and for the release of hostages. U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said the United States worked for weeks to avoid a veto and expressed regret that compromise language was not accepted. “We made clear throughout negotiations we could not support an unconditional cease-fire that failed to release the hostages,” he said. “Hamas would have seen it as a vindication of its cynical strategy to hope and pray the international community forgets about the fate of more than 100 hostages from more than 20 member states who have been held for 410 days.” Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters shortly before the council meeting that the resolution was “nothing short of outrage – a betrayal of the 101 innocent hostages still held by Hamas.” Its adoption, he said, would “send a message that terrorists can act with impunity." Algeria’s U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative and an elected member of the council, was sharply critical of the U.S. vote and the council’s failure to take action. “Today’s message is clear to the Israeli occupying power: First you may continue your genocide. You may continue your collective punishment of the Palestinian people with complete impunity. In this chamber, you enjoy immunity,” he said. Bendjama called the resolution’s defeat a missed opportunity that will have “devastating consequences for the international order.” But he vowed that the elected members will return soon with an even stronger resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which is militarily enforceable – and they will not stop until the council takes action.

Two people were killed and two others were injured in a head-on collision between an easy-bike and a motorcycle in the Aminpur area of Bera upazila in Pabna. The deceased were identified as motorcyclist Md. Porosh, 15, son of Shahidul of Nayabari village in Aminpur area, and easy-bike driver Pushpo, 35, son of Montu, of Sinduria village. Porsoh was a first-year HSC student at Pabna City College. Jamaat-BNP clash leaves over 15 injured in Gaibandha Syed Mohammad Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Aminpur Police Station, said that the easy bike was going from Kashinathpur towards Kazirhat, and the motorcycle was headed towards Kashinathpur. When they reached the spot, the two vehicles collided head-on, leaving four people critically injured. Later, Porsoh and Pushpo died on the way to the hospital, added the OC.

A man was killed and six others were injured in a clash between two groups over land in the Radhanagar union of Gomostapur upazila on Wednesday, police said. The deceased was identified as Abdus Sattar, son of Manjur Hossain from the Begpur area of the upazila. Jamaat-BNP clash leaves over 15 injured in Gaibandha According to the police, Sattar died around 7pm while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Police and locals said that a clash broke out between the two sides over the possession of state-owned land in the Begpur area of the union, where seven individuals from both sides were injured. 10 injured in clash between two BNP factions in Natore Six of the injured were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex and later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Among them, Abdus Sattar succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the hospital. "Efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits involved in the incident," said Gomostapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khairul Bashar.

Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) has been equipped with a virtual reality training tool to boost the surgical skills of ophthalmologists. Orbis International has donated the simulation tool it has developed in partnership with medical technology company Fundamental VR to enhance the surgical skills for doctors in low- and middle-income countries, home to nine out of ten people with vision loss. Orbis International President and CEO Derek Hodkey handed over the documents of the tool to BCPS Ophthalmology Faculty Chairperson Prof Deen Mohd Noorul Huq at a ceremony at BCPS in the capital on Wednesday. BCPS President Prof Mohammod Shahidullah, Vice-president Prof Kohinoor Begum and Secretary Prof Abul Bashar Md Jamal, Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) President Prof Ava Hossain, Orbis Country Director Dr Munir Ahmed, National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIO&H) ex-Director Prof Jalal Ahmed and Prof Zafar Khaled from BSMMU, among others, were present at the ceremony. Prof Shahidullah said Orbis has provided the ophthalmology faculty of the college with equipment and assisted in development of the module to create skilled ophthalmic surgeons and that the VR training tool would help attain the goal. Derek Hodkey said Orbis has donated the tool as part of its efforts to build skills and capacity of doctors, nurses, anaesthesiologists and biomedical engineers to provide sustainable eye care solutions around the world. Dr Munir expressed his organisation’s satisfaction with the contribution it is making to skills development of the ophthalmologists in the country. “We started working from the bottom and now we’re working with the highest body of physicians,” he said. The simulation technology provides a realistic experience for eyecare professionals so that they can practice each step of cataract surgery repeatedly before entering the operating room. It automatically monitors performance and gives real-time feedback if the procedure a doctor is following is perfect or not. This tool is particularly useful for doctors in remote locations who may not have access to other teachers. Apart from Bangladesh, the VR tool is already being used at partner hospitals in China, Mongolia, Ethiopia, and India, where it is quickly becoming an essential ophthalmic training tool.

More than 15 people were injured in a clash between activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP over the vacant acting chairman position of Mohdipur Union Parishad on Wednesday in the Palashbari area of the district. Zulfikar Ali Bhattu, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Palashbari Police Station, said that the chairman's post in Mohdipur Union Parishad had been vacant for a long time. Tensions escalated when political differences between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami flared up. Earlier in the day, Palashbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kamrul Islam held a meeting with Mohdipur UP members in his office to discuss the issue, with leaders and activists from both BNP and Jamaat in attendance. The situation took a violent turn when an argument over who would assume the acting chairman position escalated into a clash, leaving at least 15 people injured. The UNO also mentioned hearing the sound of several cocktail explosions during the altercation. The injured individuals are receiving treatment at various hospitals in the district. Local residents reported that the clash caused multiple chases and counter-chases between the two parties, leading to traffic disruptions on the Dhaka-Rangpur Highway. To prevent further violence, additional police forces have been deployed to the area. Md Mosharraf Hossain, the Superintendent of Gaibandha Police, confirmed that army patrols have also been increased in Palashbari to help control the situation.

A school-based awareness campaign titled “Save Canals, Save City” was held in Dhaka on Wednesday. During the event, speakers expressed concern over the growing global problem of plastic and polythene waste. The campaign, organized by RedOrange Communications and OceanBound under the “PLEASE” project, took place near the Kalyanpur Canal at Nabadiganta Adarsha High School. Its goal was to raise awareness about environmental conservation and highlight the harmful impact of plastic waste. The speakers emphasized that plastic and polythene waste have become a significant threat to the global environment. In Dhaka city, plastic and polythene are the primary reasons for waterlogging and seasonal floods caused by rainfall. These wastes obstruct the water flow in drains, sewers, and canals. Controlling waterlogging and flooding in the metropolis will not be possible without strict enforcement of laws and a positive change in citizens' behaviours. They also point out that the annual per capita plastic consumption in Dhaka city is currently 24 kilograms, which could rise to 34 kilograms by 2030. This increase will cause severe harm to both health and the environment. The indiscriminate disposal of plastic bottles and bags obstructs the water flow in drains, sewers, and canals, exacerbating waterlogging and flood conditions. This is particularly dire for the approximately 1.5 million residents of the Kalyanpur area, who endure extreme hardships every year due to rain-induced flooding. The Founding Headmaster of Nabadiganta Adarsha High School, Muhammad Enamul Hoq, inaugurated the event. Guests included Sohag Mia, Sub-Assistant Engineer and representative of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), and the Special Representative of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Mr. Md. Obidul Islam, Project Manager, PLEASE Project. Director of RedOrange Communications, Mr Alok Kumar Majumder along with his other colleagues were also present in the event.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday alleged that jailed Awami League leader and businessman Salman F Rahman is making nefarious efforts from jail to destabilise the country amid the government's inaction. Speaking to reporters at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he also expressed concern, stating that some advisers to the interim government, including Ali Imam Majumder and the Chief Adviser’s special assistant Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, are playing a mysterious role taking a position against the democratic forces. “We have heard that Mr Khoda Baksh is taking a stand against those who were deprived and sympathetic to the movement. They are being targeted and removed. It is a very mysterious matter,” the BNP leader said. He said it seems that Khoda Baksh and some advisers are taking such steps to implement a sinister plan. “Salman F Rahman, sitting in jail, is devising various evil plans and schemes. However, we have not seen any action taken in this regard. We’re receiving evidence that Salman F Rahman is living like a king inside the prison and is orchestrating all the plans from there,” the BNP leader said. He also alleged that Salman, the former private industry affairs adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has played a role in destabilising the garment sector, as most of the garment owners are in favour of Awami fascism. “We have not seen any action concerning these matters. How are they carrying out activities from inside the jail?” Rizvi questioned. He said BNP is getting worried over the actions of some advisers, as they go against the original spirit of the mass movement. “It has caused anxiety across the entire nation.” That is why individuals like Salman F Rahman are attempting to destabilise the country from inside the jail, while those who have not been arrested are spreading vast amounts of money to cause further instability.” The BNP leader said the current interim government is a reflection of the student-led mass revolution. “Many of those in the government were repressed by the fascist Awami League for freely expressing their opinions, despite having no political affiliation.” Even Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, who is respected by all, was subjected to harassment, he said. Tarique pledges modernisation of Armed Forces if BNP returns to power He mentioned that Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and two students who became advisers have also faced various forms of harassment. “However, some advisers who have always been opportunists… some advisory council members and certain officials in the Chief Adviser’s office seem to be targeting those who were in favour of the movement.” He said Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, was a former Inspector General of Police (IGP). “But what role did he play in the last 15 years? Does Khoda Baksh hold the spirit of the democratic movement? He doesn’t. He is trying to appear impartial. You were the IGP during BNP’s tenure—what did you do then? It was because people like you the 1/11 political changeover occurred, and undemocratic power took over.” Rizvi claimed that Ali Imam Majumder, upon becoming an adviser, appointed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) who were supportive of Awami fascism. He questioned Ali Imam Majumder's role over the past 15 years, stating that he never spoke in favour of democracy or the July-August movement. Stating that the interim government is the outcome of the student-led mass movement, the BNP leader said it should have fostered relations with pro-democratic forces and parties. “If somehow Sheikh Hasina reemerges, no one, except a few individuals within the interim government who maintain relations with her, will be spared. No one of us will be spared,” Rizvi warned. He said that there should be strong unity among democratic forces to protect the country's independence and sovereignty and to resist the rise of Awami fascism.

Md. Saiful Alam, Chairman of S Alam Group, has accused the Bangladesh Bank of using "intimidation" against him, according to a report by the UK-based Financial Times. Alam believes his Singaporean citizenship and international investment treaties will protect him from such actions. The Financial Times report revealed that lawyers representing S Alam and his family have sent a letter to the central bank, accusing Bangladesh Bank of making “unfounded claims” and threatening to pursue legal action in an international court. The law firm Queen Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan drafted the letter, which was reportedly obtained by the Financial Times. The dispute stems from comments made by Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur in a previous interview with the Financial Times. Mansur alleged that the S Alam Group laundered Tk 1.20 lakh crore from the banking system during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as Prime Minister. The letter sent by S Alam’s legal representatives refutes these claims, describing them as “baseless and provocative”. The group labeled the statements an act of "intimidation" against them. The S Alam Group has reportedly threatened to file an arbitration case against Bangladesh Bank in an international court. According to Bangladesh Bank, Saiful Alam did not seek approval for overseas investments as required by Bangladeshi law. His name is absent from the list of individuals or companies permitted to make legal foreign investments. Bangladesh Bank has declined to comment on the allegations or the legal threat from S Alam Group.

The Council of Advisers on Wednesday gave the final approval to the draft of the International Crimes (Tribunals) (amendment) Ordinance 2024, bringing significant amendments to address concerns from both local and international communities regarding trials under the law. But the provision for punishing an organisation (such as a political party) has been removed from the draft law. The approval came during a meeting of the Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. “We felt the need to amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 due to substantial criticism of the trials held under the law during the regime of the fascist government,” said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul at a press briefing. The briefing was held at the Foreign Services Academy to announce the outcomes of the meeting. Nazrul said that local and international human rights organisations had raised several concerns about the flaws in the law during the trials conducted under the Awami League (AL) regime. “Since we want to conduct fair trials and ensure due process, we have initiated these amendments,” he added. The government, he said, consulted a wide range of stakeholders, including law experts, human rights activists, journalists, prominent local and international lawyers, and human rights organisations, as well as the UN Human Rights Forum. “The draft law is based on the opinions of all these parties,” Nazrul said. The law adviser noted that while the existing law included provisions for punishing organisations, this provision had been removed in the new draft. Under the draft ordinance, tribunals will be able to recommend that the proper authorities punish an organisation, rather than carrying out the punishment directly. “If any political party were punished under this law, it would open unnecessary avenues for questioning the legitimacy of the trials. We aim for the trials to be conducted in a fair and proper manner, which is why this provision was scrapped,” he said. Nazrul emphasised that political parties could still be punished under other existing laws, such as the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Political Party Ordinance of 1978, should there be popular demand or a necessity to ban a party for criminal activities. Highlighting key changes, the adviser said that the definitions of ‘crime against humanity’ and ‘genocide’ in the proposed ordinance are aligned with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. He also pointed out that the draft ordinance provides equal rights to the defence during prosecution. Additionally, there is a system in place to protect victims and witnesses, and victims will be entitled to compensation. According to Nazrul, the draft ordinance includes a provision allowing forces from three types of institutions – discipline forces, intelligence agencies, and auxiliary forces – to be involved. “These forces have been clearly defined in the draft, following our constitution and traditional human rights law,” he said. The proposed ordinance also allows for the appointment of foreign lawyers, should either the prosecution or defence wish to engage them. Another significant provision in the draft law allows observers, both local and international, to monitor the trial process. Human rights organisations, both domestic and global, will be able to observe the proceedings. Responding to a question about the death penalty, the law adviser said the provision for death penalty in the laws for hundreds of years in the country. “There is nothing new. Bangladesh is not a signatory to the international convention on abolition of the death penalty. So, it (the demand for abolishing the death penalty) is also not compatible with the legal culture of Bangladesh,” he said. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Adviser Mahfuj Alam and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were present at the briefing.

A strong, modern and well-trained armed forces are prerequisites for protecting the country's sovereignty, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said on Wednesday. In a statement commemorating Armed Forces Day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin highlighted that the armed forces are being equipped with cutting-edge military technology, which will enhance their efficiency and dynamism. He emphasized the importance of trust in leadership, mutual respect, professional skills, and discipline in the development of the armed forces. The president also recalled the memories of the 1971 martyrs, particularly the seven recipients of the highest gallantry award, "Bir Shreshtha," and the three million lives lost during the Liberation War. He honored the courageous members of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice, both during the war for independence and in various missions at home and abroad. As the supreme commander of the armed forces, President Shahabuddin prayed for the eternal peace of their souls and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the war-wounded and martyrs. New Canadian High Commissioner presents credentials to President He reiterated the nation's respect and admiration for the armed forces' heroism and contributions during the Liberation War. The president also remembered the pivotal role of the armed forces in the Liberation War, particularly on November 21, 1971, when the joint efforts of the three military branches accelerated Bangladesh's victory. He described November 21 as a significant day in the nation's struggle for independence. The armed forces, he noted, continue to play a crucial role in nation-building, including assisting the civil administration during natural disasters and national crises, while safeguarding the country's sovereignty. He praised their sense of responsibility, patience, and patriotism during the July-August student protests, which earned them public admiration. The president acknowledged the armed forces' efforts on the international stage, particularly in UN peacekeeping missions, where they continue to represent Bangladesh with professionalism, discipline, honesty, and dedication.

