07-09-2021

tueSday

DhAkA: September 7, 2021; Bhadra 23, 1428 BS; Muharram 28,1443 hijri

www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net

Regd.No.DA~2065, Vol.19; N o. 132; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00

international

'Shang-Chi,' with an

Asian lead, sets a North

America box office record

>Page 7

SPortS

Guinea game postponed

after coup; Salah back

but Egypt draws

>Page 9

art & culture

Sharvari already a

brand ambassador

before debut

>Page 10

Bangladesh's daily

Covid death toll

falls, cases rise

DHAKA : Bangladesh logged 65 Covid-

19 deaths and 2,710 cases in 24 hours till

Monday morning, showing a slight fall

in fatality and uptrend in cases from a

day before, reports UNB.

The country reported 70 Covid-related

deaths and 2,430 cases on Sunday.

The daily case positivity rate also

increased slightly to 9.82% from

Sunday's 9.66%, according to the

Directorate General of Health Services

(DGHS).

The fresh numbers pushed the country's

total fatalities to 26,628 while the

cases reached 15,17,166, the DGHS said.

The new cases were detected after

testing 27,595 samples during the 24-

hour period.

Besides, the recovery rate rose to

95.91%, while the case fatality also

increased to 1.76 per cent compared to

the corresponding period. Among the

new deaths, 17 died in Dhaka division, 13

in Chattogram, 10 each in Khulna and

Sylhet, six in Rajshahi, four in Rangpur,

three in Barishal and two in

Mymensingh divisions.

Govt to remove

Zia Museum in

Ctg: Murad

CHATTOGRAM : State Minister for

Information and Broadcasting Dr M

Murad Hasan on Monday said the

museum, which is run by public money

and was named after Ziaur Rahman

must be removed as he was involved in

the assassination of Father of the

Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur

Rahman. "The old Chattogram circuit

house got facelift and named after Zia

will be removed" , he said while

exchanging views with the journalists at

Chattogram Press Club yesterday.

Terming Zia as a Pakistani agent, the

state minister said, "The museum will

be transformed into a circuit house

again as no establishment run by public

money could be named after Zia."

Chattogram circuit house that bears

the history and tradition of the liberation

war and many Bangalees had been martyred

at the torture cell operated by the

occupation forces here, Dr Murad said.

So, for the interest of protecting the liberation

war history and tradition, no

museum could be named after the killer

of Father of the Nation , he added.

MA Hannan had read out proclamation

of independence first on behalf of

Bangabandhu, said the state minister,

adding that "So, why the microphone of that

proclamation would be kept at Zia museum.

It will be kept preserved at Kalurghat

Transmission Centre ", he noted.

Chaired by Chattogram Press Club

President Ali Abbas, the meeting also was

attended, among others, by Senior vice

president Salauddin Mohammad Reza,

Chattogram Union of Journalists (CUJ)

President Mohammad Ali, Chattogram

Press Club former President Kalim

Sarwar, former general secretary Muhsin

Chowdhury and BFUJ's former vice president

Shahid Ul Alam.

Zohr

04:26 AM

12:04 PM

04:26 PM

06:18 PM

07:34 PM

5:41 6:13

Plastic flakes are made from these bottles by washing, cleaning and cutting them into pieces, which

are also being exported. Street children collect and sort plastic bottles. Plastic waste comes to the

factory from different parts of Dhaka. Workers recycle them from waste piles in various processes.

The picture is taken from Kamrangirchar islambagh in the capital.

Photo : Star mail

Govt directed to set up PCR

labs in country's 3 airports

Shafiqul iSlam (Shafiq)

The government has directed to ensure

PCR tests at international airports in the

country to detect corona virus. The

directive was given at a cabinet meeting

chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina on Monday, Cabinet Secretary

Khandaker Anwarul Islam said.

After the meeting, he told reporters at

the secretariat that new conditions were

being set in different countries that PCR

tests for corona virus should be done

within 4 to 8 hours of taking off. Several

countries have given this condition.

That's why the discussion has been

going on for the last few days, today it

has been fixed- very quickly to do a testing

facility at the airport in two or three

days. There are similar ones in other

countries. So they can test within four

hours before the fly.

Now you can check Quick, Instantly at

the biggest airports in the world. We say

the test will take 48 hours before. They

will come from the land where our people

are. Many countries give 4 to 8

hours. Now there is an opportunity to go

abroad by taking PCR test 72 or 48 hours

before departure from Bangladesh. But

several countries, including the United

Arab Emirates, recently asked for a certificate

of rapid PCR test at the airport

six hours before takeoff.

It is learned that the expatriates are

not able to go to abroad. Cause there are

no rapid PCR machines for testing corona

virus infection at the three international

airports of the country. They have

been demanding installation of Rapid

PCR machines and labs at Dhaka,

Chattagram and Sylhet airports.

The cabinet secretary said that whoever

goes to the country, he will need whatever

kind of requirements, so that he can take

the test from the airport. Asked how long

it would be possible to deliver the report

on the PCR test at the airport, the cabinet

secretary said, we have seen that we will be

able to report within four hours.

Asked when the PCR test would be

launched at the international airport, the

cabinet secretary said instructions had

been given today. As fast as you can,

two-three days or seven days, if not in

quick time, you can't go to that country.

Our international flights are going from

three places. Primarily will be at Dhaka

Airport, but there are three airports

under discussion.

Eastern Refinery Unit-2 project

No progress in 11 years

DHAKA : Eleven years have passed

since Bangladesh Petroleum

Corporation (BPC) undertook "Eastern

Refinery Unit-2" project to increase the

country's petroleum refining capacity,

but no headway has been made in its

implementation so far, reports UNB.

According to official sources, BPC is

now evaluating a technical offer of

Technip, a French engineering company,

which was engaged through an

unsolicited process for creating Front

End Engineering Design (FEED) at a

cost of Tk 371.81 crore for the proposed

ERL unit-2 through a contract signed in

January, 2017. "We're now evaluating

the technical offer of Technip to meet

our compliances to be qualified before

calling for a financial offer," said Syed

Mehedi Hasan, director, operation and

planning of PPC.

"Techmip has placed some 650 observations

and we addressed most of them

and negotiations are going on to settle

the remaining 175 of them."

"Now we hope we will be able to settle

them within the current month," he told

UNB.

Unit-2 project was undertaken by

BPC in 2010 to increase the company's

capacity to 4.5 million metric tons by

adding 3 million metric ton from the

new one. At present, the Unit-1 has an

annual production capacity of 1.5 million

metric tons. It was installed in 1968

by the same French company.

Technip completed the FEED for ERL

unit-2 and then placed it to BPC for

negotiations. Once the technical negotiations

are completed,the financial offer

of the Technip will be opened for final

negotiation to go for a contract, said the

BPC director.

State Minister for Power, Energy and

Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said

he believes the evaluation and negotiations

of Tecnip's technical offer will be

concluded within a week or two.

Those aged 12-17

to be vaccinated

after WHO's

approval: Minister

DHAKA : Those who are aged

between 12 and 17 will be brought

under the coverage of vaccination

against Covid-19 once it is approved

by the World Health Organization

(WHO), said Health Minister Zahid

Maleque on Monday, reports UNB.

"We've applied to WHO seeking its

approval in this regard. The approval

of the National Technical Advisory

Committee is also needed. Once

approved, we'll start vaccinating

those who are aged 12-17," said the

minister while talking to reporters

after a meeting at the secretariat.

The government has a plan to vaccinate

children with Moderna and

Pfizer vaccines.

The minister also said 2.5 crore

more vaccine doses -- 2 crore of

Sinopharm and 50,000 of Pfizer-will

reach the country this month.

About hospitals, Zahid said there

are 17,000 beds at Covid-dedicated

hospitals and 12,000-14,000 are currently

vacant.

Now these hospital beds will be

used for the treatment of other

patients, he added.

Bangladesh to take its

policy towards Afghanistan

independently: FM

DHAKA : Foreign Minister Dr AK

Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh will

decide its policy towards Afghanistan

independently noting that what India or

Pakistan is doing is not that much

important to Bangladesh, reports UNB.

"Bangladesh always decides its foreign

policy in the interest of its own very

independently," he told BBC Bangla in

an interview making it clear that the

decision of Bangladesh is not linked

with that of any other country.

The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh

always believes in a people's government

that comes through a political and

democratic process, and it always

extends support to such a government

where people's desire is reflected.

"We'll extend support if people's

desire is reflected in the new Afghan

government. At this moment, we don't

know as we're yet to understand the situation

in Afghanistan," Dr Momen said

things will depend on how the new

Afghan government acts and what policy

it adopts after the formulation of the

government.

The Foreign Minister, however, said

there is a perception to get about the people

in Afghanistan as what they want.

Responding to a question, Dr Momen

said there is a commitment from the

highest level that no one will be killed

along the Bangladesh-India border but

unfortunately it is still happening.

He said it is unfortunate for

Bangladesh while it is a shame for India

as it is happening despite commitment.

"In principle, the two countries decided

that no one should be killed and no

live bullets will be used. But it's happening.

We don't want a single death. It's the

decision but it's not fully complied yet,"

said the Foreign Minister.

Asked why the border killing is still

happening, Dr Momen suggested the

journalist do investigative journalism as

they are not getting a clue.

Responding to a question on the

Rohingya crisis, the Foreign Minister said

four years have passed away but not a single

Rohingya was repatriated. "Myanmar

didn't keep its commitment."

He said Bangladesh will continue to

urge the international community to

push Myanmar saying Myanmar will

take back Rohingyas if pressure on them

is mounted.

Survey, design completed for

31-km 1st subway metro

DHAKA : The government has successfully

completed study, survey and basic

design for construction of 31.241-km first

ever underground and elevated Mass

Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-1 between

Airport-Kamalapur and Purbachal-

Natun Bazar-Pitalganj of Rupganj route.

"With maintaining health guidelines

strictly, we've also completed 77 per cent

work of the detailed design of the project,"

Managing Director of Dhaka Mass

Transit Company Limited MAN Siddique

told BSS. He said the joint survey work

has been completed for acquisition of

92.9725 acres of land at Rupganj in

Narayanganj district.

"The government led by Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina has planned to bring the

capital city under a modern transport system

so that the city dwellers can avail

modern transport facilities," Siddique

added.

According to the project details, the government

has taken up MRT Line-1 project

for construction of the country's first ever

31.241-km underground and elevated

expressway between Airport-Kamalapur

route and Purbachal-Natun Bazar-

Pitalganj Depot, Rupganj route.

Under the part one of MRT Line-1,

Airport Route from Airport to Kamalapur

will have 19.872 km long sub-way with 12

stations.

The part two is Purbachal Route (Natun

Bazar to Pitalganj Depot, Rupganj) and

this route will have 11.369 km elevated

way with nine stations, of which seven stations

will be overhead and Natun Bazar

and Jamuna Future Park stations will be

underground as part of the airport route.

The managing director said that the

Natun Bazar station will have interchange

facility, from where passengers

will have scope to go to Airport route from

Purbachal or Purbachal route to Airport

using the inter-change.

He said the joint survey has been completed

to acquire 92.9625 acres of land for

depot and depot access corridor of MRT

Line-1 at Pitalganj and Brahmankhali

mouzas of Rupganj upazila in

Narayanganj district.

There are 635 km of footpaths from City Gate to Kalurghat in the north of Chittagong city and from Shah

amanat Bridge area to Patenga in the south. at least 60 percent of it has been illegally occupied. Not only

the sidewalks, but also the roads have been swallowed up by the illegal occupants. Photo : Star mail

TuesDAY, sePTemBer 7, 2021

2

RCC to bring

1,25,440 people

under 2nd dose

vaccines

RCC to bring 1,25,440 people

under 2nd dose vaccines

RAJSHAHI : Rajshahi City

Corporation (RCC) is going to

bring 1,25,440 people under

the second dose of vaccines in

its 4-day long ward-level

vaccination campaign

scheduled to be held from on

Tuesday.

The targeted people, who

have got the first dose

vaccines on July 7 and July 8,

will receive the 2nd dose

vaccines on September 7 to 8

and September 11 to 12. They

were asked to bring and show

vaccine registration cards

before taking the vaccines.

RCC will conduct the Covid-

19 vaccination campaign at

84 centres in all 30 wards

simultaneously. However,

the ongoing vaccination

activities at the centres of

Teachers Training College,

Police Hospital, ID Hospital

and CMH will continue as

usual.

"We have taken all sorts of

preparations for conducting

the vaccination programme

successfully," said RCC

Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman

Liton, adding that steps have

been taken to attain the 100

percent target of the Covid-19

vaccination.

Staff crunch leaves Sonagazi Health

Complex in shamble; patients suffer

FENI : Sonagazi Health

Complex, the lone medical

centre for about five lakh people

of the upazila in Feni district, is

unable to provide proper

medical services due to its

manpower crunch and

crumbling infrastructures,

reports UNB.

Although the health complex

was upgraded to a 50-bed one

from a 31-bed one in 2014, its

manpower, infrastructures and

equipment remained

unchanged.

According to sources at the

hospital, the ceiling plasters of

the hospital's administrative

building keep falling off

regularly as it was built in 1977.

Patients are provided

medical services in shabby

structures as people from nine

unions and one municipality of

the upazila visit it for treatment.

The medical services of its

emergency unit and women's

and children's wards are carried

out on the ground floor of the

two-storey building due to the

space crisis.

Its physicians and staff are

working with a sense of

insecurity as plasters are falling

off from its ceilings, while its

walls and pillars have

developed cracks and most of

its doors and windows got

broken.

Sadequl Karim, a doctor at its

emergency unit, said the

hospital needs to be renovated

or it should have a new building

to offer better medical services

to the residents of the unpazila.

"One of the major problems

this hospital faces is the

shortage of doctors and other

staff. Everybody is

overworked," he bemoaned.

This hospital, he says, sees a

footfall of 250-300 patients in

its outdoor section on average

every day while 60-70 get

admitted to the hospital a day.

But they have to stay on the

floor due to a serious bed crisis,

Karima added.

There are 10 doctors against

the positions of 19 in the

upazila. They are engaged in

medical work in five sub-health

centers of the upazila. Only two

doctors are currently providing

treatment at the hospital every

day. Medical assistants are seen

providing treatment under

huge pressure.

Other officials said the

hospital launched its Caesarean

section barely seven months

back but its only gynecologist

consultant was transferred to

Feni General Hospital on June

27, leaving its C-section unit

virtually closed.

They said there is no

anesthesia specialist in the

hospital, and it has two ECG

machines with no

cardiographer to operate those.

Even though there is an X-ray

machine in the hospital,

patients cannot avail

themselves of the X-ray facility

just for lack of a technician.

Now the hospital authorities

are worried that the medical

equipment, worth crores of

taka, would get damaged as

those cannot be used for lack of

operators.

Utpal Das, Health and

Family Planning Officer of the

upazila complex, said, "The

medical equipment are going to

be damaged as we cannot use

those for lack of manpower."

He also said they are under

huge stress as the number of

patients has increased due to

Covid-19 pandemic and

dengue.

The boat is getting crowded. Boats are the only means of transportation and communication during

the floods in this area. The picture is taken from Aolakandi Ghat of Jamuna river in Dhunat

upazila of Bogura.

Photo: PBA

e-Tender Notice

e-Tender Notice

GD-1289/21 (5x4)

Invitation for Tender

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GD-1288/21 (9x4)

TUeSDAY, SePTeMBer 7, 2021

3

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Lands and Dutch

Bangla Bank on Monday to facilitate online payment of any land service fee in the conference room

of the Ministry of Land.

Photo : Courtesy

Hasan opens "Bangabandhu Media

Centre" at Press Club of India

NEW DELHI : Information and

Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan

Mahmud yesterday hoped that

"Bangabandhu Media Centre"

established at Press Club of India (PCI)

would play a vital role for strengthening

Bangladesh-India relations and

increase people to people contact.

"Definitely, the media centre will help

strengthen relations between the two

countries and help know Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and about his

struggle for the betterment of

oppressed humanity," he said.

The minister was inaugurating the

much-desired "Bangabandhu Media

Centre" at the Press Club of India (PCI)

here this afternoon as the chief guest.

The media centre was set up at the

first floor of the club building with

support of Bangladesh New Delhi

mission in honour of Father of the

Bengali Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to

India Muhammad Imran, Joint

Secretary (BD-Myanmar) to the Indian

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

Smita Pant, PCI President Umakant

Lakhera, National Press Club of

Bangladesh President Farida Yesmin

and Former PCI President Gautam

Lahiri spoke on the occasion when PCI

Secretary General Vinay Kumar

conducted the function.

The minister in his speech touched

upon the bilateral relations existing

between Bangladesh and India, India's

contribution to Bangladesh's Great

War of Independence and role of

AL committee formation

Indian journalists to spread the news of

Bangladesh's 1971 War of

Independence across the globe that

helped to gain world support to a great

extent.

The minister said the bilateral

relations between the two countries

reached a newer height during the

tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina and her Indian counterpart

Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Although the relationship reached a

newer-height, still we have to work for

further increasing people to people and

journalists to journalists contacts in

greater interest of both the nations", he

added. Paying glowing tribute to Father

of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh

Muibur Rahman, he said

Bangabandhu had sacrificed his life for

the betterment of the people of

Bangladesh. So, knowing

Bangabandhu, one could know the

struggle of the people of Bangladesh. he

added.

In this connection, he gave a brief

description of all the democratic

struggles of Bangabandhu, his sacrifice

for welfare of the oppressed people and

his movement towards achieving an

independent Bangladesh free from

Pakistani occupation forces.

Regarding India's support for

Bangladesh's independence

movement, he said, "It will never be

possible to liberate the country

(Bangladesh) from Pakistan during the

nine-month war without the help of

India and its people."

"It will never be possible to free

Bangabandhu without the help of the

then Indian Prime Minister Indira

Gandhi. Because, Indira Gandhi

travelled across the world to garner

support from the world leaders in

favour of Bangladesh's independence

struggle as well as to free Bangladesh,"

he added.

Besides, he said along with the Indian

government, the people of India had

played a vital role for Bangladesh's War

of Independence in 1971. They gave

shelter to 10 million Bangladeshi

refugees, he mentioned with gratitude.

In this regard, the minister expressed

his gratitude to the Indian government

and people of India for their wholehearted

support to Bangladesh's

Independence Struggle in 1971.

He also paid rich tribute to the

martyrs especially those Indian army

personnel, who laid their lives during

the Bangladesh's 1971 War of

Independence. "I want to register my

thanks, regards and respect to the

martyrs of the Independence War, the

Indian army personnel and people who

shed their blood with 'Muktibahini' in

1971," he added.

