09-11-2021

tueSday

Dhaka: November 9, 2021; kartik 24, 1428 BS; Rabius-Sani 3,1443 hijri

www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net

Regd.No.Da~2065, Vol.19; N o. 189; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00

international

Tension rises in Iraq

after failed bid to

assassinate PM

>Page 7

SPortS

Milan derby draw

allows Napoli to

keep top spot

>Page 9

art & culture

Priyanka attends

YouTube star Lilly

Singh's Diwali bash

>Page 10

Bangladesh's hilsa net

looks to get bigger

5.45 lakh mts

output likely

next year

CHANDPUR : The 22-day ban on

catching hilsa is expected to yield a very

good result as huge mother-hilsas have

laid eggs during the period.

Experts said the hilsa production may

hit 5.45 lakh metric tonnes if the government

takes effective measures for conserving

jatka (Hilsa fry).

Dr Mohammad Anisur Rahman, a

hilsa researcher and chief scientific officer

at the Bangladesh Fisheries

Research Institute, said, "Hilsas lay eggs

round the year but mother hilsas come

to rivers from sea and lay eggs during

the ban period and then go back to the

sea. So, it's very important to ensure the

uninterrupted movement of mother

hilsas from the sea to rivers."

"During the breeding period, a mother

hilsa usually releases 10-12 lakh eggs

and this year, the new moon on the

lunar phase occurred on October 6

while the full moon appeared on

October 20 which is believed to be the

right time of laying eggs. So, we're getting

the results from the ban," he said.

Dr Anisur also suggested taking steps to

ensure the uninterrupted movement of mother

hilsas from the sea to rivers and their safe

spawning during the peak breeding season,

stopping sand lifting from rivers and restricting

hilsa netting during the ban period.

Five men of fake

certificate making

gang remanded

DHAKA : A court yesterday placed five

alleged members of a fake certificate

making gang on one day remand each in

a case lodged with Kamrangirchar Police

Station. The remanded accused are- Md

Wahiduzzaman Babu, Md Tanvir

Ahammed, Md Raju Hawlader, Md

Khokon and Md Shahiduzzaman

Chowdhury, reports BSS.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate

Nivana Khayer Jessy on Monday passed

the order as police on Sunday had produced

the five before the court and pleaded

to place them on five-day remand

each in the case. The court however, had

adjourned the hearing till Monday.

Police in separate drives on November

6 arrested the five from Pashchim

Rasulpur area under Kamrangirchar

Police Station and Segunbagicha area

under Palta Police Station.

Police recovered nine certificates of different

universities, two packets of wove cream

paper 220 GSM, an official pad of Dhaka

South City Corporation, one Samsung computer

monitor, Vision CPU, one Canon 1000

color printer and five 100 Taka judicial

stamps from their possessions. In the primary

interrogation, the arrestees confessed

collecting names and addresses of

people interested to make fake certificates

from New Market area and supplied them

after making those in their den.

Zohr

04:52 AM

11:45 PM

03:40 PM

05:20 PM

06:40 PM

6:08 5:16

members of Rapid action Battalion (Rab) in a drive on monday unearthed an 'arms

making factory' and arrested three Rohingyas from near a Rohingya camp in ukhia

upazila of Cox's Bazar.

photo : tBt

Arms factory found near

Rohingya camp in Ukhiya

Safiul Alam, Cox's Bazar Correspondent

RAB has found an arms factory in a hill

adjacent to the Rohingya camp in

Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar. At that time, three

people were arrested along with 10

home-made weapons and a large quantity

of equipment from the spot.

Deputy Commander of RAB-15 Cox's

Bazar Battalion Major Mehedi Hasan

said, the operation was carried out on a

hill near Kutupalong Extension-4

Rohingya Camp in Ukhiya Upazila on

Monday morning.

The arrestees are Md Baitullah, 19, his

brother Habib Ullah of Kutupalong

camp C-1 and Mohammd Hasun,24 of

G block of the camp.

Major Mehedi said a group of

Rohingyas had been building factories

in the hills adjacent to the camp for a

long time. Weapons made in the factory

were supplied to Rohingya terrorists. A

team of RAB carried out such an operation

on Monday morning. Upon reaching

the spot, the terrorists sensed the

presence and fired at the RAB members.

RAB members also fired back in

self-defense.

"At one stage of the exchange of fire,

RAB members tactically took control of

the arms factory. While some of them

managed to escape, RAB managed to

arrest three of them. Later, 10 homemade

guns and a large quantity of

weapons making equipment were

recovered from the factory."

"The detainees said that the weapons

made in the factory were supplied to the

active terrorist groups based in the

Rohingya camp," the RAB official said.

Major Mehedi Hasan said a case was

being prepared against the detainees at

Ukhiya police station under the relevant

law.

Bad loans bite Bangladesh

banks hard

DHAKA : In any country, a safe and sound

banking system is the sine qua non of a

strong economy. By channelising funds

from savers to borrowers, banks help keep

the wheels of the economy moving, in the

way boosting the confidence of businesses,

investors and consumers.

But for years, state-owned banks in

Bangladesh have been foundering under

the weight of stressed or non-performing

assets-or bad loans, in lay man's term-all

thanks to irrational lending and inadequate

evaluation and monitoring of debtors.

Any loan that remains overdue for over

three months is termed as a stressed

asset in the banking sector.

And today, this huge pileup of bad

loans threatens to derail the economic

revival in Bangladesh by choking the

credit supply channel of the economy, as

against export earnings and the

resilience of the private sector in fuelling

growth amid Covid.

In fact, the cumulative non-performing

loans (NPL) of six state-owned commercial

banks (SCBs) currently stand at Tk

43,836 crore against that of the combined

figure of Tk 49,191 crore of 42 private

commercial banks (PCBs).

For years, Bangladesh Bank (BB) -- the

central bank-has been underscoring the

need for state-owned banks to strengthen

the recovery of loans lying unrealised

by defaulters, many wilful.

At the same time, banks have

been advised to take necessary steps

in meeting the capital deficit and

creating a professional asset liability

management ecosystem.

Md Serajul Islam, central bank's

spokesperson and executive director,

told UNB that the stressed assets of the

state-owned banks increased "marginally

due to the higher volume of total outstanding

loans".

Implementation of a slew of stimulus

packages has caused an increase in the

outstanding loans in the country's banking

system during the first half (H1) of

the year, he said.

The amount of outstanding loans rose

by more than 3% to Tk 12,13,164 billion

as of June 30, 2021, from Tk 11776.59 billion

quarter on quarter, as per BB data in

UNB's possession.

Janata Bank Managing Director Md

Abdus Salam Azad admitted the growing

stressed assets problem in the economy.

"We have already taken some steps as

per the central bank's guideline to

increase the recovery of NPL, and we are

working towards reducing the bad loans

of Janata Bank," he said.

However, he claimed that the stateowned

banks have been doing well in

sectors like remittance, agriculture loan

disbursement and recovery, implementation

of stimulus loan disbursement

other than loan recovery from large

industries.

"The state banks work with some limitations

which also affect loan recovery

from the top defaulters," he said.

But the recovery of NPL of four large

state-owned banks is not satisfactory, if

figures are to go by.

Passengers disgruntled

as launch fare increases

Zihad Rana, BaRiShal CoRReSpondent

The launch strike was called off after the

nationwide transport strike was lifted.

Launch movement started at Barisal

river port on Monday morning.However,

passengers are angry over the increase in

launch fare. Many have said that it is not

possible to travel through the launch due

to abnormal fare hike.

Despite the pressure of passengers on

the launch of the internal route at Barisal

river port at 8:30 am on Monday, the

number of passengers decreased as the

day progressed. Many have been seen

returning from the river port.

Abdur Rahman, master of the MV

Awlad launch on the Bhola-Barisal

waterway, said, "The fare for VIP seats on

this route was Tk 90, now it is Tk 120. For

deck it was 70 taka, now it is 90

taka.Supervisors have been arguing with

the passengers over the fare hike. In the

morning I came to Bhola fromBarishal.

At that time the number of passengers

was very low. However, I am not getting

passengers from Barisal."

Saidul, a staff member of the launch MV

Rajpakhi on the Barisal-Patarhat-Ilisha

route, said, the fare has now risen so much

that it is doubtful whether anyone other

than an emergency passenger will go. I see

less people at the port in the morning."

Shafiqul Islam, a passenger on the

Barisal-Bhola waterway, said, "It will not

be a problem to pay 30 taka more to go to

Bhola.But how will I go to Dhaka with the

increased amount. The rent has been

increased without calculation. There is a

lot of difference between the current rent

and the previous rent.

Passengers complain

of extra bus fare

Shafiqul iSlam (Jami)

As a result of the increase in diesel prices,

many bus drivers and helpers are not

abiding by the government-fixed fares.

There have been allegations of taking

extra fares from passengers. As a result,

there was an argument between the passengers

and staff of several buses plying

in the capital yesterday. The Bangladesh

Passenger Welfare Association has

demanded the withdrawal of additional

bus fares.

Buses have been closed for the past

three days due to a transport strike following

the rise in diesel prices. After the

government increased the fare at the

demand of the owners, the buses started

operating on the roads of the capital on

Sunday.

But the problem is still the fare. Mirpur,

Azimpur, Rampura, Mohammadpur,

Badda and a few other areas of the capital

have been visited. In the case of short

distances, the fare is being collected up to

50 percent more than before, although

the government has increased the rent by

27 percent. However, no new fare list was

seen on any bus.

According to the bus helpers and assistants,

the government has not yet published

a new list of fares. As a result, they

GLASGOW : Bangladesh has signed the

Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests

and Land Use in the COP26, pledging to

end and reverse deforestation by 2030,

reports UNB

Mostafa Kamal, a member of the

Bangladesh delegation and secretary of

the ministry of environment, forests and

climate change, confirmed this to UNB.

Mostafa said that NDC had uploaded a

letter of consent from Bangladesh on the

website of United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)

on August 26 stating its commitment to

forest protection, afforestation, and forest

expansion by 2030. However, as it was not

uploaded timely, it was reported that

Bangladesh is not with the global initiative

of ending deforestation process- which

was inaccurate.

The secretary added that Bangladesh

has reached an agreement in this regard.

"As other countries have reached a consensus,

Bangladesh has also expressed solidarity

with this consensus. But because of

are renting as the owner says. Naturally,

many passengers are not willing to pay

that extra fare. In many places, they are

having quarrels or clashes with the bus

workers. Selim, an assistant to the driver

of Prajapati Paribahan, said 80 percent

of the people were having problems with

fares. Screaming and shouting. He is also

abusing. A passenger named Hasan was

going to College Gate from

Mohammadpur bus stand in the same

bus. When he was taken 15 TK, he

protested and wanted to see the rent list.

But there is controversy as Selim Mia

could not show it. Asked about the rent

list and the distance from Mohammadpur

to College gate, Selim Miah said the

owner had asked for a minimum fare of

Tk 15. All buses are taking this money.

It may be mentioned that after a meeting

with the transport owners with BRTA

on Sunday afternoon, it was informed

that the bus fare in the metropolitan area

is being increased from TK 1.70 per km to

TK 2.15 per km and in case of mini bus, it

has been increased from 1 TK 60 paisa to

2 taka 5 paisa.

An employee of Itihas Paribahan said

that the fare from Mirpur to Savar used

to be TK 30. His owner has now asked for

45 TK. In other words, 50 percent more

rent is being collected than before.

Bangladesh joins pledge to

end deforestation by 2030

the system error, the name of Bangladesh

was not in the first list on the UNFCC web

site. Later on Sunday, the name of

Bangladesh was added and published. In

this way, the names of more countries can

be added and the list can be published in

stages, the secretary said.

He said that Bangladesh is ahead of

many other countries in the world in protecting

forest lands.

And the consensus target is to protect

existing forest lands in their respective

countries by 2030 as well as create new

forests. He added that not only the protection

of natural forests, but also the proposal

to increase green coverage in the cities to

address the climate change has been proposed

at the conference.

Another member of Bangladesh delegation

Chief Conservator of Forests Md

Alamgir Hossain told UNB that a master

plan has been taken to increase forest

cover from 16 per cent to 20 per cent and

afforestation from 22 per cent to 25 per

cent by 2030.

the Bangladesh Road transport authority (BRta) conducts a mobile operation to monitor

whether additional fares are being collected the day after the fare hike on public transport. the

picture is taken from Ramna area of the capital on monday.

photo : Star mail

tueSDAY, NoVeMBeR 9, 2021

2

ACC summons Ideal

school and college

principal over graft

allegation

DHAKA : The Anti-

Corruption Commission

(ACC) on Monday

summoned Ideal school and

college principal Shahanara

Begum over the allegation of

acquiring illegal assets,

reports UNB.

A letter signed by the

Assistant Director of the

ACC Ataur Rahman Sarkar

asked the principal to be

appeared on November 15 at

the ACC head office to

record her statement.

Deputy Director of ACC

Public relation office

Muhammad Arif Sadeq

confirmed this to UNB.

If she fails to appear at

ACC at the given time, it will

be considered that she does

not have any statement

regarding the charges

against her, he said.

Juba League

leader shot while

campaigning in

Pirojpur

PIROJPUR : A Juba

League leader sustained a

bullet wound in an attack

by rivals while

campaigning ahead of

union parishad election in

Shankar Pasha union of

Sadar upazila in Pirojpur

on Sunday night, reports

UNB.

Faisal Mahbub Shuvo,

general secretary of

Municipal Juba League in

the area, wasinjured with

several othersin the attack.

Advocate

Akhtaruzzaman Manik,

organizing secretary of

Pirojpur district Juba

League, said the incident

occurred on the way back

from Mallikbari area of

Shankar Pasha union in

Pirojpur Sadar upazila

around 8pm on Sunday.

Manik blamed the

supporters of rival

candidate Nasir Hossain

Matubbar for opening fire

and attacking them. At the

time, Faisal sustained a

bullet wound and Hasan

Sikder, vice-president of

Sadar Secha Sebok League,

was hit on the head.

All the injured were sent

to Pirojpur Zila Hospital.

However, critically injured

Faisal and Hasan were

then shifted to Khulna

Medical College and

Hospital for better

treatment.

Pirojpur Additional

Superintendent of Police

Mollah Azad Hossain said

police was deployed in the

area following the violence.

Chairman Sheikh Nadir Hossain Lipu handed over the letter to 345 workers who had been working

in Milk Vita for a long time. Parliament Member and Director of Milk Vita Hosne Ara, General

Manager Dr. Md. Mahfuzul Haque (Deputy Secretary), Md. Moinul Haque Chowdhury, Abu Md.

Shariful Islam and Additional General Manager Mollah Md. Niyamul Basar (Deputy Registrar), Md.

Mustafizur Rahman and other officials and employees were present.

Photo : Courtesy

Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Both fatalities

and cases increase in 24 hours

DHAKA : Bangladesh logged six more

Covid-linked deaths and reported 215 fresh

infections in 24 hours till Monday morning.

The new casualties marked a slight

increase from Sunday's four deaths and 178

cases.

Meanwhile, the daily-case positivity rate

also rose to 1.28 per cent from Sunday's 1.17

per cent, said the Directorate General of

Health Services (DGHS).

The fresh numbers took the total fatalities

to 27,901 while the country's caseload

mounted to 1,571,228.

On the 44th epidemiological week of

pandemic from November 1 to 7, Bangladesh

saw 74.1 per cent comorbidity in the 27

Covid-linked deaths.

The comorbidity rate has increased 23 per

cent from the previous week, said the DGHS

Comorbidity means the simultaneous

presence of two or more diseases or medical

conditions in a patient.

Of the 27 deceased, 23 didn't receive any

vaccine against Covid-19 while three were

fully vaccinated and another received the

first dose.

However, on Monday the mortality rate

remained static at 1.78 per cent.

The fresh cases were detected after testing

16,812 samples, said the DGHS.

Also, the recovery rate remained

unchanged at 97.70 per cent with the

recovery of 209 more patients during the

period.

COP26: Time running out in Glasgow,

as delegates wrangle over details

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND : The 26th UN

Conference Of the Parties (COP26) on

climate change, now in its second week and

final week of negotiations, has failed so far

to reach a decision on 'loss and damage',

and it is now clear that there will be no

decision made on this important issue at

this year's conference, reports UNB.

Speaking to members of the Bangladesh

delegation and environmental experts at

the Scottish Exhibition Centre, UNB was

able to learn that they are already looking

forward to the next such conference, which

would be COP27, for a decision on this

issue.

Loss and damage from climate change

refers to the complete and irrecoverable

loss of some things and the repairable

damage of other things due to the impacts

of human-induced climate change.

Mirza Shawkat Ali, a member of the

Bangladesh government delegation, told

UNB that the 'breakthrough recognition' of

loss and damage in the Paris Agreement

was the result of years of effort on the part

of countries that are most affected by

climate change, including Bangladesh.

Although the developed countries are not

very willing to discuss the matter

voluntarily, Bangladesh has a strong role to

play in this regard as it is the current chair

of the Climate Vulnerable Forum.

Shawkat Ali said discussions on

preparing guidelines for loss and damage,

fundings and considering 'Loss and

damage' under COP and CMA - the group

of countries who have signed and ratified

the Paris Agreement -are going on at this

time. Keeping loss and damage as a

separate agenda in each COP going forward

is also being discussed. The Paris Agreement

reaffirmed the Warsaw International

Mechanism for Loss and Damage as the main

vehicle under the UNFCCC process to avert,

minimize and address loss and damage

associated with climate change impacts,

including extreme weather events and slow onset

events.

Bankers to enjoy

24 holidays in

2022

DHAKA : Bangladesh Bank

has released a holiday list

chalking out 24 holidays for

the schedule banks in the

country in 2022.

The department of Off-site

Supervision of the central

bank released the holiday

list on Monday and sent it to

the managing directors and

chief executive officers of

scheduled banks to follow it

in 2022.

Of the holidays, four will

fall on Fridays and three on

Saturdays that are included

in in Bangladesh's weekly

holidays.

GD-1640/21(8x3)

2985 08/11/2021

Kishoreganj PWD Division

Kishoreganj

08.11-21

GD-1641/21(6x4)

GD-1639/21(10x4)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

3

DMP chief urges reporters

not to hide information

The 14th founding anniversary of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management of Dhaka

University has been celebrated on Monday with colorful arrangements. Dhaka University Vice-

Chancellor Prof. Md. Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated various programs of the founding anniversary by

cutting cakes and releasing balloons

Photo: DU Public Relations

HC committee seals off

4 warehouses of Evaly

SAVAR : The committee formed by the

High Court to manage, control and asses

the liabilities of controversial e-commerce

platform Evaly has sealed off its four

wearhouses at Savar on Monday, reports

UNB.