Jagannath University will begin its independent admission tests for the 2024-25 academic year from January 31, following its decision to exit the Integrated Cluster Admission system. The university will administer a 100-mark exam, with 48 marks allocated to written questions, 24 marks for multiple-choice questions, and 28 marks based on the results of the SSC and HSC exams. Professor Dr. Sheikh Gias Uddin Ahmed, acting registrar of the university, shared the details of the upcoming tests on Wednesday. According to him, the admission tests will start with Unit 'E' (Faculty of Fine Arts) on January 31. The schedule for other units is as follows: February 14: Unit 'D' (Faculty of Social Sciences)February 15: Unit 'B' (Faculty of Arts)February 21: Unit 'A' (Faculty of Science)February 28: Unit 'C' (Faculty of Business Studies) For the Faculty of Science and Business Studies, the exam will cover HSC syllabus related to the respective departments. For the Faculty of Arts, the questions will focus on Bangla, English, and General Knowledge in both written and multiple-choice formats.

The ceremonial draw of the upcoming 10-team Federation Cup Football Tournament 2024-25 was held at a function at the BFF office in Motijheel on Wednesday putting Mohammedan and Dhaka Abahani in the same group. Grouping of the upcoming Federation Cup Football, scheduled to begin on December 3 in new format, was finalized during the day's ceremonial draw. BPL and Federation Cup champions Bashundhara Kings are in Group A while Federation Cup runners-up Dhaka Mohammedan and Dhaka Abahani Ltd in Group B. Trophies and prizes of last year's leagues and tournaments were also distributed at the day's function. BFF Sr Vice-President and Chairman of the Professional League Committee Imrul Hasan was the chief guest at the day's ceremonial draw and prize distribution ceremony. Grouping are: Group A: Bashundhara Kings, Bangladesh Police FC, Fortis FC, Brothers Union Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club Group B: Mohammedan SC Ltd, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Chattogram Abahani Ltd, Rahmatganj MFS and Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club. Ten premier division league clubs, split into two groups, will initially participate in the first phase of the Federation Cup Football on single league basis in three venues in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Cumilla. Later, top two teams from each of the groups will play in the meet's next round (qualification and elimination) like the BPL Cricket format. Meanwhile, this year's football season 2024-25 begins here on Friday (Nov 22) with newly introduced Bangladesh 2.0 Challenge Cup Football. The BPL and Federation Cup champions Bashundhara Kings will battle with Federation Cup runners-up Dhaka Mohammedan SC on Friday at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital. However, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football will kick-off on November 29 before the Federation Cup Football.

A positive decision on finance is anticipated on the final day of COP29, as the conference’s success heavily relies on financial commitments, said Mirza Shawkat Ali, Director of Climate Change and International Conventions at the Department of Environment. He shared this information with UNB, saying that without a financial declaration, COP29 will not be considered a success. The World Climate Conference (COP29) has been ongoing in Baku, Azerbaijan, since November 11 and will continue until November 22. Representatives from member countries gather annually to address the adverse impacts of climate change. The ministerial-level high-level segment of the conference will conclude on November 20 and experts believe several key decisions may be made during this meeting. Shawkat Ali said that Bangladesh’s Environmental Adviser held a meeting with the Japanese Minister the previous day, where Japan expressed optimism that a positive outcome on finance would be reached by the end of COP29, as this is crucial for the conference’s success. Azerbaijan’s President is leading efforts in this regard. He added that an assessment of the damage caused by climate change in Bangladesh indicates that the country will need $5-6 trillion by 2030. Bangladesh wants to see balanced outcome at COP29, rightful decision on NCQG Currently, Bangladesh is seeking between $1.1 to $1.3 trillion in funding. Shawkat Ali mentioned that after the ministerial meeting concludes today, discussions over the next two days between developed and affected countries are expected to lead to a final agreement. He said that a major tax increase has been proposed as part of the COP outcomes, which could be reduced after discussions at the ministerial level. Shawkat Ali expressed the hope that a positive financial declaration would come either on the final day of COP29 or the following morning, with the expectation that an announcement regarding financial support for affected countries, including Bangladesh, would be made. Meanwhile, Prof Dr Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), told UNB that industrialised nations had promised to provide $100 billion annually by 2025, but they have failed to meet their commitments. This year, COP29 is focusing on ensuring long-term economic stability through climate change mitigation. Dr Majumder also noted that an agreement to establish a Loss and Damage Fund has been signed to assist affected countries. The fund, effective from 2025, will support the reconstruction and recovery of countries impacted by climate change, marking a significant achievement. International financial institutions are playing a vital role in climate financing at COP29. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and head of the Bangladesh delegation, told UNB that Bangladesh requires $8.5 billion annually for adaptation under its National Adaptation Plan (NAP). But, over the past two decades, only $3 billion has been raised from adaptation funds and the Least Developed Countries Climate Fund (LDCs), which is insufficient for 160 countries. She said the proposal to double the adaptation fund by 2025 is struggling with transparency issues and is failing to meet real needs.

Bangladesh sincerely wishes to see Baku COP a great success with a just and balanced outcome, particularly by delivering a concrete and rightful decision on New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said. If emissions are not rapidly reduced and adaptation adequately funded this will expose the most vulnerable countries – like Bangladesh – to unmanageable levels of risk, she said at a press conference of Bangladesh delegation at the press conference room at Karabakh, Baku in  Azerbaijan on Wednesday. “As one of the most vulnerable countries due to climate change Bangladesh has been demonstrating an unwavering commitment to climate action since adoption of the UN Climate Change Convention and has played active role during COP29 negotiations,” she said. Narrating the situation in Bangladesh she said at least 300 villages and 1.5 million people remain inundated in a coastal district in Bangladesh. “This year alone, we experienced two devastating floods of unprecedented scale that impacted 1.7% of our total budget. Moreover, over 26 million people are exposed to very high salinity and water scarcity in the southwestern coastal regions in Bangladesh and are exposed to sea level risk.” Expressing frustration she said the global North, oil producing and other big emitting countries still lack the feeling of urgency and true commitment in implementing the Paris Agreement. Existing plans and policies to mitigate climate change remain far from what is needed to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, she said.  “We are in a critical decade which determines our course whether to keep us well below 1.5°C or put us in a dangerous world towards 2.1–2.8°C pathway, even if we implement all the current Nationally Determined Contribution targets.” According to the Adaptation Fund Gap Report of 2023, Bangladesh alone needs approximately 8.5 billion USD per year to adapt to the devastating impacts of climate change. Yet, only around 3 billion USD is currently being allocated through domestic sources. This leaves a massive shortfall of 5.5 billion USD, a gap that must be filled through external grant based finances. On a global scale, the total adaptation finance gap is 366 billion USD per year as determined by needs assessment. “This figure is deeply concerning and cannot be ignored. If we are to meet our adaptation needs, we must close the gap now, before the cost of inaction becomes unbearable,” said Rizwana. Bangladesh expressed concern that there is slow progress on climate finance agenda items particularly on loss and damage fund and New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) outcome. Under the NCQG negotiation, Bangladesh is emphasizing on adequate and quality financing of USD 1.3 trillion for adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage, she said. Bangladesh also proposed grant-based financing for adaptation and loss and damage, as well as highly concessional financing for mitigation. “Public source of financing should be the primary source for NCQG, while private sector might have a supportive role. At least 20% of that finance should flow through UNFCCC and Paris agreements funding windows. (Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, LDC Fund and Global Environment Facility trust fund),” said the adviser. Standing Committee on Finance should develop a climate finance definition to ensure transparency and accountability of Climate Finance, she said. “Unfortunately, we could not reach agreement on the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) for Loss and Damage. While work continues at the Board level to determine how the new Fund for responding to Loss and Damage will operate, we call for further pledges and its’ true operationalization,” she said. On Global Goal on Adaptation, Parties failed to resolve differences and Subsidiary Bodies forwarded the draft text to the CMA, who considered the draft text as work in progress, she aid. “We hope Parties will engage during next SBs before adopting a decision at CMA7 next year.” It is disappointing to see the slow progress on the Mitigation Work Programme- the only agenda on mitigation. The issue of linking the 1st GST outcome to mitigation work programme has been the main stumbling block. “As for Bangladesh, we can transition to a renewable pathway with higher ambition and fulfill the conditional commitment of the NDC only if required finance and technical supports are provided,” Rizwana said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has expressed the confidence that the Armed Forces will continue their collaboration with people to protect Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty. In a statement marking Armed Forces Day, Prof Yunus underscored the vital role of the Army, Navy and Air Force during the Liberation War, highlighting their contributions to the country's hard-fought freedom. The Chief Adviser extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the members of the Army, Navy and Air Force on the occasion of Armed Forces Day 2024. “I pay my deepest respect to all the brave martyrs, including those from the Armed Forces, who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Bangladesh’s freedom,” Prof Yunus said. He also focused on the decisive moment of the Liberation War, saying, “On November 21, the fearless members of the Armed Forces launched a counterattack against the occupying forces, alongside the Liberation Army, paramilitary forces, and patriotic citizens. This coordinated effort ultimately led to victory on December 16, when the invading forces were defeated.” Armed Forces Day, celebrated on November 21 each year, commemorates the progress and triumph of the Bengali nation during the Liberation War. Prof Yunus acknowledged the ongoing contributions of the armed forces in safeguarding the nation, noting their vital role in responding to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, storms, and cyclones. “As always, the Bangladesh Armed Forces have stood by people during critical times and they continue to do so now,” he said. The Chief Adviser also recognised the Armed Forces' support in aiding the civil administration, managing student uprisings, providing security to industries, restoring law and order, and recovering weapons. “I am hopeful that the members of the Armed Forces will continue to work alongside the people to protect the nation’s independence and sovereignty,” he added. Should reform education system to create generation of entrepreneurs: Prof Yunus Prof Yunus wished success for all the activities and programmes planned for Armed Forces Day 2024.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday promised that his party, if returns to power, will continue its efforts to modernise and further strengthen the Armed Forces, as it did in the past. "Since former President Shaheed Zia’s time, the Bangladesh Armed Forces has transformed into a disciplined, prompt and always vigilant modern force comparable to the army of any modern state in the world," he said in a message on the occasion of Armed Forces Day. Later, during the BNP governments, Tarique said all-out efforts were made to further modernise and strengthen the armed forces by ensuring the continuous implementation of the programmes initiated by Ziaur Rahman. "Our efforts will continue in the future as well," the BNP acting chairman pledged, wishing for the overall success of all the programmes on Armed Forces Day. Tarique greeted the members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force on the occasion. "I wish all members of the armed forces and their families continued happiness, peace, and prosperity. On this day, I wish for the future progress and advancement of the armed forces." Khaleda, senior BNP leaders wish Tarique on his 60th birthday The BNP leader also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the armed forces in the Liberation War, saying that the Armed Forces are a proud institution of the nation, built on courage, heroism and discipline. “The glorious role of this force in our great Liberation War is a golden chapter in history. The patriotic members of the Armed Forces continue to serve as vigilant sentinels in safeguarding our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” Tarique said. He also said the members of the Armed Forces have also been playing a leading role in maintaining world peace for a long time. “Our Armed Forces members serving in the United Nations peacekeeping missions are bringing honour to the country by demonstrating skill and high professionalism.” The BNP leader also mentioned that the Armed Forces have become a symbol of the nation's trust by playing a pivotal role in tackling the country's natural disasters. He said former President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence, undertook and implemented comprehensive programmes to develop the Bangladesh Armed Forces into a modern, dynamic, and efficient professional force in line with the changing world. “Today, I pay my deep respects to his (Zia’s) memory. I remember with humble respect the martyrs of the Liberation War who sacrificed their lives, including the greatest martyred heroes Sepoy Mostafa Kamal, Captain Mahiduddin Jahangir, Sepoy Hamidur Rahman, Ruhul Amin, Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, Lance Naik Nur Mohammad Sheikh, and Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rouf,” Tarique said. Armed Forces Day will be celebrated on Thursday with various programmes amid festivity and enthusiasm, commemorating the establishment of the army, navy, and air force during the 1971 Liberation War. After nearly 11 years, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is going to attend the reception at Senakunja on Armed Forces Day on Thursday afternoon. Earlier, on Tuesday night, the Armed Forces Division of the Chief Adviser’s Office invited Khaleda, also a three-time former Prime Minister, to attend the reception at Senakunja. Twenty-six other BNP leaders, including Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders, have also been invited to attend the reception.

Spain will legalize about 300,000 undocumented migrants a year, starting next May and through 2027, the country's migration minister said Wednesday. The policy aims to expand the aging country’s workforce and allow foreigners living in Spain without proper documentation to obtain work permits and residency. Spain has largely remained open to receiving migrants even as other European nations seek to tighten their borders to illegal crossings and asylum seekers. Spain needs around 250,000 registered foreign workers a year to maintain its welfare state, Migration Minister Elma Saiz said in an interview on Wednesday. She contended that the legalization policy is not aimed solely at “cultural wealth and respect for human rights, it’s also prosperity.” “Today, we can say Spain is a better country,” Saiz told national broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has often described his government's migration policies as a means to combat the country's low birthrate. In August, Sánchez visited three West African nations in an effort to tackle irregular migration to Spain’s Canary Islands. The archipelago off the coast of Africa is seen by many as a step toward continental Europe with young men from Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and elsewhere embarking on dangerous sea voyages there seeking better job opportunities abroad or fleeing violence and political instability at home. The new policy, approved Tuesday by Spain’s leftist minority coalition government, simplifies administrative procedures for short and long-term visas and provides migrants with additional labor protections. It extends a visa offered previously to job-seekers for three months to one year. By mid-November, some 54,000 undocumented migrants had reached Spain this year by sea or land, according to the country's Interior Ministry. The exact number of foreigners living in Spain without documentation is unclear. Many irregular migrants make a living in Spain's underground economy as fruit pickers, caretakers, delivery drivers, or other low-paid but essential jobs often passed over by Spaniards. Without legal protections, they can be vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Saiz said the new policy would help prevent such abuse and "serve to combat mafias, fraud and the violation of rights." Spain's economy is among the fastest-growing in the European Union this year, boosted in part by immigration and a strong rebound in tourism after the pandemic. In 2023, Spain issued 1.3 million visas to foreigners, according to the government.  

In a major reshuffle in police administration, the government has appointed former chief of Special Branch of Police Baharul Alam as the new Inspector General of Police(IGP) while Sheikh Sazzad Ali as the new commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). “A major change has come today in the police. Former SB chief Baharul Alam has been given the charge as Inspector General of Police. Sheikh Sazzad Ali has been given the new charge as the DMP commissioner,” said youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud at a press briefing on Wednesday. Political affiliation will not be considered in police verification for government jobs: Reform Commission Chief The press briefing was held at Foreign Services Academy over the outcomes of the meeting of council of advisers chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.  “There is a latest development today. You know we’ve been facing challenges regarding the law and order from the very beginning   and the government has brought the changes  in the police administration to strengthened law and order and ensure public safety,” he said.

