A fast-moving brush fire near Yosemite National Park exploded in size Saturday into one of California's largest wildfires of the year, prompting evacuation orders for thousands of people and shutting off power to more than 2,000 homes and businesses. The Oak Fire started Friday afternoon southwest of the park near the town of Midpines in Mariposa County and by Saturday had grown to nearly 19 square miles (48 square kilometers), according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. It erupted as firefighters made progress against an earlier blaze that burned to the edge of a grove of giant sequoias in the southernmost part of Yosemite park. Read: France, Spain fight spreading wildfires as Europe swelters Evacuation orders were put in effect Saturday for over 6,000 people living across a several-mile span in the sparsely populated, rural area, said Daniel Patterson, a spokesman for the Sierra National Forest. Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Mariposa County on Saturday due to the effects of the Oak Fire. More than 400 firefighters were battling the blaze, along with helicopters, other aircraft and bulldozers, facing tough conditions that included hot weather, low humidity and bone-dry vegetation caused by the worst drought in decades, Patterson said. “Explosive fire behavior is challenging firefighters,” Cal Fire said in a statement Saturday that described the Oak Fire's activity as “extreme with frequent runs, spot fires and group torching.” By Saturday morning, the fire had destroyed 10 residential and commercial structures, damaged five others and was threatening 2,000 more structures, Cal Fire said. The blaze prompted numerous road closures, including a shutdown of Highway 140 between Carstens Road and Allred Road — blocking one of the main routes into Yosemite. California has experienced increasingly larger and deadlier wildfires in recent years as climate change has made the West much warmer and drier over the past 30 years. Scientists have said weather will continue to be more extreme and wildfires more frequent, destructive and unpredictable. “The fire is moving quickly. This fire was throwing embers out in front of itself for up to 2 miles yesterday,” Patterson said. “These are exceptional fire conditions." The cause of the fire was under investigation. Pacific Gas & Electric said on its website that more than 2,600 homes and businesses in the area had lost power as of Friday afternoon and there was no indication when it would be restored. “PG&E is unable to access the affected equipment," the utility said. A shoeless older man attempting to flee the blaze on Friday crashed his sedan into a ditch in a closed area and was helped by firefighters. He was safely driven from the area and did not appear to suffer any injuries. Several other residents stayed in their homes Friday night as the fire burned nearby. Meanwhile, firefighters have made significant progress against a wildfire that began in Yosemite National Park and burned into the Sierra National Forest. The Washburn Fire was 79% contained Friday after burning about 7.5 square miles (19.4 square kilometers) of forest. It was one of the largest fires of the year in California, along with the Lost Lake Fire in Riverside County that was fully contained in June at 9 square miles (23 square kilometers) The fire broke out July 7 and forced the closure of the southern entrance to Yosemite and evacuation of the community of Wawona as it burned on the edge of Mariposa Grove, home to hundreds of giant sequoias, the world's largest trees by volume.   Wawona Road is tentatively set to reopen on Saturday, according to the park website.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support of Bangladesh Bank (BB) in continuing the growth momentum of the RMG industry by facing current challenges, especially the impacts of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on the global economy. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the request when he called on newly appointed Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder at the BB office in Dhaka on July 21. BGMEA Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Directors Asif Ashraf, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Neela Hsone Ara were also present at the meeting. Read BGMEA, Kuhu to take Bangladeshi culture, heritage to global arena with garments The BGMEA leaders congratulated him on his appointment as Governor of Bangladesh Bank, expressing hope that his extensive experience and expertise in handling financial sector would help him to steer the central bank prudently and efficiently that would contribute to strengthening economy of Bangladesh. They had discussion the on present situation of the apparel, especially problems being faced by the RMG industry and possible measures to address them. They also apprised the BB Governor about the renewed vision of BGMEA that aims to drive the growth of the RMG industry forward in a sustainable manner that will positively impact the economy, the environment and the lives of peoples. Read BGMEA participates in Texworld to explore opportunities in US market BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the support of Bangladesh Bank would be instrumental in realizing the vision which is aligned with the government vision of sustainable development. He expressed thanks to the Bangladesh Bank for coming forward necessary with policy support for the garment industry at times when the sector needed them. He hoped the central bank would continue its cooperation for the development of the apparel industry in the coming years. Read BGMEA congratulates newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor

