28-05-2021

friday
Dhaka: May 28, 2021; Jaistha 14, 1428 BS; Shawal 15,1442 hijri
www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net
Regd.No.Da~2065, Vol.19; N o. 51; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00
international
Taiwan struggles with
testing backlog amid
largest outbreak
>Page 7
SPortS
Villarreal win EL after
marathon shootout
victory over Man United
>Page 9
art & culture
Oishee to debut with
three movies
>Page 10
Harmful drug LSD
seized in Dhaka
1.5 crore Chinese
Sinopharm vaccine
to be procured
DHAKA : The Cabinet Committee on
Public Purchase on Thursday gave final
approval to a proposal of the Health and
Family Welfare Ministry to procure 1.5
crore Chinese Sinofarm Covid-19 vaccine.
As per the approval, the Health Services
Division of the Health and Family
Welfare Ministry will procure a total of 15
million (1.5 crore) vaccine in the next
three months-June, July and August.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal
presided over the Cabinet body meeting.
"Each month 5 million doses of vaccine
will be imported from the Chinese
firm", Dr Shahida Aktar, additional secretary
to the Cabinet Division, told
reporters while briefing on the outcomes
of the cabinet body meeting.
Earlier on May 19, the Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
gave its "in principle approval" to a proposal
of the Health Services Division to
import Sinofarm Covid-19 vaccine.
The CCEA also approved "in principle"
procurement of Covid-19 vaccine
from Russia in a meeting on April 28.
But no specific proposal regarding the
quantity and the cost of the Russian
Sputnik-V is yet to come to the Cabinet
Committee on Public Purchase, which is
responsible for giving the final approval.
Bangladesh approves
emergency use of
Pfizer vaccine
DHAKA : The government of Bangladesh
has approved the emergency use of Pfizer
Covid-19 vaccine in the country.
Directorate General of Drug
Administration (DGDA) issued a press
release in this regard on Thursday. This
is the fourth Covid-19 vaccine approved
for emergency use in Bangladesh.
Recently two other vaccines , Sputnik V
produced by Generium Joint Stock
Company of Russia, and Sinopharm produced
by Beijing Institute of Biological
Products Co. Ltd of China got approval of
DGDA for emergency use in Bangladesh.
Earlier on January 7, DGDA approved
the emergency use of Covishield vaccine,
also known as SARS Cov-2 AZD1222,
Oxford/ Astra zeneca vaccine, produced
by Serum Institute of India.
Earlier on May 18, Health Minister
Zahid Maleque said that the country
will get at least 106,000 doses of the
Pfizer vaccine under the Covax facility.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was the first
coronavirus jab to show promising results in
the latter stages of its testing process. It is a
new type called an mRNA vaccine that
uses a tiny fragment of genetic code from
the pandemic virus to teach the body how
to fight Covid-19 and build immunity,
according to a BBC report.
Zumma
03:47 AM
01:30 PM
04:34 PM
06:44 PM
08:08 PM
5:11 6:40
ShAFIqul ISlAM
The Ramna Division of the Dhaka
Metropolitan Detective Police (DB)
has seized Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
(LSD) from a house in the capital. DB
says they found the drug while investigating
the death of Dhaka University
student Hafizur Rahman. This is the
first case of LSD seizure in the country,
said DB. Meanwhile, the DB
arrested three students of a private
university on Wednesday (May 26)
night on charges of being involved in
the sale of LSD. The three arrested are
Sadman Shakib (Rupal),
Ashab Wadud (Turya)
and Adin Ashraf. Their
age is between 22 to 25.
On May 27, at a press
conference at the DMP
Media Center Addl
Commissioner of DB
Police AKM Hafiz Akter
said, we are the first to
detect LSD in Bangladesh
(May 26). After arresting
three youths in the incident,
information was
obtained from them about
making and selling
cannabis cakes. However,
this cake has not been
recovered yet.
He said we have learned
that a group of young people used to
open a Facebook group called 'Better
Brawry and Beyound' and make cakes
with cannabis leaf extract and sell them
as drugs. This group has 1000 members.
Meanwhile, 200 blots of the new
drug LSD were recovered from the
three arrested in the DB operation.
Each blot costs BDT 3 to 4 thousands.
DB says LSD drugs are imported
from Sweden. Online money transfer
(payment) system money is transacted
through PayPal. 200 LSDs were seized
from the three. They sell for three thousand
TK each.
DB sources further said that on May
15, Hafizur Rahman, a student of the
Department of Informatics and Library
Management at Dhaka University, was
given LSD by three of his friends in the
Curzon Hall area of the university.
When his reaction started he just got
out of there after wearing a short. He
then hit himself in the neck with a chopper
kept in a coconut
seller's van in front of
Dhaka Medical College
Hospital.
According to the
inquest report, he died
at Dhaka Medical
College Hospital at 9.40
pm while undergoing
treatment. Eight days
later, Hafizur's brother
identified his body in
the morgue of Dhaka
Medical College.
DB police claim that
the three friends who
made Hafizur Rahman
use LSD are in police
custody. All three are
students of Dhaka
University. According
to DB, the arrested Sadman Shakib is
an expelled IBA student of Dhaka
University. He is currently in final year
of BBA at North South University. He
originally ordered the drug from the
Netherlands via the Telegram app a
year ago. He brought the drug to the
country through a parcel after paying
the money.
Covid-19
Bangladesh sees 22 more
deaths, 1,292 new cases
DHAKA : Bangladesh reported 22
more coronavirus-related deaths in
the last 24 hours till Thursday morning,
pushing up the country's fatalities
to 12,480.
Besides, 1,292 more people were
found positive for Covid-19 after
testing 15,915 samples during the
period.
The daily positivity rate declined
to 8.12 percent from Wednesday's
9.11 percent, said the Directorate
General of Health Services.
Health authorities logged 17
Covid-related deaths on
Wednesday, the lowest number in
68 days.The country saw 16 Covid-
19 deaths on March 18 last.
The fatality rate remained at
1.57%. The recovery rate stood at
92.47% as 1,291 people recovered in
the last 24 hours. The overall recovery
number is 7,35,157 till date.
With the fresh cases, the country's
total caseload reached 7,94,985.
The country has carried out
58,87,268 sample tests since reporting
its first cases on March 8 last
year and the first death on March 18,
2020.
Due to the effect of cyclone Yaas, the embankment has been broken by the tidal wave and
tidal water has flooded a large area. The house has sunk. Thousands of people are living
in inhuman conditions in the state of waterlogging. The picture was taken from Koira in
Khulna on Thursday.
Photo : Star Mail
Attack on Sheikh
Hasina: SC stays
bail of 7 accused
DHAKA : The Appellate Division
of the Supreme Court stayed a
High Court order that had granted
a four month bail to seven accused
in a case filed over the attack on
then opposition leader Sheikh
Hasina's motorcade in Satkhira in
2002.
Chamber Judge of the division
Justice Hasan Fayez Siddiqui
stayed the order until May 30 in
response to a petition filed by the
state. The court also fixed Sunday
(May 30) for a full bench of the
Appellate Division to hear the bail
petition.
Attorney General AM Amin
Uddin and Additional Attorney
General SM Munir represented the
state in the court while Barrister
Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared
for the accused. SM Munir confirmed
the developments to UNB.
Earlier on Tuesday the HC bench
of Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam
and Justice Iqbal Kabir granted
four months bail to seven accused
in the case.
Sheikh Hasina's motorcade was
attacked on 30 August 2002 in
front of the Kalaroa Upazila BNP
office in Satkhira. A case was filed
by Kalaroa Upazila Freedom
Fighter, Commander Moslem
Uddin on the same day over the
matter.
Traders collect
abandoned
tire-tubes from
different parts of
the capital. It is
sold at 15 to 18
takas per kg. A
large part of the
tire-tube goes to
the brick kilns in
the areas around
Dhaka. Fuel oil is
also made by
burning tires.
The picture is
taken from
Kamrangichar on
Thursday.
Photo : Star Mail
Ill-users of religion are
enemies of real alems : Hasan
DHAKA : Sharply criticising the ill-users
of religion, Information and
Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan
Mahmud yesterday said those who use
religious sentiment to serve political and
individual's interests are the enemies of
genuine alems (religious scholars).
"The true alems have no political
interest. They only pray to Allah and give
sermons to guide the common people
into the right path. But today some socalled
alems are busy with serving their
own interest capitalising on religious
sentiment," he said.
The minister made the remarks while
addressing a discussion on anarchy in
the name of religion, anti-religious activities
of so-called religious leaders and
Islam as a religion of peace, organised by
Bangladesh United Islami Party (BUIP),
at the conference room of Islamic
Foundation at Baitul Mukarram in the
capital.
State Minister for Religious Affairs
Md Faridul Haque Khan and Jatiya
Party presidium member Kazi Md
Mamunur Rashid addressed the discussion
as special guests with BUIP
chairman Maulana Md Ismail
Hossain in the chair.
DHAKA : Foreign Minister Dr AK
Abdul Momen on Thursday said the
government will help Bangladeshi expatriates
to manage hotel accommodation
in Saudi Arabia for their mandatory
quarantine there.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines or the
Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and
Overseas Employment will make a list of
those who are going to Saudi Arabia.
"The Mission will help them get
hotels, if necessary the Ministry will subsidize
the costs if it's high," he told
reporters conveying that Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina has directed them to help
expatriates to get hotel accommodation.
Dr Momen said there is a proposal to
ensure vaccination under a special
arrangement for the expatriates in the
Middle East who are above 20 years old
and going to countries like Saudi Arabia to
Hasan said lists of illegal wealth of
Babunagari and Mamunul Haque have
come out. They have collected toll from
different persons at home and abroad by
showing madrashas and they use to visit
resorts with other's wife for entertainment,
he added.
"Even, they deposited the money of
Jakat and Fitra to their own accounts for
leading a lavish life. Are they Alems?,"
said Hasan, also Awami League joint
general secretary.
The minister said, "There is no other
vehicle except one for police protection
which was allocated for me as the minister.
But there were about 10 vehicles
when Mamunul Haque went somewhere.
How he got the money? Does he
have any industry or business? Their
business is to collect toll by showing
madrashas. The persons who do this
work are the enemies of Islam."
He said those persons are enemies of
Islam who burned the houses of commoners,
land offices and vehicles of fire
brigade in the name of religion.
He said there are more enemies of
Islam who have been arrested. It is
needed to unmask those people after
identifying them, he added.
Govt to help expats get hotel
accommodation in KSA for
quarantine:FM
avoid quarantine there. "We'll discuss it
tomorrow. We're thinking of it. Let's see."
He said anybody can go for home quarantine
in Saudi Arabia if he or she is vaccinated
and has a Covid negative certificate.
The Foreign Minister expressed displeasure
saying there are too many media
reports though only 13 persons got infected
with the Indian variant of coronavirus
and only one person was infected with
black fungus resulting in placement of
Bangladesh in red list by many countries
and suspension of flights.
"It should not be a big issue if there is
one case (black fungus) only in the country
having 17 crore people. It's not even
an issue to be reported in the media," he
said. The Foreign Minister said there are
93 million doses of vaccine in Australia
and the new Australian High
Commissioner met him on Thursday.

FRIday, May 28 , 2021 2
Cancer dreads all, still early diagnosis
enhances survival rate
DHAKA : Among various diseases, cancer has
posed a big threat to human beings across the
country. The disease denotes a horrifying sight
in each and every person as most people
perceive cancer means death.
Cancer occurs in people of all ages and can
affect any part of the body while the disease is
a leading cause of death for children and
adolescents worldwide.
Physicians say it is also important to know
that cancer as a disease mostly affects the
senior population, higher life expectancy
means higher cancer rates. It is afflicting that
the number of cancer patients has been
increasing day by day due to food habit, bad
lifestyle and negative impact of
industrialization and technology.
Such situation underscores the importance
that if left untreated, cancer generally expands,
invades other parts of the body and causes
death. As per the World Health Organization
(WHO), in the country, the number of cancer
patients is more than 15 lakhs where children
and teenagers are mostly affected by the
deadly disease. According to Bangladesh
Bureau of Statistics, among the cancer affected
people, about one-third is children and
adolescents in city areas.
A virtual workshop held for the
MoIB officials
TBT REPORT
The secretary called the staff of
the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting a "bridge"
between the government and
the people. Information and
Broadcasting Secretary
Khwaja Mia said the Ministry
of Information and
Broadcasting was mandated to
publicize the government's
policies, strategies and
development activities and
ensure people's participation in
them. This was stated by
Secretary Khwaja Mia while
inaugurating the 'Virtual
Workshop of District
Information Officers' under the
project titled 'Awareness
Communication Program on
Child and Women
Development (Phase 5)' on
Thursday.
To further expand and
strengthen the work of the
Department of Mass
Communication, 27 district
information complex
construction projects have
been approved by the ECNEC,
Khwaja Mia said, adding that
construction work on the
project will start in the coming
2020-21 fiscal year. He
expressed his gratitude to
Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina for approving this
project.
The virtual workshop was
attended by 6 officials of 64
districts of the country and 4
hill (Kaptai, Lama, Ramgarh,
Patia) Upazila Information
Offices at different levels and
officials of the headquarters.
They mainly convey the
necessary messages to the
general and marginalized
people through inter-personal
Pfizer vaccine
should be procured
as soon as possible
to vaccinate
children: Kejriwal
information about various
policies and development
activities including
government policies,
strategies, perspective plans.
Bidhan Chandra Karmakar,
the Director General of the
Department of Mass
Communication, who presided
over the workshop, said the
government agency has
reached its present stage in
1972 under the direction of
Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman. He also said that
besides disseminating
information about the
development work of the
government, the information
officers and concerned
employees are working
tirelessly during various
disasters, especially in the case
of Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, the joint
secretary of the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting
(Development) and the
national project director of the
project, Anshar Ali highlighted
various aspects of the project
and gave valuable views and
suggestions for its
implementation.
Finally, the workshop was
concluded by thanking the
chief guest and special guests
and all those involved in the
virtual engagement.
Prof Moshtaque Hossain RMU's new VC
DHAKA : Dr AZM Moshtaque Hossain (Tuhin), a retired
professor of surgery department of Dhaka Medical College, has
been appointed as the new vice-chancellor (VC) of Rajshahi
Medical University (RMU) for four-year term.
Medical Education and Family Welfare Division under the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a notification
here today to this end.
GD-904/21 (7 X 3)
NEWDELHI : Delhi Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal on
Thursday
sought
procurement of Pfizer
COVID-19 vaccine as soon
as possible to inoculate
children.
This comes after the US
pharma company sought
fast-track approval for its
jab in India.
The US major has told
Indian authorities that its
vaccine is suitable for
everyone aged 12 years or
above and can be stored for
a month at 2-8 degrees,
sources had said.
"We shud procure this
vaccine asap for our
children," Kejriwal tweeted,
citing a news story on fasttrack
approval sought by
the company. The Delhi
chief minister has been
requesting the Central
government to explore
suitable vaccine options,
citing opinion of experts
that a possible third wave of
COVID-19 in coming
months may affect children.
The Delhi government
has also suggested the
Centre to vaccinate
students and teachers if it
decides to conduct class 12
Board exams delayed due to
the second wave of the
virus.
Pfizer, which has offered
5 crore doses to India
between July and October,
recently held a series of
interactions with Indian
government authorities.
It has shared with
authorities the most recent
data points regarding
efficacy trials and approvals
for its vaccine in various
countries and by the World
Health Organisation
(WHO).
GD-906/21 (6 X 4)
GD-908/21 (6 X 4)
78

WeDNeSDAY, MAY 26, 2021
3
protests against rising of
water prices by WAsA
sHAFIqUL IsLAM
The socialist party of Bangladesh
(BsD) has staged a protest in front of
the WAsA building demanding the
withdrawal of the increased price of
WAsA water and an stop to
corruption and irregularities. on
Thursday (May 27) the program was
initiated by BsD Dhaka Metropolitan
Branch at karwan bazar WAsA
building. BsD Dhaka Metropolitan
Branch convener Bazlur rashid Firoz
presided over the protest rally, which
was attended by BsD Central
Committee rajekuzzaman ratan,
Metropolitan Member secretary
Zulfiqar Ali and others.
speakers at the protest rally said
Dhaka WAsA is only busy raising the
price of water again and again without
increasing the quality of service. The
quality of service for the people must
be restored first. WAsA is now trading
in water. During the last 13 years of
WAsA coronation, people are being
asked to wash their hands one after
another. But at this time the price of
water is being increased. If corruption
was stopped, there would be no need
to increase the price of water. Though
life cannot go on without water so,
WAsA has chosen the path of trade
through the price of water. Everyone
should protest of rising water prices.
The speakers said, is it a disaster
that the price of water has been
increased by holding a virtual meeting
in the United states? Why has the
government appointed only one MD
since 2009? Is there no qualified
person in WAsA? Why do people have
to buy water at higher rates. Failing to
provide safe and pure water to the city
dwellers, the decision of Dhaka WAsA
to increase the price of water is
completely immoral and anti-people.