Adviser Mahfuz Alam has called on students to share their concerns and demands through appropriate channels, stressing that the administration remains open to discussions. During a briefing held on Wednesday at the Foreign Service Academy following an advisory council meeting, Mahfuj Alam focused on the wave of student protests over various issues, including demands related to seven colleges and independent college status. PM Hasina addressed India’s security concerns: Mahfuz Anam Mahfuj urged students to avoid being influenced by provocations or engaging in actions that could be detrimental. “Students have a variety of demands, but we urge you to approach the government for discussions without succumbing to any instigation or negativity. The doors of the government are always open for dialogue,” he added.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday that the Biden administration will allow Ukraine to use American-supplied antipersonnel land mines to help fight off Russian forces. Speaking to reporters during a trip to Laos, he said the shift in policy follows changing tactics by the Russians. Austin said Russian ground troops are leading the movement on the battlefield, rather than forces more protected in armored carriers, so Ukraine has “a need for things that can help slow down that effort on the part of the Russians.” “The land mines that we would look to provide them would be land mines that are not persistent, you know, we can control when they would self-activate, self-detonate and that makes it, you know, far more, safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own,” Austin said.  

Thousands of workers marched through the Greek capital Athens on Wednesday as part of a 24-hour general strike called by labor unions to protest the rising cost of living and timed to coincide with the government submitting the 2025 budget to Parliament. Public and private sector workers walked off the job as part of the labor action that disrupted public transport and left ferries connecting the Greek islands with the mainland tied up in port. Medical staff at state-run hospitals and teachers were among those who joined the strike, which was called by labor unions to protest the high cost of living and demand collective wage agreements that were scaled back during Greece’s nearly decade-long financial crisis that began in 2010. Around 12,000 protesters marched through central Athens, while another 5,000 demonstrated in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. “We want to showcase the rage and resentment of salaried employees for what is happening to their income,” said Yannis Panagopoulos, head of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece, the umbrella union representing private sector workers. “We have no other way to be able to cope with the high cost of living other than with an increase to our income. But our incomes remain frozen in the bailout era,” he said. Greece’s financial crisis saw a quarter of the country’s economy wiped out after decades of profligate spending left it locked out of international bond markets. Successive international bailouts came on condition the country implement deeply unpopular reforms that included pension and wage cuts and saw poverty and unemployment rates spiral. Greece has since returned to healthy growth and recently achieved investment-grade status again, but it still retains the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the European Union. “Greece needs a pay rise,” Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, said Tuesday ahead of the strike. She said she was in Athens “to bring the solidarity greetings from 45 million workers and their trade unions from around Europe.” The European confederation supports “all workers in Greece who are going to come out to demand that pay rise and to demand the genuinely binding collecting agreement to guarantee a fair day's pay for a fair day's work,” she said. Unions have criticized the center-right government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for failing to tackle inflation and housing policies, which have eroded workers’ living standards. Journalists at Greek media outlets held their own 24-hour strike in support on Tuesday, pulling all news broadcasts off the air for the day so they could cover Wednesday’s general strike.

The Foreign Exchange Policy Department (FEPD) of Bangladesh Bank has issued three new directives concerning foreign currency exchanges for private travel entitlements through licensed money changers. The notification, signed by Monoar Uddin Ahmed, Director of FEPD, was issued on Tuesday, outlining updated regulations aimed at facilitating outbound travellers. Under the Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions (GFET)-2018, Volume 1, licensed money changers have been authorised to sell foreign currency notes, coins, and travellers' cheques (TCs) to Bangladeshi nationals travelling abroad. This is in accordance with their annual private travel entitlement, subject to a maximum limit of 1,000 US dollars or its equivalent in cash. The limit has now been enhanced to 2,000 US dollars or its equivalent in cash, doubling the previous allowance Bangladesh Bank provides liquidity guarantee of Tk 6,585 crore to 7 banks For Hajj pilgrims, licensed money changers are to follow the government’s Hajj policy regarding the release of foreign currency. The notification also says all other related instructions would remain unchanged. This move is expected to ease financial transactions for outbound travellers and ensure better compliance with foreign exchange regulations.

A Pakistani court granted bail Wednesday to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a graft case, his lawyer said. But with a slew of other charges pending against him, the opposition leader is staying in prison. Still, the order by a superior court in the capital, Islamabad, was a boost for Khan in the case in which he is accused, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi, of keeping and selling state gifts in violation of government rules when he was in power. Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022, has denied the charge. The hearings in the trial on the graft charges started in July and are still ongoing. Khan has so far been embroiled in over 150 cases and has been sentenced in several, including to three years, 10 years, 14 years and seven years to be served concurrently under Pakistani law. His convictions were later overturned in appeals but he cannot be freed due to other, pending cases against him. His lawyer, Salman Safdar said he remained confident Khan would be freed but experts say there are at least eight cases standing in the way of Khan's release on bail. Khan, who has been held in a prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi for over a year, has maintained his innocence and has argued that the cases are an attempt to sideline him politically by keeping him out of the public area. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, has also been demanding his release. Khan’s supporters have called for a rally in Islamabad on Sunday to demand his release — despite a government ban on the gathering. A suicide car bombing at a security post in northwestern Pakistan has killed 12 troops Pakistan’s laws allow government officials and politicians to keep gifts given to them by foreign dignitaries, but they must correctly declare the market value of those gifts and declare any money they earned after selling them. Last month, Bibi was freed on bail in the same case but will have to appear in court for the hearings alongside her husband.

At least 10 people were injured in a clash between students of Dhaka College and City College at Science Lab area in the capital on Wednesday. Witnesses said the clash started around 3:00 pm and both sides chased each other with sticks and iron rods and threw bricks and stones. At one point, the army perssonel and police attempted to control the situation by chasing the students. The clash disrupted traffic movement in Science Lab area, triggering traffic chaos on roads in the adjacent areas. Police were deployed to maintain law and order at the scene, and army personnel were also seen controlling the situation. Sakib Hasan, a Geography student from Dhaka College's 2022-23 session, said, "Today was the 184th founding anniversary celebration of Dhaka College. After the event, around 2:30 PM, all students left one by one by bus. When three buses reached the Science Lab area, City College students stopped the buses, vandalised them, and physically assaulted many students." Sakib further mentioned earlier there was some conflict between Dhaka College's HSC students and City College students and the conflict led them to vandalism of our buses.    

Chairman of the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, former Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, has emphasized that the judiciary loses public trust if it is perceived as lacking independence. He also criticized successive governments for neglecting the judiciary, making it the weakest branch of the state. “None of the governments has ever given proper attention to the judiciary. As a result, it has become the most fragile institution of the state,” he said while addressing a discussion titled "Seventeen Years of Judicial Separation from the Executive Branch" at the National Press Club’s Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall on Wednesday. The event was organized by the Humanity Foundation, a volunteer human rights organization, and the monthly Ain O Bichar, with support from Minouri Bangladesh. Justice Moinul further remarked, “The current state of the judiciary reflects our collective failure. Lawyers and judges are two sides of the same coin, and their cooperation is crucial for a well-functioning judiciary.” Judiciary facilitated authoritarianism under Sheikh Hasina: TIB Executive Director He said, “Judicial independence will not yield desired results unless judges can think freely. Judiciary’s key characteristic is its accessibility, and it should work transparently to monitor the executive and legislative branches. Judicial harassment is one of the worst scenarios for justice.” Law Reform Commission member Justice Mazdar Hossain underscored the need for the judiciary to be under the control of the Chief Justice. “We need a framework where all decisions regarding the recruitment, management, and discipline of judges are entrusted to the Chief Justice,” he said. Criticizing the outdated laws, he added, “We are still clinging to the CrPC introduced by the British, which they themselves abandoned. Although the judiciary is independent on paper, it has not fulfilled our expectations. In the past 53 years, no political party has enacted laws in the public interest; they have only legislated for self-preservation and power consolidation.” The discussion, chaired by Humanity Foundation Chairman Advocate Muhammad Shafiqul Rahman, was also attended by former Supreme Court Registrar, District Judge, and constitutional analyst Iktedar Ahmed, among others.

Armed Forces Day will be observed across the country on Thursday with due solemnity and enthusiasm. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces. Since the country's independence, the day has been observed as the Armed Forces Day every year. The day’s programmes will start with the offering of special prayers in mosques of all cantonments, naval outposts and establishments and air force outposts after Fajr prayers seeking divine blessings for the country’s welfare and progress and continued development and progress of the Armed Forces. Khaleda to join Armed Forces Day reception after 12 years President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ (the Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning to pay homage to the members of the Armed Forces who had sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation. The chiefs of the three services will place wreaths at ‘Shikha Anirban’ at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning. Later, the three chiefs will pay courtesy calls on the President and the Chief Adviser. On the occasion, the Chief Adviser will host a reception and meet the family members of the Bir Shresthas and other gallantry award-winning freedom fighters at Army Multipurpose Complex. He will distribute peace awards to armed forces personnel. Meanwhile, programmes have been chalked out to observe the day at all army garrisons, naval ships and establishments and air force bases throughout the country. Bangladesh Television (BTV) will broadcast a special programme titled ‘Special Anirban’ after its 8 pm news bulletin on Wednesday highlighting the significance of the day. Khaleda invited to Armed Forces Day reception Bangladesh Betar will broadcast a special ‘Special Durbar’ programme at 7:30pm on Tuesday. The national dailies will publish special supplements on the occasion. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages on the occasion. In his message, the President said a strong, modern, and well-trained armed force is one of the key prerequisites for safeguarding a nation’s sovereignty. “Alongside contemporary training, state-of-the-art military equipment is being integrated into the forces as part of their modernization efforts. This undoubtedly makes the armed forces more advanced, capable, and dynamic.” “For the development of the armed forces, deep trust in leadership, mutual respect, professional expertise and above all discipline are of utmost importance. It is expected that the members of the armed forces will always remain fully loyal to the state and its leadership, maintaining the glory of the armed forces through rigorous training and patriotism,” he said. In his message, the Chief Adviser said from the country's independence struggle to addressing floods, droughts, storms, rains, and cyclones, the armed forces have always been the ultimate refuge for the affected people. As always, during the current critical times of the nation, the Bangladesh Armed Forces have once again stood by the people, he said. “I extend my gratitude to you for assisting the civil administration in various activities, including tackling floods, ensuring security in industrial establishments, improving law and order, recovering weapons, and supporting the student-worker-public uprising. I hope that the members of the armed forces will continue to work alongside the people, safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty,” he said. Yunus also wished for the overall success of all the programs undertaken on the occasion of 'Armed Forces Day 2024'.  

What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, Germany was on a run of awful results and seemed on course to struggle when it hosted Euro 2024. Now it's back among the top teams in Europe, with an eye on the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Germany will end 2024 with 10 victories from its 15 games. In 2023, it won just three and lost six. The only loss this year was in the most important game, though, against eventual Euro 2024 champion Spain in extra time in the quarterfinals on home soil. It still rankles. Argentina beats Peru to close in on World Cup spot from South American qualifying Coach Julian Nagelsmann's instant reaction to a handball penalty that allowed Hungary to draw Tuesday's last Nations League group game 1-1 was to ask the referee if he'd seen Germany's loss to Spain, when a handball call wasn't given against Spain's Marc Cucurella, riling German players and fans. It’s been a big year for younger players like Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, the “Wusiala” combo expected to shine at the 2026 World Cup. Wirtz scored six goals for Germany this year to be joint-top scorer with Arsenal's Kai Havertz and Musiala scored five. “At their young age, they're both world-class already,” Joachim Löw, who coached Germany’s World Cup-winning team in 2014, said Sunday on local broadcaster SWR. In 2021, Löw was the first coach to call up Musiala and Wirtz, then 18 and 17 years old respectively, to the national team, and he's impressed with how they've been crucial to Nagelsmann's project. Harry Kane sparks England rout against Ireland and Nations League promotion “They're obviously both incredibly creative, strong in one-on-ones, they're both goalscoring threats, and they've both made unbelievable progress in our national team over the last one or two years,” Löw said. “You really can't imagine the national team without them any more because they shape the game.” Several star names — Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gündogan, Thomas Müller — retired from international duty following Euro 2024. It doesn’t seem to have put a dent in Germany’s form. Still, some open questions remain about just how big — or sustainable — Germany's improvement is. A Nations League group of the Netherlands, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina saw Germany rack up some big wins, even a 7-0 victory against Bosnia last week, but it wasn’t the hardest schedule the competition could have served up. Marc-André ter Stegen is Germany’s top goalkeeper after Neuer left, but is a long way from returning from the serious knee injury he sustained in September. Nagelsmann’s first-choice striker Niclas Füllkrug of West Ham hasn’t played since September with an Achilles tendon injury and will be 33 by the time the World Cup comes around. Gyokeres leads Sweden to Nations League win and the Dutch reach the knockout rounds Ahead of World Cup qualifying, Germany will have a tougher test in the Nations League playoffs in March, and will find out its quarterfinal opponent in the draw at UEFA headquarters on Friday. A yellow card Tuesday means Bayer Leverkusen's Wirtz will be suspended for the first leg of the quarterfinals.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) ended Wednesday's trading on a mixed note, with the benchmark DSEX index posting a marginal gain despite a persistent downtrend throughout the day. The DSEX index closed at 5,245.26 points, edging up by 2.6 points. Meanwhile, the Shariah-based DSES index gained 8.59 points, settling at 1,162.52, while the DS30 blue-chip index dropped by 8.26 points to close at 1,934.63. The modest recovery followed a three-day losing streak (Sunday–Tuesday) during which the DSEX index fell by a total of 112.65 points. The trading volume saw a significant drop on Wednesday, with shares and mutual funds worth Tk 393 crore exchanged, marking a decline of Tk 121.8 crore from Tuesday’s turnover of Tk 514.8 crore. A total of 12.66 crore shares and units were traded in 181,081 transactions, down from 16.8 crore shares traded on the previous day. Out of the 379 companies that participated in Wednesday’s session, 113 companies' stock prices increased, 183 declined, and 83 remained unchanged. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also experienced a subdued trading day. The CASPI index inched up by 0.12 points, closing at 14,672.11 points. However, the day's turnover decreased to Tk 6.23 crore, down from Tk 11.1 crore on Tuesday. On the CSE, 198 companies were traded, with prices rising for 60 companies, declining for 101, and remaining unchanged for 37. A total of 28.37 lakh shares and units were traded through 1,718 transactions.

Bangladesh Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan on Wednesday said that the country's economic well-being and the safety of the Bay of Bengal's littorals depend on maintaining maritime security. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, he reiterated the significance of Bangladesh’s active participation at multiple platforms in securing the Bay. The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the roundtable titled "Maritime Security in the Bay of Bengal: Emerging Threats and Strategies of Bangladesh." BIISS Chairman Ambassador AFM Gosal Azam Sarker chaired the event, while Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis delivered the welcome address. BIISS Research Fellow Moutusi Islam was the keynote speaker and delivered a presentation on “Emerging Maritime Security Threats in the Bay of Bengal: Unfolding the Multi-Level Strategies.” Prof Dr Rashed Uz Zaman of Dhaka University's Department of International Relations presented on “Maritime Security in the Bay of Bengal: Geopolitical and Strategic Implications,” while Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personal) and Chairman of BIMRAD, discussed “Emerging Maritime Security in the Bay of Bengal: Policy Options and Strategies of Bangladesh.” An open discussion session was held participated by relevant experts on maritime security.