The five-membered committee led by

former Appellate Division justice

Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik visited two

warehouses at Aminbazar and two others

at Baliarpur Monday noon.

The committed found some beverages,

television sets and packed electronic

products in one of the warehouses.

The committee also found that many

valuable products were removed from the

warehouses following the the arrests of

Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel and his wife

Shamima Nasrin, the chairman of the

platform, on September 16 by Rapid Action

Battalion (Rab).

Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik told

Australian,

Japanese, EU, US

envoys visit St

Martin's Island

DHAKA : Ambassadors of

Australia, Japan, European

Union (EU) and the United

States (US) have visited St

Martin's Island and

witnessed the impact of

climate change on the

Island which is considered

as a piece of heaven on

earth, reports UNB.

"The stark impact of

climate change is a reality

on St Martin's Island,

including coastal erosion,

bleaching of corals and

depletion of sea life,"

Ambassador and Head of

Delegation of the EU to

Bangladesh Charles

Whiteley tweeted on

Monday afternoon.

He thanked the US

Embassy in Dhaka, the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Bangladesh Coast Guard

and Bangladesh Navy for

arranging the visit, which

he described as a "very

insightful" one.

Japanese Ambassador to

Bangladesh Ito Naoki said

he is thrilled to visit the St

Martin's Island of

Bangladesh.

"But sea-level rise, high

tide, salinization and coral

bleaching - climate change

is rapidly impacting its

environment and people's

lives," Naoki tweeted

thanking the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs of

Bangladesh.

Australian High

Commissioner to

Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer

and US Ambassador to

Bangladesh Earl R Miller

were part of the joint tour.

journalists that the warehouses were

sealed off as the High Court ordered a ban

on the sale and transfer of its movable and

immovable property on September 22.

He said the committee is working to

safeguard the interests of the consumers

and the merchants.

"We are seeing how much of the Evaly's

debt can be paid from the assets it have,"

he said.

The committee was ordered to submit a

progress report to the High Court on

November 23.

On October 18, the High Court formed

the five-member committee to run the e-

commerce platform.

Other members of the board are former

secretary Mohammad Rezaul Ahsan and

additional secretary Mahbub Kabir Milon,

chartered accountant Fakhruddin Ahmed

and lawyer Barrister Khan Mohammad

Shamim Aziz.

Bangladesh reports

215 fresh cases, six

deaths from Covid-19

DHAKA : Bangladesh on Monday reported 215 Covid-19

cases while the coronavirus claimed overnight six lives.

"The country reported 1.28 percent Covid-19 positive cases

as 16,812 samples were tested in the past 24 hours,"

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in its

routine daily statement.

In the past 24 hours, the combined figure of coronavirus in

Dhaka city and upazilas of the district is 149 while six Covid-

19 deaths were reported during the period.

The official tally showed that the virus killed 27,901 people

and infected 15,71,228 so far, the statement added.

The recovery count rose to 15,35,034 after another 209

patients were discharged from the hospitals during the past

one day.

From the beginning of the pandemic, 97.70 percent Covid-

19 patients recovered among the infected people while 1.78

percent died, the DGHS statistics showed.

The DGHS said among the total 27,901 fatalities, 12,168

occurred in Dhaka division, 5,663 in Chattogram, 2,046 in

Rajshahi, 3,602 in Khulna, 946 in Barishal, 1,267 in Sylhet,

1,365 in Rangpur and 844 in Mymensingh divisions.

Ahsanullah Master's

71th birth

anniversary today

DHAKA : Today is the 71st

birth anniversary of freedom

fighter Shaheed Ahsanullah

Master, a Sramik League

leader and former ruling

Awami League (AL)

lawmaker.

On this day in 1950,

Ahsanullah Master was born

at Haidarabad village under

Gazipur district.

A lawmaker from Gazipur-2

constituency, he was shot

dead when a gang of about 20

gunmen sprayed bullets on a

rally of Awami

Swechchhasebak League at

Tongi's Noagaon M A Majid

Miah High School compound

near his residence in 2004.

He was a national

committee member of AL,

chairman of Bangladesh

Institute of Labour Studies,

and was involved in various

social works.

To mark the birth

anniversary, different sociopolitical

organizations have

chalked out various

programmes including

placing wreaths at his

graveyard, offering fateha,

holding Qurankhwani and

discussion.

Shaheed Ahsanullah

Master, MP, Smrity Parishad

along with local Awami

League, Juba League,

Swechchhasebak League,

Bangladesh Chhatra League,

Mohila AL and Krishak

League have chalked out

elaborate programme to mark

his birth anniversary.

Son of Ahsanullah Master,

also the State Minister for

Youth and Sports Md Zahid

Ahsan Russel, Gazipur City

Awami League joint general

secretary Md Matiur

Rahman, Shaheed

Ahsanullah Master Smriti

Parishad General Secretary

Journalist Ataur Rahman

urged all to attend the doamahfil

and discussion.

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has achieved UK based 'Award for the

Most Outstanding Islamic Bank 2021' conferred by The Global Islamic

Finance Awards (GIFA), a tribute to the outstanding services rendered to

the community. This 11th Global Islamic Finance Awards was announced

at a virtual program on 14 September 2021. Professor Humayon Dar,

Chairman of GIFA addressed welcome speech in the program. After getting

the award from GIFA, Professor Md. Nazmul Hassan, Ph.D, Chairman

of IBBL receiving the award from Mohammed Monirul Moula, Managing

Director and CEO of the Bank. High officials from international regulatory

agencies, bank and nonbanking financial institutions took part on the

occasion.

Photo : Courtesy

Reporters Association

(CRAB) organised the

annual sports competition

and opening ceremony

with President Mizan

Malik in the chair.

Among others, Deputy

Inspector General (DIG) of

police Md Haider Ali Khan,

Director of Inter-Services

Public Relations (ISPR)

Directorate Lt Col

Abdullah Ibn Zaid and

Executive Director of

Walton Group FM Iqbal

Bin Anwar Don spoke as

special guests.

The DMP Commissioner

said that any kind of news

should not be disseminated

with distorted information.

"We want to promote

good deeds. As you know,

the government has

appointed me for another

year. I am grateful to the

government for giving me

the opportunity to work for

the people for another year.

We (policemen) have come

to this job with the promise

DHAKA : Commissioner of

Dhaka Metropolitan Police

(DMP) Md Shafiqul Islam

yesterday urged reporters

not to hide information

while writing their reports

for the people's wellbeing.

"There is no need to hide

the information of those

who work for welfare of the

people," he said this while

inaugurating CRAB-

Walton Annual Sports

Competition-2021 as the

chief guest at Nasrul

Hamid Auditorium of

Dhaka Reporters Unity

(DRU) here.

Bangladesh Crime

of working 24 hours a day.

We want to keep the job

with transparency and

accountability," he added.

Shafiqul said that during

the COVID-19 pandemic,

police has been working as

the front line fighters

including doctors.

The CRAB is the only

organization representing

professional crime

journalists working in all

national dailies, public and

private televisions,

national and international

news agencies, radio and

online news portals.

Every year sports

competitions (indooroutdoor)

were organized

by the organization with

participation of all

members. CRAB-Walton

organized the annual

sports competition-2021.

Walton Hitech Industries

Limited is co-sponsoring

the competition.

Besides, DRU general

secretary Mashiur Rahman

Khan, former president of

DRU Shakhawat Hossain

Badsha, former general

secretary of DRU Syed

Shukur Ali Shuvo and

president of CRAB SM

Abul Hossain also

delivered their speeches.

General Secretary of

CRAB Alauddin Arif

delivered welcome speech,

while Sports Secretary Saif

Bablu conducted the

opening ceremony.

Earlier, the DMP

commissioner inaugurated

the function by releasing

pigeons and balloons.

University Grants Commission Secretary Dr. Ferdous Zaman, Daffodil International School

Principal Dr. Md. Mahmudul Hasan and Daffodil International College Principal Shibli Sadiq along

with the winners of 'Online Science Carnival 2021' organized by the English version of Daffodil

International School pose for a photograph.

Photo : Courtesy

Dengue cases

keep rising

151 more hospitalised

DHAKA : Bangladesh

reported 151 new patients

being hospitalized with

dengue fever in 24 hours till

Monday morning, reports

UNB.

With no fresh death during

the period, the number of

fatalities from the mosquitoborne

disease this year

remained unchanged at 95,

according to the Directorate

General of Health Services

(DGHS).

Of them 87 people died in

Dhaka division alone, two

each in Chattogram,

Mymensingh and Khulna

divisions and one each in

Rajshahi and Barishal

divisions.

Among the new patients,

103 were undergoing

treatment in hospitals in

Dhaka while the remaining

48 cases were reported from

outside the division.

Some 662 patients

diagnosed with dengue are

receiving treatment in the

country as of Monday.

Of them, 523 patients are

receiving treatment at

different hospitals in the

capital while the remaining

139 were listed outside

Dhaka.

Since January, some

24,795 patients have been

admitted to different

hospitals with dengue in the

country. So far, 24,039

dengue patients have left

hospitals after recovery, said

DGHS.

In September, the country

recorded the highest number

of 7,841 dengue cases of the

current year with 23 deaths.

In October, the number of

dengue cases came down to

5,604 with 22 deaths

recorded.

Dispose child custody cases

in 6 months: High Court

DHAKA : The High Court on

Sunday directed family

courts to dispose of cases

filed over the custody of

children in six months,

reports UNB.

The law secretary and

Supreme Court registrar

general have been asked to

deliver the directive to the

family courts concerned.

Abench of Justice M

Enayetur Rahim and Justice

Md Mostafizur Rahman

issued the directive,following

a writ petition filed by a

mother in Rangpur seeking

custody of her child from her

ex-husband.

The bench also ordered the

family court in Dhaka to

finish the trial proceedings of

the case filed by the writ

petitioner by March 31, 2022.

At the same time, the High

Court said that the mother

would be able to go to

Rajshahi to see and spend

time with the child, for which

the concerned police

commissioner has been

asked to provide assistance.

Disposing of the writ, the

court said it wassad and

frustrating thatthe case filed

in a family court regarding

the custody of the child is still

not settled,even 2-3 years

after being filed.

Lawyer Motahar Hossain

Journalist Shakil gets

anticipatory bail

DHAKA : The High Court yesterday allowed

anticipatory bail to journalist Shakil Ahmed, head of

news at private TV channel Ekattor Television, for

four weeks in a case lodged under Women and

Children Repression Prevention Act, reports BSS

A High Court division bench of Justice Sheikh Md

Zakir Hossain and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the

order after holding a hearing on Shakil's plea.

The Ekattor Television journalist filed the plea on

Sunday and former additional attorney general

Murad Reza argued for his bail before the court.

Barrister Sarwer Hossain, counsel for the plaintiff,

opposed the bail plea.

The victim, a news presenter at Ekattor

Television, filed the case against Shakil with

Gulshan Police Station on November 4, accusing

him of establishing a sexual relationship with her

with the promise of marrying her soon.

As she became pregnant, Shakil cleverly forced

her to abort. After that, Shakil started refusing to

marry her, making the victim file the case, she

alleged.

Sazu appeared for the

mother, while lawyers Fawzia

Karim Firoz and Kazi

Maruful Alam appeared for

the father of the child during

the hearing.

According to the case, the

writ petitioner, a woman from

Rangpur, married a man from

Rajshahi in 2011 and they

became parents of a daughter

in 2015. However, they got

divorced in 2018 and since then

the child has been living with

the father. The mother filed a

case with the family court in

Dhaka seeking custody of the

child. As the family court failed

to settle the case, she filed a writ

petition in the HC.

Man held with Tk

3.5 crore worth gold

at Sylhet airport

SYLHET : Customs intelligence

officials seized 6.148 Kg gold worth

Tk 3.5 crore from a passenger

coming from Dubai at Sylhet

Osmani International airport on

Monday.

The officials have recovered 38

bars and a disc of gold from

Parendranath Dash, a resident of

Nazirabad area in Moulvibazar

sadar upazila. The airport

authority said they found Biman's

BG-248 flight's passenger Paresh's

movement at the airport suspicious

and interrogated him. At one point

he confessed to carrying gold which

was recovered from inside a juicer

blender in his luggage.

Deputy Commissioner of

airport's customs Mohammad Al

Amin said Paresh is currently

under the custody of the authority

and they are investigating how he

got the gold.

TUESDAy, NOvEMBER 9, 2021

4

Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam

e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Sustainable poverty

reduction

Many poor families in Bangladesh climb out of

poverty one year to slip back into extreme poverty

conditions in the next. Natural calamities like

floods, cyclones and river erosions increase the number of

the poverty afflicted or push them back into poverty after

they had achieved considerable success in getting rid of

poverty from their lives.

What can the policies be to conquer poverty on a

sustainable basis ? One way can be hedging the rural poor

with insurance policies to cover risks like crop losses,

damage to homesteads by floods, loss of poultries and

cattle, etc. According to media reports, a crop insurance

pilot project was about to be launched in a limited way. The

project would be funded jointly by GOB, Asian

Development Bank (ADB) and Japan.

But further developments on this project are not heard

nowadays. This project's outcome should be monitored

and, if found effective, should be replicated all over the

country. The small insurance policies can help poor people

at the grass roots from getting some financial assistance

directly at the time of their acute distresses.

Rural marketing systems may be improved so that rural

producers can sell directly to buyers at good value,

regularly, without having to sell to exploitative

middlemen at a loss. The overall availability of micro

credits to the poor must be increased with repayment

of the loans at substantially lower rate of interests and

on other easy terms.

Government will have to run special programmes to take

care of the needs of the victims of river erosion, monga

(periodic famine conditions in northern areas). It should

provide food and housing supports and create planned

employment for affected people under these special

programmes and operate them with some regularity.

Greater availability of energy and other means of

production in the rural areas that have the highest

concentration of poverty can also have a positive effect

against poverty.

The fastest results against poverty at the national level

can come from much increasing the rate of economic

growth. Economic growth creates jobs, earnings and

employment that have the most effect in reducing poverty.

But the economic growth is vitally dependent on greater

investment activities. The first requirement, thus, is to

create an environment more conducive to investments.

The creation of an investment-friendly environment in

the country is linked to a host of factors such as increasing

the availability of power and other forms of energy, long

term favourable and unchanging fiscal and monetary

policies of the government that create confidence for the

investors, improved law order conditions, upgradation and

addition to infrastructures supportive of investments,

prevention of smuggling, etc.

There was a time when landlessness which accompany

inevitably poverty and its attendant ills, affected a smaller

part of the Bangladesh population than today.

But the number of the landless ones is noted to be rising

in the country. People are forced to sell their last parcels of

ancestral holdings after falling into worse poverty

conditions in the wake of natural calamities ; river

erosion regularly leads to loss of homesteads and

croplands for a large number of people.

The ones without land join the ranks of the worst ones in

extreme poverty and the tasks of poverty alleviation

becomes even more difficult. According to one reliable

assessment, the number of the landless in the

population was 28 per cent in 1972 ; the number has

increased to 50 per cent at present. Bhumi

AdhikarParisad, an NGO, claims that the number of

the landless today is as high as 54 per cent.

Considering the links between landlessness and poverty

or the need to score better successes against poverty, it is

so important to put a hard brake on the process of

becoming landless. One way of doing it involves

distributing government owned lands, called khas lands,

among landless people. There is also a countywide

programme for doing this but it suffers from pervasive

corruption and neglect.

A report in this paper sometime ago highlighted that in

the Sylhet district about 53 per cent of the distribution of

khas lands remained pending while the 47 per cent of

those who received khas lands against their names were

undeserving persons.

Locally influential groups could get their target

persons to become beneficiaries in the settlement of

khas lands to the exclusion of ones who should have got

ownership rights over these lands in view of their

landless state and acute poverty.

In the cases of both undistributed and distributed khas

lands, unlawful squatters are in possession by using their

links to locally powerful vested interest groups.

The situation in Sylhet is symbolic of khas lands

distribution in other areas of the country. Clearly, the

report indicates the need to take action in two fronts : to

ensure that truly landless and very poor persons get

entitlement as well as effective possession of khas lands

and the eviction of undeserving people from their

current occupation of these lands.

Amputating Lebanon from the Arab world

The dismissive retort of

Lebanon's ridiculous Foreign

Minister Abdullah Bou Habib

to GCC proposals for addressing the

latest crisis was: "If they just want

Hezbollah's head on a plate, we can't

give them that." Healso ludicrously

blamed Saudi Arabia for Hezbollah

flooding the Gulf states with

narcotics. Such was BouHabib's

volley of abuse that he may need to

serve up his own head on a plate if

there is to be any hope of salvaging

this shattered relationship.

The logic of abandoning Hezbollah

and Lebanon to drown together, as

advocated by some Arab opinion

leaders, may appear seductive.

However, this would be disastrously

counterproductive. Gaza was

abandoned to Hamas; the economy

collapsed and people starved, but

Hamas entrenched its monopoly.

Gulf states disassociated themselves

from post-2003 Iraq, surrendering it

to Tehran. Arab abandonment of

Syria rendered it a hellish playground

for Iranian-Hezbollah-Russian

interests. Lebanon would be the

cherry on the cake for Iranian

dominance of the Arab world. And

once it is given away, wresting it back

will be no easy feat.

Hezbollah is Tehran's Trojan horse

for colonizing the Arab world. We

must dismantle it, not welcome it in.

The Houthis in Yemen thrived thanks

to Hezbollah training and support.

Hezbollah waded through a river of

Syrian Arab blood to maintain

Tehran's puppet in power, with

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim

Qassim now threatening to send

additional Hezbollah forces back to

Syria. Hezbollah leader Hassan

Nasrallah is the idol of thousands of

bearded Hashd thugs in Iraq - and

after their recent electoral wipeout,

Tehran wants Hezbollah to play an

even more direct role.

The international community is

wrong to consider Lebanon in

isolation. In the context of escalating

stakes in Iran's game of nuclear

brinkmanship, Hezbollah is just one

grants victory to Iran

of the cards in Tehran's efforts to

dominate the region, buttressed by

nuclear and ballistic weapons. If we

are to abandon Lebanon, we may as

well go the whole way and recognise

Ayatollah Khamenei as Supreme

Leader over the entire region.

Iran and Hezbollah made inroads

only because of the eclipse of Arab

nationalism - the belief that Arabs

should stand together locally and on

the world stage. From Jerusalem to

Sanaa, from Baghdad to Beirut, we

should treat every inch of Arab

territory as sacrosanct and worth

fighting for, particularly when UN

institutions, international law and

multilateral forums are under

sustained attack. Every scrap of

territory we relinquish only makes

our enemies hungry for more. With

the Arab world's mighty collective

resources, the challenges posed by

tiny Lebanon and hostile Iranian

encroachment should be well within

our capabilities.

