09-02-2021

tuesday

DhAkA : February 9, 2021; Magh 26, 1427 BS; Jamadi-us Sani 26,1442 hijri

www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net

Regd.No.DA~2065, Vol.17; N o.299; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00

InternatIonal

SA suspends

Astra Zeneca

vaccine drive

>Page 7

sports

Super-sub Messi leads

Barcelona comeback

against Betis

>Page 9

art & culture

'Jani Tumi Chile'

to release on

Valentine's Day

>Page 10

Twelve SPs get

new postings

DHAKA : Twelve police officers with

the rank of Superintendent of Police

were given new postings on Tuesday,

reports UNB.

The appointment was made in a circular

signed by Dhananjay Kumar Das,

Deputy Secretary, Police-1 section,

Public Security Division under the

Home Ministry.

According to the notification, Deputy

Commissioner (DC) of Chattragram

Metropolitan Police (CMP) Md

Hamidul Islam has been given new

posting as Superintendent of Police

(SP) of Highway Police unit, SP of

Bagerhat district Pangkoj Chandra Ray

to CID as SP, SP of Zamalpur district

Md Delwar Hossain has been transferred

as SP of the CID, and SP of Norail

district Md Jasim Uddin as DC of CMP.

SP of Patuakhali district Mohammad

Moinul Hasan has been given new posting

as DC of Dhaka Metropolitan Police

(DMP), SP of Kushtia district SM Tanvir to

DC of BMP, DC of GMP KM Ariful Hoque

to Bagerhat district as SP, SP of the CID

Md Nasir Uddin Ahmed to Jamalpur district

as SP, and DC of the DMP Prabir

Kumar Ray as the SP of Narail district.

DC of BMP Md Khairul Alam has

been posted as the SP of Kushtia district,

DC of CMP Mohammad

Shahidullah to Patuakhali district as SP

and SP of the CID Milo Mia Biswash

has been Commandant as In Service

Training Centre of 6th APBn,

Mohalchhari in Khagrachari district.

Pallabi's top terror

Mamun arrested

DHAKA : Dhaka Metropolitan Police's

(DMPs) counter terrorism investigation

department arrested Md Mofijur

Rahman Mamun, a top terror from

capital's Pallabi area, early Monday.

Mamun, who was convicted and sentenced

to life imprisonment in absentia,

was arrested from Baitun Nur Jame

Masjid area of Pallabi at round 6.40am

on Monday, a DMP press release said.

"Police had information about an

anti-state criminal gang, which is plotting

to destabilize the country through

target killing and indiscriminate violence.

This gang was trying to collect

weapons from black market. Counter

terrorism department started shadow

investigation over the matter and conducted

the raid and managed to detain

this person acting on suspicion," the

release added.

After primary investigation and interrogation,

police finally got to learn the

arrestee is none other than Mamun,

who has total 27 cases of extortion,

murder, drugs, illegal weapons, and

dacoiti and 15 arrest warrants against

him.

Zohr

05:21 AM

12:18 PM

04:12 PM

05:53 PM

07:10 PM

6:36 5:50

Wear facemasks even

after taking Covid-19

vaccine:PM

DHAKA : Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina on Monday called upon all to

wear facemasks and wash hands even

after taking the Covid-19 vaccine.

"All will have to continue wearing

masks and washing hands. Even the

vaccinated people have to follow the

same. Don't think you are safe as you

have already taken vaccine. We have to

be careful," she said.

Presiding over the weekly cabinet

meeting virtually from her official

Ganabhaban residence in the capital,

the premier said that she has already

given an instruction to pursue the

health guidelines properly.

In this connection, she said she has

already instructed the concerned ministry

regarding nationwide vaccination.

She asked authorities concerned to

reduce the age limit of commoners to

40 years from 55 to get their names registered

to take the COVID-19 vaccine

aimed at expanding the vaccination

programme.

She also instructed to introduce a system

as a registered person can come to

the immunization centres along with

his or her father, mother or any elderly

person to take vaccine.

Vulture protection

Cabinet clears proposal

to ban Ketoprofen

DHAKA : The Cabinet on Monday

approved a proposal to stop the production

of 'Ketoprofen' drug in an effort to

save the critically-endangered vultures,

reports UNB.

The approval came from the weekly

cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired

the meeting, joining it virtually from

Ganobhaban.

"Some 50,000 vultures had been

there in Bangladesh during the 1970s,

but its population has alarmingly

declined. Now there are only 260 vultures

in the country, according to the

count of the Environment Ministry,"

said Cabinet Secretary Khandker

Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters

after the meeting.

The Environment Ministry placed the

proposal saying that if the Ketoprofen

supply cannot be stopped, the vulture

population will vanish from

Bangladesh, he said.

In the proposal, they suggested

The prime minister said there are

some confusions among the village people

about the vaccine which, she hope,

will go away soon.

Sheikh Hasina said her government

will give the second dose of the Covid-19

vaccine within one and a half months

despite the effectiveness of the vaccine

remain for even two or three months.

The prime minister mentioned that

the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

is being administered within eight

to 12 weeks in London after taking the

first dose.

"Second dose of the vaccine can be

taken within three months. But, we want

to give the second dose a bit earlier. We

want to administer the second dose by

one and a half months," she added.

In this connection, she said they have

to look into the matter that the date of

the COVID-19 vaccine does not expire.

The prime minister asked all concerned

to take measures to bring the

frontliners such as physicians, people

involved with extending healthcare

services, law enforcing personnel and

members of other forces who are working

actively under the coronavirus vaccination.

'Meloxicam' as an alternative to

'Ketoprofen' drug sine meloxicam is

available in the market and its sideeffect

is very light, Anwarul added.

Nature conservationists have long

been demanding that the vulture-toxic

drug, 'Ketoprofen', should be banned

for saving the country's vulture population

from extinction.

Bangladesh earlier banned

'Diclofenac', the most harmful drug for

the vulture population.

Vultures play a critical role in maintaining

a balanced ecosystem by controlling

the spread of diseases to

human.

Unfortunately, over 99.9 percent of

the vultures of South Asia have disappeared

over the past couple of decades.

The threats the vultures of

Bangladesh face are numerous, but the

primary threat was the veterinary

painkilling drugs, which have been the

sole reason for the unprecedented vulture

tragedy of South Asia.

10-yr jail for

negligence to babies

at daycare centres

DHAKA : The Cabinet on Monday

approved the draft of the Child Daycare

Centre Bill-2020 with a provision of 10

years' jail as the maximum punishment

for failure to ensure safety and security

of children in daycare centres, reports

UNB.

The bill was placed aiming to support

the children of the professional and

working women as the number of

nuclear families is increasing day by

day amid the gradual breakdown of the

joint family tradition in the country.

The approval came from the weekly

cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired

the meeting, joining it virtually from

Ganobhaban.

"Today the child daycare centre bill

was given the final approval, subject to

the scrutiny of the legislative division,"

said Cabinet Secretary Khandker

Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters

after the meeting.

As per the proposed law, registration

will be required to run the child daycare

centres and there would be a separate

authority in this regard.

"No one can run any child daycare

centre without any approval following

enactment of the law, otherwise it will

be treated as an offence," said the

Cabinet Secretary adding that the existing

daycare centres will have to get registered

within six months after the passage

of the bill.

As per the bill, the maximum punishment

for acts threatening lives of children,

negligence in duty or brutal

behaviours with children in daycare

centres would be a ten-year imprisonment.

The provision for a big financial

penalty or both is also there, he said.

"If any child is lost from a daycare

centre due to negligence, the highest

punishment is the 10-year imprisonment

or fine by Tk five lakh," he said

Traffic congestion

on the main road

which has

shrunk due to

construction work

on the Metrorail,

has been

intensifying.

Unbearable

traffic jams have

ruined working

hours as well as

ordinary passengers.

The picture

was taken from

Bangla Motor area

on Monday.

Photo : Star Mail

DHAKA : People aged 40 years and

above now can get registered to receive

COVID-19 vaccines, said Health and

Family Welfare Minister Zahid

Maleque yesterday.

"Now people aged 40 years and above

will be able to get registered to receive

COVID-19 vaccines, while as the frontline

fighters, the health officials of both

private and public hospitals will get priority

in vaccination," he said.

To this end, decisions were taken in

line with the instruction of the cabinet

meeting on Monday with Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

According to earlier decision of the government,

people aged 55 years and above

were only eligible for taking vaccines but

the decision has been revised a day after

launching of the countrywide COVID-19

vaccination campaign yesterday.

"The health minister has already

directed the authorities concerned to

bring commoners aged 40 years and

above under coronavirus inoculation

coverage," senior information officer of

the ministry Maidul Islam told BSS.

Additional Director General of

Directorate General of Health Services

(DGHS) Prof Nasima Sultana said:

"Like healthcare professionals, doctors,

nurses of both public and private hospitals

will now be given priority in vaccination."

But, she said, medical professionals

and other staff of private hospitals

Journalists

staged demo

at the Dhaka

Reporters

'Unity premises

in the capital's

Segunbagicha

on Monday

protesting

threat to kill

Baishakhi

Television staff

reporter Kazi

Farid and chief

news editor

Saiful Islam

by sending

shrouds.

Photo : Star Mail

People aged 40 and above to get

COVID-19 vaccines : Maleque

DHAKA : BNP on Monday urged the

government to prove the Qatar-based

news channel Al Jazeera's recent report

on Bangladesh 'false', and promised to

cooperate with it in this regard.

"We didn't liberate the country to hear

Bangladesh is run by mafias and it has

become a mafia state. We don't want to

hear it at a time of our independence's

golden jubilee," said BNP standing committee

member Mirza Abbas, reports

UNB.

Speaking at a protest rally, he said, "We

would like to tell the government you

please prove everything that came in Al

Jazeera (report) is a lie. We'll support you

and cooperate with you, but you prove it."

As part of BNP's countrywide programme,

its Dhaka south and north city

units jointly arranged the programme in

front of the Jatiya Press Club, marking

the third anniversary of the imprisonment

of its Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a

graft case.

Abbas said the government is making

'hollow statements' over the Al Jazeera

report instead of refuting it with facts and

would receive vaccines from designated

public hospitals.

"We consider medical professionals

of both public and private hospitals as

front liners….so they (healthcare professionals

of public and private hospitals)

will be vaccinated giving equal

importance," she added.

Prof Nasima said the vaccination campaign

is underway at 50 hospitals in

Dhaka city and 1,005 hospitals outside

the capital, while the immunisation began

at 8 am and will continue till 2.30 pm.

But some hospitals will continue the

vaccination programme throughout the

day, she said.

The inoculation would be administered

among people at public hospitals

up to upazila level while over four lakh

people so far got registered to receive

vaccines, Prof Nasima added.

The frontline workers are to get the vaccines

on priority basis in line with a list of

officials, she said, adding they included

452,027 government healthcare professionals

and employees and approved

600,000 private healthcare professionals.

Director General of Directorate

General of Health Services (DGHS)

Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad

Khurshid Alam said healthcare professionals

including doctors, nurses and

other staff of government-run hospitals

were only allowed to be vaccinated on

the first day of countrywide COVID-19

vaccination campaign.

Prove Al Jazeera report

false:BNP to govt

evidence.

He came down hard on Foreign

Minister AK Abdul Momen for his comment

that Bangladesh is going to sue Al

Jazeera channel for airing the report "All

the Prime Minister's Men" with incorrect

information.

"There's a minister...I hate to utter his

name as he used to make unguarded

comments and what he says all are nonsense.

He (minister) said they'll sue (Al

Jazeera). Don't waste time saying what

you can't do. If you can sue, show it by filing

a case," Abbas said.

He said it is regrettable that the nation

has to hear at the time of the golden

jubilee of independence that Bangladesh

is a "mafia state".

Another BNP standing committee

member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said all

that have been published in Al-Jazeera

are just a trivial part of huge corruption in

Bangladesh.

He said the government is ignoring the

report by registering its normal protest as

per its habit. "You have to prove that Al

Jazeera is not right.

TUESDAY, fEBrUArY 9, 2021

2

Man jailed for attempted

rape of 3-year-old

niece in Hili

HILI : A Dinajpur court on

Monday sent a man to jail

as he allegedly tried to rape

his 3-year-old niece in

Ghorashal of Dinajpur.

The accused, Lal Mia, is

48 said Officer-in-Charge

of Ghorashal Police Station

Md Ajim Uddin.

The victim's aunt filed a

case under Women and

Children Repression

Prevention Act with

Ghorashal Police Station

on Sunday night in this

regard.

According to the case

statement, the child was

playing alone on Sunday

afternoon when her uncle

violated her. Locals rushed

to the spot after hearing the

victim scream and admitted

her in a hospital in

severe condition.

World's immunity growth against COVID-19

may lead to normal life in Aug: Kremlin

MOSCOW : The share of the planet's population

with the immunity against coronavirus

will reach 60% this summer, allowing

to return to life in August 'with the visor

raised,' Russian Presidential Spokesman

Dmitry Peskov told TASS.

According to Peskov, it will depend heavily

on the immunity development against

COVID-19 among the planet's population

and it can be developed by the mid-summer.

"I believe that it can happen by the middle

of the summer," he said. "In other

words, the month of August will be 'with

the raised visor' as they say."

He reminded that, according to calculations

of immunologists, about 60% of the

planet's population must develop the

immunity, both by natural and artificial

means. "It seems to me that such immunization

must evolve sometime around the

middle of the summer," Peskov said.

In late December 2019, Chinese officials

notified the World Health Organization

Inception meeting of Out of School Children Education Program was held

in Gaibandha yesterday.

Photo : PBA

(WHO) about the outbreak of a previously

unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan,

in central China. Since then, cases of the

novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by

the WHO - have been reported in every

corner of the globe.

On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared

the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

According to the latest statistics, over

106,671,370 people have been infected

worldwide and more than 2,326,720

deaths have been reported. In addition, so

far, over 78,361,490 individuals have

recovered from the illness across the globe.

To date, over 3.9 million coronavirus

cases have been confirmed in Russia,

with more than 3.4 million patients having

recovered from the disease. Russia's

latest data indicates about 76,700 fatalities

nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government

set up an Internet hotline to

keep the public updated on the coronavirus

situation.

Teenage boy's

hanging body

found in Magura

MAGURA : The hanging body

of a teenage boy was recovered

from Bararia village in

Magura district on Monday,

reports UNB.

The deceased was identified

as Jakariya Fakir, 15, a student

of class X of Balidia School.

Family sources said Jakaria

had an argument with his

father on Monday morning.

Later they found Jakaria's

body hanging from the ceiling.

Nursery owners are busy for caring nursery to make up the loss during the coronation period. The

picture is taken from Bhatgram Union, Gaibandha Sadullapur Upazila on Monday. Photo: PBA

Asian markets track Wall St

records on stimulus optimism

HONG KONG : Hopes that US lawmakers

would pass Joe Biden's huge stimulus

package helped push Asian markets higher

again Monday, while traders were also

cheered by falling infection rates and the

rollout of vaccines, reports BSS.

After a rout at the end of January, the

global rally across equities appeared to be

back on track, despite concerns that valuations

may have become a little too

frothy.

A well-below-forecast jobs report out of

the US ramped up expectations that

Congress would pass Biden's $1.9 trillion

spending bill in the next few weeks.

Figures showed the economy created

less than half the jobs than expected last

month, which analysts said reinforced the

need for a new, big rescue package to go

alongside the Federal Reserve's ultraloose

monetary policy."The US January

employment report is nearly perfect from

a market point of view as it will justify

full-throttle stimulus from both monetary

and fiscal concerns," said Axi strategist

Stephen Innes.

"For President Biden in particular, payrolls

make quite a big difference, providing

the justification he needs to go full

steam ahead towards $1.9 trillion.

Unquestionably… there will be a growing

belief that he could get relatively close to

that number through reconciliation."

All three main indexes on Wall Street

ended on a positive note, with the Nasdaq

and S&P 500 clocking up new records,

and Asia followed suit to extend last

week's strong gains.

Brexit and Covid slash UK

exports to EU: report

LONDON :Brexit and coronavirus have

slashed the volume of surface freight leaving

Britain for the European Union by 68 percent

from last January, according to figures

published in The Observer on Sunday,

reports BSS.

The stark drop in goods carried on ferries

and through the Channel tunnel was registered

by lobby group the Road Haulage

Association (RHA) after a survey of its international

members, said the weekly.

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett has

sent a letter to minister Michael Gove warning

that the new checks required since

Britain fully left the EU's single market on

January 1 were deterring exporters from

shipping to the continent.

He said the government had only hired

around 20 percent of the extra border staff

needed to process the extra paperwork.

"Michael Gove is the master of extracting

information from you and giving nothing

back," Burnett told the newspaper.

"Pretty much every time we have written

over the last six months he has not responded

in writing."

Britain sent around £294 billion ($403 billion,

335 billion euros) of goods to the EU in

2019, accounting for around 43 percent of its

total exports, according to official figures.

ECB's Lagarde says

cancelling Covid

debts 'unthinkable'

PARIS : European Central

Bank (ECB) chief Christine

Lagarde on Sunday rejected

calls to cancel debts run

up by eurozone members

to buttress their economies

during the Covid-19 crisis,

reports BSS.

The ECB has taken

unprecedented steps to

cushion the economic blow

from the pandemic in the

19-nation euro area,

launching a massive bondbuying

scheme that has so

far totalled 1.85 trillion

euros ($2.2 trillion).

"Cancelling that debt is

unthinkable," Lagarde told

France's Le Journal du

Dimanche weekly.

"It would be a violation of

the European treaty which

strictly forbids monetary

financing of states," she

said, calling it one of the

"founding pillars" of the

euro single currency.

She was reacting to a call

Friday by more than 100

economists for the ECB to

further boost the economic

recovery of eurozone members

by forgiving their

debts.

In the letter published in

several leading European

newspapers, the economists

noted that a quarter

of the public debt of nations

that use the euro - 2.5 trillion

euros ($3.0 trillion) -

was now held by the ECB.

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TUESDAY, fEBRUARY 9, 2021

3

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury MP taking the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

at BSMMU in Dhaka on Monday.

Photo : Courtesy

Don't get confused

over vaccine

propaganda: Food

Minister

DHAKA : Food Minister

Sadhan Chandra Majumder

on Monday urged people not

to get puzzled over the

propaganda regarding the

Covid-19 vaccine.

"A vested quarter has been

involved in spreading

propaganda against the

country since the country's

independence and when

Bangladesh signed the deal

with India they said the

vaccine would not come to

the country. But the vaccine

has arrived for. Now they

have started spreading

rumours about vaccine," he

said, reports UNB.

The Minister came up with

the remark while talking to

reporters after taking a jab of

Covid-19 vaccine at 250-bed

TB Hospital in Shyamoli on

Monday. Many countries in

the world are yet to get

vaccine but Bangladesh has

been able to collect

coronavirus vaccine quickly

due to diplomatic success of

Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina, he added.

300,000 hectares

of cropland made

bare by unplanned

Beanibazar sluice gate

BEANIBAZAR : An

unplanned sluice gate at

Karsati canal and Kushira

River's connecting point in

Sylhet's Beanibazar upazila

has turned around 3 lakh

hectares of crop land barren

according to the Upazila

Agricultural office.

People of at least 35

villages in 3 unions of

Beanibazar are finding it

difficult to cultivate crops

due to the sluice gate,

reports UNB.

Local sources said almost

12 years ago, at the request

of the Kurarbazar locals, this

sluice gate was established

to aid communication

systems with the Sylhet-

Zakiganj-Beanibazar road.