A court in Jamalpur on Wednesday sentenced a man to life term in jail in a case over the violation of a minor girl in Melandaha upazila of Jamalpur district around eight years back. Jamalpur’s Women and Children Repression and Prevention Tribunal-2 Senior Judge Md Shahidul Islam also fined the convict Tk 100,000, in default of which he will have to suffer one more year’ jail, said the court’s Public Prosecutor Md Rezaul Amin. The convict is Shahid Mia, 43, son of late Dastar Mandal of Dilalerpara village in the upazila. According to the case statement, the accused violated the seven-year-old girl in the village on April 27, 2016. Later, the victim’s father filed a case with the concerned police station. After completing legal procedures, the court handed down the judgment in the presence of the accused. Rejecting the verdict, the accused’s daughter Shahana said they would move to the High Court to get justice.  

A bogie of a freight train derailed at Borohoron near Brahmanbaria rail station in Sadar upazila on Wednesday morning, snapping the rail communication with Dhaka through the up line.However, the train communication through the down line on Dhaka-Chattogram-Sylhet rail route is normal.Imtiaz Rahman, locomaster of the freight train, said two wheels of the Dhaka-bound goods-laden train from Chattogram veered off the tracks a few yards off Brahmanbaria rail station around 11 am, halting train movement on the up line. Dhaka’s rail communication with other districts resumes after 4 hoursA number of trains were stranded at different rail stations, causing suffering to the commuters.Already a relief train from Akhaura reached the spot and is working to salvage the bogie.

After nearly 11 years, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is going to attend the reception at Senakunja on Armed Forces Day on Thursday afternoon. She is scheduled to leave for Senakunja at 3pm from her Gulshan residence on Thursday, said her private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar. This will be Khaleda Zia's first participation in a state function since her imprisonment in February 2018. She last attended the reception in 2012.   Earlier, on Tuesday night, the Armed Forces Division of the Chief Adviser’s Office invited Khaleda, also a three-time former Prime Minister, to attend the reception at Senakunja. High Court scraps 11 cases against Khaleda Zia Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lieutenant General ASM Kamrul Ahsan handed over the invitation letter to Khaleda. BNP Standing Committee member and Khaleda Zia's personal physician, Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, confirmed that the two military officers, along with their wives, visited the former Prime Minister at her Gulshan residence and delivered the invitation letter. BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said 26 other BNP leaders, including Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders, have also been invited to attend the reception. He said army officials handed over the invitation letters to Khaleda Zia’s private secretary Abdus Sattar at her Gulshan office on Tuesday afternoon. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will be present as the chief guest at the reception at Senakunja. Armed Forces Day will be celebrated on Thursday with various programmes amid festivity and enthusiasm, commemorating the establishment of the army, navy, and air force during the 1971 Liberation War.

Five more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 427 this year. In the recent fatalities, one was reported in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), one in the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), one in Barishal Division (outside of the city corporation) and two in the Khulna Division (outside the city corporation). During the period, 1,034 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, 187 dengue patients were admitted in hospital under Dhaka North City Corporation while 160 were hospitalized in Dhaka South City Corporation. A total of 83,154 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year.  

Global rating agency Moody's has revised its ratings for six Bangladeshi banks, citing concerns over the country’s recent sovereign downgrade. The banks affected are BRAC Bank, City Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Eastern Bank, Mercantile Bank and Premier Bank. Moody’s has downgraded BRAC Bank’s long-term (LT) local currency (LC) and foreign currency (FC) deposit ratings to B2 from B1. Similarly, Mercantile Bank and Premier Bank have seen their LT LC and FC deposit ratings lowered to B3 from B2. Meanwhile, City Bank, Eastern Bank and Dutch-Bangla Bank have had their B2 LT LC and FC deposit ratings affirmed. But, Moody’s has revised the outlooks on the LT deposit ratings of all six banks to negative from stable. The rating agency also revised Bangladesh's GDP growth forecast, projecting a slowdown to 4.5% from the earlier estimate of 6.3% for the current fiscal year. For the next fiscal year, the projection has been lowered to 5.8% from 6%. Earlier this week, on Monday (Nov 18), Moody's downgraded Bangladesh’s long-term ratings to B2 from B1, marking the second consecutive downgrade in under two years. The short-term ratings were affirmed at “Not Prime.” This marks the first time in 14 years that Moody’s has revised Bangladesh’s outlook to “negative” from “stable” since the country began receiving ratings from the agency in 2010. The downgrade and negative outlook are expected to increase borrowing costs for both the government and the private sector, exacerbating challenges in accessing international funds amid ongoing high inflation.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is grappling with bad loans and significant losses, despite once being a consistently profitable industry. The latest quarterly financial reports reveal that nine banks collectively lost Tk1,663.38 crore in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25. According to economist Prof Abu Ahmed, unchecked corruption, misuse of regulatory frameworks and the appointment of dishonest and unskilled people to key positions have contributed to the current turmoil. “These banks were profitable before the past fascist government abused the banking system. A large amount of money deposited by ordinary citizens was looted, leading to the current crisis,” he said. Prof Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), highlighted that substantial funds had been misappropriated through fake documents. “This looting has resulted in massive losses for the banks,” he noted. Banking sector needs drastic reforms to restore trust: BB Governor Bangladesh Bank (BB) has initiated a taskforce and is in the process of appointing international audit firms to evaluate the assets of various banks. Preliminary investigations by the central bank indicate that after 2017, a significant volume of loans was issued against fraudulent documents to paper-based companies affiliated with the S. Alam Group and their associates. The misappropriated funds were reportedly laundered to countries such as Singapore, the UK, the USA, Canada, and other European nations. Consequently, many banks are struggling to meet their clients’ demands and are facing operational losses in the July-September quarter. The central bank’s report identifies National Bank, Exim Bank, Bank Asia, Islami Bank Bangladesh, Union Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank and ICB Islamic Bank as having incurred losses amounting to Tk1,663.38 crore during this period. The profits of ten other banks, including AB Bank, Midland Bank, Rupali Bank, IFIC Bank, NRB Bank, Dhaka Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Southeast Bank, Premier Bank, and Eastern Bank, have also declined compared to the same period in the previous year. National Bank posted the highest loss, reporting a post-tax deficit of Tk699.47 crore in the July-September quarter, an increase of Tk201.96 crore or 40% from the same period last year. Exim Bank reported a post-tax loss of Tk566.3 crore, a drastic shift from a profit of Tk533.9 crore in the same period of 2023—a decrease of Tk619.42 crore. Bank Asia recorded a loss of Tk103.13 crore, compared to a profit of Tk277.4 crore the previous year, marking a decrease of Tk130.88 crore. Similarly, Islami Bank faced a loss of Tk89.2 crore, down from a profit of Tk94.4 crore last year, reflecting a decline of Tk183.67 crore or 194%. Union Bank reported a loss of Tk80.18 crore, a stark contrast to its Tk52.8 crore profit in the same period of 2023, representing a drop of Tk132.98 crore or 252%. Other banks, including Al-Arafah Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, and ICB Islamic Bank, also experienced notable declines in their profits or increased losses.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the people of the country will determine who will participate in elections and do politics. “As a political party we can’t determine it. There has been a misunderstanding. An adviser said BNP facilitated the Awami League to do politics but it is not correct and we’ve cleared our stance,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a programme organised to distribute education materials and corrugated iron sheets among flood-hit people at Sreepur in Feni’s Fulgazi upazila. He said here there should be no scope of any misunderstanding as they never obstructed any party from joining elections. “But those, including Sheikh Hasina, killed people, laundered money abroad and destroyed the country’s assets must be brought to justice.” Lay out election roadmap to restore trust: BNP to govt  Regarding the interim government, the BNP secretary general said they (interim govt) will do a lot of work and they have already brought back peace and order. “Can Awami League men unleash torture now?  They should be given some time.” When they (govt) will finish the work, the elections will surely be held and a people's government will come, he said, adding, “We said it's better to do it a little sooner.” Urging the party activists to remain united, he said the AL ‘bandits’ fled the country and it will take to remove all wastes from the country created during the AL regime. Fakhrul said efforts are underway to send Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment. BNP standing committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, joint secretary general secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny, Chairperson’s adviser Prof Joynal Abedin, former lawmaker Rehana Akter Ranu and Chattogram Divisional organising secretary Mahbube Rahman Shamim were, among others, preset on the occasion.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said it would stay closed Wednesday after receiving a warning of a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital. The precautionary step came after Russian officials promised a response to President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets on Russian soil with U.S.-made missiles — a move that angered the Kremlin. The war, which reached its 1,000-day milestone on Tuesday, has taken on a growing international dimension with the arrival of North Korean troops to help Russia on the battlefield — a development which U.S. officials said prompted Biden’s policy shift. Russian President Vladimir Putin subsequently lowered the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal, with the new doctrine announced Tuesday permitting a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. That could potentially include Ukrainian attacks backed by the U.S. Western leaders dismissed the Russian move as an attempt to deter Ukraine’s allies from providing further support to Kyiv, but the escalating tension weighed on stock markets after Ukraine used American-made ATACMS longer-range missiles for the first time to strike a target inside Russia. The U.S. Embassy said its closure and attack warning were issued in the context of ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and anticipated a quick return to regular operations. Western and Ukrainian officials say Russia been stockpiling powerful long-range missiles, possibly in an upcoming effort to crush the Ukrainian power grid as winter settles in. Military analysts say the U.S. decision on the range over which American-made missiles can be used isn't expected to be a game-changer in the war, but it could help weaken the Russian war effort, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank. “Ukrainian long-range strikes against military objects within Russia’s rear are crucial for degrading Russian military capabilities throughout the theater," it said. Ukraine has seen success in building clean energy, which is harder for Russia to destroy Meanwhile, North Korea recently supplied additional artillery systems to Russia, according to South Korea. It said that North Korean soldiers were assigned to Russia’s marine and airborne forces units and some of them have already begun fighting alongside the Russians on the front lines. Ukraine struck a factory in Russia’s Belgorod region that makes cargo drones for the armed forces in an overnight attack, according to Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counterdisinformation branch of Ukraine’s Security Council. He also claimed Ukraine hit an arsenal in Russia’s Novgorod region, near the town of Kotovo, located about 680 kilometers (420 miles) behind the Ukrainian border. The arsenal stored artillery ammunition and various types of missiles, he said. It wasn't possible to independently verify the claims.

Bollywood is set to end 2024 on a high note with an exciting lineup of Hindi films scheduled for release this December. From action-packed blockbusters to laugh-out-loud comedies, gripping historical dramas, and even thought-provoking documentaries, the variety promises something for everyone. Teasers and trailers have already ignited buzz, showcasing stellar performances, unforgettable dialogues, and captivating music. Here's a closer look at the most anticipated Bollywood films hitting the screens in December 2024. Must-watch Hindi Movies Releasing this December . Agni / Action Thriller / December 6, 2024 Directed and written by Rahul Dholakia, the action movie boasts production by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios. Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi, Saiyami Kher, and Jitendra Joshi take on the lead roles while the additional cast includes Pramod Pathak, Udit Arora, and Kabir Shah. The narrative unfolds in a city gripped by a mysterious fire surge, where chaos threatens to consume Mumbai. At its heart are Vithal, a fearless firefighter, and Samit, his headstrong yet resourceful brother-in-law who serves as a police officer. United by duty but divided by personal discord, the duo must race against time to uncover the truth behind the devastation. Read more: December 2024 Amazon Prime Originals Streaming Lineup: Binge-worthy Watchlist Zero Se Restart / Documentary / December 13, 2024 Vidhu Vinod Chopra presents this documentary focusing on the behind-the-scenes of his renowned ‘12th Fail’ movie. This inspiring 2023 biographical drama is based on Anurag Pathak’s acclaimed 2019 nonfiction book of the same name. It chronicles the extraordinary journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma from a poor family to ultimately achieving his dream of becoming an IPS officer. ‘Zero Se Restart’ takes viewers on a poignant journey of rediscovery, weaving nostalgic visuals with themes of forgotten aspirations and rekindled dreams. Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar will be seen again on screen as their respective characters- Manoj Kumar Sharma and Shraddha Joshi. Jaskunwar Kohli, who steers the creative helm, collaborates with Chopra, who wears multiple hats as the film’s writer and producer. Read more: Top 10 Netflix English Originals to Binge-Watch in December 2024 Irani Chai / Drama Thriller / December 14, 2024 This thriller, which features Zakir Hussain, Ananth Mahadevan, and Govind Namdeo in lead roles, thrives under the writing and directing of Manoj Srivastava. Akhilendra Mishra, Aditya Lakhia, and Ezzatollah Ramazanifar play supporting roles. ‘Irani Chai’ spins a mesmerizing tale of an Iranian woman who receives nightly visits from men, each bearing a story of pain, hope, or longing. Piecing together these fragmented stories, she uncovers a path that leads to a treasure. Production credit goes to Goutam Kumar Bhakat, Samid Gupta, Sandeep Sen, and Kunal Srivastava. Badass Ravikumar / Musical Action / December 20, 2024 Directed by Keith Gomes, this musical movie excels with Himesh Reshammiya as its lead actor, story writer, and music composer. Himesh also co-produced the film with Manoj Srivastava and contributed to the screenplay in association with Kushal Ved Bakshi. Bunty Rathore wrote the dialogues and Sonia Kapoor, doubling as the lead actress, channels her artistry into writing song lyrics. Read more: Exploring the Best of Mostofa Sarwar Farooki: Iconic Films and Drama Series This sequel to the 2014 hit ‘The Xpose’ delves deeper into the franchise’s thrilling universe, with Ravikumar taking on an ensemble of 10 formidable villains, The action film also stars Prabhu Deva and Kk Taharpuriya in important roles. Vanvaas / Comedy Drama / December 20, 2024 Starring Nana Patekar and Utkarsh Sharma, this comedy movie thrives with Anil Sharma as its writer, producer, and director. Amjad Ali and Sunil Sirvaiya jointly contributed as co-writers with Sharma. The narrative resonates with the eternal struggle between duty and desire, echoing the profound wisdom of an ancient tale. It explores how choices driven by honor and responsibility shape the trajectory of life. Read more: Korean Dramas on Netflix for November 2024 The supporting cast includes Rajpal Naurang Yadav, Simrat Kaur, Khushbu Sundar, and Ashwini Kalsekar.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Wednesday urged the international community including Canada to take strong steps to solve the Rohingya crisis. He said this while the newly appointed High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh Ajit Singh presented his credentials. Earlier, the envoy was given a guard of honor by a contingent of the Presidential Guard Regiment on his arrival at Bangabhaban. Welcoming the new High Commissioner of Canada during the meeting, President Shahabuddin said that Canada is one of Bangladesh's development partners and trusted friends. Pointing out that there is an investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh, the President urged Canadian investors to invest in Bangladesh's various sectors, including infrastructure and communication.  He emphasized on exchanging visits at the government and private levels to exploit the trade and investment potential of the two countries. President congratulates Bangladesh women’s team for winning second consecutive SAFF title The President said the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar are now a big challenge for Bangladesh.  He urged the international community including Canada to take strong action so that the Rohingyas can return to their motherland with dignity. Mentioning that the relationship between Bangladesh and Canada is gradually increasing, the President expressed hope that the existing relationship between the two countries will reach a new height during the tenure of the new High Commissioner. During the meeting, High Commissioner Ajit Singh said that the labor force of Bangladesh is playing a positive role in Canada's economy.  He said that his country's cooperation in socio-economic development of Bangladesh will continue in the future. The new High Commissioner sought the full cooperation of the President in fulfilling his duties. Secretaries concerned to the President were present during the meeting.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized one lakh Yaba pills from Palongkhali border in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar district early Wednesday. Tipped off, a team of BGB-34 conducted a drive in Farir Beel area around 1:30 am and seized the Yaba pills in an abandoned condition, said commanding officer of BGB-34, Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Mashruki. However, none was arrested in this connection.        

