31-01-2019

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NATIONAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019 6 Vice-Chancellor of Barishal University (BU) Professor Dr SM Imamul Huq was present as the chief guest at the annual general meeting, freshers reception and farewell program of 'Badhon' Barishal University unit on Wednesday. Photo: BU ‘Badhon’ BU unit holds AGM, freshers reception and farewell program 'Badhon' Barishal University unit on Wednesday held its annual general meeting, freshers reception and farewell program in Kirtonkhola Auditorium of the University, says a press release. 'Badhon' Barishal University unit president Mujahidul Islam chaired the meeting while Vice-Chancellor of Barishal University (BU) Professor Dr SM Imamul Huq was present as the chief guest at the occasion. Among others, Among others, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Professor Dr. Md. Muhsin Uddin, Provost of Bangabandhu Hall and Rahat Hossain Faisal, Chairman of CSE Department; General Secretary of the Teachers Association; Abu Zafar Mia, chairman of the Department of Mining and Mining, Assistant Professor of Public Administration, Israt Jahan, Adviser of the Bonding and Public Administration Department lecturer Shirajis Sadik, Chairman of different departments, directors, teachers, and members of 'Badhon' Barishal University unit were also present at the occasion. At the occasion new committee of 'Badhon' Barisal University unit was declared for the year 2019 and the members of the old committee handed over the responsibility to the members of the new committee. The Vice-Chancellor said that the journey of 'Badhon' started in 1997 in Shahidullah Hall of Dhaka University through my hand. From then onwards I am associated with 'Badhon'. It is a voluntary organization that is always engaged in the service of humanity. It is to be noted that Badhon started its journey in Barishal University in 2015 but its journey as a unit and started in 2017. Landless char people turns fortune wheel by cultivating BINA China -4 peanut Rokibul Hoque Dipu, Magura correspondent: BINA China-4 peanut is turning fortune wheel of landless char people. BINA (Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture) Magura sources informed, cultivation of BINA China -4 peanut is gaining popularity among char farmers. Agriculturist Dr Abul Kalam Azad is the originator of BINA China -4 peanut . Char land is suitable for BINA China -4 peanut cultivation. This variety is high productive. Production of BINA China-4 variety is 2.5 mt per hectare as against 2 mt in common variety. Cultivation of BINA China -4 peanut is short durable. Harvesting of China -4 peanut takes only 100 days while 120 days in common variety. At the same time cultivation of China-4 variety requires less fertilizer and insecticides compared to that in common variety .Consequently production cost of BINA China -4 variety is low. Magura BINA official Shushan Chouhan told, farmers especially in Char area are showing high interest in cultivating BINA China -4 peanut cultivation. We are working to encourage farmers in cultivating this peanut. This season we have distributed BINA China -4 peanut seeds among 20 farmers at free cost. Moreover we shall give them 50% subsidy in fertilizer and insecticides cost for the cultivation. Moreover every day we provide at least 10 peanut farmers with proper advice physically or by mobile phone. Khadem Ali a farmer of village Kamlapur under Sreepur upazila of Magura told, last year I brought 2 bigha land in Gorai River Char under BINA China-4 peanut cultivation and earned tk 60 thousand as profit. This year I have extended my peanut cultivation and Now I am growing peanut in 4 bigha land. I am expecting Tk one lakh and 20 thousand as my profit. Belal Mian of village Khaleshpur under Moheshpur upazial of Zhenidah district told, BINA China-4 peanut is turning fortune wheel of farmers in this upazila. This season at least 50 farmers in this upazila are cultivating this peanut. This year I have brought 5 bigha land under BINA China-4 peanut cultivation and I am expecting profit of tk 1.5 lakhs . In the mean time I have got seeds from Magura BINA at free cost. When contacted, Shafiqur Rahman executive director of Palli Prokriti ( an agriculture based NGO ) told BINA China -4 peanut cultivation is gaining popularity among char farmers of 3 district respectively Magura, Jhenidah and Razbair. At present about 500 farmers in the 3 district are cultivating this peanut and most of them are landless. If proper plan is adopted to expand BINA China -4 peanut cultivation number of landless char farmers can improve their condition. The photo shows Magura BINA official Shampa Rani Ghosh distributing BINA China -4 peanut seeds free of cost in Magura recently. Photo: Rokibul Hoque Dipu Exploring tourism potential in Panchagarh stressed RANGPUR: Adoption of comprehensive tourism-friendly planning and its proper implementation could help explore the enormous potential of the country's tourism sector for economic advancement, reports BSS. Government officials and public representatives made these observations today at a district level tourism affairs public awareness building workshop held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh. Panchagarh district administration organised the workshop with assistance of Bangladesh Tourism Board for officials of different government departments, public representatives, private sector entrepreneurs, professionals and civil society members. The main objective of arranging the event was to identify prevailing problems and issues in the tourism sector of Panchagarh and adopt a comprehensive tourism- friendly planning for exploring tourism potential of the district. Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh Sabina Yasmin attended the workshop as the chief guest with Deputy Director (Local Government) for Panchagarh Priyosindhu Talukder in the chair. Chief Executive Officer of Panchagarh District Council Abdul Alim Khan Wareshi, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mohammad Golam Azam, Additional Police Super Sudorshan Roy, Panchagarh municipal mayor Tauhidul Islam and Panchagarh Pres Club President Shafikul Alam addressed as special guests. 27 held in Dinajpur special drives DINAJPUR: Law enforcers, in special drives arrested 27 persons including five drug traders and two activists of Jamaat-E-Islami from different areas of the district in 12-hour ending at 8am last morning, reports BSS. Law enforcers also seized 150 bottles of Phensidyl and 102 pieces of Yaba tablets during the drives. Police said they were picked up from different areas of the district on different charges. During the drives, Dinajpur Sadar police arrested five persons including two drug traders along with 102 pieces of Yaba tablets, Ghoraghat Thana police arrested two persons, Birganj Thana police arrested two persons, Birampur Thana police arrested three persons, Nawabganj Thana police arrested three persons, Phulbari Thana police arrested two persons, Bochaganj Thana police arrested one person, Hakimpur Than police arrested two persons and Chirirbandar Thana police arrested four persons including two activists of Jamaat-E-Islami. Narsingdi people wants Sheuli Mala as the MP of reserved seat Tarak Pathan, Palash Correspondent : People of Narsingdi wants to late freedom fighter Dr. Mujibur Rahman Khan's daughter, Bangladesh Awami Tanti League's popular leader, Vice-President of Dhaka Metropolitan North and Acting Principal of Dania University College, Saira Begum Sheuli Mala as the MP of reserved seat. It is learnt that, before and after the eleventh parliamentary elections, this woman leader has highlighted the development picture of the government with her own initiative. Before the election, she highlighted the development picture of the government among the grassroots to cast vote for boat symbol. This popular leader is the resident of Kajair village of Danga union of Palash upazila of Narsingdi. Her husband Mejbah Uddin Ahmed completed M.S.S in Social Science from Dhaka University. His father fought for the country and also sacrificed the life for the country. In continuation of Saira Begum Sheuli Mala this, popular leader, Saira Begum Sheuli Mala is always working for the betterment of the country. In the meantime, she has submitted nomination forms for the election of MP in one of reserved women seats at Bangladesh Awami political office on Monday, 18 January. Besides, she has been working as a Grade A artist and presenter of Bangladesh Television. In this regard Saira Begum Sheuli Mala said that my father went to the war of liberation after the call of independence by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. From then onwards all of our families love Bangladesh Awami League. I was hoping for nomination from reserved women seats MP in 2001. If Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gives me the opportunity to be elected MP in reserved women seats, then I will be working to maintain the government's development trend. I will be with the people to serve them. I hope that the Prime Minister will choose person for reserved seat MP. Pabna Deputy Commissioner Md Jasim Uddin inaugurated the sports competition of Imam Ghazzali Girls School and College by flying balloon and pigeons on Wednesday. Photo: Abdul Hamid Khan Annual Sports Competition of Pabna Imam Ghazzali Girls School and College held Abdul Hamid Khan, Pabna Correspondent: Annual sports competition and prize distribution ceremony of Pabna Imam Ghazzali Girls School and College was held through various programs on Wednesday. The program started with the national anthem by the students, recitation of the Qur'an, the Gita and Bible. Later, Pabna Deputy Commissioner Md Jasim Uddin inaugurated the sports competition by hoisting national flag and by flying balloon and pigeons. Among others, Chairman of Pabna Sadar Upazila Parishad Alhaj Mosharraf Hossain, member of governing body member Alhaj Shamsur Rahman Khan Manik, noted journalist and The Bangladesh Today Pabna district representative Abdul Hamid Khan and Pabna Sadar Upazila Parishad vice-chairperson Shawal Biswas, Advocate Hatim Ali, Headmaster of Al-Amana Academy Iman Ali, Janata Bank's (former) manager Abdur Rashid, Ajgar Ali, Shamim Ahmed and Wahiduzzaman were also present at the occasion. The program was chaired by Imam Ghazzali Trust and Imam Ghazali Girls School and College President Alhaj Abul Kashem. Pabna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jashim Uddin said that to the guardians that you will not only send your children to school for getting GPA-5 but also to play a significant role in building them as ideal person. If the teachers and guardians properly perform their duties, the students will develop as good human being, he added. Habiganj SP Mohammad Ullah recieve PPM-service award Md Mamun Chowdhury, Habiganj Correspondent: Habibganj Police Super Mohammad Ullah received PPM-service award in reorganization for bravery, combating crime, cracking important cases, efficiency, honesty and discipline. Besides, additional deputy police commissioner of DMP Wari zone Mohammad Nurul Amin who hails from Habiganj also received the PPM award. This information issued through a gazette on Tuesday by Deputy Secretary Farzana Jasmine. According to the home ministry gazette, declaring the names of this year's awardees, 40 officers were awarded BPM (gallantry), 104 officers (BPM- service), 62 PPM (gallantry) and 143 PPM-service for recognition of their bravery and heroic work last year. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to hand over the medals to the awardees on the first day of Police Week-2019, likely to be held from February 4 to 8. It is to be noted that, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina awarded the BPM-service medal to Mohammad Ullah in January last year. This year he got the PPM-service. Police Super Mohammad Ullah was born in a respected Muslim family in Tangail. His wife Marufa Yasmin is working as an Assistant Professor at Kabi Nazrul Government College in Dhaka. In his personal life he is a father of 1 son and 1 daughter. Office staffs of Habiganj police station on Wednesday handed over flower bouquet to Habibganj Police Super Mohammad Ullah receiving PPM-service award. Photo: Md Mamun Chowdhury