However the sluice gate is of

no help in conserving the

water flow and dried up the

region, has become

uncultivable. Also the sluice

gate has created scarcity of

local fish in the adjacent

water bodies. Habib Ahmed

Dutta Chowdhury area's

liberation war researcher

said, 'in the flood season

Kushiyara River's water

won't flow through the

unplanned sluice gate as a

result Karsati canal gets

filled up with soil.'

Bianibazar Upazila

Nirbahi Officer (UNO)

Moushumi Mahbub said,

'locals have already

informed us about the issue.

Letter for taking effective

measures will soon be sent

to the Water Development

Board (WDB) and others

involved'.

According to the sources,

Karsati sluice gate was

mentioned in the

government's plan with no

prior excavation work, water

used to clog and agriculture

would get hampered.

BUILD urges govt to

revisit SME policy

DHAKA : The Business Initiatives Leading

Development (BUILD), a joint initiative of

DCCI, MCCI and CCCI, has urged the

government to revisit the SME policy.

It has also urged the government to clarify

the definition of CMSME & WE, Logistics in

the upcoming National Industrial Policy 2021.

The urge came from the 7th meeting of the

SME Development Working Committee of

BUILD held yesterday. The meeting was cochaired

by KM Ali Azam, Secretary, Ministry

of Industries and Mahbubul Alam,

President, Chittagong Chamber of

Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Ferdaus Ara Begum CEO, BUILD made

two key note presentations on Industrial

Policy 2016 and Support for CMSMEs in

Bangladesh & Revisiting the Action Plan of

SME Policy 2019 to Address COVID-19

Situation, said a press release.

Industries Secretary KM Ali Azam said to

attain the goals set by the government by

2041, it is very essential to implement

demand-based individual cottage, micro,

small, medium & large industries.

He also said that the Ministry of Industries

will consider all the recommendations

placed by BUILD in the National Industrial

Policy 2021. CCCI President Mahbubul Alam

in his welcome speech said that there is no

alternative for harmonized and

synchronized policy advocacy for sustainable

Monthly Annual Development Program (ADP) Implementation Review Meeting

was held on Monday on online platforms.

Photo : Courtesy

ADP review meeting of

ICT dept held

DHAKA : The Annual Development

Program (ADP) Implementation review

meeting of Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) Department for the

financial year 2020-21 was held yesterday

virtually.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed

Palak presided over the meeting while Senior

Secretary of ICT Division NM Ziaul Alam,

heads of ICT Department, Bangladesh Hi-

Tech Park Authority, Bangladesh Computer

Council and Department of Information and

Communication Technology and other

project managers attended it, a press release

said.

The meeting discussed in details

implementation plans of the projects

undertaken by the ICT department in the

current financial year, monthly

achievements and realistic financial targets

and recruitment of manpower.

It also discussed the financial and practical

progress of the below projects:

Access to Information (a2i) Programme,

Connected Bangladesh Project,

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-tech Park

Rajshahi Project, Kaliakoir Hi-tech Park and

SME growth in Bangladesh. He said around

99 percent of the industries in Bangladesh

belong to the SME sector while this sector

contributes to 86 percent of the total

employment generation in Bangladesh.

"The constraints faced by the SMEs need

to be addressed in the upcoming Industrial

Policy and SME Policy properly," added

Mahbubul. The CCCI President also drew

the attention of the government to ensure

ease of financing for the WEs.

The CEO of BUILD informed that among

26 recommendations placed before the 6th

SMEDWC, 10 have been implemented while

2 are in process. She stressed the need for

inclusion of logistics as a high priority sector

in the National Industrial Policy 2021.

Ferdous Ara said Bangladesh is going to

graduate from the LDC status by 2024 and

this will be a huge achievement for the

country. On the other hand, she said

Bangladesh would lose some preferential

treatment in the export market. "To attain

sustainable cost competitiveness, there is no

alternative for improving the logistics

scenario in Bangladesh," she added.

She emphasized the need for designing the

action plan for ensuring fruitful

implementation of the ensuing National

Industrial Policy 2021 by addressing the

impact of COVID-19 in the socioeconomic

context.

other Hi-tech Parks Development Project,

Digital Security Agency Establishment and

Necessary Infrastructure Development

Project, Sheikh Russel Digital Lab Project,

Mobile Game and Application Skills

Development Project, Learning and Earning

Development Project, Sheikh Kamal IT

Training and Incubation Center

Establishment Project, Innovation and

Entrepreneur Development Academy

Establishment Project.

The heads of the agencies and the project

managers presented the implementation

plans and the latest progress of their

respective projects at the meeting.

Palak gave necessary instructions to the

project managers to complete the work of the

projects on time in maintaining the quality

as per the work plan.

The meeting also directed the concerned to

fill the vacancies in the projects including

High-tech parks under the ICT Department.

According to the release, ADP has

allocated Taka 1414.69 crore to 26 projects

including technology under the ICT

department in the current financial year

(2020-21).

CDCS Director, French

Ambassador visit

Rohingya camps

DHAKA : Director of the

Crisis and Support Center

(CDCS) Eric Chevallier has

recently visited the

Rohingya camps in Cox's

Bazar along with French

Ambassador Jean-Marin

Schuh, reports UNB.

They met people from the

Rohingya community and

shared views with women,

kids and doctors at the

camps and possible

opportunities for

repatriation, said the

Embassy on Monday.

They visited one of the

Ideas Boxes managed by

Bibliotheques sans

Frontieres and inaugurated

a Community Resource

Center managed by

Medecins du Monde, both

being funded by the CDCS.

MIST wins global

medical robotics

competition

DHAKA : A Military

Institute of Science and

Technology (MIST) team

has become the winner of

the global "Medical Robotics

for Contagious Diseases

Challenge 2020."

A team of MIST students

has been awarded £5,000 as

championship prize money

in the application category,

reports UNB.

Team MIST won the

award for developing a UVC

disinfection robot named

"UVC Purge V.2." Other two

winners in competition are

Johns Hopkins University -

in the "Innovation" category

- and Leeds University - in

the "Design" category.

Imperial College of London

organised the multi-round

qualifying and prestigious

global competition. And UK

Robotics and Autonomous

System Network sponsored

it. The online award

ceremony was held on

February 4, said the Inter

Service Public Relations

(ISPR) Directorate on

Monday.

CJ urges lawyers

to get vaccinated

DHAKA : Chief Justice Syed

Mahmud Hossain, who

received his first dose of the

COVID-19

vaccine

yesterday, urged lawyers to

get vaccinated.

"We've taken the vaccine

yesterday and doing fine and

conducting the trial today.

You should also get

vaccinated," he said to

lawyers connected virtually

during Appellate Division

hearing on Monday.

Attorney General AM

Amin Uddin in reply said he

would take the vaccine

today. The chief justice, at

the time, also urged senior

lawyers AJ Mohammad Ali,

Barrister Ruhul Quddus

Kazal and Barrister AM

Mahbub Uddin Khokon to

take the vaccine.

Vaccination of

COVID-19 continues

in Khulna

KHULNA : Mass

Vaccination campaign for

coronavirus (COVID-19) is

continuing in the city as

elsewhere in the district

amidst fanfare yesterday

A total of 1290 citizens

have been inoculated in all

nine upazila health

complexes and city's

government hospital from

8a m to 4pm of Monday,

says Dr Sabrina Snigdha,

Medical Officer of Khulna

general hospital.

In Khulna city, 685

citizens have been took the

first round of shot . Of them

507 are men and 178 are

women. In nine upazila of

the district, 605 people took

vaccination. Of them, 441

are men and 164 are women,

she said, adding that huge

people are thronging in all

inoculation centers.

Industries Minister

Majid attended Law and

order committee meet

NARSINGDI : The monthly Law and order

committee meeting was held at Deputy

Commissioner's conference room yesterday.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud

Humayun attended the meeting as chief

guest while Parliament Members Dr

Anwarul Ashraf Khan Dileep and Jahirul

Hoque Mohan were also present as special

guests respectively.

Deputy Commissioner and also the

District Magistrate, Narsingdi Syeda

Farhana Kawnine presided over the meeting

.The meeting discussed on the present law

and order situation in the district including

terrorism, militancy ,drug trafficking and

other crimes for ensuring safety and security

of the people .

Superintendent of Police Narsingdi Kazi

A team of students from the Military Institute of Science and

Technology (MIST) won the 'Medical Robotics for Contagious Diseases

Challenges 2020' (Application Division).

Photo : Courtesy

Germany to support country's

textile education: UGC

DHAKA : GIZ, a German-based

organisation, has expressed interest in

providing more technical assistance to the

country's textile education sector and

creation of skilled human resources in it.

A three-member delegation, led by UGC

member (administration) Professor

Muhammad Alamgir and GIZ's project

manager Christian Bachmann, expressed

interest to start a new project while

conducting a meeting in this regard, said a

press release here.

The company has proposed a new project

called 'Higher Education and Leadership

Development for Sustainable Textiles in

Bangladesh (HELD)'.

The proposed three-year project is expected

to start this year to assist the Government of

Ashraful Azim BPM, Civil Surgeon Dr Nurul

Islam, Mayor of Madhobdi Municipality

Hossain Manik, President of Narsingdi Press

Club Makhan Das, Secretary Mazaharul

Parvez, Former Muktijuddah Commander

Abdul Motaleb Pathan, Secretary of Shibpur

Upazila Awami League Shumsul Islam

Rakhil, and President of Narsingdi Chamber

of commerce and Industry Ali Hossain

Shishir also addressed.

The Minister called upon all to carry out

ongoing mammoth development works of

the country facing all conspiracies politically.

Majid expressed satisfaction that

terrorism, militancy and other pressing

criminal issues are under control in the

district and the criminal acts are also

declining in the district.

BCL to form college, university

level committee

DHAKA : Bangladesh Chhatra League

(BCL), the students' wing of ruling Awami

League (AL), will form its committee for

all educational institutions including

colleges and universities after reopening

of the country's educational institutions.

"Committee for all the educational

institutions including colleges,

universities and halls will be announced

soon after reopening of all educational

institutions of the country as we should

not announce any committee without the

presence of the students," BCL central

General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee

told BSS.

As of now, BCL has announced

committee for 13 districts through issuing

press release instead of holding council

considering the pandemic situation while

committee for no university or college

except Dhaka University have been

announced after the last council on May

11-12 in 2018.

"The rest of districts and metropolitan

cities except Dhaka will be announced by

holding council in limited scale with inperson

presence at an auditorium or

conference room if possible. Otherwise

we've to announce it through issuing

press release," Lekhak added.

Besides, committee for those districts,

which have no existing committee, will

also be announced through press release

as without leaders, it's not possible to

hold a council, he continued.

Committee for the halls of Dhaka

University will also be announced once

the university and the dormitories are

open fully, he further said.

On January 31, BCL announced its 68-

member extended committee with 25 vice

presidents and a joint secretary.

Earlier in May, 2019, BCL announced

its 301-member full-fledged committee

one year after its last council, led by

former BCL president Rezwanul Haque

Chowdhury Shovon and its general

secretary Golam Rabbani.

On May 11-12 in 2018, the ruling party's

student wing held its last council and

Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon and

Golam Rabbani became president and

general secretary on July 31.

On September 14, 2019, Al Nahiyan

Khan Joy and Lekhak Bhattacharya were

made acting president and general

secretary of the student front after

removal of Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury

Shovon and Golam Rabbani from their

respective posts.

Later, on 4 January, 2020, Awami

League President and Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina declared Al Nahiyan Khan

Joy and Lekhak Bhattacharya as

president and general secretary

respectively of BCL at Suhrawardy Udyan

marking the 72nd founding anniversary

of BCL.

Bangladesh in implementing the Sustainable

Development Goals 2030 Development

Policy, the release added.

UGC Secretary (additional responsibilities)

Ferdous Zaman, Additional Director of

Planning and Development of the

Commission Durga Rani Sarkar and Deputy

Director Roxana Laila were present, among

others.

The project, worth about Taka 300 million

(three million euros), would help in the

expansion of higher education and building

skilled human resources in the textile sector

in Bangladesh.

It will also develop research in the textile and

ready-made garments sector of the country

and enhance the skills of the managers

engaged in the sector.

TuesDaY, FeBruarY 9, 2021

4

What we need to do to eradicate leprosy

Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam

e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Al Jazeera smears its

own credibility

The Qatar based media conglomerate, Al

Jazeera, no doubt tried to carve out an

image as an independent global media

network that targeted to break the worldwide

monopoly of western media agencies such as

BBC, CNN, etc. Riding high on Arab and Islamic

sentiments, it might have created an appeal for a

while. But it is doubtful whether this appeal

lingers on or whether its image has been

plummeting due to the unholy external influences

that have purportedly made deep inroads into it.

For quite some time, this degradation of the

media mogul has been discussed, murmured and

criticized. But recently, sharp degradation in its

quality and contents of reporting have been noted

and if it keeps on being like this, Al-Jazeera is sure

to experience a nosedive in its acceptability

sooner than later. Therefore , this media network

runs the risk of losing its popularity for the sheer

reasons of its dwindling lack of ethics in

practicing objective behaviour in reporting and

commenting among other things.

How disgraceful and lacking in code of conduct

Al Jazeera has been is seen in one of its recent

focuses on Bangladesh. The focus styled as All the

Prime Minister's Men is a remarkable example of

bad media operation to say the least. Its blunder

starts from the heading of the documentary when

it starts off with the sweeping generalization-all

the Prime Minister's men-sparing none in the

close circle of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as if

the PM and her layered large number of close

associates all form a Mafia type of coterie. This

cannot be a reasonable proposition because the

world as a whole meaning international

organizations, UN agencies and heads of leading

governments round the world are full of the

highest praises for Sheikh Hasina and her

government for its uncontestable sound deeds.

Al-Jazeera, if it wishes to prove to the contrary,

needs to present irrefutable proofs of finding

otherwise and above reproach to even start

making the sort of allegations it really has against

our PM and her close associates. It must present

concrete evidences or tangible proofs ( as distinct

from mere assumptions or mere verbal

accusations ) in order to provide any basis for its

charges. That it did not, very probably because it

could not, amply shows how fictitious or

unethical the charges it levelled against the PM

and her colleagues. For all practical purposes, Al

Jazeera's documentary is full of make believe

stories in circulation, unsubstantiated accounts

and only comments thereof that cannot have any

locus standi in a fair court of law.

For these reasons alone Al Jazeera has made

itself perfectly fit to be tried in an appropriate

international court for spreading misinformation

and baseless stories on our PM and colleagues

thus lowering their prestige and good name. Such

a lodging of a defamation case seeking legal

action leading to meting out of suitable

punishment and compensation is now overdue.

Al Jazeera and the likes of it must be sent firm

signals from now on that such unjustified and

undeserved intervention in the affairs of a fully

sovereign and self respecting country will have no

easy sailing from now on. If they have an axe to

grind while keeping their existence safe, then they

must play by the internationally and universally

upheld rules relevant to the issues failing which

they would be required to suffer penalties.

Al Jazeera's attitude and actual conduct has

been outrageously shorn of even minimum

decency, consideration and responsibility. It is

not unreasonable for us to conclude therefore

that its wild attack on the head of our government

and her team must have been politically

motivated and inspired. The news agency could

not have started this all by itself without the lure

of pecuniary gains. They may have been paid off

by vested interests groups which have existence

either within Bangladesh or outside of it. Our

security agencies need to investigate these angles

and come up with the truth. The findings must be

a part of the defamation case that should be

started by our government against Al Jazeera and

its partners in the matter.

On 31st

January

World

Leprosy Day was

observed across the

country through

various programs

and activities. The

day has been celebrated on the last

Sunday of January every year since 1953

to raise public awareness about leprosy.

The day was introduced by Raoul

Follereau, a French philanthropist and

one of the founders of the International

Federation of Anti-Leprosy

Associations (ILEP). He chose the third

Sunday after Epiphany in the Catholic

calendar --- the day on which Jesus

Christ is said to have helped a leper to be

healed. Incidentally, the day was

January 30 --- the death anniversary of

Mahatma Gandhi, who was a lifelong

voice against the neglect and

deprivation of lepers in society. For this

reason, Leprosy Day is observed in

India on January 30 every year.

Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases

recorded in human history. The disease

has been mentioned in the religious

texts of the three major religions of the

world, namely Hindu, Christian and

Muslim. It is found in the legends of

almost all the oldest civilizations of the

world including Egypt, China, Greece,

Rome, India, etc. It is believed that the

history of this disease is four thousand

years old. The earliest skeletal evidence

of the disease is found in India, which

dates back to around 2000 BC.

However, even though people became

acquainted with the disease thousands

of years ago, they did not know the exact

cause. Nor did they have any treatment

for it. As a result, for hundreds of

thousands of years, various illusory

ideas and superstitions have been at the

center of this disease, the cruel victims

of which have been oppressed and

persecuted in the society from

generation to generation, year after

year. Somewhere it is thought to be the

curse of God and somewhere the crop of

wickedness. Although they did not

know much about the causes or

remedies of the disease, the people

understood that the disease could be

contagious and spread from person to

person. As a result, being the victim of

the selfishness of the society, they

turned to be untouchable, outcast, and

even exiled from the locality in some

cases.

The day has changed. Today, thanks to

modern science, we are well aware of the

causes and symptoms of leprosy and

progression of the disease. We also have

its effective treatment under our control.

The milestone in the course of this

trajectory was the groundbreaking

discovery by the Norwegian scientist

Gerhard Hansen in 1873. The scientist

proved through his research that leprosy

is actually a microbial disease caused by

The UAE's 50-year journey defined by Hope

At 7.42pm UAE time on Tuesday,

the UAE's Hope probe, the first

Arab interplanetary mission, is

expected to reach Mars, having traveled

more than 426 million km since its

launch on July 20 last year.

The timing is no coincidence. Hope

will reach Mars in the year we celebrate

the 50th anniversary of our founding in

1971 - the perfect symbol for a nation

that has also traveled a great distance in

a very short time. In just five decades,

we have become a modern, dynamic

hub that plays an important role on the

regional and global stages.

Though we take pride in these

achievements, the focus as we mark our

half-century is on the lessons we can

draw from our experiences that have

prepared us for the future.

Building a nation on the principles of

tolerance, openness and acceptance has

paid rich dividends for the UAE in every

sense. Ours is one of the most diverse

populations in the world, with people of

many different nationalities and

religions living, working and

worshipping side by side. People -

especially young people - from all over

the world want to make the UAE their

home to build a better life for

themselves, with it being rated the

region's top country to live and work in

for the ninth year running, according to

the Arab Youth Survey.

Upholding our traditions while

constantly looking to develop our

practices to reflect our place

internationally requires careful

balancing, but the overall trend is one of

Dr MoHaMMaD DiDare alaM MuHsiN

a slow-growing bacterium known to us

today as Mycobacterium leprae. Since

then, the disease has also become

known as Hansen's disease.

The discovery of the antibiotic Dapson

in the 1940s had been the first

significant success in the treatment of

leprosy. One of the limitations of this

drug was that it had to be taken for many

years, often lifelong, which made it

difficult to ensure patient's adherence to

the course of treatment. Nevertheless, it

has been the mainstay of leprosy

treatment for almost two decades.

However, in the 1960s, Mycobacterium

leprae began to become resistant to

Dapson. During this time two new

antibiotics, rifampicin and clofazimine,

were discovered. Combination of these

two antibiotics with Dapson was found

to be very effective in the treatment of

leprosy. This multi-drug therapy (MDT)

has been used to treat leprosy ever since.

This treatment regimen provides quick

improvement in patient's condition.