Water supplied by WAsA cannot be
consumed in different areas of the
capital. How can Dhaka WAsA decide
to increase the price of their water
without thinking of the common
people? Their service means that
almost all the customers are
dissatisfaction; they are increasing the
price of water year after year without
increasing the quality of service.
WAsA's decision to increase the price
of water should be canceled.
otherwise, we will announce a
tougher program against it.
It is learned that at the board
meeting on May 25, Dhaka WAsA has
increased the price of water per unit
(1,000 liters) at the residential and
commercial level by 5 percent, which
will be effective from July 1. WAsA
MD Taksim A Khan took part in the
meeting online from the United
states. According to WAsA sources,
after the price hike, the price of 1,000
liters of water for residential
customers will be Tk 15.18. At present,
the price of 1,000 liters of water has to
be paid at Tk 14.46. on the other
hand, if the new price is effective, the
price of one thousand liters of water
for commercial connection will be Tk
42. That had to be paid 40 rupees
earlier. Dhaka WAsA also increased
the price of water by one point in April
last year. At that time the price per
unit was increased by 2.89 TK.
Samajtantrik Chhatra Front formed a human chain in front of National Press Club yesterday to meet
their various demands.
Photo : TBT
BUET students protest over expelled
student's presence online class
DU CorrEsponDEnT
The students of Bangladesh University
of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
have staged a protest rally over joining
an expelled student online class.
The student named Ashikul Islam Bitu
was expelled over Abrar Fahad murder.
The rally took place in front of BUET
saheed Minar at around 11.30 on
Thursday. Ali Ammar Muaz, a student of
the Mechanical Engineering
department, read out the written
statement in the rally.
He said, the Board of residence and
DHAKA: speakers at a webinar on
Thursday underscored the need for
developing an integrated and updated
database for effective distribution of
relief among the poor badly hit by the
coronavirus pandemic.
They said there is a lack of
disaggregated national-level database
which is required for effective
distribution of various government
supports provided to the poor and the
vulnerable people.
These observations emerged at a
virtual national dialogue titled "relief
supports to Cope with CoVID-19: How
Effective Were They?" held virtually.
The dialogue was organised by the
Centre for policy Dialogue (CpD) and
oxfam in Bangladesh in association with
Citizen's platform for sDGs, Bangladesh.
In a keynote presentation, professor
Mustafizur rahman, Distinguished
Fellow, CpD mentioned that higher
allocation, both in terms of coverage and
the amount of support provided to the
affected population, is necessary in any
emergency situation such as the current
pandemic. Higher unemployment,
income erosion, switching to new jobs
with lower pay and new dimensions of
vulnerability such as emergence of 'new
poor' during CoVID type emergencies,
should guide both targeting and
allocation.
He further stated that, a massive
awareness campaign about the relief
Discipline of BUET permanently
expelled 26 accused of Abrar Fahad
murder case on november 21, 2019 on
the basis of the report of the inquiry
committee formed then. Ashikul Islam
Bitu was one of them.
on May 22 of this year he was seen in
an online class of the Chemical
Engineering Department. Later we
heard that he received a stay order from
the court against his expulsion.
Following the court order the BUET
authority permitted him to join the class.
As a result he was included in the
support hotlines should be launched at
the earliest.
"Adequate preparations should be
there to avoid delays in delivering
transfers/benefits," he said.
Dr Md. Enamur rahman,state
Minister of Disaster Management and
relief, speaking as chief guest, said relief
supports are being distributed and there
are no complaints of people suffering
from hunger.
He also stated that more emphasis will
be given on making the relief distribution
process more transparent.
speaking as the special Guest, A B
Tajul Islam, Chairman, parliamentary
standing Committee on Ministry of
Disaster Management and relief
commented that both service providers
and recipients need to take a moral high
ground so that it becomes possible to
distribute the relief supports to the most
deserving. Barrister shameem Haider
patwary, Mp, Member, standing
Committee on Ministry of Law, Justice
and parliamentary Affairs recommended
that the relief distribution should be
based on the poverty scenario of each
district.
Anir Chowdhury, policy Advisor,
Access to Information (A2I) programme
and Tanvir A Mishuk, Managing
Director, nagad delivered special
comments at the dialogue.
Chowdhury highlighted the need for
innovative ways to create awareness
relevant classes and courses. Because of
above-mentioned incidents, we are not
willing to continue our academic
activities with Ashikul Islam Bitu.
The administration assured us that
they will appeal against the court order
as soon as possible, it must have to be
done by May 29 otherwise we will go
further and boycott our class and exams
collectively. They also said that his
registration has not been completed yet
so he could not be able to join classes.
We applaud the efforts made by the
administration.
CpD: Integrated database needed
for CoVID-19 relief distribution
among the mass people about the relief
programmes. Mishuk stated that use of
technology to distribute the cash relief,
has helped to ensure better transparency.
Dr M Abu Eusuf, professor,
Department of Development studies,
University of Dhaka re-emphasised on
the importance of a national household
database and recommended for higher
focus and coordination in this regards.
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Team
Leader of the project, Distinguished
Fellow, Centre for policy Dialogue (CpD)
and Convenor, Citizen's platform for
sDGs, Bangladesh chaired the session.
He pointed out that there is a lack of
government and private initiatives to
tackle the second wave of the CoVID-19
pandemic.
"To distribute the relief to the ones
actually in need, mass awareness and
transparency is a must," he said.
Dr Bhattacharya also stated that
community-based organisations (CBos),
nGos, media should work together with
the government agencies to ensure
transparency, accountability and
monitoring in relief distribution.
Tanvir A Mishuk, managing director
and co-founder of nagad, the second
largest mobile financial services and a
financial service arm of Bangladesh post
office said it seems that the government
has shown considerable prudence for
distributing the cash as relief assistance
during the pandemic.
Air Vice Marshal M Shafiqul Alam on Thursday handing over the Chief of Air Staff's Trophy
to Squadron Leader Dhrubo Sarkar for his outstanding skill in 116th Junior Command and
Staff Course.
Photo : ISPR
Bold, coordinated
support measures
required to ensure
sustainable
graduation: Dhaka
DHAKA : permanent
representative of Bangladesh
to the Un Ambassador rabab
Fatima has said they need bold,
innovative, improved and
coordinated support measures
from the development
partners, United nations
system, and other international
and regional organizations to
ensure the sustainability of the
graduating and the graduated
countries.
she was speaking at the
virtual thematic discussion on
LDC5 prepCom entitled,
'Towards Improved support to
Graduating and Graduated
Countries' as the Chair held in
new York on Wednesday.
The discussion event was
jointly organised by the
permanent Mission of
Bangladesh, the United
nations Committee for
Development policy (Un-CDp)
and the United nations office
of the High representative for
Un seeks its special Envoy's access
to Myanmar to assess situation
DHAKA : president of the 75th session
of the United nations General
Assembly Volkan Bozk?r has reiterated
his call on the military authorities to
grant the Un special Envoy Christine
schraner Burgener access to Myanmar
to assess the situation first-hand under
agreeable conditions while fostering
the conditions for a frank and open
dialogue, reports UnB.
"The world has not given up on
Myanmar. We have not forgotten the
plight of the rohingya people," he said
during his visit to rohingya camps in
Cox's Bazar on Wednesday.
The UnGA president, who paid an
official visit to Bangladesh on May 25-
26 upon invitation of the government,
said the United nations General
Assembly is determined to ensure a
better future for the rohingya people.
He called on all leaders to act in the
pM launches special mango train
on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka route
the Least Developed Countries,
Landlocked Developing
Countries and the small Island
Developing states (UnoHrLLs).
DHAKA : prime Minister sheikh Hasina
on Thursday inaugurated a 'special mango
train' on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka route via
rajshahi in order to transport mangoes at
lower cost.
she opened the special train service
through a virtual platform from her official
residence Ganobhaban.
The West Zone of Bangladesh railway has
taken the initiative to transport mangoes at a
lower cost for the welfare of mango farmers
and traders amid the Covid-19 situation.
The train, having the capacity of 150 metric
tonnes (MT) in its five wagons, will depart
Chapainawabganj for Dhaka via rajshahi
every day and the transport cost is up to Tk
1.3 per kg and Tk 1,300 per MT magno.
The train will have stoppage for loading
mangoes at 14 stations on the
Chapainawabganj-Dhaka railway route. The
train may make stoppages at other stations
based on parcel booking and unloading.
In the function, the prime Minister also
virtually laid the foundation stone of
Madhukhali (Faridpur)-Kamarkhali-
Magura new rail Line Construction project.
Bangladesh railway is implementing the
project to build the 24.80 km broad-gauge
track at the estimated cost of Tk 1,202 crore
within 18 months.
Addressing the function, the prime
Minister said the government has been
working to expand rail networks throughout
interest of Myanmar's democratic
reform, engage in meaningful
dialogue, refrain from violence and to
fully respect human rights,
fundamental freedoms and the rule of
law.
Bozk?r said voluntary, dignified and
safe return is the ultimate goal however
the humanitarian need in Myanmar is
increasing.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1
million rohingyas while in rakhine
state today there is an estimated
600,000 stateless rohingya, of which
some 144,000 are living in 21
displacement camps as well as among
the host community since 2012.
"We must not forget the order of the
International Court of Justice in 2020
that everything possible should be
done to prevent a genocide against the
rohingya," he said.
the country.
"We're bringing the whole Bangladesh
under the railway network," she.
sheikh Hasina said there is also a plan to
construct a high speed rail line on Dhaka-
Chattogram route. The government will
construct the high speed rail line if the soil is
found suitable for such a project following a
feasibility study, she added.
Besides, the rail connectivity with
neighbouring India on different routes,
which remained suspended after the 1965
war, is now being restored and the
connectivity on some routes has already
been resumed, she said.
she said that there is a plan to extend the
railway connectivity to siliguri, India.
Talking about the Madhukhali-
Kamarkhali-Magura rail Line, the pM said
the people of Magura will be benefited from
the rail connectivity in a larger way once the
construction of padma Bridge is completed.
she directed the authorities concerned to
expand the new rail line to Kushtia and
Meherpur districts
railways Minister Md nurul Islam sujan
presided over the function joining the
function from Magura.
pM's principal secretary Dr Ahmad
Kaikaus conducted the event while railways
secretary Md salim reza delivered the
welcome speech
The UnGA said the safety and
security of the rohingya and other
minorities must be secured. "Their
basic rights, including the right to full
citizenship, freedom of movement, and
the creation of conditions conducive to
the voluntary, safe, dignified and
sustainable return of all rohingya
refugees and IDps, must be respected."
He commended the Government of
Bangladesh for stepping up to meet the
needs of its most vulnerable
neighbours in their darkest hour. "I
thank the host community here in
Cox's Bazar, who were the first
responders when the first groups of
refugees arrived here seeking shelter
and protection."
The UnGA president said the
rohingya people living here in Cox's
Bazar have survived unimaginable
horrors and persecution.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday inaugurated a 'special mango train' on Chapainawabganj-
Dhaka route via Rajshahi in order to transport mangoes at lower cost.
Photo : Star Mail

FrIDAY, MAY 28, 2021
4
China's diplomacy in Israel-Palestine conflict falls short
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
Friday, MAY 28, 2021
Credibly lower interest
rates in micro credit
Micro credit was identified long ago as a
powerful tool for the purpose of poverty
alleviation in Bangladesh . This realisation
also led to a major expansion of micro credit operations
in the country during the last two decades. 13
ministries and divisions of the government are
presently engaged in public micro credit operations
under 37 projects . Numerous non governmental
organisations (NGOs) have been also playing a part in
extending micro credits to the poor. All of these
activities should have caused a near complete
reduction in poverty. But the same has not happened
which puts into focus the issue of running micro credit
operations with greater effectiveness.
One main reason for the much less than the desired
impact of micro credit on the poor is the high interest
rates on such credits. Borrowers of micro credit in the
first place should be the poor or the very poor. But
studies conducted by responsible developmental
agencies from time to time showed a notable number of
the recipients of micro credits to be well above the
poor category.
The poor or extreme poor who take micro credit
should be allowed to do so at bearable or nominal rates
of interest . But even the interest rates charged on
publicly run micro credit programmes continue to be
rather oppressive for their poor receivers.
It was decided-sometime ago-to reduce interest rates
on micro credits provided by the government run Palli
Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF)l by 4 per cent. The
interest rates dropped to 11 per cent as a result from 15
per cent. But even this four per cent decrease did not
create the expected relief among poor micro credit
users. What they need is credit at nominal rates or at
no more than 4 or 5 per cent to make good use of them
and to repay the loans smoothly.
No great difficulty is seen in the way of the
government lending to the poor at these rates because
the government should not be in the business of
squeezing out undue interest from the poor.
Disbursing credit to the poor to make financial gains
out of the same cannot be the aim of a government with
a stake in reducing poverty . Therefore, the
recommended lower rates of interest on micro credit
should meet both the needs of viably running the
official micro credit operations while also meeting the
intended objectives of these programmes.
The NGOs , in many cases, also charge high interest
on micro credits provided by them. They also need to
be persuaded to significantly decrease the interests
they charge and ought to base their credit operations
truly for the benefit and advantage of the poor and not
for only making good profits out of such operations.
Notwithstanding the increase in opportunities for the
poor to be the beneficiary of small credits from
institutional sources, they remain still the victims of
private money lenders or ' mahajans'. Studies on micro
credit showed that mahajans continue to be still a big
factor in the micro credit scene exploiting the gaps in
institutional availability of credits.
This indicates the importance of increasing the
networks of institutional credit both by the government
and NGOs. But such expansion of networks by them
needs to be accompanied also by adequate lowering of
the interest charged on the credits. It is also imperative
to introduce laws and enforce them strictly to curb the
activities of mahajans who in many cases take interest
as high as 200 per cent or something near that figure.
The importance of lowering interest burdens on all
types of institutional micro credit is all the more
relevant now that all institutional credit sources such
as banks and financial institutions are now obliged to
charge no more than 9 per cent from borrowers of their
funds. Any violation of this rule from Bangladesh Bank
is a penal offence.
Besides, the government is sincerely and rightly
wanting that the best way to economic recovery under
the on going pandemic is to ensure that the millions of
small producers of goods and services are enabled to
achieve a turnaround in their businesses by much more
access to micro credit and more importantly access
under lenient terms and conditions. In other words
they should be enabled to access micro credit under
substantially lowered rates of interest. A fixed lowered
rate of interest on all micro credits must be declared
and enforced. A law should be urgently enacted and
unsparingly enforced to regulate the exploitation of
private money lenders.
As the world watched Israel and
Hamas battle each other, China
waded into the conflict. Its
attempt to be a peacemaker was aimed
at projecting a bigger profile for itself in
the Middle East and to counter the
influence of the United States in the
Great Power contest.
In the end, however, a ceasefire was
brokered not by China but by Egypt.
China's inability to exert any real sway
over Israel and the Palestinians reveals
its limited influence beyond its
mercantilism and "balancing
diplomacy" in the Middle East. Beijing
will have to do some serious soulsearching
and intellectual mobilization
before it can present itself as a credible,
and able, mediator in the Middle East
peace process.
Vocal and high-profile, China's
diplomacy in the latest Israel-Palestine
conflict was unprecedented. As the
current president of the UN Security
Council, China's foreign minister, Wang
Yi, personally chaired an emergency
meeting on the conflict on May
16.China called for an immediate
ceasefire; urgent humanitarian
assistance; and an obligation on all
states, especially the US, to take
"effective actions," and to honor the
two-state solution. All very worthy, but
run-of-the-mill, exhortations.
More interesting, however, was an
invitation by Beijing for Israeli and
Palestinian officials to travel to China
for talks. For China, this was the most
direct role it has ever attempted in the
Middle East. Yet, for all that, it was still
an initiative very much - too much, in
fact - within China's comfort zone.
Beijing has had experience hosting the
Taliban and Syrian opposition groups
for meetings and consultations over
conflicts in their respective regions. It
also has hosted meetings between the
Myanmar government and ethnic-
Burmese rebel groups.
And between 2003 and 2007, Beijing
chaired the Six-Party Talks over North
Korea's nuclear ambitions.
But while the invitation was China's
most significant diplomatic outreach
beyond its immediate neighborhood, it
did not receive the positive response it
wanted from both parties concerned.
Some have opined - perhaps rightly -
that China's interest in inserting itself
between the warring parties is a sign of
Beijing's increased competition with
the US for global leadership, and an
attempt to showcase itself as a
"responsible stakeholder" - a term
favored by Beijing.
They argue that China wants to
position itself as a "genuine" supporter
of a UN-centered multilateralism in the
cause of peace and justice. They cite
China's attack against the US for
blocking a UN statement three times in
one week as an attempt to contrast
between the Chinese and American
approach to the conflict.
