04-11-2022
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FrIDaY
Dhaka : November 4, 2022; Kartik 19, 1429 BS; Rabi-us-Sani 8, 1444 Hijri
www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net
Regd.No.DA~2065, Vol.20; N o. 166; 12 Pages~Tk.12.00
InternatIonal
Biden implores voters
to save democracy
from lies, violence
>Page 7
New gas field found
in Bhola
DHAKA : State Minister for Power,
Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul
Hamid on Thursday announced a new
structure of 239 billion cubic feet (BCF) of
natural gas from the exploration well No-
Togbi-1 under Bhola gas field, reports
UNB.
"But this will take one-and-a-half to two
years to start producing gas from the well
and supply it to the national gas network",
he told reporters while sharing the "good
news" at a press briefing at his ministry
conference room on Thursday.
"We need to build some necessary infrastructures
including a processing plant to
get this gas available for consumption", he
added.
"This is good news of relief amid ongoing
gas crisis... this well can produce 20
million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) over
30-31 years", he said.
He noted that the entire gas will have
the value of Tk 8000 crore considering the
average retail price of the local gas.
Nasrul informed that two more wells
will be drilled in Shahbazpurupazila in
Bhola gas field while Petrobangla has a
plan to drill 46 wells across the country
through Bapex, Sylhet Gas field Company
Limited and Bangladesh Gas Fields
Company Limited (BGFCL).
The US energy company Chevron will
also conduct drillings in its extended area
of the Bibiyana gas field.
"We hope, once these 46 wells will be
drilled, some 600-700 MMCFD gas will
be added to the national gas grid by 2025",
he said adding that in the meantime some
gas fields will decline production by 200
MMCFD.
Currently, the state minister said that
the country's daily gas production is 2,300
MMCFD from different gas fields against
a demand of 3,400 MMCFD. Alongside
the local gas production, some 400
MMCFD gas is being imported under
long-term contract.
Highest single-day deaths witnessed this year
Dengue claims
nine more death
Bangladesh witnessed the death of nine
more dengue patients in 24 hours till
Thursday morning, the official death toll
from the disease this year rose to 161.
This is the highest death toll from
dengue in a day this year. Of the deceased,
six were from Dhaka, raising the fatalities
in the division to 100, two were from
Rajshahi division raising the death toll to
six and another was from Chattogram taking
the death toll to 41. The death toll
remained unchanged at six each in Khulna
and Barishal, at four in Mymensingh division.
During this time, 882, more patients,
including 498 in Dhaka city, were hospitalised
with the mosquito-borne disease,
according to the Directorate General of
Health Services (DGHS).
A total of 3,676 dengue patients, including
2,276 in the capital, are now receiving
treatment at hospitals across the country.
DGHS has recorded 40, 983 dengue
cases and 37,146 recoveries so far this year.
Even before the country's healthcare system
has been able to fully recover from the
blow of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is being
hit hard by a recurrence of an outbreak of
dengue, the disease that is endemic to
Bangladesh.
Zumma
04:39 AM
11:55 PM
04:04 PM
05:45 PM
07:52 PM
5:51 5:41
Destroying
cropland,
brick kiln is
being built
rampantly in
Thakurgaon.
Photo : Star Mail
sports
Man City beat Sevilla
with teenager Lewis
stealing the spotlight
>Page 9
NBR counting losses for
rampant tax evasion
DHAKA : Despite taking VAT registration,
around 22 percent of companies are not
submitting their VAT returns.
A large number of individuals are also
remaining out of the tax network despite
having taxable income.
A total of 26 lakh people or 52.41 percent
of the taxpayers did not submit their
income tax returns in the last fiscal year.
Of the 50 lakh Taxpayers Identification
Number (TIN) holders, some 24 lakh submitted
their income tax returns during last
fiscal year, reports UNB.
As a result, the National Board of
Revenue is missing a large amount of revenue.
Though the companies are taking VAT
for products or services from customers
they are not submitting money to the government
exchequer.
The visiting IMF officials have advised
the NBR to increase revenue collection in
different forms.
Economists and sector insiders have
repeatedly suggested reforming the country's
revenue sector in a way that the tax
ratio in the GDP would grow as per the
volume of the economy.
In south Asia Bangladesh is the lowest
tax-GDP ratio. A 2016 World Bank report
said that the South Asian tax GDP ratio is
19.1 percent in Nepal, 16 percent in
Bhutan, 12 percent in India, 9.9 percent in
Afghanistan, 9.1 percent in the Maldive
while in Bangladesh it is 8.8 percent. In
2017 Bangladesh's position in tax GDP
ratio slid to 7.6.
