06-03-2022
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sundAy
DhAkA: March6, 2022; Falgun 21, 1428 BS; Shaban 2,1443 hijri
www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net
Regd.No.DA~2065, Vol.19; N o. 303; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00
InternAtIonAl
US Embassy
calls power plant
attack war crime
>Page 7
sports
Shane Warne,
spin genius with
soap-opera life
>Page 9
Arts & Culture
Mehazabien
in Nipun's web
series 'Sabrina'
>Page 10
Zohr
The evacuation of around 200,000 Mariupol civilians has been postponed after kyiv claimed
russian forces were not observing a partial ceasefire designed to allow humanitarian corridors out
of two ukrainian cities.
photo : Collected
Mariupol
evacuation
on hold
Ukrainian authorities have delayed plans
to evacuate the Azov Sea port city of
Mariupol on hold, citing that Russia violated
the ceasefire agreement, CNN
reported.
Pavlo Kyrylenko, governor of the eastern
Donetsk region, tweeted "EVACUA-
TION OF PEACEFUL POPULATION
FROM MARIUPOL POSTPONED!", and
added "Due to the fact that the Russians
do not observe the regime of silence and
continue shelling of Mariupol and its environs,
for security reasons, the evacuation
of the population has been postponed".
A partial ceasefire agreement had been
reached, with the humanitarian corridor
being opened for a five hour period,
Reuters reported citing TASS, the Russian
state-run news agency.
The Mariupol city council instructed
civilians to make their way towards the
city of Zaporizhzhia, saying they could use
both buses and their individual vehicles.
Mayor Vadym Boychenko, of Mariupol,
said in a statement, "Given that our hometown
is constantly under ruthless fire from
the occupiers, there is no other solution",
Reuters reported.
A little before the reported ceasefire violation,
Iryna Vereshchuk, the Ukrainian
Minister of Reintegration of Temporarily
Occupied Territories, released a statement
addressing the Russian troops, CNN
reported.
Vereshchuk said, "Our military report
that in the area of the declared route [of
the evacuation corridor] Russian troops
are using the ceasefire and moving forward.
I would like to address the Russian
authorities and say the following: We have
agreed about ceasefire through the Red
Cross, using international conventions.
There should be no advance of Russian
troops. We use this channel to evacuate
civilians-women, children, and also to
deliver humanitarian goods to those who
stayed-medicine and food".
05:02 AM
12:15 PM
04:24 PM
06:08 PM
07:20 PM
6:15 6:04
Attack on Ukrainian nuke plant
triggers worldwide alarm
KYIV, UKRAINE : Russian troops Friday
seized the biggest nuclear power plant in
Europe after a middle-of-the-night attack that
set it on fire and briefly raised worldwide fears
of a catastrophe in the most chilling turn yet in
Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, reports UNB.
Firefighters put out the blaze, and no radiation
was released, U.N. and Ukrainian officials
said. Russian forces pressed on with their
week-old offensive on multiple fronts, though
they did not appear to gain significant ground
in fighting Friday. The number of refugees fleeing
the country eclipsed 1.2 million.
With world condemnation mounting, the
Kremlin cracked down on the flow of information
at home, blocking Facebook, Twitter, the
BBC and the U.S. government-funded Voice
of America. And President Vladimir Putin
signed a law making it a crime punishable by
up to 15 years in prison to spread so-called fake
news, including anything that goes against the
official government line on the war. CNN
announced that it would stop broadcasting in
Russia and Bloomberg temporarily suspended
the work of its journalists there, saying they
were assessing the situation.
While the vast Russian armored column
threatening Kyiv remained stalled outside the
capital, Putin's military has launched hundreds
of missiles and artillery attacks on cities and
other sites across the country, and made significant
gains on the ground in the south in an
apparent bid to cut off Ukraine's access to the
sea. In the attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear
Drug dealers in Khulna adopts
innovative ways of doing business
TiTas ChakrobarTy, khulna CorrespondenT
Drug trade is rampant in Khulna district and
city following various strategies. About 200
drug traffickers were arrested in February by
17 police stations in the district and the city,
members of the Narcotics Control
Department and the Coast Guard. More
than one hundred and fifty cases have been
registered during this period.
According to the sources, the drug menace
has increased alarmingly in Khulna
district and 17 police station areas of the
city. At one time drugs were sold in certain
places of Khulna city. This made it easier
to conduct anti-drug campaigns. But not
anymore. Drugs are being sold through
bKash platform. According to the demand
of the user, the drug dealer leaves the drug
at the specified place. And drug money is
paid through bKash.
According to another source, the smugglers
have chosen the waterway as a safe
route for drug trafficking. In particular,
some coastal areas of the district including
Koira, Dakop, Paikgacha are considered as
safe places by drug dealers. Then there are
the border areas of districts and cities.
There are several drug dealers in
Gallamari of the city and in the border of
plant in the southeastern city of Enerhodar, the
chief of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy
Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said a Russian
"projectile" hit a training center, not any of the
six reactors.
The attack triggered global alarm and fear
of a catastrophe that could dwarf the world's
worst nuclear disaster, at Ukraine's
Chernobyl in 1986. In an emotional nighttime
speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy said he feared an explosion that
would be "the end for everyone. The end for
Europe. The evacuation of Europe."
But nuclear officials from Sweden to China
said no radiation spikes had been reported, as
did Grossi. Authorities said Russian troops
had taken control of the overall site but plant
staff continued to run it. Only one reactor was
operating, at 60% of capacity, Grossi said in
the aftermath of the attack.
Two people were injured in the fire, Grossi
said. Ukraine's state nuclear plant operator
Enerhoatom said three Ukrainian soldiers
were killed and two wounded.
In the U.S., Pentagon spokesman John
Kirby said the episode "underscores the
recklessness with which the Russians have
been perpetrating this unprovoked invasion."
At an emergency meeting of the U.N.
Security Council, Ukraine's U.N. ambassador,
Sergiy Kyslytsya, said the fire broke out
as a result of Russian shelling of the plant
and accused Moscow of committing "an act
of nuclear terrorism."
Batiaghata upazila of the district with
whom some of the identified Yaba dealers
of Teknaf area are related. The number of
drug dealers is higher in Rupsha,
Batiaghata and Fultala areas of the district.
In these areas, drug addicts come from the
city before midday and return safely to the
city after consuming drugs. There are
about 200 drug dealers in Aichgati
Rupsha upazila of the district. Similarly,
there are drug dealers in Dighalia, Fultala,
Dumuria, Dakop, Paikgachha, Koyra and
Batiaghata areas of the district.
They are carrying cannabis from
Benapole. Police, RAB and drug dealers also
have a list of their names. However, it is not
possible to arrest them due to some tactical
reasons. Sources again have a significant
number of traders. For this reason, the drug
dealers identified before the operation
became cautious. They remain elusive.
However, the anti-drug drive to arrest
drug dealers and recover drugs continues.
In February, district and city police, the
Coast Guard and members of the
Narcotics Control Department arrested
200 drug dealers from 17 police stations.
About 200 drug traffickers have been
arrested.
Vested quarter
tried to change
liberation war's
history: Kamal
MANIKGANJ : Home Minister
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said yesterday
that a vested quarter tried to change the history
of country's liberation war after the
killing of Bangabandhu, reports BSS
"They tried to make the freedom fighters
questionable making falsehood against
them. The quarter is trying to make the
country inactive still now," he told a gathering
of freedom fighters at Manikganj
Shaheed Miraj-Tapon Stadium.
The home minister said, "The quarter
attempted 19 times to kill Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina, but we are marching forward
under the dynamic leadership of
Sheikh Hasina facing all the conspiracies."
Liberation War Affairs Minister A K M
Mozammel Haque said Ziaur Rahman did
not want to fight under the Mujib government.
He said the freedom fighters will be
given digital identity cards and certificates
from 27 March the Independence Day.
With Benjir Ahmed, MP, and convenor
of "Dhaka West Area Freedom Fighters
gathering preparatory committee" in the
chair, it was attended, among others, by
Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Jute and
Garments Affairs Minister Gazi Golam
Dastagir (Beer Protik), State Minister for
Relief and Disaster Management Dr. Md.
Enamur Rahman, Industries Adviser to
the Prime Minister Salman F Rahman,
Former Shipping Minister Shahjahan
Khan, State Minister for Water Resources
Enamul Haque Shamim, former minister
Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, former
lawmaker Mafizul Islam Khan
Kamal, A M Naimur Rahman Durjoy, MP,
Momtaj Begum, MP, former lawmaker M
P Sudeb Ali Tipu, freedom fighter Nur Ali,
DIG Dhaka Division Md. Habibur
Rahman, SP Golam Azad Khan, District
Awami League President Advocate Golam
Mohiuddin and District Awami League
General Secretary Advocate Abus Salam.
Maritime ports asked
to stay vigilant
DHAKA : With a depression over the
southwest Bay and adjoining areas intensifying,
the maritime ports of Chattogram,
Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been
advised to stay vigilant.
In fact, the depression over the southwest
Bay and adjoining areas moved
north- northwestwards and intensified
into a deep depression and lay centred
over the same area at 6am on Saturday.
It was centred about 1,615km of southsouthwest
of Chattogram port, 1,565km
south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port,
1,495km south-southwest of Mongla port
and 1,495km south-southwest of Payra port,
the Met office said in a special bulletin. It is
likely to intensify further and move in a
northwesterly direction, it said.
Metro rail to have elevators,
escalators, stairs on both
sides of each station
DHAKA : The country's first elevated electric
metro rail from Uttara to Kamalapur
in the capital will have elevators, escalators
and stairs on both sides of each station for
providing better facilities to passengers.
"It's a modern and latest mode of metro
train for city dwellers and Japan has been
constructing it. Each station of the metro
rail will have facilities for passengers,"
Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Rapid
Transit Limited (DMTCL) MAN Siddique
told BSS.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
has undertaken the most important project
for the capital's residents aimed at giving
them improved public transport facility."Once
operational, the metro rail will be
able to transport 60,000 people per hour
and reduce travel time from Uttara to
Motijheel from about two hours to only 40
minutes," Siddique said.
According to the project details, the
entire 20.1-kilometre viaduct of the country's
first metro rail project became visible
last January with the installation of a segment
of its last span near the National
Press Club.Besides, the overall progress of
construction work of 21.26-kiolomterelong
elevated metro rail service from
Uttara to Motijheel-Kamalapur Railway
stands at more than 73 percent now, while
91 percent civil work between Uttara and
Agargaon has been done.
Construction works for 11.73 kilometer
viaduct, station column and other related
works of metro rail between Uttara and
Agargaon have been completed.
Mass-Rapid Transport (MRT) Line-6, a
dream public transport, under the Fast
Track projects is expected to begin its journey
on Uttara-Agargaon route from the
month of victory this year.
Integrated test and trial run of metro
train is underway while functional and
performance test is going on in full swing.
Bangladesh is set to embark on a new
era of commuting with a new mode of
transport hitherto unseen on the land-the
elevated metro rail of Dhaka.
This is a big moment in the country's
transport sector. Although the train service
will be launched initially from Uttara to
Agargaon-and later to Motijheel, covering
a distance of 21.26 km-one can imagine a
successful period of run may eventually
lead to its replication across other busy
parts of Dhaka and also in other metropolitan
areas of Bangladesh.
28 Bangladeshi crew reach
Romania : FM
DHAKA : Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul
Momen on Saturday said 28 crew members
of Bangladeshi vessel "Banglar Samriddhi"
have safely reached Romania from war-torn
Ukraine and they will soon return home. He
shared the updates while talking to reporters
at a programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
Regarding the video posted by five
Bangladeshis, he said the government is
scrutinising their statements to know the
facts and their position. The Foreign
Minister said Bangladesh wants peace and
stability in the world. He said Bangladesh
wants to see that the issue is resolved peacefully
through discussion.
Earlier on Friday, Foreign Secretary
Masud Bin Momen said efforts were underway
to bring 28 crew of Bangladeshi ship
"Banglar Samriddhi" to Romania from warravaged
Ukraine.
Talking to reporters at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, he also said around 600
Bangladeshis are now in Poland.
The crew had been taken to a relatively
safe place from the ship that came under
attack leaving its third engineer dead on
Wednesday. The ship had also been declared
abandoned
Expressing deep condolences to the near
and dear ones of deceased Hadisur Rahman,
the Russian Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday
said the Russian side "bends every effort" to
ensure safe departure of the Bangladeshi
ship from the port.
The Command of the Armed Forces of the
Russian Federation, relying on the objective
monitoring data, has repeatedly stated that,
during the retreat, the Ukrainian nationalists
open indiscriminate fire and deliberately
capture hostages, use them as a "human
shield", resorting to the well-known terrorists'
tactic, said the Embassy.
The BSC ship was positioned in the inner
anchorage of Olvia port (Ukraine), when
Hadisur was killed due to a missile attack.
"The circumstances of the incident are being
established," said the embassy.
For resolving the humanitarian issues
arising from the special military operation in
Ukraine, including the requests for evacuation
of the civilians, the Ministry of Defence
of the Russian Federation has launched the
hotline +7 495 498-34-46, +7 495 498-42-
11, +7 495 498-41-09.
Mahananda river is a transboundary river between bangladesh and india. The only tributary of the
Ganges in bangladesh is the river Mahananda. lifting stones from the river Mahananda has changed the
wheel of fortune of many working people. in addition to rocks, plenty of fish are available during the
rainy season. This river is located in Tetulia union of Tetulia upazila of panchagarh district. The amazing
beauty of the four sides of this river fascinates the tourists.
photo: pba
2 killed, 4 injured
in Pirojpur road
accidents
PIROJPUR : Two persons
have been killed and four
others injured in separate
road accidents in Pirojpur,
police said on Saturday,
reports UNB.
The deceased were
identified as Delwar Hossain
Sardar, 60, a van driver from
Bhandaria upazila, and Mia
Md Faruk Hossain, 65, a
former chairman of
Dhanisafa union of
Mathbaria upazila and a local
Awami League member.
Delwar died after his van
was hit by a tractor trolley on
a bridge near Zila Parishad
Market in Pirojpur's
Bhandaria upazila on
Saturday morning. He died in
the impact of the crash, said
Bhandaria Police Station OC
Masumur Rahman Biswas.
"The body has been sent to
the local hospital morgue for
an autopsy. The killer vehicle
has been seized and efforts
are on to arrest its driver," the
OC said.
On Friday evening, Faruk
Hossain was killed in a headon
collision between a truck
and a three-wheeler. Three
other occupants of the threewheeler
and its driver
sustained injuries in the
accident, police said.
7-yr-old boy
found dead in
Ctg orphanage
CHATTOGRAM : A sevenyear-old
madrasha
student was found dead
with his throat slit at an
orphanage in Boalkhali
upazila of Chattogram
district on Saturday,
reports UNB.
The deceased was
identified as Iftekhar
Malikul Mashfique, a
student of Allama Hazrat
Sheikh Asiar Rahman
Farooque Orphanage and
Madrasha located in the
Charandwip area of the
upazila.
Department of Dance Day-2022 was celebrated at Dhaka University yesterday.
Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 13 more
deaths, positivity rate stands at 2.11%
DHAKA : Amid the declining trend in Covid-
19 cases and fatalities, Bangladesh reported
13 more Covid-linked deaths with 368 fresh
cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
The daily positivity rate slightly declined to
2.11 per cent from Friday's 3.20 per cent after
testing 17,463 samples during the period,
according to the Directorate General of
Health Services (DGHS).
On Friday, Bangladesh reported six more
Covid-linked deaths with 604 fresh cases.
The fresh numbers took the country's total
fatalities to 29,077 while the caseload to
19,46,737.
Among the new deceased, seven were men
and six women.
Eight of the deaths were reported from
Dhaka division while two from Barishal and
one each from Chattogram, Rangpur,
Mymensingh divisions.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate remained
unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
However, the recovery rate rose to 94.52 per
cent with the recovery of 4,108 more patients
during the 24-hour period.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its
previous highest daily positivity rate at 33.37
per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20
deaths.
On December 9 last year, Bangladesh logged
zero Covid-related death after nearly three
weeks.
Newly appointed Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major
General Shakil Ahmed paid tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur at Tungipara in Gopalganj yesterday. Photo : Courtesy
The country reported first zero Covid-related
death in a single day on November 20 last
year along with 178 infections since the
pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March
2020. Besides, the country registered the
highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28
last year, while the highest number of daily
fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
National Jute
Day today
DHAKA : The National Jute Day-2022 will be
observed today throughout the country with a
view to making jute goods popular among the
people.This year's theme of the day is 'Golden
country of olden fibre - Environment friendly
Bangladesh'.On the eve of the day, President M
Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina issued separate messages greeting the
people involved with the jute sector.
In their messages, they hoped that jute will
play a positive role in the economic
development of the country as well as
protection of the environment once its multiple
usages are ensured. President Hamid in his
message said the government has taken various
initiatives, including modernization of the
state-owned jute mills, to bring back the
glorious past of the jute sector.
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Photo : Courtesy
Ershad Sikder's daughter
found dead in city
DHAKA : The hanging
body of a young lady was
recovered from a flat in
the Gulshan area of Dhaka
early Friday, reports UNB.
She was identified as
Jannatul Nowrin Esha,
22, daughter of Ershad
Sikder, who was hanged
by the state in 2004 for a
litany of crimes, and his
second wife Shova Akter.
Esha was found hanging
around 5:30 am on
Friday. She was rushed to
the
emergency
department of Dhaka
Medical College Hospital
(DMCH) in the morning
where doctors declared
her dead.
Her cousin Russo said
Esha passed HSC from the
capital's City College. She
had been living with her
mother at Subasto Tower
in Gulshan. She was said
to be facing relationship
problems in her love life.
She and her boyfriend
locked into an altercation
10 shot in
Magura clash
MAGURA : At least 10
people were shot and
wounded on Saturday
during a clash between two
rival groups over arranging
a waj mahfil at Urura
village in Mohammadpur
upazila in Magura.
Ten injured people were
admitted to a hospital and
all are currently out of
danger, said Dr Zahidur
Rahman, Associate
Professor of Magura
Medical College Hospital.