INTERNATIONAL THURSDAy, JANUARy 31, 2019 7 This photo released Dec. 4, 2018 by the al-Qaida-affiliated Ibaa News Agency, shows al-Qaida-linked fighters driving their vehicles during a military drill in northern Syria. Photo : AP Al-Qaida’s advance in northern Syria threatens fragile truce It only took a few days for al-Qaidalinked militants to seize more than two dozen towns and villages in northern Syria from rival insurgents earlier this month, expanding and cementing their control over an area the size of neighboring Lebanon, reports UNB. The advance by Hayat Tahrir al- Sham, or the Levant Liberation Committee, was the most serious blow yet to a September cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey that averted a major government offensive in Idlib province, the last main stronghold of the Syrian opposition. It highlighted the growing threat posed by al-Qaida at a time when its rival, the Islamic State group, is on the verge of defeat and the U.S. is preparing to withdraw its 2,000 troops from Syria. Although HTS has formally severed ties with al-Qaida, experts say it is still closely linked to the global network founded by Osama bin Laden and could use its base in Syria to launch attacks in the West. Fawaz Gerges, professor of Middle Eastern politics at the London School of Economics, says there is a "real danger" that the group's advance "will not only worsen the humanitarian crisis for the 3 million inhabitants there, but also give (President Bashar) Assad and his allies the justification to assault the province." "Such a scenario would be as devastatingly bloody as the battle for Aleppo," he said, referring to the months of heavy fighting over Syria's largest city in 2016, which killed thousands of people and ended with government forces and their allies capturing the rebel-held east. HTS includes large numbers of battle-hardened al-Qaida fighters, and its capture of most of rebel-held Syria could force aid agencies to withdraw, leaving tens of thousands of civilians to fend for themselves. The opposition's Free Aleppo Medical Directorate said that some 250,000 people will lose medical support after 43 facilities it runs cease operations due to a drop in aid from Western agencies after the latest HTS offensive. The government has meanwhile stepped up its bombardment of Idlib and neighboring rebel-held areas. Pro-government media say Defense Minister Gen. Ali Ayoub and Brig. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan, who commands the elite Tiger Force, have recently visited the front lines with Idlib, raising fears of a new government offensive. HTS now controls an area of about 9,000 square kilometers (3,475 square miles) or about 5 percent of Syria's territory. The area is home to some 3 million people, many of whom have been displaced from other parts of the country. German police arrest 3 suspected of planning attack German news site Spiegel Online reports that police have arrested three men on suspicion of planning to carry out a bomb attack, reports UNB. The site reported that the three Iraqis were arrested early Wednesday around Dithmarschen, in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein. A spokeswoman for Germany's federal police, Daniela Kiss, confirmed that officers were involved in an operation together with state police, but referred to federal prosecutors for further details. German federal prosecutors, who couldn't immediately confirm the reports, are responsible for investigating serious crimes including terrorism. Spiegel Online reports the men, identified as Shahin F., Hersh S. and Rauf S., wanted to use fireworks to build an explosive and had ordered a detonator from Britain. Their surnames weren't provided in line with German privacy rules. Venezuela opposition urges walkouts to pressure Maduro Opposition leader Juan Guaido is looking to ratchet up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro with walkouts across Venezuela on Wednesday, just a day after the embattled socialist administration barred Guaido from leaving the country while he is investigated for anti-government activities, reports UNB. The man challenging Maduro's claim to the presidency is urging Venezuelans to step outside their homes and workplaces for two hours beginning at noon in the first mass mobilization since he declared himself the nation's rightful leader a week ago during another round of big protests. "Venezuela is set on change," Guaido said. The surge in political maneuvering has seen two dozen nations, including the United States and several big Latin American countries, back Guaido, and the Trump administration has imposed sanctions that could starve the already distressed nation of billions in oil revenue. But Maduro is holding firm in refusing to step down. He oversaw military exercises in recent days while seeking to consolidate support from the armed forces and he is accusing Washington of staging a coup. In an interview with Russia's state-owned RIA Novosti news agency on Wednesday, Maduro said he was "willing to sit down for talks with the opposition for the sake of Venezuela's peace and its future." Maduro said the talks could be held with mediation of other countries. Russia is one of the staunchest supporters of Maduro and has offered to mediate. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court barred Guaido from leaving the country after chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab announced that he was opening a criminal investigation of Maduro's foe, who heads the oppositioncontrolled congress. Saab is a key Maduro ally and the high court is stacked with Maduro loyalists. "Once more we'll come out victorious," Maduro, dressed in a green cap and shirt, said Tuesday while standing before rows of troops. "We are on the right side of history." The court move came after U.S. national security adviser John Bolton warned that the Maduro government would face "serious consequences" if Guaido is harmed. Guaido has thus far managed to avoid arrest and the Supreme Court did not strip him of his legislative immunity, though the new investigation could signal that Maduro's administration is moving to take a more punitive approach. Speaking Tuesday outside the National Assembly, Guaido said he was aware of personal risks. "I don't underestimate the threat of persecution at the moment, but here we are," he said. The U.S. has emerged as Guaido's most powerful ally, announcing on Tuesday that it was giving him control of Venezuela's U.S. bank accounts. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo certified that Guaido has the authority to take control of any Venezuelan government accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any other U.S.-insured banks. He said the certification would "help Venezuela's legitimate government safeguard those assets for the benefit of the Venezuelan people." Indonesia’s Merapi volcano unleashes river of lava Indonesia's volatile Mount Merapi volcano has unleashed a river of lava that flowed 1,400 meters (4,590 feet) down its slopes, reports UNB. Merapi, on the island of Java, has entered an "effusive eruption phase," Kasbani, head of the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center, said Wednesday. Kasbani, who goes by a single name, said the volcanic material that spewed out late Tuesday was the volcano's longest lava flow since it began erupting again in August. He said the alert level of the volcano has not been raised but people should stay out of a 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) danger zone around the crater. The 2,968-meter (9,737- foot) mountain, located near the ancient Indonesian city of Yogyakarta, is the most active of dozens of Indonesian volcanoes. Its last major eruption in 2010 killed 347 people. Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 260 million people, is prone to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions because it straddles the Pacific "Ring of Fire." Clash kills 4 militants, wounds 7 in northern Afghanistan At least four militants were killed and seven others sustained injuries as government forces stormed Taliban hideouts in Qaisar district of the northern Faryab province on Tuesday, an army spokesman Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Wednesday, reports UNB. The government forces, according to the official, attacked a Taliban hideout in Arkalic area of Qaisar district Tuesday evening, killing four insurgents on the spot and wounding seven others. China to award highest state honor to contributors China will award national medals and honorary titles to both citizens and foreigners who have made great contributions to the country as it marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China this year, reports UNB. The deceased can also be nominated, according to a circular on the nomination and selection of award-winners issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. This is the first time for the country to conduct the selection and conferment of these highest national honors to commend a number of exemplary contributors to the construction and development of the PRC. Among them, Medals of the Republic will be awarded to those who have given great contributions and meritorious service and are of high moral character and recognized by the public. The nominees for the Medals of Friendship should be foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China's socialist modernization drive, promoted exchange and cooperation between China and the world, helped maintain world peace and who are firm in their long-term friendship with China. Meanwhile, national titles of honor will be awarded for prominent figures who have made great contributions and earned reputations in fields such as economy, national defense, education, science, culture and sports. Nomination of candidates and selection of award-winners will be led by the working committee on the Party and state medals and honorary titles and should be transparent and fair, the circular read. Among them, Medals of the Republic will be awarded to those who have given great contributions and meritorious service and are of high moral character and recognized by the public. The nominees for the Medals of Friendship should be foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China's socialist modernization drive, promoted exchange and cooperation between China and the world, helped maintain world peace and who are firm in their long-term friendship with China. Ceremonies to present the honors will be held on important occasions and anniversaries, such as the National Day, according to a law approved by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislature, in late 2015 to introduce the honorary system. China will award national medals and honorary titles to both citizens and foreigners who