Another factor in China's intervention
is its hope of deepening its influence in
the region. China has been primarily an
economic, rather than political or
military, presence in the area.
While it has had a special envoy for
the region since 2002, the role, as
recounted by a former envoy, Wu Sike,
has been to explain China's position on
issues and to take soundings from
Yun Sun
various regional stakeholders. Now,
however, it has upgraded the position
with the appointment of former viceforeign
minister Zhai Jun, when
previous appointees were drawn from
the ranks of directors general in the
state system.
With this change, the Israel-Palestine
conflict then offered an opportunity for
Beijing to leverage its relationships and
assets to increase its presence and
involvement in regional diplomacy. Or
so it thought.
The problem is, it has not shown any
courage also to make fundamental
While it has had a special envoy for the region since 2002, the role, as
recounted by a former envoy, Wu Sike, has been to explain china's position
on issues and to take soundings from various regional stakeholders.
now, however, it has upgraded the position with the appointment of former
vice-foreign minister Zhai Jun, when previous appointees were
drawn from the ranks of directors general in the state system.
changes in its approach to conflict
resolution - and thus to have any
chance of delivering substantive results.
In the Israel-Palestine conflict,
Beijing has not proposed anything
concrete to address the fundamental
differences between the two sides.
Instead, its campaign is laden with
slogans about the virtues of peace.
This is understandable. In any
military conflict, China can be expected
to call for two things: a ceasefire
followed by negotiations, both of these
being process-oriented rather than
result-oriented.
China sees its mandate to be one of
outreach to warring parties, offering
"understanding" of their perspectives.
It organizes meetings and provides
logistical support, including covering
costs. It "facilitates." It doesn't mediate,
Don MclAIn GIll
set agendas or provide guarantees; it
rarely attempts persuasion.
Such, then, was its offer to Israel and
the Palestinians. And thus, too, its
continued support for a two-state
solution because it is the favored
outcome of the UN Security Council,
despite the skepticism of many experts.
China has been able to take the costfree
approach because it is not the
primary security provider in the region.
The US pre-eminence in regional
security has sheltered China from the
impact of any major regional conflict,
enabling it to develop balanced ties with
opposite parties in the region, including
Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
It is unlikely to abandon this "neutral"
position, whereby it protects its
interests by hedging against all sides.
Anything that compromises China's
flexibility of position, freedom of action
or neutrality is viewed as intrinsically
against its interests.
This is thus the dilemma for China
and its new ambitions in the Middle
East. While it wants to leverage itself
into greater prominence as a
counterforce to the US, to be the "moral
alternative" to American power, the
ontological nature of its diplomacy
prevents it from doing the very things
necessary to achieve such a goal.
Parties in the region need to realize
the tension between the role China
wants to play and its ability to do so.
Free-form talks are not going to lead
to a settled peace between the Israelis
and the Palestinians - or indeed anyone.
If China wants to be a peacemaker in
the Middle East or elsewhere, it needs
to make intellectual investments in any
dialogue it facilitates.
Yun Sun is director of the China
program and co-director of the
East Asia program at the Stimson
Center in Washington, DC.
Implications of India-US-Iran dynamics for Afghanistan
After a decade of negotiations,
India has lost the ONGC Videshdiscovered
Farzad-B gas field in
the Persian Gulf after Iran awarded a
contract for its development to a local
company. The National Iranian Oil
Company signed a US$1.7 billion deal to
bring Farzad-B to production with its
subsidiary Petropars.
This is the second major Indian
project in Iran that has been shelved.
Last year, Iran dropped India from the
Chabahar railway link project, which
Tehran decided to develop on its own.
The commercial relations between
India and Iran have been on a
downward trend since the imposition of
heavy sanctions by former US president
Donald Trump. Beyond simply affecting
the bilateral relationship, the dynamics
of India-US-Iran relations will have
critical implications for Afghanistan
after the US troop withdrawal President
Joe Biden has announced for
September 11 this year.
Even though the US State Department
was convinced that the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
was effective in limiting Iran's nuclear
program, Trump unilaterally revoked
the deal, reinstating harsh sanctions.
Subsequently, India was made to
choose between continuing business
with Iran and enhancing strategic
relations with the US. This led New
Delhi to re-examine its relationship with
its West Asian neighbor. India then
decided it had no choice but to stop
importing oil from Iran in mid-2019.
Another issue that came up was
India's interest in developing the
strategic Chabahar Port. Despite
obtaining a waiver from the US on the
project, India has not been able to make
much progress.
While the Indian government has
been enthusiastic about pushing the
project through, the private sector has
been unwilling to take the risk of
investing in the infrastructure
development there because of
uncertainty over US sanctions.
These factors have led to the
degradation of India-Iran relations,
which has facilitated the grand entry of
China.
During the confirmation hearing of
now US Secretary of State Antony
Blinken, he was reported to have said
that the new administration would
engage with Israel and the Arab states
before reviving the JCPOA. Biden has
also indicated willingness to revive the
deal if Tehran agrees to comply with
certain provisions.
This is welcome news for India, as it is
now gearing toward the possibility of
resuming its oil imports from Iran and
fast-tracking the long-delayed
Chabahar Port project.
The way the US will deal with Iran has
major implications not only for India,
but also for the peace of the South Asian
region. In particular, the decision of the
US to pull out from Afghanistan in
September may create a vacuum for
more instability in the country given the
constant clashes between the Taliban
and the civilian government.
Though India has been given a voice
in the peace talks, the question lies on its
ability to shape the political landscape
between the parties involved. There is a
lack of constructive and official
engagement between New Delhi and
the Taliban compared with those by
China and Pakistan. This will inevitably
lead to India being sidelined in
Afghanistan affairs.
Iran, however, has managed to
cultivate relatively good relations with
both the civilian government of
Afghanistan and the Taliban. Though
Iran's engagement with the Taliban was
not always cordial, recent shifts have
indicated a more accommodating
position. In late January, a Taliban
delegation paid a visit to Tehran and
was received by senior Iranian officials.
They reportedly discussed the need to
ensure stability in Afghanistan and the
Dr. DAnIA KoleIlAT KHATIb
entire region.
However, it is important to note that
the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that
the government of Afghanistan was
notified in advance of the trip. It was
confirmed by Kabul that Iran sought the
Afghan government's views in advance.
It is also significant to point out that
India and Iran converge in their views
regarding Afghanistan after a US
withdrawal. India and Iran have jointly
opposed the potential return of the
Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, which
refers to the totalitarian regime
established by the Taliban in 1996. This
indicates that both countries seek to
keep the Taliban in check.
In addition, expediting the
development of the Chabahar Port will
enhance Afghanistan's economy, which
is a major prerequisite for its stability.
As a result, it is important for India
and Iran to deepen their strategic
engagement not only to enhance
bilateral ties but to secure the stability
and peace of Afghanistan and the
region. The US must realize that
regional cooperation may be the only
way to achieve peace in Afghanistan.
Moreover, India and Iran can both play
important roles. Therefore, it will be
crucial to develop a more conducive
environment for cooperation between
those two countries.
Don McLain Gill is a fellow at
the International Development
and Security Cooperation (IDSC)
and an international affairs
author and researcher based in
the Philippines.
Biden's cautious approach will not solve Middle East's problems
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is
this week visiting the Middle East,
meeting with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas, among others.
The visit is focused on "maintaining the
ceasefire, getting the assistance to the people
who need it," according to a State
Department official. This is quite a modest
target for an administration whose main
tagline in foreign affairs is "America is back."
This ambitious narrative does not coincide
with the behavior of President Joe Biden,
especially when it comes to the Middle East.
In this region, the US seems to be laying low,
waiting for the turbulence to end - like the
proverbial ostrich, the Biden administration
is burying its head in the sand, waiting for
the danger to go away.
This trend can be seen in the White
House's "Interim National Security Strategic
Guidance" report, in which the Middle East
In late January, a Taliban delegation paid a visit to Tehran
and was received by senior Iranian officials. They reportedly
discussed the need to ensure stability in Afghanistan
and the entire region. However, it is important to note that
the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the government of
Afghanistan was notified in advance of the trip.
was barely mentioned. Readers of this
document, which was released in March, get
the impression that the entire region has
been reduced to the Iran nuclear file. This
hands-off approach started with Barack
Obama, was pursued by Donald Trump and
now, unfortunately, is being followed by
Biden. This trend goes beyond the personal
preferences of each of these presidents - it
reflects a general fatigue with the region's
problems and a rise in interest surrounding
China and the South China Sea. It also
reflects a false perception that, if the nuclear
issue is solved, it will be easy to find solutions
to the Middle East's other problems.
However, this ostrich approach is likely to
increase turbulence, as the countries that feel
threatened by Iran will take it upon
themselves to craft and implement policies
that counter Tehran's aggression.
The recent Israeli attacks on Gaza
demonstrate that the ostrich approach does
not work. Even if the US tries to shield itself
from the region's problems, the problems
will come back and haunt it. Biden did not
make the Israel-Palestine issue a priority,
thinking that it is too complicated to be
solved. However, now that events are
imposing themselves on the administration,
it has been forced to take a position. The
Biden administration sees itself being
sucked into a conflict it sought to avoid.
Handling the Israel-Palestine conflict is
quite problematic, as the administration is
divided on the issue. The progressive wing of
the Democratic Party wants to see the end of
occupation and a two-state solution. The
traditional wing, of which Biden is a
member, unconditionally supports Israel.
The attitude toward the recent conflict in
Gaza summarizes the US administration's
attitude toward the region in general.
The Biden administration is also facing
many social and economic problems
domestically. The issue of racism is taking its
toll on the cohesion of American society,
while the economic problems that came
with the coronavirus pandemic are also
consuming the administration. Hence there
is little attention left for foreign affairs, and
the Middle East is not at the top of the list.
Even at last week's meeting between Blinken
and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov, the two agreed to cooperate on
several issues, but the Middle East was not
one of them, except for the Iranian nuclear
program. Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq,
Yemen and Libya are all severe problems.
However, they don't seem severe enough to
grab the attention of Biden and his team.
The attitude toward the recent conflict in
Gaza summarizes the administration's
attitude toward the region in general: Doing
the bare minimum that must be done just to
maintain a role.
Source : Arab News

friDAY, mAY 28, 2021
5
Why is Amazon in entertainment?
ShirA oviDe
Lots of people will write smart
things about Amazon's strategy
with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
the movie studio that Amazon
said it would purchase for
$8.45 billion. But I want to ask
a more basic question: Why?
Not why is Amazon buying
MGM, which owns the rights
to James Bond and
"RoboCop." Presumably,
Amazon will use it to mine
ideas for fresh series and
movies for its Prime Video
streaming entertainment
service. No, I'm asking: Why
does Amazon have a streaming
Amazon will buy mGm.
video service at all?
Is video a valued perk for
Prime members or a
multibillion-dollar vanity
project for Amazon? On the
rare occasions that Amazon
executives have discussed their
goals for Prime Video, they
have focused on the power of
loyalty. They say that including
a video service in Prime is one
more reason for people to stick
with Amazon's membership
program and feel they're
getting good value from both
package shipping at no added
cost and "Bosch" on demand.
My colleague Karen Weise
reported that households with
Prime memberships typically
spend $3,000 a year on
Amazon, more than twice as
much as households without
the membership, according to
Morgan Stanley.
He writes that some Amazon
employees who worked in the
entertainment division
analyzed how many Prime
members watched shows and
then extended their Prime
memberships or signed up.
"There was little evidence of a
connection between viewing
and purchasing behavior,"
Stone writes. "The truth was
this: Bezos wanted Amazon to
make TV shows and films."
The divergence between the
stated goals of Prime Video and
the perhaps more pedestrian
reality highlights a dichotomy
of Amazon and other
technology superpowers. They
are so rich and successful in
some areas that they can afford
to flail in others.
Amazon's success in online
shopping and cloud computing
- and, importantly, the belief
among both fans and
detractors that the company is
a powerful and disruptive
genius - has papered over
Amazon's questionable
strategies in groceries and in
streaming. And it has reduced
the urgency to fix a clunky
online shopping experience
that we can't always trust and
that feels as if it hasn't been
updated since the 1990s.
Facebook's and Google's
wildly profitable advertising
businesses prop up their
inability to figure out what to
Photo: Adam maida
do with … well, almost
everything else that those
companies are involved in,
including Facebook's fumbles
to turn WhatsApp into a
business and Google's years of
struggles in online shopping. I
don't know whether to find it
comforting or scary that these
companies are simultaneously
crazy smart and at times
stumbling in the dark.
In Prime Video, we don't
hear Amazon executives
justifying the expense or
pitching its value to Prime
members. The lure of fast and
no-cost shipping might be
enough. Or would Prime
members be more loyal if the
company offered different
perks - say, free internet
service, online fitness classes,
access to personal shoppers or
more Kindle books? Walmart's
version of Prime throws in
discounts at some gas stations.
I don't know if any of these
are compelling alternatives,
but I also don't know that video
is an alluring add-on to Prime.
Only Amazon knows, really,
and it isn't telling.
There's a chance Amazon is
playing a very long game with
Prime Video. I can envision a
future in which Amazon uses
ads on Prime Video and its
other online video sites to get
us interested in new products
and then sells them to us, too.
Amazon would encompass the
entire life span of shopping
from "Huh, that looks
interesting" to clicking buy.
(Stone suggested that
possibility in a recent
newsletter.)
Or maybe I'm falling into the
trap of assuming that there
must be a grand design behind
what Amazon and other
superstar companies do.
Perhaps making movies is just
kinda cool.
Amazon has said that people
who use Prime Video are more
likely to renew their
memberships each year or pay
up if they're on free trial
programs, and they buy more
products from Amazon. But in
his new book about Amazon,
the journalist and author Brad
Stone suggests this might not
be entirely true.
How to power up your to-do list
J. D. BierSDorfer
Getting organized is serious business,
judging by the number of checklist and
chore-tracker programs available. If
you're new to mobile task-manager
software, Apple and Google have their
own free apps that combine the
convenience of a notes app with the
ability to set notification alerts to make
sure things get done on time.
Apple's Reminders app runs on its
iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, Apple
Watches, Mac computers and
iCloud.com. The Google Tasks app for
Android and iOS is also integrated into
Gmail and Google Calendar. Here are
the basics for both apps.
To get started on your iPhone, open
the Reminders app, tap New Reminder
in the screen's bottom-left corner and
enter a task. The toolbar below supplies
shortcuts for assigning a notification
date; you can set a specific time and a
repeated schedule. You can choose a
specific location to be notified (say,
near your supermarket), flag the
reminder to emphasize it or insert an
image to it to add visual information.
To get started with Google Tasks on
the phone, download it from the app
store if it's not already installed. Open
the Google Tasks app and tap the large
+ button at the bottom of the screen.
Type in what you need to do. You can
add more information by tapping the
Details icon or set a timed reminder by
selecting the Calendar icon. Tap the
Save button.
You can also add a reminder to your
schedule by commanding Apple's Siri
or the Google Assistant to create it for
you. (Samsung's Bixby assistant can
similarly wrangle reminders on Galaxy
phones.)
And when you finish a task, tap the
circle next to it to mark it Done. Want
to corral several related reminders in
one place? Just group the tasks on a list.
In Apple's Reminders, tap Add List in
the screen's bottom-right corner. Name
the list, assign it a color, give it an icon -
and then assign specific reminders to it.
The main Reminders screen will show
all your lists in progress, including
automatically generated lists for
scheduled, flagged and current tasks.
In the Google Tasks app, tap the
Menu icon in the screen's bottom left
corner and select "+ Create new list."
Enter a name, tap the Done button in
the upper-right corner and add tasks by
tapping the + button at the bottom of
the screen. To switch between lists, tap
the Menu button and select the list you
need.
To reorder items in Apple
Reminders, press down on a task and
drag it to a new position on the list. To
move an entry to a different list, swipe
to the left on the item and tap the
Details button. On the Details screen,
go to List, tap it and choose another list.
To make an entry a subtask of
another - like listing various kitchen
gear to buy under your main "Buy New
Appliances" task - swipe to the right
next to an item and select Indent to
make that entry a subtask of the one
above it; you can also press and drag a
task on top of another to make it a
Apple's reminders app, notifies you of things you need to do right now.
subtask.
To reorder items in Google Tasks,
select an entry, then press down and
drag it to a new position. To sort by
date, tap the three-dot More menu in
the bottom-right corner, tap Sort By
and choose Date.
To move a task to a new list, tap it and
use the drop-down menu on the next
screen to select a different list; you also
have options here for adding more
details about the task, assigning a date
and time or adding a subtask.
Any tasks added to the Family list in
Apple Reminders are automatically
pushed out to people in your iCloudconnected
Family Sharing group. You
can share lists with others via email,
message, Slack or other apps, too,
which can be helpful for project
planning. Select a list, tap the More
menu in the upper-right corner, choose
Share List and pick your sharing
method. Once you share a list, you can
assign specific tasks by tapping the
Assignment button and selecting
someone from the group. Users on a
shared list can add, delete and mark off
items - and everyone is updated.