However, treatment may need to be

continued for up to two years to ensure

that the disease does not recur.

The causative organism Mycobacterium

leprae spreads from the patient in the

atmosphere as droplets during coughing

and sneezing. If a genetically predisposed,

immunologically compromised person stays

in close contact with such a patient for a

long time and repeatedly inhales

contaminated droplets released from

the patient when coughing or sneezing,

he may be infected. The immunity of the

person concerned is very important

here. In fact, 95% of adults do not get

infected even after exposure due to their

strong immunity. There is almost no

possibility of spreading this disease

through touch. This is because the germ

of this disease cannot penetrate the

intact skin. Symptoms of the disease

usually appear in the body 3 to 5 years

after the germs enter the body. In some

cases it can take up to 15 to 20 years for

symptoms to appear. The disease mainly

affects the peripheral nerves, skin, eyes

and the mucous membranes of the

upper respiratory tract. There may be

light and dark patches/ nodules on the

skin and subsequent sores, reduced or

lost sensation in the affected parts,

tingling and weakness in the hands and

feet and swelling in the face and

earlobes. If left untreated, the disease

later can cause progressive and

permanent sequelae, including

progress. Last year, substantial updates

were made to our laws regarding

investment, foreign ownership, divorce,

alcohol, and criminal conduct,

reflecting the principles of tolerance

and support for women's rights, while

strengthening our position as a hub that

attracts people of all backgrounds.

This domestic outlook feeds into our

relations with other countries: We favor

pragmatism over dogmatic inflexibility.

The historic Abraham Accords of 2020,

in which the UAE established

diplomatic relations with Israel, were

born from our desire to shape a

progressive and realistic future for the

region. The previous status quo simply

wasn't working; it was time to update

our thinking and develop a new strategy

to try to overcome long-standing issues.

The Hope probe is the perfect

symbol for a nation that has also

traveled a great distance in a very

short time.

This brings me to a third principle:

Our conviction that multilateral

alliances and global institutions are the

oMar GHoBasH

deformities and mutilations, reduced

limb mobility and even blindness.

There has been significant progress in

leprosy control in the world since the

introduction of Multi Drug Therapy

(MDT). Statistics show that the number

of leprosy patients in the world has come

down from 5.2 million in the 1980s to

200,000 today. However, one big

concern is, if you have a look at the

statistics of last 10 years, you will see

that more than 200,000 new cases have

been identified every year. According to

the World Health Organization's 2019

statistics, 56 percent of them have been

identified in India. It is followed by

Brazil (13.6%), Indonesia (8.5%), Nepal

(1.9%) and Bangladesh (1.8%). For 10

years from 2010 to 2019, almost every

year the number of new cases in

Bangladesh was between 3,500 and

4,000 [GHO | By category | Leprosy -

Number of new leprosy cases - Data by

The day has changed. Today, thanks to modern science, we

are well aware of the causes and symptoms of leprosy and

progression of the disease. We also have its effective treatment

under our control. The milestone in the course of this

trajectory was the groundbreaking discovery by the

Norwegian scientist Gerhard Hansen in 1873.

country]. The actual number of leprosy

patients in the world may be much

higher. It is estimated that about 4

million patients are awaiting

identification, who have not yet been

identified due to a lack of medical

expertise and access to health system

[Leprosy piRnome: exploring new

possibilities for an old disease | Scientific

Reports].

In Bangladesh strong public/private

campaigns to eradicate leprosy are in

place. The World Health Organization

(WHO) target of reducing the number

of leprosy cases to 1 per 10,000 has

already been achieved in 1998. The

Prime Minister called upon all to work

towards building a leprosy free

Bangladesh by 2030. With this goal in

mind, in recent years, the National

Leprosy Program has been in action to

implement the National Leprosy

Strategy formulated in the light of the

World Health Organization's Global

Leprosy Strategy (2016-2020). In the

country we have three specialized public

hospitals for the treatment of leprosy.

Moreover, according to an article

published in a national daily, leprosy

treatment is available in all levels of

other government hospitals starting

from Upazila Health Complexs to

District Sadar and Medical College

Hospitals. These hospitals also have

provisions for bacteriological diagnosis,

skin biopsy, nerve biopsy and other

immunological tests. Various nongovernmental

voluntary organizations

most effective route to achieving peace

and prosperity. To that end, the UAE

funds a broad range of UN agencies

that improve human conditions and we

are seeking elected membership of the

UN Security Council for the 2022-2023

term. Our aims are to advance

inclusion and promote inter-religious

dialogue, spur digital and financial

innovation along with future

preparedness, build resilience around

the vital issues of public health and

climate change, and secure peace by

at the same time, we recognize there are two sides to

this coin. We have created a country full of opportunity

and tolerance in a region that is peppered with extremism

and turmoil. There is a balance to be struck

between prosperity and security, and we will never risk

the safety of our people or allow extremists to undermine

the stability and sovereignty of states as they seek

to deliver better outcomes for their people.

de-escalating conflicts through

dialogue and funding peace-building

efforts.

This international outlook is in the

DNA of our people: The Arabian

Peninsula has been a trading hub

between east, west, north and south for

thousands of years, and we retain that

mindset in terms of ideas, economics

and cultural exchange.

At the same time, we recognize there

are two sides to this coin. We have

created a country full of opportunity

and tolerance in a region that is

including The Leprosy Mission

International Bangladesh (TLMI-B) are

also treating leprosy patients through

hospitals and clinics. In addition,

medicines used to treat leprosy (MTD)

are provided free of charge with funding

from the World Health Organization

(WHO). All in all, the arrangements for

leprosy treatment in the country are not

bad at all. However, in the advanced

stages of the disease, many patients

develop a variety of physical

complications and deformities, which

may require specialized treatment,

including surgery. This may require

more skilled physicians and

sophisticated equipment and, so more

funding, which may not yet be sufficient

in terms of demand.

The question that becomes important

here is, having a look at the annual

statistics of new cases, doesn't it seem

like that we've been stagnant at one

point for the last ten years even after all

these endeavours? Keep in mind, we are

in the top five in the world in terms of

the number of new cases identified.

Therefore, if we want to build a leprosy

free country, we need to pay special

attention to this point. The spread of the

disease must be stopped; the road to the

creation of new patients must be closed.

How is that possible? It has been found

that within a few days of starting multidrug

therapy, the patient loses the

ability to spread the disease. Also, if a

leper is brought under treatment in the

early stages of the disease, he can

recover completely, without any risk of

disability. Therefore, what we need is to

undertake a crash program to quickly

identify potential leprosy patients in the

leprosy-prone areas of the country in

the very early stage of the disease and

bring them under treatment. For this,

massive mass training and publicity

activities have to be undertaken to make

the people aware about the symptoms

of leprosy. Platforms like schools and

colleges, mosques and madrasahs and

socio-political organizations in the area

can also be engaged to this end. In

addition to the actual doctors in the

area, people like the village doctors and

drug dealers, who have a large crowd of

financially indigent rural people, can

also be brought under the training in

this kind of leprosy identification

project. This will create opportunities

for advising a person with signs of

leprosy to consult immediately a

specialist doctor, health center or

hospital. The country's print and

electronic media can also take special

initiatives to create public awareness.

After all, since it is basically a public

health problem, good results can be

expected if public health professionals

could be actively engaged in the overall

planning and implementation.

The writer Professor of Pharmacy

Jahangirnagar University.

peppered with extremism and turmoil.

There is a balance to be struck between

prosperity and security, and we will

never risk the safety of our people or

allow extremists to undermine the

stability and sovereignty of states as

they seek to deliver better outcomes for

their people.

While we are proud of what we have

achieved in five short decades, we

acknowledge there is much work still to

be done. Although rapid progress has

been made in key areas such as human

rights - especially in terms of gender

equality, religious tolerance, and labor

rights - we can, and will, do more. To

that end, the consultative process for

our National Human Rights Plan,

which we will launch by the end of

2021, is now underway.

We know there will be calls to move

faster by some and others will be

resistant to change, but this is a

position we embrace. The UAE is a

young nation that dreams big and

learns fast. We occupy a unique and

important space in the world, both

geographically and in terms of the

lessons we have learned, which we seek

to share through engagement with the

international community. As we

conclude the first 50 years of our

history, the Hope probe - a symbol of

mankind's efforts to progress to new

horizons - will reach Mars in

celebration of the UAE's own beautiful

journey.

Source: Arab news

tUeSdAY, FeBrUArY 9, 2021

5

The unhappy secrets of Lithium ion battery

Oliver BAlCh

Even before the new mine became the main topic of village

conversation, João Cassote, a 44-year-old livestock farmer,

was thinking about making a change. Living off the land in

his mountainous part of northern Portugal was a grind. Of

his close childhood friends, he was the only one who hadn't

gone overseas in search of work. So, in 2017, when he heard

of a British company prospecting for lithium in the region of

Trás-os-Montes, Cassote called his bank and asked for a

€200,000 loan. He bought a John Deere tractor, an

earthmover and a portable water-storage tank.

The exploration team of the UK-based mining company

Savannah Resources had spent months poring over

geological maps and surveys of the hills that ripple out from

Cassote's farm. Initial calculations indicated that they could

contain more than 280,000 tonnes of lithium, a silver-white

alkali metal - enough for 10 years' production. Cassote got in

touch with Savannah's local office, and the mining firm duly

contracted him to supply water to their test drilling site. The

return on his investment was swift. After less than 12 months

on the company's books, Cassote had made what he would

usually earn in five or six years on the farm.

Savannah is just one of several mining companies with an

eye on the rich lithium deposits of central and northern

Portugal. The sudden excitement surrounding petróleo

branco ("white oil") derives from an invention rarely seen in

these parts: the electric car. Lithium is a key active material

in the rechargeable batteries that run electric cars. It is found

in rock and clay deposits as a solid mineral, as well as

dissolved in brine. It is popular with battery manufacturers

because, as the least dense metal, it stores a lot of energy for

its weight.

Electrifying transport has become a top priority in the

move to a lower-carbon future. In Europe, car travel accounts

for around 12% of all the continent's carbon emissions. To

keep in line with the Paris agreement, emissions from cars

and vans will need to drop by more than a third (37.5%) by

2030. The EU has set an ambitious goal of reducing overall

greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by the same date. To that

end, Brussels and individual member states are pouring

millions of euros into incentivising car owners to switch to

electric. Some countries are going even further, proposing to

ban sales of diesel and petrol vehicles in the near future (as

early as 2025 in the case of Norway). If all goes to plan,

European electric vehicle ownership could jump from

around 2m today to 40m by 2030.

Lithium is key to this energy transition. Lithium-ion

batteries are used to power electric cars, as well as to store

grid-scale electricity. (They are also used in smartphones and

laptops.) But Europe has a problem. At present, almost every

ounce of battery-grade lithium is imported. More than half

(55%) of global lithium production last year originated in just

one country: Australia. Other principal suppliers, such as

Chile (23%), China (10%) and Argentina (8%), are equally

far-flung.

Lithium deposits have been discovered in Austria, Serbia

and Finland, but it is in Portugal that Europe's largest lithium

hopes lie. The Portuguese government is preparing to offer

licences for lithium mining to international companies in a

bid to exploit its "white oil" reserves. Sourcing lithium in its

own back yard not only offers Europe simpler logistics and

lower prices, but fewer transport-related emissions. It also

promises Europe security of supply - an issue given greater

urgency by the coronavirus pandemic's disruption of global

trade. Even before the pandemic, alarm was mounting about

sourcing lithium. Dr Thea Riofrancos, a political economist

at Providence College in Rhode Island, pointed to growing

trade protectionism and the recent US-China trade spat.

(And that was before the trade row between China and

Australia.) Whatever worries EU policymakers might have

had before the pandemic, she said, "now they must be a

million times higher".

The urgency in getting a lithium supply has unleashed a

mining boom, and the race for "white oil" threatens to cause

damage to the natural environment wherever it is found. But

because they are helping to drive down emissions, the mining

companies have EU environmental policy on their side.

"There's a fundamental question behind all this about the

model of consumption and production that we now have,

A lithium ion battery from a Mercedes S-Class hybrid.

which is simply not sustainable," said Riofrancos. "Everyone

having an electric vehicle means an enormous amount of

mining, refining and all the polluting activities that come

with it."

In the tiny hamlet of Muro in Trás-os-Montes, Cassote has

concerns of his own. The prospecting phase ended earlier

this year, and his expensive new machinery is standing idle in

his farmyard. Savannah is waiting for the final green light

from the Portuguese government for its lithium mine. If

approved, the company is promising to invest $109m in the

project. It will also create a quarry like an open wound in the

mountainside. Cassote doesn't mind. He just wants to be

back on his earthmover.

Not everyone shares Cassote's enthusiasm for lithium

mining. After three decades living in Amsterdam, Mario

Inacio, a 50-year-old professional dancer, recently returned

to his home in Portugal with plans to build a yoga retreat

deep in the countryside - somewhere bucolic and isolated

where guests could wake to the sound of birdsong.

Inacio and his partner, Milko Prinsze, had identified the

perfect spot, an abandoned farmstead set in 47 acres of

grassy wilderness in central Portugal. The main house would

require considerable renovation, but the rest was exactly as

they had imagined. Driving down the sinuous, bumpy

driveway for the first time, Inacio dreamed of the changes

they could make - extending the house off to the side,

converting the outhouses into private living quarters, carving

out a natural pool in the rocks. He pinpointed the spot for the

yoga studio: a small rise with expansive views over the

grounds and out to the hills beyond.

Six years after the couple first set eyes on the place, Quinta

Da Lua Nova is now ready to open its doors to paying guests.

The global pandemic is creating a shortage of international

clients and making it difficult to fill the nine rooms, but a

much greater worry hangs over the business in which Inacio

Photo : Alamy

has invested his life savings. Moving to one of the large

ground-floor windows of his new home, he pointed to the

lush expanse of open country outside. "Any of this could be

exploited for lithium soon. Possible exploration orders hang

over all of it."

In the past few years, small groups of anxious residents

have come together across Portugal, concerned about the

government's lithium plans. With few facts in the public

domain, these groups started making inquiries to local

planning departments and town halls. In Inacio's case, he

said that he was told his requests would be "passed on". He

never heard any more.

At the same time, early-stage exploration works, led by the

likes of Savannah and the Portugal-based Lusorecursos, were

reportedly sighted across the country. An objector unearthed

a technical assessment of Portugal's lithium resources

commissioned by the energy ministry in 2016. Eventually, a

government spokesperson confirmed that discussions were

under way with various mining companies, but said no firm

decisions had yet been made. Then, in January 2020, a map

began circulating among the various WhatsApp and

Facebook groups set up by concerned residents like Inacio.

The map, put together by a local software developer

specialising in cartography, appeared to confirm their worst

fears. A tapestry of geometric shapes spread across the

country's interior, abutting designated nature reserves. A

series of local and national protests, including a march in

Lisbon last year, sought to raise awareness about the impacts

of modern mining on the natural environment, including

potential industrial-scale habitat destruction, chemical

contamination and noise pollution, as well as high levels of

water consumption. They also raised concerns about the

impact on tourism - an economic mainstay for the country's

interior, with an annual turnover of €18.4bn in 2019.

All these concerns appear in a "national manifesto"

recently published by a coalition of civic movements. Despite

vociferous local media coverage, they have made little impact

so far. In part, this reflects the relative weakness of the

national environmental movement. Portugal is one of the few

countries in Europe not to have a Greenpeace affiliate, for

instance, and according to an EU survey, of all European

consumers, the Portuguese are the least likely to pay more for

eco-branded products.

For Maria Carmo, a 43-year-old university lecturer from

the village of Barco, in the central district of Castelo Branco,

such lack of engagement reveals the alienation that most

urban or coastal-dwelling Portuguese feel towards the

country's rural heartlands. The trend in the past 50 years or

so has been one of continued rural depopulation. Hundreds

of thousands of people have left Portugal's poor and already

under-populated interior for new lives abroad or in the

country's coastal cities. Few of them return.

If a mining licence is granted in their region, Inacio and a

small core of diehard supporters are prepared to fight it in the

courts. Carmo is less sure. Her campaign group in Castelo

Branco has already split, with half its members now open to

the possibility of an open-pit lithium mine above her village.

It will happen anyway, they say, so why not negotiate some

guarantees? Barco used to have a tin mine, the villagers

argue, and it wasn't so bad.

But Carmo feels it's a mistake to compare the two

operations. Her own father and grandfather both worked in

the Argemela tin mine outside the village before it closed in

the early 1960s. Back then, mining was small-scale and

subterranean. A new mine, in contrast, could see half the hill

disappear, potentially damaging the remains of a bronze-age

settlement on its peak. Villagers also fear that chemical

runoff will pollute the nearby Zêzere river, which they

depend on for their crops.

After a three-year struggle, Carmo is exhausted and ready to

give in. She feels the government is deaf, and that her fellow

citizens aren't interested. "So much destruction," she said. "And

for what? So eco-minded urbanites in Paris and Berlin can feel

good about driving around in zero-emission cars."

Advocates of Portugal's hoped-for lithium boom argue that

local disruption is a small price to pay for tackling the climate

crisis. They point out that innovations such as windfarms,

solar energy parks and hydroelectric plants, while

contributing to lowering CO2 emissions in the long term, all

have some impact on local populations. In a note to

investors, Savannah observes that its proposed mine (which

boasts projected revenues of US$1.55bn over its initial 11-

year lifespan) will contribute to enough battery packs to

prevent the emission of 100m tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Floating nuclear platns could

power countries by 2025

traffic and snow along the vine Street expressway in Philadelphia on wednesday.

Photo: Cameron Pollack

How climate change is

affecting winter storms

JOhn SChwArtz

The major winter storm that hit the

Eastern United States on Wednesday

and Thursday probably prompted some

people to ask, "What happened to global

warming?"But although it's becoming

increasingly clear that climate change

does have an effect on storms, the

relationship can be complex and, yes,

counterintuitive. "There were these

expectations that winter was basically

going to disappear on us," said Judah

Cohen, director of seasonal forecasting at

AER, a company that provides

information to clients about weather and

climate-related risk.

Although winters are becoming

warmer and somewhat milder over all,

extreme weather events have also been

on the increase, and especially in the

Northeastern United States, as Dr.

Cohen pointed out in a recent paper in

the journal Nature Climate Change.

From the winter of 2008-9 until 2017-

18, there were 27 major Northeast

winter storms, three to four times the

totals for each of the previous five

decades.

One of the factors potentially feeding

storms is a warmer atmosphere, which

can hold more water vapor; not only can

that mean more precipitation, but when

the vapor forms clouds, "it releases heat

into the air, which provides fuel for

storms," said Jennifer Francis, a senior

scientist at the Woodwell Climate

Research Center. Also potentially

important, but less understood, she

noted, is "the increased tendency for the

jet stream to take big swoops north and

south," setting up weather phenomena

like the dreaded polar vortex.

Does that mean this particular storm

has been fueled by climate change?

Jonathan E. Martin, a professor in the

department of atmospheric and oceanic

sciences at the University of Wisconsin-

Madison, cautioned against drawing

quick conclusions.

Because of the "enormous natural

variability" in storms and the weather

they deliver, "I think it is a dangerous

business attributing individual winter

storms, or characteristics of them, to

climate change," he said. And this storm

in particular, he added, is getting a lot of

its moisture from water vapor

evaporated off the Atlantic Ocean, which

complicates the picture.

Dr. Francis agreed that any

connections are complex, but added, "all

storms now form in a greatly altered

climate, so there's little doubt that the

same storm decades ago would not be the

same."