Let's not rip our own heart out. The

Arab world without Beirut - without

the Lebanon of Khalil Gibran,

Mikhail Naimy, Fairuz - is

inconceivable. Generations of

Khaleejis flocked to Lebanon and fell

in love with the country and its

people, which is why so many are

blessed with Lebanese mothers! The

largely Kuwaiti-owned town of

Bhamdoun, near Beirut, is a

microcosm of this seamless

Lebanese-Khaleej relationship.

Generations of Arabs were raised on

Lebanese films and TV, art, music,

poetry, and boundless creativity.

Lebanon's cultural renaissance

since the civil war was achieved

BARIA ALAMUDDIN

FAN HONGDA

thanks to vast GCC investment. Its

economy thrived thanks to millions

of Arab visitors every year, with tens

of billions of dollars of investment in

banking, telecoms, media,

infrastructure, culture and the

military. Diaspora remittances

amount to about $7 billion a year,

$2.2 billion from Saudi Arabia alone,

and Lebanese assets in Saudi Arabia

are worth about $100billion. Eighty

percent of Lebanese fruit and

vegetable exports went to Saudi

Arabia until Nasrallah turned

Lebanon into a narco state.

This is not about gratitude, but

rather a hard-headed understanding

of the foundations of Lebanon's past

and future prosperity. The

transformation into an Iranian

appendage was always fated to fail.

Aside from lavishing funds on

Hezbollah, would - or could - Tehran

supply the merest fraction of Gulf

investment in Lebanon? The trickle

of Iranian tourists encouraged by

Hezbollah have minuscule spending

power compared with their Gulf

predecessors.

Other than in Houthi-land, where

George Kordahi is hailed a hero (his

family must be so proud!) Lebanon's

hapless information minister is a

nobody who once had a lucky break

via a Saudi TV channel. The problem

is infinitely larger than his bigoted

views. Virulent anti-Gulf propaganda

has been pumped out for decades by

Al-Manar and dozens of other Iransponsored

Beirut media channels.

The damage is entirely to Lebanon,

cutting off its nose to spite its face in

gratuitous self-mutilation against

Lebanon's Arab identity.

GCC political leaders and

intellectuals I speak to aren't so much

angry as puzzled and saddened. They

have lifelong ties with Lebanon and

instinctively desire to help. But how

can you assist someone who is

destroying themselves and doesn't

want to be rescued?

Lebanon's criminal leaders are

beyond redemption (not just

Hezbollah - kullun!), but Lebanon's

citizens - Christian, Shiite, Druze,

Sunni - are Arab to the bone. They

know where their interests lie. They

know what severing ties with the

Arab world has cost them. They all

have brothers, uncles, sons in Gulf

and Arab states, and so retain

intimate material and emotional

connections to the Arab world.

Lebanon is drowning but it is not

lost. Particularly with elections just

months away and a vigorous upswell

of progressive anti-sectarian

independents arising from the 2019

movement, there is everything to play

for. Hashd electoral losses in Iraq

demonstrate how public anger can be

translated into political losses for

Iranian proxies. In Lebanon,

Hezbollah's political dominance is

wholly reliant upon hollowed-out

Christian factions whose support

base has cratered.

Lebanese citizens who lost

everything are desperately looking

for a savior. Arab states can use the

elections to toss Lebanon a lifeline. If

citizens elect new and nondiscredited

leaders who can

marginalize Hezbollah then the GCC

will fully re-engage, while also

encouraging international donors

such as the IMF to refloat the

economy. This is a vision that every

patriotic Lebanese citizen can rally

around, simultaneously giving them

a reason to participate in the

democratic process, providing an exit

route from their hellish situation, and

sweeping aside these ridiculous,

hated figures who have dominated

Lebanese politics for decades too long.

Source: Arab news

The Palestine question cannot be viewed

through an old lens

Despite the fact that the Palestine

question has waned in importance in

the hotspot-ridden Middle East, it still

manages to attract some attention. Not only

do Palestinians, Israelis, and other closely

involved parties have differing perspectives

on the issue, but Chinese public opinion is also

becoming increasingly divided.

The Palestine question must be divided into

stages, taking into account the differences in

the characteristics of the issue at various

timeframes, in the sense that the present

cannot be viewed through the lens of the past.

The question of Palestine, which has

hampered peace in the Middle East for more

than a century, has its roots in the rise of

Zionism in the late 19th century. It can be

divided into three stages of development,

from its inception to the present: territorial

competition between Jews and Palestinians;

successive wars between Israel and the Arab

states; and Palestine's current claim to Israeliheld

territories for the establishment of an

independent state.

The United Nations Resolution 181 on the

partition of the Palestine Mandate, which was

issued on November 29, 1947, marked the

end of the first stage of the question of

Palestine. With the rise of the Zionist

movement and increased Jewish

immigration to Palestine, competition for

land between Jews and Palestinians became

more intense.

At the urging of the major powers, the UN

voted on the partition and the establishment

of a Jewish state and a Palestinian Arab state.

All Arab countries voted against the

partition, and when Israel declared statehood

on May 14, 1948, many of them waged war on

the new state in the name of defending

Palestinian interests. The Arab states were

adamant about standing up for Palestinians

because they saw Palestine as part of the Arab

world and Palestinians as part of the Arab

people.

As a result, the history of the Palestinians, as

seen through their eyes, can be traced back to

the Arab conquest of Palestine following the

rise of Islam in the 7th century AD.

Until the adoption of the UN resolution on

the partition of Palestine in 1947, Palestinians

were a people ruled by others, never having

established their own independent state and

severely lacking the capacity and ability to do

so. The Arab states' collective boycott and

Lebanon's cultural renaissance since the civil war was

achieved thanks to vast GCC investment. Its economy

thrived thanks to millions of Arab visitors every year, with

tens of billions of dollars of investment in banking,

telecoms, media, infrastructure, culture and the military.

rejection of Resolution 181 pushed the

Palestinians even further away from

establishing an independent and sovereign

state on that basis.

The First Middle East War began on May

15, 1948, the day after Israel was established

in accordance with UN Resolution 181, when

several Arab countries launched a military

attack on Israel under the banner of

defending Palestinian interests. This led to the

second stage of the question of Palestine, the

Arab-Israeli War, which ended with the Third

Middle East War in 1967.

When the First Middle East War ended in

1949, the land given to the Palestinians for

statehood by UN Resolution 181 was divided

among Israel, Transjordan (later renamed

Jordan), and Egypt. When the Third Middle

East War ended in 1967, Israel also took

control of Palestinian land that had been

occupied by Jordan and Egypt, worsening the

Palestinian situation even further. With the

defeat of the Arab states, the second stage of

the question of Palestine also came to a close.

Where war had failed to bring a solution,

Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestinian

Liberation Organization (PLO), made the

decision to pursue a path of peace with Israel,

bringing the question of Palestine to its third

stage. Arafat declared the establishment of the

State of Palestinian in 1988, despite the fact

that he had no physical control over the

territory, signaling to Israel that a peaceful

solution to the question of Palestine was on

the table.

After the Middle East Peace Conference in

Madrid in 1991, the Palestinian-Israeli peace

process became the primary means of

resolving the question of Palestine. Since

then, the core of the question of Palestine has

shifted to Palestinian demands for the return

of occupied Palestinian lands from Israeli

hands and for the establishment of an

independent state.

Since 1967, when Israel seized more than

6,000 square kilometers of Palestinian lands

in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the

Gaza Strip from Jordan and Egypt during the

Third Middle East War, these lands have been

the focus of Palestinian statehood claims.

After the Madrid Middle East Peace

Conference and ongoing Palestinian-Israeli

peace talks, the Palestinian National

Authority gained control of a portion of the

land from Israel, and the de jure sovereign

State of Palestine now administers 2,500

square kilometers of territory.

Despite the current perceptions of a few

countries, such as Israel and the US, the

international community continues to

support a two-state solution to the question of

Palestine (that is, an independent Israel and a

Palestinian state).

The Palestinian territory controlled by

Egypt and Jordan prior to the outbreak of the

Third Middle East War in 1967 is the basis for

the current Palestinian claim to statehood.

After the Madrid Middle East Peace Conference and

ongoing Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, the Palestinian

National Authority gained control of a portion of the land

from Israel, and the de jure sovereign State of Palestine

now administers 2,500 square kilometers of territory.

However, objectively, this is an unattainable

dream.

Israel will never give up East Jerusalem,

and no Israeli decision-maker will ever order

a withdrawal from the West Bank's Jewish

settlements against the will of 400,000

Jewish settlers. It is a matter of national

stability for Israel, and the careers of its

politicians are on the line, whereas no

international force is strong enough to force

Israel to withdraw from these lands; the

Palestinians are all the more powerless in this

regard.

The Palestinians must be more realistic

about the boundaries of their future state, and

the international community must fully take

this into account. The hitherto fragmented

Palestinian political forces need to unite as

soon as possible and define a realistic path

and objectives for the sake of their own

statehood.

Some nations and individuals blame Israel

for the current plight of the Palestinians, with

some even criticizing 19th-century Zionists for

returning to Palestine and establishing a

nation-state. The fact remains that one of the

world's most widely influential books - the

Bible - makes their case; not even atheists can

deny the enormous impact this tome has had

and continues to have on the world.

How can a Zionist ignore the Bible's

account of the Jews and their forefathers and

deny the connection between the Jewish

people and Palestine?

Furthermore, Israel is a state that was

established under international law and in

accordance with UN resolutions, and Israel's

occupation of Palestinian land is the result of

wars that the Arab states waged against it;

most of the territories were won from

previous occupiers of Palestinian lands,

namely Jordan and Egypt. The plight of the

Palestinians today is clearly not the fault of

Israel alone.

Third parties must have a more up-to-date

and objective understanding of the question

of Palestine. Because the two parties directly

involved - Israel and the Palestinians - are the

most important to a future resolution of the

question of Palestine, third parties should be

more mindful of their respective viewpoints.

For instance, what is the Palestinian

position on establishing a truly independent

state? How much land is Israel likely to give

up and what land will it give up?

In addition, what is the Arab states' actual

stance on the question of Palestine? Extraregional

third parties should also factor this

into their disposition toward the question of

Palestine, which is, after all, closely linked to

Arab states. What's more, despite its waning

international clout, the US continues to wield

influence over the question of Palestine that

simply cannot be matched by outside players.

Without these fundamental understandings,

simply supporting Palestine or Israel will not

be beneficial to the resolution of the question

of Palestine, and may even be detrimental to

the process. When a third party's approach to

the conflict becomes overtly biased toward

one side, it will undoubtedly undermine the

other party's desire to cooperate, causing

more harm than good to the resolution of the

question of Palestine.

Source: Asia times

TuESdAY, novEMbER 9, 2021

5

Young activists sounding the alarm

from climate tipping points

MéLISSA GodIn

For millions of young people

around the world, climate

breakdown is something they

have known their entire lives.

Many live in regions that are

particularly at risk of being

affected by tipping points -

parts of the Earth's system

where small changes, such as

increased temperatures,

could lead to accelerated and

irreversible impacts.

A landmark IPCC report

earlier this year warned that

tipping points such as

melting ice sheets or Amazon

forest loss could soon be

triggered, with the potential

to bring catastrophic change

to vulnerable areas.

But rather than be

paralysed by fear, these young

activists are taking action.

From protecting coral reefs to

organising protests, they are

doing what they can to try to

stop the tipping points from

being passed. on Bonifacio

grew up hearing about the

Philippines' coral reefs. He

pictured brightly coloured

underwater worlds, where

marine life could flourish.

But when he finally got to

visit a reef a few years ago,

what he saw told a different

story. "The coral reefs

seemed completely lifeless,"

he says. Rising sea

temperatures are pushing the

world's tropical coral reefs

past a tipping point where

they now suffer bleaching

events almost every year.

While scientists say there is

still a chance to prevent

several tipping points, coral

reefs face a bleak future: even

if temperature rise is limited

to 1.5C above pre-industrial

levels, it has been projected

that 70%-95% of coral reefs

will be gone by the end of the

century.

When Bonifacio learned

about this, he dropped out of

medical school to pursue

climate and environmental

advocacy full-time. He joined

local environmental groups,

advocating for companies

and governments to do

better, tried to prevent

reclamation projects that

threaten to bury marine

reserves, and even swam to

reefs to remove crown-ofthorns

starfish that eat corals

- a small cause of reef die-off.

"I like what they're doing,"

says Lenton. "Even if it's hard

to change the global climate,

activists can reduce other

pressures on the reef." While

there are days when

Bonifacio is "paralysed by the

anxiety of what the next few

years and decades could

bring," he has not given up

hope. Supporting local

science and research

institutions, he says, is a

concrete way to help. "We

still do have a chance at life

worth fighting for."

Over the course of Adri

Mafoletti's life, the Amazon

rainforest she grew up in has

lost more than one-third of its

capacity to absorb carbon.

Logging and the climate crisis

has resulted in the loss of

trees. Now, scientists estimate

that 40% of the existing

Amazon rainforest could

become a savannah, pushing

it past its tipping point and

reducing the planet's ability to

absorb carbon.

For

indigenous

communities living in the

Amazon, crossing this tipping

point would also mean an

end to their way of life.

"Indigenous peoples cannot

live without forests and rivers

- it's all we have, it's part of

us," says Mafoletti, who is

part of the Guaraní

community. "We are nature,

without it we don't exist."

Mafoletti is doing all she

can to fight climate change.

She makes sure indigenous

groups on the frontlines have

access to basic goods and

raises awareness of how the

climate crisis exacerbates

gender inequality.

Nanna Chemnitz

Frederiksen grew up in

Nuuk, Greenland, where

every fraction of a degree of

heating is made visible by the

ever-shrinking Greenland ice

A young person reaches for an inflated globe during a 'Fridays for Future'

protest in Muenster, north-west Germany. Photo: Getty Images

sheet. "People from all

around the world, politicians

and scientists come to

Greenland to see the inland

ice," she says. "We are at the

centre of this."

A significant portion of the

ice sheet is thought to be on

the verge of a tipping point,

where melting could soon

become unavoidable even if

emissions are cut. The ice

sheet is hugely important to

stabilising the global climate,

as it provides a vast white

regionthat reflects sunlight

back into space. But as the ice

melts, the reflective surface

shrinks, leading to more

warming and melting and in

turn, sea level rise. Scientists

say sea level rises of one to

two metres is probably

already inevitable.

Frederiksen knows that the

melting ice sheet will have

negative impacts on

communities across

Greenland, especially in

northern settlements such as

Qaanaaq where permafrost

melting is destabilising

homes and roads and

impacting how fishers and

hunters operate.

But her real concern lies on

the impact it will have

globally. "I am not so scared

of what the effects of the

melting of ice in Greenland

will be," Frederiksen says, "It

scares me what effect it can

have for the rest of the

world."

After school, Frederiksen

volunteers

with

Greenland4Nature, a

collection of young

Greenlandic people trying to

make their voices heard

about climate change. But

she says it is hard to remain

hopeful. "When this world

shows me how people deal

with CO2 emission, pollution

of the ocean, pollution of the

soil … I get scared."

Roseline Mansaray has not

slept in weeks. It is the rainy

season in Freetown, Sierra

Leone and she is scared. "I

am in panic, praying for my

country not to experience any

more destructive flooding

this year," she says.

West Africa is one of the

few places in the world that

experiences monsoons. But

as the planet heats up, the

monsoon patterns are

changing, potentially leading

to either significant increases

or decreases in rainfall.

"Some models say it will get

wetter, others say it will get

drier," says Prof Lenton. "But

either way would be

problematic." Already,

Mansaray has watched

increased rainfall during

monsoon season devastate

her community. She used to

live in Kroo Bay, an informal

housing settlement where

floods destroyed homes in

her community, injured her

neighbours, contaminated

drinking water and led to the

spread of waterborne

diseases including cholera,

diarrhoea and typhoid.

Then on 14 August 2017,

Mansaray witnessed a hillside

collapse after heavy rains that

killed an estimated 1,000

people and displaced

hundreds of families who

were moved into temporary

camps.

Mansaray is doing her part

to address the climate crisis:

she is one of the main

organisers for Friday for

Futures in Sierra Leone,

planning local street protests

as well as helping organise

some internationally. For

her, activism is less a choice

than a matter of survival. "I

am no stranger to climate

change," she says. "I have

tasted its bitterness."

A climate protestor in Glasgow this weekend.

RobIn MCKIE

In terms of national carbon

pledges, India provided the

best news last week, with

prime minister Narendra

Modi announcing that the

country - currently a major

polluter - intends to

generate half its electricity

from renewables by 2030

and achieve net zero

emission status by 2070.

Most experts rate the

latter target as extremely

ambitious and, according

to the journal Nature,

many suspect it is more

likely that India's plan is to

reach net zero only for

carbon dioxide by 2070,

with other greenhouse

gases coming later.

Nevertheless, the move is

significant and contrasts

sharply with the poor

emission commitments

made to date by Saudi

Arabia, the planet's

second-biggest oil

producer, and by Russia,

its second-biggest gas

provider. Much, in short,

remains to be done.

Felling trees contributes

to climate change because

it depletes forest cover,

which is vital for absorbing

carbon dioxide. Forests

are, it's said, being cleared

at a rate of 30 football

pitches' worth a minute. An

agreement to call a halt to

this staggering level of

deforestation - reached on

Tuesday - was one of the

high points of Cop26's first

week. As part of the deal,

more than 100 world

leaders agreed to reverse

deforestation by 2030.

Crucially, Brazil -which has

cut down huge stretches of

the Amazon rainforest in

recent years - was among

the signatories. However,

observers have pointed out

that a previous

international agreement,

in 2014, failed to slow

deforestation in any way.

On the other hand, the

latest pledge is being

backed with some serious

money: almost £14bn

($19.2bn) of public and

private funds. Some of this

money will go to

developing countries, to

restore damaged land and

help tackle wildfires.

Carbon dioxide may be

the principal driver of

global warming, but

methane is also a potent

greenhouse gas, and

atmospheric levels have

surged over the past

decade. The commitment -

by an alliance of more than

90 nations, representing

two-thirds of the global

economy - to reduce

methane emissions by at

least 30% from current

levels by 2030 is therefore

considered an important,

albeit belated, step

forward.

"Cutting back on

methane emissions is one

of the most effective things

we can do to reduce nearterm

global warming and

keep it to 1.5°C," said

European Commission

president Ursula von der

Leyen. Methane is emitted

from gas and oil wells,

pipelines, livestock, and

municipal landfill sites,

and much of the effort - to

be led by the US - will

involve companies being

obliged to plug leaks in

more than 3 million miles

of pipelines. Significantly

however, China, India and

Russia have not pledged to

cut their methane

emissions.

Greenhouse gases

produced by burning coal

are the single biggest

contributor to climate

change. Weaning the world

off coal is considered

critical in limiting

temperature rises across

the planet.