There was a longstanding
rivalry between the
supporters of Monirul ,
current member of ward-5
of Binodpur Union
Parishad, and former
member Liakat Molla, said
local people.
Their supporters locked
into a clash over arranging
a waj mahfil around 10 am
on Saturday, said Nasir
Uddin, Officer-in-Charge
of Mohammadpur police
station.
He said police were
forced to fire bullets of
shotgun and rubber bullets
to bring the situation under
control.
on Thursday evening, the
cousin said. Then Esha
went to sleep after having
dinner. She made no
response when her
mother called her early in
the morning. With the
help of neighbours, the
door of the room was
broken and she was found
hanging from the ceiling
fan.
Several injury marks
were also found on her
hands, he added.
The body has been kept
at the morgue for autopsy,
said Bachhu Mia, in
charge of the DMCH
police outpost. The
information was revealed
to Gulshan Police Station.
This was informed to
Gulshan police, Bachhu
Mia added.
GD-389/22 (5x4)
SUNDAY, MARCh 6, 2022
2
Dhaka is world's most
polluted city
DHAKA : Dhaka has once again topped the list
of world cities with the worst air quality.
The capital's air quality index (AQI) was
recorded at 184 at 8.48 am on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and China's Wuhan
occupied the next two spots, with AQI scores of
180 and 173, respectively.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered
'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is
said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is
considered 'hazardous', posing serious health
risks to residents.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is
used by government agencies to inform people
how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is,
and what associated health effects might be a
concern for them.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five
criteria pollutants-Particulate Matter (PM10
and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air
pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns
unhealthy during winter and improves during
monsoon.
A report by the Department of Environment
(DoE) and the World Bank in March 2019
pointed out that the three main sources of air
pollution in Dhaka "are brick kilns, fumes from
vehicles and dust from construction sites".
With the advent of winter, the city's air quality
starts deteriorating sharply due to the massive
discharge of pollutant particles from
construction works, rundown roads, brick kilns
and other sources.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the
top risk factors for death and disability
worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long
been recognised as increasing a person's
chances of developing heart disease, chronic
respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer,
according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization
(WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven
million people worldwide every year, largely as
a result of increased mortality from stroke,
heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory
infections.
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque MP attended the triennial meeting
Delduar upazila Awami League yesterday. Photo : Nasir Uddin
Protest against price
hike: 5 hurt in BCL-JCD
clash in Lalmonirhat
LALMONIRHAT : At least
five people were injured in
a clash between activists of
Bangladesh Chharta
League (BCL) and
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal
(JCD) in Hatibandha
upazila headquarters of
Lalmonirhat district on
Saturday, reports UNB.
Witnesses said BNP's
upazila unit brought out a
procession from the party
office in Hatibandha
protesting the recent price
hike of commodities.
At one stage, police
obstructed them.
Tension mounted when
BCL activists led by BCL
upazila unit president
Fahim Shahriar Jihan
along with some party
leaders and activists tried
to march towards the BNP
office.
A clash broke out near
medical junction area,
leaving five people
injured.
Cop found dead next
to his bike in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI : A 40-year-old police officer was
found dead next to his bike off a busy road in
Godagari upazila of Rajshahi in the early
hours of Saturday.
The body of Nur Islam, a sub-inspector
with Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station,
was found off Godagari-Amanura Road in
the Bhutpukur area of the upazila at
12.30am. Police suspect the officer, who was
originally from Abhaynagar upazila of
Jessore, died in a road accident as his bike
was found lying next to him.
SUNDAy, MARCh 6, 2022
4
Why don't we treat all refugees like they were Ukrainian?
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
Sunday, March 6, 2022
The changing global
balance of power
F
rom
pulling out of treaties to denigrating allies to starting
trade wars, the impulsive actions of successive US
administrations are upending the international order that
has been in place since the end of World War II. But even before
belligerent foreign policy positions, America had been gradually
losing its dominant role in world affairs.
A power shift among the nations of the world began at the end of
the Cold War and has been accelerating this century. It is not as
simple as saying "America is in decline," since America remains a
powerful country. But American global power has been eroding for
some time. The power of other countries has grown, giving them
both the ability and the desire to effect global affairs independently
of U.S. desire.
Since the end of WWII, the U.S. has been the central player in the
international system, leading in the creation of new international
organizations like the United Nations, NATO, the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank. American diplomacy has been
essential to multinational agreements on trade, climate, regional
security and arms control. Americans could and did claim to be at
the center of a rules-based international order. Those days are gone.
Not only do China and Russia contest America's global role, a
growing number of other countries are asserting an independent
and increasingly influential role in regional economic and security
developments. Neither American political party has come to grips
with this sea change. Until they do, U.S. global actions are likely to
be less effective, even counterproductive.
The power shifts are increasingly visible. In the Middle East, the
U.S. hoped for decades to isolate Iran as a pariah and weaken the
regime until it fell. Today, that goal is unimaginable. Iran is and will
remain an increasingly assertive and influential power in the region,
defending and promoting its interests and competing with the
Saudi regime. The Russians are in the Middle East region for good,
building on their long-standing relationship with the family of
Syria's dictator. Turkey, a rising regional power, acts increasingly
independent of the preferences of the U.S., its NATO allies, playing
its own hand in the regional power game.
In Asia, decades of U.S. condemnation and efforts to contain the
rise of Chinese power have failed. An assertive China has risen. China
now plays almost as powerful a role in the global economy as the U.S.
It has defended an authoritarian model for economic growth, armed
artificial islands in the South China Sea, and built a military base in
Djibouti. China has created new multilateral organizations for
security discussions and one for infrastructure loans, which the U.S.
declined to join. It has developed a global lending program - the Belt
and Road Initiative - and has stepped into a stronger global role on
climate change. And China is spreading its political and economic
influence into Africa and Latin America.
The U.S. cannot slow Chinese economic growth nor contain its
power. China is changing the rules, whether the U.S. likes it or not.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japan moves toward a renewed nationalism and
has removed restrictions on its defense spending and the
deployment of its military in the face of growing Chinese power.
North Korea behaves more and more like a regional power,
winning a direct meeting with the U.S. President while making only
a general commitment to denuclearize. The prospect of a unified
Korea would bring into being another major regional power center
in the Northern Pacific. Other countries, like the Philippines and
Australia, hedge their bets by improving bilateral relations with
China. And India is a growing economic and military presence in the
Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.
Nor will the U.S. contain Russia. Russia is rebuilding its military and
intruding in others' elections. The Russian regime is threatening its
near neighbors and actively engaging in the Middle East. President
Vladimir Putin asserts Russia's interests and role in the world, like any
other great power. Russia is consciously and actively rebalancing the
power of the United States, with some success.
Military power, the American global trump card, is not as useful a
tool as it once was. While the U.S. continues to have the world's only
truly global military capability, able to deploy anywhere very
quickly, it is no longer evident that this capability effectively sustains
U.S. leadership. Clear military victories are few - the Gulf War in
1991 being an exception. The endless U.S. deployment in
Afghanistan carried the whiff of Vietnam in its inability to resolve
that country's civil war.
Meanwhile, the militaries of other countries, acting
independently of the U.S., are proving effective, as both Turkish
and Iranian operations in Syria suggest. The transition to this new
era is proving difficult for American policy-makers. The Trump
"America First" foreign policy was based on the view that the U.S.
needs to defend its interests by acting alone, eschewing or
withdrawing from multilateral arrangements for trade, economics,
diplomacy or security. Trump praises "strong" nationalistic
leadership in authoritarian countries, while democratic leadership
in allied countries is criticized as weak. In response, allies distance
themselves from the United States. Others are emboldened to act
in an equally nationalistic and assertive way.
Some conservatives, like Sen. John McCain, call for confrontation
with Russia and strengthening traditional American alliances,
particularly NATO. Others, like John Bolton, call for regime change
in assertive powers like Iran. Liberals and many Democrats
criticized Trump for alienating traditional allies like Canada, France
and Germany while befriending dictators. Policy-makers once
critical of confrontational policies now condemn Trump for failing
to confront Russia and China.
A different president in Washington, D.C., will not restore the
"rules-based" international order. The underlying changes in global
power relations have already undermined that order. A neoconservative
foreign policy, featuring unilateral American military
intervention, will only accelerate the global shift. Liberal
internationalists like Hillary Clinton would fail as well, because the
rest of the world rejects the assumption that the U.S. is
"indispensable" and "exceptional." Barack Obama appeared to
recognize the changing reality, but continued to argue that only the
U.S. could lead the international system.
America will need to learn new rules and play differently in the
new balance-of-power world, where others have assets and policies
the U.S. does not and cannot control. US President Joe Biden
cannot afford to be unmindful of these hard realities in the world
stage while forming and implementing his policies.
It was inevitable that when
brown-skinned Afghan
refugees fleeing war were
turned away from European
borders over the past few years, the
callous actions of these
governments would come back to
haunt them.
A whopping 1 million people have
fled Ukraine after Russia's violent
invasion in the span of only a week.
They are being welcomed - as
refugees should be - into
neighboring nations, inviting
accusations of racist double
standards.
Poland offers the most egregious
example of national racism. Its
government, whose nation borders
Ukraine, has warmly welcomed
traumatized Ukrainians, just
months after turning away
Afghans. If these optics weren't bad
enough, Polish nationalists have
sought out people of color who are
among the refugees fleeing Ukraine
and violently attacked them.
According to The Guardian,
"three Indians were beaten up by a
group of five men, leaving one of
them hospitalized." African
nationals studying in Ukraine
joined the exodus after Russia's
invasion, and have been stopped at
the Polish border. Poland might as
well erect a giant sign on its border
declaring, "whites only."
In elevating such disparate skintone-dependent
attitudes toward
refugees, Europe is giving its
colonialist heritage a new lease on
life. We see echoes today of the
dehumanization that enabled
European colonization of the
Global South and the enslavement
of generations.
It's not just Poland. The Arab and
Middle Eastern Journalists
Association has denounced the
overtly racist language of many
Western journalists, including
Americans like Charlie D'Agata of
the Columbia Broadcasting System,
who said of Ukraine that "this isn't
a place, with all due respect, like
Iraq or Afghanistan, that has seen
conflict raging for decades." (In
fact, Ukraine has seen plenty of
conflict in the past years.)
D'Agata's insertion of "with all
due respect" was perhaps his
belated realization that he was
veering into dangerous territory by
contrasting Ukrainian civilization
against the presupposed barbarity
Racism and hypocrisy of the 'civilized' reaction to war
With each passing day,
international support for
Ukrainians grows.
Landmarks across the world are lit up
with the country's yellow and blue,
and many rightly praise the bravery
of Ukrainians holding out against
numerically superior forces.
This is all a heart-warming reaction
to aggression and occupation, but
there are many oppressed people -
not least in the Middle East - who can
only dream of even a fraction of such
international solidarity.
A key international legal principle
underpins the world's reaction to the
latest Russian invasion, and forms
the basis of the entire international
order - the inadmissibility of the
acquisition of territory through war.
Put simply,no state may gain land
through conquest.
This was why an international
coalition was formed to liberate
Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion in
1990. It is why,quite rightly, Russia is
encountering massive opposition to
what is clearly an illegal and
unwarranted war against a neighbor
who had threatened nobody and was
living in peace.
For Palestinians, the West's reaction
to Russia's war on Ukraine does not
just leave a whiff but a stink of
hypocrisy, double standards and even
racism.
All of a sudden, international law
matters. In Ukraine, the acquisition of
territory is clearly not permitted, and
must be countered with meaningful
consequences. But Israel occupies
Palestinian and Syrian land, and
nothing meaningful has happened in
54 years; worse, all too often
Palestinians are held responsible for
their own occupation in an epic
exercise in victim-blaming. Last week
in the British Parliament one
politician dared to claim that one
should not compare Palestinians
of the darker nations. But then he
continued, saying of Kiev, "this is a
relatively civilized, relatively
European - I have to choose those
words carefully, too - city where
you wouldn't expect that, or hope
that it's going to happen."
Again, D'Agata likely realized as
the words were escaping his mouth
just how racist he was sounding. He
needed to choose his words
carefully in order to avoid the
appearance of bias. He clearly
failed. His later apology was not
very convincing.
D'Agata exposed his personal
allegiance with the Global North
when he expressed "hope" against
war breaking out in a nation whose
people look like he does. The
implied flip side is that he harbors
no such hope when the conflictridden
nations of the Global South
are embroiled in violence.
Serena Parekh, professor of
philosophy at Northeastern
University in Boston, told me in a
recent interview that "it is very
human to feel connections to
people that you perceive to be like
you and to feel more remote from
people you perceive as being not
like you." At the very least, this is a
good reason that newsrooms need
to diversify their staff.
Parekh, who has written two
books, No Refuge: Ethics and the
Global Refugee Crisis and Refugees
and the Ethics of Forced
Displacement, says one
"assumption" she has heard
justifying favorable treatment of
the latest wave of refugees in
Europe is that "Ukrainians are not
terrorists and they are not
criminals, and so we can let them in
safely, without having to worry
about screening them." She calls
such views "racialized assumptions
… largely unsustainable by any
evidence."
under occupation with Ukrainians
under occupation, as if there were
acceptable occupations and
unacceptable ones.
All of a sudden, an illegal invasion
and occupation are met with sanctions
that will hurt the aggressor. The
Ukrainian government has handed its
civilians weapons to resist the Russian
forces. If the Palestinian Authority did
that to fight off Israeli forces,
international actors and Israel would
be screaming "terrorism." One TV
news correspondent even told a
Ukrainian woman that she
"understood" her decision to take up
arms and resist the occupier. Can
anyone imagine this being said to
Palestinian civilians arming
themselves to fight Israeli occupying
forces? I do not recall Western
journalists expressing such empathy
for Iraqis who chose to fight the
invasion of their country in 2003.
Syrians, too, might question where
the outrage is when Russian planes
have been bombing them, flattening
their civilian infrastructure, and
targeting their hospitals; in fact, Syria
was the testing ground for the
weapons systems Russia is using in
Ukraine.
No one called for Russia to be
thrown out of the World Cup, the
Paralympics or the Eurovision Song
Contest when its bombs were
SONAlI KOlhATKAR
ChRIS DOylE
Such assumptions are infectious.
Social media platforms abound
with images sporting the nowubiquitous
blue and yellow of the
Ukrainian flag. Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelensky has
emerged as a larger-than-life hero
to the morally outraged.
So invested are people in
believing Zelensky's heroism that
many have shared a photo
(including several of my own
Facebook friends) of him in
military fatigues as evidence of his
courage in standing up to Russian
militarism, when in fact the image
was captured well before Russia's
invasion.
Similar expressions of solidarity
with brown-skinned resisters of
Western militarism or victims of
Western wars have been far less
common.
Pointing out the double standards
Parekh, who has written two books, No Refuge: Ethics and the Global
Refugee Crisis and Refugees and the Ethics of Forced Displacement,
says one "assumption" she has heard justifying favorable treatment of
the latest wave of refugees in Europe is that "Ukrainians are not terrorists
and they are not criminals, and so we can let them in safely,
without having to worry about screening them." She calls such views
"racialized assumptions … largely unsustainable by any evidence."
of governments and the press at a
time when Ukrainians are watching
their nation getting utterly
destroyed will inevitably spark
accusations of insensitivity and of
engaging irresponsibly in
"whataboutism" to make a point.
But now is the time clearly to call
out what human-rights groups and
independent journalists have for
years been saying: that the US- and
NATO-led wars in Afghanistan,
Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and elsewhere
are racist, and that the callous
dismissals of the resulting
humanitarian catastrophes are
equally barbaric.
There's another reason brownskinned
refugees are seen as
undesirable. Welcoming those
people fleeing wars that the West
has fomented would be an
admission of Western culpability.
Not only do Ukrainian refugees
offer palatable infusions of
whiteness into European nations,
but they also enable governments
terrorizing Syrians.
For Palestinians, the West's
reaction to Russia's war on Ukraine
does not just leave a whiff but a stink
of hypocrisy, double standards and
even racism.
The attitude to refugees is also
telling. Too many in Europe and
North America share the opinion of
the Bulgarian prime minister: "These
are not the refugees we are used to,
people with obscure past, maybe
terrorists … these are intelligent
people, educated people."
Daniel Hannan, a member of the
British House of Lords and a leading
The Ukrainian government has handed its civilians weapons to resist
the Russian forces. If the Palestinian Authority did that to fight off
Israeli forces, international actors and Israel would be screaming
"terrorism." One TV news correspondent even told a Ukrainian
woman that she "understood" her decision to take up arms and
resist the occupier. Can anyone imagine this being said to Palestinian
civilians arming themselves to fight Israeli occupying forces?
member of the governing
Conservative Party, wrote: "They
seem so like us. That is what makes it
so shocking … war is no longer
something visited upon impoverished
and remote populations. It can
happen to anyone."
Charlie D'Agata, a reporter for a US
news channel, said: "This isn't a place
like Iraq or Afghanistan that has seen
conflict raging for decades, this is a
relatively civilized, relatively
European city." At least he had the
decency to apologize later.
Another reporter declared: "Now
the unthinkable has happened to
them, and this is not a developing,
third-world nation, this is Europe."
David Sakvarelidze, Ukraine's former
deputy general prosecutor of Ukraine,
to express self-righteous outrage at
Russia's imperialist ambitions and
violent militarism.
If Ukrainian refugees are
evidence of Russian brutality, then
Afghan and Iraqi refugees are
evidence of the same kind of
brutality on the part of the US and
the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
While Europe's double standard
toward refugees is on full display in
Russia's war on Ukraine, the
United States is certainly not
innocent either. Former president
Donald Trump in effect slammed
shut the door on refugees during
his tenure and bolstered his antirefugee
policies with racist
language.
President Joe Biden, who
campaigned on reversing Trump's
anti-refugee rules, initially faltered
on keeping his promise when he
took office. But even after the limits
on allowing refugees into the US
were eventually lifted, few have
been admitted into the country.
Last year, when US troops left
Afghanistan at the mercy of the
Taliban, Afghans were, naturally,
desperate to flee. While the Biden
administration laudably fasttracked
US resettlement for
Afghans, problems remain, with
one refugee advocate calling the
process "kind of abysmal."