JilliAn AMBrOSe

Floating barges fitted with advanced

nuclear reactors could begin powering

developing nations by the mid-2020s,

according to a Danish startup

company.Seaborg Technologies

believes it can make cheap nuclear

electricity a viable alternative to fossil

fuels across the developing world as

soon as 2025.

Its seaborne "mini-nukes" have been

designed for countries that lack the

energy grid infrastructure to develop

utility-scale renewable energy projects,

many of which go on to use gas, diesel

and coal plants instead.

The ships are fitted with one or more

small nuclear reactors, which can

generate electricity and transmit the

power to the mainland. The first ship of

this kind began supplying heat and

electricity to the Russian port of Pevek

on the East Siberian Sea in December

2019.

Troels Schönfeldt, the chief executive

of Seaborg, said the company's 100-

megawatt compact molten salt reactor

would take two years to build and

would generate electricity that would

be cheaper than coal-fired power.

Seaborg has raised about €20m

(£18.3m) from private investors,

including the Danish retail billionaire

Anders Holch Povlsen, and received

the first of the necessary regulatory

approvals within a four-phase process

from the American Bureau of Shipping

this week.

Most developing nations have been

unable to pursue nuclear energy

because it requires a carefully managed

regulatory regime to prevent nuclear

accidents or proliferation of materials

that could be used to create nuclear

weapons.

Seaborg hopes to begin taking orders

by the end of 2022 for the nuclear

barges, which would be built in South

Korean shipyards and towed to

coastlines where they could be

anchored for up to 24 years, he said.

The "turn-key solution" is important

to fast-growing developing economies

to power their nascent industries,

purify drinking water, and produce

clean-burning hydrogen as demand for

energy access rockets in the years

ahead.

"The scale of the developing world's

energy demand growth is mindboggling,"

Schönfeldt said. "If we can't

find an energy solution for these

countries, they will turn to fossil fuels

and we surely won't meet our climate

targets." The International Energy

Agency's has found that the

accelerating demand for electricity -

due to a growing global population and

rising levels of affluence - is on course

to outpace the growth of renewable

energy and increase reliance on fossil

fuels. Although nuclear energy has

been used onboard seaborne vessels for

decades to power submarines and

"icebreaker" tankers, Seaborg's design

would be one of the first examples of a

commercially available nuclear barge

used to provide electricity to the

mainland.

Chris Gadomski, a nuclear analyst at

Bloomberg New Energy Finance, said:

"The concept of a floating nuclear

power plant has been around for a long

time, and makes a lot of sense. But

there are concerns." There was

inherent risk involved with nuclear

reactor technologies and floating power

plants, so combining to two could raise

serious questions for investors and

governments, he said.

"In places like the Philippines and

Indonesia it makes a lot of sense. But it

wasn't so long ago that the Philippines

was the site of a major tsunami, and I

don't know how you would hedge

against a risk like that," he added.

Jan Haverkamp, from Greenpeace,

said floating reactors were "a recipe

for disaster" including "all of the flaws

and risks of larger land-based nuclear

power stations". "On top of that, they

face extra risks from the

unpredictability of operation in

coastal areas and transport -

particularly in a loaded state - over

the high seas. Think storms, think

tsunamis," he said.

Schönfeldt said the advanced reactor

was designed to be as safe as possible in

a worst-case scenario accident, with a

system causing the radioactive material

to form a solid rock outside of the

reactor core so it cannot disperse into

the air or sea as a catastrophically

harmful gas or liquid.

the world's first floating nuclear reactor, the Akademik

lomonosov.

Photo: lev Fedoseyev

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

6

Village police holds assembly demanding travel

allowance and full salary in morrelganj

m palaSH SHariF, morrelganj

CorreSpondent:

an assembly has been

held in morrelganj of

Bagerhat demanding 32

months travel allowance

and 6 months full salary for

the village police.

the assembly was

presided over by abul

Kalam Hawlader, president

of the upazila Village police

employees' association, at

the upazila awami league

office at 11am on monday.

mozammel Haque mozam,

Vice Chairman, advisor to

the Village police was the

chief guest at the occasion

while among others,

journalist ganesh pal,

abul Kalam Hawlader,

general Secretary of

district Village police

employees association,

ibrahim Sheikh nantu,

Monday.

general Secretary of

upazila, gourang Hawla

and others.

Speakers at the meeting

said that 147 village police

and dafadars in the upazila

have not received half

salary for 6 months and

travel allowance for 32

months. they demanded

the administration to get

their full salary and travel

Photo: M Palash Sharif

allowance. at the same

time, if the village police are

not paid their travel

allowance and full salary

soon after the rally, various

programs will be called.

View exchange meet held at Hossainpur upazila

awami information technology Forum office

SHaH md SarWar jaHan,

KiSHoreganj CorreSpondent:

a view exchange meeting of

ward leaders was held on the

initiative of Bangladesh

awami information

technology Forum

Hossainpur upazila Branch to

prepare for the municipal

general election 2020.

upazila Bangladesh awami

information technology

Forum Hossainpur upazila

Branch general Secretary md.

Farid mia (2nd Ward

Councilor Candidate)

presided over the exchange of

views.

at the meeting, md. Sohag

An assembly has been held in Morrelganj of Bagerhat demanding 32

months travel allowance and 6 months full salary for the village police on

prize distribution of book reading festival held in tetulia

aSHraFul iSlam, tetulia

CorreSpondent:

a book reading festival

titled 'read about

Bangabandhu, Know

Bangladesh' was held in

tetulia on the occasion of

mujib Year. prizes were

distributed among the

winners of the book festival

on monday (February 6) at

noon at the premises of

Chattar math in the upazila.

mazaharul Haque mp of

panchagarh 1 constituency

distributed prizes among the

winners as the chief guest

under the chairmanship of

upazila nirbahi officer

Sohag Chandra Saha at the

award distribution

A book reading festival titled 'Read about Bangabandhu, Know Bangladesh' was

held in Tetulia on the occasion of Mujib Year on Monday. Photo: Asraful Islam

ceremony of the book

festival organized by upazila

administration and upazila

A view exchange meeting of ward leaders was

held on the initiative of Bangladesh Awami

Information Technology Forum Hossainpur

Upazila Branch to prepare for the Municipal

General Election 2020 recently.

Photo: Shah Md Sarwar Jahan

parishad. additional deputy

Commissioner Sarkar

mohammad raihan was

present as a special guest.

during the time, upazila

parishad Chairman Kazi

mahamudur rahman

dablu,

assistant

Commissioner (land)

masudul Haque, Health and

Family planning officer of

tetulia upazila Health

Complex dr. md. abul

Kashem, officer-in-Charge

abu Sayem, upazila

parishad Vice Chairman

Yusuf ali and upazila

Women Vice Chairman

Sultana razia were also

present at the occasion.

at the end of the

discussion, bags, books,

bicycles, sewing machines

for the poor and cows were

distributed among the

beggars under the lgSp

project.

mia and md. rupon mia,

members of the upazila

Committee, spoke about the

various strategies to mobilize

the people in support of the

candidate of Bangladesh

awami league nominated

boat symbol in the Hossainpur

municipal elections to be held

on February 14. during the

time, Sukia union awami

information technology

Forum president and general

Secretary mohd ripon mia

and Burhan uddin, jangalia

leader nabibur rahman, daily

desh Khabar paiKa

Hossainpur correspondent

azizul Haque russell and local

leaders were also present.

Corona vaccination programme begins in Sirajganj

Badrul alam dulal, Sirajganj

CorreSpondent:

Corona vaccination

program has started in

Sirajganj. the corona

vaccination campaign was

inaugurated by the

Sirajganj district Civil

Surgeon at 9:30 am on

Sunday (February 8) at the

250-bed Bangamata

Sheikh Fazilatunnesa

mujib general Hospital.

Habibe millat munna,

member of parliament for

Sirajganj-2 (Sadar and

Kamarkhand)

constituency inaugurated

the event as the chief guest

under the chairmanship of

Habibe Millat Munna, Member of Parliament for Sirajganj-2 (Sadar and

Kamarkhand) constituency received the first corona vaccine in Sirajganj on

Sunday.

Photo: Badrul Alam Dulal

Sirajganj deputy

Commissioner dr. Farooq

ahmed. also present as

special guests were


Surgeon, dr. Zahidul

islam, dr. Saiful islam,

Superintendent of

Bangamata Sheikh

Fazilatunnesa mujib

general Hospital with 250

beds, dr. Faridul islam,

resident medical officer

were also present at the

occasion.


Surgeon dr Zahidul islam

said 96,000 doses of

vaccine allotted for

Sirajganj have been

received. the program will

run in a total of 33 booths.

So far, 3,348 people have

registered for the

vaccination. Volunteers

have been trained to

administer the vaccine so

that the vaccine is not

misused in any way.

Willing to sit with mp Shamim osman for

development of narayanganj: mayor ivy

md SaYmum iSlam, naraYanganj CorreSpondent:

narayanganj city mayor Selina Hayat

ivy agreed to sit with mp Shamim osman

for the development of narayanganj. She

said this while holding a view exchange

meeting with the leaders of the newly

elected executive committee of

naryanganj press Club recently.

during the time, press Club president

Khandaker Shah alam, Vice president

rafiqul islam jiban, general Secretary

Sharifuddin Sabuj, joint general

Secretary ahsan Sadiq Shaon, treasurer

and former general Secretary abu Saud

masud, Sports Secretary anisur rahman

jewel, executive member and former

president Kobi Halim azad were present

on the occasion.

at the time, mayor ivy said, "the way

you have started exchanging greetings

with the people's representatives of the

district for the first time is a very

commendable initiative." i welcome this

initiative. this is the role of a press club.

She further said that narayanganj City

Corporation is an autonomous

institution. the development of this

organization will continue at its own

pace. i can't involve any minister or mp in

this development even if i want to.

However, there are many more problems

in narayanganj which need the

cooperation of all to solve. there are

many more problems like rajuK

problem, hawker problem which we can

easily solve by sitting together. it will be

possible to solve these problems easily by

sitting with local mps. So if you invite

everyone to a table on such a subject

based issue then i am definitely ready to

sit down. i have no problem sitting with

mp Shamim about the problems of the

people.

during the time, City mayor ivy also

called on the journalist community to

publish truthful and objective up-to-date

news. She said, research well and write. i

know you have many limitations.

Someone may have security problems

and someone may have a financial crisis.

So we also have to understand this. i

understand. So i don't care what a

journalist writes. But it feels bad to write

a lie. You write the real truth and if it is

against me, i would welcome it.

She further added that, "posters have

been put up against me. i am a muslim.

But when i sit in this chair i am all public.

i have built eight mosques. i am also

building several temples. in addition to

the development of the cemetery, i have

to develop the crematorium and i have to.

But now politics is going on with all these.

So i think journalists should pay special

attention to this aspect of society.

But i endure a lot of things face to face.

i am sitting in this chair to endure.

therefore, there will be no benefit in

continuing new propaganda. the owner

of the boat symbol is prime minister

Sheikh Hasina. if she gives me the boat

symbol, i will choose, if not, i will not. i

have nothing new to prove. You have seen

what i have done.

You understand that we have no

problem with ourselves, people know

that very well. i sat together with mp

Selim. i will sit again if necessary. if the

press club asks me to take any initiative in

the public interest, i will definitely stay.

Sreepur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Yeasin Kabir as the chief guest inaugurated the new office room

of principal of Sreepur Government College under Magura district on Monday. The ceremony was

presided by principal of Sreepur Government College Nirmol Kumar Shaha. Photo: M R Jinnah

nursery business brings fortune to

one-lakh people in rangpur region

rangpur: the thriving private sector

nursery business has brought fortune to

some one lakh people helping their

families in leading a better life even

during the CoVid-19 pandemic in

rangpur agriculture region, reports BSS.

officials of the department of

agricultural extension (dae) said

nursery business is helping rural people

to cut poverty and achieve self-reliance

along with improving rural economy,

environment, ecology and biodiversity.

"around 1.15 lakh people are involved

in nursery business at 38 government

Narayanganj city mayor Selina

Hayat Ivy.

Photo: TBT

Blankets distributed among cold-hit

people at Singra upazila

Singra CorreSpondent:

China railway international

group Co. ltd. (Crig)

distributed winter blankets

among the under privileged

people of tarai Bazar,

dahiya, Singra at natore

district on Sunday.

State minister of iCt

division Zunaid ahmed

palak was present at

programme as the Chief

guest and distributed the

blankets among the under

privileged people of tarai

Bazar, dahiya, Shingra.

deputy director md. abu

Kausar of China railway

international group was

also present as a key speaker

at this programme.

From the social

responsibilities point of view

China railway international

group Co. ltd. is conducting

several social activities over

the past years all over the

Bangladesh. this time they

are distributing 2000 winter

blankets among the

distressed people.

China

railway

international group Co.,

ltd. (Crig) is the platform

State Minister of ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak distributed blankets among the coldhit

people at Tarai Bazar as the Chief Guest on Sunday. Among others, Deputy Director

Md. Abu Kausar of China Railway International Group and Md. M M Abul Kalam,

Chairman, 2 No Dahiya Union Parishad and President, 2 No Dahiya Union Unit

Bangladesh Awami League were also present.

Photo: TBT

developing international 2020, with the annual dahiya union parishad and

businesses on behalf of turnover more than uSd president, 2 no dahiya

China railway group 120 billion.

union unit Bangladesh

limited (CreC), which other special guests were awami league and md.

ranked 2th in the top 250 Shekh ohidur rahman, Shirajul mojid mamun,

global Contractors on president, Singra upazila general Secretary,

enr2020 and no.1 in awami league, Singra, Bangladesh awami league,

infrastructure Sector, 50th

in the Fortune global 500

natore. md. m m abul

Kalam, Chairman, 2 no

2 no. dahiya union Branch,

dahiya, Singra, nator.

and some 1,200 private sector nurseries

in all five districts of the region," said

deputy director of the dae at its

regional office agriculturalist md.

moniruzzaman.

more than 4,500 rural people, both

males and females, are working in

nurseries to earn wages as the business

continues to grow with increasing

demand of saplings encouraging more

people in setting up new nurseries.

the saplings of mahogany, 'babla',

'shilkorai', 'shishu', 'neem', mango,

jackfruit, orange, 'segun', 'baukul', 'apple

kul', flowers, cinnamon, guava, 'amloki',

grapes, litchi, black berry, 'jamrul', wood

apple, pomegranate, coconut and 'golap

jam' are on the best sales.

"nursery business is boosting fast

bringing fortune to many and creating

jobs for rural people helping them to lead

a better life even during the CoVid-19

pandemic," moniruzzaman added.

talking to BSS, nursery owner abdul

Wahab of village jharbishla in pirganj

upazila of rangpur narrated his story of

changing fortune through nursery

business.

TueSDAY, FeBruArY 9, 2021

7

In this Nov. 30, 2020 file photo, volunteers wait to be checked at a vaccine trial facility set at Soweto's

Chris Sani Baragwanath Hospital outside Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa suspended plans

Sunday Feb. 7, 2021 to inoculate its front-line health care workers with the AstraZeneca vaccine after a

small clinical trial suggested that it isn't effective in preventing mild to moderate illness from the variant

dominant in the country.

Photo : AP

South Africa suspends Astra

Zeneca vaccine drive

JOHANNESBURG : South Africa has

suspended plans to inoculate its frontline

health care workers with the

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after a

small clinical trial suggested that it isn't

effective in preventing mild to moderate

illness from the variant dominant in

the country.

South Africa received its first 1 million

doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine

last week and was expected to begin

giving jabs to health care workers in

mid-February. The disappointing early

results indicate that an inoculation

drive using the AstraZeneca vaccine

may not be useful, reports UNB.

Preliminary data from a small study

suggested that the AstraZeneca vaccine

offers only "minimal protection against

mild-moderate disease" caused by the

variant in South Africa. The variant

appears more infectious and is driving

a deadly resurgence of the disease in

the country, currently accounting for

more than 90% of the COVID-19 cases,

health minister Zweli Mkhize said

Sunday night.

"The AstraZeneca vaccine appeared

effective against the original strain, but

not against the variant," Mkhize said.

"We have decided to put a temporary

hold on the rollout of the vaccine ...

more work needs to be done."

The study, which hasn't yet been

peer-reviewed, involved 2,000 people,

most of whom were young and healthy.

The volunteers' average age was 31.

Death toll from India's

glacier tragedy rises to

14, over 200 missing

NEW DELHI : The death

toll in Sunday's glacier

burst in north India has

risen to 14, even as the

number of missing persons

swelled to over 200, confirmed

official sources on

Monday.

The natural disaster hit

the country's northern hilly

state of Uttarakhand on

Sunday morning, severely

damaging two hydro power

projects.

Among the missing persons

are 11 local villagers

and around 190 workers

employed at two power

projects.

"Most of the missing

persons are said to be

labourers hailing from the

eastern state of Bihar and

northern state of Uttar

Pradesh," the India Today

media group quoted

Uttarakhand Director

General of Police (DGP)

Ashok Kumar as saying.

According to Kumar, the

rescue work is focussed on a

1,800-meter long tunnel

where around 35 to 40 people,

mostly power project

labourers, are feared

trapped. The tunnel is said

to be filled with several feet

high slush and debris.

Meanwhile, according to

sources at the local disaster

management office, 13 villages

have been cut off due

to the natural disaster, and

efforts are being made to

reach out to them with food

and medical aid.

"Protection against moderate-severe

disease, hospitalization or death could

not be assessed in this study as the target

population were at such low risk,"

said a statement issued by Oxford

University and the University of the

Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

Scientists will be studying whether or

not the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective

in preventing severe disease and death

against the variant, Mkhize said.

Other vaccines have shown reduced

efficacy against the variant, but have

provided good protection from serious

disease and death.

Public health officials are concerned

about the South Africa variant because

it contains a mutation of the virus'

characteristic spike protein, which is

targeted by existing vaccines. South

African officials say the variant is more

contagious and evidence is emerging

that it may be more virulent.

South Africa will urgently roll out

other vaccines to inoculate as many as

possible in the coming months, Mkhize

said. Other South African scientists on

Sunday said the clinical trials for the

Johnson and Johnson vaccine show

good results against the variant.

The early results for the AstraZeneca

vaccine against the variant could have

far-reaching implications as many

other countries in Africa and beyond

have been planning to use the

AstraZeneca shot. The international

COVAX initiative has bought the

AstraZeneca vaccine in bulk from the

Serum Institute of India.

Developers of the Oxford-

AstraZeneca vaccine expect to have a

modified jab to cope with the South

Africa coronavirus variant by autumn,

the vaccine's lead researcher said

Sunday.

Sarah Gilbert, lead researcher for the

Oxford team, told the BBC on Sunday

that "we have a version with the South

African spike sequence in the works."

"It looks very likely that we can have

a new version ready to use in the

autumn," she added.

Authorities in England last week

went house-to-house to administer

COVID-19 testing in eight areas where

the South Africa variant is believed to

be spreading, after a handful of cases

were found in people who had no contact

with the country or anyone who

traveled there.

More than 100 cases of the South

African variant have been found in the

U.K. The testing blitz is a bid to snuff

out the variant before it spreads widely

and undermines the U.K.'s vaccination

rollout.

Britain has seen Europe's deadliest

coronavirus outbreak, with over

112,000 confirmed deaths, but it has

embarked on a speedier vaccination

plan than the neighboring European

Union. So far, the U.K. has given a first

coronavirus vaccine jab to about 11.5

million people.