Japanese officials said Wednesday they are closely watching to see if China keeps its promise to prevent further violations of Japan's airspace after explaining that an incursion by a Chinese military aircraft nearly three months ago was unintentional and caused by turbulence. Tokyo protested and sought an explanation from Beijing after a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane briefly entered Japanese airspace off the southern main island of Kyushu on Aug. 26, prompting Japan's military to scramble fighter jets and warn the plane. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said China acknowledged the airspace violation and assured Japan that it would make efforts to prevent a recurrence. “We take note of China's explanation, and we will closely watch Chinese military activity from now on,” Hayashi said. China said the airspace violation occurred when the plane's pilot took emergency measures in response to turbulence in the area and was not intentional, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. Japanese officials did not disclose further details, such as when China provided the explanation, citing the protocol of diplomatic exchanges. Even though aircraft can encounter turbulence, such a significant deviation from a flight route is unthinkable, Japanese officials said. NHK public television reported that Japanese defense officials said they still find the airspace violation unacceptable because it was a serious breach of territorial sovereignty. A suicide car bombing at a security post in northwestern Pakistan has killed 12 troops Japanese officials are concerned about China's growing military activity around Japan's southwestern waters and airspace. It has led Tokyo to significantly reinforce its defenses in the area, which includes remote islands that are considered key to Japan's defense strategy. Japan is also worried about joint military activities between China and Russia. A Chinese survey ship violated Japanese territorial waters off a southern island in August. In September, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and two destroyers sailed between Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni — just east of Taiwan — and nearby Iriomote, entering Japan's “contiguous zone,” an area just outside of a country’s territorial waters in which it can still exercise some control over maritime traffic.  

A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vehicle at a security post in northwestern Pakistan, killing 12 members of the security forces and wounding several others, officials said Wednesday. The attack, one of the deadliest in recent months, happened Tuesday evening in Bannu, a district in restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said in a statement. It said in the ensuing exchange of fire, six “khwarij” — a phrase which is used for Pakistani Taliban — were killed. “The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by own troops, which forced the khwarij to ram an explosive laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the post,” the statement said. It said the suicide attack led to collapse of a portion of a perimeter wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in the “martyrdom" of 12 security forces. A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, known as the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement. Pakistan has witnessed a steady increase in violence since November 2022, when the Pakistani Taliban ended a monthslong cease-fire with the government in Islamabad. The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, are a separate group but are allies of the Afghanistan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan emboldened the TTP, whose top leaders and fighters are hiding in Afghanistan. In December 2023, a suicide bomber targeted a police station’s main gate in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in northwestern Pakistan, killing 23 troops. Tuesday's attack happened in Bannu while the country's political and military leadership was meeting in Islamabad to discuss how to respond to the surge in militant violence. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday approved a “comprehensive military operation” against separatist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, in southwestern Balochistan province. The order came following a Nov. 9 suicide attack by the group at a train station that killed 26 people in Quetta, the capital of the province. In recent months. violence has also surged in northwest Pakistan, where security forces often target TTP and the Gul Bahadur group. Abdullah Khan, a senior defense analyst and managing director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, said over 900 security forces have been killed in militant attacks in Pakistan since 2022, when TTP ended the cease-fire with the government. “TTP and other groups have expanded their operations, showing they are getting more recruits, money and weapons,” Khan said. He said there is a need for political stability in the country to defeat the insurgents. Pakistan has experienced a political crisis since 2022, when then-Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He was arrested and imprisoned in 2023. Since then, his supporters have been rallying to demand his release.

Highlighting the importance of education system's reform, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said the country's education system must foster creativity to create a generation of entrepreneurs in the country. "We should reform the education system in a way that it creates a generation of entrepreneurs. We need education, which helps students become creative people. Our young people must fulfil their creative potentials," the Chief Adviser said when he visited the Education Ministry at the Secretariat. He said humans are born entrepreneurs. "Yet, our education system creates job seekers. It is a flawed education system." The Chief Adviser chaired his first Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat and later visited the Education Ministry. Prof Yunus said Bangladesh should not create an education system that emphasises only test scores. "The perception that test score is everything must go," he said. The Chief Adviser also called for narrowing generational gaps in Bangladeshi society, saying the country must understand the language of the new generation—their aspirations and their thought process. "We must understand the language and the thought process of the youth. We need to know how the older generation can share their experience with the younger generation," he said. "The distance between young and old generations gets bigger; it will create troubles. We must minimise the idea gaps between generations," the chief adviser said.," the chief adviser said. He also stressed the need for fostering family values in our national curricula. Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud and Education Secretary Siddiq Jobaer were present during the Chief Adviser's meeting with senior education ministry officials.    

Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira have announced their decision to part ways after nearly three decades of marriage. In a joint statement issued through their lawyer, Vandana Shah and Associates, the couple described the decision as "difficult" but necessary. "After many years of marriage, Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. A R. Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other," reads the statement. The decision, said the lawyer, "comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship". "Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time," the statement said, underscoring that the "decision comes out of pain and agony". The couple requested privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging period, asking for space as they navigate this phase of their lives. The couple, who married in 1995, have three children: Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen. On Instagram Stories, their son Ameen urged the public to respect their privacy, thanking them for their understanding. AR Rahman, lauded as the "Mozart of Madras" by Time magazine, gained global acclaim for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, which won him an Oscar. Beginning his career at the age of five, he achieved national recognition with his music for the 1992 film Roja. With inputs from NDTV

Russia’s upper house of parliament on Wednesday endorsed a bill banning adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal. The Federation Council also approved bills that outlaw the spread of material that encourages people not to have children. The bills, which have previously been approved by the lower house, will now go to President Vladimir Putin for signing into law. They follow a series of laws that have suppressed sexual minorities and bolstered longstanding conventional values. The lower house speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, who was among the new bill's authors, has noted that “it is extremely important to eliminate possible dangers in the form of gender reassignment that adopted children may face in these countries.” The adoption ban would apply to at least 15 countries, most of them in Europe but including Australia, Argentina and Canada. Adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens was banned in 2012. Other bills approved by lawmakers on Wednesday outlaw what is described as propaganda for remaining child-free and impose fines of up to 5 million rubles (about $50,000). Its proponents contended that public arguments against having children are part of purported Western efforts to weaken Russia by encouraging population decline. Putin and other top officials in recent years have increasingly called for observing so-called traditional values as a counter to Western liberalism. As Russia’s population declines, Putin has made statements advocating large families and last year urged women to have as many as eight children. Russia last year banned gender-transition medical procedures and its Supreme Court declared the LGBTQ+ “movement” to be extremist. In 2022, Putin signed a law prohibiting the distribution of LGBTQ+ information to people of all ages, expanding a ban issued in 2013 on disseminating the material to minors.  

Research is needed to know how some media outlets had endorsed the use of firearms by law enforcers against young protestors during the July-August movement, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday. “We know what role the media played under Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime over the past 15 years. However, research is needed to understand how media had influenced the law enforcement agencies to open fire on young protestors during the movement,” said Shafiqul. He was speaking at a discussion titled “The Role of Media in the July Massacre: Accountability and Reforms,” organised by “We Want Fascism-Free Media” at the National Press Club on Wednesday. The session was presided over by journalist Zainal Abedin Shishir, convener of the movement, and moderated by its spokesperson Plabon Tariq. The press secretary said the authoritarian government formulated various media policies aimed at control rather than freedom. He stressed the need for revising these policies to establish an independent media landscape. “After the disappearance of Ilias Ali, we have to see how many media outlets published the news and who criticised it after the news was published. We need to analyse who justified the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections,” he added. Daily Amar Desh executive editor Syed Abdal Ahmed highlighted historical media suppression saying, “During Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s tenure all but four newspapers were shut down, leaving countless journalists unemployed. Sheikh Hasina’s regime mirrored such fascism by enforcing media narratives favorable to the government.” Discussants called for justice for crimes against journalists including the unresolved murders of Sagar-Runi and allegations of torture on Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman. They criticised the media’s inability to collectively oppose injustices against journalists. Highlighting journalist safety, they proposed forming a Media Commission to oversee fair practices, protect journalists’ rights, and ensure transparency in ownership and funding.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia wished her son, Tarique Rahman, on his 60th birthday early Wednesday. "Madam (Khaleda) spoke to Tarique every night, and she also wished him a happy birthday last night," said a BNP chief's personal physician. Apart from Khaleda, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and senior party leaders, including standing committee members, extended their birthday wishes to the acting chairman and exchanged greetings. Two standing committee members confirmed that they had sent their wishes to Tarique via SMS. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman stepped into 60 on Wednesday. Read: Tarique Rahman Congratulates Donald Trump Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, was born on November 20, 1965 in Bogura. He is currently living in exile in London with his wife, Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Zaima Rahman. Unlike previous years, the BNP has decided not to hold any events, including prayer sessions, to mark his 60th birthday, following Tarique’s instructions. A press release issued on November 11 said: “Leaders and activists of all BNP units, along with its associated and affiliated organisations across the country, are hereby informed that no events will be held to celebrate Mr Tarique Rahman’s birthday day.” The statement also warned that organisational action would be taken against anyone who defies this directive. At the age of 22, he became a member of the Gabtali Upazila BNP in Bogura district in 1988. He had been active in politics before officially joining the organisation. In 1988, Tarique founded the non-political social organisation 'Ziaur Rahman Foundation'. Tarique took part in the nationwide election campaign alongside his mother, Khaleda Zia, during the 1991 election, but he was less active in politics after that, despite the BNP forming the government following that election. He, however, played a significant role in the 2001 election campaign, where the BNP won a landslide victory and formed the government. In 2002, following a decision by the BNP Standing Committee, Tarique Rahman was appointed Senior Joint Secretary General of the party. He gained prominence through his extensive travels across the country to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Tarique went to London for medical treatment on September 11, 2008, and he has been living there with his family ever since. He lost his brother, Arafat Rahman Koko, while in exile in London. A significant portion of Tarique’s political career has been spent in exile, during which he faced numerous setbacks. While in exile, in 2009, he was elected Senior Vice-Chairman of the party during the Fifth National Council of BNP. He was reelected Senior Vice-Chairman during the Sixth National Council in 2016. Since the imprisonment of his mother and party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018, Tarique has been serving as the acting chairman of the BNP. On September 11, 2008, just eight days after being released from jail on bail, Tarique Rahman left for London for treatment during the military-backed caretaker government. He had been arrested on March 7, 2007 and was released on bail on September 3, 2008. On February 3, 1994, Tarique married Dr Zubaida Rahman, the daughter of former Air Force Chief and former Communications and Agriculture Minister Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan. Their only daughter, Zaima Rahman, recently completed her law degree at Queen Mary University of London. Read more: BNP wants people’s fate-changing reforms: Tarique Rahman Tarique has been leading the party from London for many years, especially in the absence of his mother from politics. After the fall of the Awami League government, he frequently addresses various party programmes virtually and issues directives to party leaders and activists. BNP senior leaders at different recent political programmes urged the interim government to withdraw all the cases filed against Tarique Rahman, paving the way for his return from London.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday advised the International Organization of Migration (IOM) to facilitate the process of safe and regular migration for skilled human resources. He highlighted the importance of creating databases for jobseekers and using digital tools for skills profiling and matching. The issue was discussed when new Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh, Lance Bonneau, submitted the letter of credence to the Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain. The Adviser welcomed the new IOM chief to Bangladesh. Bonneau mentioned that preserving the integrity of regular migration is one of the priorities of IOM’s strategic plan. The Adviser assured him of required support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in continuing IOM’s activities in Bangladesh.

The lifeless body of a five-year-old boy, missing for four days, was recovered from a pond in Sheikhpura village, Gomastapur upazila of Chapainawabganj district on Wednesday morning, marking a grim end to the search. The deceased, identified as Nepal Toppo, was the son of Dulal Toppo. According to local police, Nepal had left home on November 16 but did not return, prompting his family to file a general diary (GD) with Gomastapur Police Station the following day. Businessman stabbed dead in Bhairab Locals discovered the boy’s body floating in a pond near his house early Wednesday and alerted authorities. Police subsequently retrieved the body and confirmed the tragic incident. The body has been sent to Chapainawabganj District Hospital morgue for an autopsy, said Gomastapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khairul Bashar. An unnatural death case has been filed, and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, he added.

Some students under the banner of 'Anti-Fascism Student-People' have brought out a coffin procession at Dhaka University demanding a ban on political activities of Awami League, Jatiya Party, and other fascist forces.  The procession titled 'Coffin March of Fascism' was brought out from the TSC area of the university on Wednesday. The participants carried a coffin and chanted different anti-fascism slogans. Chief organiser of the students Bin Yamin Molla, said, "Those who have lost their limbs in the movement will never get them back. The martyrs cannot be brought back. So, why should the Awami League return? Why should the Awami League and their ally Jatiya Party participate in the elections? We have earned this new Bangladesh at the cost of thousands of lives. An opportunity has come, but I see that the leaders of big parties are trying to rehabilitate fascist Awami League. They want to join the election with the Awami League. We, the students and general people will not allow this." AL issues series of directives to activists on Sunday's planned rally in Dhaka To maintain the spirit of the movement and in the interest of the country's development, he urged the advisers to ban of both the Awami League and the Jatiya Party.  Another key organizer Ziaur Rahman Zia said, "Even after 100 days of the fall of fascism, the fascists are still prowling. They are carrying out various activities and joining the advisory council. People including students will again get united to drive them out."

The local administration has imposed Section 144 in Bancharampur upazila of Brahmanbaria district due to programmes announced by two factions of BNP at the same venue and time. The emergency restriction, imposed on Tuesday evening, will remain in force until Thursday evening, said Bancharampur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abul Mansur. All kinds of meeting and gathering have been prohibited in Bancharampur upazila and its adjacent areas during the period. Bancharampur upazila unit BNP and municipality unit BNP called for a meeting at SM Pilot High School ground on Wednesday morning. BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was scheduled to attend the meeting as the chief guest. Meanwhile, another faction of BNP, led by former MP and BNP Executive Committee member Abul Khalek, called for a separate meeting at the same venue and time to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day. On Monday, a clash broke out between the supporters of Khalek and Krishak Dal Joint General Secretary Mehdi Hasan Polash over the issue, leaving 50 people injured. Several shops and motorbikes were set on fire during the clash. 10 injured in clash between two BNP factions in Natore Additional police, Rab and army personnel have been deployed to ensure the security of local residents. Another Dhaka North BNP leader expelled On October 23, the BNP central committee announced the dates for councils in Bancharampur, Kasba, Akhaura and Sadar upazilas of the district.  