Parekh says decisions by Poland
and other nations to admit fleeing
Ukrainians with open arms show
"that the European Union can take
in large numbers of asylum seekers
and can do so in a relatively
efficient way."
In light of the sudden wellspring
of compassion toward Ukrainian
refugees emerging from Western
nations, media and the public, a
simple thought experiment could
protect governments, journalists,
and us from further accusations of
racist double standards: We could
treat all refugees as though they
were white-skinned Ukrainians, as
though they were human.
This article was produced by
Economy for All, a project of the
Independent Media Institute,
which provided it to Asia Times.
[Sonali Kolhatkar is the founder, host and
executive producer of Rising Up with Sonali,
a television and radio show that airs on Free
Speech TV and Pacifica stations.]
told a news channel how emotional he
was at the sight of "European people
with blue eyes and blond hair being
killed." Another American
commentator piped up with: "It just
occurred to me that this is the first
major war between civilized nations
in my lifetime."
Underlying all this is the reaction of
sheer astonishment that war could be
breaking out in Europe, with one state
invading another. Many say this has
not happened since the Second World
War, conveniently forgetting what
happened in the Balkans.
Nevertheless, the overwhelming
impression is that wars are meant to
happen elsewhere in "uncivilized"
places, and that those in the comfort of
Europe and North America do not
have to worry too much about the
realities of these events and their roles
in them.
The reaction to Russia's behavior,
the desire to hold Moscow
accountable and to reverse the
invasion of Ukraine, is laudable. It
could even have been swifter, more
decisive and unified. It should have
been strong back in 2014 when Russia
annexed Crimea.
But it would have been so much more
uplifting if these noble sentiments and
this sudden newfound admiration for
international law and accountability
could be applied elsewhere too.
Perhaps the more wealthy and
privileged world could wake up to all
the wars waged elsewhere, and the
horrors they produce.
This racism must be addressed.
Europe and America have a huge
problem, once again highlighted in a
crisis that will affect their relations
with the rest of the world long after this
war ends.
[Chris Doyle is director of the Londonbased
Council for Arab-British
Understanding. Twitter: @Doylech ]
sUnDaY, March 6, 2022
5
When Should we use at-home rapid Covid tests?
Julia Ries
If you've stopped by a drug store lately, you may have
noticed there are now shelves of over-the-counter rapid
COVID-19 antigen tests available for purchase. They're
cheap, they're easy to use and they provide COVID-19 test
results within minutes.
Health officials have said rapid antigen tests are a useful
public health tool that can help us better screen for infections
and slow the spread of the coronavirus. The tests aren't as
sensitive as the PCR tests most places have relied on
throughout the pandemic, but infectious disease experts say
the rapid tests are excellent at quickly identifying infected
individuals who may be very contagious.
If you have symptoms and suspect you may have COVID,
most infectious diseases doctors recommend skipping the
rapid antigen test and going straight for the PCR. There are
treatments that may help people at the onset of their illness,
so if you're symptomatic "you want a test that's going to
effectively diagnose illness with COVID and the antigen test
is probably not that test. It's best thought of as a test for being
really contagious," Sheldon Campbell, a pathologist,
microbiologist, and professor of laboratory medicine at Yale
School of Medicine, told
Rapid tests scan for antigens (a protein located on the
surface of the virus). PCR diagnostic tests look for the virus's
genetic material, or RNA.
The main difference between rapid tests and PCR tests is
how sensitive they are. PCR tests are incredibly sensitive and
can detect very tiny traces of virus. Rapid tests, on the other
hand, are very insensitive - especially in people who don't
have symptoms.
Though they could miss small amounts of virus, they're
great at identifying large amounts. "You have to have quite a
bit of virus to turn the antigen test positive," Campbell said.
A large meta-analysis from March 2021 found that rapid
antigen tests detected about 72% of symptomatic cases
confirmed positive by a PCR test. The rapid tests were less
sensitive with asymptomatic infections, catching on average
about 58% of those cases.
"These rapid antigen tests, particularly the popular ones,
are not good at detecting patients who are asymptomatically
infected," said Benjamin Pinsky, medical director of
Stanford's Clinical Virology Lab.
But this doesn't mean the rapid antigen tests are useless ?
and they might even be getting better. A December 2021
study found that BinaxNOW's COVID-19 antigen test
identified 87% of symptomatic cases and 71% of
asymptomatic cases when performed by health care workers
in a controlled setting. Of course, that number is likely to go
down a bit when conducting them at home because of issues
like user error. Other studies have found that rapid antigen
tests catch most of the cases (93%) that have a solid chance
You can find FDa-authorized rapid tests at many different drug stores.
of being transmissible. The rapid antigen tests do this by
their ability to identify large viral loads, which indicate a
person could be pretty contagious. (People with smaller viral
loads are generally believed to be less contagious than those
with high viral loads.)
"Someone who is antigen-negative but PCR-positive is
almost certainly less contagious than someone who is
antigen-positive and PCR-positive," said Campbell, adding
that further research is needed to determine how infectious a
person is who produces a negative rapid test but a positive
PCR test.
When shopping for a kit, look for a brand that has been
authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. Ellume,
another brand that was authorized by the FDA, is another
option. However, the FDA recalled more than 2 million
Ellume tests in November due to higher rates of false
positives. The tests affected were those manufactured
between Febraury 24 and August 11, and those distributed
between April 13 to August 26.
Many of these kits tend to sell out quickly due to high
demand, so it may be worth keeping some handy in your
Photo: Getty
medicine cabinet (more on storing them in a minute) or
signing up to be notified when more kits are in stock.
If you're sick or don't want to be around others, many
retailers offer curbside pickup. Lastly, experts recommend
avoiding buying from unverified sellers, resellers or via social
media. That's because, of course, there are fraudulent test
kits out there.
The question of when and how we should be using rapid
antigen tests is heavily debated in the medical community.
Many health experts say the tests aren't sensitive enough to
pick up on all infections. Others argue that rapid tests
identify the most useful thing: people who may be highly
infectious.
Campbell said the best time to use a rapid test is right
before you're around a large group of people.
"By far the most important time to use an antigen test is not
three to five days after you did something risky to find out if
you've already suffered the consequences - it's right before
you do something risky so you aren't the one who spreads
disease there," Campbell said.
If you want to test yourself, the most prudent thing to do is
take a PCR test a few days after being exposed or doing
something risky. But they're harder to come by. If you're
opting for a rapid antigen test ? particularly before you're
visiting someone who is high-risk for severe COVID ? swab
yourself as close to your visit as possible, Campbell said.
If you have symptoms, like a cough or fever, you should
take a PCR test, not a rapid antigen test, Pinsky advised. At
this point, you really want to know if it's COVID, since there
are treatments like monoclonal antibodies that may reduce
the severity and duration of the infection.
Pinsky said we shouldn't be using rapid antigen tests to rule
out infections. Because these tests aren't that sensitive,
especially with asymptomatic individuals, "a negative result
doesn't mean very much," Pinsky said.
According to Pinsky, another best use for them is in
congregate living settings, such as a dormitory or long-term
care facility, where they can identify an ongoing outbreak in
which individuals are at different points in the infection cycle
- some would be recently exposed, others would be newly
infected or symptomatic and have detectable levels of virus.
This is how other rapid antigen tests, like those used to detect
norovirus, are traditionally used, Pinsky explained.
Access to quick PCR tests remains an issue, whereas rapid
tests are available at pharmacies. That said, they can be
expensive; people are now calling on the government to
intervene and offer them to households for free. Especially
since, in many cases, a rapid antigen test is the easier choice.
If you keep some on hand, keep in mind that these tests
have a shelf life ranging from six months to a year. You can
store them until the expiration date printed on the box, but
don't use them beyond that.
If you don't have symptoms but take a rapid antigen test for
screening purposes and test negative, it's not a guarantee
you're in the clear. It is, however, an indication that even if
you were infected, your viral load probably would be too low
to be transmissible. There is always the chance that you have
small amounts of virus that the test just didn't pick up, or that
you could become contagious in a couple of days. This is why
so many rapid antigen tests recommend retesting the next
day.
If you have symptoms and get a negative rapid test result,
tread carefully, Pinsky said. Though it's generally believed
that people who produce a negative rapid antigen test aren't
as contagious, since they have smaller viral loads, there's still
a chance they could be infected and shedding small amounts
of the virus, which can then be passed on. It's not yet known
exactly if and how contagious a person with a small viral load
may be.
Finally, if you take a rapid antigen test and get a positive
result, that's a pretty sure sign you're infected, though as is
the case with any diagnostic test, false positives do happen.
"If you're antigen-positive, you've got quite a bit of virus
and are probably pretty contagious," Campbell said.
The pandemic is leading to missed
cancer diagnosis
caTherine Pearson
Throughout the pandemic, health care
providers working in the trenches have
warned of the ripple effect of COVID
surges. When cases jump, hospitals that
are overrun with COVID patients must
put off lifesaving "elective" procedures,
including cancer surgeries and heart
valve replacements.
Sobering new research also warns that
there has been a substantial decline in
new cancer diagnoses - a decline that has
extended beyond the earliest stage of the
pandemic, when shutdowns were
widespread.
The study, published in the journal
Cancer, used nationwide data from the
Veterans Health Administration from
2018 to 2020. The researchers found
that cancer-screening procedures
declined dramatically amid the
pandemic.
Colonoscopies (which are used to
screen for colon cancer) dropped by 45%
in 2020, prostate biopsies (used to
screen for prostate cancer) dropped by
29%, chest CT scans (used to detect lung
cancer) dipped by 10% and cytoscopies
(used to look for bladder cancer)
dropped by 21%.
New cancer diagnoses also decreased
by anywhere from 13% to 23%,
depending on the type of cancer.
"I fully anticipate that we're going to
see the consequences of this play out
over the next decade," study researcher
Brajesh Kumar Lal, an associate
professor of surgery and director of
endovascular surgery with The
University Of Maryland Medical System,
told HuffPost.
Indeed, detecting cancer early - ideally
before a person has any symptoms - is
often a matter of life or death.
Researchers have found, for example,
that colonoscopies can slash the risk of
death from colon cancer among highrisk
patients by more than half. Every
month of delay in getting a person
cancer treatment can raise the risk of
death by 10%.
Studies have sounded alarms over the
direct impact of COVID on cancer
outcomes around the world.
"A research study from Brazil has
shown that short-term decreases in
cancer care led to increased cancerrelated
deaths, with the mortality rate of
hospitalized patients with cancer
increasing by 14% in 2020 compared to
2019," said Diane Reidy Lagunes,
associated deputy physician-in-chief
and a medical oncologist with Memorial
Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New
York City. "Similar increases in cancerrelated
mortality are expected in the
U.K. as well, with the UK Lung Cancer
Coalition estimating that the delays in
lung cancer diagnoses could increase
deaths in the five years after diagnosis by
about 5%."
Lal argued that his findings are
important to consider now, because they
do not simply show that cancer
screenings dropped early on the
pandemic when the world largely shut
down; they suggest they're persisting.
"We still haven't recovered," he said.
There are, however, relatively
straightforward solutions that can help,
Lal said, like continuing to leverage
telemedicine. Nearly every state has
loosened its regulations to allow
healthcare providers to offer
telemedicine to patients who are unable
to come into the office or prefer not to
during the pandemic, and Lal believes
doctors can use that technology to reach
out to patients who have missed routine
screenings and "bring them back into
the fold."
Hospitals can also separate COVID
patients from non-COVID patients to
the extent they're able as cases surge yet
again. "Organize these screening
activities in areas of the hospital that
don't have a lot of traffic, or perhaps even
outside the main hospital in smaller
offices, so patients are not exposed to
high-risk conditions," Lal said.
The research raises alarms over missed opportunities for early detection that could cause a surge in
later-stage patients.
Photo: aja Koksa
When you're the only one wearing a mask at work.
Monica Torres
Under the latest Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention guidance, more
than half of the U.S. population lives in
an area now considered to be low or
medium risk for COVID, and residents
there can go indoors without a mask.
Many states have also loosened mask
mandates, and a lot of workplaces no
longer require employees to wear masks
as a result.
If you're still most comfortable with a
mask on indoors in an office setting, you
may suddenly find yourself to be in the
minority. And when you are one of the
only people with a face mask during
meetings, it can feel socially awkward.
That's why it can help to remember
why masks are effective and to have a
strategy in place if a colleague does
inquire about your mask.
Epidemiologists and other COVID
experts weighed in on one-way masking
benefits, and offered conversation
strategies for mask-wearers.
If none of your co-workers are
wearing masks, you may wonder if
there's a point to you wearing one. But
well-constructed, tightly-fitting masks
do offer protection, even when others
are not wearing them, too.
"They do work. Somebody who is
wearing a respirator in an office setting
is going to get a fair degree of protection
from doing that," said Dr. Mark Rupp,
chief of the Infectious Diseases Division
at the University of Nebraska Medical
Center.
"Any mask is better than no mask,"
said Jose-Luis Jimenez, a professor at
the University of Colorado Boulder and
an aerosols scientist. "To make up for
the fact that other people are not
masking, you should wear a highquality
mask."
Jimenez described high-quality
masks as ones that are breathable, with
a good filter that prevents most aerosols
from being inhaled, and with a secure fit
that has no gaps on your face, such as an
N95 mask.
And keep in mind the public health
stakes. "What you are doing is
minimizing the chance that you inhale a
respiratory disease. That's the big
reason to stay masked," said Charlotte
Baker, an epidemiologist in public
health at Virginia Tech. Although cases
are declining in the U.S., there is still
plenty of COVID out there. Around
1,800 deaths continue to be announced
most days. "There is no need to feel
embarrassed or apologetic for wearing a
mask," Rupp said. "In most
communities in the United States today
the level of transmission continues to be
substantial. ... It's headed in the right
direction, but there is still a lot of
COVID that is being transmitted in our
Photo: Getty
How to cope when you're the only
one wearing a mask at work
communities." Rupp said masking
should not be seen as a choice between
never wearing your mask at work or
always having to wear a mask at work.
You should be open to changing your
mind depending on individual
circumstances.
"You may feel safe and not wear a
mask going into a setting where there is
a lot of room and few people and a short
duration of time," Rupp said. "Whereas
you might feel very uncomfortable
making that same decision in a smaller,
crowded setting that you are going to
have to be present for an hour."
Rupp cited your community's virus
transmission rates, your building's
indoor ventilation, your colleagues'
vaccination status, and your own health
risks as factors to consider before taking
off your mask. Here's the CDC tracker
for checking out your county's
transmission rates.
Be open to putting a mask back on
as we learn more about the latest
COVID developments, too. "Six weeks
from now, or three months from now
as a new variant starts to be described,
they may decide, 'You know it's time
for me to put the mask back on,'"
Rupp said.
"Social pressure is very real. We can
be talked out of anything if enough
people dissent to our point of view," said
clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2022
6
Rangpur records
5.26pc Covid-19
positivity on Saturday
RANGPUR: The Rangpur
Division yesterday recorded
5.26 percent Covid-19
positivity rate as four fresh
cases were diagnosed after
testing 76 persons in
different districts of the
region, reports BSS.
Health officials said the
Covid-19 pandemic situation
has been improving as the
number of positive cases is
decreasing amid increasing
of recovery rate of infected
patients during the last three
weeks.
Earlier, the daily Covid-19
positivity rates were 0.65
percent on Friday, 2.06
percent on Thursday, 3.31
percent on Wednesday, 4.76
percent on Tuesday, 4.93
percent on Monday and 2.56
percent on Sunday last in the
division.
The four new patients
were reported positive after
testing 76 samples at the
Covid-19 Laboratory at M
Abdur Rahim Medical
College (MARMC) in
Dinajpur at the 5.26 percent
positivity rate yesterday.
"The four new patients
include two each from
Dinajpur and Nilphamari
districts," said Principal of
the MARMC Professor Dr
Syed Nazir Hossain.
One more dies of
Covid-19 in
Rangpur division
RANGPUR: One more
Covid-19 fatality was
reported during the last 24
hours ending at 8 am
yesterday in the division
where the pandemic
situation
continues
improving almost during the
last three weeks, reports
BSS.
Health officials said the
number of Covid-19 positive
cases continues declining
amid rising recovery rate of
patients in recent weeks in
the division.
"With the one more death
reported from Lalmonirhat
district, the total number of
casualties reached 1,283 in
the division," Divisional
Director (Health) Dr. Abu
Md. Zakirul Islam Lenin told
BSS yesterday.
The district-wise breakup
of the 1,283 fatalities stands
at 300 in Rangpur, 84 in
Panchagarh, 92 in
Nilphamari, 74 in
Lalmonirhat, 69 in
Kurigram, 259 in
Thakurgaon, 340 in
Dinajpur and 65 in
Gaibandha of the division.
The average casualty rate
stands at two percent in the
division.
Meanwhile, only one fresh
Covid-19 case, the lowest
number in the last two
months, was diagnosed after
testing 155 samples at the
0.65 percent positivity rate
on Friday in the division.
Govt procures 1.62
lakh tonnes of Aman
rice in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI: The
government has, so far,
procured around 1.62 lakh
tonnes of Aman rice during
the current procurement
drive contributing a lot
towards ensuring food
security, reports BSS.
As part of the nationwide
ongoing Aman rice
procurement drive, the
government has procured
the food grain from all eight
districts in Rajshahi division.
Faruque Hossain Patwary,
Regional Controller of Food,
said they procured around
1,62,312.85 tonnes of boiled
rice at the rate of Taka 40 per
kilogram till Tuesday last.
He said the procurement
drive of the newly harvested
rice is going on in full-swing
everywhere in the division
that created a high hope of
ensuring food security.
Faruque Patwary said the
government has set a target
of procuring 1,62,374 tonnes
of boiled rice during the
current drive.
SM Abraham Lincoln was accorded a reception by Citizens Reception Committee at Sheikh Russell
Auditorium in Kurigram on Saturday for receiving Ekushey Padak 2022. Photo: Badshah Saykot
Reception accorded to Abraham
Lincoln for receiving Ekushey Padak
Badshah Saykot, Kurigram
Correspondent
SM Abraham Lincoln, a prominent
lawyer from Kurigram, has been
given Ekushey Padak 2022 recently
for his special contribution in social
service.