Week after military coup, protests

swell rapidly in Myanmar

YANGON : A protest against Myanmar's oneweek-old

military government swelled rapidly

Monday morning as opposition to the coup

grew increasingly bold, reports UNB.

The protesters at a major downtown

Yangon intersection chanted slogans, raised a

three-finger salute and carried placards saying

"Reject the military coup" and "Justice for

Myanmar." Starting with a few hundred people,

the crowd exceeded a thousand by midmorning

and cars passing by honked their

horns in solidarity.

Some smaller groups broke off from the

main protest and headed to the Sule Pagoda,

a past rallying point for major protests

against previous ruling juntas. Monday's

action followed a protest Sunday involving

tens of thousands of people demonstrating to

demand the release of deposed leader Aung

San Suu Kyi and other top figures from her

National League for Democracy party.

The growing protests are a sharp reminder

of the long and bloody struggle for democracy

in a country that the military ruled directly

for more than five decades before loosening

its grip in 2012. Suu Kyi's government, which

won a landslide election in 2015, was the first

led by civilians in decades, though its power

was limited by a military-drafted constitution.

During Myanmar's years of isolation

under military rule, the golden-domed Sule

Pagoda served as a rallying point for political

protests calling for democracy, most notably

in during a massive 1988 uprising and again

during a 2007 revolt led by Buddhist monks.

The military used deadly force to end both

of those uprisings, with estimates of hundreds

if not thousands killed in 1988. While

riot police have watched the protests this past

week, soldiers have been absent and there

have been no reports of clashes. Several

videos posted online Sunday that were said to

be from the town of Myawaddy, on

Myanmar's eastern border with Thailand,

showed police shooting into the air in an evident

effort to disperse a crowd.

The death toll in Sunday's glacier burst in north India has risen to 14, even

as the number of missing persons swelled to over 200, confirmed official

sources on Monday.

Photo : AP

The Latest: China's

northeast outbreaks

appear under control

BEIJING : China appears to

have stamped out its latest

coronavirus outbreaks centered

on the northeast,

reporting no new cases of

local infection in its latest

daily report.

The National Health

Commission said Monday

that 14 newly confirmed

cases had been brought from

outside the country but no

new cases were registered in

the provinces of

Heilongjiang and Jilin that

have seen China's latest clusters.

While China has relaxed

some social distancing rules,

extensive testing, electronic

monitoring and periodic

lockdowns remain in place.

The country has reported

4,636 deaths among almost

90,000 cases since the coronavirus

was first detected in

the central Chinese city of

Wuhan in December 2019.

The UK's aggressive vaccine

gambles have paid off,

while EU caution is slowing

down its vaccination program.

The West African

country of Burkina Faso,

which at first managed to

avoid a catastrophic surge of

the coronavirus, is now trying

to cope with a much

deadlier resurgence.

Biden foresees 'extreme

competition' with

China, not 'conflict'

WASHINGTON : President

Joe Biden anticipates the

US rivalry with China will

take the form of "extreme

competition" rather than

conflict between the two

world powers.

Biden said in an excerpt of

a CBS interview aired

Sunday that he has not spoken

with Chinese counterpart

Xi Jinping since he

became US president.

"He's very tough. He doesn't

have - and I don't mean it

as a criticism, just the reality

- he doesn't have a democratic,

small D, bone in his

body," Biden said.

"I've said to him all along,

that we need not have a conflict.

But there's going to be

extreme competition,"

Biden said.

"I'm not going to do it the

way (Donald) Trump did.

We're going to focus on

international rules of the

road."

China is considered in

Washington as the United

States' number one strategic

adversary, and the primary

challenge on the world

stage.

Trump had chosen open

confrontation and verbal

attacks, without serious tangible

results for the enormous

US trade deficit with

China.

Palestinians launch

postcodes in assertion

of sovereignty

RAMALLAH : The

Palestinian Authority

announced Sunday it would

begin using its own postal

codes, a move at easing the

delivery of parcels in the

occupied territories as well

as asserting sovereignty.

International mail sent to

or from the occupied West

Bank currently has to pass

through Jordan or Israel.

But the PA said Sunday it

had asked the Universal

Postal Union to notify its

member states that

Palestinian postal codes

were coming into force.

"From April, postal items

that do not bear a

Palestinian postal code will

not be processed,"

Palestinian Minister of

Communications Ishaq

Sidr told reporters in

Ramallah, the West Bank

headquarters of the

Palestinian Authority.

"It is a question of asserting

Palestinian rights," he

said.

Palestinian postal codes

would also help put an end

to the seizure of shipments

from abroad, Sidr said.

UK vaccine gambles paid off, while

EU caution slowed it down

SAINT-HERBLAIN : French pharmaceutical

startup Valneva had big news in

September: a government contract for 60

million doses of its coronavirus vaccine

candidate.

The buyer? The United Kingdom - not

the European Union, as might be expected

for a company on the banks of the Loire,

reports UNB.

"What a true waste," bristled Christelle

Morancais, president of the Pays de la

Loire regional council, as she tried to wrap

her head around the missed opportunity.

The British, she told The Associated Press,

"rolled out the red carpet for this company,

helping with financing and the set-up. ...

And we were powerless."

The U.K. has now ordered another 40

million doses and has options for more

from Valneva, which has a plant in

Scotland. The EU is still in talks with the

company.

That pattern of Britain investing aggressively

and early while the EU takes a slower,

more cautious approach has been the

hallmark of the vaccine race in Europe -

and offers a window into problems that

have dogged the vaccination rollout by the

world's biggest trading bloc.

As with other countries that moved

quickly, negotiating contracts earlier has

helped Britain avoid some of the vaccine

supply problems the 27-nation EU has

faced - as when AstraZeneca said it hit a

production issue. Valneva President

Franck Grimaud told the AP that Britain

will receive vaccine doses earlier because it

signed first.

But the U.K. has also shown speed and

agility in other areas: Its regulatory agency

has authorized vaccines more quickly than

the EU's, and its government has experimented

with stretching out the time

between shots - allowing it to roll out first

doses faster so more people can have some

protection quickly.

The EU has been more cautious on both

counts. While bloc is still getting and distributing

vaccine - unlike much of the

world - it has so far been left in the U.K.'s

rearview mirror. Britain has given at least

one shot to about 15% of its population,

compared to some 3% in the bloc. This is

not only a matter of pride: The EU has

already lost more than 490,000 out of its

450 million people to the pandemic,

according to Johns Hopkins University,

and uncounted others who were not tested

before they died.

Diane Wanten, from Alken, Belgium,

survived a bout with COVID-19 that put

her in intensive care last spring. The 62-

year-old now badly hopes for shots for herself

and her husband Francesco, who has

Parkinson's. "If there is a vaccine for me

tomorrow, I'll be in line," she said.

Instead, "it is Britain which is towering

head and shoulders above the rest,"

Wanten said. "I keep asking myself why

things are possible there and not here in

Belgium?"

Britain has its own struggles: a death toll

of 112,000 in a country of 67 million and

plenty who say the Conservative government

should have moved faster to fight the

virus. Still, it celebrated the Valneva contract

as validation of its vaccine strategy -

and its decision to leave the EU.

French pharmaceutical startup Valneva had big news in September: a

government contract for 60 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine

candidate.

Photo : AP

Gunmen kill 19 in village

raids on northwest Nigeria

KANO, Nigeria : Nineteen people were killed

at the weekend when armed men raided two

villages in northwest Nigeria's Kaduna state,

the government said, in the latest violence to

hit the region.

Gunmen from kidnapping and cattle

rustling gangs - called bandits by locals - often

raid villages in northwest Nigeria, stealing cattle,

kidnapping for ransom and burning

homes after looting supplies.

"Kaduna State Government has received

reports from security agencies of the killing of

19 citizens in Birnin Gwari and Kajuru local

government areas," Samuel Aruwan, internal

affairs commissioner said in a statement.

"The citizens were killed by armed bandits

at Kutemeshi village in Birnin Gwari and

Kujeni village in Kajuru, where several others

were left with bullet wounds," Aruwan said.

Late on Saturday, bandits riding on motorcycles

killed 14 people and injured others

when they invaded Kutemeshi where they

looted shops, the official said.

On the same day motorbike-riding gunmen

also stormed Kujeni where they killed five

people and burnt "several" houses, warehouses

and a church, said Aruwan in the statement.

But residents said 19 people were killed just

in the raid in Kutemeshi.

"We lost 19 people in the attack. We buried

them yesterday (Sunday)," said Kutemeshi

resident Ayuba Abdullahi.

Last month bandits killed 12 people and kidnapped

30 others in attacks on three villages in

Birnin Gwari district and neighbouring

Katsina state.

Kidnapping and cattle rustling gangs maintain

camps in the Rugu forest straddling

Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger states.

The gangs have no ideological leanings but

there are concerns that the gangs may be gradually

infiltrated by jihadists from the northeast.

Violence across the northwest has killed

8,000 people since 2011 and displaced more

than 200,000, some into neighbouring Niger,

according to a report last year by the

International Crisis Group (ICG).

In Iran standoff, Biden says US

won't unilaterally lift sanctions

WASHINGTON : US President Joe Biden has

made clear he will not unilaterally lift sanctions

against Iran, saying it must first adhere to its

nuclear deal commitments despite demands

on Sunday from the Islamic Republic's

supreme leader.

The exchange underscored the thorny diplomatic

challenge ahead as Biden seeks to revive

- without showing weakness - a key accord

rejected by his predecessor Donald Trump.

Asked in a CBS interview airing Sunday

whether he would halt sanctions to convince

Iran to return to the bargaining table, Biden

offered a clear reply: "No."

The journalist then asked if the Iranians

would first have to stop enriching uranium,

which drew an affirmative nod from Biden.

The clip was part of a longer interview to be

aired later Sunday on CBS.

The landmark deal was reached in 2015 by

the United States and other powers (China,

Russia, Germany, France and Britain) following

long negotiations with Iran aimed at preventing

it from developing nuclear weapons.

The deal has been hanging by a thread since

Trump's decision to withdraw from it in 2018

and reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

Trump argued that the accord did not sufficiently

restrict Iran's nuclear program and he

complained of its "destabilizing" activities in

the region.

Trump resumed the US sanctions on Tehran

that had been lifted through the accord, and he

pressed reluctant allies to do the same. Tehran

a year later suspended its compliance with

most key nuclear commitments.

The Biden administration has expressed

willingness to return to the deal, but insisted

that Tehran first resume full compliance.

On January 4, Iran announced it has stepped

up its uranium enrichment process to 20 percent

purity, far above the 3.67 percent level

permitted by the deal, but far below the

amount required for an atomic bomb.

TuesDAY, FebruArY 9, 2021 8

US trade gap soars in 2020

amid pandemic disruptions

WASHINGTON: The US trade deficit surged

in 2020 to its highest level since 2008, the

government reported Friday, in the

pandemic-roiled year that upended the

global economy, reports BSS.

Business shutdowns and global shipping

disruptions caused by Covid-19 were a major

factor for most of last year, leading to the

largest trade gap since the start of the global

financial crisis, according to Commerce

Department data.

And even as activity began to pick up,

exports lagged and services continued to

suffer, while the easing of US pandemic

restrictions fueled a rebound in imports.

The total US trade deficit in goods and

services surged, adding $102 billion to the

2019 total to reach $678.7 billion, as exports

fell more than imports, according to the data.

"Still-weak global demand and travel

restrictions will keep trade subdued in the

near term, with total exports clearly lagging

imports," said James Watson of Oxford

Economics.

The report showed exports of goods and

services fell by nearly $400 billion to $2.1

trillion last year, while imports fell just under

$300 billion to $2.8 trillion.

Weak net exports subtracted from GDP

growth last year, and economists caution it

could get worse before it gets better,

especially since services like travel and hotels

may be the last to improve.

"Restrictions are being relaxed in the US,

which will likely provide further support to

imports, but ongoing lockdowns across

Europe could weigh on export demand in the

near term," said Rubeela Farooqi of High

Frequency Economics.

In the most fraught US trade relationship

under former president Donald Trump, the

gap with China in goods trade alone

narrowed by $34.4 billion to $310.8 billion

last year, on a modest gain in exports and a

small decline in imports, the data showed.

Trump promised his "America First" focus

on domestic industry and aggressive trade

policies and high tariffs on allies and rivals

alike would boost sales of American-made

products, but the total trade gap increased

every year he was in office with the exception

of 2019.

After a steady escalation of trade tensions

and tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars

in annual goods imports, Trump signed a

"phase one" deal with Beijing a year ago, but

many economists say the policy has failed to

achieve its stated goals and in some areas did

more harm than good.

"Rather than benefiting the economy, it

has reduced US economic growth and

employment, resulting in an estimated peak

loss of 245,000 jobs," the US-China Business

Council said in a report last month, adding

that "Tariff rates remain at a multi-decade

high" in spite of the agreement.

What kind of course correction President

Joe Biden will press for in trade relations

remains unclear, but he has indicated he will

not immediately roll back tariffs on China.

His policy efforts may be delayed as his

pick to lead the Commerce Department has

been held hostage by Republicans

demanding he continue the hardline stance

against Chinese tech firm Huawei.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz put a hold on

Biden's nomination for Gina Raimondo to

head the agency that will play a key role in

trade relations, effectively blocking her

confirmation. "I'll lift the hold when the

Biden admin commits to keep the massive

Chinese Communist Party spy operation

Huawei on the Entity List," Cruz tweeted.

Trump barred Huawei from the US

market, pressured allies to shun its telecom

networking gear and imposed a succession

of escalating sanctions including cutting off

access to vital components, saying the

equipment could be used by China for

espionage.

Primary students' stipend payout

begins through Nagad

The disbursement of

stipends and allowances for

educational accessories

among primary school

students through Nagad, the

digital financial service of

the postal department of

Bangladesh, began recently,

a press release said.

The stipends and the

allowances for the

educational accessories were

sent to the Nagad wallets of

the parents of 86,452

students in 655 schools

under six districts in the first

phase. The Directorate of

Primary Education (DPE)

will provide the stipend and

the allowances through

Nagad among 1.40 crore

students this year, largestever

digital stipend fund

distribution in the world of

this kind.

Mustafa Jabbar, Posts and

Telecommunications

Division Minister, and Md.

Zakir Hossen, State Minister

for the Ministry of Primary

and Mass Education,

inaugurated the fund

distribution programme at

the secretariat. Golam Md

Hashibul Alam, secretary of

the Ministry of Primary and

Mass Education, Md. Afzal

Hossain, secretary of the

Posts

and

Telecommunications

Division, Alamgir

Muhammad Mansurul

Alam, director-general of the

Directorate of Primary

Education, Md. Siraz Uddin,

director-general of the

Directorate of Posts of the

Bangladesh Post Office, and

Tanvir A Mishuk, managing

director of Nagad, were

present among others.

The disbursement of the

stipends and allowances for

educational materials was

halted for almost a year

because of nontransparency

and inertia in

the distribution system.

Following the instruction

from the Honourable Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina, the

DPE signed an agreement

with Nagad on December 13,

2020. The government's

expenses to distribute the

funds will come down by less

than a third because of the

partnership with Nagad, the

second largest digital

financial carrier of the

country.

As per the agreement, a

student is signed up on the

digital platform anew by

inserting their birth

certificate with the mobile

phone number and NID

number of the parent. As a

result, the fund is instantly

transferred to the Nagad

account of the parents of the

student as soon as it is sent.

The beneficiary also receives

the cash-out charge along

with the stipend and

allowances, so they will not

be charged for it.

As per the contact Nagad

ran a registration process

which was complicated

initially. But once the

database will become ready,

the registration process

would be easier for the years.

Once a student's name is

added to the database, the

government and student will

be able to use the

information until the

completion of his or her

study life. The students of

only grade one will be added

to the database at the

beginning of each year. It

will ensure the transparency

and accountability and

increase the efficiency of

public money.

Connected virtually at the

inauguration programme

Mustafa Jabbar, Posts and

Telecommunications

Minister, said "This is a

historic moment. The

project of distributing

allowances and stipends to

students through Nagad will

be considered as a milestone

of digitalization path in

Bangladesh. We would like

to assure the Ministry of

Primary and Mass

Education that we will repay

the trust you have keep on us

by taking the service of

Nagad. Although Nagad is

the youngest digital financial

service in the country, it is

the most beloved service to

Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina. That is why she has

chosen this service to

distribute stipends to

students."

Md. Zakir Hossen, State

Minister of the Ministry of

Primary and Mass

Education said, "Because of

the stipends and allowances

enrollment has increased

and dropout has reduced by

18 percent. However, we see

that there has been a lot of

misappropriation of the

public fund in the way the

allowance was distributed

earlier. That is why we have

chosen Nagad which is also

owned by the government

and they will save huge

public money."

Tanvir A Mishuk,

managing director of Nagad,

said: "Nagad always places

the highest importance in

the customers. And in this

case, the students and their

guardians will get the

highest level of priority. We

can assure that we will win

the hearts of all through our

services."

Russia's annual

inflation rises

to 5.2pc in

January

MOSCOW : Russia's

annual inflation rate rose to

5.2 percent in January,

Rosstat statistics agency said

Friday, as food prices shot

higher, reports BSS.

Consumer prices started

to climb in March last year,

driven by the slump in oil

prices and a drop in the

value of the national

currency the ruble, after

months of historically low

inflation.

Among the most affected

food prices were those of

sugar, which rose by 64

percent, and sunflower oil,

which rose 26 percent.

Russia's government has

been addressing the issue

since late 2020 after

President Vladimir Putin

publicly expressed concern

about the sharp increase in

the prices of certain food

products.

He instructed the

government to prepare

measures to regulate prices

before the end of year

holidays, which was

followed by an

announcement of export

quotas for cereals among

other measures.

Last year Russia recorded

3.4 percent inflation yearon-year.

Inflation was notably

driven by the weak ruble,

which fell in early November

2020 to its lowest level since

December 2014, before

recovering.

Global food prices - led by

cereals, oils and sugar - rose

in January for the eighth

consecutive month reaching

their highest level in nearly

seven years, the UN Food

and

Agriculture

Organization said in

February.

China's garment

industry reports

shrinking profits

in 2020

BEIJING : China's garment

industry registered lower

profits and revenue in 2020,

data from the Ministry of

Industry and Information

Technology showed, reports

BSS.

Profits of the country's

major garment enterprises

came in at 64.04 billion yuan

(about 9.9 billion U.S. dollars)

last year, down 21.3 percent

year on year, the ministry

said.

Meanwhile, the combined

operating revenue of these

companies fell 11.3 percent

from a year ago to 1.37 trillion

yuan.

The output of China's

garment sector reached 22.37

billion pieces in 2020, down

7.7 percent year on year,

according to the ministry.

Russia's annual inflation rises

to 5.2% in January

Chinese consumers

focus more on health,

safety when buying

holiday goods: Survey

BEIJING : Chinese

consumers are putting more

emphasis on the health and

safety of goods purchased

during this year's Spring

Festival shopping spree,

according to a survey reported

by China Youth Daily earlier

this week, reports BSS.

The survey, with 2,043

respondents, shows that 62.8

percent of those surveyed will

focus more on the health and

safety of goods, and close to

80 percent of them said they

will choose online shopping

platforms this year.

The survey also found that

more than 60 percent of the

respondents will try to reduce

close contact with others, and

36 percent will check the

quarantine certificate and

trace information of imported

goods.

Bangladesh gets new facilities in

commerce for LDCs graduation:

FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim

FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim

has said Bangladesh will get new

facilities in commerce besides

increasing status of the country for

LDCs (Least Development Countries)

graduation meeting all the three

criteria of graduation, a press release

said.