The newly appointed Governor of Bangladesh Bank Abdur Rauf Talukder on Tuesday met President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the evening. The new governor sought the President's full cooperation and guidance in discharging his duties. President Hamid said that proper financial management is very important to protect economic stability in the context of the Corona epidemic and Russia-Ukraine war. He suggested strengthening the activities of Bangladesh Bank in this regard. The President said it is important to take effective steps to ensure transparency and accountability in the activities of various financial institutions and to expand and develop the domestic financial market. Read: Rauf sets 3 priorities as new governor of Bangladesh Bank The President expected that the new Governor will perform professionally to establish Bangladesh Bank as a true regulator of the financial sector. President's Office Secretary Wahad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam and Joint Secretary Md. Wahidul Islam Khan were present.

New Bangladesh Bank governor Abdur Rauf Talukder  has started his first day at work. He arrived at the central bank premises at 10 am on the first working day on Tuesday after the Eid holidays. The new BB governor paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wrath in front of his portrait on Bangladesh Bank premises. Later he exchanged greetings with the officials of the central bank. Read: Ensure uninterrupted ATM, POS, internet banking , MFS during Eid vacation: BB On June 11, senior secretary of the Finance Division Abdur Rauf Talukder was appointed as the new governor of Bangladesh Bank. Earlier, the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance issued a circular appointing him as governor for four years. Rauf Talukder joined the Bangladesh Civil Service in February 1988 (BCS 1985 batch). He held various government posts in his long and colorful career. He worked in the finance division for more than 18 years before taking charge as the finance secretary on July 18, 2018. In addition, he served in the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Food and Ministry of Information.

The government has appointed Abdur Rouf Talukder, senior secretary of finance division at the Ministry of Finance, as the new governor of Bangladesh Bank for a 4-year term. He will succeed the central bank governor Fazle Kabir whose term expires on July 3. The Financial Institutions Division of the Finance Ministry on Saturday issued a circular in this regard notifying the appointment in public interest. Also read: Inflation, unstable forex rate major challenges: BB governor According to the article 10(3) and 10 (5) of Bangladesh Bank Order 1972 (president's order 172) the new governor will be appointed on condition of taking retirement from the public service and abandoning all work relationships with all other institutions and associations, it said. He has been appointed for the next four years from July 4 or the day of joining, said the notification. Talukder joined the Bangladesh Civil Service in February, 1988 (BCS 1985 batch). He worked more than 18 years in Finance Division before elevating to the position of Finance Secretary on 17 July 2018.  Also read:Fazle Kabir reappointed BB governor for next 2 years Apart from his long career in Finance Division, Talukder has served in the Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Food, and Ministry of Information.  He also worked at Bangladesh High Commission, Kuala Lumpur as First Secretary (Commercial).

Governor of Wau State in South Sudan Angelo Taban Biajo has highly appreciated the role of the Bangladesh peacekeepers. The Governor lauded the humane services offered by Bangladesh peacekeepers in Wau and expressed their desire to establish cooperation between Wau province and Bangladesh in different areas like education, ICT and agriculture. The local Governor of Wau along with the provincial Ministers met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the UNMISS compound in Wau province of South Sudan on Friday. READ: Bangladeshi peacekeepers boost country's image globally through dedication, efficiency: FM The Governor suggested that more female personnel may be deployed in the Bangladesh contingent. The Foreign Minister visited the Bangladesh contingent (BANBATT 4) deployed in the Wau province of South Sudan. Deputy Force Commander of UNMISS and other Bangladesh high officials of UNMISS as well as Bangladesh non-resident Ambassador to South Sudan and Foreign Ministry officials were present. Upon his arrival at the UNMISS compound, the Foreign Minister was presented with a guard of honour by a smart contingent of the Bangladesh Peacekeepers. The Bangladesh Contingent organized spectacular fits which were displayed by Bangladesh Peacekeeping members. Both male and female performers displayed their acrobatic and defensive skills. Dr Momen made an address to the Bangladesh Peacekeepers at the Bangladesh contingent.

Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned over a barrage of sexual harassment allegations Tuesday in a fall from grace a year after he was widely hailed nationally for his detailed daily briefings and leadership during the darkest days of COVID-19. The three-term governor’s decision, which will take effect in two weeks, was announced as momentum built in the Legislature to remove him by impeachment. It came after New York’s attorney general released the results of an investigation that found Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women. Investigators said he subjected women to unwanted kisses; groped their breasts or buttocks or otherwise touched them inappropriately; made insinuating remarks about their looks and their sex lives; and created a work environment “rife with fear and intimidation.” Also read: Cuomo’s top aide resigns as governor faces harassment furor Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a 62-year-old Democrat and former member of Congress from the Buffalo area, will become the state’s 57th governor and the first woman to hold the post. The #MeToo-era scandal cut short not just a career but a dynasty: Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, was governor in the 1980s and ’90s, and the younger Cuomo was often mentioned as a potential candidate for president, an office his father famously contemplated seeking. Even as the scandal mushroomed, Cuomo was planning to run for reelection in 2022. Cuomo still faces the possibility of criminal charges, with a number of prosecutors around the state moving to investigate him. The string of accusations that spelled the governor’s downfall began to unfold in news reports last December and went on for months. Cuomo called some of the allegations fabricated, forcefully denying he touched anyone inappropriately. But he acknowledged making some aides uncomfortable with comments he said he intended as playful, and he apologized for some of his behavior. He portrayed some of the encounters as misunderstandings attributable to “generational or cultural” differences, a reference in part to his upbringing in an affectionate Italian American family. As a defiant Cuomo clung to office, state lawmakers launched an impeachment investigation, and nearly the entire Democratic establishment in New York deserted him — not only over the accusations, but also because of the discovery that his administration had concealed thousands of COVID-19 deaths among nursing home patients. The harassment investigation ordered up by the attorney general and conducted by two outside lawyers corroborated the women’s accounts and added lurid new ones. The release of the report left the governor more isolated than ever, with some of his most loyal supporters abandoning him and President Joe Biden joining those calling on him to resign. Also read: New York Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, probe finds His accusers included an aide who said Cuomo groped her breast at the governor’s mansion. Investigators also the governor’s staff retaliated against one of his accusers by leaking confidential personnel files about her. As governor, Cuomo touted himself as an example of a “progressive Democrat” who gets things done: Since taking office in 2011, he helped push through legislation that legalized gay marriage, began lifting the minimum wage to $15 and expanded paid family leave benefits. He also backed big infrastructure projects, including airport overhauls and construction of a new bridge over the Hudson River that he named after his father. At the same time the behavior that got him into trouble was going on, he was publicly championing the #MeToo movement and surrounding himself with women’s rights activists, signing into law sweeping new protections against sexual harassment and lengthening the statute of limitations in rape cases. His national popularity soared during the harrowing spring of 2020, when New York became the epicenter of the nation’s coronavirus outbreak. His tough-minded but empathetic response made for riveting television well beyond New York, and his stern warnings to people to stay home and wear masks stood in sharp contrast to President Donald Trump’s brush-off of the virus. His briefings won an international Emmy Award, and he went on to write a book on leadership in a crisis. But even those accomplishments were soon tainted when it was learned that the state’s official count of nursing home deaths had excluded many patients who had been transferred to hospitals before they succumbed. A Cuomo aide acknowledged the administration feared the true numbers would be “used against us” by the Trump White House. Also, Cuomo’s administration was fiercely criticized for forcing nursing homes to accept patients recovering from the virus. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the state’s handling of data on nursing home deaths. In addition, the state attorney general is looking into whether Cuomo broke the law in using members of his staff to help write and promote his book, from which he stood to make more than $5 million. The governor had also increasingly come under fire over his rough and sometimes vindictive treatment of fellow politicians and his own staff, with former aides telling stories of a brutal work environment. Cuomo has been divorced since 2005 from the author and activist Kerry Kennedy, a member of the Kennedy family, and was romantically involved up until 2019 with TV lifestyle personality Sandra Lee. He has three adult daughters. He gained political experience early on as his father’s hard-nosed and often ruthless campaign manager, and went on to become New York attorney general and U.S. housing secretary under President Bill Clinton before getting elected governor in 2010. New York has seen a string of high-level political figures brought down in disgrace in recent years. Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008 in a call-girl scandal. Rep. Anthony Weiner went to prison for sexting with a 15-year-old girl. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman stepped down in 2018 after four women accused him of abuse. And the top two leaders in the Legislature were convicted of corruption.

An outbreak of the new coronavirus at a Tennessee nursing home has forced the facility to be temporarily closed for cleaning with dozens of residents and staff members sent into quarantine, Gov. Bill Lee's office and a hospital said Sunday night.