Marking the occasion a reception
ceremony was organized by the
Citizens Reception Committee at
Sheikh Russell Auditorium in
Kurigram on Saturday afternoon.
President of Kurigram Press Club
Ahsan Habib Nilu presided over the
reception. During the time, Begum
Rokeya University Dean of the
Faculty of Arts Dr. Tuhin Wadud,
District Awami League General
Secretary Aman Uddin Ahmed
Monju, Superintendent of Police
Syeda Jannatara, NGO Association
General Secretary Manik
Chowdhury, Advocate Enamul
Haque Chowdhury Chand, Convener
of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote
Shyamal Bhowmik and Former
Director of Rangpur Medical College
Hospital Dr. Ajay Kumar Roy were
Parliament member of Bhola 4 constituency Abdullah Al Islam Jacob MP
inaugurated the foundation stone of South Aicha Bazar Road to Sub-
Registrar's Office via Beribadh road and reconstruction of Beribadh road
at a cost of Tk 2.56 crore on Saturday. Photo: Taybur Rahaman Tuhin
Sheikh Hasina will fulfill all
dreams in stages. MP Jacob
Taybur Rahaman Tuhin, Char Fasson
Correspondent
President of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on the Ministry of Youth and
Sports and Parliament member of Bhola 4
constituency Abdullah Al Islam Jacob MP
inaugurated the foundation stone of South
Aicha Bazar Road to Sub-Registrar's Office
via Beribadh road and reconstruction of
Beribadh road at a cost of Tk 2.56 crore. He
inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony
on Saturday (March 5) at South Aicha Bazar
Zero Point.
At the same time, MP Jacob said that
during the tenure of any other government,
there was no development in the land of
Char Fasson and Monpura which the Awami
League government has done in only 14
years. As a result, people are erasing the
name of BNP under the banner of Awami
League irrespective of party affiliation. The
BNP has established itself and spread money
abroad by looting without any development
of its election promises. And the daughter of
Bangabandhu, Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina has done only development since she
came to power.
Later, MP Jacob inaugurated the
foundation stone of the reconstruction work
of Chairman Bazar to Khejurgachhia Road
and Chairman Bazar to Oli Bepari's Shop
Road constructed at a cost of Tk 2.76 crore.
During the time, Upazila Chairman Joynal
Abedin Akhan, Upazila Awami League
General Secretary Nurul Islam VP,
Municipal Mayor SM Morshed, Jinnagar UP
Chairman Hossain Mia, Char Kukri Mukri
UP Chairman Principal Abul Hashem
Mahajan, Municipal Awami League General
Secretary Principal Monir Ahmed Shuvro
and Charmanika UP Chairman. Leaders of
other organizations including Shafiullahha
Oladar, President of Charmanika Union
Awami League Abdur Rob Mia and General
Secretary Saidur Rahman Sohag were
present on the occasion.
A mourning meeting and doa mahfil was held at Chatkhil Press Club recently
on the sudden death of Mukhtar Hossain Muktar, a member of the executive
committee of Chatkhil Press Club of Noakhali district. Photo: Md Rafiq Ullah
among others also present at the
occasion.
Speakers at the reception
discussed the details of Ekushey
Medal winning social activist
Advocate Abraham Lincoln.
Later, honorary mementos and
best wishes were given by more than
200 organizations and institutions
of the district including Kurigram
Press Club, Sammilita Sangskritik
Jote, Jibika, Solidarity, Procchod
Kurigram and Shamprotik
Kurigram.
Covid-19 affected
ethnic people gets
relief in Magura
Rokibul Hoque Dipu,
Magura Correspondent
Covid 19 affected ethnic
people got relief in Magura.
Magura Sadar Upazila
Nirbahi officer Yashin
Kabir distributed relief
among 50 covid affected
people of village Bishnupur
under Magura sadar
upazila.
Among others local union
council chairman Osman
Mollik and ISADO
executive Diretor Abu
Imam Md Baker were
present. ISADO distributed
the relief with help of
Prottasha Shamajik
Unnayan Shangshtha and
financial support of GAIA.
Subsequenlty they
distributed relief among 50
cleaning workers of
Magura municiplaity.
Mourning meeting
marking death of
journalist held at
Chatkhil Press Club
Md Rafiq Ullah,
Chatkhil Correspondent
A mourning meeting and
doa mahfil was held at
Chatkhil Press Club on
Tuesday evening, the last
day of the three-day
program of the Press Club
on the sudden death of
Mukhtar Hossain
Muktar, a member of the
executive committee of
Chatkhil Press Club of
Noakhali district.
Press Club President
Senior Journalist Md
Habibur Rahman chaired
the occasion and general
secretary Md. Shoaib
Hossain
Bhulu
moderated
the
programme. Chatkhil
Municipal Mayor Nizam
Uddin (VP) was present
as the chief guest in the
mourning meeting.
Among
others,
journalists Didar Ul
Alam, Prof. Deen
Mohammad, Gulzar
Hossain Saikat, Mamun
Hossain and Jasim
Mahmud were also
present at the occasion.
All the speakers shared
various memories of the
career of journalist
Muktar Hossain and
prayed for the forgiveness
of his soul. At the end of
the meeting, Maulana
Mofizul Islam conducted
the munajat.
Rajshahi became volatile from
beginning of March, 1971
RAJSHAHI: The overall situation in the
Rajshahi city became volatile amid the
spontaneous protest of general masses since
March 1 in 1971 when the then Pakistani
rulers had postponed the scheduled March 3
session of National Assembly, reports BSS.
Suspension of the scheduled parliament
session by the Pakistani junta, as part of a
heinous conspiracy, instantly turned the
Rajshahi people revolutionary since the
beginning of March in 1971 with impulsive
protest of the common people.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman rejected cancellation of the
scheduled parliament session and called for
strike on March 2 in Dhaka and on March 3
throughout the country.
Dr Tasiqul Islam Raja, retired principal of
Shahmukhdum Degree College, said
thousands of people thronged the city streets
spontaneously under the banner of
Sarbadaliyo Chhatra Sangram Parishad and
Sramik Sangram Parishad.
He said the people demonstrated their
protest and demanded immediate handover
of power to Awami League, the party which
secured a great majority in the 1970 general
election.
Covid 19 affected ethnic people got relief in Magura recently.
Photo: Rokibul Hoque Dipu
56 more Covid-19 patients
recover in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI: With the healing of 56 more
patients from the Covid-19 on Friday, the
total recovery count in the division rose to
1,14,497 since the pandemic began in March,
2020, reports BSS.
A total of three more people have tested
positive for the deadly virus in three districts
of the division on the day, raising the
caseload to 1,19,021 so far.
The new positive cases are showing a
significant falling trend compared to the
previous day's figure of 23, Dr Habibul
Ahsan Talukder, divisional director of
Health, said.
The death toll remained static at 1,747,
including 705 in Bogura, 341 in Rajshahi
with 219 in its city and 179 in Natore, as no
new fatality was reported during the last 24
hours, he said.
Besides, all the positive cases of Covid-19
have, so far, been brought under treatment
while 26,015 were kept in isolation units of
different dedicated hospitals for institutional
quarantine.
Public and private offices and business
activities came into a total halt, academic
activities of the educational institutions
were suspended while production in mills
and factories throughout the city
remained stopped for an indefinite
period.
It was part of a spontaneous protest that
turned the city into a place of fierce
movement and demonstrations. Total
general strike was observed in the city
paralyzing the civic lives and business
activities.
To gear up the movement, a crosssection
of freedom-loving people staged
processions stretching eight-kilometer
from Rajshahi University to Rajshahi
court breaking curfew on March 3 in line
with the central programmes.
The pro-liberation Bangalees paraded
the city streets here chanting slogans
'Jago Jago Bangali Jago,' 'Beer Bangalee
astro Dhoro, Bangladesh Swadheen koro.'
At around 11.30 am on the same day,
the then occupation forces from the
adjacent Telephone Exchange Building
opened fire on procession in Ranibazar
area killing one person and injuring many
Of them, 22,930 have been released.
Meanwhile, one more people has been sent
to home and institutional quarantine afresh
while four others were released from
isolation during the same period.
Of the three new infected cases, one each
was detected in Rajshahi city, Bogura and
Sirajganj districts.
With the newly detected patients, the
district-wise break-up of the total cases now
stands at 33,899 in Rajshahi including
27,893 in its city, 6,518 in
Chapainawabganj, 7,702 in Naogaon, 9,881
in Natore, 5,661 in Joypurhat, 24,906 in
Bogura, 13,722 in Sirajganj and 16,732 in
Pabna districts.
A total of 1,24,815 people have, so far,
been kept under quarantine since March 10,
2020 to prevent community transmission of
the deadly COVID-19.
Of them, 1,23,115 have, by now, been
released as they were given clearance
certificates after completing their
quarantine.
Prizes have been distributed among the winners of the 21-day online competition
in Pirganj on the occasion of International Mother Language Day
in the hope of spreading the practice of pure Bengali to the new generation
on Saturday.
Photo: Bishnupada Roy
1,15,203 Covid-19 patients
recover in Ctg
CHATTOGRAM: The number of recovered
Covid-19 patients reached 1,15,203 with
the recovery of 237 more people till
Saturday morning raising the average
recovery rate to 91.04 percent in the
district, reports BSS.
Meanwhile, Chattogram district
recorded Covid-19 positivity rate of 0.89
percent while 13 fresh cases were
reported after testing 1,458 samples
during the last 24 hours till last morning.
With the diagnosis of 13 new cases, the
total number of Covid-19 patients
climbed to 1,26,532 in Chattogram
district, Dr Ilias Chowdhury, civil
surgeon of Chattogram told BSS
yesterday. With no new death recorded
during the period, the death toll steady at
1,362.
A total of 139 infected patients are now
undergoing treatment at different
designated hospitals here.
7
SUndAY,MARCh6,2022
Scientists think an old rocket just
hit the Moon going 5,800 mph
WASHINGTON : Add one more crater
to the long list of pockmarks on the
lunar surface.
According to orbital calculations, a
rocket hurtling through space for years
crashed into the Moon on Friday, but
the strike wasn't directly observed, and
there might be a wait for photographic
evidence.
The impact would have taken place at
7:25 am Eastern Time (1225 GMT), on
the far side of the Moon, said the
astronomer Bill Gray, who was the first
to predict the collision.
Racing through the cosmos at around
5,800 mph (9,300 kph), the roughly
four ton object should make a crater "10
or 20 meters across," Gray told AFP.
Its speed, trajectory, and time of
impact were calculated using Earthbased
telescope observations.
"We had lots (and lots) of tracking
data for the object, and there is nothing
acting on it except the forces of gravity
and sunlight," he said, with the latter
pushing the cylinder gently away from
the Sun.
"Unless the object was removed by an
occult hand, it hit the Moon this
morning."
The identification of the rocket has
been a subject of debate, since there is
no official entity responsible for listing
and tracking junk in deep space.
Gray, an independent contractor who
has created orbital calculation software
used by NASA, hunts for and monitors
human-made debris, so that scientists
do not confuse it for asteroids and study
it unnecessarily.
He initially thought what he was
seeing was a SpaceX rocket, but later
changed his mind and said it was a
third-stage booster of Chang'e 5-T1,
launched in 2014 as part of the Chinese
space agency's lunar exploration
program.
Beijing denied responsibility, saying
the booster in question had "safely
entered the Earth's atmosphere and was
completely incinerated".
But according to Gray, the statement
by China's foreign ministry conflated
two missions with similar names, and
was actually talking about a rocket
launched much later.
Whatever the case, only NASA's
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and
India's Chandrayaan-2, both of which
orbit the Moon, will be able to image the
crater.
The US space agency said in late
January it wanted to survey the crater,
but said that finding it would be a
challenge that might take "weeks to
months."
Chinaisraisingitsdefensespendingin2022by7.1%to$229billion,upfroma6.8%increasetheyear
before.
Photo:AP
US Embassy
calls power
plant attack
war crime
KYIV, UKRAINE : The U.S.
Embassy in Ukraine is calling
Russia's attack on a nuclear
plant a war crime.
"It is a war crime to attack a
nuclear power plant," the
embassy statement said.
"Putin's shelling of Europe's
largest nuclear plant takes his
reign of terror one step
further."
Russian troops seized the
plant Friday in an attack that
set it on fire and briefly raised
fears of a nuclear disaster.
The blaze was extinguished
and no radiation was
released, reports UNB.
Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky called
Russia's action "nuclear
terrorism" and appealed to
the U.N. Security Council for
action to safeguard Ukraine's
endangered nuclear facilities.
Ukrainian Prime Minister
Denys Shmyhal appealed to
the International Atomic
Energy Agency and the EU to
send representatives to all
five of Ukraine's nuclear
power plants. "This is a
question of the security of the
whole world," he said in a
nighttime video address.
China to raise defense spending
by 7.1% to $229 billion
BEIJING : China is raising
its defense spending in
2022 by 7.1% to $229
billion, up from a 6.8%
increase the year before.
S a t u r d a y ' s
announcement marks a
continuation of the robust
spending that has given
China an increasingly
powerful military that is
challenging the U.S.
armed forces' dominance
in the Indo-Pacific region.
China has the world's
second-largest defense
budget after the U.S.,
allowing it to maintain the
largest standing military,
with 3 million personnel
and an arsenal of
advanced weaponry,
including two aircraft
carriers with more on the
way, stealth fighters, an
advanced missile force
and nuclear-powered
submarines.
China has maintained
the drive to expand and
modernize its armed
forces despite high levels
of government debt and a
slowing economy, partly
as a result of the
coronavirus pandemic.
The government says
most of the spending
increases will go toward
improving welfare for
troops. Observers say the
budget omits much of
China's spending on
weaponry, most of which
is developed domestically.
The People's Liberation
Army exercises a strong
political role as the
military branch of the
ruling Communist Party,
overseen by President and
party leader Xi Jinping,
who heads the
government's armed
forces commissions.
The military is largely
designed to maintain its
threat to use force to bring
self-governing Taiwan
under its control,
although it has also grown
more assertive in the
South China Sea, the
western Pacific, the
Indian Ocean and
elsewhere.
In his address to
Saturday's opening
session of the ceremonial
legislature, the National
TheU.S.EmbassyinUkraineiscallingRussia'sattackonanuclearplantawarcrime.
People's Congress,
Premier Li Keqiang said
China would "fully
implement Xi Jinping's
thinking on strengthening
the armed forces and the
military strategy for the
new era ... and strengthen
party leadership and party
building in all aspects of
the military."
Li indicated no change
in China's approach to
Taiwan, which it threatens
to annex by force if
necessary.
China will "advance
peaceful growth of
relations across the
Taiwan Strait and the
reunification of China," Li
said. "We firmly oppose
any separatist activities
seeking
Taiwan
independence and firmly
oppose
foreign
interference."
Russia's invasion of
Ukraine sparked
conjecture that China
might be more disposed to
use force against Taiwan if
it sensed a lack of
resolution on the part of
the U.S. and its allies.
Photo:AP
SingaporehasannouncedsanctionsagainstRussiaoveritsinvasionofUkraine,becomingoneofthe
fewgovernmentsinSoutheastAsiatodoso.
Photo:AP
Singapore
announces sanctions
against Russia
SINGAPORE : Singapore
has announced sanctions
against Russia over its
invasion of Ukraine,
becoming one of the few
governments in Southeast
Asia to do so.
"The sovereignty, political
independence and
territorial integrity of all
countries, big and small,
must be respected," said an
announcement by the
Foreign Ministry.
The tiny city-state imposed
controls on exports or
transshipments of militaryrelated
or dual use items
considered "strategic
goods." It said the sanctions
were aimed at constraining
Russia's ability to wage war
and engage in "cyber
aggression."
The regional commercial
hub also said it would
prohibit all financial
institutions from doing
business with four Russian
banks: VTB Bank, Bank
Rossiya,
the
Promsvyazbank Public
Joint Stock Co., and the
Corporation Bank for
Development and Foreign
Economic
Affairs
V n e s h e c o n o m b a n k .
Companies with existing
dealings with the four must
freeze their assets, it said.
The order also bans
providing financial services
or enabling financing for
the Russian central bank,
Russian government and
entities owned or controlled
by them.
Strategic Ukrainian port
Mariupol 'blockaded' by
Russian forces: mayor
KYIV : Ukraine's strategic
port city of Mariupol is under
a "blockade" by Russian
forces after days of "ruthless"
attacks, its mayor said on
Saturday, calling for the
establishment of a
humanitarian corridor.
Located on the Sea of Azov,
the city of 450,000 people
has been bombarded by
shellings and cut off without
water or electricity in the
depths of winter.
"For now, we are looking
for solutions to
humanitarian problems and
all possible ways to get
Mariupol out of the
blockade," said Vadim
Boychenko in a message
posted to the mayor's
Telegram account.
"Our priority is the
establishment of a ceasefire
so that we can restore vital
infrastructure and set up a
humanitarian corridor to
bring food and medicine into
the city," he added.
Capturing Mariupol would
give Moscow's invasion a
strategic advantage,
connecting it to the Russian
forces coming from annexed
Crimea-which have already
taken the key ports of
Berdiansk and Kherson-as
well as to the troops in the
Donbas.
Earlier this week, the
Mariupol mayor had accused
Russian troops of destroying
bridges and trains to prevent
residents from leaving.
Russia cracks down on dissenting
media, blocks Facebook
DUSSELDORF : Russian President Vladimir
Putin on Friday intensified a crackdown on
media outlets and individuals who fail to hew
to the Kremlin line on Russia's war in
Ukraine, blocking Facebook and Twitter and
signing into law a bill that criminalizes the
intentional spreading of what Moscow
deems to be "fake" reports.
The moves against the social media giants
follow blocks imposed on the BBC, the U.S.
government-funded Voice of America and
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, German
broadcaster Deutsche Welle and Latviabased
website Meduza. The government's
sweeping action against the foreign outlets
that publish news in Russian seeks to
establish even tighter controls over what
information the domestic audience sees
about the invasion of Ukraine.