He said LDCs graduation is a big

achievement and pride of the country.

By achieving the success, foreign

investment will be increased in

Bangladesh and more employment

opportunities will be created which will

boost country's economy.

Sheikh Fazle Fahim came up with the

assertion while addressing at an online

workshop titled "Effective Partnership

with the Private Sector for Sustainable

Graduation" organized by Support to

Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP)

of Economic Relations Department on

Saturday (February-06) as the guest of

honor.

The FBCCI President said after LDCs

graduation Bangladesh may face some

challenges on International Support

Measures (ISM) which includes duty

and quota free market access,

preferential treatments, TRIPS etc.

He said it will be needed to build

capacity of the private sector FBCCI has

taken an initiative with the support of

international trade centre and

international strategic partners on

strengthening of trade support

institutions, export competiveness,

product and market diversification, notariff

barriers, standardization and

certification, economic diversification,

micro, small, medium-sized

enterprises (MSME) support,

investment and entrepreneurship,

export strategy development, women's

economic empowerment, upgrading

value chains including in service,

promoting digital economy, and e-

commerce, regional trade, training on

commercial diplomacy, trade and

market intelligence, promoting publicprivate

dialogue and business

advocacy, understanding impacts of

Bangladesh's LDC graduation,

implementation of the trade facilitation

agreement, supporting innovation,

start-ups, and their ecosystem,

sustainability and inclusive growth.

"Our capacity building activities will

be taken integrating indigenous inputs

with global standard knowledge and all

chambers and associations will be

included in this platform, he added.

Path clears for Nigeria's

Okonjo-Iweala as first

woman WTO chief

GENEVA :US President Joe Biden's

administration on Friday offered its "strong

support" to Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to

lead the World Trade Organization (WTO),

clearing a path for her to become the body's

first female and first African leader, reports

BSS.

The move marks another sharp split with

former president Donald Trump, who

paralysed the organisation and opposed the

candidacy of the former Nigerian finance

minister who was backed by many other

countries.

The US Trade Representative in a

statement cited her "wealth of knowledge in

economics and international diplomacy" and

said she had "proven experience managing a

large international organisation".

USTR also noted that South Korea's trade

minister - whom the Trump administration

supported - had abandoned her bid to head

the WTO earlier Friday.

Yoo Myung-hee consulted with the United

States - her primary backer - and other major

countries and "decided to renounce her

candidacy", South Korea's trade ministry

said in a statement.

The process to name a successor for

Roberto Azevedo, who stepped down last

August, had been deadlocked for months.

Key WTO ambassadors tapped Okonjo-

Iweala back in October as the best pick to

lead the organisation, but without US

support the process was left at a standstill

since the director general is normally chosen

by consensus among all 164 member states.

"The United States stands ready to engage

in the next phase of the WTO process for

reaching a consensus decision on the WTO

Director General," USTR said.

"The Biden Administration looks forward

to working with a new WTO Director

General to find paths forward to achieve

necessary substantive and procedural

reform of the WTO."

Okonjo-Iweala later said on Twitter:

"Grateful for the expression of support from

the US today."

The next regular meeting of the Genevabased

organisation's General Council, where

the leadership issue could be discussed, was

not until March 1, WTO spokesman Keith

Rockwell told AFP.

But, he stressed, "another could be called

on short notice", since the last meeting in

October had been suspended amid the

deadlock. A European diplomat hailed Yoo's

decision to drop out of the race.

"We salute the spirit of responsibility in

this decision. This is good news for

multilateralism," he told AFP.

"Now nothing stands in the way of

members rapidly approving the Nigerian

candidate, Doctor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,

who won the selection process."

If she does get the nod, Okonjo-Iweala

would become the first woman and also the

first African to lead the WTO.

The crisis-wracked organisation is widely

seen as needing reform.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, it had

grappled with stalled trade talks and

struggled to curb tensions between the

United States and China.

The global trade body also faced relentless

attacks from Washington under Trump,

which crippled its dispute settlement appeal

system.

The previous US leader had threatened to

leave the organisation altogether.

Twice Nigeria's finance minister and its

first woman foreign minister, Okonjo-

Iweala, 66, trained as a development

economist - she has degrees from

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(MIT) and Harvard.

She spent a quarter of a century at the

World Bank, rising to be managing director

and running for the top role in 2012, and is

seen as a trailblazer in her home country.

Sheikh Fazle Fahim said celebration

of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden

Jubilee of the country during LDCs

graduation period has become more

meaningful, prestigious and colorful

which was a dream of Father of the

Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur

Rahman.

Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs),

Prime Minister's Office and Chair of

National Task Force on LDC

Graduation Zuena Aziz presided over

the workshop and Economic Relations

Division Secretary Fatima Yasmin

presented the key note while the

Finance Minister A H M Mustafa

Kamal FCA, MP was the chief guest in

the workshop.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi

MP and Finance Division Senior

Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder spoke

as the special guest on the occasion

while Commerce Ministry Secretary

Dr. Md. Jafar Uddin, BGMEA

President Dr. Rubana Huq, BAPI

Senior Vice-President Abdul Muktadir

and Research and Policy Integration

for Development Chair Dr.

Mohammad Abdur Razzaque spoke as

the panelist.

IMF chief supports

Biden's massive US

stimulus plan

WASHINGTON : IMF chief

Kristalina Georgieva on

Friday endorsed US President

Joe Biden's proposed $1.9

trillion economic stimulus

plan to deal with the pain

caused by the Covid-19

pandemic, reports BSS.

"The US does have fiscal

space to take additional relief

and support measures," she

told reporters.

And it is "appropriate" to

use that firepower "given the

exceptional uncertainties, and

most importantly, given the

fact that there is still a lot of

pain for households and

businesses."

Far from considering the

package excessive, Georgieva

expressed support for many of

the proposal's elements

including funding for

vaccines, testing, food

assistance, as well as tax

credits for low-income

workers.

"The fund has been a big

proponent of using even more

Earned Income Tax Credit

(and) refundable childcare

credit," she said during an

event with reporters.

Biden on Friday pledged to

"act fast" to push the

legislation through Congress,

even as Republicans have

balked at the high price tag for

the plan that enjoys broad

popular support.

Democrats hold a narrow

majority in the Senate, so they

could approve the measure

without Republican support.

Republicans also have

opposed providing aid to

struggling state and local

governments, but Georgieva

said conditions make that aid

necessary.

TueSDAY, FeBRuARY 9, 2021

9

Lionel Messi scored his fastest league goal as a substitute as his strike 136 seconds after coming on

inspired Barcelona to a 3-2 victory over Real Betis on Sunday.

Photo: AP

Super-sub Messi leads Barcelona

comeback against Betis

SPorTS DeSk:

Lionel Messi scored his fastest league

goal as a substitute as his strike 136

seconds after coming on inspired

Barcelona to a 3-2 victory over real

Betis on Sunday, reports BSS.

Messi was among several key players

rested, with ronald koeman

seemingly prioritising Wednesday's

Copa del rey semi-final against Sevilla

ahead of Barca's fading title challenge

in La Liga.

Defeat would have called that

decision into question but Messi drove

in an equaliser less than three minutes

after coming on in the second half and

then helped set up Francisco Trincao to

score a late winner, the 21-year-old's

first goal for Barcelona.

"He changed the game," said

koeman, when asked about Messi.

"It's a bit about the cup game but we

also have to decide when the best

moment is to rest players. The cup is

the shortest route to a title this season."

koeman's side sit seven points

behind La Liga's leaders Atletico

Madrid, who have played two games

fewer and face Celta Vigo at home on

Monday night. Success also came at a

cost as Barca's best available central

defender ronald Araujo was forced off

with an ankle injury early on.

With Gerard Pique already a longterm

absentee, Araujo's fitness will be a

huge concern, especially with a

Champions League last 16 first leg at

home to Paris Saint-Germain to come,

a week after the test against Sevilla. -

Messi magic -

Betis will wonder how they managed

not to take at least a point from a wild

contest at the Benito Villamarin but

Barcelona sustain their momentum,

this their sixth league victory in a row.

They were hit early by the injury to

Araujo, whose ankle caved under the

weight of an awkward fall. Frenkie de

Jong came in at centre-back and his

partner Clement Lenglet should have

given Barca the lead but headed wide

from five yards out with nobody near

him.

Betis made them pay with a brilliant

opening goal on the break. ousmane

Serena Williams wasted little time in breezing into the second round as the

Australian Open began on Monday.

Photo: AP

Serena, osaka off to

flying starts as delayed

Australian open begins

SPorTS DeSk

Serena Williams and Naomi osaka wasted

little time in breezing into the second round

as the Australian open began on Monday,

three weeks later than originally scheduled

because of the coronavirus pandemic,

reports BSS.

Japan's osaka, the third seed, struck the

first serve on rod Laver Arena against

russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the

women's singles and strode to touch

racquets with her opponent at the net just

68 minutes later after a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

"I was really nervous coming into this

match. I just wanted to play well," osaka told

a smattering of spectators on the sociallydistanced

centre court. She will face France's

Caroline Garcia in the second round.

Williams started her quest for a recordequalling

24th Grand Slam title in style

with a 6-1, 6-1 romp past Germany's Laura

Siegemund in 56 minutes.

"This was a good start, it was vintage

Serena," said the 39-year-old, playing an

unparallelled 100th match at the tournament

and turning heads by sporting a vivid, onelegged

catsuit. She will play Serbia's Nina

Stojanovic in the second round.

But 2016 Australian open champion

Angelique kerber was the first significant

casualty, the 23rd-seeded German losing 6-

0, 6-4 to 63rd-ranked American Bernada

Pera on Margaret Court Arena.

The tournament is known as the "Happy

Slam" for its convivial atmosphere but the

pandemic has overshadowed the event this

year with fewer spectators, mandatory maskwearing

and fans unable to circulate freely

around the grounds. Australia has largely

contained the virus, but officials are desperate

to avoid further problems from Covid-19.

Preparations had to be hastily rearranged

as late as last Wednesday when a

coronavirus case at a tournament hotel -

the city's first local infection in 28 days -

forced a suspension of play. Hundreds of

players and officials were tested and all

were negative.

While kerber exited early, there were no

problems for the 2014 men's champion,

Stan Wawrinka, as he reached the second

round for a 16th straight time with a 6-3, 6-

2, 6-4 win against Portugal's Paulo Sousa.

"It's always amazing and special to come

back here. Winning my first Grand Slam was

something unbelievable, amazing memories,"

said the 35-year-old Swiss 17th seed.

Milos raonic, the 14th seed from Canada

also enjoyed serene progress through to the

second round with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win over

Federico Coria of Argentina.

But Gael Monfils, the French 10th seed, is

out after being stunned 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3

by emil ruusuvuori of Finland, the world

number 86, in three hours and 46 minutes.

Dembele lost the ball upfield and Betis

poured forward, the ball shifted right

to emerson who motored round Jordi

Alba and squared for Borja Iglesias to

slam home.

Juanmi might have made it two but

was denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen

before Messi came on for Miralem

Pjanic in the 57th minute and

equalised in the 59th. Dembele

returned a pass to the Argentinian on

the edge of the area and he drove a

sizzling shot inside the post.

Nine minutes later, Barca were in

front, Alba's cross mishit by Antoine

Griezmann, only for the ball to cannon

in anyway off the legs of Victor ruiz.

Betis were not finished yet and

neither was ruiz, the defender making

amends by heading in Nabil Fekir's

crossed free-kick with 15 minutes left.

Yet Barcelona had one more trick up

their sleeve as Messi weaved in from

the left and his chipped pass was

headed into the path of the 21-year-old

Trincao, whose thundering shot flew in

off the crossbar.

Japan pledges

safe olympics,

medical experts

aren't so sure

SPorTS DeSk:

Japanese infectious disease

specialist Atsuo Hamada

wants to see the olympics

happen in Tokyo this

summer, but admits if they

were being held anywhere

else, he'd probably support a

cancellation, reports BSS.

"even without the

coronavirus pandemic, the

olympics as a mass gathering

fosters all sorts of infectious

diseases," Hamada, a

professor at Tokyo Medical

University, told AFP.

With less than six months

until the pandemicpostponed

Games, organisers

say they're confident the

event will be safe. But some

medical experts aren't so

sure, and think cancellation is

safer.

"I do understand the

athletes' sentiments," said

Michael Head, a senior

research fellow in global

health at Britain's University

of Southampton.

"But I think from… the

global public health point of

view, there's nothing about

the olympics that makes any

sense whatsoever right now."

olympic officials have

started outlining virus safety

measures, from pre-arrival

health monitoring to regular

testing in Japan, and

limitations on how long

athletes will stay at the

olympic Village.

"It is the mantra of all of us

- the Games have to be safe,"

olympic Games executive

Director Christophe Dubi

said last week.

organisers point to the

success of other sports events

during the pandemic, but

experts note the Games will

be on an entirely different

scale.

The numbers are

formidable: 26,000 beds in

the olympic Village alone,

around 12,000 accredited

media, and participants from

Tigres beat

Palmeiras to

reach Club

World Cup final

SPorTS DeSk

Tigres set up a potential

Club World Cup final date

with Bayern Munich after

seeing off Palmeiras 1-0 in

Sunday's last four clash at

the tournament in Qatar,

reports BSS.

Andre-Pierre Gignac's

penalty eight minutes after

the break was enough for the

Mexican side to beat Brazilian

giants Palmeiras, who

claimed their second Copa

Libertadores title last month

but were subdued at the

education City Stadium.

Palmeiras goalkeeper

Weverton was the star of the

first half with two superb

saves, but he could do nothing

to stop Gignac's powerful

spot-kick after Luan yanked

back Carlos Gonzalez in the

box. Gignac's winning strike

made it three goals in two

games for the former

Marseille forward after his

brace in Tigres' 2-1 win over

Ulsan Hyundai in the

previous round and made his

side the first CoNCACAF

team to reach the Club World

Cup final.

Tigres will likely face Bayern

in Thursday's final, with the

european champions over

whelming favourites in their

semi-final with egypt's Al Ahly

on Monday. "We are so proud

of what we have done. We

were looking at this task and

we couldn't believe it. We

know that people are crying

because of this victory. We

want to dedicate this to all of

them," said Gonzalez.

"We are so happy to move onto

the dream final. The Palmeiras

goalkeeper was the hero with

some great saves." Defeat will be

disappointing for Palmeiras, who

are Brazil's most successful club

with 10 national titles and were

expected to be Bayern's principal

rivals but fell with a whimper at

the first hurdle.

'exceptional' Ibrahimovic

breaks 500-goal mark to

keep AC Milan top

SPorTS DeSk

Zlatan Ibrahimovic broke the 500-mark for

career club goals with a brace on Sunday as

AC Milan held top spot in Serie A with a 4-

0 win over lowly Crotone, reports BSS.

"It's difficult to be surprised by

Ibrahimovic," said Milan coach Stefano

Pioli of the 39-year-old who is powering his

team's bid for a first 'Scudetto' since 2011.

Milan moved back two points in front of

city rivals Inter Milan who had pulled

ahead after a 2-0 win over Fiorentina on

Friday.

Champions Juventus are a further five

back in third after beating roma 2-0 on

Saturday.

The capital side dropped to fourth equal

on points with city rivals Lazio who beat

Cagliari 1-0.

Ibrahimovic opened the scoring on the

half hour at the San Siro after combining

with rafael Leao for his 500th strike with

nine different clubs.

And the Swede brought his tally to 501 in

the 64th minute, finishing off a Theo

Hernandez cross for his 83rd Milan goal.

"To hold up at this level means you're an

exceptional professional and he's helped by

a physique that few have," continued Pioli.

"He's a champion, an athlete who has

great motivation, he takes care of his body

scrupulously. Sometimes he's tired, but he

never fails."

Ante rebic turned the game into a

comprehensive win with a quick-fire brace

of his own past Crotone goalkeeper Alex

Cordaz.

The Croatian headed in a Hakan

Calhanoglu corner in the 69th minute and

then seconds later turned in a rebound

after Cordaz kept out an Ibrahimovic strike.

"The Scudetto? The decisive matches will

come later, now we have to withstand all

the pressures which is a privilege to have,"

continued Pioli.

"The top seven are all capable of fighting

for the title and the first four places.

"It's not yet time to look too much at the

table, a challenging period will come with

many matches and the europa League is

about to start again." - 'My job is to score'.

Ibrahimovic showed his incredible form

22 years after making his professional

debut for Swedish club Malmo, scoring his

first goal in october 1999.

"It means that I have scored a few goals in

my career," said the Swede, who was

substituted off with 15 minutes to go.

"The important thing is to continue to

help the team in the best possible way. My

job is to score and create situations to

score."

Ibrahimovic reached the landmark in 825

games, having played for three Serie A

sides - Juventus, Inter and Milan - as well

as Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester

United, Barcelona, Ajax and Los Angeles

Galaxy.

He has now scored 396 league goals, 57 in

european competitions and 48 in cup

games.

The former Sweden striker returned to

Milan in January 2020 and has scored 27

goals in 37 appearances since.

He has scored 14 league goals in 11 games

this season having been sidelined with

coronavirus and injury, two short of top

scorer Cristiano ronaldo, who turned 36

on Friday.

With 116 games for Sweden and 62 goals,

Ibrahimovic is the all-time leading scorer

for the Swedish national team. - Immobile

lifts Lazio -

In rome, Ciro Immobile scored the only

goal as Lazio pushed their winning run to

six league games to move ahead of Napoli

and level with roma.

Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno kept

the relegation-threatened Sardinians in the

game for an hour, denying an Immobile

header, and getting down to clear a Luis

Alberto volley.

But he could do nothing to stop Immobile

latching on to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's

nodded cross with the Italian finishing off

with his left foot.

Last season's european golden shoe

winner has now 14 goals this campaign,

equal with Ibrahimovic and Inter's romelu

Lukaku.

In the emilia-romagna derby, Musa

Barrow scored twice within the first half

hour with riccardo orsolini adding a third

in injury time as Bologna got back winning

3-0 against Parma.

Bologna move up to 12th with Parma

stuck 19th.

Mbappe sparks PSG win over

Marseille, but Lille top in France

SPorTS DeSk

kylian Mbappe set Paris Saint-

Germain on the way to a 2-0 win over

troubled Marseille on Sunday, keeping

the reigning champions within three

points of Ligue 1 leaders Lille who

earlier recorded their sixth consecutive

victory, reports BSS.

Mbappe burst through at incredible

pace to give PSG the lead on the counterattack

in the ninth minute at the

Velodrome, with Mauro Icardi adding a

second for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

The victory was achieved despite

Neymar - who celebrated his 29th

birthday on Friday - only appearing as a

substitute having missed training with

a stomach bug.

PSG stay third, a point behind Lyon

and three adrift of Lille, who won 2-0 at

Nantes.

Marseille finished with 10 men after

Dimitri Payet's late sending-off, and are

down in ninth having won just once in

11 games.

The Parisians go to Barcelona in the

Champions League on February 16 but

Mbappe insisted their thoughts

remained on domestic matters as they

first play in the French Cup in midweek

and then host Nice next weekend.

"In previous years we might have

been able to concentrate more on the

Champions League but this year we

really need to stay focused on the league

because we are trailing," the World Cup

winner told broadcaster Canal Plus.

"But maybe that's not a bad thing

because we are forced to play with

intensity in every game and that can

mean that you're not taken by surprise

when it comes to the Champions

League." 'Le Classique' is the biggest

fixture in French football, and the

build-up to the 100th meeting of

Marseille and PSG had been dominated

by recent events in the Mediterranean

city.