Regarding the role of Indian

journalists in Bangladesh War of

Independence, he said around 200

journalists including foreign journalists

went to cover the news of formation of

first government of Bangladesh in

Meherpur and they spread the news all

over the world. "The role of Indian

journalists for Bangladesh

Independence struggle is immense," he

added.

Prohibitory section imposed in

Noakhali municipality

NOAKHALI : Authorities on

Monday imposed prohibitory order

in Noakhali municipal area amid

escalating tensions over the

formation of a new committee of

District unit Awami League.

Section 144 will remain in force

from 6 am to 6 pm on Monday, said

deputy commissioner Mohammad

Khorshed Alam. There has been an

enmity among three factionsof

Awami League over the formation of

the new committee of Awami

League.

In a sequel, President of Sadar

upazila unit Awami League Shihab

Uddin Shaheen called a meeting at

Maizdi town hall intersection while

MP Ekramul Karim Chowdhury of

Noakhali-4 constituency called

another meeting in front of District

Awami League office on Monday.

Besides, Noakhali municipality

mayor and general secretary of

municipality unit Awami League

Mayor Shahid Ulla called separate

meeting at his office on Monday

afternoon.

The three groups also bought out

separate processions on Sunday

evening, triggering a chase and

counter -chase. Apprehending a

possible law and order problem, the

local administration imposed

Section 144 in the municipal area to

avoid any untoward incident.

Shanirakhra dwellers of the capital city formed a human chain in front of National Press Club yesterday

to get rid from Dengue mosquito.

Photo : TBT

BNP getting angry

as Bangladesh

progressing in all

indexes: Quader

DHAKA : Awami League

General Secretary Obaidul

Quader yesterday said BNP

is getting angered as

Bangladesh is advancing in

every socioeconomic index.

He came up with the

remark while addressing a

press conference on

contemporary issues at his

Secretariat office in the

capital.

About the BNP leaders'

claim that a stable macroeconomy

was successfully

implemented during the

BNP's regime, Quader said:

"It is not true at all. Their

demand is as untrue and

baseless as their other

statements."

He said there was extreme

instability in the country's

economic development

during the BNP's reign,

while the national budget

was not self-dependent and

there was no capacity to

implement it.

Bangabandhu's ideals must

be followed: RU VC

RAJSHAHI : Rajshahi University (RU) Vicechancellor

Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar has

categorically said all people irrespective of

political affiliation must follow the ideals of

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh

MujiburRahman.

"They (people) should also hear the

speeches of Bangabandhu minutely," he

further said while addressing a discussion

marking unfolding a book on Bangabandhu

at RU Senate Building as the chief guest

yesterday.

As a result of Bangladesh's birth, now its

people have got the rights of doing politics.

Without Bangabandhu, the issue of

Bangladesh couldn't be thought of, he added.

"Apart from a few anti-liberation thugs, the

whole nation under the leadership of

Bangabandhu fought and brought

independence of the country and that's why

the Bangalee nation embraced him as their

closest one, affectionately decorating him

with the honor of Bangabandhu," Prof

Sabbir Sattar said.

RU Provosts' Council published the book

titled "Shatobarshe Bangabandhu

Ardhashate Bangladesh" marking the

Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh and Mujib

Shotobarsha. RU Pro-vice-chancellors Prof

Chowdhury Jakaria and Prof Sultan-ul-

Islam, Treasurer Prof Mustafizur Rahman Al

Arif and Registrar Prof Abdus Salam also

spoke. The VC urged the members of the

new generation particularly the students to

know the life and works of Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to become patriotic

and Bengali nationalistic.

"The new generation must follow the ideals

of Bangabandhu for becoming the patriotic

citizens of the country," he said.

Bangladesh emerged as an independent

country in 1971 under the dynamic and

farsighted leadership of Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Prof Golam Sattar mentioned that

Bangabandhu had shown dreams of

Bangalee's economical, political and

communal emancipation. As a whole,

Bangabandhu was himself Bangladesh as the

then seven and half crore people have fought

for independent Bangladesh led by the great

leader. "The farsightedness, inner vision and

political brilliance of Bangabandhu were so

sharp that he could proclaim independence

of Bangladesh by transforming the 6-point

charter of demand (for autonomy of the then

East Pakistan) into a one-point demand," he

said. Bangabandhu's only devotion was to

achieve economic emancipation of people,

build a poverty-free nation and thus

establish a Sonar Bangla to bring smiles on

the faces of Bangalees.

Jatiya Saram Manch organized a discussion meeting at Shishu Kalyan Parishad auditorium on

Monday.

Photo : TBT

No vessel congestion at

Ctg port: CPA chief

DHAKA : Chittagong Port Authority (CPA)

Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad

Shahjahan has said no vessel is waiting for

berth at outer anchorage at the Chittagong

port area and the exports and imports are

ongoing smoothly through the port.

"Imported container vessels at Chittagong

port no longer have to wait day after day at

sea for berthing. This saves a huge amount of

money for domestic and foreign ship owners.

Earlier, a ship had to sit idle in the sea for

eight to ten days to get berthing and 12 or 15

days in some cases, now the number of ships

in that list has come down to zero," he said.

Talking to BSS, he informed that the

Chittagong port is taking place of faith and

dependence in the foreign shipping

companies.

Recently, he said, there is a record of ships

waiting for zero days in the outer anchorage

of Chittagong port for several days in a row.

In other words, as the jetty was found

empty, foreign container ships came directly

to Chittagong port without any waiting, he

mentioned.

Mohammad Shahjahan said as a result of

this positive change, the interest of foreign

ship owners towards Chittagong port will

increase.

From the picture of the last 27 days at the

outer anchorage of Chittagong port, it is

known that the number of container ships

that were waiting for three days was only

three. Out of the last 27 days, there was no

container ship in 24 days that had been

waiting for three days.

Similarly, out of 27 days, there was no

container ship in 16 days that was waiting for

two days in outer anchorage. Even in the last

27 days, the number of ships that got

berthing from just one day waiting was 58.

Mohammad Shahjahan said this positive

change is due to the installation of new

gantry cranes at the port, procurement of

new container handling equipment,

improved management, automation and

increased load-unloading from container

vessels.

Asia-Pacific Forum on conflict

prevention, minorities' rights

protection begins Thursday

DHAKA : The Asia-Pacific Regional Forum

on conflict prevention and the protection of

the human rights of minorities, convened by

the UN Special Rapporteur on minority

issues Fernand de Varennes, will take place

in Geneva on September 7 and 8, reports

UNB.

The regional forum will bring together

around 200 representatives from states, the

UN and regional organisations, civil society

groups, and minorities.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Forum is the

third of four regional fora convened in 2021

on preventing conflicts through justice and

human rights for minorities. Discussions

will inform the work and recommendations

of the 14th session of the UN Forum on

Minority Issues taking place in Geneva in

December this year also on the theme of

"Conflict Prevention and the Protection of

the Human Rights of Minorities."

The forum, which meets annually for two

working days allocated to thematic

discussions, will take place online this year

because of the pandemic, said a media

release issued from Geneva.

Fernand, the special rapporteur on

minority issues, is tasked to guide the work

of the forum, prepare its annual meetings

and report on the thematic

recommendations to the Human Rights

Council.

Dengue: 275 more

hospitalized, no

new death reported

in 24 hrs

DHAKA : Although no death

from dengue was reported in

the past 24 hours till early

Monday, 275 more people

were hospitalised with the

mosquito-borne disease,

said the Directorate General

of Health Services (DGHS),

reports UNB.

Of them, 1,074 patients are

receiving treatment at

different hospitals in the

capital while the remaining

159 were listed outside

Dhaka.

Among the new patients,

220 were admitted to

government and private

hospitals in Dhaka while the

remaining 55 cases were

reported from outside the

division, according to

DGHS.

Some 1,233 patients

diagnosed with dengue fever

are receiving treatment in

the country as of Monday

morning, according to

DGHS.

Of them, 1,074 patients are

receiving treatment at

different hospitals in the

capital while the remaining

159 were listed outside

Dhaka.

This year's total death toll

from dengue remained static

at 52.

Among the dead 48 were

in Dhaka city alone, two in

Chattogram division, one in

Khulna and one in Rajshahi.

Some 12,091 patients have

been admitted to different

hospitals with dengue since

January.

So far, 10,806 dengue

patients have been released

from hospitals after

recovery, said the DGHS.

Health authorities have

been recording over 200

dengue cases per day since

August 1.

TueSDAy, SePTemBer 7, 2021

4

The rise of pseudo-intellectuals

Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam

e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Importance of integrated

energy planning

It is very important to address the overall energy situation

under a carefully considered master plan that would address

all sides to the development of energy sources. Once it is

firmed up as soon as possible and clear signals are received about

its full implementation, the same will raise investors' confidence

and accelerate the growth momentum in the economy.

Essentially, such a comprehensive plan for the energy sector must

be an 'integrated' one forging relationships in developmental

activities between the energy sector's sub sectors to lead

cumulatively to a desired outcome.

For example, both power generation and supply capacities have

increased a great deal. Serious load shedding is now more in the

imagination of people than a reality. But the dilapidated

transmission systems frustrate efficient distribution of power .

Even after additional generation of power, users cannot have the

benefits of the same all the time at all places as worn out

transmission lines fail to supply the additionally available power

efficiently to them ; the lines are found frequently getting disabled

by accidents. Thus, complete overhauling of the transmission

lines needs to be a priority as much as the on going all out drive to

boost production of power in tandem with targets.

There will have to be comprehensive plans to know what the

effective demand for electricity is in the country and what would

be that demand, say, twenty-thirty years from now. More

significantly, it has to be similarly known how much of that power

would be aimed for production by using gas. And then it would

be very important to take stock of whether this amount of

additional gas would be produced in the coming years along with

installation of capacities to produce power from gas. In that case,

matching investments will have to be made in the gas sector in

exploration and production activities to find new deposits of gas

and getting it ready for supply to the power plants. In sum, there

will have to be synthesis in the operations of the two major subsectors

in the energy sector--power and gas -- so that the main

goal of energy availability for the users can be smoothly and

progressively met.

The integrated policies in the energy sector must also examine

and clearly prepare a vision and guideline for the development of

energy sources in the other sub sectors such as coal, non

conventional power from wind, sun's rays, nuclear power,

biofuel, etc. Steps to be taken for the development of all of these

alternative energy sources should also be an integral part of the

integrated plan for the development of the energy sector as a

whole. For instance, plans should provide clear projections of the

requirements of energy to be met by the non conventional sources

so that the same do not conflict with planning objectives in the

areas of the conventional sources of energy.

According to reports, the country's lone crude oil refining

plant, Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) currently produces 1.5

million tons of refined fuel oil and other petroleum products

whereas the annual demand for the same is 3.7 million tons.

Thus, when production at ERL has been remaining static or

stagnant in the face of rising demand, the state owned Bangladesh

Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has had no other option in this

situation than importing directly huge quantities of refined oil

and other petroleum products from international markets at

higher prices in the past. Clearly, the energy costs for the country

could be much lower if the ERL had been functioning at higher

capacity. According to various projections, the country's demand

for refined oil and other petroleum products would reach some 10

million tons by 2030. In order to meet this demand, ERL needs

to set up its second refining plant at the fastest apart from

carrying out the urgent balancing, modernization and overhaul of

the existing plant. Government must mobilize funds on

emergency basis for the ERL's expansion and overhauling . The

government may decide to have long term contracts with

suppliers of crude oil to get the same at stable prices. But for

receiving and storing of crude oil also, the capacities of the ERL

will have to be much increased and improved.

Meanwhile, the country's own gas production must be

increased and also exploration activities to find more

hydrocarbons. It seems that pockets of oil in the existing gas

fields have been already found. Some of this oil, known as

condensate, is already in use. More condensate can probably be

found in the existing gas fields and turned into fuel oil for various

uses. A major aim should be to use a bulk of the produced gas in

the country's road transportation sector by replacing the use of

imported diesel, petrol and octane with compressed natural gas

(CNG). The rate of CNG conversion of vehicles will have to be

speeded up for the purpose and the number of CNG fuelling

stations also must be simultaneously set up in greater number so

that the CNG converted vehicles can be serviced smoothly.

Conservation of power also must be recognized and addressed

as a priority under comprehensive energy planning. One may be

astounded to know how much of power is simply wasted every

day from keeping light bulbs switched on carelessly as the users

have underhand deals with meter readers to pay fixed amounts in

bills no matter how much power they consume.

Shopping malls remain lighted up long beyond authorized

hours and even the publicly operated street lights can be seen

burning in the day time because someone has had no time to

switch them off from a central control point.Easy bikes that run

on power suck up freely hundreds of megawatts of power from

the supply lines for charging their batteries. There is no

regulation in the matter.Unauthorized and temporary

connections are taken from power supply lines and there is hardly

any control over such thieves. In sum, only from stopping such

lack of care and stealing, nearly one fourth of the current effective

demand for electricity in the country can be met.

Approximately 60% of our country's daily electric power

consumption is used to run electric motors. The digital intelligent

motor controllers (IMCs) when installed with an induction motor

provides optimal power management and results in energy

savings up to 40%. An IMC also can increase a motor's life by

decreasing its operating temperature. It is estimated that with the

application of IMCs, we can save up to 720 MW electricity daily.

Consumers in Bangladesh still are largely hooked to

incandescent bulbs (IBs). But the compact fluorescent lamps

(CFLs) can give the same illumination as that of an IB with 80%

less energy. Moreover, the life span of CFLs are 10 times higher

than IBs..In Bangladesh, auxiliary consumption of the power

plants is about 6 to 7% of total generation. By proper energy

auditing, energy management and installation of the latest energy

efficient devices, auxiliary power consumption in the power

plants can be reduced significantly.

When we say the role of

intellectuals in modern society,

it is not so easy to define;

instead, it is a most complicated one.

However, in today's rapidly hegemonic

and unequal contemporary society,

intellectuals' critical and profound impact

is indisputable. These wise individuals

have diverse knowledge, deep

understanding & wisdom. They have the

power to steer positive societal values and

attitudes. Therefore, they are influential.

Intellectuals are those with diverse

wisdom, foresight, and unbiased insights

with a forward-looking vision. They can

foster societal progress and prosperity

and always act to awaken society by

changing their beliefs, attitudes, and

perceptions. They have the power to

inspire people to become more learned,

wise, righteous, and moral. They navigate

people to avoid unwise and wrong deeds

and thinking. These discerning

individuals always engage in critical

thinking, observations, reflection, and

research findings to advance various

societal issues. However, many

intellectuals in society do not feel obliged

to do something for good causes. To

address these so-called scholars, Einstein

made a striking statement: "The world is a

dangerous place not because of those who

do evil, but because of those who look on

and do nothing". Therefore, intellectuals

have a moral and civic duty to nurture

societal norms for betterment of the

society with their deep knowledge and

wisdom. They are the ones who can

improve humankind in a meaningful way

as they are the primary agent of positive

change.

History suggests that many societal

changes occurred due to the intellectuals'

interventions around the world. French

scholars contributed to the French

revolution during the massive political

and societal changes (1789-1799). Their

revolutionary and radical social change

ideas had an enormous impact on

people's attitudes and beliefs, which

helped mobilise them to fight for their

rights. French intellectuals such as

Rousseau, Voltaire inspired the masses to

fight against anarchy and injustice.

October revolution in 1917 led by Vladimir

Ilyich Lenin in Russia and his intellectual

comrades fought against Tsarist

Government through the Bolshevic

movement and seized power. During the

liberation period in 1971 and language

movement in 1952, Bengali intellectuals

were engaged in many fronts and

confronted with Barbaric Pakistanis with

force. Attempts by West Pakistan to

dominate the East culturally and

linguistically exacerbated matters to such

a point that eventually, the East

demanded to be liberated and free. Such

intellectuals' aspirations were met with

violence and repression, with the cultural

elite being primarily targeted. The

liberation war was led by one of the

greatest thinkers in this century

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

His social ideas, knowledge and

understanding of the national &

international problems and power of

awakening the public helped mobilise the

united public's attention to fight against

Pakistani's injustices and barbaric

oppressions and ultimately seized power

to become an independent nation-state.

The nation lost its best and greatest

intellectuals in the war of independence,

who came from different walks of life and

professions. Intellectuals are always

playing a significant role in society

whether they are part of civil society

members, writers, journalists, legislators,

educators, or other members of the

intelligentsia. Their influence on societal

evolution & prosperity can be critical. This

article does not focus on those

intellectuals who propagate state ideology

and their ideas to create, in many cases,

disharmony and problems in society.

Instead, the article concentrates mainly

on scholars who constantly seek to find

the truths without any biases and

speculation, primarily academic

intellectuals. These types of intellectuals

generally do not favour any particular

ideology or support any specific ideas

blindly. Ego, patronage, prejudices, pride,

or shame cannot change and shape their

personal decisions, knowledge and

understanding.

However, the current world is full of

pseudo-intellectuals. These are the

production of the free-market economy

and rotten capitalist ideology coupled

with globalisation. These pseudointellectuals

are very active in all parts of

our life. In his book in 1954, "History of

economic analysis", J. A Schumpeter

wrote to explain the so-called intellectual's

mindset and rotten attitude in his time

that "there are many Marxian's &

Keynesians intellectuals who have never

read a line of Marx or Keynes". Prof. Mark

Lilla of Columbia University made a

noticeable remark in his "Reckless Mind:

Intellectuals in politics" in 2001 that there

are many noble professors, writers,

journalists, and gifted individuals who will

promote modern tyrants' ideas liberators

and support their immoral crimes as

noble. Many unwise, unethical & immoral

intellectuals in the society are creating

continuous disturbances and confusions

among the public, mostly intentionally.

Therefore, wisdom is not always intellect.

For many Western minds, Karl Marx's

classical book "The Capital" is considered

intellectually robust dissemination of a

fundamental misconception of the

concepts 'labour' & 'production'. This is

not the idea favouring the decaying

capitalist ideology, despite the fact that it

is having a profound impact on society

and the lives of millions of people. In

today's most chaotic VUCA (Volatile,

uncertain, complex, and ambiguous)

global environment, when the current

state of capitalism is a complete failure,

the Marxist concepts have become more

critical than ever.

I know the current intellectual mindset

of the West is not different from than the

last century. Contemporary capitalism has

created its empire of very active

Dr P r DATTA

intellectuals in the media, academia,

government, and politics. However, many

of today's scholars do not have any

components of intelligence. Hence,

society becomes more vulnerable as the

intellectuals have a more significant

impact on society and its members.

Intellectuals have the capacity to

manipulate complex ideas, while proper

judgement is also necessary. To have

intelligence an individual must possess

intellect and judgement. Many of today's

intellectuals do not have the capacity to

judge. Having both intellect and judgment

when individuals produce a coherent and

logical understanding of the situations,

events or concepts is wisdom. Many of our

intellectuals are intellectuals without

wisdom, and this is dangerous for society.