The state communications watchdog
Roskomnadzor said it cut access to Twitter
and Facebook in line with a decision by the
prosecutor general's office. The watchdog
has previously accused Twitter of failing to
delete the content banned by Russian
authorities and slowed down access to it.
Twitter said in a statement Friday
afternoon that while the company is "aware
of reports" that its platform is blocked in
Russia, it has not been able to confirm
whether this is the case.
The bill, quickly rubber-stamped by both
houses of the Kremlin-controlled parliament
and signed by Putin, imposes prison
sentences of up to 15 years for those
spreading information that goes against the
Russian government's narrative on the war.
The question regarding Russia is no longer
"what we do to stop disinformation," former
U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul
said on Friday. "The question has to be how
do we promote information inside Russiaand
I don't have the answer." Multiple
outlets said they would pause their work
inside Russia to evaluate the situation.
Among them, CNN said it would stop
broadcasting in Russia while Bloomberg and
the BBC said they would temporarily
suspend the work of their journalists there.
Russian authorities have repeatedly and
falsely decried reports of Russian military
setbacks or civilian deaths in Ukraine as
"fake" news. State media outlets refer to
Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a "special
military operation" rather than a war or an
invasion.
Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the
lower house of parliament, said the measure
"will force those who lied and made
statements discrediting our armed forces to
bear very grave punishment."
"I want everyone to understand, and for
society to understand, that we are doing this
to protect our soldiers and officers, and to
protect the truth," he added.
The law envisages sentences of up to three
years or fines for spreading what authorities
deem to be false news about the military, but
the maximum punishment rises to 15 years
for cases deemed to have led to "severe
consequences."
In blocking Facebook, Roskomnadzor
cited its alleged "discrimination" of the
Russian media and state information
resources. The agency said in a statement
that the restrictions introduced by Facebook
owner Meta on the Russian news channel RT
and other state-controlled media violate
Russian law.
"Obviously Putin is shutting these people
down because he is afraid. He wouldn't be
shutting them down if everything was going
peachy keen," McFaul said during a call with
reporters and experts hosted by Stanford's
Cyber Policy Center. "This is an indicator of
his state of mind."
North Korea fires 'unidentified
projectile': South's military
SEOUL : North Korea fired at least one
"unidentified projectile" on Saturday, South
Korea's military said, the nuclear-armed
country's ninth suspected weapons test this
year.
"North Korea fired an unidentified
projectile eastward," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of
Staff said in a statement, without giving
further details.
Pyongyang carried out an unprecedented
seven weapons tests in January, including of
its most powerful missile since 2017, when
leader Kim Jong Un baited then-US
president Donald Trump with a spate of
provocative launches.
Diplomacy has languished ever since, and
despite biting international sanctions,
Pyongyang has doubled down on military
development.
In January the North threatened to
abandon a self-imposed moratorium on
testing long-range and nuclear weapons.
Pyongyang said Monday it had carried out
a test of "great significance" towards
developing a reconnaissance satellite, a day
after Seoul said it had detected a ballistic
missile launch.
Analysts had widely predicted Pyongyang
would seek to capitalise on the United States'
distraction over Russia's invasion of Ukraine
with more tests.
Ukraine, which emerged from the Cold
War with sizeable Soviet-era nuclear
weapons stocks of its own, gave up its arsenal
in the 1990s.
North Korea last month accused the
United States of being the "root cause of the
Ukraine crisis" saying in a statement on its
foreign ministry's website that Washington
"meddled" in the internal affairs of other
countries when it suited them but
condemned legitimate "self-defensive
measures".
Pyongyang's latest testing comes at a
delicate time in the region, as South Korea
gears up to elect its next president on
Wednesday. One of the two frontrunners,
dour former prosecutor Yoon Suk-yeol of the
People Power Party, has threatened a preemptive
strike on South Korea's nucleararmed
neighbour if needed.
Under Trump's successor Joe Biden, the
United States has repeatedly declared its
willingness to meet North Korean
representatives-an offer Pyongyang has
dismissed.
Domestically, North Korea is preparing to
celebrate the 110th anniversary of the birth
of late founder Kim Il Sung in April, which
experts say Pyongyang could use as an
opportunity to carry out a major weapons
test.
Zelensky condemns
NATO for ruling out
Ukraine no-fly zone
KYIV : Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky lashed NATO on Friday for ruling out
a no-fly zone over his country saying the
Western military alliance knew further Russian
aggression was likely.
Earlier Friday, NATO rejected Ukraine's
request to impose a no-fly zone to halt Russia's
bombing, but Western allies did warn
President Vladimir Putin of fresh sanctions if
he does not stop the war."Knowing that new
strikes and casualties are inevitable, NATO
deliberately decided not to close the sky over
Ukraine," Zelensky said in a video published by
the presidency."We believe that the NATO
countries themselves have created a narrative
that the closing of the skies over Ukraine would
provoke direct Russian aggression against
NATO." NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg had said
the alliance would not intervene in the conflict
over fears of a direct clash with Moscow that
could spiral into a wider conflict."The only way
to implement a no-fly zone is to send NATO
fighter planes into Ukraine's airspace, and then
impose that no-fly zone by shooting down
Russian planes," Stoltenberg urgent meeting.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2022
8
Dhaka Central Zone and Dhaka East Zone of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited organized Agent
Banking Business Development Conference and Workshop on Prevention of Money Laundering
& Combating Financing of Terrorism on March 3, 2022 at Institution of Diploma Engineers,
Bangladesh in the capital. Md. Omar Faruk Khan, Additional Managing Director of the Bank
addressed the conference as Chief Guest. Taher Ahmed Chowdhury, CAMLCO, Md. Mahmudur
Rahman and Md. Maksudur Rahman, Senior Executive Vice Presidents, A S M Rezaul Karim,
Md. Aminur Rahman and Md. Shamsuddoha, Executive Vice Presidents of the Bank addressed
the program. Head of branches and proprietors of the agent banking outlets under the two
zones attended the conference.
Photo : Courtesy
Russian parliament
adopts anti-sanctions
legislation
MOSCOW : Russia's
parliament on Friday
approved legislation aimed
at countering the effects of
sweeping Western sanctions
on the country's economy
imposed after Moscow's
invasion of Ukraine.
The package of bills aims
at "defending the economy
and citizens in the face of
foreign sanctions,"
according to the website of
the State Duma, the Russian
parliament's lower house.
"The economy is subjected
to such an aggressive
environment," said Kremlin
spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
"We need to cushion, to
minimise the attacks aimed
at our economy now."
Western nations slapped
Russia with unprecedented
sanctions in retaliation for
launching a brutal war
against Ukraine. The
penalties prompted the
Russian ruble to plumet and
foreign companies to leave
the country.
The legislation approved
Friday allows the
government to raise
pensions and the minimum
wage.
China 2022
GDP growth
target 'around
5.5%': premier
BEIJING : China's
government has set a target
for GDP to grow "around 5.5
percent" this year-its lowest
goal in decades-the
country's premier said
Saturday, as it faces virus
outbreaks, a property slump
and uncertainty over war in
Ukraine.
Premier Li Keqiang
announced the target in a
speech to open China's
annual legislative session,
saying "our country will
encounter many more risks
and challenges, and we must
keep pushing to overcome
them." The target was based
on a need to maintain stable
employment, basic living
needs and "guard against
risks", according to his
speech, which is China's
version of an annual state of
the nation address.
Economic stability must
be a "top priority", Li added.
Growth in China's
maturing economy has
slowed markedly in recent
years from the boom phase
triggered by market reforms
four decades ago, during
which annual expansion
sometimes exceeded 10
percent.
More recently, it has
grappled with the economic
impact of a cascading
property market slump,
regulatory crackdowns on
the property, tech and
financial sectors, and virus
outbreaks resulting in
smothering containment
measures under the
government's zero-tolerance
approach to Covid.
imo brings in new feature 'iBubble' to
facilitate convenient communication
Popular instant messaging app imo has
recently launched a new feature in Android
version of imo called as 'iBubble' to empower
tech-savvy people to communicate in a more
convenient and efficient way. This feature
will enable friends' messages to float on
screen as bubbles so that users do not miss
any important messages, and thus
strengthen connections with their close ones,
a press release said.
This feature will help the users to notice
messages (that will float as bubbles on the
screen) while doing other tasks at the same
time and consequently, empower them to
maintain or strengthen connections in a
more effective way with their close contacts.
The users will have freedom while using this
feature. For 'message alert', users can apply
this feature for 'all contacts' or select close
ones up to 5 people. If selected contacts
commence the communication with the
user, friends' avatar and chats, if there is any,
will float on the screen, making it visible to
the user instantly. -
This new iBubble chat feature comes with
a number of benefits including a functional
design focused on the users' close
relationship, here an imo user could
prioritize their most important connections,
a smaller space requirement on screen for
imo's iBubble chat and notification
regarding the online status of the users' close
contacts are also enabled.
To activate this feature, the user will enter
the profile page in imo app, find out the
feature 'iBubble' and tap it. On the iBubble
feature page, activate the 'turn on switch'.
After activation, the users can choose
different user groups for 'messages' and
'online notification'. However, the users can
also remove it out on demand, by keep
pressing 'floating bubble' and dragging it
down to the 'X' in the bottom center of the
screen.
White House says looking for ways
to cut use of Russian oil
WASHINGTON : The White House is looking
for ways to reduce US consumption of
Russian oil while protecting American
families from price hikes, an administration
spokeswoman said Friday.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sent oil
prices soaring to their highest levels since
2014. While Western allies' severe financial
sanctions on Moscow have so far exempted oil
transactions, pressure has been building for
new sanctions targeting Russia's main source
of cash-oil exports.
"We are looking at ways to reduce the
import of Russian oil while also making sure
that we are maintaining the global supply
needs out there," White House spokeswoman
Jen Psaki told reporters.
"We are very focused on minimizing the
impact to families," she said.
Amid reports buyers are already shunning
oil from Russia, futures prices on Friday were
above $115 a barrel. The US Commerce
Department on Friday announced additional
restrictions on Russian industry, including
barring exports of key refining equipment to
"limit Russia's ability to raise revenue from the
sale of its refined products, including gasoline,
that it can use to support its military efforts."
White House chief economic adviser Brian
Deese told financial channel CNBC on Friday
that the administration is keeping close tabs
on the global oil market. "We're tracking the
energy market on an hour by hour basis in
terms of overall supply chain fluidity," he said.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced
the United States would release 30 million
barrels from the strategic petroleum reserves
to help stabilize the market. But prices
continued to rise.
"It's an incredibly fluid and fast moving
situation," Deese said.
Jim Krane at the Baker Institute, a Rice
University think tank in Houston, said he sees
momentum in Congress for a US ban on
Russian oil imports but said it would be a
largely symbolic move since the quantity
purchased by American clients is relatively
small. "There would be a small short-term
impact and potentially a longer-term impact
on the Russian economy," Krane told AFP.
Deese said the administration is continuing
its focus on ensuring smooth functioning of
the supply chain, including finding enough
workers and drivers to allow goods to "flow
from ports to trucks to warehouses" and on to
consumers, he said.
Social Islami Bank Limited & Farazy Hospital Limited have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently at its head office. Zafar
Alam, Managing Director & CEO of SIBL, was present at the signing ceremony
as chief guest. Md. Moniruzzaman, SVP& Head, Marketing & Brand
Communication Division, SIBL and Dr. Anower Farazy Emon, Chairman,
Farazy Hospital &Farazy Dental Research Center, signed the MoU in favor
of their respective organization. Md. Tajul Islam and Abu Reza Md. Yeahia,
Additional Managing Directors, and Abu Naser Chowdhury, Md. Sirajul
Hoque, Md. Shamsul Hoque, Mohammad Forkanullah, Deputy Managing
Directors, and Md. Sharif Al Kashem, SVP& Head, Card Department, and
Md. MozammelHoque, Head of Corporate of Farazy Hospital, were also
present in the program.Under the MoU, the employees and clients of the
bank can avail discount facilities at Farazy Hospital &Farazy Dental
Research Center.
Photo : Courtesy
Russian tech
giant Yandex
says might
default
NEW YORK : Russian tech
giant Yandex warned
Thursday it may default on
its debt after it was
suspended from trading on
New York's digital stock
exchange.
Nasdaq and the New York
Stock Exchange this week
halted all listings of Russian
companies until they explain
how they will be impacted by
sanctions imposed by the US
and its allies in the wake of
Moscow's invasion of
Ukraine.
In a press release
published Thursday,
Yandex, which is legally
headquartered in the
Netherlands but has its main
offices in Russia, said that it
was not targeted by the
sanctions.
"There are currently no
regulatory restrictions on
the ability of US, UK or EU
persons to acquire and trade
in Yandex's securities," it
added.
Nonetheless, the
company, often called the
"Russian Google" for its size
and breadth of services, said
that if it is suspended for
more than five trading days,
owners of certain bonds will
legally be able to redeem
their debt with interest.
"The Yandex group as a
whole does not currently
have sufficient resources to
redeem the notes in full," the
company said.
Even if the company was
able to secure financing to
pay them in full, Yandex said
such a large expenditure
would "have a material
adverse effect on our shortterm
financial position and
liquidity and may affect our
ability to meet our other
obligations."
The company added that it
was exploring what
financing options were
available to it. Nasdaq, in a
response to an AFP inquiry,
said that the Yandex listing
"remains halted."
In 2021, Yandex earned
about 356 billion rublesabout
$4.77 billion at the
December exchange rate.
Meghna Bank launches "MGBL
Access - a Digital Platform for
Corporate Customers"
Meghna Bank has recently launched online
banking platform for its Corporate
Customers. The project was successfully
launched by a real time log in and a
transaction performed by a Senior Officials
of United Group, one of the valued
customers of the Bank. "We are enjoying
online banking platforms from many Banks
but the interface of MGBL Access is very
user friendly, also there are options which
many other banks yet to incorporate. Most
importantly, our requirements were
implemented by Meghna Bank Team in a
very short period of time" - said Mr. Atiqul
Islam, Finance Controller, United Group.
"This is a part of our transformation
process that we aim for. We are
transforming the Bank for the last one and a
half year, we are hoping many such
innovations and products will be in
existence that our customers and
stakeholders would love to see." - Mr. Sohail
R K Hussain, Managing Director & CEO of
Meghna Bank said.
US adds 678,000 jobs in February
amid pandemic recovery
WASHINGTON : The US economy saw a
hiring surge in February, pushing the
jobless rate closer to its pre-pandemic level
as hard hit sectors recover from the impact
of Covid-19.
American employers added 678,000
workers to their payrolls last month, driving
the unemployment rate down to 3.8 percent,
the Labor Department reported Friday.
The report is good news for President Joe
Biden, who has highlighted the strong
economic recovery even as inflation has
accelerated and undermined his approval
rating. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
inflation could see further acceleration as oil
and other prices surge.
"Today's report shows that my plan to build
an economy from the bottom up and the
middle out is working," Biden said of the
report. Pointing to the success in combating
the virus, Biden noted that "Since I took office,
the economy has created 7.4 million jobs."
He repeated his pledge to "tackle head on
the challenge" of rising prices but said the US
economy "is uniquely well positioned" to deal
with inflation.
The surge in hiring last month far surpassed
the consensus forecast, although some
economists were calling for a big increase as
the world's largest economy gets back on
track. The Omicron variant wave in the United
States has faded, leading many local
authorities to lift mask restrictions. Many
Americans have also started traveling more
and bars and restaurants are rebounding.
"The February jobs report showed an
economy moving powerfully past the
pandemic," said. Robert Frick, corporate
economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.
He cited advances "in sectors beaten down
by the pandemic... that show Americans
getting back to normal spending patterns."
Mongla has been declared as 'LPG City' by Bashundhara Group Vice Chairman Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir. He made the
announcement at a memorial billboard at Katakhali intersection in Bagerhat on Saturday morning. Photo : Courtesy
Beijing wary of extending economic
lifeline to Russia
BEIJING : An isolated Russia could be
driven further into China's arms
economically in the wake of sanctions
imposed over the invasion of Ukraine,
but Beijing appears wary of offering a
warm embrace.
Western countries have hit Russia's
economy hard including by closing
airspace, freezing assets and excluding
seven banks from the SWIFT interbank
messaging network. The impact is
expected to be wide-ranging and
impede Moscow's ability to shore up
the beleaguered ruble and purchase
imports.
China has avoided openly
condemning Russia's attack and has
the financial strength to soften the blow
against its giant neighbour.
But analysts say Beijing will likely
tread carefully to avoid violating the
most severe international restrictions.
China is the only country with the
"financial muscle to help Russia", said
Paola Subacchi, professor of
international economics at the
University of London's Queen Mary
Global Policy Institute. Beijing holds
massive foreign exchange reserves and
a swap agreement between the Chinese
and Russian central banks has been in
place for years, Subacchi noted.
"When the ruble fell as a result of the
sanctions during the Crimea invasion
(in 2014), the swap agreement was
activated and helped to pay for Russian
imports," she told AFP.
"But it is not enough. It's negligible
compared to what they (Russia) need in
order to support their currency," she
said. Analysts also note that China is
not a major importer of wheat-a key
Russian export-and neither can it step
in to provide all of the goods that Russia
needs. This week, Russian gas giant
Gazprom said it had signed a contract
to design a pipeline to China, taking a
step towards a new supply agreement
that could ease Russia's reliance on
European buyers. Chinese firms could
export more to Russia and buy more
Russian energy, but the gains for
Moscow would be minimal considering
the overall impact of the war, Julian
Evans-Pritchard said in a report for
Capital Economics.
While China can in some cases
provide yuan to Russia to help it buy
what it needs from abroad, Beijing will
likely "tiptoe" around anything more
overt for now, said Leland Miller, CEO
of data analytics firm China Beige
Book.
Beijing will not want to appear to
openly flout sanctions especially while
fighting still rages, and probably "won't
risk violating the more severe
restrictions on SWIFT, central bank
transactions, and technology exports",
he added. Violations could bring
secondary sanctions on key Chinese
companies that sell products to Russia
containing US intellectual property,
Miller said, meaning China will need to
tread a fine line.