While official data portrays the burgeoning
growth of Bangladesh's economy, tax
collection shows an almost opposite trend.
The tax collection as a percentage of
GDP has been stuck at around 7.6 percent
in 2017, the lowest in South Asia and one
of the lowest in the world.
This prompts economists to question
the disconnect since revenue receipts
should increase in line with the expansion
of the economy.
Dr Muhammad Abdul Mazid, former
NBR chairman, told UNB that large companies
might be avoiding VAT through
different ways that the NBR cannot detect
owing to a lack of capacity.
He suggested enhancing the capacity of
revenue officials, along with ensuring good
governance in the revenue sector so that
people encourage paying taxes in a hasslefree
environment.
DrAhsan H Mansur, executive director
at Policy Research Institute (PRI), said
businesses could not fully make a turnaround
from the pandemic-induced losses
in FY2022 because of an economic slowdown
to some extent, which led to lower
growth in VAT collection from large companies.
Commenting on the poor collection
from the banking sector, he said banks are
now going through a bad patch with a
slump in profitability.
Mansur also suggested reforming the
total VAT and tax sector to grow the revenue
collection from domestic sources, in
line with global standards, he said.
Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan
wounded in gun attack
A gunman opened fire Thursday at a
campaign truck carrying Pakistan's
former Prime Minister Imran
Khan, wounding him slightly in
the leg and killing one of his supporters,
his party and police said.
Nine others were also wounded,
reports BBC
The identity of the gunman, who
was arrested at the scene, was not
immediately known. No group has
claimed responsibility for the
shooting.
The attack raised new concerns
about growing political instability
in Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation with a
massive population of 225 million people.
Since his ouster in a no-confidence vote in
Parliament in April, Khan has mobilized
mass rallies across the country, where he
has whipped up crowds with claims that
he was a victim of a conspiracy by his successor,
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif,
and the United States. Both the new premier
and Washington have denied such
allegations. Pakistan has a decades-long
history of political assassinations, including
that of Benazir Bhutto, the first democratically
elected female leader of a
Muslim country, in 2007. The attack on
the Khan convoy happened in the
Wazirabad district in
the eastern Punjab
province where the former
cricket star turned
Islamist politician was
traveling in a large convoy
of trucks and cars
heading towards the
capital, Islamabad. The
convoy is part of his
campaign aimed at
Imran Khan forcing the government
to hold early elections.
Among the wounded was Faisal Javed, a
lawmaker from Tehreek-e-Insaf. In a
video statement, with blood staining his
clothes, Javed said Khan's protest march
to Islamabad would not stop.
District police officer Ghazanfar Ali said
one person was killed and nine others
were wounded in the attack. Interior
Minister RanaSanaullah Khan condemned
the attack. FawadChaudhry, a
senior leader from Khan's party, told the
supporters surrounding Khan's truck that
the attack was an attempt on the life of the
country's former premier.
art & culture
Ananta Jalil learning
martial arts for his
next movie
>Page 10
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 32 Dhanmondi in the capital on Thursday morning on the occasion of
Jail Killing Day.
Photo : Star Mail
US firms keen to explore
renewable energy in
Bangladesh: Haas
NARAYANGANJ : United States (US)
Ambassador Peter Hass on Thursday said
the American companies are very interested
to explore clean and renewable energies
opportunities in Bangladesh while
Washington DC has been providing support
to them in this regard, reports BSS.
"We (the US government) will be here
and our companies will be here, and we as
a government do anything to support
them," he said.
The envoy was talking with reporters
after visiting the under-construction
Summit Meghnaghat II Power Plant and
Summit Bibiyana Power Plant in the district.
The ambassador said the US companies
here are not only emphasizing traditional
energy areas like power generation or
exploration of gas fields but also looking
for exploring sources of renewable energy.
Besides, the envoy, said the American
companies are interested in deep-sea
exploration of gas.
"American companies are looking for
the possibilities, they are looking at what
data available and what the opportunities
are, and I am pretty confident that if anyone
thinks there is enough gas there to
make profit, they will do it," he said.
The envoy said US companies are keen
in partnering with Bangladeshi companies
to provide investment to help
Bangladesh become a developed country
by 2041.
"We have from the Trade Show last
week, where US companies are very eager
to come to Bangladesh and to partner with
Bangladeshi companies to provide investment
here to be able to help Bangladesh,
make the transition, meet the goal of
becoming a developed country by 2041,"
he said.
However, Hass said, like other
investors, the US companies also want
assurance of stability, rule of law, lack of
corruption and ability to take the profits.
"So I don't think the American companies
look for anything else (in Bangladesh)
that other investors look for," he said.