"I think we can say the

end of coal is in sight," said

Alok Sharma, British

president of the two-week

summit, detailing an

agreement to phase out

existing coal-fuelled power

plants and stop building

new ones. Signatories of

the non-binding pledge

include major banks and,

he said "46 countries … 23

of which are making

Photo: Christopher Furlong

What has Cop26 achieved so far?

commitments on ending

coal for the first time".

However, the absence of

Australia, India, the US

and China from the pledge

to drop coal has drawn

criticism. "The key point in

this underwhelming

announcement is that coal

is basically allowed to

continue as normal for

years yet," said Jamie

Peters, director of

campaigns at Friends of

the Earth.

The International Energy

Agency (IEA), the world's

energy watchdog, reacted

fairly enthusiastically to

the pledges made so far.

"New @IEA analysis shows

that fully achieving all net

zero pledges to date & the

Global Methane Pledge by

those who signed it would

limit global warming to

1.8C," the agency's

director, Fatih Birol, wrote

on Twitter last Friday. But

Selwin Hart, the special

adviser to the UN

secretary-general on

climate action, challenged

the assertion. "Fatih, I

heard your numbers," he

said in Glasgow. "But

based on the nationally

determined contributions

that have been submitted,

the world is on a 2.7 degree

pathway - a catastrophic

pathway."

nInA LAKhAnI

A counter climate summit kicks off in

Glasgow on Sunday amid mounting

criticism from activists about

greenwashed solutions and stalled

action from corporations and rich

nations inside Cop26. The People's

Summit for Climate Justice will bring

together movements and communities

from across the world to amplify

voices, ideas and solutions it believes

are largely absent from Cop - including

the global green new deal, polluters'

liability, indigenous ecological

knowledge and the gulf between net

zero and real zero emissions.

Organisers hope that sharing

expertise on equitable and

transformative non-market solutions

to the climate emergency will help

create a powerful grassroots collective

to force governments to be more

ambitious and less beholden to big

business.

The summit comes after world

leaders last week failed to commit to

phasing out fossil fuels fast enough to

contain global heating to 1.5C. It

follows several days of protests in

Glasgow, London and another 200

cities globally, with tens of thousands

of people taking to the streets to

demand bold, fast and fair climate

action.

"Building power outside the Cop is

essential if we are to hold world leaders

to account inside the Cop, and force

them to do what we know needs to be

done," said Asad Rehman, the director

of War on Want and co-founder of the

Cop26 Coalition which organised

Saturday's global protests and the

summit.

"We're creating a movement of

movements in order to deepen and

Counter climate summit kicks

off against Cop26 inaction

reshape the understanding of the

climate crisis in the global north

through a climate justice lens."

The four-day summit includes

participants from indigenous and

frontline communities, trade unions,

racial justice and migrant rights

groups, youth strikers, landworkers,

NGOs, feminist movements and faith

groups, as well as progressive

lawmakers such as Caroline Lucas,

Mercy Barends and Rashida Tlaib, who

support the green new deal.

It opens with a People's Tribunal in

which activists and former Cop

negotiators will hear evidence on

charges against the UNFCCC,

including the failure to come up with

appropriate climate finance for

planetary and social survival and a

failure to regulate corporations.

Participants will share personal

stories about the impact of climaterelated

land loss, water shortages and

forced displacement, which they argue

will get worse if governments and

corporations forge ahead with unjust

climate solutions such as carbon

capture and mass reforestation.

"Putting a price on natural resources

is an act of colonialism and

inhumanity. But there are other ways,

humanity-based alternatives that we'll

share so they can't say that they didn't

know," said Calfin Lafkenche, a

Mapuche organiser from Chile in

Glasgow with the Minga movement, an

Indigenous leaders march in ceremonial dress from Glasgow's Green Park to

the Cop26 Scottish Event Campus earlier this week. Photo: Murdo MacLeod

indigenous solidarity network taking

part in an event on false climate

solutions.

While some summit delegates are

also participating at Cop26 as

observers or panelists, the Minga

movement refuses - arguing that the

terms and conditions of participation

violate their rights as autonomous

peoples. Still, organisers hope the

people's summit will help build bridges

between civil society groups inside and

outside the UN talks in order to create

a more unified and powerful

movement.

Another central theme will be net

zero - the concept of offsetting or

neutralising greenhouse gas emissions

(rather than ending them) through

carbon markets, new as-yetundeveloped

technologies and massive

reforestation programmes.

Pledges to achieve net zero by 2050

have been heavily promoted by world

leaders at Cop26 as signs of progress,

despite warnings that the numbers

don't add up, and that in any case this

would be too little too late to avoid

catastrophic climate disasters in some

parts of the world.

"They are trying to sell net zero as a

Cop26 success, but it is nothing more

than the next more sophisticated phase

of climate denial to protect business as

usual. It's mitigation denialism," said

Scott Tully from Glasgow Calls out

Polluters.

At the people's summit, the Real

Zero, Real Solutions panel will also

focus on liability, and why countries

and corporations responsible for

greenhouse gas emissions should

compensate communities who've lost

their homes, land and livelihoods to

rising sea levels and climate disasters

such as floods and drought.

Rich countries including the US and

UK oppose the inclusion of liability in

negotiations about averting and

minimising loss and damage

associated with climate change

impacts, even though many

communities are already living with

the consequences of greenhouse gas

emissions they did not contribute to.

Hellen Kaneni, the Africa region

director for the US nonprofit Corporate

Accountability, said: "People want big

polluters to be held to account, and

liability measures to guide

governments exist but it's not being

discussed at Cop because of conflicts of

interest. Polluters should leave the

room when we're creating checks and

balances to regulate them, instead it's

like they own the UNFCCC (United

Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change) space while we

cannot get in."

Kaneni, who is based in Kampala,

Uganda, was unable to attend in

person as she could not access a Covid

vaccine. About two-thirds of civil

society organisations who usually send

delegates to Cop have not travelled to

Glasgow due to "vaccine apartheid",

changing travel rules, extortionate

travel costs and Britain's hostile

immigration system.

Migrant rights groups will also be

heard at the summit. The climate crisis

and environmental destruction are

already fuelling internal displacement

and forced migration in communities

around the world, yet such stories have

been largely absent inside the Cop

negotiating rooms.

"Talking about climate change in

terms of fossil fuels is a Eurocentric

perspective, it should be viewed

through a human rights lens which

recognises that everyone has the right

to thrive, not just survive," said Yvonne

Blake, social justice advocate at

Migrants Organising For Rights and

Empowerment (More) in Glasgow - a

dispersal city for refugees and asylum

seekers in the UK.

"Unless we shift the focus to people,

we'll replicate the same colonial

structures in which black and brown

people's bodies and lands will be

sacrificed," added Blake.

In all, more than 200 events - panels,

people's tribunals, workshops and

artistic performances - will take place

at venues across the city and virtually,

covering diverse yet interconnected

topics such as health, indigenous

traditional knowledge, gender, nuclear

power, land rights, food sovereignty

and green jobs.

In a virtual all-day event on Sunday,

a people's health hearing will hear the

voices of those who "embody the

impact of extractivism, corporate greed

and climate change," said Tammam

Aloudat, a Syrian doctor and director

of the Global Health Centre in Geneva.

Speakers from India, West Papua,

Ecuador, Nigeria and the Philippines

will describe the health impacts of

mining, toxic waste, oil drilling and

climate disasters in their communities.

TUeSDAY, NOveMBeR 9, 2021 6

Bauphal’s UP election must be fair and transparent: DC

ATUL PAUL, BAUPHAL CORReSPONDeNT

Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Md

Kamal Hossain said, "We are

determined to make the Naomala and

Suryamani Union Parishad elections in

Bauphal on November 11 free, fair and

neutral in honor of the Chief election

Commissioner (CeC)." He said

Bauphal is an educated town and the

home of the Chief election

Commissioner. It is the responsibility

of all of us to protect the dignity of this

town. elections will be held in a

neutral, free, fair and joyful

environment if the contesting

candidates show tolerance and respect

for each other. And that's what I want.

He urged every candidate to abide by

the electoral Code of Conduct. We will

not allow any kind of deviation. If

anyone thinks that you will have any

kind of influence in the election, forget

it. We do not want any kind of violence

to take place in the elections held in this

educated town. People from all levels

of administration including police,

RAB, Ansar-VDP are on the ground to

make the election free and fair. On the

occasion of the election of Naomala and

Suryamani UP of Baufal on November

11, Baufal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md

AL Amin chaired a view exchange

meeting while the deputy

commissioner addressed the occasion

as the chief guest. Chairman

candidates of Naomala and Suryamani

Unions and journalists were present at

the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, among

others, Patuakhali RAB-6 Commander

Lt. Shahidul Islam, Senior Assistant

Superintendent of Police. Mr. Ahmed

Chowdhury, District Ansar and VDP

Commander. Kamaruzzaman and

Upazila election Officer. Tariqul Islam.

Baufal Assistant Commissioner (Land)

Bayezidur Rahman, Upazila Ansar and

VDP Commander and other officials

were present on the occasion.

On the occasion of Policing Day-2021, Badruddoza Bhuiyan Tarek, Member Secretary of

Chhagalnaiya Upazila Community Policing Committee and social worker received the 'IGP Medal'

from the Bangladesh Police recently.

Photo: Kafil Uddin Majumder

Sheikh Russell Day: prize distribution

10 November in Rangpur

RANGPUR: Distribution of

prizes of different monthlong

competitions arranged

for children on Sheikh

Russell Day will be held on

November 10 (Wednesday)

in the city, reports BSS.

Leaders of the central and

Rangpur divisional

committees of Sheikh Russel

Shishu Kishore Parishad

disclosed the information in

a press conference held at a

local restaurant on Sunday

afternoon.

Marking the Shaheed

Sheikh Russell Day, the

organisation arranged

month- long drawing, essay

writing, beautiful

handwriting, quiz, cricket,

football and cultural

competitions since October

18 last in Rangpur.

Organizing Secretary of

the central committee of the

organisation Md Alauddin

Saju read out a written

statement in the media

briefing.

He said the birthday of

On the occasion of the forthcoming election of Kamarchak Union Parishad No. 7 of

Rajnagar Upazila of Moulvibazar District, Chairman Candidate Md. Ziaur Rahman

Zia held a view exchange meeting in the upazila recently. Photo: Alok Kanti Deb

Collaborative efforts to mitigate

urban poverty stressed

RAjSHAHI: Collaborative efforts of all

government and non-government

organizations concerned have become crucial

to eradicate the urban poverty caused by the

adverse impact of climate change as the

climate- induced poverty has been rising

gradually in urban areas, reports BSS.

Rural less-income people with their

recurrent disaster exposures are migrating

into urban areas. These newcomers face a

high employment crisis in the city and with

very poor-quality housing and other facilities

they are further tapped into a deeper urban

poverty cycle.

The observation came at an inception

workshop of social services held at the city

bhaban conference hall of Rajshahi City

Corporation (RCC) on Sunday.

GIZ hosted the workshop under the 'Urban

Management of Internal Migration due to

Climate Change (UMIMCC)' and the Urban

Shaheed Sheikh Russell, the

youngest son of Father of the

Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rahman, was

officially celebrated on

October 18 for the first time

as Sheikh Russell Day across

the country.

"In addition to the official

celebration of the day, on

behalf of the organisation,

we are organising various

month-long events for

children and adolescents at

the district and upazila levels

all over the country," he said.

Similarly, month-long

drawing, essay writing,

handwriting, quiz, cricket,

football and cultural

competitions have been

organised for children and

adolescents at district and

upazila level of Rangpur

division marking the day.

The closing ceremony and

distribution of prizes among

winners of different

competitions is expected to

be held on November 10 at

Rangpur Town Hall

auditorium.

"State Minister for

Shipping Khalid Mahmud

Chowdhury is scheduled to

attend the award

distribution ceremony

followed by a discussion as

the chief guest," Saju said.

Secretary General of the

central committee of Sheikh

Russel Shishu Kishore

Parishad KM Shahid Ullah

will be present as the keynote

speaker.

Leaders of the central and

local committees of Awami

League and its associate

bodies will attend the

function.

Divisional convener of

Sheikh Russell Day

Celebration Committee

Saiful Islam Sweet and its

Member Secretary musician

Antar Rahman along with

leaders and workers of the

divisional, city and districts

units of Sheikh Russel

Shishu Kishore Parishad

were present at the press

conference.

Management of Migration and Livelihood

(UMML) projects.

Various need-based infrastructures are

being built in city areas for providing shelter to

the internally migrated people besides

providing short and long term job oriented

training and health care facilities to the ultrapoor

and poor class people with interventions

of the projects.

With RCC Chief executive Officer Dr Sharif

Uddin in the chair, the meeting was

addressed, among others, by Ward Councilors

Muhammad Kamruzzaman, Shahidul Islam

and Umme Salma and Secretary Moshiur

Rahman.

GIZ Adviser Akteruzzaman Rana told

the meeting that climate change is

becoming a threat to the urban

environment, development and livelihood.

Urban poverty is highly linked with rural

disaster risks.

Badruddoza

Tarek receives

'IGP Medal'

KAFIL UDDIN MAjUMDeR,

CHHAGALNAIyA CORReSPONDeNT

On the occasion of Policing

Day-2021, Badruddoza

Bhuiyan Tarek, Member

Secretary of Chhagalnaiya

Upazila Community

Policing Committee and

social worker received the

'IGP Medal' from the

Bangladesh Police on

Saturday.

In recognition of his

impeccable contribution to

community policing

activities, the award was

conferred on Badruddoza

Bhuiyan Tarek on behalf of

the Feni District Police on

Saturday afternoon. On

behalf of Inspector General

of Police (IGP) Dr. Benzir

Ahmed, Superintendent of

Police (SP) Khandakar

Nurunbi BPM, PPM,

presented the award to

Tarek as the best

community policing

member.

During the time,

Additional Superintendent

of Police (Headquarters)

Rabiul Islam, ASP (DSB)

Abu Tahar Farooqui, OC

(DB) Majbah Uddin

Ahmed, OC of Fani Model

Police Station M Nizam

Uddin and others were

present on the occasion.

Asadul

selected as

best ASI for

4th time in

Gournadi

GIAS UDDIN MIA, GOURNADI

CORReSPONDeNT

Asadul Islam, Assistant

Sub-Inspector of Police

(ASI) of Gournadi Model

Police Station, has been reelected

as the best ASI of

Barishal District in

recognition of his

professionalism and hard

work. ASI Asadul Islam has

been awarded the title of

Best Assistant Sub-

Inspector of Police for 4th

time in the last six months.

District Superintendent

of Police Maruf PPM

Hasan presented the crest

and honors to Asadul for

being selected as the best

ASI of various categories

on acting criteria at the

October Month Crime

Review and Operational

Meeting held at the office

of Barishal District


on Sunday. Additional


(Administration) of Barisal

District Police Md.

Shahjahan and other

senior police officers were

present at the time.

Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Md Kamal Hossain as the chief guest addressed a view exchange meeting in

Bauphal on Monday.

Photo: Atul Paul

53,153 patients recover

from Covid-19

RANGPUR: The number of

recovered Covid-19 patients

rose to 53,153 with the healing

of 14 more during the last 24

hours ending at 8 am

yesterday in the division.

"The average recovery rate

currently stands at 95.92

percent in the division where

the pandemic situation

continues improving in recent

months," said Acting

Divisional Director (Health)

Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam.

The recovered patients

include 11,481 of Rangpur,

3,677 of Panchagarh, 4,353 of

Nilphamari, 2,625 of

Lalmonirhat, 4,527 of

Kurigram, 7,316 of

Thakurgaon, 14,383 of

Dinajpur and 4,791 of

Gaibandha districts in the

division.

Meanwhile, the number of

Covid-19 cases reached 55,415

as 12 fresh cases were

diagnosed after testing 218

new samples at the positivity

rate of 5.50 percent on

Sunday here.

earlier, the daily Covid-19

positivity rates were 5.49

percent on Saturday, 3.24

percent on Friday, 2.37

percent on Thursday, 2.62

percent on Wednesday and

3.81 percent on Tuesday last

in the division.

The district-wise break up

of total Covid-19 patients

include 12,476 of Rangpur,

3,811 of Panchagarh, 4,454 of

Nilphamari, 2,743 of

Lalmonirhat, 4,645 of

Kurigram, 7,639 of

Thakurgaon, 14,782 of

Dinajpur and 4,865 of

Gaibandha.

Alleged AL leader murderer

Faruk trying to illegally grab

land in Shariatpur

SHARIATPUR CORReSPONDeNT

In Shariatpur, Awami

League leader Mannan's

killer 'Faruk Chawkidar' is

known in the area as

murder, rape, kidnapping,

land grabbing and drug

lord. He commits any crime

including murder for

money. He introduces

himself as the president of

Sramik' union. They have a

huge terrorist force. The

locals do not open their

mouths for fear of the

Chakidar family.

According to local

sources, the common

people are very upset over

the torture of Faruk

Chawkidar and his

brothers. When someone

goes to build his own house

in the area, the Chakidars

demand money. If the toll is

not collected, no worker will

be allowed to enter the

house and the goods

transport vehicle will be

stopped and they will be

threatened. Ordinary

people were forced to do

housework with the help of

Farooq Chakidar Gang.

Speaking against them,

some of the terrorists in

Pobia have fled in fear of the

Chakidars. Awami League

leader Mannan Sardar was

killed to take possession of

the land. Abul Hashem and

Abul Hossain Munshi's

family were evicted from

the area. Abul Hashem and

Abul Hossain held a press

conference at Dhaka

Reporters' Unity recently.

At the press conference,

they demanded the trial of

Farooq Chakidar Gang, the

murderer of Mannan, and

the return of his ancestral

land. No one can say where

the victim's family is.

Basically Faruk Chakidars

caught the wire and mixed it

with dust. About 70/72

cases including murder,

rape, weapons and drugs

have been registered against

Faruk Chawkidars in

different police stations.

Most of the witnesses and

plaintiffs in each case are

now excluded.

Sources further said that

Faruk Chawkidars have

been covering their bodies

for some time and now they

have re-entered the area

and started various

misdeeds including

occupation and extortion

and drug trafficking. Kali

De, Ganga De, Krishta De,

joydugi and Usharani De,

children of Paresh of Paresh

deceased Paresh of Palang

police station, are now

desperate to occupy their

homes and lands. Faruk

Chawkidar has been

demanding various

donations from them at

different times and making

various threats. This

minority family can flee the

area at any time due to their

oppression.

Some locals, speaking on

condition of anonymity,

said, "In Shariatpur, Faruk

Chawkidars have

established a crime zone

and a terror zone which

they are doing by managing

the administration."