have made great contributions to the country as it marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China this year. Photo : AP Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guardsmen line up near a Divine Mercy Jesus Christ poster outside the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Venezuela's chief prosecutor on Tuesday asked the country's top court to ban opposition National Assembly President Juan Guaido from leaving the country, launching a criminal probe into his anti-government activities while international pressure builds against President Nicolas Maduro. Photo : AP German police arrest 3 suspected of extremist bomb plot German authorities arrested three suspected Islamic extremists Wednesday on allegations they were planning a bombing attack, and searched properties in three states in connection with their investigation, reports UNB. Federal prosecutors said Iraqis Shahin F. and Hersh F., both 23, and Rauf S., 36, were taken into custody in an early morning raid by a police SWAT team in the area of Dithmarschen, near the border with Denmark. In addition, searches were carried out of residences in two other states of people linked to the three but not currently suspected of any crime. The two younger men are suspected of preparing a bomb attack and violating weapons laws, and Rauf S. is alleged to have aided them. Their last names were not given in line with German privacy laws. The men appear to have been in the early stages of planning, and had not yet built a functioning bomb nor decided upon a target for attack, prosecutors said in a statement. Prosecutors allege Shahin F. and Hersch F. decided in late 2018 to "carry out an attack motivated by Islamic extremism in Germany." There are indications that they sympathized with Islamic State, but a direct link to the extremist group or others is currently under investigation. In December, Shahin F. downloaded "various instructions" on how to build a bomb, and ordered a detonator from a contact person in Britain, prosecutors said. Its delivery, however, was stopped by British law enforcement agencies. At the same time, the two carried out tests using explosive powder from New Year's fireworks and asked Rauf S. to procure a firearm, prosecutors said. He's alleged to have contacted Walid Khaled Y.Y. - a man already under investigation - who allegedly offered them a Russian semi-automatic Makarov 9mm pistol, prosecutors said. It was considered too expensive and was not purchased, they added. In preparation for the possibility of using a vehicle in the attack, Shahin F. started taking driving lessons, prosecutors said. It was not clear how the plot was first detected nor when the suspects came to Germany, and prosecutors' spokeswoman Kerstin Wacker would not elaborate beyond the written statement provided. She also would not provide any more information on Khaled Y.Y. More than 1 million asylum seekers entered Germany in 2015-16, most from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The involvement of several asylum-seekers in extremist attacks or plots has helped boost support for the anti-migrant Alternative for Germany party. In the only mass-casualty Islamic extremist attack in Germany, Tunisian asylumseeker Anis Amri hijacked a truck in 2016 and drove it into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and wounding dozens. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility. Bangkok schools closed over air pollution concerns More than 400 schools in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, have been shut as several weeks of dangerously unhealthy air pollution causes increasing concern, reports UNB. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha directed Bangkok's governor to order the closure of 437 schools from noon Wednesday through the end of the week after officials said the pollution would continue until next Monday. They said still air and heavy traffic are causing a buildup of particles in the air. The Pollution Control Department said the amount of particularly dangerous tiny "PM 2.5" particles has risen in all areas in and around Bangkok since Monday. The Public Health Ministry said people should refrain from outdoor activities and exercise. Amnesty urges travel sites to ban Israel settlement listings Amnesty International on Wednesday urged online travel sites to ban listings from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, reports UNB. The London-based rights group's report, titled "Destination: Occupation," said rental sites Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and TripAdvisor are driving tourism to settlements that most of the world considers illegal. Airbnb announced last November that it would remove West Bank settlement listings but has yet to implement its decision. The company says it is working to identify the "precise boundaries" of areas subject to the policy. Amnesty called on Airbnb to immediately implement its ban and to extend it to east Jerusalem, which Israel captured along with the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast War. The Palestinians seek these lands for a future independent state. On Twitter, Israeli Cabinet Minister Gilad Erdan called the Amnesty statement "an outrageous attempt to distort facts, deny Jewish heritage & delegitimize Israel." The World Jewish Congress said it was disheartened by Amnesty's report and called on it to shift its focus back to human rights. "Amnesty International is a serious and respected human rights organization, whose work to stop abuses around the world should never be underrated, but its singular focus on corporate entities doing business in Israeli settlements is gravely misguided," said WJC CEO and Executive Vice President Robert Singer.
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