SUNDAY, MArCh 6, 2022
9
Warne, who died at the age of 52 from a suspected heart attack, was never one for half-measures
throughout his extraordinary 15-year test career.
photo: Ap
Shane Warne, spin genius
with soap-opera life
SportS DeSk
Shane Warne mixed legendary cricket
deeds with lurid headlines away from
the pitch in a career as bewitching as
his famed wrong 'un, reports BSS.
Warne, who died at the age of 52
from a suspected heart attack, was
never one for half-measures
throughout his extraordinary 15-year
Test career.
The greatest leg-spinner of them all
carved out a flamboyant lifestyle cast
outside the mould of a traditional
cricketing icon, often putting himself at
odds with the game's purists.
While his discipline, passion and
sheer talent drove him to the 708 Test
wickets in a 145-Test career that made
him the scourge of batsmen worldwide,
the tubby blonde kid who became a
superstar did things his way.
Along with flowers laid by his statue
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on
Saturday, there was a can of beer, a
packet of cigarettes and a meat pie-a
nod to the unconventional sporting
lifestyle that won him legions of fans on
and off the field.
"Shane was one of our nation's
greatest characters," Australian Prime
Minister Scott Morrison said.
"His humour, his passion, his
irreverence, his approachability
ensured he was loved by all."
Warne is entrenched in Australia's
sporting pantheon-in the eyes of many
Ukrainian athletes dig
deep on day one of
Winter Paralympics
SportS DeSk
Ukrainian athletes showed
resilience in the face of the
turmoil engulfing their wartorn
homeland Saturday,
racing to the top of the
medal table on day one of
the Beijing Winter
Paralympics with an
impressive haul of seven,
reports BSS.
With more than 1.2
million of their fellow
citizens now refugees and
fears of a food crisis
mounting, the Ukrainian
Paralympians on the slopes
in Zhangjiakou dug deep.
The team claimed three
golds, three silver and a
bronze in the biathlon
events, just days after an
arrival in the capital their top
official had dubbed a
"miracle" following an
arduous journey.
Host country China,
meanwhile, grabbed eight
medals Saturday, including
two gold.
Ukraine made a clean
sweep in the men's visionimpaired
biathlon race, with
Vitalii Lukianenko, 43,
adding a seventh Paralympic
gold to his collection and 25-
year-olds Oleksandr Kazik
and Dmytro Suiarko
claiming silver and bronze,
respectively.
"They are my brothers in
sport and brothers in life.
We are really close to each
other," Lukianenko said
after his win.
In the men's biathlon
standing event, Grygorii
Vovchynskyi, 33, also used
his victory to pay tribute to
the bravery of Ukraine's
embattled citizens.
he is second only to cricket's immortal
Don Bradman.
He not only resurrected the waning
art of leg-spin, but became the first
bowler to take 700 Test wickets and
delivered the most famous ball in the
sport's history.
Warne posted inauspicious figures of
1-150 in his 1992 Test debut but
knuckled down under spin guru Terry
Jenner. Eighteen months later, Warne
riveted the cricketing world with the
"ball of the century" against England.
Warne's first leg-break delivery in an
Ashes Test turned viciously to
bamboozle England's Mike Gatting at
Old Trafford in 1993 that heralded the
arrival of a cricketing superstar.
He was a master of mind games,
targeting batsmen ahead of a series and
warning he was working on a new
mystery ball to bowl out his "bunnies"
in the opposition line-up.
He gave a man-of-the-match
performance when Australia won the
World Cup in 1999, and was known for
a sharp and inventive cricketing brain
which saw him long touted as
Australian Test skipper.
But even Warne himself once
described his life as a soap opera, such
was the litany of off-field controversies.
"Warnie", also nicknamed
"Hollywood", survived several scandals
and pursued an energetic love life
which is widely thought to have cost
him the Australian captaincy.
In 1998 it emerged that Warne and
Australian team-mate Mark Waugh
had been fined three years earlier for
supplying information to an Indian
bookmaker, and he was stripped of the
Australian team vice-captaincy in
2000.
A series of infidelities culminated in a
public break-up from his wife of 10
years, Simone, with whom he had three
children. At one point he was engaged
to British actress Liz Hurley.
And yet his performance in
Australia's failed Ashes campaign in
England in 2005 is regarded by some
pundits as the pinnacle of his career,
when he overcame his disintegrating
marriage and a tabloid frenzy to take 40
wickets.
He also missed the 2003 World Cup
in South Africa after he tested positive
on tournament-eve for a banned
diuretic-a weight-loss pill sometimes
used to mask steroids-in a scandal
which saw him banned for a year.
Warne returned to Test cricket in
March 2004 but never again played
international one-day matches, instead
preferring to concentrate on the longer
form of the game.
He continued playing after ending his
Test career in January 2007 and
scripted a title triumph with a rag-tag
Rajasthan Royals team in the Indian
Premier League's first edition in 2008,
highlighting his nous and motivational
skills.
Tigresses concede defeat to
South Africa in WC opener
SportS DeSk
Bangladesh Women's team tasted a 32-run
defeat to South Africa in their opening game
of the ICC Women's World Cup at Dunedin
in New Zealand yesterday, reports BSS.
In their first match of the first appearance
in the World Cup, Bangladesh gave South
Africa a tough fight but simply couldn't close
the game due to their lack of experience.
Ayabonga Khaka's superb seam bowling
helped South Africa overcome Bangladesh.
Put in to bat in Dunedin, the Proteas were
bundled out for a below-par 207 with
Marizanne Kapp (42) and hard-hitting Chloe
Tryon (39) lifting them to a competitive total,
an ICC press release said.
Bangladesh made a steady start, reaching
69 for one before Khaka let rip and reduced
them to 85 for four.
A late flurry from Nigar Sultana and Ritu
Moni came too late as they managed 175 as
South Africa prevailed by 32 runs in
Dunedin.
Teenager Fariha Trisna should have
dismissed Tazmin Brits with her second
World Cup ball, only to watch Nahida Akter
spill a dolly of a catch at mid-on.
Jahanara Alam's experience and Trisna's
youth made for a pleasing new ball
partnership and it took Brits 19 balls to get
off the mark when she lifted the latter for
four over mid-on.
Brits, a former world junior javelin
champion, never got off the ground and
flicked to Rumana at midwicket, departing
for eight at 30 for one.
Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall steadied the
ship with the powerful opener profiting from
the introduction of spin, carving Salma
Khatun's second ball for four behind point.
Medium-pacer Moni's nagging accuracy
was rewarded with the big wicket of
Wolvaardt as she drew the ball back through
her defences, dismissed for 41 from 52 balls.
One brought two for Bangladesh as
Khatun induced Goodall into a mistimed
reverse sweep that Rumana Ahmed pouched
down to her left, making it 69 for three.
Mignon du Preez initially took a liking to
Rumana's loopy leg spin but patted a simple
Bangladesh Women's team tasted a 32-run defeat to South Africa in their
opening game of the ICC Women's World Cup at Dunedin in New Zealand
yesterday.
photo: BCB
20th Square Cup
Golf Tournament-
2022 ends
SportS DeSk
The 3-day '20th Square Cup
Golf Tournament 2022'
concluded at Kurmitola Golf
Club at the Cantonment
here on Friday last, reports
BSS.
Principal Staff Officer of
Armed Forces Division
Lieutenant General Waker-
Uz-Zaman distributed the
prizes among the winners of
the tournament in a
programme as the chief
guest, an Inter-Services
Public Relations (ISPR)
press release said today.
Brigadier General Md
Amirul Islam Sikder
clinched the championship
title while Sehzad R Majid
was adjudged runners-up.
Song Eun Hee became
triumphant in women's
section.
About 600 golfers from all
the golf clubs of the country,
senior officials of square
group, concerned high civil
and military officials with
their families attended the
function.
Pakistan's Azhar
completes century against
Australia in first Test
SportS DeSk
Veteran Pakistan batsman
Azhar Ali completed his
century against Australia
Saturday on the second day
of the opening Test in
Rawalpindi, reports BSS.
The 37-year-old lofted
spinner Nathan Lyon for his
eighth boundary towards
mid-wicket to complete his
19th hundred in his 92nd
Test.
With that, Pakistan
reached 312 without losing
another wicket after starting
the day on 245 for one.
He has been Pakistan's
mainstay in the Test batting
line-up since making his
debut in 2010, and boasts a
triple hundred against the
West Indies-the first since
day-night Tests were
introduced.
'Shocked to the core':
Cricket world mourns
Shane Warne
SportS DeSk
Cricketers past and present
from Sachin Tendulkar to
Viv Richards and Joe Root
paid shocked tribute to
Australian spin maestro
Shane Warne who died of a
suspected heart attack at 52,
reports BSS.
Indian legend Tendulkar,
who had many memorable
battles with Warne during
their playing days, said he
was "stunned & miserable"
after news of his sudden
passing in Thailand on
Friday.
"There was never a dull
moment with you around,
on or off the field. Will
always treasure our on field
duels & off field banter,"
Tendulkar tweeted.
"You always had a special
place for India & Indians
had a special place for you.
Gone too young!"
Warne, one of the greatest
players to ever grace the
game, often referred to
Richards as the best
batsman he had seen and
the West Indian great said
he was "shocked to the core".
"There are no words to
describe what I feel right
now," he said.
Richards' countryman
Brian Lara, who also crossed
swords with Warne in his
prime, was equally
speechless.
"I literally don't know how
to sum up this situation. My
friend is gone!! We have lost
one of the Greatest
Sportsmen of all time!!"
Lara tweeted, while English
great Ian Botham said he too
had lost a long-time mate.
"I've lost a great friend on
and off the playing field," he
said. "One of the best."
The announcement came
just hours after the death
was announced of fellow
Australian great Rod Marsh.
No Nadal, no problem as 'super special'
Alcaraz enjoys flying Davis Cup start
SportS DeSk
Teenager Carlos Alcaraz made a stunning
start to his Davis Cup career on Friday,
helping six-time champions Spain to a
comfortable 2-0 lead over Romania on the
first day of their qualifying tie, reports BSS.
The 18-year-old Alcaraz, ranked 19 in the
world, swept past experienced Marius Copil
6-4, 6-3 on the clay courts of Marbella.
"I was nervous, but no more than usual.
Having an experience like this in the Davis
Cup helps you grow as a player and as a
person," said Alcaraz widely seen as Spain's
heir apparent to Rafael Nadal who has
skipped this tie.
"I try not to put the pressure on myself of
being the future of Spanish tennis, world
number one or the best player, as many
people tell me. I don't give it any more
importance than it has and I follow the path
that the team and I have set for ourselves."In
the first rubber, Roberto Bautista Agut,
ranked 15, was equally untroubled, cruising
to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Gabi Adrian Boitan,
who was shown up by his modest 721
ranking.
France, the 10-time Davis Cup champions,
also opened up a 2-0 lead over Ecuador in
Pau.
World 59 Arthur Rinderknech defeated
Emilio Gomez, ranked at 144, by 6-2, 7-5
before 58th-ranked Adrian Mannarino saw
off Roberto Quiroz, who played way above
his 381 ranking, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
Canada, without ninth-ranked Felix
Auger-Aliassime and world number 13 Denis
Shapovalov, slipped to a 2-0 deficit against
the Netherlands in The Hague.
Botic Van de Zandschulp defeated Alexis
Galarneau 7-5, 7-6 (11/9) while Tallon
Griekspoor eased past Steven Diez 6-4, 6-4.
Twelve Davis Cup ties are being contested
on Friday and Saturday, with the winners
progressing to the finals, the first stage of
which will be played in September with 16
teams.
Croatia, Great Britain and Serbia are
already through, with Davis Cup chiefs to
decide next week who will replace defending
champions Russia after they were axed over
the invasion of Ukraine.
Alex de Minaur got 28-time champions
Australia off to a blistering start in Syndey,
but Thanasi Kokkinakis couldn't maintain
the momentum as they split their opening
singles rubbers with Hungary.
World number 30 De Minaur was pushed
hard by young Hungarian number two
Zsombor Piros, ranked 240, before
prevailing 7-5, 6-2.
Almost seven years since he last played
Davis Cup, Kokkinakis was recalled after
claiming a first ATP singles title in Adelaide
in January then winning the Australian
Open doubles crown with Nick Kyrgios.
But the gamble didn't pay off, as he fell 7-6
(7/4), 1-6, 6-3 to 35th-ranked Marton
Fucsovics.
Alexander Zverev, who reversed his
decision not to play Davis Cup, gave
Germany a 1-0 lead over Brazil in Rio with a
6-4, 6-2 victory over Thiago Seyboth Wild.
the 18-year-old Alcaraz, ranked 19 in the world, swept past experienced
Marius Copil 6-4, 6-3 on the clay courts of Marbella.
photo: Ap
Tuchel says no need for
panic over Chelsea sale
SportS DeSk
Thomas Tuchel said Friday there was no need
to panic over the future of Chelsea after Roman
Abramovich's dramatic announcement that he
is selling the Premier League club following
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reports BSS.
Russian billionaire Abramovich, alleged to
have close links to President Vladimir Putin,
said it was in the "best interest" of the
Champions League holders that he cut ties
after 19 trophy-laden years at the helm.
Abramovich has not been named on a
growing British sanctions list targeting Russian
banks, businesses and tycoons following
Putin's attack on Ukraine last week.
But the 55-year-old's concern about the
potential seizure of his assets by UK authorities
is understood to have sparked the move to sell
London club Chelsea.
The Blues have already reportedly received
several bids, with Swiss billionaire Hansjoerg
Wyss and American magnate Todd Boehly
teaming up in a consortium offer, with Turkish
billionaire Muhsin Bayrak the latest bidder to
throw his hat into the ring.
Tuchel, who has led Chelsea to the
Champions League, European Super Cup and
Club World Cup titles since arriving in January
2021, said staying in his post at Stamford
Bridge remained the "perfect fit" for him
despite the uncertain situation. The German,
speaking on the eve of his third-placed side's
Premier League match at struggling Burnley,
said he had not had direct contact with
Abramovich since the announcement, but
appeared unfazed.
"The owner is selling the club and he's selling
a well-structured, top organisation and right
now I don't see why we should be in fear and
concern about what is obviously so wellplaced,
so well-organised and so functional,"
said former Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel.
"It's a pleasure to work here and as I've been
here for a year I can say this is the highest level
that I have experienced. We will have a new
owner but does that mean the organisation is
in question or the structure? I don't think so."
Tuchel said it was hard to put into words his
feelings following Abramovich's dramatic
announcement, although he said it had not
had that much impact on the day-to-day
running of the club as the Russian operated at
arm's length.
"It's strange," he said. "We didn't see this
coming for a very long time.
"Chelsea was always a Roman Abramovich
club in my point of view and was run by an
unbelievably passionate and committed owner
who took the sport that we all love so
seriously."
Injured Chun takes control
in Singapore
SportS DeSk
South Korea's Chun In-gee endured neck
spasms Saturday as she cruised to a bogeyfree
six-under-par 66 to snatch the outright
lead after round three of the HSBC Women's
World Championship, reports BSS.
Chun was almost forced to withdraw from
the US$1.7 million tournament, but she
battled through the pain barrier to put herself
in contention for her fourth win on the LPGA
with her three-day total of 12-under-par 204.
The world number 34 will take a one-shot
advantage over compatriots Lee Jeong-eun
and world number one Ko Jin-young as the
contest heads into its final 18-hole showdown
on Sunday at Singapore's Sentosa Golf Club.
"I almost thought like I was going to
withdraw on Thursday because it really hurt,
and the pain was really sharp. But at the same
time, I also felt like my golf game was good
and I had a chance," Chun said.
"It worked out very well today and I need to
see the physio and get some rest to get ready
for tomorrow."
Chun made several changes to her strategy
and her focus on her short game around the
tricky greens at the Tanjong course paid off.
"I tried to focus on the putting green
because of the spasm in my neck. I didn't
want to hit the ball too hard. It went really
well on the putting green, and that was key to
my good score today," she added. Ko is ready
to stage a strong fightback after enduring a
tough day where she was left to rue several
missed opportunities, especially on her frontnine.
sUNdAY, MARcH 6, 2022
10
Mehazabien in Nipun's web
series 'Sabrina'
TBT REPORT
After almost three years, director Ashfaque Nipun
and small screen popular actress Mehazabien
Chowdhury working together in the upcoming
web series titled 'Sabrina'.
Recently one of the popular Indian OTT
platform Hoichoi released the first look of their
much-anticipated web original titled 'Sabrina',
across social media directed by Ashfaque Nipun,
the series features Mehazabien Chowdhury in the
titular role. With this series, Mehazabien's journey
also started on the OTT platform of Upper Bengal.
Last year in September Ashfaqu Nipun's new
web series 'Sabrina' was announced by Indian
OTT platform 'Hoichoi'. However, he did not say
who will play the lead role. Earlier, Ashfaque
Nipun directed web series titled 'Mahanagar' and
it was highly acclaimed so, the audience's
interested with Nipun's next series.
According to a source, the shooting of the series
has ended. However, the director Nipun said,
'There are still some parts left to shoot. Hoichoi
will officially announce the entire cast of 'Sabrina'
on Women's Day (March 8), at A S Mahmud Hall
after the completion of the work. It is learnt that
'Sabrina' is a thriller based story centering on two
women. Sabrina, who is a doctor by profession,
gets involved in an event that is constantly
happening even if she doesn't want to. 'Sabrina' is
a story or character that everyone wants to get, but
also gets scared.'
Cavill's 'Sherlock' gets full
focus in 'Enola Holmes 2'
first footage
Henry Cavill's Sherlock takes center
stage in the first footage from Netflix's
'Enola Holmes 2'. Back in 2020, Netflix
debuted the first film adaptation of
Nancy Springer's best-selling young
adult 'Enola Holmes' books. The series
follows the adventures of the brilliant
and witty Enola, younger sister to
famous detective 'Sherlock Holmes'.
Netflix's movie stars Millie Bobby
Brown as Enola and follows her on her
first case, which involves her missing
mother (Helena Bonham Carter) and a
young runaway marquess (Louis
Partridge). 'Enola Holmes' also features
Susan Wokoma, Adeel Akhtar, Sam
Claflin, and Fiona Shaw.
