As the conflict between Israel and Palestine intensifies, the residents of Gaza are enduring profound hardships. Amidst this escalating humanitarian crisis, international charities, including the Mastul Foundation’s Mastul Mehmankhana (Mega Kitchen) from Bangladesh, are stepping up to deliver crucial aid to those in need. Currently, approximately 1.5 million people in besieged Gaza face severe food scarcity. The Mastul Foundation has mobilized its Mega Kitchen in Palestine to alleviate this urgent issue. Despite numerous challenges, they are providing daily meals to 200-250 individuals, primarily orphaned children and widows, who are among the most affected. Dhaka seeks peace, effective steps to de-escalate Iran-Israel tension: Foreign Minister The gratitude expressed by the Palestinians has been overwhelming, according to a media release from the Foundation. Parents are especially relieved as the efforts ensure their children won't sleep hungry, at least for now, the release added, highlighting the acute worries about dwindling food supplies. Kazi Reaz Rahman, founder and executive director of Mastul Foundation, emphasized the ongoing nature of their mission. "While our current capacity allows us to prepare 200-250 meals daily, it's barely a drop in the ocean given the scale of the crisis. We are urgently calling for more funds to expand our operations," he stated. The Foundation's future plans include not only continuing food assistance but also enhancing medical logistics, providing educational opportunities for orphans, empowering widows, and improving sanitation and water facilities.  Bangladesh, Thailand nearing energy cooperation MOU: Nasrul Hamid Mastul Foundation appealed for support for their initiatives in Gaza during this critical time. More funding and resources are crucial to sustain and expand their humanitarian efforts in the region.

In a striking revelation reported by the Guardian, CNN faces internal criticism and a growing backlash over its coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Journalists from CNN’s newsrooms, both in the United States and internationally, have raised concerns about the network’s editorial policies. These policies, they claim, have led to the dissemination of Israeli perspectives while marginalizing Palestinian voices in the coverage of the war in Gaza. The core of the discontent centers around the network’s handling of key events, particularly the October 7 Hamas massacre and Israel’s subsequent retaliatory attack on Gaza. One CNN staffer lamented, “The majority of news since the war began, regardless of how accurate the initial reporting, has been skewed by a systemic and institutional bias within the network toward Israel,” branding it as “journalistic malpractice.” According to detailed accounts from six CNN staff members and a review of over a dozen internal communications, the daily news output is heavily influenced by directives from CNN headquarters, the Guardian says. These directives have imposed strict guidelines on reporting, including significant restrictions on quoting Hamas and presenting Palestinian perspectives, while often uncritically broadcasting Israeli government statements. Read more: UN experts condemn killing, silencing of journalists in Gaza Mark Thompson, CNN’s new editor-in-chief and CEO, who assumed his role shortly after the October 7 incident, is at the heart of the controversy. Staffers express concern over Thompson’s history of yielding to external pressures in his previous position at the BBC, fearing a similar pattern at CNN. The coverage, as a result, has been criticized for disproportionately highlighting Israeli suffering and narratives, with a notable deficiency in reporting on the Palestinian civilian casualties and the devastation in Gaza. A particularly contentious point is the editorial process, where every story related to the conflict requires approval from the Jerusalem bureau, effectively filtering the content that reaches the public. This process has been condemned for introducing biases, as reports undergo modifications that detract from the Palestinian plight, according to some CNN journalists. Critics within the network have pointed out a notable imbalance, citing an early November directive by David Lindsay, senior director of news standards and practices, that limited the reporting of Hamas statements, labeling them as “inflammatory rhetoric and propaganda.” This contrasts starkly with the network’s approach to Israeli officials’ statements, which have been aired frequently and often without challenge. Amidst these editorial decisions, CNN’s coverage has been accused of utilizing a framework that implicitly justifies Israeli actions by continuously referencing the Hamas attack as the conflict’s “immediate cause.” This narrative, staff members argue, marginalizes other contexts and histories that are crucial for a balanced understanding of the conflict. The network’s spokesperson has defended CNN’s reporting, emphasizing the care taken to attribute claims across their coverage. However, the restrictions on foreign journalists’ access to Gaza, except under Israeli Defense Forces control, have further complicated efforts to present a balanced view, keeping the full impact of the war on Palestinians largely unseen on CNN and similar channels.  This internal critique of CNN’s coverage echoes past accusations of bias, reminiscent of the network’s approach post-9/11 and its coverage of the Afghan conflict. The current discontent among CNN staff highlights a deep-seated concern over journalistic integrity and the challenge of maintaining balanced reporting amidst external pressures and editorial mandates. Read more: Hamas shows signs of resurgence in parts of Gaza where Israeli troops largely withdrew weeks ago

Vice-President of the European Parliament Nicola Beer has met Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her hotel suite in Brussels recently. During the meeting, both sides underscored the urgency to end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Also read: PM Hasina highlights AL’s struggles to restore democracy in Bangladesh during discussion with European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen The Prime Minister stated Bangladesh’s position against wars anywhere in the world, highlighting that women and children suffer the most in wars and conflicts. The European Parliament’s Vice-President underscored closer cooperation between the European Parliament and Bangladesh Parliament, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (October 26, 2023). Also read: Bangladesh can support EU’s efforts to diversify production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines: PM tells EIB President Both sides also discussed women’s empowerment, particularly in politics, education and workforce.