For wisdom, an individual needs an

understanding of the realities of the world

and self-discipline. Foolishness is the

opposite of wisdom, while dullness is the

opposite of intellect. There are many

intellectuals with dullness and foolishness

in society. People with these two

dispositions are more dangerous than

non-intellectuals.

Not everyone is an intellectual in

society, even though they may deal with

demanding and complex professional

activities such as Engineers, medical

doctors, lawyers, and technical experts.

Anyone who deals with ideas as their

primary occupation, such as writers,

journalists, academicians, and likeminded

professionals, is the principal

agent of ideas. Therefore, despite their

colossal brainpower, innovation, talent,

and worldwide achievements such as Bill

Gates, Alon Musk, Richard Branson or

Jack Ma, top public figures in the world

are not intellectuals. On the other hand,

Adam Smith, Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi

Nazrul Islam, Joseph Schumpeter, Karl

Marx, and Thomas Friedman are the most

prominent intellectuals. The intellectuals

begin and end their work with ideas and

dissemination of ideas.

I firmly believe what is happening

globally in the literary world is not noble

and unable to create societal harmony and

well-being. Ideas are the core of the

academic world and key to the

intellectuals' functions. Therefore, if these

ideas are not handled well, that can be

dangerous for all. This is what we all have

been witnessing for the past several

decades, especially after the collapse of

Soviet Union. Pseudo-intellectuals are

more active in today's society. Academia is

now full of pseudo-intellectuals who are

causing colossal damage to the

community through their confused,

shallow, immoral, dishonest, and rotten

ideas. Because intellectuals profoundly

impact society, intellectuals must behave

and act without any biases or corrupt

motives. Their behaviours, attitudes and

beliefs should reflect their true identity.

However, sadly, it is true that many socalled

academic intellectuals create their

reality by filtering the factual information

or fabricating new information; in many

cases, they do it deliberately in contrast to

their personal beliefs about the world.

According to Schumpeter, some

intellectuals will go further and will even

lie for their ideals. They will select the

samples that suit them or their vendors,

suppressing the actual facts or screening

out the inconvenient meaning &

connotations of words, lines, or sentences.

Some intellectuals are not known to the

public or little known, but they can still

impact society beyond imagination, such

as Karl Marx, Frederick Hayek, Sigmund

Freud. They have the power to influence

other public intellectuals, who then

disseminate these non-public

intellectual's ideas to the general public to

shape their attitude and beliefs. On the

other hand, the top public intellectuals

such as Naomi Chomsky, Amartya Sen,

Thomas Friedman, Desmond Tutu, J K

Rowling's, Richards Dawkins,

Rabindranath Tagore, Kobi Kazi Nazrul

Islam, Humayun Ahmed, all have an

enormous amount of power to

disseminate their ideas directly to the

people and have a profound impact on

society. All intellectuals work with ideas to

advance human freedom & knowledge by

challenging the status quo with

appropriate methods & integrity.

Intellectuals should speak the truth,

expose wrongdoings by the government

and its associates, discern good ideas and

foster public attitudes, beliefs, and

knowledge for the betterment of society.

After the independence in 1971, we all

have seen the surge of pseudointellectuals

in Bangladesh, especially in

recent times. We all can see them in TV

Talk shows, in seminars, workshops,

media interviews, in social media

channels and beyond. They spread

terrible ideas, speak a half-truth with

unsubstantiated sources. We know their

type, their behaviours, and their motives.

They are very clever as they know how to

manipulate people and influence people's

minds by using special attributes such as

the frequent use of unique English words

with a strong accent, citing Western

philosophers in their discussion, playing

blame games, humiliating others. They

speak the ways the middle class wishes to

hear from them because they are known

to the public well. They describe them as

"Gurus", "Scholars", or "Experts".

Recently, some of these so-called "Gurus"

attacked our great thinkers, such as

Rabindranath Tagore, the ways Pakistanis

attacked our greatest intellectuals in 1971.

It is no need for me to identify their names

in this article. We all must take extra

caution around those pseudointellectuals.

Be curious and have a

growth mindset; when necessary,

challenge them and seek an explanation.

Society must spot those pseudo-gurus to

protect national harmony. Most

importantly, be vigilant and curious.

When necessary, stand united against

those pseudo-intellectuals before causing

any severe societal damage.

The writer is educator, author, and researcher

executive chair, Centre for Business &

Economic Research, UK

Japan may be on road to nowhere with hydrogen vehicles

The official website of Toyota's

Mirai sedan is certainly not short

on ambitious language. The

model, whose name means "future" in

Japanese, is hailed as a new standard

for an "ecological car" that will "lead

the hydrogen-based society from now

on."

The Mirai is just one example of

Japanese carmakers commercializing

hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).

Generating only water vapor and warm

air as exhaust, their makers tout FCVs

as a clean-energy alternative to

traditional vehicles burning fossil fuels.

The move by Japanese carmakers to

commercialize FCVs is part of a larger

effort by the Japanese government to

promote hydrogen as a fuel source of

the future.

A comprehensive action plan

released by the Ministry of Economy,

Trade and Industry in March 2019 puts

forth goals of 800,000 FCVs on the

road, a nationwide hydrogen fueling

network of 900 stations, and full

commercialization of hydrogen power

plants, all by 2030.

The plan also details efforts by

private Japanese firms, including

carmakers, utilities, investors, and

industrial gas producers, to form

consortiums that set up hydrogen

production plants both in and outside

Japan.

While Japan is not alone in putting

together a government-led effort to

After the independence in 1971, we all have seen the surge of pseudo-intellectuals

in Bangladesh, especially in recent times. We all can see them in TV

Talk shows, in seminars, workshops, media interviews, in social media channels

and beyond. They spread terrible ideas, speak a half-truth with unsubstantiated

sources. We know their type, their behaviours, and their motives.

develop hydrogen as a fuel source,

none has put in as much effort in FCVs.

For instance, China's 2021-25 Five

Year Plan includes details for

government subsidies to develop

hydrogen production and fueling

networks. The US Department of

Energy's 2020 Hydrogen Program Plan

seeks to identify and leverage existing

domestic resources for the production

of hydrogen.

However, in both countries, electric

vehicles (EVs) are moving far ahead of

FCVs, with China creating the world's

largest EV fueling network, consisting

of 1.2 million stations in 2019, and the

US hosting the most valuable EV

manufacturer, Tesla.

Indeed, despite Japanese

government efforts, FCVs remain far

less popular than EVs both in and

outside Japan. While 2.1 million EVs

were sold worldwide in 2019, Toyota

has only managed to sell 11,000 units

of the Mirai from its launch in

November 2014 to February 2021,

hampered by its inability to sell it

outside Japan and California, the only

places where Toyota deemed a dense

enough concentration of hydrogen

fueling stations to be available.

The global nature of EV adoption

raises the question of whether Japan is

heading into another technological

idiosyncrasy with its focus on FCVs.

The "video format war" of the 1970s

and 1980s pitted Sony's Betamax

against the more globally used VHS,

with Betamax losing the war despite

being of arguably higher quality. Other

The "video format war" of the 1970s and 1980s pitted Sony's Betamax against the

more globally used VHS, with Betamax losing the war despite being of arguably

higher quality. Other examples of the "Galapagos effect," or Japanese technology

not accepted elsewhere, emerged with Internet-ready feature cell phones, contactless

IC cards, digital broadcasting, and anti-earthquake construction methods.

examples of the "Galapagos effect," or

Japanese technology not accepted

elsewhere, emerged with Internetready

feature cell phones, contactless

IC cards, digital broadcasting, and antiearthquake

construction methods.

Given the shrinking size of the

Japanese domestic market and the

expensive upfront investments in

hydrogen production and fueling

stations, it will be costly for Japan to

end up in a technological Galapagos

with FCVs. Given that the most ecofriendly

method of producing hydrogen

at a commercial scale remains the use

of electricity, it also seems rather

redundant and expensive to take the

extra step of converting electricity into

hydrogen, known for being highly

flammable, when the electricity can be

directly used to power EVs.

As such, rather than risking a costly

loss for FCVs on the global market, the

Japanese government should

concentrate on leveraging the country's

already advanced EV technology.

The latest rankings show that, in

terms of the number of EV-related

patents, 21 of the top 50 firms in the

world are Japanese.

But in terms of EVs sold, Japanese

carmakers remain far behind their

global peers, partly because Japan has

fallen behind in the number of EV

charging stations, with only 18,000

nationwide as of March 2020.

If the Japanese government deprioritizes

its focus on FCVs and shifts

financial and policy support to promote

EVs instead, it is conceivable that not

only will the country be able to boost

the number of EV charging stations,

but its firms will be able to leverage

existing technologies to become

dominant in the global EV industry.

Xiaochen Su is a PhD candidate at

the University of Tokyo specializing

in immigration issues.

TuesdAy, sePTeMber 7 , 2021

5

JoceLyn TIMPerLey

Aviation tanked in 2020. The number of people taking flights

fell by three quarters compared with 2019 levels and as a

result there was a significant drop in greenhouse gas

emissions from aviation. But as countries open up and

people begin to fly again, aviation is expected to see a slow

climb back to previous levels. The industry anticipates a

return to 2019 passenger numbers globally by 2023 and to be

back on track with previous growth projections within a

couple of decades.

All this is bad news for the planet. CO2 emissions from the

industry are likely to triple by 2050. But if the world is to limit

global heating to 1.5C, it needs to have hit net zero CO2

emissions by this time. Aviation is a complicated sector to

decarbonise. It has some prickly ingredients: difficult

technological solutions, hidden extra climate effects, an

association with personal freedoms and a disproportionately

wealthy and powerful customer base. Here are just a few of

the big hurdles the sector will need to overcome if it is ever to

be carbon neutral.

For a long time, jet kerosene from fossil fuels was the only

available option for aeroplanes. "Flying through air

essentially requires a lot of energy, so planes have to rely on

fuels that have high energy density," says Jagoda Egeland, an

aviation policy expert at the OECD. "We haven't had many

substitutes with those kinds of properties."

The fuel efficiency of aircraft improves over time. For

example, switching from an older four-engine jumbo aircraft

to a more efficient twin-engine aircraft can reduce carbon

emissions by up to 30% for each flight, says Emma Harvey, a

sustainability consultant who was previously the head of

sustainability at Virgin Atlantic. Therefore renewing and

upgrading fleets can have an impact on emissions. However,

the savings are not enough to keep up with the growth in

flight numbers. Before the pandemic, aviation was becoming

about 3% more efficient each year, while passenger demand

was increasing at about 5% a year.

But after years of development, alternative low-carbon

fuels known as sustainable aviation fuels, or SAFs, are now

beginning to reach the market. These accounted for less than

0.1% of aviation fuel consumption in 2018, but the hope is

that this can be ramped up over time.

In the short term, the most promising are advanced waste

biofuels made from things like used cooking oils. "That is

pretty cheap and has pretty good life-cycle emissions, but its

supply is limited," says Dan Rutherford, director of aviation

at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).

Using these fuels exclusively for aviation would provide for

only about 2% of jet fuel use in the EU and US, he says.

Biofuels can also be made from crops such as palm, soya

and corn. However, environmental groups have been

arguing against these for years because they can compete

with food production and drive deforestation - proposed EU

legislation that aims to ramp up SAFs specifically excludes

their use. Other kinds of "advanced biofuels" made from

cellulosic plants and agricultural and forestry waste show

more promise, says Rutherford.

A final type of fuel that could be used in current aircraft is

"electrofuel", made using clean electricity and hydrogen. In

theory, these could have an "almost unlimited supply", says

Rutherford, but they are currently very expensive to make.

There are also completely different kinds of aircraft on the

horizon. Electric planes are promising for shorter routes, and

battery technology is improving all the time, says Ruth

Wood, a senior lecturer in environment and climate change

at Manchester University. However, the size and weight of

current battery technology mean electric propulsion is still a

long way off for larger aircraft, she adds.

Some companies are working on new kinds of aeroplanes

designed to run on hydrogen gas, which could also be

The problems aviation must

fix to attain net zero

The debut flight of the hybrid electric cessna sky Master, from exeter Airport, devon. Photo: Jim Wileman

produced using clean electricity. Last year, Airbus revealed

its concept for a hydrogen aircraft that it said could enter

service by 2035, although it has also admitted such planes

won't be widely used until after 2050.

Aviation accounts for about 2.5% of global CO2 emissions,

but its warming impact is actually far larger owing to the

other gases and particulates it emits at high altitudes. Often

collectively called "non-CO2" impacts, these include nitrogen

oxides and contrail clouds. These are rarely touched upon in

aviation climate goals, but they could be tripling the climate

impacts of aviation compared with CO2 alone.

What's problematic, but also promising, about these effects

is that they vary substantially depending on the surrounding

climatic conditions. For example, one study found that just

2% of flights contribute to 80% of contrail warming effects.

Night-time flights are particularly bad, because contrails

produce their warming impact mainly at night.

There is still more to learn about these impacts, but policies

could already be put in place to limit them, says Egeland,

such as an extra charge on aeroplanes that fly at particularly

bad times of the day.

It's important to note that low-carbon fuels can still

produce non-CO2 impacts, although these are expected to be

lower than for kerosene for most fuels.

Some argue technological solutions will be too slow to

reduce emissions in the aviation sector, and measures to

reduce the amount people fly are needed to limit the damage

to the climate.

But flying is not an evenly spread activity. In the UK about

15% of the population take 70% of all flights, and around half

of people don't fly at all in any given year. "That's a pattern

replicated in many other counties," says Cait Hewitt, policy

director at the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF).

The inequality in flying is even more stark at a global level.

One study estimated that just 1% of the world's population

emits 50% of CO2 from commercial aviation, while just 2-4%

of people fly internationally in a given year.

Some campaigners therefore support a "frequent flyer levy"

as a fairer way to limit aviation emissions. The UK campaign

A Free Ride argues everyone should have one annual flight

free from the levy, then pay a rising charge for every extra

flight taken that year. The UK's first climate assembly also

backed the idea of a frequent flyer levy. The problem with

such a levy is that many people in the frequent flyer category

are likely to have the wealth to pay a moderate levy, or to have

it paid by their employers, says Wood.

Manuel Grebenjak, a campaigner at the Stay Grounded

network, says measures to limit flights overall, such as

banning flights on certain routes, could help to stem rising

emissions in a fairer way. "If a flight is banned from a certain

city to another one, no one can fly, so it's very just," he says.

France has already moved to ban domestic flights on routes

that can be travelled by train within two-and-a-half hours.

Even just providing an alternative to flying can be effective:

new high-speed rail lines have reduced aviation transport on

the same routes by up to 80%, according to the International

Energy Agency (IEA).

All this feeds into a wider need for strong policy to tackle

aviation emissions, which has largely been lacking so far.

"International aviation sits outside the Paris climate

agreement, because that agreement is about a country's

domestic emissions," says Harvey. "So there was a real push

to have a scheme for international aviation."

After years of inaction, in 2016 countries at the UN aviation

agency, ICAO, agreed on the Carbon Offsetting and

Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia), a

global deal to "offset" the growth in aviation emissions above

the average levels in 2019 and 2020. However, when flights

plummeted during the pandemic, countries changed the

baseline of this scheme, which means there are currently no

obligations on airlines. Egeland says Corsia's effectiveness

will "ultimately depend on the quality of carbon offsets that

ICAO will accept".

ICAO is also in discussions over a long-term climate goal

for aviation for 2050, but it is not clear when this will be

agreed or what the target will be.

Meanwhile, policies are being increasingly discussed at the

national and regional level. In particular, the EU's proposed

"Fit for 55" climate legislation includes plans to mandate

targets for SAFs and to end aviation's fuel tax exemption.

"Aviation fuel is exempt from any taxes almost everywhere,"

says Grebenjak. "The EU wants to end the basically free rider

status of aviation, and implement a kerosene tax that's at the

same level as other fuels."

Action at the EU level is encouraging, and the UK

government even has a consultation out on its strategy for

net zero aviation. However, the biggest growth in flying in the

coming decades is expected outside Europe and the US,

especially among the growing middle classes of developing

countries.

Asia and the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East are the

regions expected to see the most growth in the next 20 years,

and last year China overtook the US as the world's largest air

passenger market. "The rise of a travelling middle-class in

China and India has seen passenger demand grow at around

10% per annum," says Hewitt.

Rutherford adds that frequent flyers look similar wherever

in the world they are, namely upper-middle-class

professionals. A global frequent flyer levy could therefore be

one way to curb the growth, he says.

Chinese airlines will also increasingly have to meet local

rules designed for climate mitigation if they want access to

international airports, says Hewitt. But the vast majority of

flights in China take place within its borders, which

international policies would not apply to. "States will need to

take domestic action to supplement international

agreements in order to achieve net zero for aviation by

2050," says Hewitt.

It's worth noting that China also has the world's largest

high-speed rail network by far, while some developed

countries, such as the US, have yet to install a single highspeed

rail line. "We have to do our own homework first

before talking about China," says Grebenjak.

Even amid growing efforts to reconcile aviation with a net

zero world, some companies are pushing to develop aircraft

that are even more polluting. Earlier this year, United

Airlines announced plans to buy 15 supersonic aircraft from

Boom Supersonic, with the aim to begin using them by 2029.

Rolls-Royce and the US air force also have deals with Boom.

As well as the noise issues with supersonics, these superfast

flights could consume five to seven times as much fuel for

each passenger as subsonic aircrafts. There's also a concern

that supersonics, which will be operating high in the

stratosphere, will have a disproportionate impact through

non-CO2 emissions, says Rutherford. Developing emissionsintensive

supersonic planes could also end up being a

distraction from zero emission technologies such as

hydrogen planes, he adds.

Rutherford says the best way to prevent climate damage

from supersonics may be to simply require them to meet the

same environmental standards as other aeroplanes. "That

would, in essence, act like a ban," he says. "They just can't

meet those standards."

There is no vaccine for a sick planet

PATrIcK GreenFIeLd

The world's biggest

biodiversity summit since the

start of the pandemic has

opened in the French port city

of Marseille with a warning

from Emmanuel Macron that

"there is no vaccine for a sick

planet".

Speaking at the opening of

the IUCN World

Conservation Congress, the

president echoed warnings

from leading scientists that

humanity must solve ongoing

crises with climate and nature

together or solve neither,

urging the world to catch up

on preventing the loss of

biodiversity.

"There is no vaccine for a

sick planet," Macron said,

detailing the urgent tasks of

phasing out pesticide use,

ending plastic pollution and

eradicating raw materials

linked to deforestation of

rainforests from supply

chains around the world.