Marseille's game last weekend

against rennes was postponed after

several hundred supporters attacked

the club's training ground, and three

days later coach Andre Villas-Boas was

suspended by the club after declaring at

a press conference he wanted to resign.

Nasser Larguet, the head of

Marseille's youth academy, took charge

for Wednesday's draw at Lens and was

again on the bench against PSG.

The last league meeting of the teams

in September was won 1-0 by

Marseille, but was marred by five late

red cards, including for Neymar. The

Brazilian later accused Marseille

defender Alvaro Gonzalez of racism,

although no action was taken due to a

lack of evidence.

Ligue 1 top scorer Mbappe sprinted

onto Angel di Maria's pass to control

and fire past Steve Mandanda for the

opener, his 16th of the season. Canal

Plus clocked Mbappe's stunning sprint

at 36 kilometres per hour.

Di Maria then hobbled off injured,

before Icardi made it 2-0 midway

through the first half.

Icardi got in front of Alvaro to meet

Alessandro Florenzi's cross, the ball

coming off the back of his neck and

looping into the net.

Kylian Mbappe set Paris Saint-Germain on the way to a 2-0 win over troubled Marseille on Sunday.

Photo: AP

TUesDAY, feBRUARY 9, 2021

10

'Jani Tumi Chile' to release

on Valentine's Day

TBT RepoRT

Mission Extreme is one of the most talked about

movies of the year. The film will be released in the

coming Eid-ul-Fitr. The campaign is already going

on. As a part of it, a teaser of 1 minute 33 seconds

was released on the evening of March 12 last year.

There is a hint of an action-packed movie full with

excitement.

This time a romantic song from the much awaited

police action suspense thriller movie is coming. The

production company Cop Creation is going to

release the song on the occasion of Valentine's Day.

Pritam Hasan and Dola Rahman sang the song

titled 'Jani Tumi Chile' written by Rakib Hasan

Rahul. The melody and music composed by Adit

Rahman. The Big Budget song was filmed in the city

of Dubai and in desert area. It has cost about 28

lakh!

This information was confirmed by Sunny

Sanwar, one of the directors, producers and writers

of the movie. "I have been receiving requests for a

song from 'Mission Extreme' for a long time," he

said. So I am going to release the most expensive

romantic song of the movie on Valentine's Day. The

filming of this song was not compromised. From

the melody and music of the song, we have tried to

keep all the great surprises for the audience. The

budget of the song 'Jani Tumi Chile' shot in Dubai

alone has reached Rs 28 lakh.

We also spent Rs 18 lakh on the song 'Tup Tap'

which was filmed in Malaysia in the movie 'Dhaka

Attack'. In fact, there is a connection between the

quality, beauty and the cost. All in all, I believe this

song will add an extra entertainment in this Eid.

However, the viewers will have to wait longer to get

the video version of the song. '

He added that the lyrical video of the song is

currently being released. However, viewers will

have to wait a few more days to watch the video.

Earlier, the campaign was launched by releasing a

poster of the movie last December.

The first part of 'Mission Extreme' is going to be

released next Eid-ul-Fitr. Though it was supposed

to be released on Eid-ul-Fitr last year, the

production company was forced to postpone due to

the global Corona epidemic. Faisal Ahmed codirected

the movie with Sunny Sanwar.

Kangana Ranaut: Agni is my

depiction of the goddess of death

Actor Kangana Ranaut on

Monday shared new stills from

her upcoming film Dhaakad.

The actioner, also starring Arjun

Rampal and Divya Dutta, is

directed by Razneesh Ghai. It is

set to have a theatrical release on

October 1.

In the new stills, Kangana's

character of Agent Agni is armed

with a machine gun, in the

backdrop of a burning vehicle in

what looks like the setup of an

action sequence. Kangana

tweeted the pictures and wrote,

"They call her Agni… the brave

one #Dhaakad I say she is my

depiction of Bhairavi the

goddess of death … #Dhaakad."

The makers had recently also

revealed the looks of Arjun

Rampal and Divya Dutta. While

Rampal plays the main

antagonist Rudraveer, Dutta will

be seen as the 'evil master'

Rohini.

In Dhaakad's previous poster

too, Kangana Ranaut flaunted a

fierce look. She even called the

movie, "India's first female-led

action thriller".

Talking about the film Kangana

earlier said, "Dhaakad is not

only a benchmark film for my

career but will be a turning point

for Indian cinema as well. The

film is mounted on a large scale,

and is one of a kind female-led

action film."

Written by Chintan Gandhi and

Rinish Ravindra, the actionthriller

is jointly produced by

Sohel Maklai Productions and

Asylum Films and co-produced

by Qyuki Digital Media. The film

also marks screenwriter Ritesh

Shah's first collaboration with

Kangana Ranaut.

Source: Cinema Express

'Priyo Komola' to release

on Independence Day

TBT RepoRT

Apu Biswas, a popular

Bangladeshi film actress and

model made her debut in the

film industry with the film Kal

Shokale in 2006. She then

performed in Koti Takar Kabin.

This time she is going to play the

lead role "Komola" of the

upcoming movie titled 'Priyo

Komola' which has been made

with the aim of releasing it on

the occasion of birth centenary

of Father of the Nation

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur

Rahman on Independence Day.

The story, dialogue,

screenplay and direction of the

movie have been done by the

A new promo for the upcoming

Fast and Furious movie F9 was

released during Super Bowl.

The video promises another

high-octane entry in the

actor, presenter Shahriar Nazim

Joy. The shooting of the movie

'Priyo Komola' started in

November last year. Though he

was supposed to be released on

Victory Day, but could not be

released.

Therefore,

preparations are being made for

the release of the movie on

March 26, Independence Day.

"I am grateful to Shahriar

Nazim Joy for giving me the

opportunity to play the role of

Komola." If he hadn't taken this

opportunity, I wouldn't have

been able to work in a movie

based on the liberation war.

Because this kind of character

has never been played by me

before. I am very optimistic

TBT RepoRT

about the Komola character. I

tried my best to enhance my

character. After watching the

rest of the movie, I will

understand how much I have

achieved," said Apu Biswas.

Meanwhile, Apu Biswas has

also acted in new movie titled

Jannatul Ferdoush Peya, a popular model

and actress has been blessed with a baby

boy. She gave birth to the baby boy at the

United Hospital in the capital at 3:47 pm on

Sunday (February 7).

Peya Jannatul's husband Faruq Hasan

Samir confirmed the news.

Expressing feeling of being father, Faruq

Hasan Samir said, "This is a very emotional

moment. This feeling is not like expressing

in words. What a good feeling! The baby is

too sweet to see. We have fixed his name

Aris Hasan." The expecting date of Peya's

giving birth was February 22. But before

that, the couple's first child was born

through caesarean today (February 7). Both

mother and son were doing well, Samir said.

On October 8 last year Peya reveled about

her pregnancy to the media. She took part in

multiple photoshoots during her pregnancy.

popular action-thriller

franchise.

The teaser may be short but it

reinforces that the film will

feature the return of nearly all

the major members of the

family. The tone here is

emotional.

It may be said that there have

been too many Fast and

Furious movies already, but

nearly each entry has been a

blast to watch.

F9 will be the same, but

perhaps much bigger than

anything that has come before.

Justin Lin comes back to

direct. He has penned the

script with Daniel Casey.

The movie also stars Michelle

Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson,

Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John

Cena, Jordana Brewster,

Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung

Kang, Helen Mirren and

Charlize Theron. The official

synopsis reads, "Vin Diesel's Dom Toretto is leading a quiet life off the grid with Letty and

'Chayabrikho' directed by

Bondhan Biswas. In this movie,

the actress has played the role of

a tea garden worker. Besides,

Apu Biswas starrer 'Shurbari

Zindabad 2' directed by

Debashish Bishwas is awaiting

release.

Peya becomes mother

of baby boy

Those pictures and videos went viral on

internet. Pregnant Peya also shared her

experiences with the fans.

Peya fell in love with Samir at the early of

her career. They tied the knot on June 15,

2014 after 6 years of their love affairs. This is

the first baby of the couple.

In her childhood, Peya dreamed of

becoming a barrister. So she is studying at

London College of Legal Studies. She won

the Miss Bangladesh pageant in 2007. She

then started her showbiz career through

ramp modeling. She has worked in

fashion modeling as well as advertising for

multiple brands.

Peya acted her first movie Redoan

Rony's Chorabali. She later acted in

'Gangster Returns', 'Story of Samara',

'Expatriate Love' and 'Romance in

America'. She also came into limelight to

host several sessions of Bangladesh Premier

League (BPL).

F9 teaser

Vin Diesel movie looks like

another exciting entry

his son, little Brian, but they

know that danger always lurks

just over their peaceful horizon.

This time, that threat will

force Dom to confront the sins

of his past if he's going to save

those he loves most. His crew

joins together to stop a worldshattering

plot led by the most

skilled assassin and highperformance

driver they've

ever encountered: a man who

also happens to be Dom's

forsaken brother, Jakob (John

Cena, the upcoming The

Suicide Squad)."

F9 is slated to be released on

May 28, 2021.

Source: News Tube

H o R o s c o p e

ARIes

(March 21 - April 20) : You and your

friends may have been planning a party

for some time. Now you realize it's

entirely up to you to actually make things

happen, Aries. It seems that if you're going to get

anywhere, you need to take charge and delegate

responsibility. You like to be in this position. Your

great creative mind could give you a load of ideas for a

party that no one will forget.

TAURUs

(April 21 - May 21) : Luck is finally on

your side, Taurus. And you deserve it,

because you really worked hard to get

these results in your life. In astrology, as

in life, you can't succeed just by sheer luck. Success is

often the result of a lot of energy you expend or

something you may have changed on the inside. So

continue to give off the positive energy that's

responsible for your success.

GeMINI

(May 22 - June 21) : Social events involving

both old and new friends could prove especially

satisfying at this time, Gemini. You will be able

to catch up with those you haven't seen for a

while. You might also be introduced to new people who prove

valuable business contacts in the future. Expect good news,

stimulating conversation, and a lot of reminiscing about the

past with warm and congenial companions.

cANceR

(June 22 - July 23) : You seem to

have the bad habit of putting off

until tomorrow what you can

do today, Cancer, especially

those little daily things that seem to pile

up, like writing letters, paying bills, getting

a health checkup, or cleaning the house.

However, today is a great day to deal with

these monotonous tasks, so seize the

moment.

Leo

(July 24 - Aug. 23): Some information

that you've been seeking for a long time

might finally be unEarthed today through

your diligent efforts, Leo. This is going to

increase your ability to take on whatever challenges

you're planning to address. Your already sharp business

acumen is likely to be enhanced by whatever you

discover. Be prepared for a lot of hard work and

continued success over the next few months.

VIRGo

(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): Virgo, some volatile

emotional matters that may have reared their

heads over the past few days could finally be

settled to the satisfaction of all involved. The

subject of money may come up. Happiness reigns in the

home, as all the members of your household are basically

pleased with the way their lives are going. The appearance of

some well-loved visitors may add to the contentment.

LIBRA

(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): Some solid, honest

communication between you and those

you love is likely to clear up some

confusion. Roles are more clearly defined,

emotional problems clarified, and chores are more

fairly allotted. This is going to make a big difference in

your daily life. The removal of relationship issues will

guarantee that the atmosphere is more harmonious

from now on.

scoRpIo

(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) : You might need to do

some of the less exciting chores involved

with creative or artistic projects today,

Sagittarius. You're in the right frame of

mind to get them done. Your efficiency is at a peak. A

practical, no-nonsense manner marks all your

interactions. By day's end you should feel more than

satisfied with what you've done. You're apt to be

prepared for the next phase of the project.

sAGITTARIUs

(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): You might need to do

some of the less exciting chores involved with

creative or artistic projects today, Sagittarius.

You're in the right frame of mind to get them

done. Your efficiency is at a peak. A practical, no-nonsense

manner marks all your interactions. By day's end you should

feel more than satisfied with what you've done. You're apt to be

prepared for the next phase of the project.

cApRIcoRN

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): You may have let

household tasks and chores go for a

few days, Capricorn, so today you

might decide to get them all done at

once. You have the energy and the stamina to do

it. However, take care not to get too caught up in

little details that only you tend to notice. This can

keep you from getting the most important chores

done.

AQUARIUs

(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : Some letters and

calls that you may have agreed to do for

a group you're affiliated with might

have to be taken care of today,

Aquarius. Don't be surprised if you spend a lot of

your time on the phone. It might take a little

persistence, as some of the people you need to reach

may not be in. But you're likely to get everything

done. Your determination is strong.

pIsces

(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : You may need to take

care of paperwork related to financial

matters today, Pisces. You will pay bills,

make deposits, or balance checkbooks.

Whatever you need to handle, you will get it done, and

done well. You might even find that you're better off

financially than you thought you were. In the evening, go

to a movie and forget about money for a while.

TUeSDAY, feBRUARY 9, 2021

11

Senate Republicans back Trump

as impeachment trial nears

Khagrachari Hill District Council chairman Mongsueprou Chowdhury was greeted by the editor and correspondents

of Alokito Pahar newspaper. The flowers were greeted at 11:30 am on Monday at the Zila

Parishad Chairman's Office. District Council Member Main Uddin, Public Relations Officer Chinglamong

Chowdhury, Adviser to Alokito Pahar Ranjid Dey, the editor of Alokito Pahar and Khagrachhari correspondent

of The Bangladesh Today Mohammad Saju were present at that time. Photo : Mohammad Saju

Longtime ESPN baseball correspondent

Pedro Gomez dies at 58

Pedro Gomez, a longtime baseball correspondent

for ESPN who covered more than 25

World Series, has died. He was 58.

Gomez died unexpectedly at home Sunday,

his family said in a statement. No cause of

death was given.

"Pedro was far more than a media personality.

He was a Dad, loving husband, loyal friend,

coach and mentor," the Gomez family added.

"He was our everything and his kids' biggest

believer."

Gomez joined ESPN as a Phoenix-based

reporter in 2003 after being a sports columnist

and national baseball writer at The Arizona

Republic since 1997. He was best known at the

network for his coverage of Barry Bonds and

his pursuit of the home-run record during the

steroid controversy.

He was a correspondent on ESPN's

"SportsCenter," "Baseball Tonight" and additional

shows, including the network's

"Wednesday Night Baseball" package.

"We are shocked and saddened to learn that

our friend and colleague Pedro Gomez has

passed away," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro

said in a statement on Twitter and the network's

public relations page. "Pedro was an

elite journalist at the highest level and his professional

accomplishments are universally recognized.

More importantly, Pedro was a kind,

dear friend to us all. Our hearts are with

cvwb-529/2020-2021

GD- 217/21 (9x3)

Pedro's family and all who love him at this

extraordinarily difficult time."

Gomez grew up in Miami, and said the greatest

game he remembered from his childhood

was the San Diego Chargers win over the

Miami Dolphins in a 1981 AFC divisional playoff

game. He attended the University of Miami

and majored in journalism.

His parents fled Cuba for the United States in

1962. Gomez was part of ESPN's coverage in

2016 when the Tampa Bay Rays faced the

Cuban national team, and shared the story of

taking his father and brother's ashes to Cuba.

While the visit to Cuba was one of his more

emotional assignments, he once said in a network

bio that his favorite event he covered was

Game 6 of the 2003 National League

Championship Series between the Florida

Marlins and Chicago Cubs.

Said Gomez: "After Steve Bartman's attempt

to catch the foul ball over Cubs left fielder

Moises Alou, producer Jim Witalka and I were

whisked from behind the Cubs dugout, where

we were getting ready to do on-field interviews

with the NL Champs for the first time since

1908, to virtually the same spot behind the

Marlins dugout, where we saw Josh Beckett

racing back and forth from the clubhouse to

the dugout while chugging beers and saying,

'Rally Beers, Pedro.' It was a memorable night

at Chicago's venerable Wrigley Field."

e-Tender Notice-03/2020-2021

Chinese medicinal

material price

index remains flat

HEFEI : The Kangmei

Chinese medicinal material

price index, a barometer of

the traditional Chinese medicine

(TCM) material market,

remained flat at 1,360.4

points Sunday, reports BSS.

Covering more than 500

TCM materials including

herbs and minerals from six

major markets nationwide,

the closely-watched index

reflects the overall price

trend in the country's TCM

material market. It is

released daily by Kangmei

Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd,

one of China's major TCM

companies.

The index was approved

by the National

Development and Reform

Commission of China in

2012 to offer more timely

and accurate reference for

TCM material growers,

traders and pharmaceutical

companies.

Traditional Chinese medicines,

often given as oral liquid,

granule and pills, typically

use the combination of

a number of medicinal

materials, mostly herbs, to

address health problems.

France exceeded

CO2 reduction target

in 2019: Macron

PARIS : France outperformed

its target for reducing

carbon emissions in

2019, President Emmanuel

Macron said Sunday, four

days after a court rapped the

state for not respecting its

own climate targets.

"France reduced its greenhouse

gas emissions in 2019

by -1.7%. It is beyond our

objective!" Macron wrote on

Twitter.

Earlier, Environment

Minister Barbara Pompili

was quoted in an interview

with Le Journal du

Dimanche newspaper on the

figures, saying the reduction

allowed France to exceed the

target of 1.5 percent.

In June 2020, the national

emissions inventory agency

CITEPA estimated that

France produced 437 million

tonnes of CO2 equivalent

in 2019, which represented

a drop of only one

percent from the previous

year.

But the environment ministry

on Sunday said

CITEPA has since revised its

estimate to 441 million

tonnes, a fall of 1.7 percent.

France aims to become

carbon neutral by 2050, but

campaigners accuse it of failing

to respect its own

roadmap on reducing emissions.

On Thursday, a Paris court

found evidence of "negligence"

by the state in its fight

against climate change and

said it was "responsible… for

some of the ecological damage

seen".

The ruling on a case

brought by NGOs was the

second of its kind in recent

months.

In November, the country's

top administrative court

gave the government a threemonth

deadline to show it

was working to meet its targets

on global warming.

WASHINGTON : Donald Trump's

defenders in the Senate on Sunday rallied

around the former president before

his impeachment trial, dismissing it as

a waste of time and arguing that the former

president's fiery speech before the

U.S. Capitol insurrection does not

make him responsible for the violence

of Jan. 6, reports UNB.

"If being held accountable means

being impeached by the House and

being convicted by the Senate, the

answer to that is no," said Republican

Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, making

clear his belief that Trump should

and will be acquitted. Asked if Congress

could consider other punishment, such

as censure, Wicker said the

Democratic-led House had that option

earlier but rejected it in favor of

impeaching him.

"That ship has sailed," he said.

The Senate is set to launch the

impeachment trial Tuesday to consider

the charge that Trump's fighting

words to protesters at a Capitol rally

as well as weeks of falsehoods about a

stolen and rigged presidential election

provoked a mob to storm the

Capitol. Five people died as a result of

the melee, including a police officer.

GD- 218/21 (4x4)

Many senators including Senate

Republican leader Mitch McConnell

immediately denounced the violence

and pointed a finger of blame at

Trump. Following the riot, Wicker

said Americans "will not stand for this

kind of attack on the rule of law" and

without naming names, said "we

must prosecute" those who undermine

democracy.

But with Trump now gone from the

presidency, Republicans have shown

little political appetite to take further

action, such as an impeachment conviction

that could lead to barring him

from running for future office. Those

partisan divisions appear to be hardening

ahead of Trump's trial, a sign of

his continuing grip on the GOP.