Despite having so many

leaders and workers of

Awami League in

Shariatpur, I was forced to

do the main work with

them. If we don't give them

these jobs, then there could

be murders and

disappearances, "he said.

They keep the line of CCTV

off while delivering any

major crime in the area

such as murder,

kidnapping, robbery, drug

shipment. The whole thing

is out of reach. Using these

tactics they have continued

their criminal activities in

the society. The locals feel

that the matter needs to be

looked into by the higher

authorities.

Asadul Islam, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) of Gournadi Model Police Station, has been reelected

as the best ASI of Barishal District in recognition of his professionalism and hard work on

Sunday.

Photo: Gias Uddin Mia

TueSDAY, November 9, 2021

7

Sudan forces disperse anti-coup

protesters, arrest dozens

KHARTOUM : Sudan's security forces

dispersed demonstrators and rounded

up more than 100 people Sunday in the

capital of Khartoum, in the latest

crackdown on pro-democracy

protesters after last month's military

coup.

The Sudanese military seized power

Oct. 25, dissolving the transitional

government and arresting dozens of

officials and politicians. The coup has

drawn international criticism and

massive protests in the streets of

Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.

The takeover has upended the country's

fragile planned transition to democratic

rule, more than two years after a

popular uprising forced the removal of

longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and

his Islamist government.

Teachers and education workers

protested the coup outside the

Education Ministry in Khartoum's

district of Bahri, according to the

Sudanese Professionals' Association,

which led the uprising against al-Bashir.

Security forces used tear gas to

disperse the protesters and arrested at

least 113 people, mostly teachers, said

lawyer Moez Hadra. There were

sporadic protests elsewhere in

Khartoum, he said. Local authorities

announced the resumption of school

classes in the capital for the first time

since the coup. Sunday was the first of

two days of nationwide strikes called by

the SPA, which vowed to continue

protesting until a full civilian

government is established to lead the

transition. Several shops and businesses

in Khartoum were seen open, according

to a video journalist with The Associated

Press.

The fresh crackdown has also come as

mediation efforts between the military

and civilian leaders have stumbled,

according to a military official with

knowledge of the ongoing efforts.

Mediators, including the United

Nations envoy in Sudan, were still

working to soften the stand of each side,

as both are still stick to their preconditions

before engaging in

"meaningful, possibly direct talks," the

official said, speaking on condition of

anonymity because he was not

authorized to brief the media.

The deposed Prime Minister Abdalla

Hamdok, who is still under house arrest

in his residence in Khartoum, insists on

releasing government officials and

politicians detained in connection with

the coup. He also wants "guarantees"

that military would return to the precoup

power-sharing arrangements, the

official said.

The military, on the other hand,

insists that the Oct. 25 events did not

amount to a "coup," and that it stepped

in to "correct the course" of the

transitional period, the official said.

Part of mediation efforts, an Arab

League delegation, meanwhile, met

Sunday with Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan,

the military leader, and Hamdok, the

pan-Arab organization said. It said the

delegation, headed by Deputy Secretary

General Hossam Zaki, held talks with

Hamdok on the challenges of the

transition and "ongoing efforts to

support constructive dialogue" to reestablish

a path to democracy.

The military has given mixed signals.

It allowed four ministers to return to

their homes under house arrest,

according to Hadra, the lawyer. The four

included Hamza Baloul, minister of

information and culture, Hashim

Hasabel-Rasoul, minister of

communications, Ali Gedou, minister of

trade and international cooperation,

and Youssef Adam, minister of youth

and sports.

Sudan's security forces dispersed demonstrators and rounded up more than 100 people Sunday in

the capital of Khartoum, in the latest crackdown on pro-democracy protesters after last month's military

coup. Photo : AP

Mourning

Rappers, organizers sued

over music festival

stampede killing 8 in U.S.

HOUSTON : U.S. rappers

Travis Scott and Canadian

singer Drake, as well as

concert giant Live Nation

and NRG Stadium, have

been sued over the

Astroworld Festival tragedy

claiming eight lives and

injuring many others in a

crowd surge here Friday

night, media reported

Sunday.

Fox News reported that it

can confirm that Texas

attorney Thomas J. Henry

filed a lawsuit on Sunday

against Scott, whose real

name is Jacques Bermon

Webster, and Drake, whose

real name is Aubrey Drake

Graham, as well as entities

including Live Nation and

NRG Stadium.

Live Nation was

reportedly responsible for

the security of the festival

and Scott himself.

The lawsuit was said to be

on behalf of 23-year-old

concert-goer Kristian

Paredes from Austin, Texas,

who was injured in the

incident which appears to be

one of the deadliest crowd

disasters at a music event in

years. "Live musical

performances are meant to

inspire catharsis, not

tragedy," Henry said in a

press release announcing

the lawsuit.

Scott and Drake continued

to perform even as vehicles

attempted to break through

the crowd to help those who

had been injured and others

called for the show to be

stopped, said Henry.

"Many of these

concertgoers were looking

forward to this event for

months, and they deserved a

safe environment in which

to have fun and enjoy the

evening," the attorney said.

"Instead, their night was one

of fear, injury, and death."

School suspended due to blizzard

in Chinese city of Jinan

JINAN : Jinan, capital of east China's

Shandong Province, on Sunday ordered all

primary and middle schools, as well as

kindergartens, to suspend classes on

Monday due to blizzard conditions.

One parent from each family will be

allowed to take care of the students at home,

while online classes will be arranged,

according to an urgent circular issued by the

city authorities.

Office hours will also be shortened on

Monday, with flexible on-duty and off-duty

times encouraged, said the circular.

Heavy snow began to hit the city from

Sunday morning, with the city's

meteorological station issuing orange alerts

for snowstorms and a cold wave.

As of 2 p.m. on Sunday, the accumulated

snowfall in the city proper had reached up to

17 cm, with the snow continuing to fall.

The city raised its icy-road alert level from

orange to red, the highest level, at 2 p.m.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather

warning system, with red representing the

most severe, followed by orange, yellow and

blue.

The magic 1.5: What's behind

climate talks' key elusive goal

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND : One phrase, really

just a number, dominates climate talks in

Glasgow, Scotland: The magic and elusive

1.5, reports UNB.

That stands for the international goal of

trying to limit future warming to 1.5 degrees

Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since preindustrial

times. It's a somewhat confusing

number in some ways that wasn't a major

part of negotiations just seven years ago and

was a political suggestion that later proved to

be incredibly important scientifically.

Stopping warming at 1.5 or so can avoid or

at least lessen some of the most catastrophic

future climate change harms and for some

people is a life-or-death matter, scientists

have found in many reports.

The 1.5 figure now it is the "overarching

objective" of the Glasgow climate talks,

called COP26, conference President Alok

Sharma said on the first day of the

conference. Then on Saturday he said the

conference, which takes a break on Sunday,

was still trying "to keep 1.5 alive."

For protesters and activists, the phrase is

"1.5 to stay alive."

And 1.5 is closer than it sounds. That's

because it may sound like another 1.5

degrees from now but because it is since preindustrial

times, it's actually only 0.4 degrees

(0.7 degrees Fahrenheit) from now. The

world has warmed 1.1 degrees (2 degrees

Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times.

The issue isn't about the one year when the

world first averages 1.5 more than preindustrial

times. Scientists usually mean a

multi-year average of over 1.5 because

temperatures - while rising over the long

term like on an escalator - do have small jags

up and down above the long-term trend,

much like taking a step up or down on the

escalator. But it's coming fast.

Scientists calculate carbon pollution the

burning of fossil fuels can produce before 1.5

degrees is baked in. A report a few days ago

from Global Carbon Project found that

there's 420 billion tons of carbon dioxide left

in that budget and this year humanity

spewed 36.4 billion tons. That's about 11

years worth left at current levels - which are

rising not falling - the report found.

To get there, scientists and the United

Nations say the world needs to cut its current

emissions by about half as of 2030. That's

one of the three goals the U.N. has set for

success in Glasgow.

"It's physically possible (to limit warming

to 1.5 degrees), but I think it is close to

politically impossible in the real world

barring miracles," Columbia University

climate scientist Adam Sobel said. "Of course

we should not give up advocating for it."

The failed assassination attempt against Iraq's prime minister at his residence on Sunday has ratcheted

up tensions following last month's parliamentary elections, in which the Iran-backed militias

were the biggest losers.

Photo : AP

Policeman wounded

after being stabbed

in southern France

PARIS : A French policeman

was wounded on Monday

after a man claiming to act

"in the name of the prophet"

stabbed him in the southern

city of Cannes, police

sources told AFP.

The sources said police

were treating the incident as

a possible terrorist attack.

The policeman was behind

the wheel of a car in front of

a police station at 6:30 am

when the attacker opened

the door and stabbed him

with a knife, one source said

on condition of anonymity.

The officer was saved

thanks to his bullet-proof

vest, the sources said.

The attacker was severely

injured by another police

officer and was in serious

condition.

Germany's seven-day

Covid incidence rate

rises to record high

BERLIN : Germany's

incidence rate measuring

the number of new

coronavirus infections

per 100,000 people over

the last seven days soared

to 201.1 on Monday, a

record since the

pandemic erupted more

than a year ago.

The figure, published by

Germany's Robert Koch

Institute (RKI), surpasses

the last high, which had

been 197.6 reached on

December 22, 2020.

While many more

people in the country

have had the jab than at

that point last year,

vaccination rates have

stagnated at under 70

percent, with officials

pleading in the last days

for the population to get

the jab.

"For the unvaccinated,

the risk is high that they

will become infected in

the coming months,"

warned RKI chief Lothar

Wieler on Wednesday.

In the eastern state of

Saxony, where the

incidence rate is more

than twice the national

average at 491.3,

unvaccinated people face

new restrictions from

Monday.

Access to indoor dining

and other indoor events

will be limited to those

who are fully vaccinated

or can show proof of

recovery.

The new rules are the

toughest state-wide

restrictions in Germany

against non-inoculated

people. Only children as

well as those who cannot

receive jabs for medical

reasons will be exempt.

The surge in German

cases comes with the

country in political limbo

following September's

general election.

The incoming coalition

parties, aiming to form a

government by early

December, have so far

ruled out mandatory jabs

and said there will be no

new lockdowns-at least

not for the vaccinated.

Tension rises in Iraq after

failed bid to assassinate PM

BAGHDAD : The failed assassination

attempt against Iraq's prime minister at his

residence on Sunday has ratcheted up

tensions following last month's

parliamentary elections, in which the Iranbacked

militias were the biggest losers,

reports UNB.

Helicopters circled in the Baghdad skies

throughout the day, while troops and patrols

deployed around Baghdad and near the

capital's fortified Green Zone, where the

overnight attack occurred.

Supporters of the Iran-backed militias held

their ground in a protest camp outside the

Green Zone to demand a vote recount.

Leaders of the Iran-backed factions

converged for the second day on a funeral

tent to mourn a protester killed Friday in

clashes with security. Many of the faction

leaders blame the prime minister for the

violence.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi

suffered a light cut and appeared in a

televised speech soon after the attack by

armed drones on his residence. He appeared

calm and composed, seated behind a desk in

starts as Houston

officials probe concert deaths

HOUSTON : Investigators Sunday worked

to determine how eight people died in a

crush of fans at a Houston music festival, as

families mourned the dead and concertgoers

recounted the horror and confusion of being

trapped in the crowd.

Authorities planned to use videos, witness

interviews and a review of concert

procedures to figure out what went wrong

Friday night during a performance by rapper

Travis Scott. The tragedy unfolded when the

crowd rushed the stage, squeezing people so

tightly they couldn't breathe.

Billy Nasser, 24, who had traveled from

Indianapolis to attend the concert, said

about 15 minutes into Scott's set, things got

"really crazy" and people began crushing one

another. He said he "was picking people up

and trying to drag them out."

Nasser said he found a concertgoer on the

ground. "I picked him up. People were

stepping on him. People were like stomping,

and I picked his head up and I looked at his

eyes, and his eyes were just white, rolled back

to the back of his head," he said.

Over the weekend, a makeshift memorial

of flowers, votive candles, condolence notes

and T-shirts took shape outside at NRG

Park. Michael Suarez, 26, visited the growing

memorial after the concert. "It's very

devastating. No one wants to see or hear

a white shirt and what appeared to be a

bandage around his left wrist.

Seven of his security guards were wounded

in the attack by at least two armed drones,

according to two Iraqi officials. They spoke

on condition of anonymity because they were

not authorized to give official statements. Al-

Khadimi called for calm dialogue. "Cowardly

rocket and drone attacks don't build

homelands and don't build a future," he said

in the televised speech. Condemnation of the

attack poured in from world leaders, with

several calling Al-Khadimi with words of

support. They included French President

Emmanuel Macron, Jordan's King Abdullah

II and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Saudi Arabia called the attack an apparent

act of "terrorism." Egypt's President Abdel

Fattah el-Sissi on Facebook urged all sides in

Iraq to "join forces to preserve the country's

stability." Secretary of State Antony Blinken

talked with al-Kadhimi on Sunday to relay

U.S. condemnation of the attack and to

underscore that the U.S. partnership with the

Iraqi government "is steadfast," State

Department spokesman Ned Price said.

people dying at a festival," Suarez said. "We

were here to have a good time - a great time

- and it's devastating to hear someone lost

their lives."

The dead, according to friends and family

members, included a 14-year-old high school

student; a 16-year-old girl who loved

dancing; and a 21-year-old engineering

student at the University of Dayton. The

youngest was 14, the oldest 27.

Houston officials did not immediately

release the victims' names or the cause of

death, but family and friends began to name

their loved ones and tell their stories Sunday.

Thirteen people remained hospitalized

Sunday. Their conditions were not disclosed.

Over 300 people were treated at a field

hospital at the concert.

City officials said they were in the early

stages of investigating what caused the

pandemonium at the sold-out Astroworld

festival, an event founded by Scott. About

50,000 people were there.

Authorities said that among other things,

they will look at how the area around the

stage was designed. Julio Patino, of

Naperville, Illinois, who was in London on

business when he got a middle-of-the-night

call informing him his 21-year-old son

Franco was dead, said he had a lot of

questions about what happened.

Investigators Sunday worked to determine how eight people died in a

crush of fans at a Houston music festival, as families mourned the dead

and concertgoers recounted the horror and confusion of being trapped in

the crowd.

Photo : AP

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

8

Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd has opened sub-branch at Mawa, Lohajang of Munshigan recently.

Director of the Bank Md. Harun-Ar-Rashid Khan inaugurated the new sub-branch as Chief Guest.

Dhaka South Zonal Head of the Bank Md. Monir Hossain was present as special guest in the occasion.

Among others Prominent businessmen Md. Rashidul Haque Munna, Ataur Rahman, Motahar

Uddin Ahmed, General Secretary of Lohajang Press Club Manik Mia were also present on the occasion.

Lohajang Branch Manager Zakiullah Siddique presided over the ceremony. The program was

conducted by FAVP Md. Mostafa Kamal. Md. Harun-Ar-Rashid Khan said in his speech, Al-Arafah

Islami Bank Ltd. was established not for making profit by doing business but for the welfare of society.

He invited all to have the blessings of Islamic banking services in the new branch. He also said,

Islamic banking system can boost-up the economy of the country.

Photo: Courtesy

Death

Anniversary

43rd Death Anniversary of

Shahid Uddin Eskander

(Kochi), Organizer of

Liberation War, Member of

Constitute Assembly,

President of Noakhali

District Awami League,

Noakhali Pouroshova

Chairman, will be observed

on 10th November 2021.

He was also the Founder

President of Noakhali Press

Club, Founder President of

Noakhali District Chamber

of Commerce & Industries,

Secretary Noakhali District

Sports Association,

Chairman of Noakhali

District Red Cross &

associate with different

organizations.

In this regard different

political, cultural, social,

sports organizations and his

family has arranged Doa

Mahfil at Noakhali after

Zohor prayer.

Top oil producers to assess

output as prices soar

LONDON: Major oil

producers on Thursday are

expected to continue

planned moderate output

increases despite pressure to

further ramp up production

amid soaring prices, reports

BSS.

The 13 members of the

Organization of Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC)

and their 10 allies meet from

1300 GMT for their regular

monthly meeting via

videoconference and are

expected to re-confirm their

July decision.

The powerful producers

led by Saudi Arabia and

Russia in the so-called

OPEC+ grouping agreed in

July to modestly step up

production after steeply

slashing it last year as the

pandemic hit global

markets.

"While there is plenty of

pressure on OPEC+ to

increase output more

aggressively, members

continue to resist and

instead seem to prefer to

stick to their plan of easing

cuts by 400,000 barrels per

day per month," ING

analysts said in a note this

week.

With prices for the

benchmark WTI contract

Commerzbank sees

return to profit after

strong third quarter

FRANKFURT - Commerzbank, Germany's second-biggest

lender, said Thursday it expects to return to profit in 2021

after a better-than-expected performance in the third

quarter, reports BSS.

Commerzbank said in a statement that it swung back into

the black in the period from July through September,

booking a bottom-line profit of 403 million euros ($470

million), compared with a net loss of 60 million euros a year

earlier.

"After a strong third quarter, Commerzbank expects a

positive net result for the full year," said chief executive

Manfred Knof.

In 2020, the lender ran up a net loss of 2.9 billion euros.

"We achieved solid revenues while risk provisions

remained at a low level, and we have our costs under

control," generating "tailwind" for the group, said chief

financial officer, Bettina Orlopp. Revenues amounted to just

over 2.0 billion euros, only fractionally lower than in the

same period a year earlier and Commerzbank said it reduced

its overall costs by "around five percent" in the quarter.

The lender had already been projecting a return to the

black this year at the level of operating profit and that figure

increased to 472 million euros in the July-September period

from 168 million a year earlier.

"The outlook for the full year continued to improve in the

third quarter," Commerzbank said.

"Revenues in the full year 2021 will exceed the previous

year's. The bank is targeting operational costs of around 6.5

billion euros."

Commerzbank is currently in the middle of a massive

restructuring programme, including plans to reduce the

workforce from nearly 40,000 at the end of last year to

32,000 by the end of 2024.

The government still holds a stake of around 15 percent in

Commerzbank which it bailed out during the 2008-2009

financial crisis.

rising to $85, the highest

since 2014, US President Joe

Biden appealed on the

sidelines of the G20 summit

in Rome over the weekend

to OPEC to pump more.

"The idea that Russia and

Saudi Arabia and other

major producers are not

going to pump more oil so

people can have gasoline to

get to and from work, for

example, is not right," he

said.

Other oil-consuming

nations, such as India and

Japan, have also called for

more output to lower prices.

Helima Croft of RBC

Capital Markets said she

would not rule out that

Saudi Arabia could

greenlight a rise beyond

400,000 barrels per day

"given the intensity of the

White House pressure and

from other key consuming

countries like India".