In a lengthy speech, he said

the world must agree goals

and make financial

commitments for nature

equivalent to those for the

climate, and said he would

push for Earth's polar regions

to be recognised as common

global assets at the launch of

the congress.

Thousands of scientists,

conservation experts and

officials have travelled to the

Mediterranean city for the

summit, which will host

events both in person and

online, to discuss and share

ideas relating to the

protection of nature.

It comes after the pandemic

forced a year-long delay to the

meeting in Marseille and a

UN biodiversity summit in

Kunming, China, where it is

hoped countries will agree a

"Paris-agreement for nature".

In a recorded message, the

Chinese prime minister Li

Keqiang said countries must

work together to create a

"clean and beautiful world",

highlighting the enormous

journey of a herd of Asian

elephants in Yunnan as an

example of China's growing

success with conservation

efforts.

"Many places have been hit

by rare storms and floods.

The weather events pose a

severe threat to the survival

and development of

humanity, and make

protecting nature and global

not-traditional security issues

more prescient," Li said.

The French president said humanity must solve ongoing crises with climate and nature

together or solve neither.

Photo: Ludovic Marin

The Hollywood actor and

environmentalist Harrison

Ford, speaking on behalf of

Conservation International,

paid tribute to the role of

young environmentalists in

protecting nature and battling

the climate crisis.

"Reinforcements are on the

way," Ford said. "They're

sitting in lecture halls now,

venturing into the field for the

very first time, writing their

thesis, they're leading

marches, organising

communities, are learning to

turn passionate into progress

and potential into power. But

they're not here yet. In a few

years, they will be here."

Ford, a passionate

campaigner for the protection

of the Amazon, highlighted

the role of indigenous

communities in protecting

nature.

In a parallel event,

indigenous groups,

academics and campaigners

from 18 countries gathered in

the port city for a "counter

conference" called Our Land

Our Nature.

Delegates want to highlight

the way in which indigenous

people are negatively

impacted in the name of

international ambitions to

create space for wildlife.

A key challenge is the policy

target of protecting 30% of

the planet by 2030, which

campaigners say could violate

many indigenous people's

rights.

"I think we need to rethink

the definition of protected

areas, those that exist, and we

need to look for a more

sophisticated model of

biodiversity

and

conservation," said Dr

Mordecai Ogada, director of

Conservation Solutions

Afrika. "We need to break

down the narrative into much

smaller and more complex

pieces."

Hundreds of protesters,

including representatives

from Survival International,

Extinction Rebellion,

Rainforest Foundation and

Minority Rights Group

gathered at the Porte d'Aix,

which marks the old entry

point to Marseille, and

marched to the city's harbour

in the pouring rain. The

demonstration concluded

with speeches, small

theatrical displays and

chants.

Phoebe WesTon

The komodo dragon, the world's largest

lizard, is threatened with extinction as

rising water levels driven by the climate

crisis shrink its habitat, according to

the latest "red list" update.

Endemic to a handful of Indonesian

islands, the komodo dragon lives on the

edge of forest or in open savannah,

rarely venturing higher than 700

metres above sea level. Rising water

levels are set to affect 30% of its habitat

in the next 45 years, according to the

International Union for Conservation

of Nature (IUCN), which has changed

its status from vulnerable to

endangered.

The update - announced at the IUCN

world conservation congress in

Marseille - is the first for the komodo

dragon in more than 20 years. It comes

after the first peer-reviewed paper on

how global heating would affect the

giant lizards concluded "urgent

conservation actions are required to

avoid risk of extinction".

As well as being unable to move to

higher ground, the komodo dragons'

habitat is becoming increasingly

fragmented by human activity, which

makes populations less genetically

healthy and more vulnerable. Their

habitat range on the island of Flores in

south-eastern Indonesia is thought to

have shrunk by more than 40%

between 1970 and 2000.

"Because of human pressure, the

forest is slowly being cut down and

disappearing, and the savannah is

affected by fires and degradation. That

is why the animals are really in small

little pockets," said Gerardo Garcia,

curator of vertebrates and

invertebrates at Chester Zoo. "Habitats

are being made even smaller due to

rising sea levels."

Europeans discovered komodo

dragons only in the early 20th century

and were immediately fascinated by the

creatures. Growing up to 3 metres long

and weighing more than 150kg,

komodos feed mainly on forestdwelling

pigs, deer, buffalo and fruit

bats which hang in the low-lying

mangrove trees. When they attack,

their venomous saliva causes their

prey's blood pressure to suddenly drop

and stops it clotting, sending them into

shock. Despite their gory credentials we

still know little about them because

they're so shy.

Sea levels rise endanger

Komodo dragon habitat

"It is the most charismatic reptile on

the planet yet until last year we didn't

really know where the komodos lived,"

said Garcia, who was part of a threeyear

project with the Indonesian NGO

Komodo Survival Programme that

involved using camera traps to work

out their movements. They discovered

where they were living on Flores and

now hope to do more focused

conservation and community work in

those areas. The subpopulation in

Komodo national park is currently

stable and protected.

Out of 138,000 species on the

updated IUCN red list, more than

38,000 are threatened with extinction.

The organisation also included a

comprehensive reassessment of shark

and ray species, with 37% now

threatened with extinction due to

overfishing, loss of habitat and the

climate crisis. Sharks and rays are also

burdened by the bad luck of their

biology - they reproduce slowly and in

low numbers, which means they are

slower to bounce back compared with

other species .

The IUCN red list update included

some good news - four out of seven

species of commercially fished tuna -

Atlantic bluefin, southern bluefin,

albacore and yellowfin - are on the path

to recovery, thanks to the introduction

of fishing quotas in the past 10 years.

"The new ratings certainly do bring

some good news," said Grantly Galland

at the Pew Charitable Trusts.

"Management has improved for bluefin

tuna and albacore around the world in

the past decade but we do still offer

some caution in that IUCN ratings are

based on entire species and it doesn't

A rare image of komodo dragons fighting in Komodo national park,

Indonesia.

Photo: Andrey Gudkov

allow for the assessment team to look at

genetically distinct populations."

For example, Atlantic bluefin is of

least concern, but the western Atlantic

population continues to experience

serious declines, and is still at threat of

being lost entirely.

The success of albacore and southern

bluefin tuna is due to the introduction

of "harvest strategies" where the

managers determine ahead of time

what rules or actions they will take

based on the status of the stock, and

these new ratings are proof that those

strategies are working.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

6

Beparipara Primary School of Ramna Union Under Chilmari of Kurigram district remains

waterlogged due to flood.

Photo : TBT

Fishermen get sewing

machines, rickshawvan

in Cumilla

CUMILLA : Sewing

machines, rickshaw-van and

other necessary equipment

were distributed to 50

fishermen in Sadar upazila

of the district yesterday at

the initiative of the Greater

Cumilla District Fisheries

Development Project.

Sadar Upazila Fisheries

Office organized the

distribution program at

Munsefbari

yesterday

morning.

Freedom Fighter and

Metropolitan Awami League

President AKM Bahauddin

Bahar MP, from Cumilla

Sadar, distributed those

among the fishermen as the

chief guest.

Sadar Upazila Parishad

Chairman Advocate Aminul

Islam Tutul, District

Fisheries Officer Sharif

Uddin, Upazila Nirbahi

Officer (UNO) Zakia Afrin,

Sadar Upazila Senior

Fisheries Officer Md. Murad

Hossain Pramanik, UP

Chairman Abul Kalam Azad

and other officials of the

fisheries department were

present on the occasion.

Flood situation

further improves

in Jamalpur

JAMALPUR : The overall

flood situation in the district

further improved as water

level in the river Jamuna

dropped sharply yesterday.

Water

Development

Board sources said during

the last 24 hours water level

in the river Jamuna dropped

by 36 cm and was flowing 5

cm below the danger level at

Bahadurabad ghat point till

12 yesterday noon.

District Relief and

Rehabilitation Officer Md

Nayeb Ali said about one

lakh people of 169 villages in

six upazilas of the district

were affected by the flood.

Department of Agriculture

Extension office sources

flood water submerged

standing crops on 19,487

hectares of land. Of the

crops T-Aman seed bed on

120 hectares, T-Aman on

19,217 hectares and

vegetable on 150 hectares.

Erstwhile Garati

enclave women get 60

goats in Panchagarh

RANGPUR : Sixty local

breed goats were distributed

free of cost among 30 poor

women of erstwhile Garati

enclave village in Sadar

upazila of Panchagarh on

Sunday afternoon.

With the financial support

of Bangladesh NGO

Foundation (BNF), the 60

goats were handed over to

them with two goats each.

On this occasion, a

gathering-cum-closing

ceremony of a training

course on rearing goats was

organised at Haribhasha

Union Social Welfare

Federation ground in the

village. Earlier, BNF

conducted the training

course for the beneficiary

women on rearing goats to

assist them in attaining

economic self-reliance by

cutting poverty.

Citrus fruit farming contributes

to Rajshahi's economy

RAJSHAHI : Citrus fruits like malta, lemon,

jujube and batabi lime farming contribute to

economy in the region including its vast

Barind tract as many people are keen to

cultivate the collateral cash crops.

Commercial farming of various citrus

fruits has increased to a greater extent in the

last couple of years.

Agriculturist ATM Rafiqul Islam opined

that demand of the fruits has also risen

among the consumers amid the Covid-19

pandemic. Many health experts are seen

suggesting the patients to consume more

citrus fruits to protect them from

coronavirus infection with early recovery.

Islam said green and ripe fruits are

enriched with vitamin A, B, C, calcium and

iron which are essential for human body.

Obaidullah Shah, a farmer of Tentulia

village in Porsha Upazila of Naogaon, has

established a Malta orchard through

transplanting 1,560 saplings on seven bighas

of land in 2018 first.

He harvested fruit of around Taka 2.5 lakh

the following year and earned around Taka

six lakh last year. He's expecting one and a

half maund of fruit from each of the trees this

year. "I have established one more orchard

on six bigha of land this year," said

Obaidullah.

He gets suggestions from the local

agricultural extension and research offices

regularly. Shah said commercial cultivation

of the citrus fruits has begun in many areas

making the farmers happy and enthusiastic

side by side with vibrating the local economic

activities. Cultivation of malta fruit will bring

a revolution in the local economy as

hundreds of people from ultra-poor families

have attained self-reliance by cultivating the

delicious fruit.

On behalf of 'Integrated Water Resource

Management (IWRM) Project, DASCOH

Foundation, a non-government

organization, is extending technical and

financial support to the farmers for boosting

the citrus fruit production in the region.

Coordinator of the IWRM project,

Jahangir Alam Khan said they provided

financial support of Taka 31.17 lakh for

installation of around 20 submersible

pumps with 11 solar panels for ensuring

irrigation facilities to around 200 bigha of

malta farming fields in drip method.

So far, 500 farmers and local government

representatives were imparted training on

how to cultivate the crop properly.

Additional Director of the Department of

Agricultural Extension Sirajul Islam told BSS

that the present government has taken timefitting

steps to boost the citrus fruits in the

region as its soil texture and climate

condition is suitable for the cash crop

farming. A project titled "Citrus Crop

Extension, Management and Increasing

Production in Rajshahi and Bogura region"

is being implemented to boost the cultivation

of citrus fruits to meet local demand and

export. Under the project, farmers are being

motivated to grow orange, malta and other

citrus fruits.

Women and tribal farmers are also being

involved in growing same kind of fruits

through training.

Food assistance has been provided to the distressed Ansar VDP members

by the Narail District Ansar Office recently.

Photo : TBT

207 more recovered from Covid-19

in Rajshahi division

RAJSHAHI : A total of 207 more people

were cured from Covid-19 in the division

on Sunday, taking the recovery cases to

90,611 since the pandemic began in

March last year.

A number of 174 more people have

tested positive for the deadly virus in all

eight districts of the division on the day,

taking the caseloads to 96,471, said Dr

Habibul Ahsan Talukder, divisional

director of health.

The new daily infection figure is one of

the ever-lowest in the last couple of weeks

since the second wave hit the country

around four months back. The previous

day's positive cases were 156 here.

The death toll however reached 1,622,

including 669 in Bogura, 301 in Rajshahi

with 177 in its city, and 170 in Natore, as

five fresh cases of fatality were reported

during the period, Dr Talukder added.

Besides, all the positive cases for Covid-

19 have, so far, been brought under

treatment while 22,070 were kept in

isolation units of different dedicated

hospitals for institutional supervision. Of

them, 17,569 have by now been released.

Meanwhile, 109 more people have been

sent to home and institutional quarantine

afresh while 133 others were released

from isolation during the same time. Of

the total new positive cases, the highest

45 were detected each in Rajshahi,

including 37 in its city, and Sirajganj,

followed by 24 each in Chapainawabganj

and Bogura, 16 in Pabna, 10 in Natore, six

in Joypurhat and four in Naogaon

districts.

With the newly detected patients, the

district-wise break-up of the total cases

now stands at 27,377 in Rajshahi,

including 22,055 in city, 5,523 in

Chapainawabganj, 6,321 in Naogaon,

8,140 in Natore, 4,511 in Joypurhat,

21,133 in Bogura, 11,074 in Sirajganj and

12,392 in Pabna. A total of 1,10,647

people have, so far, been kept under

quarantine since March 10 last year to

prevent the community transmission of

the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).

6 held for

gambling in

C'nawabganj

CHAPAINAWABGANJ :

Members of Rapid Action

Battalion (RAB) arrested six

persons for gambling from

Shibganj

in

Chapainawabganj district

this afternoon.

RAB said, acting on a tip

off, an operation team of

RAB-5

from

Chapainawabganj camp

conducted a raid in a mango

orchard at Saterorashia

Chama village under

Ghorapakhia union of

Shibganj upazila in the

district at 1-30 pm and

arrested them red handed as

they were gambling.

RAB also seized a set of

playing cards and Taka

8,280 from their possession.

Later the arrested persons

were handed over to the

police of Shibganj thana

with a case.

Two drug

traders held

with heroin

in Rangpur

RANGPUR : Rapid Action

Battalion (RAB) arrested

two presumed female drug

traders and seized heroin

from their possessions in

Dhap Raghunathganj area

of the metropolis on Sunday

afternoon.

On a tip off, an operational

team of RAB-13 conducted a

sudden raid there and

arrested the drug traders

from the spot, said an official

release here.

During the raid, the elite

force seized 47 grams of

heroin, five mobile phone

sets and cash money earned

through selling the narcotic

from them.

The arrestees were

identified as Most Runa

Begum, 24, of Rangpur and

Most Jasmine Akhter, 27, of

Gaibandha districts.

During primary

interrogation, they admitted

their involvement in drug

trading in connivance with

their other cohorts.

"After filing a case in this

connection against the

arrestees, the elite force

handed over them to

Kotwali police station of

Rangpur Metropolitan

Police on Sunday," the

release added.

6.07pc Covid-19

positivity rate

recorded in Ctg

CHATTOGRAM :The

district recorded 6.07

percent Covid-19 positivity

rate as 76 fresh cases were

reported after testing 1,252

new samples here during the

last 24 hours.

"The Covid-19 situation is

improving consistently in

recent weeks in the district

and this is the ever lowest

infection rate in a single day

here", said Dr Sheikh Fazle

Rabbi, civil surgeon of

Chattogram

The number of

coronavirus (COVID-19)

cases reached 100,121 marks

in the district where the

infection rate continues

reducing again in recent

weeks.

With five new deaths in

the last 24 hours, the death

toll reached 1,251 in the

district.

The number of cured

patients from the lethal virus

infection has reached 74,781

in the district with the

recovery of 552 more

patients during the time, Dr

Rabbi said, adding that the

percentage of recovery rate

stands at 75.63.

A total of 3,150 infected

patients are now undergoing

treatment at designated

hospitals here, the health

official mentioned.

392 more cured from Covid-19

in Khulna

KHULNA : A total of 392 more people

were cured from Covid-19 in the division

on Sunday, taking the recovery cases to

1,00, 626 since the pandemic began in

March last year.

On the other hand, 167 more people have

tested positive for the deadly virus in 10

districts of the division on the day,

climbing the number of infected cases to

1,09,897, said Dr Jashim Uddin Howlader,

divisional director of health.

However, the new daily infection figure is

gradually reducing in the last couple of

weeks since the second wave hit the

country around four months back.

However, the previous day's positive cases

were 141 here.

The death toll however reached 3,047,

including 773 in Khulna, 739 in Kushtia,

470 in Jashore, 264 in Jhenaidah, 188 in

Chuadanga, 179 in Meherpur, 141 in

Bagerhat, 115 in Narail, 90 in Magura and

88 in Satkhira, as two fresh cases of fatality

were reported in Khulna and Jashore

during the period, Dr Howlader added.

Besides, all the positive cases for Covid-

19 have, so far, been brought under

treatment while 1,10,562 were kept in

isolation units of different dedicated

hospitals for institutional supervision. Of

them, 1, 02,879 have by now been released.

Meanwhile, 121 more people have been

sent to home and institutional quarantine

afresh while 183 others were released from

isolation during the same time.

Of the total new positive cases, the

highest 42 were detected in Kushtia,

followed by 25 in Khulna, 23 in Jashore, 21

in Jhenidah, 17 in Magura, 12 in Satkhira,

10 in Narail, nine in Chuadanga, five in

Bagerhat and three in Meherpur districts.

With the newly detected patients, the

district-wise break-up of the total cases

now stands at 27,481 in Khulna, 21,275 in

Jashore, 17,878 in Kustia, 9,097 in

Jhenidah, 7,051 in Bagerhat, 6,762 in

Chuadanga, 6,730 in Satkhira, 4,873 in

Narail, 4,666 in Meherpur and 4084 in

Magura.

A total of 99,610 people have, so far, been

kept under quarantine since March 10 last

year to prevent the community

transmission of the deadly coronavirus

(COVID-19).

Of them, 98,440 have, by now, been

released as they were given clearance

certificates after completing their 14-day

quarantine.

Six accused of Maleque killing case have been arrested in Modhukhali

yesterday.

Photo : TBT

Recovery rate of Covid-19 patients

crosses 91.19pc in Rangpur

RANGPUR : The recovery rate of Covid-19

patients has crossed the 91 percent mark in

Rangpur division where the positivity rate

continues to decline during the last one

month.

Health officials said 268 more Covid-19

patients healed on Sunday raising the total

number of recovered patients to 49,003

raising the average healing rate to 91.19

percent in the division.

The 49,003 recovered patients include

9,873 of Rangpur, 3,230 Panchagarh, 4,137

of Nilphamari, 2,467 of Lalmonirhat, 4,283

of Kurigram, 6,490 of Thakurgaon, 13,856 of

Dinajpur and 4,667 of Gaibandha districts in

the division.

Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19 cases

reached 53,737 with the diagnosis of 87 fresh

cases after testing 889 new samples at the

positivity rate of 9.79 percent on Sunday in

the division.

"Earlier, the daily positivity rates were 9.80

percent on Saturday, 6.88 on Friday, 12.60

percent on Saturday and 12.04 percent on

Wednesday last in the division," Focal

Person of the Covid-19 and Assistant

Director (Health) for Rangpur division Dr

ZA Siddiqui said.

The district-wise break up of total 53,737

patients include 12,211 of Rangpur, 3,546

Panchagarh, 4,333 of Nilphamari, 2,697 of

Lalmonirhat, 4,554 of Kurigram, 7,278 of

Thakurgaon, 14,362 of Dinajpur and 4,756 of

Gaibandha districts in the division.

"Since the beginning of the Covid-19

pandemic, a total of 2,61,501 collected

samples were tested till Sunday, and of them,

53,737 were found positive with an average

positivity rate of 20.55 percent in the

division," Dr Siddiqui added.

Talking to BSS, Divisional Director

(Health) Dr Md Motaharul Islam said the

number of casualties reached 1,209 as four

new deaths were reported from the division

during the last 24 hours ending at 8 am

yesterday.

The district-wise break up of the 1,209

fatalities stands at 287 in Rangpur, 79 in

Panchagarh, 87 in Nilphamari, 64 in

Lalmonirhat, 66 in Kurigram, 244 in

Thakurgaon, 320 in Dinajpur and 62 in

Gaibandha districts of the division.

"The average casualty rate currently stands

at 2.25 percent in the division," Dr Islam

said. Among the 53,737 patients, 143 are

undergoing treatments at isolation units,

including 16 critical patients at ICU beds and

seven at High Dependency Unit beds, after

recovery of 49,003 patients and 1,209 deaths

while 3,382 are remaining now in home

isolation.

"Meanwhile, the number of citizens who

got the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine rose

to 20,70,267, and among them, 8,24,267 got

the second dose of the jab till Sunday in the

division," Dr Islam added.

Pet Animal Medical Campaign held on Monday at Bogura Zilla

School.

Photo : TBT

Rebels shot or hacked to death at least 30 people in a new massacre in northeastern DR Congo, local

and UN sources said Monday.

Photo : AP

At least 30 dead in DR Congo

massacre blamed on jihadists

BUNIA, DR Congo : Rebels shot or

hacked to death at least 30 people in a

new massacre in northeastern DR

Congo, local and UN sources said

Monday, reports BSS.

Members of civil society blamed the

Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a

group linked to the so-called Islamic

State, for the attack on Saturday in the

province of Ituri.

Dieudonne Malangayi, acting

chairman of the chiefdom of Walese

Vonkutu, initially said 14 people died

but told AFP that more bodies had been

discovered in the bush and the toll

could rise further.

"The civilians who went to look for

the bodies of the victims found 16

others in the bush, which makes 30

civilians massacred," he said.

A UN source confirmed that at least

30 people had died in the attack.

One civilian who helped look for

bodies said the victims had mostly been

attacked with machetes or shot.

Augustin Muhindo Musavuli, a

village elder who took part in the

search, said he had seen 17 dead,

mostly hacked to death by machete, but

also shot dead. Some had their throats

slit, others were disembowelled.

"We went into the bush with young

people, accompanied by soldiers," he

told AFP by telephone from Bunia. "We

transported the bodies on motobikes...

Lots of people died."

The ADF, which the United States

has deemed a terrorist group, is

considered the deadliest of scores of

armed militias that roam the mineralrich

eastern DR Congo.

Since May, the provinces of North

Kivu and Ituri have been under a state

of siege, with the army and police

replacing civilian authorities as they

fight armed groups.

Malangayi complained that the army

took no action despite being alerted on

Friday to rebel movements in the area.

"ADF rebels entered in the morning

(on Saturday) and operated all day," he

said. He accused them of looting homes

and shops, and killing mostly farmers.

The ADF first emerged as a rebel

movement in neighbouring Uganda in

1996, but is today presented as the

Islamic State's Central Africa Province.

It has been accused of killing

thousands of civilians since 2013.

The bodies from Saturday's attack

were transported to hospital morgues

in the area, said Malangayi.

David Beyza Katabuka, head of the

local Red Cross, said he could not send

a team to bury the bodies. "We fear for

our security and we don't have enough

equipment to do the work," he said.

In addition to ADF, Ituri suffers from

inter-communal violence that left tens

of thousands of people dead from 1999

to 2003.

A European peacekeeping force

intervened in 2003, under French

command, but after several years of

calm, violence resumed in 2017.

In late May, more than 50 people

were killed in the region in a single day

in an attack on two villages.

Jane Birkin to skip

French film festival

after 'minor' stroke

PARIS : British actress and

singer Jane Birkin has

cancelled her appearance at

the American Film Festival

in Deauville, France, as she

recovers from a stroke, her

family said Monday.

The 74-year-old former

partner and muse of French

crooner Serge Gainsbourg

"suffered a minor form of

stroke a few days ago," the

family said in a statement to

AFP. "She is doing well," the

statement added.

Birkin was to discuss

"Jane," a documentary

about her by her daughter

Charlotte Gainsbourg that

was presented in Cannes in

July, at the Deauville festival

that opened Friday.

Born on December 14,

1946 in London, Birkin has

long been one of France's

favourite English

performers and remains

indelibly associated with

Gainsbourg and his moody

melodies from the 1960s

and 70s.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMbER 7, 2021

7

Mexican police break up

US-bound migrant caravan

TAPACHULA : Mexican police dispersed on

Sunday a caravan of about 400 mainly

Central American migrants who had been

hoping to walk to the US border.

Ending the fourth such procession in a

week, police intercepted the group as it

prepared to leave the town of Huixtla in

southern Chiapas state, AFP observed.

It was made up mainly of people from El

Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Haiti and

Venezuela.

Police blocked streets that the travelers

would need to use to get out of the town onto

a northbound highway, making some arrests

while others from the procession fled further

into Huixtla. The police also took up

positions on the highway itself to keep the

caravan from reforming.

About 80 people were arrested in the

operation and would be deported, according

to a police source.

A member of the National Guard was

injured in the operation, authorities said.

"We are asking for asylum in Mexico, we

do not want to go there (the United States),"

Alexander, a man traveling with his wife and

eight-year-old grandson, fleeing violence in

El Salvador, told AFP.

Like other recent caravans, this one had set

out from the Mexican town of Tapachula on

the border with Guatemala.

It did so amid a heavy presence of Mexican

national guards bent on stopping asylumseekers

hoping to reach the United States for

a better life.

Activists and UN officials traveling with

the migrants say police have used excessive

force against them. Two migration agents

were suspended for hitting a traveler.

The government has said it will

nonetheless maintain its policy of trying to

keep US-bound migrants from traveling

through Mexico.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

said Thursday he will send President Joe

Biden a letter reiterating his proposal for the

United States to grant work visas to Central

Americans and Mexicans and address the

poverty and violence that are helping fuel the

migratory flow.

Mexico has seen an increasing number of

undocumented migrants heading north

since Biden arrived in the White House

promising a more humane approach than

that of Donald Trump.

In an attempt to curb the influx, the

Mexican government says it has deployed

more than 27,000 members of the

security forces along its southern and

northern borders.

Islamic State group

menace rebounds

in Afghanistan

KABUL : The Taliban had

barely completed their

takeover of the Afghan capital

Kabul when the local affiliate

of the Islamic State group

struck, sowing mayhem with

a bloody airport attack.

It was a symbolic strike for

the jihadist organisation,

highlighting its longevity and

sparking concern in the West.

More than 100 Afghan

civilians and 13 US

servicemen were killed in the

August 26 attack on Kabul

airport-the deadliest violence

against US forces in

Afghanistan since 2011,

shattering morale and

complicating evacuation

efforts. It was also the

bloodiest attack against the

US claimed by an IS group

affiliate, namely the Islamic

State in Khorasan (IS-K),

coming at an acutely sensitive

moment for the withdrawing

forces.

It coincided as well with the

beginning of the trial of those

accused of orchestrating the

November 13, 2015 attacks on

Paris claimed by IS which

resulted in 130 deaths.

Six Palestinians

escape Israeli

jail, including

top ex-militant

JERUSALEM : Six

Palestinians escaped from a

prison in northern Israel on

Monday through a tunnel

dug beneath a sink,

triggering a massive

manhunt for the group that

includes a prominent exmilitant,

officials said.

A statement from the

Israel Prison Service said an

alert was sounded at roughly

3:00 am (0000 GMT) when

locals spotted "suspicious

figures" in the area

surrounding Giboa Prison

and confirmed that the

escapees included Zakaria

Zubeidi, former head of the

Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in

the flashpoint city of Jenin in

the occupied West Bank.

Army seizes power in

Guinea, holds president

CONAKRY : Guinean special forces seized

power in a coup on Sunday, arresting the

president and imposing an indefinite curfew

in the west African country, reports BSS.

"We have decided, after having taken the

president, to dissolve the constitution," said

a uniformed officer flanked by soldiers toting

assault rifles in a video sent to AFP. The

officer also said that Guinea's land and air

borders had been shut and the government

dissolved. An earlier video sent to AFP by the

putschists showed President Alpha Conde

sitting on a sofa surrounded by troops. The

83-year-old leader refused to answer a

question from one soldier about whether he

had been mistreated.

Later Sunday, the junta announced a

nationwide curfew "until further notice",

saying it would convene Conde's cabinet

ministers at 11:00 am (1100 GMT) Monday.

"Any refusal to attend will be considered a

rebellion," the statement added.

The country's governors and other top

administrators will be replaced by the

military, the statement said.

For their appearance on state television,

members of the junta were wearing berets

and dressed in fatigues, with no weapons

apparent.

The nation of around 13 million peopleone

of the world's poorest countries despite

boasting significant mineral resources-has

long been beset by political instability.

Earlier Sunday, residents of the capital

Conakry's Kaloum district, the government

quarter, had reported hearing heavy gunfire.

One Western diplomat in Conakry who

declined to be named suggested the unrest

may have started after the dismissal of a

senior commander in the special forcesprovoking

some of its highly trained

members to rebel.

AFP was unable to independently confirm

this account. The head of Guinea's military

special forces, Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady

Doumbouya, appeared on public television,

draped in the national flag, saying

government "mismanagement" prompted

the coup. "We are no longer going to entrust

politics to one man, we are going to entrust

politics to the people," Doumbouya said.

"Guinea is beautiful. We don't need to rape

Guinea anymore, we just need to make love

to her," he added.

In Covid-swamped Texas, patients

die stranded in rural clinics

HOUSTON : Daniel Wilkinson survived two

tours of duty in Afghanistan but died of

gallstones, deteriorating slowly as his underequipped

doctors looked on helplessly,

reports UNB.

Wilkinson, 46, lived only 90 minutes by

car or 30 minutes by helicopter from

Houston, renowned for its top-flight

hospitals. The problem is the Texas health

care system has been utterly overwhelmed

by people suffering from the Delta variant of

the coronavirus.

In this wealthy state, 14,700 people were

hospitalized as of September 1, just below a

record set in January as a winter Covid wave

wreaked havoc across America.

"In the previous surges, we kept a little

over 750 patients. Right now we've been

running between 820 and 850 patients, so

the hospitals are quite full," said Roberta

Schwartz, executive vice president of

Houston Methodist Hospital, which is

actually a group of hospitals.

Things are so bad that a conference room

at one of the facilities is being used to treat

patients. So rural health facilities are being

forced to keep patients they are not equipped

to care for-like Wilkinson.

He was admitted August 21 to the only

hospital in his county, a block from his home

in the town of Bellville, population 4,000.

The clinic did not have the equipment to

remove his gallstones, so it tried to organize

a transfer by helicopter to another hospital.

"Our staff and our physician worked

nonstop for over six hours trying to get him

that transfer to a tertiary care center

anywhere," said Daniel Bonk Fache, the CEO

of Bellville Medical Center.

"Our emergency room doctor at that time

actually went on Facebook trying to get him

transferred," said Bonk Fache.

A doctor near the Texas capital Austin

offered to take in Wilkinson, then called back

five minutes later to say there was no room at

his hospital.

Mexican police dispersed on Sunday a caravan of about 400 mainly Central American migrants who had

been hoping to walk to the US border.

Photo : AP

'Shang-Chi,' with an Asian lead, sets

a North America box office record

LOS ANGELES : The North American box

office got a big boost as Disney's new "Shang-

Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,"

featuring Marvel's first leading Asian

superhero, scored an unexpectedly strong

$71.4 million opening, industry observer

Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

That figure, for the Friday-through-

Sunday period, was a Labor Day weekend

record, the Hollywood Reporter said, and the

film is expected to take in an additional $12.1

million on Monday. "This is a fantastic

opening on a traditionally quiet Labor Day

weekend," said David A. Gross of Franchise

Entertainment Research. "The three-day

number is a record-breaker for the holiday, a

positive finish to the summer... (marking) a

sensational weekend for the industry."

"Shang-Chi" stars Canadian actor,

stuntman and erstwhile Deloitte accountant

Simu Liu as Marvel's newest superhero, a

former assassin in the shadow of an evil

father. It also features Awkwafina, Tony

Leung and Michelle Yeoh.

The film, which has drawn strong reviews

for its choreography and Asian

representation, enjoyed the second biggest

opening of this pandemic year, behind

Marvel's "Black Widow," which had an $80

million opening.

By way of comparison, Universal's slasher

film "Candyman" topped last weekend's box

office with just $22 million before slipping to

second place this weekend with a three-day

take of $10.6 million ($13 million for four

days). It stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

In third place this weekend was "Free Guy"

from 20th Century, at $8.7 million ($11.2

million for four days). The sci-fi comedy stars

Ryan Reynolds as an everyman bank teller

who finds himself inside a huge video game.

Paramount animation "PAW Patrol: The

Movie" came in fourth, at $4 million ($5.2

million for four days). It tells the story of a

boy and the brave young pups who help him

save their city from an impeachment-worthy

mayor.

And in fifth was Disney's family adventure

film "Jungle Cruise," with a take of $3.95

million ($5.2 million for four days).

The North American box office got a big boost as Disney's new "Shang-Chi

and the Legend of the Ten Rings," featuring Marvel's first leading Asian

superhero, scored an unexpectedly strong $71.4 million opening, industry

observer Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Photo : AP

Philippines lifts

lockdown in capital

as virus surges

MANILA : The Philippines

will lift a stay-at-home order

in the capital Manila this

week as it trials "granular

lockdowns", an official said

Monday, in a bid to rein in

coronavirus cases and revive

the economy, reports UNB.

More than 13 million people

in the national capital regionthe

country's economic

heartland-have been in

lockdown since August 6 amid

record infections fuelled by the

hyper-contagious Delta

variant.

The move to ease

restrictions from Wednesday

comes after nationwide daily

cases exceeded 20,000 for the

past three days-double the

number at the start of the

latest lockdown-straining

hospitals as they grapple with

a nurses shortage.

"Localised lockdowns will

be piloted in Metro Manila,"

said presidential spokesman

Harry Roque, explaining that

a household, building or

street could be targeted.

"It will be literally a

complete lockdown if you are

subject to granular lockdowneven

the food will be delivered

to you."

There were no further

details about how the more

targeted measures would be

enforced.

The lighter restrictions in

the national capital region,

which accounts for about a

third of the country's

economy, will enable many

hard-hit businesses to reopen

and spur local tourism.

Based on previous

guidelines, restaurants will be

allowed to accept diners and

beauty salons permitted to

operate-albeit at reduced

capacity.

Limited numbers of faithful


8

PRAN Frooto sponsors remake song

'Sathi Tumi Amar Jibone'

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited Noakhali Zone organized webinar on 'Compliance of Shari'ah in

Banking Operations' on September 4, 2021. Syed Abu Asad, Director of the Bank addressed the webinar

as chief guest. Md. Omar Faruk Khan, Additional Managing Director of the Bank addressed as

special guest. Dr. Muhammad Saifullah, member of IBBL Shari'ah Supervisory Committee

addressed the webinar as chief discussant. Muhammad Qamrul Bari Imami, Head of Noakhali Zone

presided over the program. Md. Shamsuddoha, Executive Vice President also addressed the webinar.

Head of Branches and officials under the Zone attended the webinar. Photo: Courtesy

Walton TV gets $2.44m worth

export orders in a day in Europe

Centering the largest religious festival 'Christmas

Day' in Europe, Bangladeshi electronics giant

Walton registered a record TV export orders in a

day in the Europe market, says a press release.

On September 1, Walton TV department in a

day received US$2.44 million worth export

orders from its business partners in Germany,

Greece, Croatia, Romania and Poland. Walton

will ship out the TV export to these European

countries by this month.

In this regard, Walton TV department

arranged a celebration programme titled

'US$2.44 million TV Export in a day in Europe' at

Walton Corporate Office in the capital on

Thursday (September 2, 2021). At the function,

Walton officials celebrated the success of the TV

export in Europe by cutting a giant cake.

Among others, Walton's Deputy Managing

Director Nazrul Islam Sarker, Eva Amdadul

Haque Sarker and Eva Rezwana Nilu, Walton's

Senior Executive Director SM Zahid Hasan,

Walton International Business Unit (IBU)

President Edward Kim, Walton Plaza Trades'

Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Rayhan,

Walton's Chief Marketing Officer Firoj Alam,

Senior Executive Director Amin Khan, Walton

TV's Chief Business Officer (CBO) Engineer

Mostafa Nahid Hossain, Walton AC's CBO

Tanvir Rahman, Walton Refrigerator's CBO

Engineer Anisur Rahman Mallick, Walton's

Business Head in Europe Engineer Tawseef Al

Mahmood, Walton IBU's Vice-President in

Romania Syed Al Imran, Croatia Country

Concern Aminul Islam and other senior officials

attended the celebration programme.

Addressing the function, Walton TV's CBO

Engineer Mostafa Nahid Hossain said, Walton

started TV export to Europe in 2019. In the last

two years, the export of Walton TV to the Europe

market was about US$3 million. But this year,

Walton has received orders for exporting

US$2.44 million worth TV in a day to the

European market. It's really a great milestone.

This success will also play a remarkable role in

achieving Walton's 'Vision- Go Global 2030', that

means turning Walton brand into one of the best

global electronics brands by 2030.

Walton's Business Head in Europe Engineer

Tawseef Al Mahmood said, Walton TV's highest

standard, high picture quality, reasonable price,

European standard design and advanced

features are resulted in the rapid market

expansion in the 12 European country, including

Germany, Austria, Denmark, Slovakia, Spain,

Greece, Ireland, Poland, Croatia, Italy and

Romania. As a result, Walton posted 10 times

higher exports of its TV to to Europe in 2020 than

the previous year. And the total TV exports to

Europe in 2020 were exceeded in the first five

months of this year (January to May).