The residents of several areas in Dhaka are set to face a 12-hour gas supply disruption on Thursday, as part of ongoing maintenance work by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC. The suspension will last from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, affecting all categories of consumers in Islambag, Rahamatganj, Lalbagh DPDC Substation adjacent areas, Lakshamibazar, Chandirghat and surrounding areas, Titas Gas said in an announcement on Wednesday. Consumers in adjacent areas may also experience low gas pressure during the period, the statement added. Read: Gas supply to remain off for 12 hours in Narsingdi Wednesday Titas Gas regretted the temporary inconvenience to be caused, assuring residents that the suspension is necessary for maintenance and operational improvements in the gas distribution system. Residents are advised to plan accordingly and make necessary preparations to cope with the temporary disruption.

A low pressure area is likely to form over southeast Bay and adjoining area in five days commencing 9 am on Wednesday. Seasonal low lies over South Bay, extending its trough to North Bay, said a regular bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, having chances of light rain or drizzle at one or two places over Chattogram division. Cyclonic storm nears as deep depression intensifies over Bay: BMDNight and day temperatures may fall slightly over the country.Light to moderate fog may occur at places over the country during late night till early morning, it said.

With time running down, negotiators at the United Nations annual climate talks on Wednesday returned to the puzzle of finding an agreement to bring far more money for vulnerable nations to adapt than wealthier countries have shown they're willing to pay. Pressure was building to drive a deal by the time COP29, as this year's summit is known, concludes this week. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev asked negotiators to clear away the technical part of talks by Wednesday afternoon so they can focus on substance. That substance is daunting. Vulnerable nations are seeking $1.3 trillion to deal with damage from climate change and to adapt to that change, including building out their own clean-energy systems. Experts agree that at least $1 trillion is called for, but both figures are far more than the developed world has so far offered. COP29: High-level ministerial meeting begins Tuesday to finalise key financial discussions Half the world away in Rio, Brazil, where the Group of 20 summit was wrapping up on Tuesday, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the group of the world’s largest economies that “the success of COP29 is largely in your hands.” “That goal, the financial goal, in its different layers, must meet the needs of developing countries, beginning with a significant increase in concessional public funds,” he said. And the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said developed nations should consider moving their 2050 emission goals forward to 2040 or 2045. “The G20 is responsible for 80% of greenhouse effect emissions,” he said. “Even if we are not walking the same speed, we can all take one more step.” Negotiators are fighting over three big parts of the issue: How big the numbers are, how much is grants or loans, and who pays. The “how big” question is the toughest to negotiate and will likely be resolved only after the first two are solved, COP29 lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday. “There are interlinkages of the elements. That’s why having one of them agreed could unlock the other one,” Rafiyev said. Alden Meyer of the European think tank E3G and veteran negotiations analyst summed up the state of negotiations on Wednesday by saying the word of the day at the talks is “circle… as in going around in circles." “All presidencies must at this point show that they have what it takes to move from administration to leadership," German climate envoy Jennifer Morgan said. "They must set the expectation for ambitious outcomes across the board. ... It is now up to the presidency to ensure that we move at full speed towards a green future.” The current goal of $100 billion annually was set in 2009. Rich nations have so far been reluctant to offer a starting figure to replace that. Rafiyev said the conference presidency has sought to pressure them, telling them that the figure should be "fair and ambitious, corresponding to the needs and priorities of the world.” India’s junior environment minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, who is at the Baku talks, said that “the Global South are bearing a huge financial burden.” COP29: Bangladesh rejects climate loans, demands fair financing “This is severely limiting our capacity to meet our developmental needs,” he said. The European Union is expected to finally offer a figure, likely ranging from $200 billion to $300 billion annually, Linda Kalcher, executive director of the think tank Strategic Perspectives, said Tuesday. That wasn't enough for Debbie Hillier, climate policy lead for the humanitarian group Mercy Corps, who called it “wildly out of step with the needs of developing countries” and a failure by richer nations to live up to the agreement of the 2015 Paris climate talks. “If $200-300 billion is indeed the ballpark for what developed countries will offer, then this is a betrayal — a betrayal of the communities around the world who, whilst least responsible for climate change, are bearing its most devastating consequences," she said. Some wealthy nations were talking of loans that could be leveraged to attract other money — grants, more loans and private investment — to multiply the funds they can offer. But poorer nations say they are already drowning in debt and most money should come in the form of grants. “It is possible to find constructive, innovative solutions," said Denmark’s climate minister Lars Aagaard. “But it requires trust.”

Jashore’s Abhaynagar may fail to achieve the target of Aman production this year as crops on 1, 826 hectares of lands have been damaged due to waterlogging in Bhabadah Beel, leaving farmers worried. Though the upazila usually sees a bumper yield of transplanted Aman paddy every year, this year’s scenario is different. According to the upazila agriculture office, the target for Aman cultivation in eight unions and one municipality this season was set at 7,550 hectares—1,790 hectares of hybrid varieties, 5,825 hectares of high-yield varieties and 25 hectares of local varieties. But 7,640 hectares of lands were brought under Aman cultivation, an increase by 90 hectares compared to the target. The farmers and agriculture officials predict that the upazila will face a deficit of 9, 375 metric tonnes out of targeted 38020 metric tonnes this year. Last year, the Ropa Aman paddy was cultivated on 7, 550 hectares of land while this number stood at 5, 814 hectares, a decrease by 1, 736 hectares this year. All the Ropa Aman planted on 835 hectares of lands in Sundoli union were damaged. Read:Govt to procure 3.5 lakh MT Aman paddy at Tk 33 per kg Three hundred and ten hectares of lands out of 850 hectares have been damaged in Nawabganj union, 533 hectares out of 1, 154 in Prembag union, 60 out of 1,011 hectares in Chalishia union, 88 out of 605 hectares in Payra union. The highest 1,392 hectares of Ropa Aman were cultivated in Sreedharpur union. Besides, Bagutia, Shubharara and Siddhipasha unions have cultivated the paddy on 1,305 460 and 140 hectares of land this year. Ujjal Das, a farmer from Sundoli’s Arpara village, said he leased one acre of land in Shurirdanga Beel for transplanted Aman. However, the entire crop has been damaged by waterlogging. Echoing Ujjal, another farmer Rabiul Islam from Chalishia’s Kota village, said he planted Aman on two bighas in Chatra Beel, but all his crops have been destroyed. “We’re living in despair, with waterlogged yards and no yield. We need government compensation to survive,” he said. Abhaynagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Lovely Khatun blamed the waterlogging for the possible shortfall of the Aman paddy this year. “The government is working with utmost sincerity to resolve the waterlogging issue permanently. For areas where water may recede within 20–25 days, short-duration, high-yield BINA-14 paddy cultivation is being recommended. We’re also focusing on boosting vegetable production,” she said. Under the agricultural rehabilitation programme, 475 farmers are receiving high-yield vegetable seeds and a cash grant of Tk 1,000 each. Read more: 17, 359 MT rice, 7, 614 MT Aman paddy to be collected from Naogaon this season Efforts are also being made to prioritise boro paddy cultivation for the upcoming season, she added.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman stepped into 60 on Wednesday without any celebration events. Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, was born on November 20, 1965 in Bogura. Following Tarique’s instructions, the BNP has decided not to hold any events to mark his 60th birthday. A press release issued on November 11 said: “Leaders and activists of all BNP units, along with its associated and affiliated organisations across the country, are hereby informed that no events will be held to celebrate Mr Tarique Rahman’s birthday day.” The statement also warned that organisational action would be taken against anyone who defies this directive. Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia wished her son, Tarique Rahman, on his 60th birthday early Wednesday. "Madam (Khaleda) spoke to Tarique every night, and she also wished him a happy birthday last night," said a BNP chief's personal physician. Apart from Khaleda, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and senior party leaders, including standing committee members, extended their birthday wishes to the acting chairman and exchanged greetings. Two standing committee members confirmed that they had sent their wishes to Tarique via SMS. The BNP Acting Chairman stepped into 60 on Wednesday. Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, was born on November 20, 1965 in Bogura. He is currently living in exile in London with his wife, Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Zaima Rahman. Unlike previous years, the BNP has decided not to hold any events, including prayer sessions, to mark his 60th birthday, following Tarique’s instructions. A press release issued on November 11 said: “Leaders and activists of all BNP units, along with its associated and affiliated organisations across the country, are hereby informed that no events will be held to celebrate Mr Tarique Rahman’s birthday day.” The statement also warned that organisational action would be taken against anyone who defies this directive. At the age of 22, he became a member of the Gabtali Upazila BNP in Bogura district in 1988. He had been active in politics before officially joining the organisation. In 1988, Tarique founded the non-political social organisation 'Ziaur Rahman Foundation'. Tarique took part in the nationwide election campaign alongside his mother, Khaleda Zia, during the 1991 election, but he was less active in politics after that, despite the BNP forming the government following that election. He, however, played a significant role in the 2001 election campaign, where the BNP won a landslide victory and formed the government. In 2002, following a decision by the BNP Standing Committee, Tarique Rahman was appointed Senior Joint Secretary General of the party. He gained prominence through his extensive travels across the country to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Tarique went to London for medical treatment on September 11, 2008, and he has been living there with his family ever since. He lost his brother, Arafat Rahman Koko, while in exile in London. A significant portion of Tarique’s political career has been spent in exile, during which he faced numerous setbacks. While in exile, in 2009, he was elected Senior Vice-Chairman of the party during the Fifth National Council of BNP. He was reelected Senior Vice-Chairman during the Sixth National Council in 2016. Since the imprisonment of his mother and party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018, Tarique has been serving as the acting chairman of the BNP. On September 11, 2008, just eight days after being released from jail on bail, Tarique Rahman left for London for treatment during the military-backed caretaker government. He had been arrested on March 7, 2007 and was released on bail on September 3, 2008. On February 3, 1994, Tarique married Dr Zubaida Rahman, the daughter of former Air Force Chief and former Communications and Agriculture Minister Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan. Their only daughter, Zaima Rahman, recently completed her law degree at Queen Mary University of London. Tarique has been leading the party from London for many years, especially in the absence of his mother from politics. After the fall of the Awami League government, he frequently addresses various party programmes virtually and issues directives to party leaders and activists. BNP senior leaders at different recent political programmes urged the interim government to withdraw all the cases filed against Tarique Rahman, paving the way for his return from London.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered its investigation agency to submit reports within one month in the cases filed against eight accused, including former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun. Former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) Major General (retd) Ziaul Ahsan is among the accused. The cases were filed over killings and crimes committed against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order, said tribunal’s chief prosecutor Advocate Md Tajul Islam. The court ordered keeping the eight accused in jail until the submission of the investigation reports, the chief prosecutor said. Earlier in the morning, the eight accused were produced before the ICT in connection with killings during the July-August mass uprising. Advocate Tajul Islam said that the accused were brought before the tribunal on Wednesday after being shown arrested in cases related to crimes against humanity. Read: ICT orders completion of probe against Hasina, 45 others in a month All of them are currently behind bars in connection with other cases. The accused include former Jatrabari Police Station OC Abul Hasan, former superintendent of Dhaka police Md Abdullah Al Kafi, former DC (Mirpur) Md Jasim Uddin Mollah, former additional superintendent (Savar Circle) Md Shahidur Islam, former OC of Gulshan Police Station Md Mazharul Haque and former Detective Branch inspector Md Arafat Hossain. On October 27, the ICT had ordered that 14 accused be produced before it on November 18. Read more: We’ll seek repatriation of dictator Sheikh Hasina: Prof Yunus Thirteen people, including nine former ministers of the ousted Awami League government, were subsequently presented in court. But, former agriculture minister Dr Abdur Razzaque could not be brought before the tribunal due to his illness. Besides, the court had directed that former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun, former army officer Ziaul Ahsan, and the other aforementioned police officials be presented on November 20, as per schedule.  

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the principal capital market of Bangladesh, extended its downtrend for the fourth consecutive day during early trading on Wednesday. In the first two hours of trading, shares and mutual funds worth Tk 172.3 crore were exchanged through 63,326 transactions, according to DSE data. This marked a significant decline from the same period on Tuesday, when trading volumes totaled Tk 224.3 crore. DSE index plummets by 112.65 points in last three days A total of 373 companies traded on Wednesday morning. Among them, the prices of 140 companies increased, 153 declined, and 80 remained unchanged, reflecting a mixed sentiment among investors. The DSEX, the DSE’s benchmark index, fell by 15.36 points, settling at 5,283.07. Meanwhile, the DSES Shariah index recorded a slight increase of 0.79 points to reach 1,154.73. However, the DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip stocks, dropped by 11.06 points to stand at 1,931.83.

Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, pulls out a piece of paper with bar charts showing how much new electricity his company has brought online this year in the country versus how much Russian bombs have destroyed. Total electricity goes up, then down, then up, then down — capturing the company's constant rebuilding each time Russian missile attacks take out a facility, which include wind and solar farms and thermal (coal or gas-fired) generating stations. The Russian strikes are part of a campaign to target energy infrastructure to reduce power in Ukraine as winter looms. “What other choice do we have?” said Timchenko during an interview on the sidelines of this year's U.N. climate talks, taking place in Azerbaijan. “Sit and wait and pray that they don't hit us, or do our job and bring lights back to our people?” The nearly three-year-long Russia-Ukraine war, which has left large swaths of Ukraine destroyed, has accelerated a transition to clean energy. At Ukraine's pavilion at COP29, on display is a large smashed solar panel, destroyed in an attack this year. Putin lowers the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal after Biden's arms decision for Ukraine Russian forces continue to make small but steady gains in capturing Ukrainian territory at a time when there are questions about how much the United States, which has been providing weapons and money, will continue to support the country once President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January. During the campaign, Trump repeatedly said he could quickly end the war if elected, although he hasn't said how. Whatever the future, the decentralized nature of some clean energies, in particular wind and solar, has allowed Ukraine to quickly restore power in ways that would be impossible with Ukraine's more traditional energy sources, such as coal-fired power plants. In centralized systems, all power is generated and sent to the grid over transmission lines from the same area. That means if the plant goes down, say in an attack, a large section of grid, or even the entire grid, comes to a halt. By contrast, wind and solar installations are usually more scattered, so less of the system goes down with one hit, and if the solar is on rooftops, the impact can be even more limited. Moscow says Ukraine fired 6 US-made longer-range missiles into Russia Attacks on two DTEK solar farms last spring is a good example. They destroyed many solar panels and some of the transformers, which step up voltage for long distances or step it down for use in homes. Replacing the transformers and swapping out destroyed panels allowed the farms, which generate 400 megawatts, to be back up in seven days. Timchenko said an attack on a thermal generating station, which experienced a similar amount of damage, took three to four months to rebuild. “That's the difference between centralized and so-called decentralized generation. It's much more resistant and difficult to destroy,” said Timchenko. Geoffrey Pyatt, assistant secretary of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Energy Resources, said that Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have evolved. In 2022 and 2023, they focused on transformers. “The Ukrainians were incredibly efficient in working around those attacks. So Putin changed his tactics beginning in March to go after generation capacity," said Pyatt, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since then, about 50% of Ukraine's total power generation has been knocked out, leaving mostly nuclear, some hydropower and large new renewable projects, like a wind farm being built by DTEK, he added. Renewable and other infrastructure projects are financed by partnerships between governments and businesses, spreading out the risk, since there is no guarantee that something built isn't destroyed by missiles. In June, turbine maker GE Vernova and manufacturer Honeywell announced plans to partner with DTEK for major wind and battery storage projects in Ukraine. Roger Martella, chief sustainability officer for GE Vernova, said that developing public-private partnerships was key to lowering risk and making investment more attractive. Ukraine's resistance was also an inspiration, Martella told a panel on Ukrainian renewables at COP29. “We’re humbled by the fact that Ukraine has done something no one has ever done before, which is to maintain the grid in a war-torn environment,” said Martella. Pyatt, a former ambassador in Ukraine, said he has seen widespread support for Ukraine's energy systems in the G7, a group of leading industrialized nations. While making clear he couldn't speak for the incoming Trump administration, Pyatt said he believed support for Ukraine in the energy sector would “continue in any scenario.” “If you start to get big American companies like GE and Fluxus and Honeywell involved in energy reconstruction, and there’s going to be billions of dollars of energy reconstruction," he said.