After Enola Holmes' successful
launch on Netflix in September 2020,
there were talks of a sequel possibly
entering development. Those like
Brown and director Harry Bradbeer
signaled their interest in returning, but
it wasn't until May 2021 that Netflix
confirmed 'Enola Holmes 2' would
soon become a reality. Brown, Cavill,
Partridge, and Carter are all set to
return, while newcomers to the cast
include David Thewlis and Sharon
Duncan-Brewster. Filming on 'Enola
Holmes 2' started up in the back half of
2021 and wrapped in January.
Though a release date hasn't been
given just yet, Netflix has debuted the
first Enola Holmes 2 footage within its
massive 2022 movie preview trailer. At
about 1 minute and 5 seconds into the
trailer below, Enola can be seen
running through the crowded streets of
London. However, it's soon Cavill's
Sherlock who gets the biggest focus,
even addressing the audience in a
fourth-wall-breaking moment that
matches the rest of the trailer.
Amusingly, Enola is quick to call him
out on this, since "I thought that was
my thing."
Source: Variety
Salman Khan secretly got
married to Sonakshi Sinha?
Salman Khan is one of the
most popular and influential
superstars in the film
industry. While his films
break all the records at the
box office, his relationships
have been of keen interest to
the media and his fans. Now
a viral picture showcases the
superstar and Bollywood
actress Sonakshi Sinha
getting married. But is it
genuine? The superstar is
one of the highest-paid
actors in Bollywood. His film
career spans over thirty years
and has bagged several
awards including two
National Film Awards as a
film producer, and two
Filmfare Awards for acting.
Salman Khan's personal
life has often made
headlines. Now, the picture
shows the superstar in the
groom's clothes and is also
seen filling vermilion on
Sonakshi Sinha's forehead.
The pictures are going viral
claiming that the Dabangg
star got married secretly.
However, it is worth pointing
out that the viral picture is
fake and it seems some
miscreant has used
photoshop to edit the
picture.
Salman and Sonakshi
share a great bond of
friendship. She made her
Bollywood debut with the
2010 film 'Dabangg'.
Meanwhile, Salman
recently returned to the city
from his Da-Bangg Tour -
Reloaded in Dubai and was
spotted at the airport. While
often the superstar is seen in
a good mood but it seems he
was super angry at the
paparazzi at the airport.
Bollywood Life report
quoted a source as saying,
"Salman usually gets out
from Gate B at the airport as
the walking distance is very
less and the celebs can easily
reach to their car parked.
Niloy, Himi's 'Beshorom' released
TBT REPORT
Actors Niloy Alamgir and Jannat Akhter Himi featured in the
romantic-comedy-drama 'Beshorom' directed by Ziauddin Alam.
'Beshorom' is a Romantic, comedy, family story drama which is
made up of some funny stories.it was released on Laser Vision's
YouTube channel on February 27th.
The drama is written by Ferrari Farhad. Apart from Niloy and
Himi, Saberi Alam, Rocky Khan, Shahbaz Sunny, Bashari, Mostaq
Mukul, Tiger Mamun, and many others have acted in 'Beshorom'.
Beshorom's cinematography is done by Nahyan Belal, Habib was
the editor, and Sajeeb directed the music.
In its story, Maliha Begum can be seen as the wife of Sharafat, a
prominent businessman. Because of her husband's business
influence and her own behaviour and intelligence, she is living her
life by influencing the social aristocrats or in the circle of friends.
Sharafat is a successful businessman and is now living a life of
luxury. Their two sons settled abroad with their families. Now
Maliha Begum wants to be relaxed and tension free by marrying off
her daughter Ranu to a good man.
But she does not allow any other profession for her daughter
except a BCS cadre. In such circumstances, a young man named
Shafi appears on the scene house. Shafi is unemployed and lives in
a mess house. Shafi left the mess house saying "Why should I stay
lead a miserable life like a fool when my father-in-law has a big
house?"
The story progresses this way.
However this time Khan was
asked to leave from Gate A
and he had to walk very far to
reach his car and this left him
extremely angry. He was in
no mood to walk as he had a
long flight plus he was super
tired."
Source: Times of India
M Miraz Hossain's 'ApanNama' has made a surprise at the book fair
Author M Miraz Hossain is walking to a
successful path with 'ApanNama' after
the first book 'HayayVesheHajarMaile"'.
His autobiographical book 'ApanNama'
is at the top of sale in the Amar Ekushey
Book Fair 2022.
It is learned that the book published by
NowrozKitabistan has already been
declared as the best seller book.
According to the publication, 5,800
copies of book have been sold since the
publication of the book on February 19,
2022. The book has been widely
acclaimed by readers of all ages.
The book is written about the
memorable events of the life of the
author M Miraz Hossain. His childhoodadolescence,
family, deprivation,
struggle for survival, education, hard
work-success, social activities etc. have
come up in the book.
The author says, 'Every moment of life
adds a new story. In the life of that story
we have been running for a long time.
ApanNama is the story of my life.'
Manzoor Khan Chowdhury Chandan,
the head of NowrozKitabistan, said,
"everyday readers are crowding the stall
for the book. We are happy with the
success."The book is available at book
fair stall number 288-290. The printed
price of the 165 page book is 350 tk. The
book will be available at a special
discount at the fair for 265 tk.
H O R O s c O P E
ARIEs
(March 21 - April 20) : Today you might learn
something about a friend that could be rather
disconcerting, Aries. There could be a dark
side to this person that you weren't previously aware of, and
this could cause you to want to withdraw for a while and
reevaluate your involvement with this individual. When
considering it, remember that we all have our dark sides.
Could what you've discovered simply be this factor, or does
this go too far beyond it for you? Think about it!
TAURUs
(April 21 - May 21) : Outside responsibilities
might temporarily interfere with your love
life, Taurus. You may feel a strong desire to
get together with a love partner early in the
evening, but circumstances may necessitate your working
odd hours. This can be frustrating, as you've been looking
forward to this for a long time, but you could meet your
friend later in the evening. Don't be afraid to ask. Most
people understand when situations like this crop up.
GEMINI
(May 22 - June 21) : Today you're likely to find
your routine too boring for words, Gemini,
and may have a sudden powerful urge to cut
loose and play some serious hooky. Still, you
may feel the pull of obligation. This conflicted feeling should
pass. If it persists beyond today, however, you might need to
reevaluate certain areas of your life. There are lots of
opportunities out there, and life is too short to be stuck in a
situation that doesn't allow you to grow.
cANcER
(June 22 - July 23) : You could be feeling
especially sensual and passionate today,
Cancer, and you'll want to get together
with a love interest. However, other responsibilities
could get in your way. This could provide you with the
perfect excuse to sink into gloom, but don't fall into this
trap. Get whatever business you're facing handled and
out of the way. Or perhaps you can arrange to finish it
tomorrow. Then set up that hot date!
LEO
(July 24 - Aug. 23): You may feel a bit of
disappointment today, Leo. You might
tend to view whatever snags you've hit on
the path to accomplishing your goals as
personal failures, and if you let it, this idea could persist
with you throughout the day. Try to remain objective,
and don't lose sight of the big picture. You haven't even
lost a battle - at worst, it's a minor conflict! Chances are
that if you continue working hard you'll still win the war!
VIRGO
(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): A rather disheartening
phone call could come to you today, Virgo.
This might bring news of a setback in one
of your projects that is only temporary but
nonetheless frustrating. You'll probably have to deal with
some trivial little details you'd rather not bother with,
and this could take up too much valuable time. Hang in
there - you're still doing well! Don't let your frustrations
get the best of you.
LIBRA
(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): After the rush of
energy over the past few days, Libra,
today you may feel a powerful letdown.
Not every day can be filled with
adventure and excitement. For now, you just need to
take care of the routine matters that are a byproduct
of life on Earth. However, keep in mind that there are
many weekends coming up, and with the right kind
of planning you can get excitement back into your life.
scORPIO
(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) : A goal that you've been
trying to reach may be temporarily
stalled, Scorpio, and you could be
tempted to slip into despair, wondering
if it will ever really happen. Remember that the
keyword for today is "temporary." Whatever obstacles
are in your way will eventually be overcome and your
goal should be to continue to advance in the direction
you want. In the meantime, take care of your chores.
sAGITTARIUs
(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): Today you might realize
that you need to make a certain purchase,
Sagittarius. Perhaps your home or car
requires some important repairs, or maybe
some new equipment is necessary for your work. This could
prove rather disheartening, as it might involve spending
money that you'd rather use for something more exciting.
Think of the trouble this expenditure should save you,
however, and you'll see the value of it all.
cAPRIcORN
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): The weight of too many
responsibilities, perhaps involving family, a
job, or group affiliation, could be very much
on your mind today, Capricorn. You may feel like Atlas,
carrying the world on your shoulders! You're tired. Perhaps
you need to reevaluate your commitments - your innate
kindness may have caused you to make too many. Fulfill the
ones you have, but think twice before making any new ones.
You're important too, after all.
AQUARIUs
(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : You may have your
ups and downs today, Aquarius. You
could get at least one phone call of the
"good news, bad news" variety, and this
could have your moods swinging back and forth like a
pendulum. Try to stay centered. Take the good news
as encouragement, and as for the bad news, try to
consider it objectively and figure out ways to turn it to
your advantage. There's always a way. Hang in there!
PIscEs
(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Normally you tend to be a very
spiritually oriented person, Pisces, but today you
might find metaphysical concepts of all kinds
rather baffling. Whether these are ideas you've
embraced for a long time or new ones you've just discovered, you
may find nagging little doubts creeping in, temporarily causing
your faith to waver. This is a healthy development, however. A
little doubt now and then can weed out concepts that don't work
for you and reaffirm your belief in others.
SUnDAY, MARCH 6, 2022
11
In Belkuchi upazila of Sirajganj, Muzammel and his family have allegedly received death threat and
his house has been vandalizing and looting took place recently.
Photo: TBT
Muzammel and his family receives
death threat in Belkuchi
BADRUL ALAM DULAL, SIRAJGANJ CORRESPONDENT
In Belkuchi upazila of Sirajganj,
Muzammel and his family have
allegedly received death threat and his
house has been vandalizing and looting
took place. The allegation was made by
Muzammel Haque, son of Badula
Pramanik of Chala village.
In the written complaint, he said that
his son Shakil Hossain had a love affair
with Sadia Afrin, daughter of Ali Akbar
of nearby Garamashi village. Ali Akbar
and his son Zahid, Akul Pramanik's son
Abdullah, Tofazzal Hossain and Tota
BNP lacks leadership,
now looks at foreign
lords: Bahauddin
PIROJPUR : Awami League
(AL) joint general secretary
Agriculturist AFM
Bahauddin Nasim yesterday
said the BNP, being isolated
from people and leaderless,
is now looking at foreign
lords to assume power.
"BNP is now facing lack of
leadership and people have
moved away from them . . .
Now BNP is looking at the
foreign lords," he told an
extended meeting of district
unit of AL at Shilpakala
Academy Auditorium
yesterday morning.
Bahauddin added: "The
people of Bangladesh will no
longer support them (BNP)
as they cannot trust them
because of their activities."
He said BNP usually
participates in polls but they
always boycott or withdraw
their candidacy one day
before the election or on the
polls day, fearing their
defeat.
AL Organizing Secretary
Advocate Afzal Hossain,
International Affairs
Secretary Dr Shammi
Ahmed, Central Committee
members Anisur Rahman
and Md Golam Rabbani
Chinu spoke there. District
AL President AKMA Awal
presided over the meeting
while general secretary MA
Hakim Hawlader conducted
it.
Referring to BNP's waging
of movement to unseat the
incumbent government, the
joint general secretary said
the BNP has been trying to
dislodge the government
even through daily
movement for last 13 years
but there is no movement at
all. "BNP's acting chairman
Tareq Rahman, a fugitive
convict, formed a committee
from London virtually with
the terrorists while his party
chairperson is also a convict.
So, they are now dreaming
of coming to power with the
help of foreign lords," he
mentioned.
Nasim told the meeting
that BNP wanted to foil the
prevailing communal peace
by creating unrest.
Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina is trying to save the
17 crore people from the evil
forces
through
strengthening the Awami
League.
Mia tactfully called Shakil after the
incident and Sadia and got them
married on 24/10/2021 at the registry
office. Later, Sadia's brother Zahid filed
a case with Belkuchi police station as
case plaintiff No. 1 dated 1/11/2021
which is pending in the court. After
filing a case with the police station,
Sadia's relative abducted Shakir's sister
Nasreen Khatun and took her away.
Upon receiving the news of the case,
Sadia's relatives demanded Tk. 60 lakh
from Muzammel on 5/2/2022.
When Muzammel filed a case in this
regard, they came to the wise court and
got rid of the case with a bond. On
9/2/22, when Muzammel and his
family members were visiting a
relative's house, Sadia's relatives
entered Muzammel's house and looted
gold, money, CCTV camera, wall TV
and clothes worth Tk 2 crore and other
items from the godown.
Muzammel and his family cannot go
home. Sadia's relatives have threatened
to kill them through mobile phone. In
this regard, Muzammel Haque and his
family have appealed to the locals and
the Prime Minister to get rid of this
misery.
Optimistic female Afghan students
attend university classes
KABUL : At Mustaqbal Pohanton University
on the eastern edge of Kabul, the new
academic year has just begun. Universities in
Afghanistan have been closed since August
last year, reports UNB.
"Learning and education are the tools for
the country's development," said student
Shagofa Mohammadi. "I am very happy that
the universities have reopened."
Mohammadi studies Sharia Law. Sitting
among more than two dozen female
students, she said that it was natural for
everyone to want an education. Mohammadi
is concerned by a shortage of female
lecturers, and some of the classes are taught
by male teachers. "According to Islamic Law
boys and girls should be educated
separately." Established in 2014, Mustaqbal
Pohanton University has a history of
encouraging women to get an education, in
spite of prevailing challenges and economic
problems. Vice chancellor of the university
Najibullah Nasrat is also concerned about
teacher shortages.
Following the end of the U.S.-led
occupations, many academics fled the
country to escape any Taliban retribution.
Nasrat said both male and female lecturers
left the country in numbers last year.
"We have about 800 students, including
300 women, studying here. We have 45
teachers and only 14 of them are women,"
Nasrat told Xinhua. The vice chancellor is
more worried about economic problems.
Many students are unable to pay their
tuition. Lecturer Shamsudin Ahmadzai is
hopeful of a solution, but is critical of
Western attitudes to women's education in
Afghanistan. He called on the international
community to "come in and help us" instead.
FFs fought for independence at
Bangabandhu's call: Mostafa
RANGPUR : Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar
Rahman Mostafa has said heroic freedom
fighters (FFs) had fought for independence at
the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"Bangabandhu declared independence in his
historic March 7 speech at the then racecourse
ground in 1971 uniting the nation and giving
clear directions to achieve independence," he
said. Mostafa was speaking yesterday as the chief
guest at a commemoration, discussion meeting
and cultural program arranged by RpCC
marking the golden jubilee celebration of the
independence at Rangpur Nagar Bhaban
premises. Chief Executive Officer of Rangpur
City Corporation (RpCC) Md. Ruhul Amin Miah
presided over the functions, participated by
heroic freedom fighters, City Councilors and
RpCC Officials and employees and civil society
members. Former Commander of Rangpur city
unit Command of Bangladesh Muktijoddha
Sangsad heroic freedom fighter Sadrul Alam
Dulu and heroic freedom fighter Advocate Md.
Elias Ahmed commemorated the War of
Liberation. The two heroic freedom fighters
highlighted the overall situation in Rangpur
before the War of Liberation, including the
language movement, six points, eleven points,
Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Md. Jahangir Hossain visited the ongoing
construction work of houses in Adarbazar area of Rangarchar Union of
Sunamganj Sadar Upazila on Saturday.
Photo : AK Milon
27 soldiers
killed in Mali
jihadist attack:
army
BAMAKO : A jihadist attack
on a military camp in central
Mali on Friday killed 27
soldiers and 47 "terrorists"
were "neutralised", the
country's army said.
The fighting left 33
soldiers injured, 21
seriously, and seven are
missing, the army added in a
statement, while 23 other
suspects were "neutralised"
later in the day.
The West African state has
been battling jihadist
movements affiliated with
Al-Qaeda and the Islamic
State group for almost a
decade, with around twothirds
of its territory outside
state control.
A French military source
speaking on condition of
anonymity said hundreds
of jihadists attacked the
camp of around 150
soldiers close to 0600
GMT, putting the death toll
between 40 and 50.
Mali's army said the attack
happened around 0530
GMT.
The jihadists seized 21
vehicles, including tanks,
and injured more than 20
soldiers, the source added.
The source said Mali's
army did not request
support from France's
Barkhane military operation
because the camp was
"where Barkhane was asked
not to operate, probably
because of the presence of
Wagner mercenaries",
referring to the Russian
paramilitary group.
A military official had told
AFP the army and air force
"reacted vigorously".
The Mondoro base is near
Mali's border with Burkina
Faso and has previously
been targeted by jihadists
fighting the Malian state and
foreign forces.
Around 50 soldiers died
after an attack on Mondoro
and the nearby Boulkessi
camp in September 2019.
France's military said
around 100 attackers were
"routed" following a mission
between Barkhane and
Mali's army against jihadists
attempting to take the base
in January 2021.
UN Security Council to
meet Monday on
humanitarian crisis in
Ukraine: diplomats
UNITED NATIONS : The
UN Security Council will
hold an emergency meeting
Monday on the
humanitarian crisis
triggered in Ukraine by the
Russian invasion, diplomats
said Friday.
After this public session,
the 15 members of the
council will confer behind
closed doors to discuss a
possible draft resolution, a
diplomat speaking on
condition of anonymity told
AFP.
This latter meeting has
been proposed by Mexico
and France, who are
pushing a draft that calls for
an end to hostilities in
Ukraine, unhindered flow of
humanitarian aid and
protection of civilians.
But it has run into
obstacles, namely a warning
from the United States that
it will not support such a
draft unless it states
explicitly that Russia has
caused the humanitarian
crisis, another diplomat told
AFP.