Walton IBU's Vice-President in Romania Syed

Al Imran said, Walton started television export to

Romania under its own brand name in this year's

April, along with the TV export to Europe as an

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

Walton TV has been able to attract the attention

of Romanian buyers in a very short time.

Walton's higher officials celebrates US$2.44 million TV export in a day in

Europe by cutting a giant cake at Walton Corporate Office in the capital on

Thursday

Photo: Courtesy

Syed Sajedul

Karim re-elected as

Chairman of Audit

Committee of SBL

Southeast Bank Limited has

organized its 636th board

meeting on September 02,

2021. In the meeting Board of

Directors re-elected Syed

Sajedul Karim, Independent

Director as Chairman of Audit

Committee. He is also a

member of Risk Management

Committee of the Board of

Directors, a press release said.

Syed Sajedul Karim, a

former Secretary to the

Government of Bangladesh

did his Honours and Masters

from University of Dhaka and

Diplomas on Petroleum

Accounting from North Texas

and Southern Methodist

Universities in Dallas, USA.

As an officer of the BCS

(Audit & Accounts) cadre,

Karim served the

Government of Bangladesh in

different capacities both at

home and abroad. During his

long service career, he was

Chairman and Chief

Executive Officer of

Petrobangla. He also worked

as an External Auditor of

UNDP Headquarters in New

York and UN agencies based

in Ethiopia and Cameroon.

He was an Audit Adviser to

the Government of Seychelles

for over two years. He once

led a team to overview the

operations of UK based

branches of nationalized

Banks of Bangladesh.

Salman shah is the legend of

Bangladesh film industry.

The country's leading fruit

drink brand PRAN Frooto

has sponsored the remake

song 'Sathi Tumi Amar

Jibone' to give him respect

on his 25th death

anniversary, a press release

said.

Sabrina Porshi is the singer

and also performer of the

music video and the song has

been made and released

under the Anupam Music.

The song has been released

on Monday through a

program held at head office

of PRAN Group at the

capital's Badda. Eleash

Mridha, Managing Director

at PRAN Group, Anisur

Rahman, Executive Director

at PRAN Frooto, Tanmoy

Das, Head of Marketing and

singer Porshi were present at

the program.

Addressing the program,

Eleash Mridha said, "Salman

Shah is the legend of

Bangladesh film industry. The

emotions and feelings of the

people are attached with

Salman Shah. It's a great

opportunity to do some

activity on his death

anniversary. So, PRAN Frooto

has taken this initiative to

make him popular among

young generation."

Anisur Rahman, Executive

Director at PRAN Frooto,

said, "PRAN Frooto is the

leading fruit drink brand in

the local market. We are

taking many initiatives for

young generation. I hope,

this remake song will get

popular among them. We are

happy to take the initiative."

Porshi said, "The song is

already popular and it's a

‘Silent crisis’ looms as US to end

Covid aid for millions of jobless

WASHINGTON: Spending

less on food. Drawing down on

retirement savings. Dropping

out of the workforce

altogether, reports BSS.

Last year, the United States

massively expanded

unemployment aid as Covid-

19 broke out. But in the

coming days those benefits

will end, forcing millions of

jobless Americans-some of

whom haven't worked for the

entire pandemic-to make hard

choices about how they will

get by in an economy newly

menaced by the Delta variant.

"I have no idea how we

would survive, just on my

daughter's income," said

Deborah Lee, an unemployed

phlebotomist in Arizona who

is recovering from a Covid

outbreak that affected her

daughter and two of her three

granddaughters.

The government-funded

programs that increased

weekly payments and gave aid

to the long-term unemployed

and freelancers were credited

with keeping the United States

from an even worse economic

collapse last year.

In recent months they have

become controversial, with

some states ending them early

and arguing they encouraged

people not to return to jobs

that Covid-19 vaccines made

safe, though studies have

disputed that contention.

From September 6 they will

end nationwide, and while

economists don't expect them

to meaningfully dent the US

economy's recovery from its

2020 debacle, they'll

undoubtedly up the pressure

on the unemployed.

"I think it's going to be an

underappreciated event in the

economy," said Andrew

Stettner of progressive think

tank The Century Foundation,

predicting that 7.5 million

people will be relying on the

programs when they end.

"It'll be kind of a silent

crisis."

The expansion of the

unemployment safety net

occurred in March 2020,

when Congress rushed to

blunt the emerging pandemic

with $2.2 trillion in spending

through the CARES Act rescue

package.

While never meant to be

permanent, the benefits were

reauthorized twice, most

recently in the $1.9 trillion

American Rescue Plan

enacted by President Joe

Biden and his Democratic

allies in Congress last March.

While many in the

Republican Party at first

backed the programs, by this

year their lawmakers were

arguing against them, and 26

states, most with Republican

governors, moved to end them

early in whole or in part.

A study published last

month by researchers from

American and Canadian

universities found only

modest improvements in

hiring and earnings in some of

those states that ended the aid

early, while spending fell 20

percent.

Meanwhile the economy is

far from healed, with 5.3

million jobs lost to the

pandemic yet to be restored

and employers adding a mere

235,000 positions in August,

according to government data

released Friday.

In Delaware, Ohio, Karen

Coldwell says she sends out

about 10 job applications

weekly but has yet to be hired.

All other openings she sees are

for low-wage work, the kind of

jobs she held when she was

younger.

At age 64 she is not yet ready

to retire, but worries she'll

have to start dipping into her

retirement savings once the

long-term unemployment

program ends.

"There's just nothing out

there. There's jobs, but the

money's not there anymore,"

Coldwell said.

challenging to work on it. But

I have tried and hope, it will

be enjoyable to the listeners."

'Sathi Tumi Amar Jibone'

is the song of Salman Shah's

movie 'Chawa Theke Pawa'

that was released in 1996.

Khalid Hasan Milu and

Kanak Chapa sing the song

under the composition of

Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul.

LankaBangla

Finance receives

consent from

BSEC

LankaBangla Finance

Limited, a leading NBFI of the

country, has received consent

from BSEC to raise Zero

Coupon Bond (ZCB) of BDT

3.00 billion. Before that,

LankaBangla has also

received the consent of

Bangladesh Bank for the

issue. This will be the fourth

bond issue and third zerocoupon

bond issue of the

company. The proceeds of the

bond issue will be used to

augment the loan

disbursement momentum of

the company to SME,

corporate, and retail

segments, a press release said.

A zero-coupon bond is a

bond issued at a discount

from its face value and the

bondholders receive the face

value at maturity. In

Bangladesh, income from

zero-coupon bond is subject

to no income tax for

individual and corporate

investors.

IIDFC Capital Limited is

acting as the trustee to the

issue and Green Delta Capital

Limited is the arranger.

Asian markets mostly rise after Wall St record with eye on jobs

HONG KONG : Most markets rose in

Asia on Friday following another

record close on Wall Street, with

traders zeroing in on the release of US

jobs data later in the day, reports BSS.

The broad gains put the region on

course to end a strong week on a

positive note as concerns about the

fast-spreading Delta variant, which

weighed on confidence for much of

August, gave way to optimism over the

recovery outlook.

Data showing fewer people than

expected applied for jobless benefits in

the United States last week-the lowest

since March 2020 -- provided a

positive lead ahead of the non-farm

payrolls, which could have a huge

bearing on the Federal Reserve's plans

for tapering its ultra-loose monetary

policy. Fed boss Jerome Powell last

week indicated that the bank would

take it easy in winding down the

financial support-and would be even

more careful in lifting interest rates-but

offered no timetable for doing so.

Observers say a strong jobs reading

would likely mean the Fed would move

sooner than later. The S&P 500 and

Nasdaq on Wall Street finished at fresh

records after the figures, and the buying

filtered through to Asia.

Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul,

Wellington, Taipei and Manila were all

in the red, though Hong Kong was

weighed by profit-taking after four days

of gains. Singapore and Jakarta also

dipped.

While there is a general consensus

that the global economy will continue

to recover from the pandemic as

economies are reopened-albeit some

slower than others-there remains a

sense of caution.

"Historically, September is a weak

month for equities, particularly in the

US, and some investor caution is

natural given elevated valuation

multiples and a challenging macro

environment," said Lewis Grant, at

Federated Hermes.

"The Delta variant continues to

soften consumer confidence across the

world. Concerns over parts shortages

and supply chain frictions have not

eased. Afghanistan reminds us how

quickly geopolitical risks can appear,

while Hurricane Ida demonstrates our

vulnerability in the face of increasingly

common extreme weather events."

He said Friday's figures would be

"likely to see a return to the 'bad news is

good news' attitude, with a worse-thanexpected

slowdown in the US labour

market likely to send stocks higher in

anticipation of continued stimulus".

Managing Director & CEO (C.C) of Social Islami Bank Ltd Md. Tajul Islam inaugurated six sub

branches as chief guest on September 06 through virtual platform respectively in Rani Mahal

(Demra), Tolarbag (Mirpur-01), Hazaribag (Dhaka), Baksha Nagar (Nawabganj), Barura (Cumilla)

and Kadamtali (Chattogram). Abu Naser Chowdhury, Md. Sirajul Hoque and Md. Shamsul Hoque,

Deputy Managing Directors, Abdul Hannan Khan, Company Secretary, Md. Moniruzzaman, Head of

Marketing & Brand Communication, Saif Al-Amin, Head of Branches Control & General Banking

Division, controlling branch managers of the sub branches, In-charge and other officials also attended

the program.

Photo: Courtesy

BEIJING : Shares in Alibaba slumped

Friday upon the Chinese e-commerce

giant's announcement it would invest 100

billion yuan ($15.5 billion) in charitable

causes, after President Xi Jinping called

for the rich to do more to tackle

inequality, reports BSS.

Xi last month urged China's wealthiest

companies and entrepreneurs to

strengthen philanthropy efforts and "give

back to society", in order to redistribute

wealth as part of his "common

prosperity" initiative.

In response Alibaba-which has already

fallen foul of Beijing's sharp scrutiny this

year-said it would put money into areas

Alibaba shares slide

after $15b

'prosperity' pledge

including tech innovation, small and

medium-sized businesses, the welfare of

gig-economy workers and healthcare

equality. Daniel Zhang, Alibaba

chairman, said the group was "eager to do

our part to support the realisation of

common prosperity".

Shares in Alibaba slumped as much as

4 percent on the news in Hong Kong

trading on Friday, as traders worried

about the potential impact on the

company's bottom line. "The donation

doesn't guarantee that there will not be

more regulations to target at Alibaba,"

Castor Pang, head of research at Core

Pacific Yamaichi International H.K. Ltd,

told Bloomberg News.

The crackdown has also widened to

include online gaming, entertainment

and education tech in recent months.

The earmarked 100 billion yuan is the

equivalent of 31 percent of Alibaba's

current cash balance, according to

Bloomberg Intelligence.


9

Salah missed Egypt's first qualifier - a 1-0 home win over Angola last week - after Liverpool refused

to release the forward for the game because he would have faced a mandatory 10-day quarantine

period on his return to Britain.

Photo: File

Guinea game postponed after coup;

Salah back but Egypt draws

SPORTS DESK

A World Cup qualifying game in

Guinea was postponed as an apparent

coup d'etat unfolded in the West

African nation, and the visiting

Moroccan team reportedly left the

country safely after being confined to

its hotel as gunshots rang out nearby.

Guinea was due to host Morocco in a

Group I game on Monday in the capital,

Conakry, reports UNB.

But President Alpha Conde was

detained by mutinous soldiers the day

before the game and hours after heavy

gunfire was heard near the presidential

palace in Conakry.

Soldiers then announced on state

television that the government had

been dissolved.

"The political and security situation

in Guinea is quite volatile," the

Confederation of African Football said

in a statement announcing the qualifier

had been postponed "to ensure safety"

of players and match officials. CAF and

FIFA were closely monitoring the

Pakistan recalls Asif

Ali, Khushdil Shah

for T20 World Cup

SPORTS DESK

Pakistan has recalled powerhitters

Asif Ali and Khushdil

Shah for next month's cricket

Twenty20 World Cup. The

selectors named a 15-member

squad on Monday that will

also play five-match home

series against New Zealand

later this month and a twomatch

series against England

before flying out to the United

Arab Emirates for the T20

World Cup, reports UNB.

"We have tried to cover all

our bases by catering for the

modern-day brand of T20

cricket that will be required to

perform strongly in the ICC

Men's T20 World Cup," chief

selector Muhammad Wasim

said in a statement. The

selectors have kept

confidence in Asif, who

played last of his 29

Twenty20 internationals

against Zimbabwe in April.

The middle-order batter

averages 25.4 with a strike

rate of 121.65, but has been

struggling for runs lately.

He is competing in the

Caribbean Premier League,

but has scored just 32 runs in

five matches.

Left-handed batsman

Khushdil averages 21 in nine

Twenty20s and has not

played for Pakistan since an

outing against South Africa at

Lahore in February. While

acknowledging the fact that

both batsmen do not have

outstanding numbers, Wasim

said that they were the best

available for selection.

"They are the best in the

available pool of middle-order

batsmen and we remain

confident that they will

provide us solutions to our

middle-order difficulties

through solid performances,"

Wasim said. Asif and

Khushdil "will compliment

Babar Azam, Mohammad

Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan

and Shoaib Maqsood.

situation, CAF said.

Guinea's borders were closed but the

Moroccan squad was given permission

to leave, according to local news

reports. "We're at the hotel, gunshots

can be heard nearby," Morocco coach

Vahid Halilhodzic told French

newspaper L'Equipe earlier in the day

when the team was stranded while an

aircraft waited at the airport.

Match officials were also eventually

allowed to leave Guinea, the reports

said. It was not immediately clear when

Guinea's Europe-based players

including Liverpool's Naby Keita and

Sochaux's Florentin Pogba, the brother

of Manchester United's Paul Pogba,

would be able to return to their clubs.

CAF gave no new date for the game to

be played.

There were three matches in the

African qualifying competition on

Sunday, with Egypt only managing a 1-

1 draw in Gabon in Group F despite the

return of Mohamed Salah, who also

took back the captain's armband.

The Egyptians had Omar Gaber sent

off for a second yellow card in the 71st

minute and went behind to substitute

Jim Allevinah's goal just two minutes

later in Franceville. Mostafa Mohamed

came off the bench and rescued what

might be an important point for Egypt

with a 90th-minute equalizer.

Salah missed Egypt's first qualifier - a

1-0 home win over Angola last week -

after Liverpool refused to release the

forward for the game because he would

have faced a mandatory 10-day

quarantine period on his return to

Britain. Egypt is on Britain's "red list" of

countries, requiring anyone traveling

from there to go into quarantine.

Gabon is not on that list, allowing Salah

to play and return to Liverpool without

quarantining.

Egypt leads the group but Libya can

go top if it beats Angola on Tuesday.

Only the 10 group winners qualify for

Africa's final playoffs for a place at the

World Cup in Qatar next year. Also on

Sunday, Rwanda and Kenya drew 1-1

and Namibia won 1-0 in Togo with

Elmo Kambindu's overhead kick.

French Open champ Barbora Krejcikova

tops Garbine Muguruza in NY

SPORTS DESK

French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova

is headed to the U.S. Open quarterfinals in her

singles debut at the hard-court Grand Slam

tournament after a wild 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory

over two-time major champion Garbiñe

Muguruza, reports UNB.

The eighth-seeded Krejcikova took a medical

timeout while down 6-5 in the second set after

saying she wanted to see the trainer for what

she told the chair umpire was a diaphragm

issue.

When play resumed after the break,

Krejcikova won seven points in a row. She also

angered the eighth-seeded Muguruza by taking

her time between points down the stretch.

When it ended, Krejcikova stayed in her

sideline chair, hunched over, until eventually

wobbly walking off the court with some

assistance.

Krejcikova had participated in the main draw

of singles at only four Slams, two each at the

Australian Open and French Open, before

collecting the title at Roland Garros in June.

She also won her third Grand Slam doubles

trophy in Paris.

Krejcikova then got to the fourth round in her

first singles appearance at Wimbledon in July,

and added this run at Flushing Meadows. The

25-year-old from the Czech Republic plays No.

2 seed Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday for a spot

in the semifinals. Muguruza won the French

Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017, and she

was the runner-up at the Australian Open last

year. But she has never made it past the fourth

round in nine trips to the U.S. Open.

Muguruza "wasn't very happy" with

Krejcikova after loss Muguruza did not like

how her topsy-turvy fourth-round match at the

U.S. Open against Barbora Krejcikova ended.

Told by a reporter afterward that she seemed

upset, two-time major champion Muguruza

replied, "Well, I think, between players, you

know a little bit how to behave in certain

moments and, yeah, I wasn't very happy .

at the end of the match." Krejcikova is

headed to the U.S. Open quarterfinals in her

singles debut at the hard-court Grand Slam

tournament.

Garbine Muguruza, of Spain, left, shakes hands with Barbora Krejcikova,

of the Czech Republic, after Krejcikova won during the fourth round of the

US Open.

Photo: AP

Former France

defender Adams

dies after almost

40 years in coma

SPORTS DESK

Former France defender Jean-

Pierre Adams has died aged 73

after almost 40 years in a

coma, his former club Nimes

announced on Monday,

reports UNB.

Adams, who made 22

international appearances in

the 1970s, slipped into a coma

after a mistake by his

anaesthetist during routine

knee surgery in 1982.

Born in Dakar in 1948, he

was one of the first men born

in West Africa to play for

France.

His centre-back partnership

with Marius Tresor for France

was nicknamed "the black

guard".

"We learned this morning of

the death of Jean-Pierre

Adams," Nimes wrote on

Twitter, extending their

"sincere condolences to his

family".

Adams also played for Nice

and Paris Saint-Germain.

Why Ukraine's small

paralympic team packs

such a big punch

SPORTS DESK

In American sports terms,

Ukraine's Paralympians

constitute a small-market

marvel, the Slavic equivalent

of the Oakland Athletics.

At the Tokyo Paralympics,

which ended Sunday, the

Ukrainians finished fifth in

the overall medal standings

with 98, just six fewer than

the United States.

Each of the top four

countries - China, Britain,

Russia and the United States

- had more than 220 athletes

in Tokyo; Ukraine brought

139, reports UNB.

"It's a small country clearly

punching above its weight,"

said Craig Spence, lead

spokesperson for the

International Paralympic

Committee.

The success has not been

matched by Ukraine's

Olympians, who were 16th

in the Tokyo medal

standings.