A section of students of Jahangirnagar University on Wednesday locked the university's main gate and staged a sit-in there to protest the death of Afsana Karim Rachi, a first-year student, in a campus accident. Afsana, a marketing department student, died on Tuesday after being hit by a battery-run rickshaw near the arts building of the campus.  Residents protest govt decision on Saint Martin’s tourism The protest is being held by students of 53 batch and the protesters vowed to continue it until the authorities accept their 8-point demands, including punishment to the culprit and ensuring safety of the students on the campus. No vehicle is being allowed to move in and out of the campus during the protest.

Millions of people are voting in state elections in politically significant Maharashtra, India’s western industrial hub, and the mineral-rich eastern province of Jharkhand on Wednesday, a test of the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party and its regional partners. Maharashtra is India’s wealthiest state and home to the financial and entertainment capital, Mumbai. It is currently ruled by a coalition of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and a Hindu nationalist ally. An opposition alliance, including the Congress party, is in power in eastern Jharkhand state. Modi has held big rallies in the two states. The challenge comes barely four months after his party suffered a setback and returned to power in national elections for a third term without a parliamentary majority. He formed the government with the help of regional partners. Modi, in a post on social platform X ahead of the state elections, wrote: "On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to vote in large numbers.” Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a political analyst who wrote a Modi biography, said a reversal in these state elections would negatively impact Modi’s leadership style. “It will have repercussions for the BJP in coming elections in Delhi and Bihar states next year," he said. Votes in the two states will be counted on Saturday. After suffering a setback in national elections, the BJP regained momentum in October as it won Haryana state elections, where pollsters had predicted an easy victory for the opposition Congress party. Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning president appoints his Cabinet after a resounding election win Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party won a consolation victory in alliance with the regional National Conference party in local elections in India’s insurgency-wracked Jammu and Kashmir after a 10-year gap. The BJP is trying to wrest power from the Congress party and its allies in Jharkhand, a state rich in iron ore, coal and other minerals. The BJP’s use of slogans like “If you divide, then you will die” and “If we are united, then we are safe” to attract Hindu votes has prompted opposition parties to accuse the BJP of trying to polarize the voters along Hindu-Muslim religious lines. Hindus constitute nearly 80% and Muslims 11.5% of Maharashtra state’s estimated 131 million people. Mukhopadhyay saw a tendency from top BJP leaders to communalize the elections, saying, "It shows the growing desperation of the party, and it looks like their reading is they are not doing very well in Maharashtra and Jharkhand states." Election surveys on the eve of polling put the opposition alliance comprising the Congress party and two truncated regional groups, the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress party, ahead of the BJP and its allies currently governing the state. The Congress party defeated the BJP and its allies in the June national elections by winning 30 out of 48 seats in the state. The BJP and its regional partners won 17 seats. Indian and Nigerian leaders vow to deepen security ties and strengthen support for Global South The Congress party and its allies hope to capitalize on the simmering disaffection with high youth unemployment, inflation and low crop prices during the BJP’s rule. The BJP hopes to attract women voters with a scheme that provides 1,500 rupees ($18) a month to over 20 million women aged 21-65 whose annual family income is less than 250,000 ($3,010). If the Congress party is voted to power in the state, it has promised women double that amount and free transportation in government buses.

Asus is known for crafting high-performance laptops tailored to market needs. Its budget-friendly F series has become a top choice among gamers. Since its release, the 2023 version of the Asus TUF Gaming F15 has become a top choice in the budget-friendly gaming laptop segment. Packed with a minimal design, robust hardware, and exceptional gaming features, the Asus TUF Gaming F15 outpaces competitors in delivering value and performance for gaming enthusiasts. A detailed comparative view of Asus TUF Gaming F15 laptop’s features will reveal the reason behind its popularity. Key Features and Specis of Asus TUF Gaming F15 . Design A sturdy, full metal body gives the Asus TUF Gaming F15 a distinctive look, especially when its major competitors, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, feature plastic-made covers. The metal accent justifies the Asus F15’s robustness yet diminishes the overall flexibility and portability. The 2.2kg body weight may feel a bit over the boundary, but it doesn’t level down the grayish metallic charm of the body. An ideal-sized TUF logo is embossed on the back of the lid, and four polished dimples in the corners create a sense of harmony. When the lid is closed, a cutaway section at the lower mid of the lid works as a passway for the indicator lights. Read more: PlayStation 5 Pro Review: Key Upgrades and Is It Worth the Price? The keyboard is backed up with modern RGB light options. Its semi-transparent keys are slightly dipped in the body to comfort finger maneuvers. Asus has crammed a plethora of keys into a small space without messing up the laptop's design and functionality. Users will get a full-featured num-pad with a comprehensive set of function and performance keys. The entire Asus TUF Gaming F15 measures 13.94 by 0.88 by 9.88 inches, a little shorter and slimmer than the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9, measuring ‎14.3 x 10.3 x 0.9 inches, and the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, measuring 14.18 x 11.02 x 1.05 inches. The distinct cut in length and width helps the F15 come in with a tolerable weight. Users will find all the ports and connectors they need, including two USB A ports, an HDMI port, a headphone jack, a regular USB-C port, and a Thunderbolt 4 port. The Thunderbolt 4 port charges the laptop at a 100-watt rate. The port plugs in halfway down the left edge, impelling comfortable movement of the laptop. Lefthanders have to compromise a little comfort while using the laptop to put on the charge.  Read more: Video Games for December 2024: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch Display Asus TUF Gaming F15 comes with a 15.6-inch IPS panel featuring a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.  The display is standard, but it may not punch as an impressive performance for a gaming laptop display. A 144Hz refresh rate is a typical choice for a budget-friendly laptop; a 165Hz refresh rate would be appreciable. However, only filling the display with more brightness and crispness could save the display from its users’ despair. Hardware and Performance In the hardware section, the Asus TUF Gaming F15 features an i7-12700H CPU and RTX 4060 GPU, offering superior power over similarly priced competitors like the Gigabyte G5 and MSI Cyborg 15. And, thanks to TUF Gaming F15’s higher 140W GPU limit. However, its 512GB SSD capacity falls behind competitors with more extensive default storage. For software, its Armoury Crate app is feature-rich, allowing detailed performance customization, but lacks the polish of Lenovo's or Acer’s software, which feels more streamlined despite fewer features. Read more: Top 10 Test Cricket Games for Android & iOS in 2024 In performance, the TUF Gaming F15 leads in AAA gaming with Frame Generation boosting FPS. While competitors like the Aorus 15 BMF lag slightly in GPU output, higher-end systems like Lenovo's Legion Slim 5 Gen 8 still outperform it with RTX 4060 configurations. Battery and Charger The Asus TUF Gaming F15 uses a Lithium battery that lasts around 5 hours. It tells of a small battery, like the one featured in the Gigabyte G5. This is undoubtedly disappointing for players who want to binge-strike their favorite games for long hours at a stretch. A few names, like the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9, MSI Cyborg 15, and Gigabyte Aorus 15, offer large batteries for around twice the support of the Asus F15. However, laptops with smaller batteries are still the norm in the budget-gaming segment. The Asus TUF Gaming F15 suggests an Armory Core setting and silent fan mode activation for longer support. In perfect cases, the battery can run around 10 hours straight. Read more: November 2024 Video Game Releases: Must-Play Titles You Don’t Want to Miss Pros and Cons of the Asus TUF Gaming F15 . Pros - Sturdy, full-metal body- Intel i7-12700H and RTX 4060 GPU with 140W TGP- Advanced performance customization via Armoury Crate- Thunderbolt 4 and comprehensive port selection- Smooth AAA gaming performance with DLSS and Frame Generation- Compact dimensions for the category- RGB keyboard with semi-transparent keys. Cons - Mediocre 1080p display with 144Hz refresh rate- Limited 512GB SSD storage- Short battery life (around 5 hours)- Heavy at 2.2 kg- Overwhelming Armoury Crate software- Weak speaker audio quality- Awkward charging port placement for left-handed users. Read more: October 2024 Video Games: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch Price of the Asus TUF Gaming F15 The Asus TUF Gaming F15 laptop is priced at $1099 or BDT 1,31,743 (as per the current conversion rate of USD 1 = BDT 119.88). However, the price may vary depending on the sellers. Conclusion The Asus TUF Gaming F15 stands out as a robust and powerful budget-friendly gaming laptop featuring a sturdy metal build-up, exceptional performance from its Intel i7-12700H processor with RTX 4060 GPU, and advanced customization through Armoury Crate. It balances gaming performance with compact dimensions, an RGB-lit keyboard, and versatile port options, including Thunderbolt 4.  However, its drawbacks include a lackluster 1080p display, limited SSD storage, and short battery life. While not perfect, the TUF Gaming F15 offers excellent value for gamers seeking a reliable machine in the mid-tier budget segment. Read more: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch in September 2024

Police have arrested a local Awami League leader in a case filed over attacking students of anti-discrimination  movement in Gangni of Meherpur.  Firajul Islam,45, General Secretary of the Bahagunda Union’s Ward No. 2 branch of the Awami League in Dhankhola Union was held on Tuesday night, Gangni Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Bani Israil said. Jubo League Leader Nikhil’s associate arrested in attempted murder case   The case was filed by Rezanul Haque, a resident of Chowgacha village under Gangni Municipality, accusing 37 named individuals and 100 unidentified persons. The charges were brought under sections 6(2), 7(5), 7(6)(a), 7(6)(b), 10, 11, 2, and 13 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 (Amendment 2012). The case was registered with Gangni Police Station as Case No. 11, on August 20, 2024. Investigation officer of the case Sub-Inspector Nikhil Chakraborty said Firajul will be taken to court around 11 am on Wednesday.

Craggy Range Winery announces its 2023 Te Muna, Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc has earned a coveted spot in Wine Spectator's prestigious Top 100 Wines of 2024, marking another milestone in the winery's remarkable 26-year journey of excellence and further cementing the reputation of this exceptional wine. This recognition from one of the world's most influential wine publications is particularly significant given Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc's consistent excellence, having achieved ten consecutive vintages scoring 90 points or higher from Wine Spectator. The annual Top 100 list, published since 1988, celebrates wines that demonstrate exceptional quality, value, and availability while embodying what the publication's editors call the "X-factor" — wines that generate particular excitement and passion. "The inclusion of our Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc in Wine Spectator's Top 100 is a testament to our team's dedication to expressing the unique character of our Martinborough terroir," says newly appointed Executive Director, David Peabody. "Our Sauvignon Blanc showcases the remarkable complexity born from the unique, rugged terroir of our Te Muna Road Vineyard. The combination of stony soils and cool sunny days gives us the distinctive minerality, along with the brisk howling winds that thicken the grape skins, resulting in an unparalleled depth of flavour." Founded in 1998 by Terry and Mary Peabody, Craggy Range has consistently demonstrated an innovative approach to viticulture and winemaking. The Te Muna Road Vineyard, the source of this acclaimed Sauvignon Blanc, was specifically chosen for its unique soil composition and cool climate, contributing to the wine's distinctive mineral character and exceptional aging potential.  Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc is exceptionally food-friendly, with bright acidity, low residual sugar, and a more complex palate than typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. The winery's governance under a 1000-year family trust ensures a long-term perspective that influences every decision and instils a culture of stewardship. This latest accolade joins an impressive list of honours, including: • 2014 Wine Enthusiast, New World Winery of the Year  • Listed in the World's Best Vineyards Ranking (2019-2024) • Named on Drinks International's World's Most Admired Brands (2019-2024) • The Real Review's Winery of the Year - New Zealand (2023) • Global Winner, Great Wine Capitals – Best of Wine Tourism Awards (2025) • No 11 on the 2024 Wine Spectator Top 100 List - 2023 Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc The selection for Wine Spectator's Top 100 underscores Craggy Range's dedication to excellence and innovation in winemaking, while maintaining a deep respect for their terroir and sustainable practices that will preserve their legacy for generations to come. About Craggy Range Winery & Vineyards Craggy Range is a family-owned winery nestled beneath the majestic Te Mata Peak in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Founded by Terry and Mary Peabody in 1998, their vision to create a world-class winery led them to the distinctive terroir and landscapes of New Zealand. Committed to safeguarding their legacy, the Peabodys established a 1,000-year trust, ensuring the winery's continuity for future generations to come. Guided by a philosophy of quality, innovation, and stewardship, Craggy Range crafts iconic wines from its estate vineyards in Hawke's Bay and Martinborough. These vineyards, chosen for their exceptional soils and unique climates, yield wines of remarkable character and complexity. In 2022, Craggy Range achieved a milestone as the first New Zealand winery to join the prestigious Bordeaux Negotiant Network, La Place de Bordeaux, realising the founders' dream of standing among the world's elite estates. For more information, visit https://craggyrange.com/ or contact Joanne Deitch at +64 27 230 3950 or email [email protected]

Ahead of the Test series Bangladesh have completed their preparation well in West Indies.  Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by left-arm spinner Hasan Murad, delivered a good performance in a two-day warm-up match against the West Indies Select XI in Antigua. Murad, who has played two T20Is for the national team, grabbed the spotlight with a stunning hat-trick to draw the game. Bangladesh declared their innings at 253 for 7 after winning the toss. Several batters, including Mominul Haque, Litton Das, Zakir Ali Anik, and Mahidul Islam Ankon, spent valuable time in the middle. England wins T20 series 3-1 after final match against West Indies is abandoned after only 5 overs Mominul scored 31 off 58 balls, while Litton made 31 off 53 balls before retiring to allow others to bat. Zakir contributed 48 from 110 balls, and Ankon chipped in with 41 off 87 balls. Rain and Bangladesh’s sharp bowling limited the West Indies Select XI’s opportunities with the bat. The hosts could manage only 87 runs in 27.4 overs, losing nine wickets in the process.  Hasan Murad was the best bowler for Bangladesh, completing his hat-trick in the 28th over by dismissing Daniel Beckford, Navian Bidaisee, and Chaim Holder in consecutive deliveries. Murad finished with figures of 1.4 overs, 1 run, and 3 wickets. The pacers also contributed well. Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud each picked up two wickets, with Taskin conceding 21 runs in 5 overs and Hasan Mahmud giving away just 15 runs in his 6 overs. BCB announces Bangladesh U-17 Cricket team's schedule for Sri Lanka tour The first Test of the two-match series will begin on November 22 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua, while the second Test will be played at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, from November 30. After the Test series, both the teams will lock horns in a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series. 