Google Tasks doesn't offer a dynamic
sharing feature, but if you're a
Gmail/Google Calendar user, you can
see and share tasks from there. And you
can easily create a task from an open
message in the Gmail app by choosing
Add to Tasks from the More menu. As
with Apple's Reminders app and iCloud
accounts, your tasks show up in all the
devices connected to your Google
account so you're always up to date.
Photo: Apple
Tips to take command of iPhone
J. D. BierSDorfer
Last month, Apple released an update to
its operating system, iOS 14.5, which
gives users more control of their
personal data. But if you're looking to
gain more control over the iPhone itself,
you also have options. Want to put your
favorite apps within easy reach, tag
friends in Messages or set your
preferred browser to open links? You
can do all that and more.
Here are a few quick tips for
enhancing the iPhone experience. Next
week's Tech Tip column will round up a
few helpful hints for the Android
faithful.
The Control Center - that handy panel
of often-used settings summoned with a
finger swipe - first appeared back in
2013 and got more useful when Apple
began to let users add their preferred
buttons a few years later. If you haven't
tinkered with your Control Center to
add the features and functions you use
the most, just open the Settings icon on
the home screen, scroll down to Control
Center and give it a tap.
From the list on the next screen,
choose the icons for the apps and
settings you want to live in your Control
Center. While tools like the Flashlight
are typically there by default, you can
remove those you never use and add
icons for apps you want, like the
Magnifier, the QR Code scanner or even
the Shazam music recognition feature.
To rearrange the order of the icons on
the screen, drag them up and down the
list before you close the Settings app.
Wouldn't it be great if you had yet
another way to interact with your device
along with screen swipes and voice
commands? If you have at least an
iPhone 8 running iOS 14 or later, you
can use the Back Tap feature to have
your iPhone perform a specific action
when you give it quick taps on the back.
To set it up, open the Settings, select
Accessibility and then Touch, and scroll
down to Back Tap. Once you select Back
Tap, select either Double or Triple Tap
and choose an action on the next screen,
like opening the Spotlight search app or
the Control Center or running a
Shortcut you've set up with Apple's
Shortcuts app. You can assign two
separate tasks to the Double Tap and
Triple Tap functions - and Back Tap
should work even if your iPhone is in a
case.
Tired of the iPhone always opening
the Safari browser instead of your
our complicated relationship with social media might be simpler than it feels. Just remember how
it started.
Photo: Collected
How did we get so stuck
on here?
John herrmAn
It's a testament to the power of the
biggest social platforms that many
common complaints about them sound
contradictory. They're accelerators for
extremism that simultaneously uphold
suffocating consensus. They're wastes of
attention and should play a smaller role
in people's lives; however, they also
need to be improved, refined and
purged of bad actors, whoever you think
they might be. They're advanced
surveillance machines, but they also
routinely serve irrelevant
recommendations and ads. They're
cutting-edge behavior modification
tools, but they're also overtly spammy,
seeking engagement through clumsy
and often misleading notifications.
And for, or despite, all those reasons,
people can't seem to leave them - a point
bolstered by financial statements.
Facebook, as a company, is doing
extraordinarily well, and Twitter saw its
As shown in the Settings screen on the left, you can choose the apps you
want to see when you open the iPhone's Control Center Photo: Apple
favored DuckDuckGo when you tap a
link, or firing up Apple's Mail program
instead of the Gmail app when you
select an email address from your
Contacts list? If your iPhone is running
iOS 14 or later, you can choose the apps
you want as your default programs.
To make it happen, tell Siri to "open
the settings for Gmail" or whichever app
you actually want to use. You can also
tap open the Settings icon on the home
screen, scroll to the name of the app and
select it to get to its settings. Tap the
Default Browser App or Default Mail
App line and on the next screen, and
select your preferred program.
Want to respond to a specific post in a
Messages chat or get someone's
attention in a group conversation, just
as you can on some social media
platforms? You can do both.
To reply to a certain message in either
a one-on-one or group chat where
everyone is using the Messages app,
press your finger on that message until a
menu appears. Select Reply, enter your
response and tap the blue Send arrow.
To tag someone in a conversation so he
or she gets a notification, put the @
symbol in front of the name or just type
revenue grow last quarter.
Still, within the disparate critiques of
social media, there is a shared
experience for many - a loss of patience
with "this site," or a withering
assessment of how people behave "on
here." An urge to type "this hellsite" into
the hellsite itself, to like that post about
how much the poster hates posting.
They're aware of the irony; still, they
can't stop. They might even suggest it's
their own fault, which it isn't, at least not
entirely. They're just stuck. Maybe you
are too.
What does it mean to be stuck, in
platform terms? It's not the same as
being trapped; you're as free to leave
Instagram as you were to join it in the
first place. Neither is being stuck a mere
habit, or pattern of personal behavior
over which you've lost some amount of
conscious control.
Stuckness, instead, is a largely
unforeseen consequence of the manner
in which modern social networks
the name and select it when it pops up
onscreen from your Contacts.
Apple's Siri voice assistant,
celebrating a decade on the iPhone this
October, has been losing ground in
knowledge and usefulness to Amazon's
Alexa and the Google Assistant in recent
years. To boost Siri's powers, Apple
added more skills in iOS 14. And with
iOS 14.5, it now includes a more diverse
set of voices.
Apple's Siri voice assistant,
celebrating a decade on the iPhone this
October, has been losing ground in
knowledge and usefulness to Amazon's
Alexa and the Google Assistant in recent
years. To boost Siri's powers, Apple
added more skills in iOS 14. And with
iOS 14.5, it now includes a more diverse
set of voices.
To change how and when Siri sounds,
open the Settings icon on the home
screen, select Siri & Search and make
your selections. You can also opt to
display your conversations on the
screen by tapping Siri Responses and
turning on "Always Show Siri Captions"
and "Always Show Speech" to make
sure you see the last word, too.
became popular and powerful in the
first place. Social networks, even the
very biggest, are virtually worthless
without people - not just as customers,
but as sources of value for other
customers. The term of art for this
phenomenon is the "network effect," a
concept predating social media and the
internet in general. A telephone system,
for instance, gets better as more people
use it, and is at its best when everyone
has a number; likewise, a social network
needs multiple users to function at all,
but tends to become more compelling
the more it connects.
Today's biggest social networks were
founded by people and supported by
investors for whom network effects
were both a gospel and a plan: build a
network, reach a critical mass, watch it
grow, then accelerate, creating an
insurmountable advantage over anyone
else attempting to connect people in
similar ways.

FriDAY, MAY 28, 2021
6
Dried food has been distributed among the six hundred distressed families at Mirzaganj of
Patuakhali yesterday.
Photo : Uttam Golder
Man held
with firearms
in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI : Members of
Rapid Action Battalion
(RAB), in an anti-crime
drive, arrested an alleged
firearm-trader with two
firearms and ammunition
in Rajshahi Wednesday
night.
According to the RAB
sources, the arrested
person was identified as
Rubel Sarker, 23, son of
Bablu Sarker, of Noapara
area under Gurusadpur
Upazila in Natore district.
The RAB team nabbed
the person for his alleged
long-term involvement in
firearms trading and
trafficking.
Acting on a tip-off, a
team of the elite force
conducted a drive in
Nowdapara area under
Shahmukhdum Police
Station around 9.10 pm
and arrested the person
with a pistol, a oneshooter
gun, one magazine
and two rounds of bullets
red-handed.
The RAB team nabbed
the person for his alleged
long-term involvement in
firearms trading and
trafficking.
Besides, another RAB
team arrested an alleged
drug-peddler with 18
bottles of foreign wine
after conducting a raid in
Rajshahi Main Gate area
under Matiher Police
Station in the city on
Wednesday.
The arrested person was
identified as Hatem Ali,
35, son of Hassan Ali of
Tegri village under
Nandigram Upazila in
Bogura district.
Two separate cases were
filed in these connections
and the arrested persons
along with the seized
firearms and other goods
were handed over to
police.
Memo No: 2110
GD-903/21 (5 x 3)
RCC embarks to construct 30 STS
for modern waste management
RAJSHAHI : Rajshahi City Corporation
(RCC) has embarked ipon a plan to construct
30 Secondary Transfer Stations (STS) in
each ward of the city gradually for removing
and managing the household wastes and
garbage in modern and hygienic way.
In the first phase, sites for construction of
12 STS have been selected and construction
works of five of those were completed.
Earlier, the city has constructed four
stations for modern waste management.
Rajshahi City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman
Liton revealed this while inaugurating a
newly constructed STS at Borokuthi area
yesterday as chief guest. The station has been
constructed at a cost of around TK 59 lakh.
RCC Panel Mayors Shariful Islam Babu,
Rajab Ali and Tahera Khatun, Ward
Phone: 02-9540018, Fax: 9540171 E-mail: ee eden@pwd.gov.bd
Date: 27.05.2021
Councilors Nijam-Ul-Azim and Tariqul
Alam and Chief Engineer Shariful Islam
were present on the occasion.
Liton asked all officials and staff of the
corporation concerned to render their
services with utmost sincerity and honesty to
make their best efforts of making the city
neat and clean. "I'm committed to build the
city green, clean and eco-friendly within the
shortest possible time as per demand of the
city residents," he said. He added that the
officials and employees who will be adjudged
as good workers will be honoured and
awarded to inspire others.
He also called upon all staff to sincerely
motivate the people against dumping
household wastes besides the roads and
other public places haphazardly.
Rural women alleviating
poverty with income
generating actives
NARSINGDI : The women in the rural areas
of Narsingdi district have been playing
important role in alleviating poverty and
attaining self -reliance to change rural
economy through income generating actives
during the last couple of years.
As a result of relentless efforts in
combating poverty, socio economic
condition of the rural women, who lived in
utter miseries even a few years back, has
changed significantly along with their
empowerment in the families and society as
a whole. According to available statistics in
the government and NGO offices, a number
of child labourers and floating street children
has been reduced to the minimum due to the
silent revolution being taking place in the
rural economy in recent years.
Thousands of rural women have already
achieved self-reliance with own initiatives
and also getting assistances from different
organisations, which are extending supports,
trainings and inputs side by side with
E-Tender Notice (OTM, NCT)
creating marketing facilities for their
products.
Most of them have achieved successes
through sewing handloom garments, animal
husbandry, rearing cows, goats and poultry
birds, homestead gardening, farming fruits,
spices,fish and agri-activities.
Many of them have also achieved selfreliance
through farming early variety of
vegetables and setting up cottage and
smaller industries, participatory social
afforestation, microcredit activities.
District Relief and rehabilitation officer
Narsingdi said the rural women have also
achieved huge benefits from the
government's social safety net and poverty
alleviation programmes and job
opportunities during the lean periods.
While talking to BSS
correspondent,Rahima Begum, Shafily,
Nazma Begum,Jahanara Akter Madobi Rani
and InduBala said it become possible due to
their hard endeavor.
Woman killed,
husband arrested
in Narayanganj
NARAYANGANJ : Police on
Wednesday arrested a
person for allegedly killing
his wife over a family feud in
Narayanganj's Fatullah,
reports UNB.
The deceased was
identified as Tanjida Akhter
Poppy, 25, daughter of Ali
Ashraf of Baktabali's
Rajapur.
On information from the
locals, police went to the
spot and recovered the body.
Fatullah Model Police
Station Sub-Inspector Zakir
Masud said the victim's
husband, Hira Chowdhury,
was hiding in a nearby room
and was arrested in
connection to the murder.
The knife used in the
murder was seized, he said.
Officer-in-charge
Rakibuzzaman said the
recovered body was sent to
Narayanganj General
Hospital morgue for
autopsy.
Five more
test positive
for COVID-19
in Bhola
BHOLA : A number of five
more people were diagnosed
with COVID-19 positive in
the last 24 hours in the
district after testing 36
samples at Bhola 250-bed
General Hospital COVID-19
laboratory.
Of the new positive cases,
four are in Sadar upazila and
one in Charfashion upazila
of the district.
Meanwhile, 15 patients
recovered from COVID-19 in
the last 24 hours in the
district, civil surgeon of the
district Dr Syed Rezaul
Islam told BSS.
The total number of
infected people in the
district stood at 1,915 while
the number of recovery
cases at 1,787, the civil
surgeon said.
A total of 26 persons have
so far died of COVID-19 in
the district, Dr Syed Rezaul
Islam told BSS.
The health expert of the
district urged all to follow
the health rules strictly and
use masks to prevent the
spread of the lethal virus.
Dr Syed Rezaul Islam said
infected seven persons are
now undergoing treatment
at Bhola 250-bed General
Hospital, rest of the infected
persons are now undergoing
treatment at home under the
supervision of doctors from
their respective upazila
health complexes.
He urged everyone to be
more aware to prevent this
lethal infection.
Newly appointed Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Chilmari exchanged views with the journalists
yesterday.
Photo : TBT
GD-910/21 (6 x 4)
Coronavirus
18,775 infected, 17,715
cured in Rangpur division
RANGPUR : A total of 18,775 people have
been infected with coronavirus (Covid-19),
and of them, 17,715 cured in all eight districts
of Rangpur division.
Health officials said the number of Covid-
19 cases reached 18,775 as 34 more patients
were reported after testing 376 samples at
the daily infection rate of 9.05 percent on
Wednesday in the division.
"The daily infection rate came down below
the 10 percent mark on Wednesday in the
division after remaining above the 10
percent mark in recent weeks," said Focal
Person of Covid-19 and Assistant Director
(Health) for Rangpur division Dr. ZA
Siddiqui. Earlier, the daily infection rates
were 13.91 percent on Tuesday, 13.26
percent on Monday, 15.38 percent on
Sunday, 13.52 percent on Saturday, 11.44
percent on Friday, 12.57 percent on
Thursday and 16.30 percent on Wednesday
last in the division. "The daily infection rate
crossed the 10 percent mark on March 24
last for the first time since December 26 last
during the second wave of Covid-19 in the
division," said Dr Siddiqui.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, a total
of 1,31,904 collected samples of the division
were tested till Wednesday, and of them,
18,775 people were found Covid-19 positive
with an average infection rate of 14.23
percent. "The district-wise break up of 18,775
patients currently stands at 4,934 in
Rangpur, 838 in Panchagarh, 1,570 in
Nilphamari, 1,075 in Lalmonirhat, 1,210 in
Kurigram, 1,662 in Thakurgaon, 5,733 in
Dinajpur and 1,753 in Gaibandha of the
division," he said.
Talking to BSS, Divisional Director
(Health) Dr. Md. Ahad Ali said the Covid-19
related death toll rose to 384 as two more
deaths were reported from Rangpur and
Thakurgaon in the division on Wednesday.
The district-wise break up of the 384
e-Tender Notice (OTM)
fatalities stands at 93 in Rangpur, 141 in
Dinajpur, 40 in Thakurgaon, 35 in
Nilphamari, 21 in Kurigram, 20 in
Panchagarh, 21 in Gaibandha and 13 in
Lalmonirhat districts of the division.
The average casualty rate stands at 2.05
percent, which is the highest average fatality
rate since the beginning of the pandemic in
the division. Among the 18,775 infected
patients, 76 are undergoing treatments at
isolation units, including 17 at ICU beds and
four at High Dependency Unit beds, after
recovery of 17,715 people and 384 deaths
while 633 are remaining in home isolation.
"Meanwhile, the number of citizens who
got the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
remained steady at 5,96,952 since April 26
last, and among them, 3,77,092 got the
second dose of the jab till Tuesday in the
division," Dr Ali added.
Chief of Divisional Coronavirus Service
and Prevention Task Force and Principal of
Rangpur Medical College Professor Dr. AKM
Nurunnobi Lyzu urged everybody to abide
by the health directives for containing
further spread of the Covid-19 virus.
3 held, 60 yaba pills and 15 mobile
phones seized in Faridpur
FARIDPUR : Members of the Rapid Action
Battalion (RAB)-8) arrested three persons
yesterday on charges of swindling money by
Bkash transaction .
They also seized 60 pieces of yaba pills and
15 mobile phones and 88 SIM cards and TK
1,000 in cash from their possessions.
The arrestees are identified as Md. Badal
Hawlader, 31, Md. Zakir Hossain,32, and
Md. Jamal Hawlader,32. All are inhabitants
of Para village of Bhanga upazila of the
district.

In this May 18, 2021, file photo, medical personnel wearing protective gear, guide people at a rapid
coronavirus testing center after the infection alert rose to level 3 in Taipei, Taiwan. After a year of
success, Taiwan is struggling with its largest outbreak since the pandemic began. Photo: AP
Taiwan struggles with testing
backlog amid largest outbreak
TAIPEI : Facing Taiwan's largest
outbreak of the pandemic and looking
for rapid virus test kits, the mayor of the
island's capital did what anyone might
do: He Googled it, reports UNB.