They won one gold medal,

four fewer than Maksym

Krypak, whose seven medals

in swimming - five gold, one

silver and one bronze - made

him the most decorated

athlete of the Tokyo

Paralympics.

Ukraine has been one of

the top six countries in the

medal count at nine

consecutive Paralympic

Games, summer and winter,

despite consistently being

ranked among the poorest

countries in Europe and

cited by the United Nations

as a difficult home for people

with disabilities.

That athletic success has

been virtually uninterrupted

in recent years, despite

Russia's annexation of

Crimea in 2014,

Europe weather storm to lead

USA by two in Solheim Cup

SPORTS DESK

Europe withstood a US surge in morning

foursomes, winning two fourball matches and

halving another Sunday to take a two-point

lead into Monday's decisive singles matches in

the Solheim Cup, reports BSS.

The United States had stormed back into

contention in the biennial match play

showdown at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio,

winning three of the four morning foursomes

to move within one point of defending

champions Europe. After being outplayed on

Saturday as Europe powered into the lead, the

US women rallied superbly to change the

complexion of the contest, leaving Europe with

a slender 6 ½ to 5 ½ point lead heading into

the afternoon fourballs. Yealimi Noh and Mina

Harigae then won the first fourball match,

beating Celine Boutier and Sophia Popov 3&1

to pull the Americans level. Europe regained

the advantage however, as Charley Hull and

Emily Pedersen defeated Danielle Kang and

Charley Hull, left, and Emily Pedersen of team Europe.

Austin Ernst 3&2 while Carlota Ciganda and

Nanna Koerstz Madsen pulled off a 1-up victory

over Jessica Korda and Megan Khang.

Americans Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette

Salas held a 1-up lead over Mel Reid and Leona

Maguire with one to play, but Reid's birdie for

the Europeans gave them a valuable half a

point-and stamped the duo as the star turn of

the week.

Irish rookie Maguire and England's Reid also

beat world number one Nelly and sister Jessica

on Saturday and on Sunday morning won their

foursomes, racing away to inflict a 5&4 win

over world number one Nelly Korda and Ally

Ewing that put Europe four points clear.

"I think it was a pairing neither of us saw

coming but the captains obviously saw

something in us that we didn't see in

ourselves," Maguire said.

"I think we're both fearless on the golf course,

which is something you need to be in those

matches, especially given the pairings we were

up against," added Maguire.

"I mean, Nelly and Jessica yesterday, Nelly

and Ally today, world-class players, and we

really had to be on our 'A' game to come out

with a point." Reid said she felt her role as a

Solheim Cup veteran was to make Maguire

"feel comfortable," but she said the newcomer

had what it takes for the format.

"That grit and determination is second to

Photo: AP

none," Reid said of Maguire.

Their contribution was key after Kang and

Ernst led the early US fightback against

Georgia Hall and Madelene Sagstrom in

foursomes, recovering from falling two down in

the opening two holes to secure a battling win.

"It was huge," Ernst said.

Davies rescues Canada as US held again

SPORTS DESK

The United States were held to a second

consecutive draw in CONCACAF

qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup on

Sunday as Bayern Munich star

Alphonso Davies helped Canada grab a

1-1 draw against the Americans in

Nashville, reports BSS.

Coach Gregg Berhalter's US side,

forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against El

Salvador on Thursday, looked to be on

course to take all three points after Red

Bull Salzburg forward Brenden

Aaronson fired them ahead on 55

minutes.

But American hopes of a vital three

points were left in tatters only seven

minutes later when Davies ruthlessly

punished a defensive error by US

substitute DeAndre Yedlin down the

left flank.

The 20-year-old winger raced

forward and then squared a perfect

pass to Cyle Larin who tucked away the

finish to silence a crowd of 43,000 at

Nashville's Nissan Stadium.

The hosts, who welcomed Chelsea's

Christian Pulisic back into their starting

line-up after his recovery from Covid-

Why Ukraine's small paralympic

team packs such a big punch

SPORTS DESK

In American sports terms, Ukraine's

Paralympians constitute a small-market

marvel, the Slavic equivalent of the Oakland

Athletics. At the Tokyo Paralympics, which

ended Sunday, the Ukrainians finished fifth

in the overall medal standings with 98, just

six fewer than the United States. Each of the

top four countries - China, Britain, Russia

and the United States - had more than 220

athletes in Tokyo; Ukraine brought 139,

reports UNB.

"It's a small country clearly punching

above its weight," said Craig Spence, lead

spokesperson for the International

Paralympic Committee. The success has not

been matched by Ukraine's Olympians, who

were 16th in the Tokyo medal standings.

They won one gold medal, four fewer than

Maksym Krypak, whose seven medals in

19, were unable to break the deadlock

in the time remaining as Canada held

on for a deserved draw.

The result leaves the Americans,

desperate to atone for their failure to

qualify for the 2018 World Cup, with

just two points from two games in the

eight-team final group of qualifying for

teams from North America, Central

America and the Caribbean.

"Obviously it's not exactly where we

want to be but we have a lot of games

left to play and it's not time to put our

heads down," Pulisic said.

"We've got one more game in this

window and we've got to get going,"

added the US captain, whose team play

Honduras in San Pedro Sula on

Wednesday.

It was a frustrating night for the US,

who had dropped Juventus's Weston

McKennie shortly before the game

started for a breach of team Covid-19

protocols.

Davies threat -

Aaronson's well-worked team goal

was a rare moment of successful

penetration for the US, who struggled

to find a rhythm early on against a

physical Canadian team.

swimming - five gold, one silver and one

bronze - made him the most decorated

athlete of the Tokyo Paralympics.

Ukraine has been one of the top six

countries in the medal count at nine

consecutive Paralympic Games, summer

and winter, despite consistently being

ranked among the poorest countries in

Europe and cited by the United Nations as a

difficult home for people with disabilities.

That athletic success has been virtually

uninterrupted in recent years, despite

Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014,

which effectively cut Ukraine's Paralympic

contenders off from their high-performance

training center on the Black Sea. Technically,

Ukraine remained the owner of the center,

but Valerii Sushkevich, a longtime member

of Parliament and president of the nation's

Paralympic committee, said that using it

proved too complicated.

The pace of Davies for Canada on the

counter-attack was a constant threat,

and the Bundesliga star almost created

a goal in the first half, catching US right

back Sergino Dest napping to race

clear.

Davies got to the byline and cut back

for Larin, whose shot was brilliantly

palmed behind for a corner by offbalance

US goalkeeper Matt Turner.

The US struggled to create clear-cut

opportunities as Canada defended in

depth, with Antonee Robinson's

speculative long-range effort on 21

minutes, saved by Borjan, the only US

chance of note early on.

In fact, the best American chance in

the opening half an hour came via a

Canadian.

A surging run up the flank by Dest

created space for Aaronson and the

winger's whipped cross was desperately

headed goalwards by Canada defender

Scott Kennedy, forcing an acrobatic

save from Milan Borjan.

As the first half drew to a close, the

US began to get on top. Pulisic hit the

post with a 40th minute effort and

Sebastian Lletget flashed a volley wide

on the stroke of half-time.

TUesDAY, sepTeMBeR 7, 2021

10

Salman Shah still invokes

among Cinema Lovers

TBT RepoRT

6th September was the 25th death anniversary of

popular film star Salman Shah. On this day in

1996, the actor was found hanging from the

ceiling of his house in the capital's Eskaton area.

Bangladesh Film Artistes'

Association, Bangladesh

Film Producers and

Distributors Association,

Bangladesh Film Directors'

Association hasobserved the

day with various

programmes.

Boishakhi TV has aired

Salman Shah Starrer two

movies titled 'Konnadan'

and 'JibonShongshar'.

'Konnadan' was aired at

10:25am while

'JibonShongshar' at

02:45pm.

Salman Shah was a

popular film actor of the

country. She started his

journey in the film

industry with the film 'KeyamatThekeKeyamat'

with Moushumi at the age of 22. The Sohanur

Rahman Sohan directorial was a huge hit at that

time. Then, the duo was seen in only three

movies - 'Ontore Ontore' 'Sneho'and 'Den

Mohor'.

Later, Salman acted in 14 films with Shabnur,

including 'Tumi Amar' (1994), 'ShopnerThikana'

(1995), 'Tomake Chai' (1996), 'ShopnerPrithibi'

(1996), 'JibonShongshar' (1996) and 'AnondoAsru'

(1997). The duo made one of the most popular pairs

in the history of the Bangladeshi film industry.

Salman Shah also paired up with Shabnaz,

Shahnaz, Lima, Shilpi, Sonia, Brishti, Shama and

others. Born on September

19 in 1971 in Sylhet as

Shahriar Chowdhury

Emon, he started his

career with the television

serial 'PathorShomoy'. He

got breakthrough by the

film

'KeyamatThekeKeyamat'.

He acted in a total of 27

films. His popular films

are

'KeyamatThekeyKeyamat',

'AntoreyAntorey',

'Bikkhov', 'Bichar Hobe',

'Den Morhor' 'EiGhor

EiSangsar', 'Jibon Sangsar',

'Chawa Theke Pawa',

'AnondoOsru', 'Mayer

Odhikar', and 'Shotter

MrittuNei'.

Apart from films, he also worked in a handful

of TV plays with great success. Salman acted

dramas are 'Deoal', 'ShobPakhiGhore Fire',

'ShaikoteSharosh', 'PathorShomoi' 'ItiKotha',

'Noyon' and 'SwapnerPrithibi'. The iconic actor

died on 6 September in 1996. He was found

hanging from the ceiling of his bedroom at

Eskaton, Dhaka.

Sharvari already a

brand ambassador

before debut

Sharvari, Yash Raj Films' latest discovery, has

landed another lucrative endorsement deal

ahead of her debut in the highly

anticipated Bunty AurBabli 2! She has

been recruited by a cosmetics company.

This major announcement comes on

the heels of her signing on as the

new face of a skincare brand in

India! With two major brands

already under her belt and a threefilm

deal with Aditya Chopra.

"It is true that Sharvari is the

centre of attention. She is talented,

having received critical acclaim for

her performance in Kabir Khan's

The Forgotten Army, she is

stunning to look at, and Aditya

Chopra is grooming her to be a star

in the years to come. YRF

recognisesSharvari's potential and is

constantly looking to scale her up with big

films and now big endorsement deals," a

trade source reports.

"Both of the brands Sharvari has

signed on with have enormous mass

appeal, and these deals will ensure that

Sharvari becomes a household name in

India even before her debut! Sharvari

will also make a major film

announcement in the near future,

which will create another buzz in the

industry. She is someone who is closely

watched in the industry, and the buzz is

that she will surprise everyone when Bunty

AurBabli 2 hits theatres," the source adds.

Source: Times Of India

TBT RepoRT

The serial drama 'Natai Ghuri' is

starting on Ekushey Television from

today September 7. Emdadul Haque

Khan has directed the series written by

Rezaur Rahman Rizvi. The series will air

every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9-30

p.m.

The series stars Rawnak Hasan, Kazi

Ujjal, Abdul Aziz, Masum Bashar, Mili

Bashar, Lux Superstar Orin, Film Actor

Shipon Mitra, Ashiq Chowdhury, Moumita

Mou, Reshmi, Rimu Khandaker, Elina

Shammi, Ferari Amit, Nabila Islam, Raisa

Riya, Shilpi Sarkar Apu, Azam Khan,

TBT RepoRT

Actor Fazlur Rahman babu will lend his voice to the title track of the

web film "Murshid" directed by BadiulAlamKhokon.

The title song is tuned by Murad Noor while Amirul Hasan wrote

the lyrics. The film has been made for an OTT Platform.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe we

see right now is a result of hard work

and ambition of over a decade. What

kick-started in 2008 with 'Iron

Man', went on to be a success story

and there was no looking back. But

that does not mean there weren't

roadblocks. Chris Hemsworth of

course grabbed hearts as 'Thor, but

Tamanna Sarkar, Qadri, Saika Ahmed,

Farhad Haider, Raushan Sharif, Robaida

Khan Esha, Asha, Ashraful Ashish, Kaniz

Shabnam Sukhi, Sania Zara, Anwar Hossain

and many more.

In the context of the series 'Natai Ghuri',

playwright Rezaur Rahman Rizvi said that

the relationship that remains intact beyond

love or romance is the relationship of a

friend. This friend can become like a

relative. Similarly, a friend can be the

ultimate enemy again. The story of the serial

drama 'Natai Ghuri' revolves around the

family life of seven children and how they

became friends.

Director Emdadul Haque Khan said, The

Kevin addresses what went

wrong with Chris's 'Thor'

'The Dark World' instalment that hit

big screens in 2013 did not really

impress fans to the tee.

'Thor: The Dark World' that

brought back Chris Hemsworth in a

standalone movie was after the

highly acclaimed and supremely

successful 'Avengers' and 'Iron Man

3'. The pressure was already high

and the result was something that

the studio didn't expect. Kevin Feige

now finally talks about what went

wrong in making one of the most

criticized Marvel flicks and how the

production looked. Kevin Feige in

'The Story of Marvel Studios: The

Making of the Marvel Cinematic

Universe' book revealed the

struggles that went into making

'Thor: The Dark World'. Flip Board

He revealed how after they wrapped

up principal photography, Marvel

Ekushey

Television

launches

serial drama

'Natai Ghuri'

canvas of the story of the series 'Natai Ghuri'

has grown to include more than 50 actors."

Besides, the scenes of the play have been

filmed in four different shooting houses for

the purpose of storytelling. Hopefully, the

audience will like the play once the

promotion starts.

Hafsa Alam wrote the title song of the

series 'Natai Ghuri' and Amit Chatterjee

composed the music. And B Zaman Sujon

has given voice to the song.It is to be

mentioned that Amitabh Ahmed Rana

and Subrata Mitra are directing the

episode of 'Natai Ghuri' series. Israt Jahan

Meem is the executive producer. And shot

by Sujan Mehmood.

Fazlur Rahman

Babul lends voice

in title track of

'Murshid'

"I have always been an actor but I occasionally sing as it is my

hobby," said Fazlur Rahman Babu.

Murad Noor did exceptionally well while blending the tune and

lyrics of the song, he added.

"I am hoping that people will appreciate the song", said the actor.

The studio version of the title song will be released soon on a digital

platform, said Murad Noor. "Babu Bhai is my favorite, both as an

artist and as a person", said Khokon.

He also praised Murad Noor and Amirul Hasan for their works.

Cinematic Universe writers Christopher

Markus and Stephen McFeely with 'The

Avengers' director Joss Whedon were

roped in to rewrite the scenes of the

Chris Hemsworth starrer.

Later, Kevin Feige assembled his

inner circle to deconstruct 'Thor:

The Dark World' and all he was left

with was a sea of purple on the wall

with new ideas. "We had purplecoloured

index cards, and every time

a new idea came up, we put it

up…And suddenly it's a sea of purple

on the wall," he said.

All of this led to a decision that the

Chris Hemsworth starrer needed a

35-day reshoot schedule. Feige said,

"That's right, only 35 days of

additional photography. We're the

best in the business… High five. 35

days of reshoots."

Source : PTI

H o R o s c o p e

ARIes

(March 21 - April 20) : Annoying

situations that arise today could have you

feeling stressed, Aries. A sudden desire to

escape might enter your mind. Take care

not to work out your frustrations by overindulging in

food or drink. This could only make the situation

worse. Focus on the tasks at hand and get them done.

Follow that with a long walk to clear your head and a

movie to get your mind off it all.

TAURUs

(April 21 - May 21) : Difficulty reaching

others could plague you today, Taurus.

emails might not go through or you

could be stuck in endless telephone tag.

You may want to stop trying, but don't give up. Keep

at it! Find something else to do while you're waiting.

You'll make contact eventually. What you have to

discuss with these friends could prove gratifying on

more than one level.

GeMINI

(May 22 - June 21) : Upsets among

family members in the home could drive

you to escape it all and throw yourself into

your work, particularly creative projects of

some kind. This might be the right course of action,

Gemini. The situation isn't permanent, and perhaps the

others in your household simply need to work things out

for themselves. In the meantime, your work will give you

satisfaction and perhaps even advancement.

cANceR

(June 22 - July 23) : Don't expect much

luck with computers today, Cancer,

particularly when it comes to writing or

communicating with others.

Malfunctions with technology could plague you

throughout the day. If you want to get a message to a

friend, the best way might be to visit in person!

Creative efforts could be hindered the same way. Today

is a great day to fall back on good old pen and paper.

Leo

(July 24 - Aug. 23): Upsetting news

about money may come your way

today, Leo. This could involve your

personal finances or economic factors

in general that indirectly affect your finances. Don't

panic. All may not be as it seems! Check the facts

before acting. The situation could be real, but it's

more likely the product of overblown journalism.

Don't believe everything you read.

VIRGo

(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): A strong

desire for new romance, whether with a

new or current partner, could prove

overwhelming today, Virgo. You might

be tempted to do whatever it takes to attain it. Don't

plunge ahead - this isn't the day for it! It might cause

problems. Go to a romantic movie or read a racy

novel. Seek what you want in a few days. You should

have better results by then!

LIBRA

(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): Someone you're

very fond of could be in a difficult

mood today. Don't let your

sensitivity get the better of you,

Libra. Don't take offense at what this person

may say in frustration. Intuit what they're

feeling and be your usual compassionate self.

This could strengthen your relationship and

make you feel good, too.

scoRpIo

(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) : An unexpected

meeting with a friend could leave you

sensing some strong emotions that your

friend is experiencing. These could be

unsettling, Scorpio, so be prepared. Increased psychic

awareness could cause you to pick up the thoughts and

feelings of others more strongly than usual. This should

increase your understanding of the person, but be careful

not to reveal this understanding unless asked.

sAGITTARIUs

(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): A sudden desire for

independence from the confines of a job,

stagnant home life, or relationship that

isn't working could seem irresistible right

now, Sagittarius. You might have some outrageous ideas

for changing jobs, moving, or finding a new partner. These

ideas might be more workable than they seem, but this

isn't the day to make decisions. Wait a few days and then

consider your ideas again.

cApRIcoRN

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): A warm, loving

letter, phone call, or email could come

today from someone dear who lives far

away. This should be delightful,

Capricorn, but the frustrations that result from the

separation could cause you to think about taking a trip

to visit the person. This might be a good idea, but

don't make any promises. Wait a few days and look

into the possibility to see if it's workable.

AQUARIUs

(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) :Someone could

approach you today offering an

opportunity to increase your income,

which may seem too good to be true. It

might be all they say, Aquarius, but look into the

facts before making promises to go ahead with it. All

may not be as it seems! Today isn't a good day to

commit to investments of any kind. Wait a few days,

consider the idea again, and see if it's workable.

pIsces

(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Whatever your

situation, Pisces, today you could

encounter someone exciting who stirs a

powerful romantic attraction within you.