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, continues to gasp for fresh air as the city ranks the world's fourth most polluted city. Dhaka's air quality index (AQI) score was recorded at 203 at 9:15am on Wednesday, which is considered 'very unhealthy'. India's Delhi, Pakistan's Lahore and Egypt's Cairo occupied the top three spots with AQI scores of 449, 288, and 281, respectively, in the latest list of world cities with the worst air quality which are considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone. Dry weather expected across Bangladesh, BMD says Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy during winter and improves during monsoon. A report by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the World Bank in March 2019 pointed out that the three main sources of air pollution in Dhaka "are brick kilns, fumes from vehicles and dust from construction sites". With the advent of winter, the city's air quality starts deteriorating sharply due to the massive discharge of pollutant particles from construction works, rundown roads, brick kilns and other sources. Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person's chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Lautaro Martínez's goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday in a South American World Cup qualifying match in Buenos Aires. The victory nearly secures Lionel Messi's team a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Messi crossed the ball in the penalty area in the 55th minute to give Martínez one of the few clear opportunities of the match. Gyokeres leads Sweden to Nations League win and the Dutch reach the knockout rounds Argentina leads South American qualifying with 25 points from 12 matches. The loss left Peru in the 10th and last position in the round-robin competition with seven points. Until Martínez scored, Argentina's best chance was in the 21st minute, when striker Julián Alvarez hit the Peruvian goalkeeper's right post. Messi once again had a modest performance, as he did in his team's 2-1 defeat at Paraguay on Thursday. Also on Tuesday, Ecuador won 1-0 at Colombia with a goal by Enner Valencia in the seventh minute, in which he dribbled through three players before scoring. Ecuador lost defender Piero Hincapié to a red card in the 34th minute but held on for the win. Bolivia and Paraguay drew 2-2 in a match between teams that could end up fighting for the seventh position in the region's qualifying, which secures a berth in an international playoff. Messi, Vinicius have frustrating nights as Argentina loses and Brazil draws in World Cup qualifying Chile, one of the worst performing teams in the region this year, showed some fighting spirit and beat Venezuela 4-2. The hosts scored with Eduardo Vargas (20), Tomás Rincón (own goal, 29), and Lucas Cepeda (38 and 47). Venezuela's goals were scored by Jefferson Savarino (13) and Ruben Ramirez (22). Brazil hosted Uruguay in a late match. The next round of South American World Cup qualifying will be played in March.

For two weeks, Donald Trump has welcomed Elon Musk into his world. On Tuesday, it was Musk’s turn to play host to the president-elect. Trump flew to South Texas to watch as Musk’s SpaceX launched a Starship rocket near the Mexican border. Trump listened intently as the world’s richest man explained how the test would work and demonstrated with a model. And then Trump squinted into the bright sky to watch liftoff. It didn’t go perfectly -– the reusable booster did not return to the launch pad as it had done on a previous test last month. Instead, the booster was directed to a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. But Trump’s presence at the launch was a remarkable display of intimacy between the two men, one with implications for American politics, the government, foreign policy and even the possibility of humans reaching Mars. Biden slams Elon Musk over allegations of illegal work in US Musk spent around $200 million to help Trump beat Democrat Kamala Harris in the presidential race, and he's been given unparalleled access. He's counseled Trump on nominees for the new administration, joined the president-elect's phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and been tapped to co-chair an advisory panel on cutting the size of the federal bureaucracy. In addition to political influence, Musk could benefit personally as well. SpaceX, his rocket company, has billions of dollars in government contracts and the goal of eventually starting a colony on Mars. He's also CEO of Tesla, which manufactures electric vehicles, and has battled with regulators over safety concerns involving autonomous driving. “Trump has the biggest possible regard for people who break the rules and get away with it," said William Galston, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. "Musk has demonstrated extraordinary accomplishment in doing that.” To top if off, Musk owns the social media company X, formally known as Twitter, which he has harnessed as an influential perch to promote Trump and his agenda. “Stop the Swamp!” he wrote Tuesday as he shared a warning that entrenched Washington interests are trying to undermine Trump before his inauguration. Before the election, Musk rejected the idea that he was expecting any favors in return for supporting Trump in the presidential race. “There is no quid pro quo,” he posted on X in September. “With a Trump administration, we can execute major government reform, remove bureaucratic paperwork that is smothering the country and unlock a new age of prosperity.” However, Trump has hardly gone anywhere without Musk in the two weeks since beating Harris. Musk joined Trump at a meeting with House Republicans in Washington and sat next to him at an Ultimate Fighting Championship match in New York. The trip to Texas for the rocket launch was just Trump's third time outside Florida since the election. As Trump's protective motorcade left the launch site Tuesday evening to return to the airport, one of Musk's angular, shiny Tesla Cybertrucks was tucked in the middle of the formation of black SUVs. Italy's president sharply rebukes Elon Musk over comments on X about migration court rulings Much of Trump's activity is happening with little public access for the press. Unlike his predecessors, he has opted against regularly making his travel plans or events open to journalists. The relationship between Trump and Musk was not always so close. Two years ago, Trump was mocking Musk in stump speeches and Musk was saying it was time for Trump to “hang up his hat & sail into the sunset.” “Trump would be 82 at end of term, which is too old to be chief executive of anything, let alone the United States of America,” Musk wrote on social media. But Musk swiftly endorsed Trump after the former president survived an assassination attempt in July. He quickly became a central figure in Trump’s orbit, appearing at times more like his running mate than Ohio Sen. JD Vance. Trump started boasting about Musk's accomplishments at campaign rallies, such as when Starship's reusable rocket booster returned to the launch tower on a previous occasion and was caught by mechanical arms. “Those arms grab it like you grab your baby, just like you grab your little baby. And it hugged it and just put it down, and there it was,” Trump said. Musk was with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort on election night and has spent much of the two weeks since there. Trump’s granddaughter Kai Trump posted a photo of her with Musk at one of Trump’s golf resorts, writing that Musk was "achieving uncle status.” Last week, Musk appeared in a golden ballroom at Mar-a-Lago, seated in the center of the room as a guest of honor at an event. Trump, in his remarks at the black tie event, said Musk’s IQ is “about as high as they can get” and praised him as “a really good guy.” “He launched a rocket three weeks ago and then he went to Pennsylvania to campaign because he considered this more important than launching rockets that cost billions of dollars,” Trump said. He joked about Musk’s constant presence at Mar-a-Lago, saying: “He likes this place. I can’t get him out of here." He added, “And you know what, I like having him here.” Musk said of the election results, “The public has given us a mandate that could not be more clear."

The "Bangladesh Culture" segment of the prestigious "Riyadh Season" is set to kick off on Wednesday afternoon (4pm KSA time), showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage and lifestyle of Bangladesh.  This high-profile event will highlight various aspects of expatriates' lives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering a vibrant glimpse into the traditions, art, and customs of Bangladesh. A diverse lineup of artistes, celebrities, and influencers from Bangladesh will showcase the country’s rich culture and heritage during a four-day celebration at Al-Suwaidi Park.  The event, filled with vibrant performances, traditional music, dance, and delicious Bangladeshi cuisine, promises to be a spectacular display of Bangladesh's traditions.

The Sultanate of Brunei has offered to export 12-18 LNG (liquefied natural gas) cargoes to Bangladesh under a long term contract of 10 years, with an option to extend the deal for a further five years. According to a document seen by UNB, the Brunei Energy Services and Trading (BEST) Sdn Bhd, sent the offer to Bangladesh state-owned Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL). Each cargo size under the proposal would be approximately between 3,100,000 and 3,200,000 MMBtu (Million British Thermal Unit, a unit used to measure LNG), with the price quoted at JKM+0.87 USD per MMBtu. JKM stands for Japan Korea Marker, an index that measures the price of LNG delivered to Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan, and is accepted as the Asian standard. The JKM as of November 20, according to S&P Global, is 14.65 USD. In the past, Bangladesh has usually imports LNG cargoes measuring 3,360,000 MMBtu. The BEST, Brunei’s state-owned company, is primarily engaged in the trading of crude oil, LNG and methanol in the regional energy market while the RPCL is a subsidiary of the state-owned Petrobangla which remains engaged in importing LNG from abroad. Govt approves import of LNG from Brunei Official sources at Petrobangla said that the idea of importing LNG from the energy-rich Southeast Asian nation is not new, as Bangladesh had received an offer from the country in 2018 as well. That led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two ‘brotherly’ nations in August 2018.        But that MoU did not materialise into the proposed energy trade between the two nations which finally resulted in extension of the deal between Dhaka and Bandar Seri Begawan for another 5 years. Official sources said the final push came from Brunei in this regard when its Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah paid a 3-day state visit to Bangladesh on October 15-17 in 2022. Initially Bangladesh agreed with the offer, a top level source at Energy and Mineral Resources Division said, speaking on condition of anonymity considering the sensitivity of the subject. There are widespread allegations that the then-state minister for energy and power Nasrul Hamid was opposing the offer as his business interests were best served by LNG supply from the international spot market. As a result, Brunei became disappointed with such opposition from Hamid, the source said. After the fall of the Awami League government in a mass uprising last August 5, Brunei resumed its courtship, and this time saw a breakthrough.       The Energy and Mineral Resources moved the Petrobangla’s proposal to import LNG from Brunei on a long term basis under a government-to-government (G-to-G) contract. The Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs (ACCEA), in a meeting with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair, approved the proposal in principle on November 13. Currently, Bangladesh has been importing a total 3.5 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG from Qatar and Oman on a long term basis under G-to-G agreements. Qatar supplies 2.5 MTPA on a 15-year contract while Oman supplies 1 MTPA on a 10-year contract. Last year, the then-Awami League government signed two more contracts with the two countries and also with US-based Excelerate Energy and local conglomerate the Summit Group to increase the import by another 5.5 MTPA of LNG. Summit’s LNG terminal unlikely to resume operations before September About Brunei's proposal, Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker said the deal is at the stage of ‘in principle’ approval, now the state hydrocarbons agency will start negotiations to finalise the price, and also a contract period. “Until negotiations end, nothing will be set regarding the price and contract period of the supply,“ he told UNB.

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday formally lowered the threshold for Russia’s use of its nuclear weapons, a move that follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russian territory with American-supplied longer-range missiles. The new doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukraine fired six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles early Tuesday at a military facility in Russia's Bryansk region that borders Ukraine, adding that air defenses shot down five of them and damaged one more. Ukraine's military claimed the strike hit a Russian ammunition depot. While the doctrine envisions a possible nuclear response by Russia to such a conventional strike, it is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons and keep Putin's options open. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that the Ukrainian strike in Bryansk marked an escalation and urged the U.S. and other Western allies to study the modernized nuclear doctrine. “If the long-range missiles are used from the territory of Ukraine against the Russian territory, it will mean that they are controlled by American military experts and we will view that as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia and respond accordingly,” Lavrov said on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Brazil without elaborating. The approval of the document demonstrates Putin’s readiness to tap his nuclear arsenal to force the West to back down as Moscow presses a slow-moving offensive in Ukraine as the war reached its 1,000th day. Asked Tuesday if a Ukrainian attack with longer-range U.S. missiles could potentially trigger a nuclear response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov answered affirmatively, pointing to the doctrine’s provision that holds the door open for it after a conventional strike that raises critical threats for the "sovereignty and territorial integrity: of Russia and its ally, Belarus. Commenting on whether the updated doctrine was deliberately issued to follow Biden’s decision, Peskov said the document was published “in a timely manner” and that Putin instructed the government to update it earlier this year so that it is “in line with the current situation.” Putin first announced changes in the nuclear doctrine in September, when he chaired a meeting discussing the proposed revisions. He has previously warned the U.S. and other NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. Washington has permitted Ukraine to use the longer-range weapons on targets inside Russia after declaring that thousands of North Korean troops were deployed in the Russian region of Kursk to fight an incursion by Kyiv's forces. White House officials were not surprised by Putin’s decision, and the U.S. has seen no change to Russia’s nuclear posture, according to a U.S. National Security Council official who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity. As a result, the Biden administration has “not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture or doctrine in response to Russia’s statements today,” the official added. Still, the official says the White House views it as “irresponsible rhetoric.” But the official underscored that the arrival of thousands of North Korea soldiers to take part in combat operations against Ukraine was a major escalation by Moscow that demanded a response. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the revised nuclear doctrine as the “latest example of irresponsibility” from “the depraved Russian government,” according to spokesperson Camilla Marshall. “Russia’s the one that continues to escalate this war, and the use of North Korean troops is just one example of that,” Marshall said. “He could remove his troops, roll back his tanks and end the onslaught and needless bloodshed in both Ukraine and Russia. … We would urge him to do so.” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Warsaw that her country would not be intimidated by Russia’s new policy, saying her country made the mistake of cowering in the face of Moscow's aggression in the past but would not do so again. The updated doctrine says an attack against Russia by a nonnuclear power with the “participation or support of a nuclear power” will be seen as their “joint attack on the Russian Federation.” It says any massive aerial attack on Russia could trigger a nuclear response but avoids any firm commitment and mentions the “uncertainty of scale, time and place of possible use of nuclear deterrent” among the key principles of the nuclear deterrence. The document also notes that aggression against Russia by a member of a military bloc or coalition is viewed as "an aggression by the entire bloc," a clear reference to NATO. At the same time, it spells out conditions for using nuclear weapons in greater detail compared with previous versions of the doctrine, noting they could be used in case of a massive air attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, drones and other flying vehicles. The formulation appears to significantly broaden the triggers for possible nuclear weapons use compared with the document's previous version, which stated Russia could tap its atomic arsenal if case of an attack with ballistic missiles. President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for more than 30 years and has relied on Russian subsidies and support, has allowed Russia to use his country’s territory to send troops into Ukraine and to deploy some of its tactical nuclear weapons. Since Putin sent troops into Ukraine, he and other Russian voices have frequently threatened the West with Russia’s nuclear arsenal to discourage it from ramping up support for Kyiv. Russian hawks called for toughening the doctrine for months, arguing the previous version failed to deter the West from increasing its aid to Ukraine and created the impression that Moscow would not resort to nuclear weapons.