OPEC Secretary General

Mohammed Barkindo last

week re-iterated "the need to

remain cautious and

attentive to an ever-evolving

market situation," according

to a statement.

While higher prices

benefit producers in the

form of increased revenuesparticularly

after the lean

period of the coronavirus

pandemic-there are

concerns that they could

stifle the fragile economic

recovery and thus demand

for oil.

There have also been

question marks recently

over the ability of OPEC+

members to drastically boost

output.

Contrary to the normal

trend of OPEC countries

exceeding their production

quotas, in recent months

most member states have

stuck to them or in some

cases even fallen short.

This suggests that the

group may not be able to

rapidly increase production

in the short term despite it

having a current theoretical

reserve of more than four

million bpd in the ground.

Another uncertainty,

OPEC member Iran has

been excluded from the

market due to US sanctions,

which the Islamic republic

hopes to see lifted through

negotiations in Vienna on

scaling back its nuclear

programme.

However, those

negotiations have been

deadlocked since June and

are to resume only at the end

of the month.

Major General Abul

Kalam Mohammad Ziaur

Rahman new Executive

Chairman of BEPZA

Major General Abul Kalam

Mohammad Ziaur Rahman,

ndc, psc has taken over the

charge of the Executive

Chairman of Bangladesh

Export Processing Zones

Authority (BEPZA) recently.

He replaced Major General

Md Nazrul Islam, SPP, ndu,

afwc, psc, G.Before joining

BEPZA, Major General

Ziaur Rahman was General

Officer Commanding (GOC)

of 7 Infantry Division.

Prior to that, he served as

the Defence Adviser of

Bangladesh High

Commission in New Delhi,

India. His Military career

spanned over command,

staff and instructional

appointments. He served as

Logistics Staff Officer and

also as Operations, Planning

& Intelligence Staff Officer at

Brigade, Army Training &

Doctrine Command and

Army Headquarters.

He also served in the

prestigious appointment of

'Directing Staff' at the

Defence Services Command

and Staff College of

Bangladesh and Instructor

at Bangladesh Military

Academy. In his adorned

service life, Major General

Ziaur Rahman also served at

various capacities at

Battalion level. Moreover, he

has served at the UN

mission in Haiti and Sudan.

Toyota lifts annual

profit forecast despite

production cut

TOKYO :Toyota upgraded

its full-year profit forecast

on Thursday after a strong

quarter that saw it weather

production cuts caused by

a chip crunch and supply

chain issues in pandemichit

Southeast Asia, reports

BSS.

The world's top-selling

automaker now projects a

net profit of 2.49 trillion

yen ($21.8 billion) for the

fiscal year to March 2022,

up from an earlier estimate

of 2.3 trillion yen.

But it left its annual sales

forecast unchanged at 30

trillion yen.

"Production volume

declined globally, but our

suppliers, plants and

dealers made great efforts

to supply as many cars as

possible," the Japanese

giant said.

Israel lawmakers

pass first state

budget in 3 years

JERUSALEM : Israeli

lawmakers passed the

country's first state budget

in three years Thursday in a

victory for the ideologically

disparate coalition that

unseated veteran premier

Benjamin Netanyahu in

June, reports BSS.

MPs approved a 609

billion shekel ($194 billion)

spending plan for 2021 and

are to resume debate later in

the day on 573 billion

shekels for next year.

"Celebration day for the

state of Israel," Prime

Minister Naftali Bennett

tweeted after the vote.

"After years of chaos, we

have formed a government,

we have conquered Delta

(variant of the coronavirus)

and now, praise God, we

have passed a budget for

Israel."

The stakes could not have

been higher for Bennett, a

right-wing religious

nationalist whose coalition

of hawks, centrists, leftwingers

and Islamists

controls just 61 of the 120

seats in parliament.

His coalition had until

November 14 to get the

budget approved to prevent

parliament being dissolved,

forcing what would have

been the fifth election in

three years.

Arena of Valor Asian Games Version Named Official

Event at The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games

Arena of Valor Asian Games

Version was today named an

official esports event at the

2022 Asian Games by the

Olympic Council of Asia

(OCA), The Hangzhou 2022

Asian Games Organizing

Committee and Asian

Electronic Sports Federation

(AESF), a press release said.

For the event, Arena of

Valor developed a custom

version that reduces the

amount of socialization,

commercialization, and nonbattle

systems, in order to

focus on the game's core

competitive features. The

Asian Games Version of the

game features the mostpopular

heroes from

different versions of Arena of

Valor across the globe, so

players from different

regions can play using heroes

they know.

Arena of Valor Team said,

"The competitive spirit that

has made Arena of Valor so

popular around the world is

what makes this such an

honor. And with it, we will

provide comprehensive

support in areas like game

development, event

operations, athlete selection,

training management, and

anti-doping." They added,

"Leveraging our previous

Asian markets struggle to track

Wall St rally, eyes on US jobs

HONG KONG : Asian

markets were mixed Friday

following the previous day's

gains, with eyes on the release

of key US jobs data later in the

day, while investors are also

assessing the outlook for

central bank monetary policy

in the face of surging

inflation, reports BSS.

Equities around the world

enjoyed a healthy run-up

Thursday after the Federal

Reserve finally announced its

plan for tapering the vast

bond-buying programme that

has provided crucial support

since it was put in place at the

start of the pandemic.

The news removed a lot of

uncertainty about officials'

response to a spike in

inflation that is expected to

last a lot longer than

previously thought, and

follows moves in other

countries to step back from

their ultra-easy measures as

the world economy recovers.

However, the Bank of

England's decision Thursday

not to lift rates shocked

traders, who had taken recent

indications from boss Andrew

Bailey that it would do so.

While its board signalled a

rise was still on the cards in

the coming months, it raised

questions about how quickly

the financial leaders would

tighten policy, with forecasts

experiences supporting the

2018 Asian Games, we'll

work closely with the

Olympic Council of Asia

(OCA), The Hangzhou 2022

Asian Games Organizing

Committee, Asian Electronic

Sports Federation and

partners in all regions, to

deliver the thrill of esports to

each and every viewer of the

Asian Games."

Arena of Valor is a trendsetting

competitive battle

mobile game developed by

TiMi Studio Group, a global

game development and

operations team and a

subsidiary of Tencent

for the Fed's own hiking

timeline put back.

Bond yields, which indicate

future pricing for interest

rates, sank after the

announcement and raised

concerns about further

uncertainty, particularly as

inflation remains doggedly

high owing to supply chain

snarls, high commodity prices

and wage growth. That has

fuelled talk of a period of

stagflation when prices surge

but economic growth stalls.

"Rates are a global market,"

Subadra Rajappa, at Societe

Generale, said. "Global

central banks seem to be

pushing back on market

expectations for aggressive

policy action."

The BoE decision also

hammered the pound, which

sank against the dollar, and it

struggled to recover on Friday

sitting below $1.35, having

been at $1.37 beforehand.

Still, Wall Street enjoyed

another record, with tech

firms the main beneficiaries

as they are more susceptible

to higher borrowing costs.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq

both chalked up new highs for

a fifth straight day, though the

Dow dipped. Markets in Paris

and Frankfurt were also at

new peaks.

However, Asian investors

struggled to pick up the

Games. It entered the

Bangladeshi market in

October to a rousing

welcome by the local

users.The game has been

featured in mobile esports

competitions across Asia,

including as a demonstration

event in the 2018 Jakarta-

Palembang Asian Games. In

2020, the game's esports'

participation reached six

million players and 73 billion

views in Mainland China. In

other parts of the world, fans

have streamed over 40

million hours of Arena of

Valor gameplay from the

game's major tournaments,

baton. Tokyo, Shanghai,

Hong Kong and Seoul all fell,

while there were gains in

Sydney, Singapore,

Wellington, Taipei and

Jakarta. Manila jumped more

than one percent as virus

measures were eased in the

Philippine capital.

Oil shot up after OPEC and

other major producers stuck

to their plan to modestly lift

output despite surging

demand and concerns about

supplies.

The move also ignored a

call from US President Joe

Biden and other big energy

consuming nations to open

the taps further.

Friday's gains came after a

recent heavy retreat in prices

following news that Iran

nuclear talks were

progressing and could lead to

the removal of sanctions

barring the sale of Tehran's

crude on world markets.

Still, OANDA's Edward

Moya expects the commodity

to remain buoyed.

"The selloff in WTI crude

won't last long as the oil

market is still in deficit and

whatever response the US has

will likely be temporary relief

and nothing that brings US

production back to the levels

seen under the Trump

administration," he wrote in a

note.

the Arena of Valor World

Cup and Arena of Valor

International

Championship.

Arena of Valor is available

in 16 languages and 173

countries and regions. It was

among the top five in

download charts in 18

countries and regions, and

top 10 in grossing charts in

28 countries and regions. It's

the top mobile game in

several Asian countries and

regions, where mobile is the

predominant platform, and

has a penetration rate of 60%

local population in those

markets.

First Security Islami Bank Limited (FSIBL) organized a daylong workshop on Anti Money

Laundering & Combating Financing of Terrorism titled 'BAMLCO Conference-2021' with the participation

of all Branch Anti Money Laundering Compliance Officers (BAMLCOs) of the bank. Md.

Masud Biswas, Head (Current Charge) of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and

Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank inaugurated the workshop as a chief guest. Syed Waseque Md.

Ali, Managing Director of FSIBL delivered his welcome speech and Md. Mustafa Khair, Additional

Managing Director and CAMLCO of FSIBL presided over the workshop. Mohammad Abdur Rab,

Deputy General Manager, BFIU, Md. Rokon-Uz-Zaman, Joint Director, BFIU, Bangladesh Bank conducted

several sessions in the workshop on the topic of prevention of trade & investment based

money laundering and overview on anti-money laundering & combating financing of terrorism.

Among others, Abdul Aziz, Additional Managing Director, Masudur Rahman Shah, Deputy

Managing Director along with high officials were present in the program.

Photo: Courtesy

tueSDAY, NoveMBer 9, 2021

9

Milan derby draw allows Napoli

to keep top spot

SportS DeSk

AC Milan missed the chance to go top

of Serie A on Sunday after a 1-1 derby

draw with Inter Milan which allowed

Napoli to maintain their place at the

summit, reports BSS.

Stefano Pioli's unbeaten side are level

with Napoli on 32 points after a Stefan

de Vrij own goal cancelled out Milan

old boy Hakan Calhanoglu's 11thminute

penalty for Inter in a tense,

exciting encounter at the San Siro.

Milan, whose fans unfurled a huge

display before the match in honour of

health workers and those who had died

of Covid-19, will be ruing a missed

opportunity to claim first place after

Napoli could only manage a 1-1 home

draw with Verona earlier in the day.

"The glass is half-full because when

you prepare matches you want to win

them, above all the derby," said Pioli to

DAZN.

"Inter are a good team and we proved

that we are strong too. It was a positive

performance."

Neither side will be happy with the

derby point as they both had

opportunities to win the match in front

of 57,000 fans, with Alexis

Saelemaekers striking the post late for

Milan.

Lautaro Martinez meanwhile missed

Inter's second penalty of the night just

before the half-hour mark and wasted

other chances to snatch the winner for

nominal away side Inter, who were

looking for a win which would have

boosted their title challenge.

As it is, Simone Inzaghi's team stay

seven points behind the league's two

front-runners in third place.

"For me the glass is half-empty...

Looking at the chances we had we

deserved more," said Inzaghi.

"Milan and Napoli have kept up an

incredible rhythm but there is time and

we are up there. We want to keep

pushing forward."

Napoli wore a kit bearing the face of

club legend Diego Maradona, who died

nearly a year ago, but were not inspired

to beat Verona.

Verona, who finished the match

with nine men after two late red cards

for Daniel Bessa and Nikola Kalinic,

took a point thanks to Giovanni

Simeone's close-range finish from

Antonio Barak's low cross in the 13th

minute.

Roma's worrying crash in form

continued with a fifth defeat for Jose

Mourinho's team just 12 games into the

season, 3-2 at promoted Venezia.

Deservedly a goal ahead at half-time

after Eldor Shomurodov and Tammy

Abraham had scored following Mattia

Caldara's opener for Venezia, Roma

collapsed after a harsh penalty decision

allowed Mattia Aramu to level with a

65th-minute spot-kick.

David Okereke's neat finish with 16

minutes remaining on the banks of the

Venetian Lagoon sank the club from

the capital, who are now sixth and three

points outside the Champions League

places.

Roma's fourth defeat in seven games

in all competitions, a run which

includes a 6-1 thumping at the hands of

Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt, allowed

local rivals Lazio to leapfrog into fifth

with a 3-0 win over Salernitana.

AC Milan missed the chance to go top of Serie A on Sunday after a 1-1 derby draw with Inter Milan.

photo: Ap

Salah close to Ronaldo

level, says Liverpool

team-mate Jota

SportS DeSk

Diogo Jota says Liverpool teammate

Mohamed Salah is

reaching the level of Manchester

United superstar Cristiano

Ronaldo after a blockbuster start

to the season.

Salah has scored 15 goals in 14

appearances to top Liverpool's

charts and is also their leading

assist-maker with six. His

dazzling form has helped lift

Jurgen Klopp's side into early

title contention in the Premier

League as well as secure a place

in the Champions League

knockout stages with two group

matches to spare.

Speaking about the impact

Salah has made this season, Jota

told Sky Sports. "A great player,

world class. He is showing his

technique to the world this

season.

"He is scoring goals for fun.

Great goals, individual goals,

and for us this is helpful because

we have someone on the field

who can decide the game, and

for the opponents they know

they need to be careful and we

can then take the spaces that

they leave because they are too

worried about him."Jota admits

he feels a sense of awe when he

takes to the field alongside the

Egyptian, who is among the

contenders for this year's Ballon

d'Or. The former Wolves

forward says he first experienced

a similar feeling when he played

alongside Ronaldo for Portugal,

and having seen both players a

close quarters, the 24-year-old

believes they are nearly on a par

in terms of ability and

performance level.

"I had that first feeling when I

played for the national team

with Ronaldo and I think I can

put him (Salah) up there to the

same standards, though

Ronaldo has been doing it for a

very long time," he added.

"When they are on the field they

are dangerous and can score at

any time. And for me that is very

useful as I can watch and learn

from them."

Frontale target Asian success to

kick on after J-League dominance

SportS DeSk

Kawasaki Frontale can take the next step

after dominating Japanese football by

becoming an Asian powerhouse, experts say,

after the club from the Tokyo suburbs won

their fourth J-League title in five years,

reports BSS.

Frontale, who wrapped up the

championship last week with four games to

spare, have lost only twice all season and

have racked up a J-League record 85 points

so far. Japanese football experts believe the

team are just getting started and have the

potential to make their mark on Asia's

premier club competition, the AFC

Champions League.

"They'll continue to have a strong team and

they're preparing to renovate their stadium,

which will attract more fans when it's

finished," said Takeshi Eto, a football

journalist who has covered Frontale for 20

years. "They're not in Tokyo but they're in

the Tokyo area. I think they're a team that

can become known throughout Asia," he said

of the team from south of the capital.

Frontale have won four J-League titles,

one Emperor's Cup and one League Cup in

their history -- all in the last five years.

But they have yet to make an impact in the

Asian Football Confederation's flagship

Champions League, having never gone past

the quarter-finals in eight appearances.

Frontale exited this year's competition at

the first knockout stage, the round of 16,

losing on penalties to defending champions

Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea after having

won all their group matches.

Former Frontale midfielder Kengo

Nakamura says the club "can't move up to

the next level" without success in the AFC

Champions League.

"With each year, everyone is more

determined to do well in Asia," said

Nakamura, who retired in January after

playing almost 700 games for Frontale.

"Next season, they're really going to go for

it. But the players have to be ready because

the level in Asia is getting better."

Some doubted whether Frontale could

defend their league title this season, after

club legend Nakamura retired and

midfielder Hidemasa Morita moved to

Portugal.

Frontale suffered a further blow over the

summer when forward Kaoru Mitoma and

midfielder Ao Tanaka both left for Europe.

But manager Toru Oniki has kept the club

on an even keel since taking over at the end

of 2016, and he took this year's changes in his

stride. "I knew that if I trusted in the players,

we would get good results," Oniki said after

clinching the league title.

"The most important thing is to trust in the

players. That's what I've believed over these

past five years."

the egyptian forward's sparkling form has seen him earn comparisons to

one of the game's greats.

photo: Ap

pakistan eased past Scotland by 72 runs to continue their unbeaten run in the t20 WC 2021. photo: Ap

New England, Colorado

clinch top seeds in

MLS playoffs

SportS DeSk

The New England Revolution

and the Colorado Rapids

clinched the top seeds in their

respective conferences on the

final day of the 2021 regular

season for North America's

Major League Soccer, reports

BSS.

The Western Conference

Rapids and the East's

Revolution also earned firstround

playoff byes.

Colorado secured the top

spot by eliminating Los

Angeles FC, Real Salt Lake

qualified with a late goal in a

1-0 win over Sporting Kansas

City and the Vancouver

Whitecaps punched their

ticket with a 1-1 draw with the

Seattle Sounders FC.

In the East, Orlando City

booked their spot with a 1-0

win over CF Montreal 2-0 and

Atlanta United FC rallied past

FC Cincinnati 2-1. New York

City FC striker Valentin

Castellanos scored his 19th

goal in a 1-1 draw with

Philadelphia Union to win the

Golden Boot award as the top

scorer. Castellanos also had

eight assists.

The Revolution won their

first Supporters' Shield as the

team with the most regular

season points.

China's EDG beat

Damwon to win League

of Legends world title

SportS DeSk

Chinese team Edward

Gaming were crowned world

League of Legends

champions by beating South

Korean title holders Damwon

in Reykjavik late on Saturday,

reports BSS.

Videos posted on social

media showed thousands of

fans gathered in Chinese cities

wildly celebrating the win.

Damwon went into the final

as favourites after an

impressive route through the

playoffs including a superb

victory against fellow South

Koreans T1, the team

including and part-owned by

"Faker", widely considered

the greatest ever League of

Legends player.

Edward Gaming (EDG)

dug deep to force Damwon

into a fifth and decisive game

in Iceland on Saturday.

Even the world's best

League of Legends player,

"Showmaker", real name Heo

Su, couldn't save the South

Korean team.

"There are multiple reasons

(for this loss) but I think we

were not able to pay attention

to details and also EDG

prepared really well," 21-yearold

Showmaker said.

EDG player Scout, who was

named the MVP of the finals,

said: "Every moment in this

whole journey was impressive

and memorable.

"I'm really happy that we

were able to get this trophy."

The world championships

had been scheduled to be held

in China but were moved to

the Icelandic capital and took

place entirely behind closed

doors because of the

pandemic.