"If you don't know, and you try to
know something, please check
Google," Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je
quipped.
Praised for its success at keeping
the virus away for more than a year,
Taiwan had until May recorded just
1,128 cases and 12 deaths. But the
number of locally transmitted cases
started growing this month and it
soon became clear that the central
government was ill prepared not only
to contain the virus, but to even
detect it on a large scale due to a lack
of investment in rapid testing.
That left officials like Ko scrambling
to catch up as the number of new
infections climbed to some 300 a day.
Ko's search put him in contact with
six local companies who make rapid
tests and his government was soon
able to set up four rapid testing sites
in a district that had emerged as a
virus hotspot.
Rapid tests, experts say, are a
critical tool in catching the virus in its
early days. The alternative that
Taiwan has been relying on - tests
that have to be sent out to a lab for
processing - has led to backlogs that
may be obscuring the true extent of
the outbreak.
"You want to identify those infected
cases as soon as possible," to contain
the spread, said Ruby Huang, a
professor in the medical college at
National Taiwan University. "And
then you're basically running against
time."
With so few cases, Taiwan had been
a bubble of normalcy for most of the
pandemic. Schools stayed open,
people went to bars and restaurants,
and the island's economy was among
the few globally that saw positive
growth.
Its success was built largely on strict
border controls that primarily
allowed in only citizens and longterm
residents, who then faced
mandatory two-week quarantines.
From time to time it found small
clusters of infections and stamped
them out through contact tracing and
quarantines. Last month authorities
found a cluster involving pilots from
the state-owned China Airlines.
Stopping the virus this time would
prove difficult, in part because under
government policy pilots were only
required to quarantine for three-days
and did not need a negative test to get
out of quarantine. Soon employees at
a quarantine hotel where China
Airlines flight crew stayed started
getting sick - and so did their family
members.
The virus had escaped quarantine
and was spreading locally, mostly in
Taipei and surrounding areas.
The government in Taiwan - where
only about 1% of the population have
been vaccinated - responded by
ordering a lockdown, closing schools
and switching offices to remote work
or rotating shifts. Contact tracers
identified 600,000 people that
needed to quarantine themselves.
The biggest roadblock has been
testing.
Government policy throughout the
pandemic has been to rely on
polymerase chain reaction, or PCR,
tests, which are seen as the gold
standard for diagnosis but must be
processed using special machines in a
lab. The government has not
encouraged rapid tests, which are
quicker and cheaper but potentially
less accurate.
In and around Taipei, labs have
been working overtime in recent
weeks but are still struggling to
process all the samples.
India's COVID-19
tally rises to
27,369,093
NEW DELHI : India's COVID-19 tally
reached 27,369,093 on Thursday, with
211,298 new cases added during the
past 24 hours, said the federal health
ministry, reports UNB.
Besides, as many as 3,847 deaths
since Wednesday morning took the
death toll to 315,235.
There are still 2,419,907 active cases
in the country, as there was a decrease
of 75,684 cases in the past 24 hours. The
number of daily active cases has been
on the decline over the past few days,
after a continuous surge since mid-
April.
A total of 24,633,951 people have
been cured and discharged from
hospitals so far across the country,
showed the latest data from the federal
health ministry.
So far over 202 million (202,695,874)
vaccination doses have been
administered to the people across the
country.
A total of 1,885,805 vaccine doses
were given on Wednesday alone.
Presently the third phase of COVID-
19 vaccination is going on, covering all
people aged 18 years and above.
Though, an acute shortage of vaccines is
being felt across the country.
Meanwhile, the federal government
has ramped up COVID-19 testing
facilities across the country.
As many as 336,969,353 tests were
conducted till Wednesday, out of which
2,157,857 tests were conducted on
Wednesday alone, said the latest data
issued by the Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) on Thursday.
SAN JOSE : An employee who
gunned down eight people at a
California rail yard and then killed
himself as law enforcement rushed in
had talked about killing people at
work more than a decade ago, his exwife
said, reports UNB.
"I never believed him, and it never
happened. Until now," a tearful
Cecilia Nelms told The Associated
Press on Wednesday following the
6:30 a.m. attack at a light rail facility
for the Valley Transportation
Authority.
"When our deputies went through
the door, initially he was still firing
rounds. When our deputy saw him, he
took his life," Santa Clara County
Sheriff Laurie Smith told reporters.
The sheriff's office is next door to
the rail yard, which serves the county
of more than 1 million people in the
heart of the Silicon Valley.
The attacker was identified as 57-
year-old Samuel Cassidy, according to
two law enforcement officials.
Investigators offered no immediate
word on a possible motive but his exwife
said he used to come home from
work resentful and angry over what he
perceived as unfair assignments.
"He could dwell on things," she said.
The two were married for about 10
years until a 2005 divorce filing and
she hadn't been in touch with Cassidy
for about 13 years, Nelms said.
It was the 15th mass killing in the
nation this year, all of them shootings
that have claimed at least four lives
each for a total of 86 deaths, according
FrIDAY, MAY 28, 2021
7
Killer of 8 in California had
talked of workplace attacks
to a database compiled by The
Associated Press, USA Today and
Northeastern University.
At the White House, President Joe
Biden ordered flags to be flown at
half-staff and urged Congress to act
on legislation to curb gun violence.
"Every life that is taken by a bullet
pierces the soul of our nation. We can,
and we must, do more," Biden said in
a statement.
Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the site
and then spoke emotionally about the
country's latest mass killing.
"There's a numbness some of us are
feeling about this. There's a sameness
to this," he said. "It begs the damn
question of what the hell is going on in
the United States of America?"
The shooting took place in two
buildings and killed employees who
had been bus and light rail operators,
mechanics, linemen and an assistant
superintendent over the course of
their careers. One had worked for the
agency since 1999.
The Santa Clara County Office of the
Medical Examiner-Coroner identified
the victims as Paul Delacruz Megia,
42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian
Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez,
35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49;
Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40;
Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63, and
Lars Kepler Lane, 63.
Another man wounded in the attack
was in critical condition at Santa Clara
Valley Medical Center, spokesperson
Joy Alexiou said.
Buildup to super blood moon
eclipses the finale
WELLINGTON : In the end, the buildup
seemed to eclipse the finale.
People across New Zealand and around
the world stayed up Wednesday to watch
a cosmic event called a super blood
moon, a combination of a total lunar
eclipse and a brighter-than-usual
supermoon.
During the buildup, a glittering moon
rose above the horizon. As the Earth's
shadow began taking bites from the
moon, it created a dramatic effect. Half
the moon vanished, leaving it looking like
a black-and-white cookie. When the full
eclipse took hold, however, the moon
darkened, turning a smudgy burnt
orange color for many viewers.
In celestial terms, it was a wonder: a
projection of the world's sunsets and
sunrises onto the black canvas of the
eclipsed moon. But for people peering up
from their backyards, it wasn't quite the
brilliant display they had anticipated. Not
quite super or blood-colored.
"It was not that vivid for those on
ground," said Ben Noll, a meteorologist
with New Zealand scientific research
agency NIWA. "Personally, I thought
there would be a bit more red in the sky."
Still, Noll thought that overall, the
evening was sensational. He heard plenty
of people cheering and cars honking in
downtown Auckland where he watched it
all unfold.
John Rowe, an educator at the
Stardome Observatory and Planetarium
in Auckland, said it was like the moon
turned into a big, spooky smile looking
down at him. That's because of a bright
rim that remained at the bottom.
Rowe also enjoyed seeing surrounding
stars appear to brighten as the light from
the moon dimmed.
The full eclipse lasted about 15 minutes,
while the whole cosmic show lasted five
hours. A partial eclipse began as the
moon edged into the Earth's outer
shadow, called the penumbra, before
moving more fully into the main shadow
and then reversing the process.
Rowe likes to imagine it as if he's
standing on the moon. The Earth would
come across and block out the sun. The
reddish light around the edges would be
the sunsets and sunrises happening at
that time on Earth, projected onto the
moon's surface. Pretty cool, he reckons.
FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2021, file photo, an empty Swanston Street is seen at night in the Central
Business District as lockdown due to the continuing spread of COVID-19 prepares to start in
Melbourne. Melbourne, the city that was once Australia's worst COVID-19 hot spot has announced a
seven-day lockdown, its fourth since the pandemic began.
Photo : AP
An employee who gunned down eight people at a California rail yard and then killed himself as law
enforcement rushed in had talked about killing people at work more than a decade ago. Photo : AP
Australia's Victoria
state to return to
lockdown
MELBOURNE : The city
that was once Australia's
worst COVID-19 hot spot on
Thursday announced a
seven-day lockdown, its
fourth since the pandemic
began.
The lockdown for
Melbourne and the rest of
Victoria state comes after a
new cluster in the city rose
to 26 infections, including a
person who was in intensive
care.
Victoria Acting Premier
James Merlino said:
"Unless something changes,
this will be increasingly
uncontrollable."
The new Melbourne
cluster was found after a
traveler from India became
infected with a more
contagious variant of the
virus while in hotel
quarantine in South
Australia state earlier this
month. The traveler was not
diagnosed until he returned
home to Melbourne.
Australia's second largest
city last year underwent a
second wave of infections
that peaked at 725 new
cases in a single August day
at a time when community
spread had been virtually
eliminated elsewhere in the
country.
That lockdown lasted for
111 days. A third lockdown
that lasted for five days in
February was triggered by a
cluster of 13 cases linked to
hotel quarantine near
Melbourne Airport.
Chile rolls out mobility
pass for the vaccinated
SANTIAGO : People in Chile who have been
vaccinated and are fully immunized against
the coronavirus could from Wednesday
obtain a pass to move about more freely, a
move criticized by health professionals.
The pass, which can be downloaded on a
person's mobile phone two weeks after
receiving their second shot, gives the bearer
permission to move about freely in cities
under lockdown to go to the supermarket,
pharmacy, or for open air exercise.
Those without permits, by comparison,
have to print out a permission form every
time they want to leave the house, which is
allowed for essential reasons only.
Pass holders can also travel between cities
and towns not under lockdown.
Face masks remain compulsory for
everyone, indoors and out, and the pass will
not be valid during the daily 10.00 pm-to-
5.00 am curfew. It also does not replace the
permission people need to go back to work,
the government has said.
The measure came into force as Chile
passed the 50-percent mark of fully
vaccinated adults - over 7.7 million to date
out a 15.2 million target population.
The country has three vaccines in its
arsenal, with over 17 million doses of
CoronaVac administered to date, 3.36
million of Pfizer-BioNTech, and nearly
500,000 of Oxford-AstraZeneca.
China's CoronaVac has the lowest proven
efficacy of the three, with a Chile study
showing in April it was 67 percent effective at
preventing symptomatic Covid-19 and 80
percent effective at preventing death.
The country's Medical College and nine
medical associations are not in favor of the
vaccine pass given the persistently high
infection rate.
"Any increase in mobility will augment
infections. This new permit can lead to
confusion and a false sense of security," they
said in a joint statement. Health Minister
Enrique Paris defended the measure as a
"reward" for those who got vaccinated. Some
1.3 million people in Chile have been infected
with the coronavirus, and over 28,600 have
died. The country has one of the highest
vaccine rates in the region and the world.
Neighbor Argentina, meanwhile, received
over a million doses of AstraZeneca and
Sputnik V vaccines Wednesday as it battles
its worst phase of the pandemic to date.
The country of 45 million, due to host the
Copa America in three weeks' time, has so far
given one vaccine dose to 8.9 million people
and two doses to 2.5 million.
It has one of the highest infection rates in
the region, and on Wednesday registered
more than 35,300 cases and 532 deaths in 24
hours, bringing the toll to over 75,500.
5 killed after pier
collapses in W.
Indonesia
JAKARTA : At least five people were killed
and three others suffered minor injuries as a
pier collapsed in Indonesia's province of
West Sumatra on Wednesday night, local
official confirmed on Thursday.
Provincial police spokesperson Stefanus
Satake told local media that the accident took
place at around 6:00 p.m. local time when 14
visitors, who were divided into two groups,
were taking group photos at different spots
on the pier.
The first group, consisting of 10 people, was
taking pictures in the middle part of the pier,
and the other group was on the right part.
"Not long after taking group photos, the
center of the pier with 10 visitors on it
collapsed," local media quoted Satake as
saying in a statement.

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021
8
The Keranihat Branch of First Security Islami Bank Ltd. relocated to new premises-National
Tower (1st Floor), Satkania, Chattogramon 27 May, 2021 with a view to providing shariah based
banking services in a greater extent to its clients. Syed Waseque Md. Ali, Managing Director of
the Bank inaugurated the activities of relocated branch at new premises through Video
Conference. Among others, Mohammad Kamal Uddin, Zonal Head, Chattogram South Zonal
Office, Md. Ferdous Ahmedalong with other officials were present on the occasion. A Doa
Mahfil was organized in this regard.
Photo : Courtesy
Annual General Meeting of Islami Bank Securities Limited (IBSL) was held on 25 May 2021, Tuesday
on virtual platform. Mohammed Nasir Uddin FCMA, Chairman of IBSL presided over the meeting.
Major General (Retd.) Engr. Abdul Matin, Vice Chairman, Dr. Areef Suleman, Director and representative
of Islamic Development Bank, Mohammad Solaiman FCA, Professor Dr. Md. Sirajul
Karim, Mohammed Monirul Moula, J Q M Habibullah, FCS, Taher Ahmed Chowdhury, Mohammad
Ali and Mostafizur Rahman Siddiquee, Directors of IBSL were present in the meeting. Md. Jahidul
Islam, FCMA, Managing Director & CEO, Md. Refat Hossen, Company secretary and other shareholders
of IBSL attended the meeting. The meeting discussed various important issues including
achieving business success of the organization.
Photo : Courtesy
France's Louvre Hotels
to create 3,500 new
jobs in Saudi Arabia
Louvre Hotels Group is planning to create
more than 3,500 new jobs as part of its
strategy to expand its portfolio to nearly 50
hotels in the Kingdom by 2025.
It currently has 16 hotels in Saudi Arabia
and its expansion will begin this year with
the opening of five new hotels. They are the
94-room Golden Tulip Riyadh, the 84-room
Golden Tulip Unaizah, the 70-room Tulip
Inn Dammam Corniche, the 150-room Tulip
Inn Al Balaad Madinah and the 454-room
Golden Tulip Umm Al Qurah in Makkah.
The French hotelier is also planning to roll
out the Campanile brand across the
Kingdom.
"Saudi Arabia represents a strategic
market for our global development, due in
great part to its focus on tourism and the
extraordinary choice of destinations it offers.
Launching Campanile, our midscale brand,
in this region is a point of pride for us
because we want to inaugurate an innovative
yet affordable offer, able to satisfy local
customers and international tourists alike,"
Pierre-Frédéric Roulot, CEO Louvre Hotels
Group, said in a statement.
The company's president, Amine E.
Moukarzel, was one of more than 60
speakers taking part in the Tourism
Recovery Summit 2021 in Riyadh this week.
Established in 1976 by French wine
merchants the Taittinger Group, the Louvre
Group was sold to Starwood Capital Group
in 2005 and to China's Jin Jiang
International (Holdings) in 2015.
The group currently has 1,600 hotels with
132,253 rooms around the world, including
63 properties in the Middle East.
Middle East's hotel occupancy rates
approached 2019 levels during Ramadan
and Eid Al-Fitr this year, according to data
from the hotel management analytics firm
STR.
The report highlighted near-normal
occupancy levels in the region during the
holy month, helping key markets outperform
global peers.
Hotels in Alkhobar city, in Saudi Arabia's
Eastern Province, reported the highest
average occupancy level in the Kingdom at
63.5 percent.
A separate global STR report from March
said that Saudi Arabia had the world's
biggest hotel pipeline.
The research found that the Kingdom's
expected a 67.1 percent increase in room
supply over the next three years was the
highest among the 50 most populated
countries.
STR data shows 73,057 rooms in the
Kingdom's hotel pipeline. Of the total, 16,965
are scheduled to come online during 2021.
While a significant portion of Saudi
Arabia's pipeline activity is concentrated in
Makkah, with 28,052 rooms under
development, several other sub-markets
across the country are expected to increase
hotel supply by 50 percent or more.
Iran bans cryptocurrency mining for four months after blackouts
Iran has announced a fourmonth
ban on the energyconsuming
mining of
cryptocurrencies such as
Bitcoin after cities suffered
unplanned blackouts.
President Hassan Rouhani
told a cabinet meeting the
main cause of the blackouts
was a drought that had
affected hydro-electric power
generation.
But he said cryptocurrency
mining, 85% of which is
unlicensed, was draining
more than 2GW from the grid
each day.
An estimated 4.5% of all
Bitcoin mining takes place in
Iran.