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Russia to observe ceasefire
in 2 areas of Ukraine
KYIV, UKRAINE : The Russian military will
observe a ceasefire in two areas of Ukraine
starting Saturday to allow civilians to
evacuate, Russian state media reported, but
there was no immediate confirmation from
Ukraine. It would be the first breakthrough
in allowing civilians to escape the war.
The Russian Defense Ministry statement
said it has agreed on evacuation routes with
Ukrainian forces to allow civilians to leave
the strategic port of Mariupol in the
southeast and the eastern town of
Volnovakha "from 10 a.m. Moscow time." It
was not immediately clear from the vaguely
worded statement how long the routes
would remain open.
The head of Ukraine's security council,
Oleksiy Danilov, had called on Russia to
create humanitarian corridors to allow
children, women and the elderly to escape
the fighting, calling such corridors "question
No. 1."
As Russian forces batter strategic
locations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy has lashed out at NATO for
refusing to impose a no-fly zone over his
country, warning that "all the people who
die from this day forward will also die
because of you."
NATO says a no-fly zone could provoke
widespread war in Europe with nucleararmed
Russia. But as the United States and
other NATO members send weapons for
Kyiv and more than 1 million refugees spill
through the continent, the conflict is already
drawing in countries far beyond Ukraine's
borders.
GD-390/22 (6x3)
Russia continues to crack down on
independent media reporting on the war,
also blocking Facebook and Twitter, and
more outlets say they are pausing their work
inside the country.
And in a warning of a hunger crisis yet to
come, the U.N. World Food Program says
millions of people inside Ukraine, a major
global wheat supplier, will need food aid
"immediately."
Ukraine's president was set to brief U.S.
senators on Saturday on a video conference
call as Congress considers a request for $10
billion in emergency funding for
humanitarian aid and security needs.
In a bitter and emotional speech late
Friday, Zelenskyy criticized NATO over the
lack of a no-fly zone, saying it will fully untie
Russia's hands as it escalates its air attack.
"The alliance has given the green light to the
bombing of Ukrainian cities and villages," he
said, warning that "the history of Europe will
remember this forever."
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
earlier Friday ruled out the possibility of a
no-fly zone, saying NATO planes would have
to shoot down Russian aircraft.
In a separate video message to antiwar
protesters in several European cities,
Zelenskyy continued to appeal for help. "If
we fall, you will fall," he said. The U.N.
Security Council will hold an open meeting
Monday on the worsening humanitarian
situation. The U.N. estimates that 12 million
people in Ukraine and four million fleeing to
neighboring countries in the coming months
will need humanitarian aid.
A sit-in program was carried out demanding implementation of 500 beds
of Jashore Medical College Hospital. The program was held at Shankarpur
Batalata on Saturday afternoon.
Photo : Shahid Joy
Tasmiah's 1st death anniversary observed
DHAKA : The first death anniversary of
Tasmiah Parveen Chowdhury Hridi, eldest
granddaughter of eminent journalist and
columnist ABM Musa and Setara Musa, was
observed yesterday. Marking the death
anniversary, doa mahfils were arranged at
Hridi's residence in Amherst, USA. Prayers
were also offered at a mosque on Iqbal Road
at Mohammadpur in the capital Dhaka and
Sotero village under Chhagalnaiya of Feni.
She died of cancer at 34 last year at the
Dana Farber Cancer Institute of Boston in
the US. Hridi left behind two children,
husband, parents, a younger sister and many
well-wishers.
She was a graduate of pharmacy from the
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and
Health Sciences, Boston in the United States.
She worked as a clinical pharmacist at Bay
State Hospital in Springfield and later as a
pharmacist manager at Mercy Medical
Center. Hridi was the eldest daughter of
journalist Parveen Sultana Jhuma and
pharmacist Selim Azad Chowdhury.
(Notice No : 02/2021-2022)
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Sunday, Dhaka: march 6, 2022; falgun 21, 1428 BS; Shaban 2, 1443 hijri
Majestic Shaplapata
being driven to
extinction
BAGERHAT : The stingrays of the Bay of
Bengal, locally known as Shaplapata, are
vital for conserving its biodiversity and
the marine ecosystem, but it is now
endangered due to its lucrative value on
the market for the fishing community.
For the last 30 years, Md Rustom Ali
Howladar, a fisherman from Porgola village
of Pirojpur upazila in Bagerhat, has
seen plenty of Shaplapata being captured
by fishermen during his ventures to the sea.
"Fishermen usually plant fish-hooks
along the seashore to catch the large
Shaplapata and smaller ones are often
caught easily with fishing nets," Rustom
Ali said. The high price it fetches at markets
in the coastal districts of Bagerhat,
Barguna is the reason behind their interest
in catching Shaplapata.
Recently, one weighing 400kg was sold
for Tk 52,000 at a wholesale fish market
in Bagerhat's KB Bazar through open
auction. Given that the retail price per kg
was Tk 300, the fish was sold to consumers
at a total price of Tk 1,40,000
minimum, it is said.
"As there is a great demand for
Shaplapata in the market and a typical
large one can go for Tk 30-40,000 at the
wholesale market, they are the big catch
but even small ones are sold handsomely,"
said some fishermen of the Bagerhat
region. None of them however, would
state on the record any specific incident
of someone catching a Shaplapata.
You see, the fish is listed as an endangered
species by the International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Banner,
festoons
hung in city
ahead of the
celebration of
Bangabandhu's
historic speech
on march 7.
The photo
was taken in
front of the
Bangabandhu
international
Conference
Center in the
capital on
Saturday.
Photo :
Star mail
Bibi Saibani's Dargah
An archaeological relic and a site
of religious importance
azhar ali, Bogura
Govt to provide one cr
farmers smart cards
Safiqul iSlam
The government has decided to give smart
cards to more than one crore farmers.
Farmers living in 9 districts and metropolitan
areas of 14 agricultural regions of the
country, including the head office of the
Department of Agricultural Extension
under the Ministry of Agriculture, will get
this smart card. Area and demand based
agriculture services will be provided to
each farmer using smart agriculture card
as digital identity of the farmer. At the
same time it will be possible to ensure the
exchange of necessary agricultural information
through digital analysis and management
via the use of this card. This information
has been known from the sources
of the Ministry of Agriculture.
It is learned that the Ministry of
Agriculture has taken up a project titled
'Smart Agriculture Card and Digital
Agriculture (Pilot)' at a cost of TK 107.92
crore provided by the government from
its own funds. The project will be implemented
by the Department of
Agricultural Extension. If all goes well,
the project will be completed by
September 30, 2024. The project will be
implemented in all the upazilas and metropolitan
areas of the district including
Gopalganj, Sunamganj, Tangail, Barisal,
Jashore, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Bandarban
and Mymensingh districts, including the
head office of the Department of
Agriculture Extension.
According to the Planning Commission,
The Sonatola upazilla of Bogura has a
unique reputation for hosting archaeological
sites in the villages of Garfatepur,
Kabilpur and Garhchaitanyapur such as
Raja Nilambar Roy's house (extinct) and
Pathar Saheb's Dargah. Another important
archaeological site where spirituality
thrived is four hundred year old 'Bibi
Saibani's Dargah' located in the village of
Naodabga in Jorgachha union of the
upazila. As a visitor trave;omg from
Sonatala Upazila Sadar to Sonatala-
Gabtali via Bogura road, you can see the
government Nazir Akhtar College decorated
with rare species of trees. Leaving
behind the college, a little further along
Gabtali Road is the 'Dargah of Pathar
Saheb' in Kabilpur.
The movement of birds in the forest covered
with trees spanning about five-six
acres of land. The chirping of the birds will
make them feel as if they are welcoming
visitors. As you enter through a gate a
short distance away, you will see a beautiful
mosque, a former zamindari house
where elites used to live, an old tomb and
a dargah built during the Mughal period.
Although this dargah, built following the
Mughal architecture, has long been called
the 'old place of worship', but the story of
Bibi Saibani, the spiritual woman who
built the dargah was unknown. Adjacent
to the Dargah is the home of the wellknown
former UP chairman Shah Aman
Ullah Tepa and his wife Rizia Aman, the
former female vice chairman of Sonatala
Upazila Parishad. The history of the
Dargah revolves around their family. It is
learned that former chairman Shah Aman
Ullah Tepa's ancestors Anaar Akand came
and settled at Naodabga in Sonatla.
Bibi Sabiani, daughter-in-law of Anar
Akand, was a very religious woman. She
spent most of her time in worship and
spiritual practice. This small, two-room
dargah was built for his spiritual practice,
especially for indulging into deep meditation.
The place of worship on a brick complex
about two feet high from the ground
has Mughal architectural style.
One is 14 feet long and 8 feet wide and
under the project, digital profiles of 1 crore
62 lakh farmers will be prepared in Krishi
Batayan. 1 crore 9 lakh farmers will be
given smart agriculture cards. Citizenship
information of 1 crore farmers will be verified
by the Election Commission. Smart
agriculture card database clusters, farmer
services, reporting software and apps will
be prepared in 31 modules. Training on
digital agriculture and information management
will be given to TOT training, officer
training, assistant agricultural officer
training, ICT champion farmers or agrientrepreneurs.
14 agricultural innovation
showcasing will be done and 3 national
and 14 regional workshops will be organized.
The Planning Commission said in its
presentation of the project at ECNEC
meeting that implementation of the project
would facilitate decision making and planning
of farmers' agricultural production
with the help of information obtained
through creation of digital agriculture profile,
distribution of smart agriculture cards,
and analysis of digital agricultural data and
proper management of data.
In this context, the Minister of
Agriculture Dr. Abdur Razzak told The
Bangladesh Today that a database of
farmers across the country would be created
in phases. This will also create a
complete list of farmers. That work is
starting with the implementation of the
project. Later this activity will be conducted
all over the country. This will benefit
the farmers.
the other is 10 feet long and 10 feet wide.
Two houses made of small bricks without
plaster. Above the two houses is a small
dome. One room has two doors and the
other room has one door.
Both houses have special designs.
During the construction of the Dargah, a
mosque was built next to it which has got
a modern look now. The matter was discussed
with Shah Kalimullah Raj, the
second son of former UP chairman Shah
Aman Ullah Tepa. He said that the
Dargah was established in the second
decade of 1600 AD in the Mughal style in
the name of Bibi Saibani, daughter-inlaw
of our ancestor Anar Akand. It was
founded by Bibi Saibani's husband
Dewan Akand (son of Anar Akand).
Sheikh Kamal Training
Center to ensure jobs
for 1 lakh youths : Palak
BANDARBAN : State Minister for
Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak
yesterday said if the 'Sheikh Kamal IT
Training and Incubation Center' is established
in 64 districts of the country,
employments will be ensured for one
lakh youths every year.
"When the construction works of the
'Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation
Center' are completed in 64 districts,
employments for more than one lakh
youths will be created every year. This center
will play an important role in fulfilling
the goal of building a knowledge-based
innovative Bangladesh by 2041," he said.
The state minister said this after laying
the foundation stone of 'Sheikh Kamal IT
Training and Incubation Center' to be
built at a cost of Taka 84 crore on a threeacre
site in Bandarban.
Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs
Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing was also
present there.
Besides, Vice Chancellor of Bandarban
University Prof Dr A F Imam Ali, 69 Infantry
Brigade's Commander Brigadier General
Md Ziaul Haque, Bandarban Hill District
Council acting chairman Satyaha Panji
Tripura, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner
Yasmin Parvin Tibriji, Bandarban
Superintendent of Police Jerin Akhtar and
Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-tech
Park Authority Dr Bikarna Kumar Ghosh
attended it, among others.
"The people of Bandarban are happy to
get this IT training and incubation center.
Through this, Bandarban has entered into
the modern age. When it is completed, our
hill boys and girls will advance in science
and technology," said Chattogram Hill
Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur
Ushwe Sing.
Later, the minister and the state minister
attended a discussion jointly organized
by Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park and the district
administration.
Bangladesh tumbled for 115 for nine in 20 overs in the 2nd T20i against afghanistan on Saturday at
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Photo : Star mail
Drive to control
commodity
prices
Two onion traders fined
DHAKA : The Directorate of National
Consumers' Right Protection (DNCRP)
under the Commerce Ministry conducted
drives at different wholesale markets
in the capital and fined two wholesalers
for selling onion at higher prices.
A DNCRP team fined owners of two
warehouses at Shyambazar in the capital
Tk 50,000 each for selling onions at
higher prices.
The team, led by Manzoor Mohammad
Shahriar, DNCRP director and head of
Dhaka divisional office, conducted the
drive.
Magfur Rahman and Mahmuda
Akhter, assistant directors of DNCRP,
were other members of the team.
The companies - Rajiv Traders and
Panama Trades- were selling onions at
Tk 49 per kg even though the prices of
imported onions were shown at Tk 45
per kg in the displayed chart.
On the other hand, the team found
traders were selling soybean at Tk 185
per liter on Saturday. The government
did not agree with the Bangladesh
Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati
Manufacturers Association (BVORVMA)
for raising price of edible oil.
Govt aims at boosting revenue
collection amid recovery
from Covid shocks
DHAKA : The government has projected
an increase in revenue collection in the
coming days as the country's economy has
started recovering gradually from the
shock of COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an official document, the
revenue collection for 2023-24 fiscal has
been projected Tk 4999.7 billion while it
will be Tk 4362,4 billion for the 2022-23
fiscal.
In the running fiscal of 2021-22 the revenue
collection has been fixed at Tk 3890
billion.
The document said that on-going and
the proposed reform plans undertaken by
the government are expected to boost the
domestic revenue reaching the target in
the medium term.
The government has set revenue target
of Tk 3890 billion for running 2021-22 fiscal,
which is 10.7 per cent higher than that
of the revised target in fiscal 2020-21.
The document mentioned that revenue
collection needs to grow at a rate of 21.0
per cent (on average) from the actual collection
in fiscal 2020-21 for achieving the
revenue target in fiscal 2021-22.
Revenue mobilization is expected to be
strengthened in the medium term when
the economy would recover from the
COVID-19 pandemic and the NBR reform
programs are implemented fully.
The total target of the revenue collection
for the running 2021-22 fiscal is Tk 3890
billion. Of the total amount tax revenue
will contribute Tk 3460 billion. The share
for the National Board of Revenue (NBR)
is Tk 3300 billion.
The government projects to collect Tk
1049.5 billion from Income and profit
taxes, Tk 379.1 billion from customs duties
and Tk 1822.10 billion from VAT and supplementary
duties in fiscal 2021-22.
The non-NBR tax will be Tk 160 billion
with Tk 430 billion from non-tax revenue.
Income and profit taxes, customs duties,
and VAT and supplementary duties
require to grow by 9.4 per cent, 2 per cent,
and 11.4 per cent
respectively, on an average, from the
revised collection in fiscal 2020-21 to
achieve revenue targets in fiscal 2021-
22.
For the 2022-23 fiscal, the total target of
the revenue collection has been projected
at Tk 4362.40 billion. Of the total amount
tax revenue will contribute Tk 3916.5 billion.
The share for the National Board of
Revenue (NBR) is Tk 3718.7 billion.
The government projects to collect Tk
1202.1 billion from Income and profit
taxes, Tk 434.3 billion from customs
duties and Tk 2008.6 billion from VAT
and supplementary duties in fiscal 2022-
24.
The non-NBR tax will be Tk 197 billion
with Tk 445 billion from non-tax revenue.
Income and profit taxes, customs duties,
and VAT and supplementary duties
require growing by 14.5 per cent, 14.6 per
cent, and 10.2 per cent respectively, on
average, from the collection in fiscal 2021-
22 to achieve revenue targets in fiscal
2022-23.
The total target of the revenue collection
for the 2023-24 fiscal is Tk 4999.7 billion.
Of the total amount tax revenue will contribute
Tk 4480.30 billion. The share for
the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will
be Tk 4253.4 billion.
Tigers fail to inflict T20
whitewash on Afghans
DHAKA : A dismal batting performance
caused Bangladesh's eight-wicket defeat to
Afghanistan in the second and final T20
game at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket
Stadium yesterday.
In doing so, the Afghans leveled the
series 1-1 and also denied Bangladesh a T20
whitewash, which was on the cards. The
Afghanistan similarly avoided a clean
sweep in three-match ODI series earlier by
winning the third game. Opener
Hazratullah Zazai struck an unbeaten 59 off
45 and shared a 99-run partnership with
Usman Ghani for the second wicket to help
Afghanistan race to the victory with 14 balls
to spare after Bangladesh put up 115-9.
Darwish Rasooli who was not out on 9
wrapped up the game, pulling left-arm
spinner Nasum Ahmed a six over deep
mid-wicket as Afghanistan made 119-2
Afghanistan lost the first T20 match by 61
runs. Both teams lined up before the start of
play and observed a minute's silence in memory
of Australian legend Shane Warne and
Rodney Marsh. Usman Ghani who survived
twice on 39 and 41, scored 47 off 48 with five
fours and one six. Zazai and Ghani's matchdefining
partnership came after Afghanistan
lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 3.
Zazai's innings was almost chanceless. He
slog-swept left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan
for six over deep square-leg to reach his third
fifty off 37 balls and hit three fours and five
sixes in his match-winning knock. Earlier,
Mushfiqur Rahim, playing his 100th T20
game as only the second Bangladesh player
after captain Mahmudullah Riyad, top-scored
for the side with 30.
Riyad however made 21 and in the
process became the first Bangladeshi batter
to go past 2000-run mark in this format.
Only two other Bangladeshi batters -Liton
Das and Naim Sheikh could reach double
digits in this match, making an identical 13.
Pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah
Omarzai were the wrecker-in-chief, claiming
three wicket apiece, conceding just 18
and 22 runs respectively.
Opting to bat first in a wicket that had a
slight grass, Bangladesh made a disastrous
start, losing Munim Shahriar for just 4. In
form Liton Das though hit a six at the start
of the innings, couldn't make his start count
and Naim Sheikh was dismissed after an
uncomfortably stay in the crease.
Shakib Al Hasan too looked shaky during
his stay in the crease and eventually was out
for 9. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah
appeared set to bail the side out of danger,
putting on 43-run for the fifth wicket stand,
which was instrumental in helping
Bangladesh propel past 100.