Pakistan crush Scotland

to top the table

SportS DeSk

Pakistan eased past Scotland by 72 runs to

continue their unbeaten run in the T20 WC

2021. Pakistan needed to beat Scotland to

top Group 2 and they did it in some style to

stay the only side who haven't dropped a

game so far. Pakistan will now play the

second semifinal against Australia in Dubai

on November 11.

Probably to test their batters while trying

to set up a score and then put their bowlers

under pressure while defending with dew

coming into the picture. Scotland had things

under control in the opening ten overs of the

game with Pakistan eyeing a score around

the 160-run mark.

Just 35 were scored in the powerplay and

Mohammad Rizwan fell to Hamza Tahir for

15 soon after. Fakhar Zaman made 8 off 13

but was dismissed by Chris Greaves as

Pakistan reached 60 for 2 after 10 overs.

Babar Azam was set to bat deep and the

onus was on Mohammad Hafeez to up the

ante. Hafeez struck four boundaries and a six

to help Pakistan pick up 52 in the overs

between 10 and 15.

He, however, was dismissed lbw by

Safyaan Sharif to leave Pakistan with a

platform from where they can try and post a

challenging total. Babar, meanwhile, scored

a half-century off 40 balls - his fourth in this

tournament - to allow the likes of Shoaib

Malik and Asif Ali to flourish from the other

end.

Once Babar was dismissed by Greaves for

66 off 67, both Malik and Asif had the licence

to go berserk. On the night, the latter took a

backseat and allowed Malik to do the

damage. The former captain smashed an 18-

ball half-century to bat Scotland out of the

contest. Malik smashed three sixes and a

four in the final over to take 26 off Greaves

and help Pakistan post 129 runs in the last

ten overs. Malik's assault also meant that he

got the joint-fastest half-century in this

tournament - match KL Rahul's 18-ball

effort against Scotland - and also register the

fastest half-century for Pakistan in T20Is.

Scotland were 24 for 1 at the end of the

powerplay and then 41 for 2 at the halfway

mark. Shadab Khan bagged two in the 11th to

reduce Scotland to 43 for 4.

There was no real flourish in the chase and

even though Richie Berrington made an

unbeaten 54, Scotland not once threatened

to take the game away from Pakistan.

Brief scores: Pakistan 189/4 in 20 overs

(Babar Azam 66, Shoaib Malik 54) beat

Scotland 117/6 in 20 overs (Richie

Berrington 54; Shadab Khan 2-14) by 72

runs.

Nuggets escape with win over

Rockets, Heat cool off Jazz

SportS DeSk

Nikola Jokic tallied 28 points and 14

rebounds and made a clutch game-saving

block at the buzzer as the Denver Nuggets

survived a late scare to edge the slumping

Houston Rockets 95-94 on Saturday, reports

BSS.

Will Barton posted 15 points and six

assists, and Aaron Gordon nailed

consecutive three-pointers in the final two

minutes for the Nuggets, who won their

second straight NBA contest.

Gordon scored six unanswered points

before Jokic iced the win with a block of a

Jae'Sean Tate layup as the buzzer sounded.

Earlier, Daniel Theis hit a three-pointer with

2:46 remaining to make it 94-89 for

Houston. After the block, the Nuggets

celebrated with Jokic on the court.

"I didn't jump, I went up, I didn't even

block it," he said. "I think I actually hit it

when I was jumping. Like a poke -- I poked

the ball." Tate's initial reaction was that the

Norway's Hovland repeats as

PGA Mayakoba champion

SportS DeSk

Norway's Viktor Hovland defended his title

at the Mayakoba Championship on Sunday

for his second triumph of the year and third

career US PGA Tour victory, reports BSS.

The 24-year-old from Oslo fired a finalround

four-under par 67 at El Camaleon Golf

Course in Mexico to shoot a 72-hole

tournament record of 23- under 261. That

was enough for Hovland, who fired a US

PGA career-low 62 on Saturday, to defeat

Mexico's Carlos Ortiz by four strokes despite

the host- nation hero closing with five birdies

on the last seven holes to shoot 66.

Asked if it was his best week as a

professional, Hovland said, "I think I'll have

to say so."

"I played pretty good golf throughout the

officials should have called a foul on Jokic.

"I thought I got fouled, honestly," he said.

"I could have stayed corner; I should have

stayed corner."

Denver won despite shooting a dismal

22.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Theis returned after missing two games

with a sore right toe for the Rockets, which

has lost seven in a row. Christian Wood and

Eric Gordon scored 12 points each.

The Rockets shot 52.6 percent in the first

quarter to lead 27-26, and then expanded its

lead to 41-33 with just under five minutes left

in the half.

In Miami, Tyler Herro had 29 points and

Jimmy Butler 27 as the host Heat used a

balanced offense to win for the sixth time in

their last seven by beating the Utah Jazz 118-

115. Kyle Lowry had a triple-double,

including 20 points, for the Heat, who shot

60 percent from the floor overall.

Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 37

points for the Jazz, who had a three-game

winning streak stopped.

week. I didn't have my best stuff today (but)

I wish I could putt the way I did today more

often." World number 17 Hovland won the

European Tour's BMW International Open

at Munich in June. His prior US PGA titles

came last year at Mayakoba and at the 2020

Puerto Rico Open.

Hovland has produced seven top-five US

PGA finishes this year, including shared fifth

at the Tour Championship and runner-up

efforts at Riviera at the WGC Concession

event. "I've been chipping it so good, making

so many up and downs, it takes a lot of

pressure off your long game," Hovland said.

"I've made some big strides and I hope I can

keep it going that way."

American Justin Thomas, the 2017 PGA

Championship and 2021 Players

Championship winner.

TUesDAY, NoVeMBeR 9, 2021

10

Affri's 'Before I Die'

awaits theatrical

release

Parno, Mosharraf in film'Bildakini'

TBT RepoRT

Tollywood actress Parno Mitra has been seen in

movies like 'Bedroom', 'Dutta Vs Dutta', 'Apur

Panchali', 'Rajkahini'. Earlier, she has also been

featured in the Bangladeshi movie titled 'Doob',

directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.

After 5 years, Parno Mitra has joined the

Bangladeshi cinema again. She will be seen

opposite to popular actor Mosharraf Karim in the

film titled 'Bildakini', directed by Fazlul

KabirTuhin.

The film 'Bildakini' has received a government

grant in the financial year 2020-2021. The

screenplay of the movie is based on a novel. It will

tell the story of women's power and freedom of

motherhood. Apart from Mosharraf Karim and

Parno, another talented actor Lutfor Rahman

George is in the movie.

The producer said, 'I wanted to take Parno Mitra

from the time I thought of the story of this movie.

The character of the village girl in the story will

match with Parno.'

Expressing the feeling of being involved in

Bangladeshi cinema again, Parno said, 'It is good to

read the story after getting the offer of this film.

Then when I hear that I will work with Mosharraf

Karim, I am happy. We talked to him in a video call

as well.

It is learnt that 'Bildakini' will be filmed in remote

areas of Rajshahi. The shooting of the film will start

next December. If all goes well, the movie will be

released in April next year.

Note that in an interview a few days ago, Parno

Mitra said that she does not want to work in any

new movie. She want to finish the movies that were

stuck due to Corona first. However, she could not

return the offer of this film 'Bildakini'.

Priyanka attends YouTube star

Lilly Singh's Diwali bash

TBT RepoRT

Director Minhaj Kibriyah's upcoming film 'Before I Die' starring Affri

Selina and Bangladeshi born British actor Ifti Ahmed is heading for

a release in Bangladesh and four other countries- the UK, the US,

India and Philippines along with the Middle East.

Makers of the film made the disclosure in a press conference held

at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel in the capital on Saturday. The

released date is yet to be finalised.

The storyline of 'Before I Die' is about a gruesome assassination

and series of events centring it.

"'Before I Die' is an action-thriller movie that will attract audiences

of all ages and backgrounds. The movie has all the elements of

entertainment. I think the breathtaking action, suspense and stunt

scenes will captivate the audience from beginning to end," said

director Minhaj Kibria.

"I believe that this film of will brighten the image of Bangladesh in

the global stage," he added.

Cast of 'Before I Die' including Affri Selina, Ifti Ahmed, Aman Reza,

Shampa Reza and Laboni Marma, among others, were present at the

press conference on Saturday.

TBT RepoRT

For the first time two

Bangladeshi films is going to

compete in Oscars, the most

prestigious film festival in the

world. Every year a selected film

from Bangladesh is sent to the

Oscars, but this time there are

two movies! Gazi Rakayet

directorial film titled 'Gor' ('The

Grave'), the first English feature

film of Bangladesh is set to

compete in the general category

of the 94th Academy Awards.

This is the first Bangladeshi film

to be competing in this category.

Earlier, Director Abdullah

Mohammad Saad's second

directorial film titled 'Rehana

Maryam Noor' was submitted

for the Best International

Feature Film category of the

Oscars.

The government-funded film

'Gor' ('The Grave'), the director

of the film Gazi Rakayet has

written its story, dialogues, and

screenplay. The film was

released in both Bangla and

The film was shot in Bangladesh and London while its postproduction

was conducted in Mumbai.

"I have learned a lot through my collaboration in this film. It was a

great team," said actress Affri Selina hoping that 'Before I Die' will be

loved by viewers.

She was last seen in director Fahmida Prema's web film 'Maaya-

The Revenge' co-starring Asif Noor released in September.

Two Bangladeshi films

to compete in Oscars

English on two US-based digital

platforms. Rakayet himself

portrays the lead role in the film

'Gor' ('The Grave').

The film also stars Dilara

Zaman ,Dipanwita, Moushumi

Hamid, Sushoma Sarkar, and

ShamimaTusty among others

with guest appearances from SM

Mohsin and Mamunur Rashid.

Regarding this context, Gazi

Rakayet said, "This is very good

news for Bangladesh. However,

we have not yet reached the

Oscars. Our movies have just

been submitted. They will

shortlist soon. This is as true for

me as it is for the film 'Rehana

Maryam Noor'. However, it is

true that if it is final, 'Rehana

Maryam Noor' will fight in one

category and 'Gor' ('The Grave')

will get a chance to compete in all

other categories and it has to be

released in certain theaters in

Hollywood to submit to the

general category."

Earlier, 'Rehana Maryam

Noor' was selected for the 74th

Cannes Film Festival as the

first Bangladeshi and the only

South Asian film at the "Un

Certain Regard" section. After

Cannes, 'Rehana Maryam

Noor' was invited to

Melbourne, Busan and London

Film Festivals.

The film's premise revolves

around a private medical college

teacher, Rehana, who singehandedly

wages a fight for justice

on behalf of her 6-year-old

daughter and one of her college

students.

Johannes wants to adapt 'Resident

Evil 4' next

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has been

making the most of the Diwali season this year.

The actress earlier attended a few pre-Diwali

celebrations followed by Diwali pooja at her home

in Los Angeles, California. And now, the actress has

concluded the festive season with YouTube star

Lilly Singh's Diwali bash.

For the event, the actress chose a retro look. She

donned a short top paired with palazzos in floral

patterns designed by ace designer Sabyasachi

Mukherjee. She rounded up her look with a stole,

eyegear, oxidized silver jewellery, and open tresses.

On the work front, Priyanka has an interesting

slate of projects that include American romantic

drama titled 'Text for You', Patrick Moran and the

Russo brothers' 'Citadel', the film adaptation of

'Cowboy Ninja Viking' where she is set to star

opposite Chris Pratt. Apart from this, she will also

be seen along with Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt in

Farhan Akhtar's 'Jee Le Zaraa'.

Source: India Today

Director and writer of 'Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City',

Johannes Roberts, recently discussed the series' later games,

suggesting he'd like to adapt 'Resident Evil 4' next. The latest

adaptation of Capcom's survival

horror franchise is a reboot

following the conclusion of Paul

W.S Anderson's previous film

series. The film will focus on the

early entries in the game series,

primarily 'Resident Evil' and

'Resident Evil 2'.

'Resident Evil: Welcome to

Raccoon City' is focused on the

events first 2 games of the

series, which center on the

Arklay Mountain and Raccoon

City T-Virus outbreaks. The

games laid the groundwork for

future installments through lore

and characters, such as Leon S Kennedy, who would grow from a

rookie RPD cop, to a government agent tasked with rescuing the

President's daughter in 2005's Resident Evil 4. Portrayed by Avan

Jogia in the upcoming film, Roberts has discussed how hard they

worked to cast the survivor, and now the director has expressed

interest in exploring Leon's later adventures. Speaking to SFX

magazine (as reported via CBR), Roberts discussed his approach to

the Resident Evil franchise, as well

as his hopes for future films should

Welcome to Raccoon City be

successful. Roberts states that

while he pulled aspects and small

details from 'Resident Evil 4', there

were characters and events that

he'd like to adapt as part of a

possible sequel. Roberts also

discussed more recent entries such

as 2017's 'Resident Evil 7' and

2021's 'Resident Evil Village', and

how they further expanded the

series beyond its signature undead

zombie apocalypse into more

occult, gothic-inspired horror. He

stated that these later games had been mentioned in conversations,

and expressed how he hoped his reboot would be the start of a new

saga.

Source: Indian Express

H o R o s c o p e

ARIes

(March 21 - April 20) : You might feel a little

under the weather today, but mentally

you're flying high. Ideas could keep

popping into your head, sending you into flights of

fancy that excite your creativity. This is a great day to

read or watch documentaries or otherwise feed your

intellect. Whatever you learn could be of great practical

use to you later.

TAURUs

(April 21 - May 21) : Today you might

seek to expand your knowledge of the

arts. You could decide to explore

galleries, attend a concert or play, or

look into the latest best sellers. A friend could

accompany you. Make a day of it! Books, antiques,

or other fine objects might be especially appealing

now. Try to avoid shopping. You'll discover a lot of

items you like and want to buy!

GeMINI

(May 22 - June 21) : Today you might

have the desire to look into your

genealogy. The Internet has made it

possible for everyone to learn about their ancestors,

and now is a great time for you to do it. Spiritually, you

might also decide to explore past lives or get in touch

with spirit guides or totem animals. Group activities

could be of great help in these pursuits.

cANceR

(June 22 - July 23) : Practical, scientific,

or spiritual ideas of all kinds are your

life's blood. Today you might expand

your knowledge. Much of what you

learn may be based on technology such as

telescopes or particle accelerators. You're only

scratching the surface today. Much of what you

learn may be confusing, but stay with it. It will make

more sense to you later.

Leo

(July 24 - Aug. 23): Today you might

enlist the aid of friends to increase your

computer skills. You may be interested

in the artistic side of computers and

want to experiment with computer graphics or

animation. Video journalism could also be of

interest. You might receive some unexpected good

news about a possible increase in income, though it

might be delayed.

VIRGo

(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): A new romance

could come your way. An old friend could

suddenly seem like more to you, sending the

relationship in an entirely new direction. The opposite could

happen, too. An old love could reappear and resurrect the

intellectual side of your relationship, making a new friend out

of an old love. Circumstances around you are changing and so

are you. You're the type to welcome it!

LIBRA

(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): Insights that

well up from deep within you could

put your imagination into overdrive.

Perhaps ideas for essays, poems,

paintings, or music flow into your mind in waves.

You may want to stay home to develop them,

though you may take one friend, or perhaps your

partner, into your confidence. Keep the ideas

coming! They might mean more to you later.

scoRpIo

(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22): News about the

plight of the world's disadvantaged

might have you toying with the idea of

doing more than you are to make a

difference. This is a laudable goal, but you're more

apt to see the romantic side of helping the needy

than the harsh realities of the situation. Before

deciding to tackle any new ambition today, consider

it from all angles. You might change your mind.

sAGITTARIUs

(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): Have you ever longed

to be a movie star or participate in some

way in the film industry? Today you

might get your chance or at least learn

some of the technical skills required. You might take

some time to learn about computer graphics or the ins

and outs of camerawork. You could also meet some

people involved in this industry.

cApRIcoRN

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) : You've been exerting

yourself a little too much over the

past few days and might feel a little

listless. Nonetheless, your mind is

still active, and you may seek stimulation through

books, TV, or lectures of some kind. You should

find whatever you learn exciting. It could set you

off in a new direction. Today you could turn into

an armchair traveler!

AQUARIUs

(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : You could have some

very strange yet beautiful dreams today.

Write them down. They're trying to tell

you something. You could also make an

off-the-wall plan to increase your income that may or

may not work. Consider all the aspects of your plan

and get in touch with the reality of it before delving

too far. It might be workable but not in the ways you

think now.

pIsces

(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Today you may start to

see your friends in a new light. Perhaps

their accomplishments have aroused your

admiration. A special person could seem

more perfect than ever, and you could suddenly view your

friend through a romantic haze once more. Bear in mind

that your view of these people only mirrors your view of

yourself. Recognize your merits as well others'.

TUeSDAY, noveMbeR 9, 2021

11

UK registers over

30,000 new

coronavirus cases

LONDON : Another 30,305

people in Britain have tested

positive for COVID-19,

bringing the total number of

coronavirus cases in the

country to 9,301,909,

according to official figures

released Sunday, reports

UNB

The country also reported

a further 62 coronavirusrelated

deaths. The total

number of coronavirusrelated

deaths in Britain

now stands at 141,805.

These figures only include

the deaths of people who

died within 28 days of their

first positive test.

There are currently 9,160

patients in hospital with

COVID-19.

The latest data came as

almost 10 million people in

the UK have received their

booster vaccines, with three

million extra invites being

sent next week, according to

Britain's Department of

Health and Social Care.

"I strongly urge everybody

who is eligible for a COVID-

19 booster or flu vaccine to

take up the offer as soon as

you can," Britain's Health

and Social Care Secretary

Sajid Javid said.

Security Council deeply

concerned by expanding

clashes in northern Ethiopia

UNITED NATIONS : The

members of the United

Nations Security Council on

Friday expressed deep

concern about the expansion

and intensification of

military clashes in northern

Ethiopia.

In a press statement, they

noted the impact of the

conflict on the humanitarian

situation, as well as the

stability of the country and

the wider region.

They also welcomed the

efforts of UN Secretary-

General Antonio Guterres.

Earlier this week, Guterres

said that "the stability of

Ethiopia and the wider

region is at stake."

Joining Guterres' appeal,

the council members asked

parties to refrain from

"inflammatory hate speech

and incitement to violence

and divisiveness."

Community support to prevent

violent extremism stressed

RAJSHAHI: Speakers at a meeting here

yesterday unanimously viewed that

community support can be the best way of

preventing violent extremism as its risks

have gradually been rising due to

multifarious reasons, reports BSS.

There are multifarious reasons and risk

factors behind the violent extremism, so

collective efforts of all the government and

non-government organizations concerned

have become crucial to combat the crimes

collectively.