According to analytics firm
Elliptic, the activity allows the
country to bypass sanctions
and earn hundreds of
millions of dollars in cryptoassets
that can be used to
purchase imports.
Iran's banks were cut off
from the global financial
system and its oil exports
plummeted, depriving it of a
major source of hard currency
and revenue, as a result of
sanctions reinstated by the
US in 2018 when then
President Donald Trump
abandoned a landmark
nuclear deal.
Bitcoin operates on the
blockchain, a digital ledger of
transactions. Miners audit
Bitcoin transactions in
exchange for an opportunity
to acquire the digital
currency. It requires
enormous computing power,
which in turn uses huge
amounts of electricity.
US and China trade
officials hold 'candid'
first talks of Biden era
The US and China's top
trade negotiators have held
"candid, pragmatic" talks, in
their first meeting under the
Biden presidency.
US Trade Representative
Katherine Tai and Chinese
Vice Premier Liu He held a
virtual meeting to discuss
matters.
Both sides said they
discussed the importance of
the trade relationship
between the two countries.
The talks follow the
Trump administration's
combative stance towards
China and resulting trade
war.
The Office of the United
States Trade Representative
said that Ms Tai and Mr Liu
"discussed the guiding
principles of the Biden-
Harris Administration's
worker-centered trade
policy and her ongoing
review of the U.S.-China
trade relationship, while also
raising issues of concern."
Both sides said they had
agreed to continue their
negotiations.
The Chinese Commerce
Ministry said in a statement
that both sides held "candid,
pragmatic and constructive
exchanges with an attitude
of equality and mutual
respect", according to a
report by state media outlet
the Global Times.
It added that both sides
saw "the development of
bilateral trade [as] very
important."
Ahead of the talks Ms Tai
told the Reuters news
agency that the US still faced
"very large challenges" in its
trade relationship with
China.
A bitter trade war under
former President Donald
Trump saw tariffs placed on
a range of goods traded
between the US and China.
The world's two biggest
economies signed a socalled
"phase 1" agreement
in January last year.
Global climate
schemes putting a
price on carbon
emissions: WB
Report
A World Bank report on
Tuesday showed more than
a fifth of the world's
greenhouse gas emissions
are now covered by a price
on carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions to help meet
climate goals.
A carbon cost can come in
the form of a tax or via an
emissions trading (ETS), or
cap-and-trade, scheme.
An ETS sets a gradually
decreasing cap on the
emissions a sector, or group
of sectors, can produce. It
creates "carbon permits" for
those emissions, which
companies must buy for
each tonne of CO2 they emit.
Some sectors are given free
permits to help maintain
international
competitiveness.
Britain launched a
domestic ETS in 2021 after
leaving the European Union
scheme following Brexit. It
covers power plants,
aviation and energy
intensive industries.
RFL Electronics Limited, a
sister concern of country's
leading business
conglomerate RFL Group,
has started manufacturing
and marketing of new five
models of rice cooker.
RN Paul, Managing
Director of RFL Group,
formally inaugurated the
manufacturing and
marketing activities of the
five new models of the rice
cooker at its own factory
under PRAN Industrial
Park in Narsingdi on
Thursday. The five new
models, manufactured in
own factory using worldclass
technology, are being
marketed under brand
name Vision.
RN Paul said, "The brand
Vision has received a good
response from the
customers due to the
quality of the products and
good after sales service. We
always try to produce
quality electronics products
with latest technology. Of
its continuation, the
production of the five new
models of Vision Rice
Cooker has started in our
own factory. As a result, the
consumers will get better
quality products at a fair
Chinese company M/s. Dream
Industries Bengal Co. Ltd. has signed an
agreement with Bangladesh Export
Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) to
establish a Wig & Hair Goods
Manufacturing industry in Ishwardi
EPZ with an investment of US$ 3.85
million. Mentionable, amid the
pandemic, BEPZA is receiving
investment proposals from both local
and foreign investors because of
congenial investment atmosphere in
EPZs, says a press release.
Passengers refused boarding
amid testing confusion
"Even when you triple
check the rules, you could
be refused to board - it put
me out of pocket, distressed
me, and distressed my
elderly parents who I was
visiting."
Sally Shiels was due to fly
from Birmingham airport
to Dublin on Friday 21 May
to visit her parents.
She says she, and about
30 other passengers, were
not allowed to board the
plane because they had the
wrong type of negative
Covid-19 test result.
Ireland, like many other
countries requires people to
present a negative result for
a RT-PCR test before
departure. PCR tests need
to be sent away to a lab to be
checked, and you are later
informed of the results.
Sally works for the NHS,
and in her role she is offered
regular asymptomatic PCR
testing. This means staff are
regularly tested even if they
don't have symptoms.
She believed her latest
test result from work could
price. Moreover,
Bangladesh will become
self-sufficient in the
production of these
electronics products, which
will help to create more job
opportunities."
He also added that the
exterior of the Vision Rice
Cooker is made of stainless
steel. As a result, it is
extremely hard and
durable. It has three levels
of security, so there is no
be used for travel, because it
met the testing standard
required by the Irish
authorities. However, Sally
was refused boarding.
This is because she later
learned that the UK
government advises that
only private providers can
be used for PCR tests for
travel.
Sally says: "On my arrival
at the front of the queue, the
ground staff said I was not
allowed to board. I asked
why and she said it needed
the letters PCR.
"And when I explained
that this was a valid test, it
even said exactly what PCR
test it was, while it didn't
say the letters P, C and R, I
couldn't convince her, and
myself and 30 other
passengers were refused
boarding for a variety of
reasons that day."
The flight was operated
by Ryanair, which told
Radio 4's You & Yours
programme: "Ryanair fully
complies with government
restrictions.
possibility of a short circuit.
Moreover, the tradition of
Bangladesh has been
highlighted in the rice
cookers through attractive
designs.
The prices of new models
are between Tk 2,100 and
Tk 3,150. These rice cookers
are available all over the
country through Vision
Emporium, authorized
dealers and Best Buy. In
addition, the products can
This fully foreign owned company will
produce annually 2.6 million pieces of
Wig made of Synthetic Fiber and Hair
Goods made of Human Hair & Washed
Bovine Hair. The company will create
employment opportunity for 2496
Bangladeshi nationals.
In presence of the Executive
Chairman of BEPZA Major General Md
Nazrul Islam, SPP, ndu, afwc, psc, G,
Member (Investment Promotion) of
BEPZA Md. Mahmudul Hossain Khan
and Managing Director of Dream
"A number of passengers
on this flight from
Birmingham to Dublin
were denied boarding as
they failed to present a
negative Covid-19 RT-PCR
test result, as required by
Irish regulation."
The airline also referred
to the Department for
Transport guidance that
private testing should be
used, and that NHS Test
and Trace cannot provide
the required documents.
Sally Shiels says some of
the passengers refused
boarding had tried to use
negative test results
obtained from NHS Test
and Trace. Tests through
NHS Test and Trace are
free, but you must be
showing symptoms and
book an appointment at a
test centre.
Sally thinks some
passengers may have
sought NHS tests to avoid
paying the costs of a private
test which can cost between
£50 and over £100.
Five new models of Vision Rice
Cooker now in the market
be ordered through the
popular e-commerce
sitewww.othoba.com.
Masudur Rahman and
Noor Mohammad Mamun,
Senior Managers at Vision
Electronics, Rakib Ahmed,
Senior Brand Manager and
Shaikh
MahabuburRahman,
Brand Manager, among
others, were present on the
occasion.
Chinese Wig Company to invest
US$ 3.85m in Ishwardi EPZ
Industries Bengal Co. Ltd. Mr. Feng
Haoran signed the agreement today (27-
05-2021) at BEPZA Complex, Dhaka on
behalf of their respective organizations.
Among others, Member
(Engineering) Mohammad Faruque
Alam, Secretary Md. Zakir Hossain
Chowdhury, General Manager (Public
Relations) Nazma Binte Alamgir and
General Manager (Investment
Promotion) Md. Tanvir Hossain of
BEPZA were present at the signing
ceremony.

FRidAY, MAY 28, 2021
9
The two-match Test series between New Zealand and England is beginning on June 2.
Freak injury to Ben Foakes opens
door for James Bracey
SPORTS DESK
A freak injury would keep England
wicket-keeper Ben Foakes, who
impressed with his glove-work and
defiant batting during the tour to
India early this year, out of the two
Tests against New Zealand that
begins on June 2, reports UNB.
This was after the Sussex player,
expected to keep in the absence of the
rested Jos Buttler, slipped in the
dressing room at the Oval in socks
during a drawn county game against
Middlesex last week. What's worse,
he could miss the series against India
and could even be out of reckoning
for the Ashes later this year.
His loss, though, is gain for
Gloucestershire's James Bracey, a 24-
year-old reputed for his stodgy
batting and reliable keeping. The lefthanded
batsman who bats at No.3 for
his county has been in reasonable
form, scoring 479 runs in 11 innings
at 47.90 this county season, and is
now certain to make his international
debut after he was called up as an
understudy for Foakes last week.
With England also struggling to nail
their front three down, he offers
promise on both counts, as a toporder
batsman and wicket-keeper,
though behind Buttler and Foakes in
SPORTS DESK
Four-times Grand Slam champion
Naomi Osaka on Wednesday said she
will not take questions from the press
at this year's French Open, saying the
nature of news conferences puts an
undue burden on players' mental
health, reports UNB.
"I'm writing this to say I'm not
going to do any press during Roland
Garros," the Japanese player wrote
on Twitter.
"I've often felt that people have no
regard for athletes mental health and
this rings true whenever I see a press
conference or partake in one.
"We're often sat there and asked
questions that we've been asked
multiple times before or asked
questions that bring doubt into our
minds and I'm just not going to
subject myself to people that doubt
the hierarchy.
Though he averages just 36, most of
his runs were hoarded in the difficult
second tier, before he got promoted
into the first eleven last year. He was
on the verge of making his debut
against India, when incumbent
opener Rory Burns suffered a back
spasm. But he recovered just in time
to keep him waiting for his Test cap.
Moreover, he has demonstrated his
merits whenever given a break. With
the England Lions he scored a halfcentury
against a strong Australia A
side before he knocked 85 against a
bowling attack that comprised James
Anderson, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and
Jack Leach in an intra-squad warmup
game. The impressive outings had
him earmarked as a future top-order
batsman.
The other two inclusions-opener
Haseeb Hameed and explosive
batsman Sam Billings-too were
interesting choices. Hameed, still 24,
had burst forth as the "Baby Boycott"
after his splendid series in India in
2016. England thought they had
identified Alastair Cook's successor,
only for his form to tail away in
subsequent seasons after sustaining a
broken hand in the Mohali Test.
He continued to flounder in county
cricket, with his form touching the
me."
Expecting players to answer
questions after losses amounted to
"kicking a person while they're
down", Osaka added.
The world number two said the
decision was "nothing personal"
against the tournament or a couple of
journalists she said she has a friendly
relationship with and that she hoped
tournaments would reconsider their
approach.
Many tennis tournaments require
players to speak to the media after
each match or pay a fine.
American Christian Harrison was
fined $3,000 by the ATP after
refusing to take part in a mandatory
on-court interview at the Delray
Beach Open in January amid a
dispute over mask wearing.
Osaka said she hoped the
Photo: AP
nadir in 2018, a season wherein he
averaged just 9. Snubbed by his
county Lancashire, he shifted to
Nottinghamshire in 2020, where he
steadily regained his touch. A
promising start to this season,
wherein he has amassed 474 runs at
52.66, sufficed a call-up, albeit as a
cover to Rory Burns, Dom Sibley and
Zak Crawley. But flaky as England's
top order has been in recent times, it
would not be surprising if he reclaims
his Test stripes sometime this long
summer that reaches the crescendo
with a five-Test series against India.
The choice of Billings, though, is
intriguing. His keeping has not
evolved enough to receive summons
as back-up keeper, he last kept
wickets for England Lions in 2019.
His enterprising brand of batting has
been at the expense of consistency-he
averages 34.29 in 71 first-class games.
He has featured in sparse first-class
games for Kent in the last couple of
years-just one this season (due to
IPL) and four in 2019, where he
scored 366 runs at an average of 61.
Like Hameed, he is unlikely to feature
in the series, unless there is a raft of
late injuries. There are little doubts,
though, of Bracey making debut this
time.
Citing mental health concerns, Naomi says
she won't do press at French Open
"considerable amount" that she
expects to be fined will go towards a
mental health charity.
She later tweeted a video of former
Seattle Seahawks running back
Marshawn Lynch famously repeating
the line "I'm just here so I won't get
fined", at a pre-Super Bowl press
conference in 2015.
Osaka has in the past used her
platform and considerable press
attention to highlight issues of police
violence and racial inequality.
The 23-year-old made headlines
earlier this week when sports
business website Sportico reported
she had earned $55.2 million over the
past 12 months, a record haul for a
female athlete.
French Open qualifiers are
underway and the tournament is due
to end on June 13.
Osaka said she hoped the "considerable amount" that she expects to be fined will go towards a
mental health charity.
Photo: File
Pakistan receives
jolt: FIFA ratifies
suspension
SPORTS DESK
The FIFA Congress last week
ratified the suspension of the
Pakistan Football Federation
(PFF), giving a jolt to the
South Asian nation, reports
UNB.
As many as 203 members
out of the 207 attending the
71st virtual FIFA Congress
voted in favour of the Bureau
of the FIFA Council's step to
suspend Pakistan on April 7,
2021, for the third party's
interference, reports The
News International.
Suspension of the Pakistan
Football Federation
The Bureau of the FIFA
Council suspended the
Pakistan Football Federation
(PFF) with immediate effect
due to third-party
interference, which
constitutes a serious violation
of the FIFA Statutes.
This situation was
prompted by the recent
hostile takeover of the PFF
headquarters in Lahore by a
group of protestors and an
alleged decision by certain
individuals to remove the
FIFA-appointed
normalisation committee of
the PFF led by Haroon Malik
and to hand over the
leadership of the PFF to Syed
Ashfaq Hussain Shah, read
the FIFA website last month.
FIFA issued a letter warning
that, should the illegitimate
occupation of the PFF
headquarters not be lifted and
the office bearers recognised
by FIFA not be permitted free
access to the building to carry
out their mandate, the matter
would be immediately
submitted to the Bureau of the
Council for decision.
Villarreal win Europa League
after marathon shootout
victory over Man United
SPORTS DESK
Villarreal goalkeeper
Geronimo Rulli kept his
composure to score in a
nerve-shredding, seemingly
never-ending shootout then
denied David de Gea as his
side won their first major
trophy by beating
Manchester United 11-10 on
penalties in the Europa
League final on Wednesday,
reports UNB.
After a tense encounter
finished 1-1 following extra
time, Argentine Rulli
stepped up after every onfield
player scored their spot
kicks and he comfortably
beat Spaniard De Gea, who
finally buckled under the
pressure in the unfamiliar
role of taking rather than
facing a penalty.
In the first European final
to be played in front of a
crowd in two years amid the
COVID-19 pandemic,
Villarreal survived a tough
second half before going on
to edge the longest shootout
in any European final.
The win gave Villarreal
coach Unai Emery a record
fourth title in the
competition, leaving United
without a trophy since their
Europa League triumph in
2017.
Gerard Moreno stretched
to reach Dani Parejo's free
kick and steered the ball past
De Gea to open the scoring
in the 29th minute, only for
United to level when
Edinson Cavani poked the
ball home after collecting
Marcus Rashford's deflected
shot on 55 minutes.
"This is a dream come
true, in these moments we
can all remember how hard
we've worked to go down in
the club's history books,"
said goalscorer Moreno.
"We wanted to make
history and we did it. We
played so well in extra time
and our fans helped us in the
shootout."
The shootout win also
booked Villarreal's place in
next season's Champions
League, saving them from
competing in the new UEFA
Conference League which
they had qualified for by
finishing seventh in La Liga.
United coach Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer said his players
had to remember the pain of
the defeat for the future.
"They made it hard for us,
we had the majority of
possession but they
defended well, we didn't
create enough big chances,"
he added.
United forward Rashford
said the club had passed up a
great opportunity.
"In one word, it's
disappointing," he said.
"But there's no chance this
team will give up, we'll come
back next season with a
bigger desire."
BREAKING DOWN
BARRIERS
Villarreal were playing
their first ever major final
and coach Emery recognised
United were favourites due
to their more storied history,
but urged his side to "keep
breaking down barriers"
after four semi-final exits.
Emery is renowned for his
diligent study of opponents
and although United made
the stronger start, his side
managed to minimise their
strengths, ensuring Bruno
Fernandes was deprived of
space to create danger and
Cavani had little wiggle
room.
Their only chances in the
first half were wayward
shots from Scott
McTominay and Luke Shaw
and while Villarreal did not
exactly sparkle, they made
their one chance count from
a free kick given away by
Cavani.