This can be delightful, and there's no reason why you

shouldn't enjoy the company, but be a little cautious

before taking any action. Get to know this person

better before you decide on any sort of involvement,

casual or serious. All may not be as it seems.

tUeSDAY, SePteMBer 7, 2021

11

Bus services in Candpur

halt amid transport

workers' protest

CHANDPUR : Transport

workers in Chandpur went

on a wildcat strike on

Monday morning halting

bus services in the district in

protest of a driver's death

allegedly due to negligence,

reports UNB.

The sudden stoppage

caused huge sufferings to

the commuters and longdistance

travellers.

As many as 400 bus

services on Dhaka, Cumilla,

Lakshmipur, Sylhet, and

Chattogram routes from the

district remained suspended

while workers vandalized a

part of the municipal bus

terminal during a

demonstration.

Later police took control of

the situation but the buses

stood still at the terminal till

writing this report, said

police sources.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Md Murad Hasan addressed a press conference

at Chittagong Press Club on Monday.

Photo : Star Mail

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Crews work to contain oil spill

in Gulf after Ida's passage

WASHINGTON : Workers have deployed containment booms

and skimmer devices as they attempt to contain a sizable oil

spill in the Gulf of Mexico discovered after Hurricane Ida

roared through the area, the US Coast Guard said Sunday. The

spill is in waters off Port Fourchon, Louisiana-near where Ida

made landfall-in a region that is a major hub of the US

petrochemical industry, reports BSS

An oil slick now extends more than a dozen miles through

the warm waters of the Gulf but has yet to reach shore, the

Houston Chronicle reported.

The Coast Guard in Louisiana said it had been informed of a

spill in that area and was responding, but provided few details.

Talos Energy, a Texas firm specializing in offshore oil and

gas exploration, has dispatched clean-up vessels and divers

to the site. The company, which had operated in the area of

the spill until 2017, insisted that its equipment was not the

cause of the leak.

Spain's 'Fallas' festival returns

after pandemic pause

VALENCIA : Valencia's "Fallas" festival wrapped

up with fireworks and the burning of colourful

sculptures on Sunday after returning to the

eastern Spanish city following a pandemicinduced

hiatus.

The five-day festival is traditionally held in

March but was cancelled last year as the Covid-19

pandemic swept Spain. This year, officials

postponed the start of the UNESCO-recognised

event until September 1.

It was the first time that the festival was

suspended since the end of Spain's 1936-39 civil

war.

Each year, residents make hundreds of

colourful puppet-like sculptures- some as big as a

four-storey building-out of wood, plaster and

papier-mache for the festival.

Called "ninots", the sculptures depict fairytale

characters and cartoonish effigies of politicians

and celebrities.

One ensemble from this year's event was

inspired by the hit Spanish Netflix series "Money

Heist". It depicted several people wearing red

overalls and Salvador Dali face masks like the

main characters in the show.

The ninots are displayed in the streets of the

Mediterranean city and then burned on the last

day of the festival-in a bonfire called the "Crem..."

- - in a centuries-old tradition honouring St

Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.

Fireworks lit up the night sky as this year's

bonfire, which features about 750 sculptures, was

held without the thousands of spectators that the

event usually draws.

The bonfire was brought forward by two hours

to allow festivities to end before a nightly virus

curfew came into effect at 1:00 am (2300 GMT).

After much debate a customary flower offering to

the Virgin Mary was allowed to proceed-but

without people lining the route, as is tradition.

"These are not Fallas as such, more like Fallasrelated

events that comply with health

regulations," said Valencia mayor Joan Ribo.

The Fallas festival is believed to have originated

from pagan rituals marking the end of winter.

The pandemic has forced the cancellation of

many of Spain's most famous fiestas, including

Pamplona's bull-running festival and Seville's

Holy Week processions.

India PM Modi interacts with

health workers, vaccine

beneficiaries in HP

SHIMLA : Indian Prime Minister Narendra

Modi on Monday interacted with healthcare

workers and beneficiaries of the Covid

vaccination programme in Himachal

Pradesh through video-conferencing.

Interacting with Dr Rahul, posted at the

Dodra Kwar Civil Hospital in Shimla district,

Modi said 10 per cent of the expenditure can

be saved if all 11 shots in a single vial are used

while administering Covid vaccines.

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On Monday, Coast Guard Outpost Naliyan conducted

an operation in Mistripara area of

Gunarigram of Sutarkhali Union under Dakop

Police Station of Khulna District and arrested a

smuggler along with 2 rare species of

chameleon.

Photo : Courtesy

New Zealand lifts

lockdown, barring

virus-hit Auckland

WELLINGTON : New

Zealand will mostly lift its

Covid-19 lockdown this week,

with only the country's

infection epicentre Auckland

to remain under strict stay-athome

orders, Prime Minister

Jacinda Ardern said Monday.

About three million New

Zealanders will no loger be

under stay-at-home orders as

of Tuesday overnight, and

schools will reopen on

Thursday for the first time in

three weeks, Ardern said.

But she added that

Auckland, where the

country's Delta-variant

outbreak emerged late last

month, will remain in hard

lockdown for at least another

week as the virus was not yet

contained in the city of two

million.

Ardern said there had been

positive progress bringing

case numbers down, but the

highly transmissible Delta

variant was a "game changer"

that meant Auckland's

restrictions could not be

relaxed too soon.

"We've done so well to

bringing this outbreak under

control, level four (hard

lockdown) restrictions are

working but the job is not

done," she said.

"We're within sight of

elimination but we can't drop

the ball." New Zealanders

outside Auckland will move to

alert level two on the country's

four-tier coronavirus

response system.

It means stay-at-home

orders are lifted, but the

freedoms enjoyed before the

Auckland cluster emergedwhen

domestic life in New

Zealand was near-normalwill

not be fully restored.

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Invitation for Tenders (IFT for Works)

xen.noakhali@lged.gov.bd

Tuesday, Dhaka: September 7, 2021; Bhadra 23, 1428 BS; Muharram 28, 1443 Hijri

The flood situation in the north has further deteriorated. Extreme food crises have been

created and waterborne diseases have increased.

Photo : Star Mail

Dr Zafrullah urged not make

reckless remarks on BNP

THAKURGAON : BNP Secretary

General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

on Monday urged Gonoshasthaya

Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah

Chowdhury to refrain from making

unguarded and confusing remarks

over their party and its leadership,

reports UNB.

"He (Zafrullah) is a very revered

and wise man. But as he has become

older, he makes some reckless comments.

His remarks on the process of

appointing Tarique Rahman as the

acting chairman of BNP is not logical,"

he said.

Talking to reporters at his residence

here, the BNP leader said Zafrullah

has long been raising voice against

fascism. "But he never thought that

such comments (against BNP) can

disrupt the anti-fascist movement." "I

would like to request him (Zafrullah)

not to make such remarks that confuse

people. Tarique Rahman is

organising our party. The whole party

is united under his leadership,"

Fakhrul said.

Earlier at a programme at the Jatiya

Press Club in the capital on Sept 2,

Zafrullah criticised BNP for what he

said making Tarique the BNP acting

chairman violating its constitution.

Protesting Zafrullah's remark,

Fakhrul said Tarique was made the

BNP acting chairman maintaining the

party charter. "Tarique was the

party's senior joint secretary general

and then senior vice chairman. He

has gradually come to this position.

He's been successfully organising the

party from abroad."

He hoped that BNP will soon be

able to launch a movement reorganising

the party's rank and file under its

current acting chairman. "We'll able

to remove the fascist Awami League

government and establish a pro-people

one through that movement."

The BNP leader said people have

lost their confidence in the entire

election system. "We've seen its

reflection in the previous parliamentary

elections. The government has

destroyed the election system, the

first pillar of democracy, and usurped

power illegally."

He slammed Chief Election

Commissioner KM Nurul Huda for

his subservient role in running the

Commission, saying he always

becomes ready to fulfill the hopes

and aspirations.

Taliban claim to have taken

Panjshir, last holdout

Afghan province

The Taliban said on Monday they have

taken control of Panjshir province

north of Kabul, the last holdout of anti-Taliban

forces in the country and

the only province the Taliban had not

seized during their blitz across

Afghanistan last month, reports BBC.

Thousands of Taliban fighters overran

eight districts of Panjshir

overnight, according to witnesses

from the area who spoke on condition

of anonymity, fearing for their safety.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah

Mujahid issued a statement, saying

Panjshir was now under the control of

Taliban fighters.

"We tried our best to solve the problem

through negotiations, and they rejected

talks and then we had to send

our forces to fight," Mujahid later told

a press conference in Kabul.

The anti-Taliban forces had been led

by the former vice-president, Amrullah

Saleh, and also the son of the iconic anti-Taliban

fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud

who was killed just days before the 9/11

terrorist attacks in the United States.

Meanwhile in northern Balkh

province, at least four planes chartered

to evacuate several hundred people

seeking to escape the Taliban's

takeover of Afghanistan have been unable

to leave the country for days, officials

said Sunday, with conflicting accounts

emerging about why the flights

weren't able to take off as pressure

ramps up on the U.S. to help those left

behind to flee.

Taiwan says 19 Chinese

warplanes entered

air defence zone

Taiwan has said a large incursion of

Chinese military jets flew into its air

defence zone on Sunday. The defence

ministry said 19 aircraft including

fighters and nuclear-capable bombers

entered its so-called air defence identification

zone (ADIZ), reports BBC.

Taipei has been complaining for

more than a year about repeated missions

by China's air force near the

island. China sees democratic Taiwan

as a breakaway province, but Taiwan

sees itself as a sovereign state.

Taiwan's defence ministry said

Sunday's mission by the Chinese air

force involved four H-6 bombers,

which can carry nuclear weapons, as

well as an anti-submarine aircraft.

An air defence identification zone is an

area outside of a country's territory and

national airspace but where foreign aircraft

are still identified, monitored, and controlled

in the interest of national security.

HC rules for

creating fund to

compensate road

accident victims,

families

DHAKA : The High Court (HC) yesterday

issued a rule asking authorities concerned

to explain as to why it shall not

pass an order to form a board of trust

and raise a fund as per Road Transport

Act to give compensation to the victims

of road accident and their families.

A High Court division bench comprising

Justice M Enayetur Rahim and

Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman

passed the order after holding a hearing

on a writ filed in this regard.

The court asked the Road, Transport

Secretary, Law Secretary, Finance

Secretary, Public Security Division

Secretary and Chairman of

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority

to reply within four weeks.

Advocate Manoj Kumar Bhoumik

moved the plea before the court while

Deputy Attorney General Bipul

Baghmar stood for the state.

Arguments in graft case

against Ex CJ Sinha,

others on Sept 14

DHAKA : A court yesterday set

September 14 for placing closing arguments

by the prosecution in a case

filed against former Chief Justice

Surendra Kumar (SK) Sinha and 10

others for allegedly embezzling Taka

four crore from the then Farmers

Bank and laundering the money

abroad.

Judge Sheikh Nazmul Alam of

Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 passed

the order as accused former chairman

of then Farmer's Bank's Audit

Committee Md Mahbubul Haque

Chisty alias Babul Chisty, vice-president

M Lutful Haque, former managing

director AKM Shameem and senior

executive vice-president Gazi

Salauddin placed written statements

in their defence before the court.

Earlier on August 29, seven accused

out of the total 11 in their statements in

self defence had pleaded not guilty and

demanded justice from the court.

Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 on August

13, 2020, framed charges in the case.

ACC director Benjir Ahmed had

filed the charge-sheet in the case with

the court of Dhaka Metropolitan

Sessions Judge KM Imrul Qayes on

December 10, 2019. The court, however,

on February 20, 2020, transferred

the case to Dhaka Special Judge

Court-4 for further proceedings.

The Anti-Corruption Commission

(ACC) filed the case on July 10, 2019,

for embezzling Taka four crore from

the then Farmers Bank and laundering

the money abroad.

The other accused are AKM Shameem,

Swapan Kumar Roy and Shafiuddin

Askaree, Gazi Salauddin, M Lutful Haque,

Md Mahbubul Haque Chisty alias Babul

Chisty, Md Shahjahan, Niranjan Chandra

Saha, his uncle Ranajit Chandra Saha, and

Ranajit's wife Santi Roy.

Munia's death case

Bashundhara MD

among 8 sued over

'rape, murder'

DHAKA : Voicing deep concern over the

reported involvement of a student leader

in arms smuggling, Jatiya Party chairman

GM Quader on Monday urged the government

to launch a special drive to recover

illegal arms, reports UNB.

"A list of arms smugglers and illegal

arms dealers should be prepared immediately

to ensure the safety of people," he

said. In a statement, GM Quader said, "A

special force should be engaged in conducting

a drive to recover illegal firearms

and bringing those involved with arms

smuggling under the ambit of law."

He warned that Bangladesh will turn

into a "savage state" if the government fails

to stop the smuggling of illegal firearms.

The Jatiya Party chief also said the

future of the nation will become disastrous

and the law-and-order situation will deteriorate

alarmingly if the arms smuggling

continues.

"So, the government must take effective

steps to prevent the shipment of illegal

weapons alongside recovering the illegal

arms," he observed.

DHAKA : A rape and murder case was

filed on Monday against Bashundhara

Group Managing Director Sayem

Sobhan Anvir and seven others over the

death of college student Mosarat Jahan

Munia in her Gulshan apartment in

April this year, reports UNB.

The seven other accused are:

Bashundhara Group's Chairman

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan Shah Alam, Shah

Alam's wife Afroza Begum; Anvir's wife

Sabrina Sayem; Faria Mahbub Piyasha;

Saifa Rahman Mim; landlord of the flat

where the victim was staying, Ibrahim

Ahmed Ripon and his wife Sharmim

Akhter. Munia's sister Nusrat Jahan

Tania filed the case with Dhaka's 8th

Tribunal for Prevention of Women and

Children's Repression.

Judge Mafroza Parvin recorded the

statement of the complainant. After the

hearing, the judge directed the Police

Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit

a report on it within seven working days.

Earlier on August 19, Dhaka Metropolitan

Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury relieved

Anvir of the charge of incitement to suicide

of the college student.

On July 19, the investigating officer of

the case, Gulshan Police Station officerin-charge

Abul Hasan, submitted a final

report to the court giving a clean chit to

Anvir.

Anvir was not found culpable in the

suicide incitement case of Munia in the

final report submitted by the investigating

officer and asked for his name to be

dropped.

On April 26, police recovered the

hanging body of Munia from the flat in

Gulshan in the night. Munia's elder sister

Nusrat Jahan Tania filed a case

against Anvir that night accusing him of

incitement to suicide. According to

Tania, her sister Munia was in a relationship

with Anvir who regularly visited

her at the Gulshan apartment.

PEC exam likely in Nov or

December : State Minister

DHAKA : The Primary Education

Completion (PEC) examination will be

held either in November or December

if the Covid situation improves, said

State Minister for Primary and Mass

Education Ministry Md Zakir Hossain.

"As per the directives of the government,

the students of class V will regularly

attend their classes and the PEC exam

will be held at the end of November or in

the first week of December if the Covid situation

improves," he said at a press briefing

at the Secretariat.

Replying to a question, Zakir said,

"The exam will be held on short syllabus

and we have provided a syllabus

on it. We have a recovery plan also."

Besides, the government is thinking

about taking the annual exams, he

said.

GM Quader wants crackdown

on illegal arms

Referring to media reports, GM Quader

said a student leader of Jashore has been

arrested recently on charges of arms

smuggling from India and supplying them

to different districts.

"According to his confessional statement

to the intelligence agency, he alone

has sold more than two hundred firearms

across the country in the last few years.

He also described how he brought

weapons to Bangladesh through the border

of a neighbouring country adopting a

new strategy," the Jatiya Party chairman

said.

He said the arrested student leader also

informed the intelligence agency about

how the arms-smuggling syndicate has

been supplying illegal arms to Bangladesh.

"Nothing can be more terrible news than

this."

The Jatiya Party chairman said a photo

of a model with sophisticated Uzi pistols

made in Israel went viral earlier. "This type

of weapon is not even there in the hands of

law enforcers. So, panic has spread among

guardians in the country."

HC for refraining

Natore CID

inspector from

probing any case

DHAKA : The High Court (HC) on

Monday ordered authorities concerned

not to allow Natore Criminal

Investigation Department (CID)

inspector Noyon Kumar to probe any

case as it found primary evidence of

professional misconduct and inefficiency

against him.

A High Court division bench of

Justice Jahangir Hossain and Justice

Md Atoar Rahman passed the order

after holding a hearing on a plea filed

in this regard.

"This is not only a matter of taking

departmental action. He committed

an offense," the court said during the

hearing.

The CID official is accused of obtaining

a confession from a 12-year-old

boy by force in a case lodged over the

killing of his younger brother in Bogra.

Five lawyers of the Supreme Court

on June 20 had filed the plea with

the High Court, pleading for its

directions over the legal aspects and

rightness of the case pending before

a Bogra court.

The High Court on June 29 held a

primary hearing on the matter and

summoned the accused CID official on

August 22. It had also asked the current

investigation officer of the case

sub-inspector Monsur Ali to join the

hearing virtually with the case dockets.

After that the two cops appeared

before the court on that day and

explained their positions.

The court on Monday came up with

the order after holding a further hearing

on the matter.

Advocate Mohammad Shishir

Manir moved the plea before the

court, while Deputy Attorney General

Md Sarwar Hossain Bappi stood for

the state.

Section 144 is in force in Noakhali municipality area for fear of deteriorating law and order situation. The

situation in this upazila is very tense. Additional RAB-police have been deployed from 6 am. Photo : TBT

ACC grills five

more Titas officials

over graft charges

DHAKA : The Anti-Corruption

Commission (ACC) on Monday questioned

another five officials of Titas Gas

Transmission and Distribution Company

over charges of illegal accumulation of

wealth through corruption, reports UNB.

ACC secretary Anwar Hossain

Hawlader told reporters that they were

being questioned on various corruption

charges, including illegal acquisition of

assets. Deputy Director and investigation

officer of the Commission Nurul

Huda interrogated them at the ACC

head office from 10.30am to 5 pm.

The five officials grilled on Monday are

Deputy Managers of Savar area

Anisuzzman and Abdul Mannan,

Manager of Private Branch of

Establishment Division Hasibur

Rahman, Compnay Secretary of

Corporate Division Mahmudur Rob and

Manager of Corotion Control Division

Abu Bakkar Siddqur Rahman

A total of 30 officials and employees of

Titas Gas officials of Titas gas recorded

their statements on August 23 in first

phases. The ACC informed that the rest

of the employees will be quizzed from

September 6 to September 8.

07-09-2021

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