On Sunday, Wicker described

Trump's impeachment trial as a

"meaningless messaging partisan

exercise." When asked if Trump's

conduct should be more deserving of

impeachment than President Bill

Clinton's, whom Wicker voted to

impeach, he said: "I'm not conceding

that the President Trump incited an

insurrection." Clinton's impeachment,

in 1998, was sparked by his

false denial in a deposition of a sexual

US warns Yemen's Houthi rebels

after terrorism delisting

WASHINGTON : The Biden administration

on Sunday warned Yemen's Houthi rebels

against ongoing attacks against civilians just

48 hours after moving to strike the group

from a terrorism blacklist.

The State Department called on the Iranbacked

rebel group to immediately stop

attacks on civilians and new military operations

in Yemen. The demand came only two

days after the administration notified

Congress that it would remove the Houthis

from its list of "foreign terrorist organizations,"

a designation that comes with severe

U.S. sanctions. It also came just three days

after President Joe Biden ordered an end to

U.S. support for the Saudi-led offensive military

operations against the rebels.

"As the president is taking steps to end the

war in Yemen and Saudi Arabia has

endorsed a negotiated settlement, the United

States is deeply troubled by continued

Houthi attacks," State Department

spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"We call on the Houthis to immediately

cease attacks impacting civilian areas inside

Saudi Arabia and to halt any new military

offensives inside Yemen, which only bring

more suffering to the Yemeni people."

Friday's delisting had been hailed by relief

agencies who had slammed the Trump

administration for putting the Houthis on

the list in its waning days in office. Critics

said the designation would exacerbate what

the U.N. calls the world's worst humanitarian

crisis by hindering aid shipments to a

population on the brink of famine.

Earlier Sunday, the U.N. special envoy for

Yemen arrived on his first visit to Iran for

talks on the grinding war. Martin Griffiths

was set to meet with Iranian Foreign

Minister Javad Zarif and other officials during

his two-day visit, his office said. The sessions

are part of a broader effort to negotiate

a political solution to the nearly six-year conflict

pitting the Houthis against Yemeni government

forces supported by a Saudi-led

military coalition.

"We urge the Houthis to refrain from

destabilizing actions and demonstrate their

commitment to constructively engage in

U.N. Special Envoy Griffiths' efforts to

achieve peace," Price said in the statement.

"The time is now to find an end to this conflict."

George Shultz, US secretary of state

who helped usher out Cold War, dies

WASHINGTON : George Shultz, Ronald

Reagan's genial secretary of state who identified

a diplomatic opening that helped end the Cold

War but contributed to a new brand of conflict

by advocating preemptive strikes, has died. He

was 100.

An economics professor who saw himself

more as a data-driven expert than an ideologue,

Shultz had the rare distinction of serving in four

different cabinet positions - including Treasury

secretary as Richard Nixon dismantled the post-

World War II Bretton Woods monetary system.

"One of the most consequential policymakers

of all time, having served three American presidents,

George P. Shultz died Feb. 6 at age 100,"

the Hoover Institution think tank said in a statement

on its website.

In the Reagan White House, notorious for

infighting, Shultz was one of the least controversial

figures, cultivating cordial ties with

Congress and the press and, most crucially,

rock-solid backing from the president himself,

who kept Shultz as his top diplomat for six and

a half years.

In early 1983, half a year into his tenure,

Shultz returned from China to a snowed-under

Washington and was invited by Nancy Reagan

to a casual dinner at the White House where he

was intrigued to hear the famously anti-

Communist president sound eager to meet the

Soviets.

"He had never had a lengthy session with an

important leader from a Communist country,

and I could sense he would relish such an

opportunity," Shultz wrote in his memoir,

"Turmoil and Triumph."

Days afterward, Shultz brought the Soviet

ambassador to the White House in an

unmarked car for a secret meeting with Reagan,

who pressed for Moscow to allow the emigration

of Pentecostal Christians who had sought

refuge in the US embassy.

relationship with a White House

intern.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of

Kentucky dismissed Trump's trial as a

farce with "zero chance of conviction,"

describing Trump's words to

protesters to "fight like hell" as

Congress was voting to ratify Joe

Biden's presidential victory as "figurative"

speech.

"If we're going to criminalize speech,

and somehow impeach everybody

who says, 'Go fight to hear your voices

heard,' I mean really we ought to

impeach Chuck Schumer then," Paul

said, referring to the now Democratic

Senate majority leader and his criticisms

of Justices Neil Gorsuch and

Brett Kavanaugh. "He went to the

Supreme Court, stood in front of the

Supreme Court and said specifically,

'Hey Gorsuch, Hey Kavanaugh, you've

unleashed a whirlwind. And you're

going to pay the price.'"

Paul noted that Chief Justice John

Roberts had declined to preside over

this week's impeachment proceeding

because Trump was no longer president.

Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy

of Vermont will preside over the trial

as Senate president pro tempore.

Corrigendum for E-Tender Notice No: 04/2020-21

Pandemic takes

mental health toll

on US youngsters

NEW YORK : Anxiety,

depression, self-harm and

even suicide: a growing

number of children in the

United States are struggling

with their mental health

during the coronavirus pandemic,

doctors, teachers,

parents and the government

are all warning.

Millions of students have

been attending school virtually

since March last year,

spending hours in front of

computers, without playing

games or chatting with

friends in person and missing

out on sports and faceto-face

art or music classes.

"There's a lot of loneliness

for me and other teens," said

Sarah Frank, an 18-year-old

from Florida, who has not

left home since March

because she lives with relatives

considered high-risk if

they contract Covid-19.

"I have days I feel really

sad, and a bit hopeless. It

feels like a never-ending

nightmare," she told AFP.

Frank co-founded the

State of Mind Project in July,

a website with mental and

physical health tips for

teenagers.

"I missed a lot of a high

school experiences that I'll

never get back. I never went

to a football game, I never

got to go to prom," she said.

Deanna Caputo is a psychologist

and mother of two

children who says she sees

signs of depression in her

10-year-old son since his

class in Arlington, Virginia

became virtual in March.

"He'd wake up in the

morning and go back to

sleep until noon. He was

moody. He started saying

things like 'I am not smart,

I'm not good at anything,'"

said Caputo.

She says knows of other

children even worse off.

Tuesday, Dhaka, February 9, 2021, Magh 26, 1427 BS, Jamadi-us Sani 26, 1442 Hijri

Graphic Novel Mujib

to be fascinating to

children:Zafar Iqbal

DHAKA : Children will be more

interested towards exploring the

life of Bangabandhu owing to the

Graphic Novel Mujib and his childhood

stories will be intriguing to

them, said eminent litterateur and

educationist Muhammed Zafar

Iqbal, reports UNB.

"We must carry the knowledge

about Bangabandhu forward to the

next generation. Merely gathering

information about him will not suffice.

Rather, we must ensure that

they can feel Bangabandhu as well,"

he said during the unveiling of the

eighth episode of the graphic novel

series presenting the life of the

Father of the Nation to children.

Writer and Surviving 71 Director

Wahid Ibn Reza, Graphic Novel

Mujib's cartoonist Syed Rashad

Imam Tanmoy, and singer

Karishma Sanu Sovvota also

graced the unveiling ceremony

with their presence.

"It has been beautifully portrayed

and I am waiting for getting

my hands on the volumes to come.

So nicely sketched is the childhood

of Bangabandhu! His life in his

own words! It will be fascinating to

the children," Zafar Iqbal said

about the graphic novel.

He said it is nearly impossible to

know the entirety of Bangabandhu

through one single source.

"We can just keep trying. With

time, we are getting a closer look at

his life. Now we are endowed with

three books penned by him. The

stories that had been undiscovered

Papul's MP post

for long are now revealed to us. At

the same time, we got to know

about the writer in him. I underlined

some portions on every page

of his books."

Moreover, Zafar Iqbal said, the

graphic novel is fascinating and

children of these days are not

inclined to reading.

"But, they must know about

Bangabandhu. Remaining in dark

about his life is the same as

remaining in dark about

Bangladesh. That is why it's a great

idea as I feel nostalgic while looking

back at the comics and cartoons.

Even as a grown-up, I find

comics adorable. That is why my

felicitation goes to you for the initiative

you have taken up," he said.

Recalling the day when

Bangabandhu was assassinated

along with his entire family, Zafar

Iqbal said on August 15, 1975,

Bangabandhu was scheduled to

visit Dhaka University where he

was supposed to meet some meritorious

students.

Reminiscing the leadership of

Bangabandhu, he said, "His leonine

voice was played across the

country every now and then in

1971. During the entire Liberation

War, he was locked up in jail. But,

his leonine voice inspired freedom

fighters. I doubt if any other leader

in the world could create that history.

He inspired us through his

presence; he inspired us through

his absence."

Hearing on HC rule Feb 22

DHAKA : The High Court on

Monday fixed February 22 for

hearing the rule issued challenging

the legality of Mohammad

Shahid Islam Papul's MP post.

Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore

and Justice Mohammad Ullah fixed

the date after hearing the petition.

Advocate Sheikh Ausafur

Rahman Bulu stood for the petitioner,

reports UNB.

Shahid is currently in Kuwait

jail.

On August 16 last year, Abul

Foyej Bhuiya, a candidate (independent)

of the 11th Parliamentary

Election, filed a writ petition challenging

the legality of MP Shahid's

post as he has been accused of providing

fake documents and submitting

fake education certificates.

Shahid submitted his fake educational

certificates which is a violation

to the Representation of the

People Order 1972.

Shahid was arrested in Kuwait

in June last year in cases related

to human trafficking, residency

visa trading and money laundering.

He was sent to prison there.

Then, the Public Prosecutor of

Kuwait had approached the Central

Bank to freeze his bank accounts.

The financial balance of the company

amounts to about 5 million

Kuwait dinars, including 3 million

dinars as company's capital.

A Kuwait court on January 28

sentenced Laxmipur-2 independent

MP Papul to four years' jail in

a case related to human trafficking,

residency visa trading and

money laundering.

Besides, on June 9, 2020, the

Anti-Corruption Commission

(ACC) in Bangladesh served

notices to MP Papul, and his family

members, seeking their wealth

statements.

They were asked to submit their

copies of passports, national ID

cards, TINs and income tax

returns within 15 days.

The ACC also sought income tax

documents of Papul, his family

and his sister-in-law from the

National Board of Revenue (NBR)

on June 18.

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

Death toll climbs

to 8,221

DHAKA : Bangladesh reported 16

new Covid-19 deaths on Monday,

taking the national death tally to

8,221, reports UNB.

The mortality rate in the country

now stands at 1.53 percent,

said the Directorate General of

Health Services (DGHS) in a

handout.

Bangladesh witnessed a daily

infection rate of 2.30 percent with

316 new cases in the last 24 hours,

pushing up the caseload to

538,378.

Earlier, on January 1, the daily

infection rate was 8.18 percent.

So far, 3,762,774 tests, including

13,762 new ones, have been

carried out since the first cases

were reported on March 8.

The overall infection rate now

stands at 14.31 percent. However,

483,931 patients - 89.89 percent -

have recovered so far, the DGHS

said.

Bangladesh reported its first

Coronavirus cases on March 8

and the first death on March 18 last

year.

Eight teenagers

held in city

DHAKA : Police arrested eight

teenagers on charge of harassing

people from Faridabad Glass

Factory area on Sunday night,

reports UNB.

A team of police conducted a

drive in Ekata Housing area and

arrested eight teenage boys said

AIG media of police headquarters

Md Sohel Rana.

Later, the arrestees were later

handed over to their parents on

various conditions.

Police conducted the drive after

getting complaint from a citizen

on social networking site facebook.

The drive will continue to end

public harassment by teenagers,

said police.

DMP Arrests

39 for selling,

consuming

drugs in city

DHAKA : Dhaka Metropolitan

Police (DMP) arrested 39 people

on charges of selling and consuming

drugs during different antinarcotics

drives in the last 24

hours till 6am on Monday.

The Detective Branch (DB) of

the DMP in association with local

police stations carried out the

simultaneous drives starting at

6am on Sunday.

A total of 36,069 pieces of Yaba

tablets, 187 grams of heroin, 25.9

kgs of cannabis and 30bottles of

Phensedyl were recovered from

the arrested persons' possession,

said a DMP press release here.

A total of 30 cases have been

filed against them under the

Narcotics Control Act in these

regards.

A bus overturned in the nearby ditch after losing its control in Chandpur district. Two passengers

were killed and other 30 injured in this connection.

Photo : Star Mail

46,509 administered COVID-19

vaccines on second day of

nationwide drive

DHAKA : A total of 46,509 people

were administered Covid-19 vaccines

on the second day of countrywide

vaccination campaign.

Of them, 35,843 were male and

10,666 female, according to the data

of Management Information System

of Directorate General of Health

Services (DGHS).

As of Monday, the number of vaccine

receivers is 77,669 as 31,160

were vaccinated on the first day of the

campaign, it added.

People aged 40 years and above

now can get registered to receive

COVID-19 vaccines, said Health and

Family Welfare Minister Zahid

Maleque on Moday.

"Now people aged 40 years and

above will be able to get registered to

receive COVID-19 vaccines, while as

the frontline fighters, the health officials

of both private and public hospitals

will get priority in vaccination,"

he said.

To this end, decisions were taken in

line with the instruction of the cabinet

meeting with Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

CHANDPUR : Two female passengers

were killed on the spot and 30

more got injured on Monday, as a

bus overturned near Moutabari area

on Chandpur-Comilla local highway

of Chandpur's Shahrasti upazila,

reports BSS.

The deceased were identified as

Biva Rani Dash, 62, from Naora village

of Shahrasti upazila and Geeta

Rani Bhowmik, 65, from Comilla's

Nimsar area.

Shahrasti police station's Officerin-Charge

A. Mannan said a

Chandpur-bound bus of 'Bogdad

Transport' was coming from Comilla

carrying 40 passengers. Around

11pm while crossing a culvert near

Moutabari area,the driver lost control

and the bus fell in the canal

beside.

Locals rushed to rescue the passengers.

Informed, Shahrasti station

police and Shahrasti-Hajiganj fire

service's rescue team jointly rescued

the stuck passengers and immediately

sent them to hospital, said OC

A. Mannan.

Shahrasti Upazila Health

Complex's doctor Jahanara Aktar

said both the female passengers died

on the spot. Threepassengers including

females are admitted in the hospital

with severe injuries.

The hospital emergency department's

assistant informed that 15

passengers from the accident got

released after taking primary medications.

According to earlier decision of the

government, people aged 55 years

and above were only eligible for taking

vaccines but the decision has

been revised a day after launching of

the countrywide COVID-19 vaccination

campaign yesterday.

"The health minister has already

directed the authorities concerned to

bring commoners aged 40 years and

above under coronavirus inoculation

coverage," senior information officer

of the ministry Maidul Islam told

BSS.

The vaccination drive was conducted

at 50 hospitals in Dhaka city and

1005 hospitals outside the capital

yesterday, the DGHS said, adding the

immunization programme will begin

at 8am and it will continue till 2.30

pm everyday.

But some hospitals will continue

the vaccination programme throughout

the day, the health official said.

The inoculation would be administered

among people in government

hospitals up to upazila level while

over five lakh people so far got them

registered to be inoculated.

2 killed, 30 injured as bus

overturns in Chandpur

484 killed in January

At least 484 people were killed and

673 injured in 427 road accidents

throughout the country in January

this year.

The rate of accidents rose 25.58%

and fatalities 8.76% compared to the

same period of last year, according

to the Road Safety Foundation

(RSF).

At least 445 lives were lost in 340

road accidents in January last year,

said the RSF on Saturday.

Between January 1 and January 31

of this year, 168 people were killed in

159 motorcycle accidents - 37.23% of

total road accidents.

And 53 drivers and helpers were

killed during the same period of this

year - 10.95% of total fatalities.

And 153 accidents - 35.83% -

occurred on highways, 107 - 25.05%

- took place on regional roads, and 11

- 2.57% - on other roads.

Also, the highest number of accidents

took place in Dhaka division

and the lowest in Sylhet division.

Unfit vehicles, reckless driving,

and disregard for traffic rules were

among the reasons behind the accidents.

RSF came up with the findings

based on the reports of seven daily

newspapers, five online portals and

television channels.

Also, 5,227 people died on

Bangladeshi roads in 4,702 accidents

in 2019, said Nirapad Sarak

Chai.

Morunga

flowers

are now

adorning

the trees.

The

picture

was taken

from

Muzgunni

area of

Khulna

metropolitan

city

yesterday.

Photo :

Star Mail

Ex-FS Haque sees

"planned plot"

behind military

coup in Myanmar

DHAKA : Former Foreign Secretary

Shahidul Haque on Monday said there

is a "planned plot" behind the current

military coup in Myanmar which has

not been revealed yet.

He said since the country's State

Counselor was born and raised in a military

family, she had always good relations

with the military, reports UNB.

While addressing a webinar, Haque

said there was little difference between

her views on the Rohingya and the current

military junta in Myanmar.

The Former Foreign Secretary also

stressed that Bangladesh's strategy

should be adopted by understanding

this situation.

The Centre for Peace Studies (CPS)

under the South Asian Institute of Policy

and Governance (SIPG) of North South

University organised the webinar to discuss

the impacts of military coup in

Myanmar on the Rohingya crisis.

Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat

Hossain, Senior Fellow of SIPG,

Ambassador Shahidul Haque, Prof

Lailufar Yasmin of Dhaka University,

and faculty of Sultan Joynal Abedin

University from Malaysia, Dr Mahbubul

Haque joined the webinar as panelists.

The issue of Rohingyas being stateless

and seeking refuge in Bangladesh, for

more than four decades, has drawn

global attention in 2016-2017 when

more than 700,000 Rohingya refugees

from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh to

escape genocide.

Sundarbans

fire brought

under control

BAGERHAT : The fire that broke out at

Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East

Zone underSharankhola upazila was

brought under control at 5pm.

Local office of Bangladesh Forest

Department (BFD) said that the Fire

Service, Police, Forest Department

along with local people brought it under

control. It took 3 hours of frantic efforts

to douse the fire.

BFD informed that firefighters cut a

fire line over 5 kathas of land to prevent

it from spreading further and were able

to control the flames, reports UNB.

Almost 2 kathas of forest land were

burnt by the fire, according to the primary

information of BFD.

Divisional Forest officer of

Sundarbans East Zone Mohammad

Belayet Hossain also visited the spot

instantly.

He also said the staff of the Forest

Department saw the fire burning in the

Dhansagar camp area of the forest at

noon. Seeing the fire, he took part in

putting out the fire quickly. There are no

big trees in that area and did not cause

any damage to wildlife.

DFO Muhammad Belayet Hossain

further said that a three-member investigation

committee has been formed to

find out the extent of forest damage and

the onset of the fire.

Station officer-in-charge of

Sharankhola Fire Station in Bagerhat

Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam, Executive Editor : Sheikh Efaz Ahmed, Managing, Editor: Tapash Ray Sarker, News Editor : Saiful Islam, printed at Sonali Printing Press, 2/1/A, Arambagh 167, Inner Circular Road, Eden Complex, Motijheel, Dhaka.

Editorial and News Office: Bangladesh Timber Building (3rd Floor) 270/B, Tejgaon I/A Dhaka-1208. Tel : +8802-8878026, Cell : 01736786915; Fax: + 880244611604, Email: Editor : editor@thebangladeshtoday.com, Advertisement: ads@thebangladeshtoday.com, News: newsbangla@thebangladeshtoday.com, contact@thebangladeshtoday.com, website: www.thebangladeshtoday.com

09-02-2021

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