It was Moreno's 30th goal
of the season and saw him
become Villarreal's joint-top
scorer of all-time alongside
Giuseppe Rossi.
United continued to take
the initiative after the
interval and levelled with a
scrappy goal as Rashford
volleyed against a crowd of
bodies following a corner
and the ball deflected into
the path of Cavani, who
stroked it into an unguarded
net.
Villarreal were the better
side in the first half of extra
time after Emery made all
five changes before fulltime,
contrasting with Solskjaer,
who did not make his first
change until the 100th
minute.
The five substitutes he did
make all scored their
penalties in an enthralling
shootout but the 11th kick
was a bridge too far for De
Gea.
Villarreal v Manchester United: Villarreal's Alberto Moreno celebrates with the trophy after
winning the Europa League Pool via REUTERS/Michael Sohn.
Photo: Reuters
Shakib returns
to Jamaica
Tallawahs for
CPL 2021
SPORTS DESK
Ace all-rounder Shakib Al
Hasan will play for Jamaica
Tallawahs in this year's
edition of the Caribbean
Premier League (CPL). The
franchise has confirmed the
signing of Shakib on
Thursday, reports UNB.
Shakib had previously
played for the Tallawahs in
2016 and 2017 editions,
winning the title in his first
stint with the franchise.
Shakib also played
Barbados Tridents in 2013,
2018 and 201 - winning the
league with them in 2019.
The southpaw has played
28 matches till now in CPL
where he scored 594 runs
and took 29 wickets.
The upcoming edition of
CPL is scheduled to begin on
August 28.
The CPL was organized
last year also amid the
coronavirus pandemic with
a bio-bubble zone. This time
there will be the same
arrangements too. Due to
the Covid-19 situation, all
the matches of the last
tournament were held in
Trinidad and Tobago.
Tokyo-bound Indian contingent will
be vaccinated before departure: IOA
SPORTS DESK
Indian Olympic
Association (IOA) on
Thursday said all the Tokyo
Games-bound athletes and
officials have got their first
COVID-19 vaccine and
they will get their second
doses before their
departure from the country
for the multi-sporting
spectacle, reports UNB.
IOA's statement came a
day after it had sought
details from the national
federations about the
vaccinated athletes and
officials, who are set to
travel to Tokyo Olympics
which opens on July 23.
"The IOA is … ensuring
that all the participants
through the IOA for the
Tokyo Olympics including
athletes, technical officials
and delegate members will
follow all precautions and
will be vaccinated before
leaving for Japan," the IOA
said.
"… presently each of the
above (athletes, technical
officials and delegate
members) has had the first
vaccination and 2nd will
happen as per vaccination
protocols," IOA President
Narinder Batra and
Secretary General Rajiv
Mehta said in the
statement.
The International
Olympic Committee (IOC)
has not made vaccination
mandatory
for
participation in the Games
but its president Thomas
Bach had said he believes
more than 80 per cent of
people inside the Athletes'
Village will be vaccinated.
More than 90 Indian
athletes across sports have
so far qualified for the
postponed Tokyo
Olympics.
On Saturday, the IOA
had said that 131 athletes,
including the Olympicbound,
have already
received their first dose of
the COVID-19 vaccination
while 17 have got both the
doses.
The IOA said it will do
everything possible to
ensure that all the
members of the Indian
contingent follow the
necessary steps provided in
the playbook (issued by the
IOC and the organising
committee) before
boarding their respective
flights for Tokyo.
"The safety of everyone
involved at the Tokyo
Olympics is IOA's highest
priority … pledge to follow
all necessary precautions
and guidelines.
"We at IOA do not want
to leave any stone
unturned and are here to
support the IOC and the
Tokyo 2020 Organising
Committee in every
possible manner and
aspect."
The IOA also lauded the
IOC and the Tokyo Games
Organising Committee for
"carrying out fabulous
work to ensure that the
Olympic Games are held in
a completely safe and
secure environment for the
betterment of the athletes
as well as the public of
Japan".
The IOA thanked the
government for its support
in securing vaccinations for
each of the contingent
members
and
representatives from India.

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021
10
Oishee to debut with three movies
TBT RepoRT
JannatulFerdousOishee started her journey in the
media as a champion by participating in an
international reality show. She started her career in
the media by working as a model in a Grameen
Phone advertisement under the direction of Adnan
Al Rajib. Later, she was busy working on one movie
after another. In the meantime, Oishee has
completed three movies. Mir Sabbir's governmentsponsored
films 'Raat Jaga Phul', Sunny Sanwar
and Faisal Ahmed's 'Mission Extreme' and Abu
Tawheed Kiran's 'Adam'.
Abu HumairaTanvir, ArifinShuvo and Yash
Rohan are opposite him in the movies. Oishee is
anxiously awaiting the release of three of the best
movies in the world as she is in a state of shock
due to the terrible outbreak of the whole world.
Oishee has high expectations for all the three
movies.
Speaking about working in three films, Oishee
said, 'I still feel very lucky when I think that I have
acted in a film directed by a talented actor, producer
like Mir Sabbir. As a producer, Sabbir is really a
different, extraordinary producer. Just as the story
of the movie is completely different, he has made
the movie so much that I am really looking forward
ARIes
(March 21 - April 20) : You may feel
nostalgic as you look through photo
albums, rearrange furniture, and
remember past times, Aries. Your mind will touch on
emotional events that you may not have fully dealt
with at the time they happened. Old feelings that you
thought were gone could well up and bring tears to
your eyes. Honestly face these feelings now instead of
stuffing them back down for another decade.
TAURUs
(April 21 - May 21) : You could
be operating based on an
assumption that's only a partial
representation of the truth. In
your effort to think about only the good side of
the situation, Taurus, you may not see the
entire truth. There's a downside to everything.
Feelings of anger, frustration, and even
loneliness may go along with it.
GeMINI
(May 22 - June 21) : If you're
experiencing emotional upheaval,
Gemini, you may take heart in
knowing that other people are
going through their own emotional turmoil as
well. You will know that you aren't alone in your
quest for emotional stability. Share your feelings
with others instead of shutting them up inside. It
will help you feel better.
cANceR
(June 22 - July 23) : You may
feel like someone's giving you
the third degree, Cancer. You
sense that you're being accused
of something and that you need to defend
your feelings and actions. Try not to fall into
this trap. Don't let self-doubt sneak into the
situation just because someone else questions
your way of life. No one but you fully
understands your situation.
Leo
(July 24 - Aug. 23): Today may
be filled with "I told you so!" You
could find fault with others who
haven't dealt with the truth of a
situation. Be careful about accusing someone of
the very thing that you're guilty of, Leo.
Penetrating emotions will cut to the heart of the
matter, and there will be no way to escape the
hole you dig for yourself. Don't criticize others
when until you take an honest look at yourself.
VIRGo
(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): Most of the time
you deal with the facts, Virgo. Facts
are things you can grasp, categorize,
and make rational sense of.
Unfortunately, today some of your facts may be
challenged by one of the things you fear most -
intense emotions. The ensuing friction is like
dealing with apples and oranges.
to watching the movie.
All his work was so perfect that everything was
ready during the shooting, I or we the artists would
just go and act in front of the camera from his own
creation. On the other hand, in the movie Adam, I
will be seen in the role of a girl from a village in the
eighties. The creators have helped me a lot to
develop this character. Because I was not born in
the eighties.
In Mission Extreme I will be seen in the role of an
urban girl. All in all, Rat Jaga Ful, Adam and
Mission Extreme are three genres of storytelling.
Now just waiting for the release of three movies. I
pray to Allah to speed up the situation.
Oishee, meanwhile, worked as a model in a
parachute ad directed by Amitabh Reza
Chowdhury before Eid. She works in this
advertisement to extend a helping hand to the
education of the disadvantaged children of the
society.
Oishee is currently working as a Brand
Ambassador for Parachute, Vit and Berger. Their
village home was demolished in Nazirpur, Barisal.
Her only elder sister is Shashi. Father Md. Abdul
Hai, mother AfrozaHosne Ara. Born on August 26,
2000, Oishee is studying environmental science at
a private university in the capital.
H o Roscope
LIBRA
(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): It will be
hard to deal with emotional
issues that arise. A strong
misleading force is feeding the illusion that
things are fine when they really aren't. Stop
pretending that everything is going well,
Libra. The sooner you face the truth, the
sooner it will stop plaguing you. Confront
the deception directly.
scoRpIo
(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22): Don't automatically
assume that people are going to
understand your needs, Scorpio. Your
emotions may be powerful today, and
you could end up scaring people away instead of
drawing them closer simply because you act
irrationally and emotionally instead of reasonably and
civilly. Be careful about targeting your frustration at the
people who can help you the most.
sAGITTARIUs
(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): You're in a
difficult position. Things aren't
exactly what they seem,
Sagittarius. Your emotions run the
show today, and you may jump from one extreme
to the other. There's a good chance that much of
what you experience is based on misinformation.
Don't get so caught up in the drama that you fail
to recognize the truth of the situation.
cApRIcoRN
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): When faced
with an emotionally intense
situation, you're likely to flee,
Capricorn. You'd rather change
the subject to something more lighthearted.
This form of escapism is doing nothing to
solve the problem. In fact, by avoiding the
emotional topic, you're only creating more
friction than if you just approached the
problem directly.
AQUARIUs
(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : With your
psychic abilities, you're liable to
shed some light on issues in
which the truth has been unclear
for quite a while, Aquarius. You can use your
sensitivity to cut to the heart of the matter and
expose the truth. This kind of behavior probably
won't come without friction from others. You
can almost guarantee that it will. Don't let it faze
you. It's important to reveal the truth.
pIsces
(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Control issues in
your home are apt to be of concern today,
Pisces. Be careful about feeding into
others' misconceptions of the situation.
You're dealing with powerful, opinionated forces that
aren't going to want to budge. Someone may have a
warped view of the true issue at hand. Lay all the facts on
the table before you start drawing any conclusions.
Farooque in ICU again as
condition deteriorates
TBT RepoRT
Legendary actor of Bengali
movie and Dhaka-17
constituency MP Akbar Hossain
PathanFarooque has been taken
to ICU after falling ill again.
He is currently in Intensive Care
Unit (ICU) of Singapore's
Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
Farhana, wife of the actor,
said, "Farooque was transferred
to a general cabin on April 27
after 37 days in the Intensive
Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital
but suddenly his condition
worsened and he was taken to
the ICU again".
Brad Pitt has been granted joint custody of
his children with Angelina Jolie following a
lengthy court battle. Ms Jolie filed for
divorce in 2016 and the pair have since been
engaged in a custody battle largely shielded
from public view.
A private judge hired to oversee the case,
John Ouderkirk, ruled in Mr Pitt's favour.
Farhana urged the
countrymen to pray for her
husband's quick recovery. He
was diagnosed with posterior
reversible encephalopathy
syndrome (PRES), septicemia,
and pseudomonas.
In the first week of March,
Farooque along with his wife
went to Singapore for regular
health check-up and was
diagnosed with the disease.
As his condition started to
deteriorate fast, he was taken to
ICU on 18 March but was
shifted to the cabin following
slight improvement.
Jenny's 'Ekhane Keo
Thakena' to air soon
TBT RepoRT
Nowrin Hasan Khan Jenny, a
Bangladeshi TV actress and
model has returned to acting
after a break of two year.
Recently the actress has
completed the shooting of the
drama serial 'Ekhane Keo
Thakena'. Directed by Animesh
Aich, the drama will be aired on
BTV soon.
Jenny said, "I was absent in
the media industry for two
reasons. Firstly, I haven't been
offered any drama with good
script. In my acting career, I
have worked in many quality
projects. That's why I did not
want to work on any ordinary
project. The second reason is
that the working atmosphere
Actor Farooque, who is also a
freedom fighter, film producer
and businessman, was elected
MP from Dhaka-17 constituency
in the last national election.
The ruling would "significantly increase" his
time with the children, a source told the Press
Association. Mr Pitt and Ms Jolie are parents
to Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14 and 12-yearold
twins Vivienne and Knox. The oldest, 19-
year-old Maddox, is not subject to the custody
decision. The ruling was a "tentative decision"
and Ms Jolie is continuing her legal fight, a
Farooque appeared in over 150
films in a career spanning more
than five decades. Most of his
films were commercially and
critically successful.
Proud to be an independent
woman: Huma Qureshi
Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi plays a
docile village woman who is handpicked to
become the chief minister of Bihar in her
upcoming web series "Maharani.
The Delhi-born actor is the daughter of
Saleem Qureshi, the owner of the national
capital's one of the most successful
restaurants Saleem's, and homemaker
mother Ameena Qureshi.
"I had to overcome a lot of things like
everybody, like my own fear of success, the
fact that I came from a new city, had to learn
how to make friends, how to pay my taxes,
run a household, run my career and nobody
was there to teach me," the 34-year-old actor,
who made her debut with 2012's "Gangs of
Wasseypur" films, told PTI in an interview.
"Today, it has made me the woman I am
today. I am an independent woman, I run my
own life. I have made my own identity and
was not so good for me. As a
result, I kept myself away from
the media industry."
"Now, I have back to acting
for the love of my fans and
well-wisher. In the meantime,
I have acted in the drama
serial 'EkhaneKeoThakena'
directed by AnimeshAich. I
love the story of the drama as
well as my character. I hope,
the audience will like it", she
added.
On the other hand, she
celebrated her birthday
yesterday with no special plan,
as of ongoing corona situation.
The actress also concern about
all the artistes who have been
infected with corona.
Jenny stepped into the media
industry at a very early age. She
debuted with the TV
commercial of Tibbat 570 soap
when she was only 3 years old.
She came to the limelight
through Ponds Face Wash TVC.
Since then she has worked in
many advertisements including
Apollo Hospital, Lipton Yellow,
that gives me a lot of joy and pride. It makes
my parents proud," she added.
The series, slated to start streaming on
SonyLIV from Friday, is created by Subhash
Kapoor, who previously directed the actor in
"Jolly LLB". Karan Sharma is the director.
The story explores themes of patriarchy,
something that women have to face everyday
and in every field, the actor said.
"Maharani" is rumoured to be inspired by
Rabri Devi, the wife of former Bihar CM Lalu
Prasad Yadav, who had assumed the chief
ministership after he quit following an
uproar over fodder scam in the 1990s.
"Maharani" is Qureshi's second project
that releases this month after she starred in
Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder's Netflix
movie "Army of the Dead".
"Maharani" also stars Amit Sial, Sohum
Shah and Vineet Kumar.
Meril Baby Lotion. Later, she
started acting in TV dramas.
Her notable dramas are
'RomijerAyna',
'ChiniguraPrem', 'Urojahaj', 'X
Factor',
'GolpotaChaileiBodleDeyaJeto'
and others.
Brad Pitt awarded joint custody of
children with Angelina Jolie
source told the Page Six website. Ms Jolie had
not objected to joint custody but there were
"other issues of concern", it reported.
The trial lasted for several months and there
were a large number of witnesses, experts and
therapists, another source said.
Ms Jolie has criticised the judge's decision
not to allow their children to testify in custody
hearings. Ms Jolie cited "irreconcilable
differences" when she filed to end the
marriage, and the pair became embroiled in a
bitter child custody battle in the months
following the announcement.
Mr Pitt was investigated for possible child
abuse after losing his temper in front of some
of the children, but was later cleared of the
allegations. The couple were known as
"Brangelina" by fans and met on the set of the
2005 film Mr and Mrs Smith.
The marriage was Mr Pitt's second - he had
previously wed Friends star Jennifer Aniston -
and Ms Jolie's third after actors Billy Bob
Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller.
Speaking to Vogue last year, Ms Jolie said
she left Mr Pitt for the "wellbeing" of her
family. "It was the right decision,"Ms Jolie
said. "I continue to focus on their healing."
Speaking to GQ in 2017, Mr Pitt spoke about
his decision to quit drinking and smoking
marijuana. "For me every misstep has been a
step toward epiphany, understanding, some
kind of joy," he said.
Source: BBC

MISCELLANEOUS
Sanofi, GSK launch final
A
phase of Covid vaccine trials
PARIS : French pharmaceutical giant
Sanofi and Britain's GSK announced
Thursday the start of final tests of their
belated Covid vaccine as they race to add
their jab to the world's arsenal against the
pandemic.
The companies reported positive results
from interim human trials earlier this
month after a disappointing outcome
from initial studies last year left France
without its own vaccine, denting national
pride. Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline on
Thursday started enrolment for Phase 3
of a clinical study that will include more
than 35,000 adult volunteers at sites in
the United States, Asia, Africa and Latin
America, the firms said.
The companies hope to launch their
vaccine by the end of 2021 - one year after
Pfizer and Moderna jabs were approved
by regulators.
The Phase 3 trial will initially
investigate the vaccine's efficacy against
the original coronavirus that was first
detected in Wuhan, China and then look
at its response to a variant found in South
GD-905/21 (5 x 3)
GD-907/21 (5 x 3)
Africa.