The discussants came up with the

observation while addressing a dialogue

titled "Developing a National Action Plan on

Preventing Violent Extremism for

Bangladesh: A Multi Stakeholder

Perspective". Bangladesh Enterprise

Institution (BEI) hosted the dialogue at

Parjatan Motel conference hall in Rajshahi

city in association with Global Centre on

Cooperative Security.

BEI President Humayun Kabir addressed

the meeting as a focal person, while its

Deputy Director Ashish Banik gave an

overview on the topic during his multimedia

presentation. Former Chairman of Rajshahi

Education Board Prof Tanbirul Alam, editor

of daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat,

assistant director of the department of social

services Dr Abdullah Al Firoj, Prof

Mustafizur Rahman from Rajshahi

University and ward councilors of Rajshahi

City Corporation Matiur Rahman, Abdus

Sobhan and Tahera Khatun Mili also spoke.

The speakers opined that the young

population is rapidly embracing social media

through the internet and afflicted with the

malaise of countering violent extremism,

often through Facebook.

Finally, they recommended and

suggested time-fitting strategies to restrict

violent extremism activities through

technologies that can be potentially

implemented by the government by

coordinating with international donor

agencies and counter violence extremism

practitioners.

Around 40 persons comprising public

representatives, media personnel and

members of the civil society took part in the

dialogue and took part in its open discussion

putting forward a set of recommendations

on how to prevent the violent extremism.

Padma riverbanks turn

attractive after RCC's

beautification work

RAJSHAHI : Padma riverbanks adjacent to

the Rajshahi metropolis has turned into an

attractive tourist and recreational spot as the

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) recently

implemented a massive beautification

project there, reports BSS

Amusement spots, open stage, gallery,

park, over bridge, walkway and other needbased

infrastructures were constructed

under the infrastructure development

project.

City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton

during a visit to the site on Friday expressed

his firm resolve to restore the scenic beauty

of the river bank and enhance the cleanliness

drive in the area to facilitate large numbers of

people to enjoy their visit in a comfortable

atmosphere.

He inspected the newly constructed two

over-bridges adjacent to the respective sluice

gates on the river banks saying the new

infrastructure and facilities are encouraging

an increased number of people to pass their

leisure with families and friends enjoying the

beauty of the Padma.

Borokuthi river bank and Lalon Shah River

Resort were also decorated with a new look

to attract more visitors and facilitate the

cultural organizations to arrange various

programs to attract the visitors.

Liton also said Rajshahi City Corporation

has planned to reclaim around 12 square

kilometres of char land of Padma River for

developing a satellite town adjacent to the

city protection embankment.

As the river's main flow turned towards its

right bank, the satellite town might be built

on the left bank.

Liton said the part of the river near the left

bank, where flood water remains for less

than a month every year, would be turned

into a huge lake.

The lake would stand between the satellite

town and the city protection embankment

and there would be a bridge to the newly

developed city, he added. strategies to

restrict violent extremism activities through

technologies that can be potentially

implemented by the government by

coordinating with international donor

agencies and counter violence extremism

practitioners.

"Rajshahi would be beautiful if we can

properly execute the plan," the mayor said,

adding that the city's accommodation

problems will be ease as well.

Among others, RCC Panel Mayor Shariful

Islam and Superintending Engineer Nur

Islam accompanied the mayor during his

visit.

LGRD Minister Tajul held a view exchange meeting on development issues with political leaders and

government officials of Tungipara and Kotalipara upazilas at Tungipara upazila on Monday.

Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Shahida Sultana chaired the occasion while among others, Khulna

2 MP Sheikh Salauddin Jewel, Helaluddin Ahmed, Senior Secretary, Local Government Department,

Md. Shahid Ullah Khandaker, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Public Works were among others

also present at the occasion.

Photo: Mehadi Hasan

Russia shutdown

ends despite

coronavirus wave

MOSCOW : Most of Russia

on Monday ended a weeklong

paid holiday aimed at

curbing the spread of the

coronavirus, despite the

country seeing thousands of

new cases and more than

1,000 deaths per day.

President Vladimir Putin

ordered the paid holiday

period from October 30 to

November 7 in a bid to stem

soaring infections and

deaths exacerbated by a slow

vaccination drive.

Individual regions had the

authority to extend the

period but as of Monday

only five had done so,

including the western region

of Bryansk and the Siberian

region of Tomsk.

Successful cooperative to eradicate

curse of poverty underscored

RAJSHAHI : Speakers at a discussion

yesterday called for infusing dynamism into the

cooperatives as it's very much effective towards

freeing the nation from the curse of poverty and

hunger, reports BSS.

They urged for finding effective ways and

means to attain strength and prosperity in every

sphere of national life and for making the

cooperatives movement a total success.

The divisional administration and

department of Cooperatives jointly organised

the discussion at Shaheed AHM

Kamaruzzaman Zila Parishad Auditorium in

the city to mark the 50th National Cooperatives

Day-2021.

The theme of the day this year is 'Philosophy

of Bangabandhu, Development in

Cooperatives'. Mayor of Rajshahi City

Corporation AHM Khairuzzaman Liton

addressed the discussion as chief guest, while

Deputy Inspector General of Police Abdul

Baten spoke as special guest with Additional

Divisional Commissioner Moinul Islam in the

chair.Divisional Joint Registrar of the

Department of Cooperatives Abdul Mazid,

Deputy Director of the Local Government

Division Shahana Akhter Jahan, District

Cooperatives Officer Saidur Rahman and two

cooperative leaders Mijanur Rahman and

Ayesha Islam also spoke.

Mayor Liton stressed the need for

strengthening the cooperatives movement

everywhere in the society, mentioning that

cooperatives can play a big role in the country's

development. He added that if the cooperatives'

movement can be carried out properly, then the

country will develop faster to materialise the

spirit of the War of Liberation and ensure social

security.Liton also emphasized the importance

of training youths to be good human resources

to potentially end unemployment in the region.

He, however, said rural people have started

reaping enormous benefits from cooperative

activities to enhance productivity in every

sector to cut poverty and achieve selfreliance.

4132

GD-1643/21(8x4)

GD-1642/21(10x4)

Tuesday, dhaka: November 9, 2021; Kartik 24, 1428 Bs; rabius-sani 3, 1443 Hijri

Rohingyas sheltered for

humanitarian reasons,

says Asaduzzaman

Cox's BAzAr CorresPoNdeNT

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan

Kamal MP has said that the Rohingyas

have been given shelter for humanitarian

reasons. He requested the Rohingyas

not to get involved in conflict, violence

and bloodshed. He said, If anybody get

involved in crime, he or she will not be

forgiven in any way.

He was speaking as the chief guest at

the inaugural function of a three-day

program organized by Cox's Bazar on

the occasion of the eighth founding

anniversary of Tourist Police

Bangladesh on Monday evening.

Referring to the recent killings in Cox's

Bazar, the minister said, "I do not want

to see any killing, bloodshed." Stop this

at any cost. Cox's Bazar tourist center,

HC rules for compensating Satkhira boy

that lost limbs after electrocution

DHAKA : The High Court (HC) yesterday

issued a rule asking authorities concerned

to explain why it shall not pass order to

compensate a Satkhira boy, who lost his

right hand and leg after getting electrocuted

by coming in contact with a high voltage

power supply line.

A High Court division bench comprising

Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice

Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order

holding hearing on a writ filed in this

regard.

The court in its order also asked the

director of Sheikh Hasina National

Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery to let

it know about the treatment received so far

by Rakibujjaman, 7, and what type of

treatment he needs in future in home and

abroad.

The court asked officials concerned

including power and energy secretary,

chairman of Bangladesh Rural

Electrification Board, general manager

concerned Palli Bidyut Samity, zonal manager,

Satkhira Palli Bidyut Samity general

manager, project director and deputy

commissioner of Satkhira to reply the rule

within a week. The court set November 18

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal MP.

Photo : TBT

the environment here should be kept

free from fear.

The Home Minister inaugurated a colorful

rally of the founding anniversary of

the tourist police by releasing balloons

and pigeons at Sugandha Point on Cox's

Bazar beach. He reached the Cox's Bazar

office of the tourist police with a rally. He

then attended the inaugural function

held there.

Tourist Police DIG Morshedul

Anwar Khan presided over the function.

Cox's Bazar local reserved

women MP Kaniz Fatema Mostaq,

Home Ministry Senior Secretary for

Public Security Divisiion Mostafa

Kamal Uddin, Additional Secretary

Jahangir Alam and Chittagong Range

DIG Md. Anwar Hossain and others

were present at that time.

for further hearing the matter.

Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad

Torikul Islam filed the writ, pleading for

court's direction for Taka 100 crore in

compensation for the boy. Advocate Tajul

Islam and Advocate Mohammad Torikul

Islam argued for the plea, while Deputy

Attorney General Bipul Baghmar stood for

the state.

According to the case documents,

Satkhira Palli Bidyut Samity in March,

2021, laid a high voltage electricity line

over the two storied house of Md Abdur

Razzak Dhali, going against its own map.

The naked electricity line was without any

cap or cover, making Abdul Razzak to file

an application with general manager of

local Palli Bidyut Samity not to supply

electricity through the line.

But in spite of the risk and Razzak's plea,

Palli Bidyut Samity supplied electricity

through the line. On May 9, 2021, Razzak's

seven-year-old boy came in contact with

the line, instantly burning his right hand

and leg. He was rushed to Sheikh Hasina

National Institute of Burn and Plastic

Surgery, where doctors amputated his

burnt hand and leg.

2 killed in

Meherpur

poll violence;

10 injured

MEHERPUR : Two people were killed

and at least 10 others sustained injuries

on Monday in clashes between two

groups over Gangni Upazila Parishad

election in Meherpur, reports UNB.

The deceased were identified as

Jaharul Islam, 55, and his brother Saidul

Islam, 50, residents of Lakshminarayanpur

Dholagram village. The incident

occurred around 10 am at the

Laxminarayanpur Dholagram village in

Katthuli union.

Officer-in-Charge of Gangni police

station Bazlur Rahman said the two

bodies have been recovered from the

spot and six of the injured were referred

to Kushtia Medical College Hospital as

their conditions were critical.

Extra members of police have been

deployed in the area and the situation is

currently under control, he said

Current UP member of the union

Azmain Hossain Tutul said as he and his

supporters went to campaign in the village,

some men led by opposition candidate

Atiar Rahman attacked with sharp

weapons. They hacked two of his cousins

to death and injured some others.

"I took shelter in a nearby house from

where police later rescued me," said the

UP member. According to Tutul, a few

years back Atiar and his associates also

hacked his younger brother to death and

the case is sub-judice in this regard.

The accused Atiar Rahman was not

reachable for a comment on the matter. OC

Bazlur Rahman said no complaint has

been filed yet in this regard.

WZ Railway gets

automatic train

washing plant

RAJSHAHI : An automatic train washing

plant has been opened at Rajshahi

Railway Station aimed at infusing

dynamism into the washing and cleaning

activities both automatically and

manually.

Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman

Liton opened the plant as the chief guest

yesterday saying Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina has been building the Bangladesh

Railway as time-fitting and modern.

As part of the modernization process,

the automatic washing plant has been

installed. Mihir Kanti Guha, General

Manager of West Zone of Bangladesh

Railway, gave a salient feature of the plant

on the occasion. Liton said the West Zone

Railway will be given 40 new locomotive

engines aimed at improving the standard

of passenger services through infusing

dynamism into railway services.

The engines will be procured from the

United States of America (USA). Eight of

those have already reached the country

and the remaining 32 will be brought in

four phases.

He said the WZ will enter a new era of

ensuring quality passenger services with

addition of the new engines.

Mihir Kanti apprized the mayor that the

washing plant is capable of washing sides,

roof and under-gear of trains swiftly and

amazingly. Besides, it can save one lakh

liters of water every day and it will recycle

70 percent of the used water.

An automatic train washing plant was inaugurated at rajshahi railway station. The mayor of rajshahi

City Corporation inaugurated the plant by cutting the ribbon on Monday afternoon. Photo : star Mail

Peoples' interest to take corona vaccine is increasing day by day. vaccination is available only after

registering online or coming to the hospital. every day, people come to the Kalapara Hospital

premises in Patuakhali to get vaccinated.

Photo: PBA

Integrated efforts needed to

ensure maternal, neonatal health

DHAKA : Health experts unanimously

observed that integrated efforts of all

the government and non-government

organizations concerned is very important

to ensure maternal, neonatal and

child health services within the primary

healthcare system.

All the field level organizations related

to maternal and neonatal health

should perform their duties with

utmost sincerity and honesty to reflect

the hopes and aspirations of the grassroots

marginalized people.

The speakers made these observations

while addressing a daylong

national coordination meeting-

2021 among Director General of

Health Services (DGHS), Director

General of Family Planning (DGFP),

DASCOH Foundation and Swiss

Red Cross at Lakeshore Hotels in

the capital Dhaka today.

DASCOH Foundation and Swiss Red

Cross jointly organized the meeting

under the 'Public Health Improvement

Initiative Rajshahi (PHIIR) Project' to

strengthen maternal, neonatal and child

healthcare within the primary healthcare

system.

The meeting was told that the

PHIIR project is being implemented

in 110 community clinics, 42 Union

Health and Family Welfare Centres

and five Upazila Health Complexes in

Rajshahi and Naogaon districts since

2013 in order to improve health status

at primary healthcare and mother,

neonatal and child health.

Transport fare, fuel price hike

a "trick to loot people": BNP

DHAKA : BNP Secretary General

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on

Monday termed the hike in fuel

price and transport fares an

'arranged game' of the government

to "pick public pockets".

"This is a pocket-cutting government

whom people call a pocket

picker. It's always picking public

pockets by increasing the prices of

essential items," he said.

Speaking at a human-chain programme,

the BNP leader also said the

government first took steps to cut

public pockets by raising the prices of

diesel and kerosene. "It did the same

thing for the second time by increasing

bus fares. These're their tricks and

sort of arranged games."

BNP's Dhaka South and North city

units arranged the human chain

programme in front of the Jatiya

Press Club in protest against the fuel

price hike.

Fakhrul said the Bangladesh

Petroleum Corporation (BPC) made

a surplus profit of Tk 43,000 crore

in the past. "When the oil prices fell

in the international market, the BPC

didn't reduce fuel prices. "They

brought money out of the pockets of

the people with high fuel prices."

Though the oil prices have started

rising in the international market,

he said the BPC officials stated that

they could keep the previous fuel

prices for at least six months without

a fresh hike in fuel prices.

"But the government did not do

that as its nature is to indulge in

Director General of the Directorate

General of Family Planning Shahan

Ara Banu and its Line Director Dr

Mohammad Sharif, Additional

Director General of the Directorate of

Health Services Dr Meerjady Sabrina

Flora and its Line Directors Dr

Shamsul Haque and Dr Quazi

Hefayet Hossain addressed the meeting

as resource persons.

DASCOH Foundation Chief Executive

Officer Akramul Haque gave an illustration

of the project along with its aims,

objectives and implementation strategy

during his multimedia presentation

while SRC Health Manager Dhiman

Dutt also detailed the project activities.

The meeting shared progress of the

project besides discussing the challenges

of ensuring comprehensive

emergency obstetric and neonatal care

at primary healthcare and how to face

the challenges collectively.

The participants stressed the need

for compliance of private providers

with standard quality of care and

services. Coordinated efforts between

DGHS and DGFP can be the vital

means of attaining desired results at

primary healthcare level, they mentioned.

Exit strategy and sustainability

of project initiatives also came up

for discussion elaborately.

Around 35 officials and experts from

DGHS and DGFP along with their

Rajshahi divisional directors and district

officials of the two districts joined

the workshop.

looting public money. They're making

their pockets heavier through

plundering and cutting people's

pockets. They're also siphoning off

thousands of crores of taka abroad,"

the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul said the prices of all

essentials will now go up further as

an impact of the hike in fuel prices

and transport fares.

On Wednesday, the government

raised the prices of diesel and

kerosene at the retail level. The BNP

leader said people's backs are

pushed against the wall by increasing

the prices of all commodities

and necessary things.

He said the government is taking

mega projects and building, bridges

and flyovers to show development,

but common people are becoming

poorer gradually.

Referring to media reports, he

said people are killing themselves

along with their children having

failed to manage food and the cost of

living.

He said the government has created

an anarchic situation everywhere

for lack of good governance and

accountability.

"Steps have been taken to execute

a death penalty before the verdict by

the Appellate Division of the

Supreme Court...two people had

been hung a few days back before

the verdict was delivered by the

Appellate Division. "It means there's

no accountability and discipline

anywhere."

Excessive speed of

motorcycle

3 school students

killed in Tangail

NAsir UddiN TANgAil rePreseNTATive

Three students were killed in a

road accident at Chairmanbari

crossing on the Ghatail-

Dhalapara road under Ghatail

upazila of Tangail district on

Monday morning.

The deceased were identified as

Sharif, 14, son of late Samir Uddin,

Abu Bakkar, 14, son of Shahjalal

and Shahin, 14, son of late Ramzan

Ali, residents of Jhaikata village

under Dhalapara union of the

upazila. They were all students of

Class X of Dhalapara SUP High

School.

Shamsul Haque, headmaster of

SUP High School, said the accident

took place in the area at about 10am

when a motorcycle, carrying the

students, hit a roadside tree, leaving

the three riders dead on the spot.

The accident occurred due to over

speed of the motorcycle, he said.

Officer-in-charge (OC) of Ghatail

Police Station Azharul Islam confirmed

the matter.

RAB arrests six

'Kishore Gang'

members in Khulna

KHULNA : Members of Rapid

Action Battalion (RAB) arrested six

active members of a 'Kishore Gang'

from different areas of the city on

Sunday night.

The elite force members also

seized the drugs, drug-taking

instruments and a sharp knife from

their possession, said a RAB-6 press

release.

Legal and Media Officer of RAB-6

Bazlur Rahman said, on secret

information, RAB men in plain

clothes arrested the 'Kishore Gang'

members from city's Nirala, No-05

Ghat Area and Station Road, the

release added.

The arrested are involving in drug

trading, snatching, extortion and

other social crimes, he said, adding

that they will be handed over to the

local police station in this connection.

ACC summons Ideal

school and college

principal over graft

allegation

DHAKA : The Anti-Corruption

Commission (ACC) on Monday summoned

Ideal school and college principal

Shahanara Begum over the allegation

of acquiring illegal assets,

reports UNB.

A letter signed by the Assistant

Director of the ACC Ataur Rahman

Sarkar asked the principal to be

appeared on November 15 at the

ACC head office to record her statement.

Deputy Director of ACC Public

relation office Muhammad Arif

Sadeq confirmed this to UNB.

If she fails to appear at ACC at the

given time, it will be considered that

she does not have any statement

regarding the charges against her, he

said.

09-11-2021

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