Sanofi and GSK will also study their
vaccine's ability to work as a booster shot
in people who had previously received
another vaccine.
The Phase 2 trials already showed a
strong immune response after a single
shot in participants who had previously
contracted the coronavirus.
"We have adapted our vaccine
development strategy based on forwardlooking
considerations as the virus
continues to evolve, as well as
anticipating what may be needed in a
post-pandemic setting," Sanofi executive
vice president Thomas Triomphe said in a
statement.
Like most of the other jabs in
circulation, the Sanofi-GSK vaccine
would require two doses.
The firms are combining a Sanofideveloped
antigen, which stimulates the
production of germ-killing antibodies,
with GSK's adjuvant technology, a
substance that bolsters the immune
response triggered by a vaccine.
‘ic˛ we`w bs›05/2020›
†kL nvwmbvi g~jbxwZ
MÖvg kn‡ii DbœwZ
Armenia says six
soldiers captured
by Azerbaijan at
border
YEREVAN : Armenia said
Thursday that Azerbaijan
has captured six of its
soldiers, the latest in a series
of border incidents after last
year's war over the disputed
Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The Armenian defence
ministry said in a statement
that its forces were carrying
out engineering work in a
border region when
Azerbaijan's army
"surrounded and captured
six servicemen".
Azerbaijan's military
however described the
Armenian soldiers as a
"reconnaissance and
sabotage group" in a
statement announcing the
detention.
It said the Armenian
soldiers had "tried to mine
supply routes leading to
Azerbaijan army positions"
and "were surrounded,
neutralised and taken
prisoner".
The incident, which
Azerbaijan said took place in
the Kelbajar region on the
border between the historic
rivals, is just the latest in
several months and puts
additional pressure on a
ceasefire brokered by Russia
last year.
The two ex-Soviet
countries in the Caucasus
region fought for six weeks
beginning in September last
year for control of Nagorno-
Karabakh, an ethnic
Armenian region in
Azerbaijan that had been
controlled by separatists for
decades.
Volcano warning
sparks evacuation
order, exodus in
DR Congo
GOMA, DR Congo : The risk
of further eruptions from
volcano Nyiragongo led DR
Congo authorities to order
the evacuation of parts of the
city of Goma Thursday,
causing an immediate
exodus of tens of thousands
of people, an AFP
correspondent said.
"Current data on seismicity
and the deformation of the
ground indicate the presence
of magma under the urban
area of Goma, with an
extension under Lake Kivu,"
the local military governor
General Constant Ndima said
in a broadcasted public
address.
"Right now we can't rule
out an eruption on land or
under the lake, which could
happen very soon and
without warning," he added.
"The situation can change
rapidly, and is being
constantly monitored."
Evacuation is necessary
and should be done calmly
and without rushing, he
continued, saying that
authorities had arranged
transport towards Sake,
around 20 kilometres west
of Goma, in each of the ten
districts of the city affected.
"People should take the
bare minimum with them,
to make sure everyone has a
chance to get on," he added.
friday, May 28, 2021 11
Dbœq‡bi MYZš¿
†kL nvwmbvi g~jgš¿
GD-909/21 (4 x 4) GD-902/21 (20 x 4)

friday, Dhaka, May 28, 2021, Jaistha 14, 1428 BS, Shawal 15, 1442 hijri
AstraZeneca
Govt's desperate efforts yet
to yield any good news
DHAKA : Despite all-out efforts to get
AstraZeneca vaccine doses to meet the
immediate need of those yet to get their
second dose, there is no concrete outcome
yet, reports UNB.
Apart from India, Bangladesh reached
out to the United States and United
Kingdom to get the AstraZeneca vaccine
doses as 1.5 million people who have
received their first AstraZeneca jabs are
unlikely to get their second dose if the
government does not receive vaccine
doses from the countries it approached
including those from COVAX facility.
Asked whether Bangladesh is getting
AstraZeneca vaccine doses soon from
the US, a spokesperson at the US
Embassy in Dhaka said the US
President reaffirmed that commitment
by announcing that the US will provide
80 million doses of vaccine to support
global needs by the end of June.
But there is nothing specific yet on
how many doses Bangladesh will get or
when.
"We are working to provide the 80
million doses in the near future and are
evaluating the supply and will then
make a determination on distribution,"
he told UNB.
But Bangladesh informally came to
know that Bangladesh is not in the priority
lists as the US does not see any crisis
in Bangladesh considering the low
number of deaths and cases.
The US Embassy spokesperson said
the United States is committed to leading
the global response to the COVID-19
pandemic.
"Our overarching aim is to end the
pandemic as quickly as possible, and
that requires getting gas many people
vaccinated as fast as possible," he said.
In addition to distributing the 80 million
doses of vaccine, the United States is
the largest single donor to the global vaccine
initiative, COVAX, with $2 billion
already donated and plans to provide
another $2 billion through 2022.
"We will continue to work with and
coordinate closely with COVAX and
partner countries around the world to
support global vaccination efforts," said
the spokesperson.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul
Momen wrote to US Secretary of State
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal BSD formed a human chain in front of WASA on Thursday protesting
increase of water price.
Photo : Star Mail
Gazprom obtains
drilling works of 3
wells at Bhola gas field
DHAKA : Russian oil major Gazprom
obtained a contract for drilling 3 wells
at Bhola gas field at a contract value of
Tk 648.39 crore (equivalent to about
$77.184 million), reports UNB.
Cabinet Committee on Public
Purchase in a meeting on Thursday
approved a proposal of the statureowned
Petrobangla in this regard to
award the contract to the Russian firm
to do the job on a turnkey basis.
Another 4 procurement proposals
from different ministries also received
the nod of the committee in the meeting
presided over by Finance Minister
AHM Mustafa Kamal.
The Energy and MineralResources
Division placed the Petrobangla's
unsolicited proposal, based on Speedy
Supply of Power and Energy Supply
(Special Act) 2010, to the Cabinet Body
for approval. It means, the Russian
firm was selected for the project
through negotiation and without any
competitive bidding process.
Gazprom will take over the drilling
works from the Petrobangla's subsidiary
Bangladesh Petroleum
Exploration and Production Company
(Bapex) which discovered the Bhola
gas field.
Mustafa Kamal said the Gazprom
was picked up for the project since it is
a reputed international firm having
vast experience in this field.
Earlier, Gazprom had drilled a number
of wells at different gas fields to
enhance gas production. But many
energy experts were critical over the
contract value of the works of the
Russian firm.
The Cabinet committee approved a
proposal of the Roads and Highways
Department to appoint Joint Venture
of (1) SMEC Int’l Pty Ltd, Australia (2)
Swedish National Road Consulting
AB, Sweden, (3) ACE Consultants Ltd.,
Bangladesh and (4) BCL Associates
Ltd., Bangladesh at a cost of Tk 46.92
crore for its project - Installation of
Excel Load Control Centre at the
important points of highways.
A proposal of Bangladesh Civil
Aviation Authority (BCAA) received
the nod of the committee to award a Tk
658.40 crore contract on G-to-G basis
to Thales of France to set up radar system
including CNS-ATM
(Communications, Navigation and
Surveillance-Air Traffic Management)
at Shahjalal Int’l Airport.
The Cabinet body also approved a
proposal of the Water Resources
Ministry to award Tk 367.28 crore
contract to Khulna Shipyard Limited
for 6.3 km river bank protection and
14.750 km dredging works of Arial Kha
River in Madaripur district.
Antony J. Blinken seeking vaccine doses
from them immediately.
After its request to the United States,
Bangladesh urged the United Kingdom
(UK) to help by providing vaccines to
meet emergency needs as the second
dose vaccination is disrupted in
Bangladesh.
"I'm not asking for too much, I'm only
asking for 1.6m AstraZeneca doses that
they have, they should immediately disperse
those to Bangladesh so these people
can have their second dose," said the
Foreign Minister.
When approached, a UK government
spokesperson told UNB that the UK
government does not have a role in the
production or distribution of
AstraZeneca's vaccines or their supply
contracts.
The spokesperson said the UK has
played a leading role in championing
global access to coronavirus vaccines.
The UK is one of the largest donors to
COVAX, providing £548 million to
deliver more than a billion vaccines to
lower-middle income countries this
year.
5 of a family burnt
in Chattogram gas
cylinder blast
SM AkASh
Five members of a family sustained
burn injuries after a gas cylinder exploded
at a house at Friport Kalshidighirpar
in the port city early Thursday.
The injured are Mohammad Royel,
30, his wife Nazu, 28, their two children
Lamia, 3 and Zihad, 6 and his brother
Shipon, 30. Zahirul Islam, in-charge of
Chattogram Medical College and
Hospital police camp, said the gas cylinder
of the house went off with a big bang
around 3 am, leaving five members of
the family injured.
Later, they were taken to Chattogram
Medical College and Hospital. The condition
of three members of the family is
stated to be critical, said doctors.
Govt to import German
machine to clean up floating
garbage: LGRD Minister
DHAKA : The government will import
state-of-the-art machines from
Germany to remove floating garbage
dumps and hyacinths from the water
bodies to strengthen the anti-mosquito
drive, LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam
said on Thursday.
The LGRD Minister said this at a virtual
inter-ministry meeting on destroying
Aedes mosquito and prevention of
Dengue. He said the machine is being
imported to destroy mosquito breeding
zones and ensure proper water flow in
canals and other water bodies in Dhaka
and other city corporations.
HC turns down
writ seeking
cancellation of
MBBS admission
test results
DHAKA : The High Court on Thursday
rejected a writ petition seeking cancellation
of results of the MBBS admission
test for 2020-2021 academic year and
formulation of a new merit list.
The virtual court of Justice M
Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar
Mohammad Rashed Jahangir passed
the order. The hearing of the writ petition
ended on Monday.
Additional Attorney General SM
Munir and Deputy Attorney General
Bipul Bagmar represented the state
while Barrister Mohammad Humayun
Kabir Pallab appeared for the writ petitioner.
Earlier on May 20, a writ petition was
filed over the matter by Barrister Pallab
on behalf of 324 admission seekers.
It claimed that the results published
on April 4 contained "numerous errors
and major inconsistencies".
Waste no more will
remain in DSCC
open areas:Taposh
DHAKA : Mayor of Dhaka South City
Corporation (DSCC) Barrister Sheikh
Fazle Noor Taposh on Thursday said
that there won't be any more waste in
the open in Dhaka city as DSCC has
taken plans to manage city waste in a
modern and systematic way.
"We efficiently conducted waste management
activities last year. Our goal is to
have a central waste disposal center in
each ward. We don't want to see open
space filled with waste in Dhaka city anymore,"
Taposh made the remarks at the
inauguration ceremony of the Interim
Waste Transfer Center at Ward 40 of the
city yesterday, said a press release.
"We have made a new schedule for
waste management in the city.
According to the schedule, the registered
primary waste service providers
of each ward will collect waste from
houses, establishments, business
establishments and take it to the central
waste transfer center and from
there we will be taken to the waste
depositing land," he said.
Mentioning that steps have been
taken to set up central waste transfer
centers in each ward by next December,
he said, "We will procure 30 compacts
by next year, through which we will be
able to take the waste directly to the central
waste management centre, as these
wastes during monsoon flows into the
sewers and cause water logging there."
Postal service must be
reached to the people:PM
RAfiqUl RAfiq A khAn
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has
directed to bring the postal service to the
doorsteps of the people at the grassroots
level. She made the remarks while
attending the inauguration ceremony of
the newly constructed 14th story headquarters
of the Postal Department, 'Dak
Bhaban', via video conference from
Ganobhaban on May 27. The Prime
Minister said the postal service should
be brought to the doorsteps of the people.
"The authority has to take that step
now. Under the Universal Postal Union,
we have bilateral agreements with various
countries to deliver postal services to
customers through modernization.
Since online selling is gaining popularity,
it should not be left behind in the post
office. The postal department needs to
take more action in this regard."
Regarding the newly constructed
post-office building, she said, "the building
has been of high quality with all
kinds of facilities, so as to increase customer
service. And I have taken this
measure to use modern technology."
Sheikh Hasina said, "in fact, everyone
is forgetting the letter box. Now everyone
either sends an SMS or e-mail or
sends a message. There are not many
letters now. Don't forget that.... when
you see this building, it looks like there is
a letter box."
Apart from the various initiatives
taken by Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
for the development of the postal
department after independence, she
also highlighted various steps taken by
the Awami League government for the
development of the postal department.
Earlier we had set up about five thousand
digital centers all over Bangladesh.
At the same time, we started working to
digitalize the post offices. We have
already undertaken the construction of
38 model post offices.
But we want to do it all over the country.
Many will be able to earn money by
working from home. With that there will
be employed, people will also get the
service. We have to make that arrangement
too, Sheikh Hasina said.
At the postal building in Dhaka's
Agargaon, the Minister of Posts and
Telecommunications Mostafa Jabbar,
State Minister for Information and
Communication Technology Junaid
Ahmed Palak, Secretary of the
Department of Posts and
Telecommunications Afzal Hossain and
other senior officials were present in the
inaugural ceremony.
Covid-19 vaccination to take priority
in the upcoming national budget
DHAKA : As its theme goes the upcoming
national budget for fiscal 2021-22
will be a deft exercise on saving lives
while creating more avenues for livelihoods
to cope with the economy-crippling
pandemic, reports UNB.
A massive vaccination of the population
for protection against Covid-19
infection will be major focus of the Tk.
602,880 crore -budget themed as
"Priority on lives and livelihoods,
tomorrow's Bangladesh."
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa
Kamal will place the budget in the
Parliament on June 3 under the shadow
of the pandemic sweeping the world.
Bangladesh has been one of the first
countries which began free Covid-19
vaccination in the first week of
February.
Overcoming a disruption in the shipment
of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jabs
from India's Serum Institute, Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina's government
has launched a huge drive to procure
vaccines from alternative sources like
China, Russia, the US and the UK.
The good news is China's Sinopharma
vaccines are on way, while Russia's
Sputnik V jabs are also likely to hit
Bangladesh shore any time soon.
Keeping the massive vaccination in
mind the revenue target for the next fiscal
has been set Tk 389,078 crore,
which is 11.02% of the GDP,
according to the Finance Ministry and
National Board of Revenue (NBR)
sources.
Villagers have rescued two Chital deer from the locality of
Mathbaria upazila in Pirojpur. Two deer were rescued
from Ulubaria and Golbunia villages of the upazila on
Thursday morning. The deer were later handed over to
forest officials.
Photo : Star Mail
Of the total amount, Tk 330,078 crore
will be contributed by the NBR. The
amount is 9.5% of the GDP.
In the proposed budget the deficit will
be Tk 213,802 crore which will be 6.1%
of the GDP. The deficit will mainly be
filled from the banking sector as there is
sufficient liquidity in the sector.
The government has targeted to borrow
some Tk 100,000 crore from there
while Tk 30,000 will come from savings
certificates and rest of the money will
come from foreign grants and loans.
The government is thinking to
increase the interest rates of the savings
certificates to attract more investment
here.
The GDP size for the next fiscal has
been set at Tk 34,73,911 crore.
GDP growth for the coming fiscal estimated
at 7.2% while the GDP for the
running fiscal has been reduced to 6.1%.
In the budget proposal for 2020-21
fiscal the GDP was estimated 8.2%, but
due to the second wave of coronavirus
and government imposed lockdown it
has been reduced to 6.1%.
Finance Ministry sources said that the
economic recovery was not fully done
due to the coronavirus, especially the
second wave.
They said that trade and business,
tourism sector, transportation and
restaurant business are the worst affected.
"As a result, the GDP growth will not
be at the desirable level," a senior official
in the Finance Ministry said.
The inflation rate for the next fiscal
would be the same as this year, 5.3% as
the government is expecting a good production
of food in the country like the
previous year.
Sources said that the possibility of
increase the fuel oil price is thin due
to the second wave of coronavirus
across the globe and the domestic
market will get the benefits of this
lower fuel price.
Priority will be given to health, agriculture,
food, disaster management and
employment in the coming budget to
offset the impact of coronavirus in the
quickest possible time.
There will be Tk 10,000 crore special
allocation for facing the impacts of
COVID-19 in the budget.
The social safety net will be expanded
with Tk 125,000 crore which is 30%
higher than the current fiscal.
Meanwhile, the government has
approved the Annual Development
Programme (ADP) involving Tk
225,324 crore for 1,426 projects for the
2021-22 fiscal year with focus on transport
and communications, power,
housing, education and health sectors.
Besides, Tk 11,469 crore also was allocated
for autonomous entities.
Of the Tk 225,324 crore, an amount of
Tk 137,300 crore will come from internal
sources while Tk 88,224 crore from foreign
sources. Of the Tk 11,469 crore of the
autonomous entities, the internal sources
will provide Tk 6717 crore while the foreign
portion will be Tk 4751crore.