Khaleda will be sent back to jail
if BNP crosses limit: PM
DHAKA : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
on Thursday said if BNP does excesses,
its chairperson Khaleda Zia will be sent
back to jail.
"We've given her (Khaleda) scope to
stay in her house, suspending her sentence
on humanitarian grounds. If BNP
does excesses, we will send her back to
jail," she said.
The premier was addressing a discussion
arranged by Bangladesh Awami League at
Bangabandhu International Conference
Centre here on the occasion of the Jail
Killing Day, reports UNB.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader
delivered the welcome speech while AL
presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim
Selim, Engr. Mosharraf Hossain and
Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir
Bikram, AL central committee member
ParvinZamanKalpana, martyred Syed
Nazrul Islam's daughter DrSyedaZakia
Noor Lipi, and Dhaka South and North
City AL presidents Abu Ahmed Monnafi
and Sheikh Bazlur Rahman spoke at the
event.
AL publicity and publication secretary
AbdusSobhanGolap, MP, and his
deputy Aminul Islam moderated the
discussion.
The day is observed to remember four
national leaders Syed Nazrul Islam,
Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali
and AHM Quamruzzaman who were
assassinated inside Dhaka Central Jail on
November 3 in 1975.
The massacre happened barely three
months after anti-liberation elements
assassinated Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and most of his family members
on August 15, 1975.
Jail Killing Day observed
DHAKA : The Jail Killing Day, the second
disgraceful incident in the country after
the brutal assassination of Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
MujiburRahman and most of his family
members on August 15 in 1975, was
observed with due respect on Thursday,
reports BSS.
On November 3 in 1975, four national
leaders and heroes of the country's
Liberation War-Syed Nazrul Islam,
Tajuddin Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali and
AHM Quamruzzaman-were assassinated
inside the Dhaka Central Jail.
The four leaders played a key role in
forming the Mujibnagar government in
exile, that led the Liberation War in 1971,
with Syed Nazrul Islam as the acting president,
Tajuddin Ahmad as the prime minister,
Mansur Ali as the finance minister
and AHM Qamruzzaman as the home,
relief and rehabilitation minister.
The nation remembered the four
national leaders, who were also the great
heroes of the Liberation War in 1971, with
due respect.
Different political parties including the
ruling Awami League (AL) chalked out
programme to observe the mournful day
across the country.
The AL's programme included keeping
the national and party flags at half-mast at
party's Bangabandhu Avenue Central
Office and BangabandhuBhaban as well
as unit offices across the country at the
down.
Wearing of black badges and hoisting of
black flag were also included in the programme.
AL leaders placed wreaths at the
portrait of Bangabandhu at
BangabandhuBhaban in Dhanmondi at
7am. Wreaths were also placed at the
graves of Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin
Ahmad, Mansur Ali at Banani graveyard
around 7.30am while fateha, milad-mahfil
and munajat were also offered there.
Paying floral wreaths, offering fateha,
milad-mahfil and munajat were arranged
at the grave of national leader Shaheed
AHM Qamruzzaman in Rajshahi.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich
tributes to Bangabandhu and four national
leaders marking the Jail Killing Day.
In showing respect to the memory of the
Father of the Nation and the four national
leaders, the premier placed wreaths at the
portrait of Bangabandhu in front of
Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at
Dhanmondi Road No 32 on Thursday
morning.
Sheikh Hasina first laid a wreath as the
prime minister at the portrait of
Bangabandhu around 7 am.
After placing the wreath, she stood in
solemn silence there for some time as a
mark of profound respect to the memories
of Bangabandhu and the four national
leaders.
Flanked by central leaders of the party,
Sheikh Hasina also placed another wreath
as the president of Awami League (AL) at
the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Later, the leaders and workers of AL's
associate bodies, including AwamiJubo
League, Chhatra League, MohilaAwami
League, Sramik League, Krishak League,
JuboMohila League and Swechchasebok
League, as well as other socio-cultural
organizations also paid homage to
Bangabandhu and four national leaders
by placing wreaths at the portrait of the
Father of the Nation on the occasion.
The premier later went to the Banani
Graveyard and paid rich tributes to martyrs
of the August 15 and November 3,
1975 massacres.
Flanked by senior leaders of the party,
Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths as the president
of Awami League (AL) at the Banani
Graveyard. The prime minister also sprinkled
flower petals on the graves of the martyrs
of the August 15 and November 3 of
1975 massacres. AL arranged a discussion
at Bangabandhu International Conference
Centre (BICC) in the city at 3pm.
Awami League President and Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the discussion.
friDAy, noVeMber 4, 2022
2
Joypurhat district Awami League observed Jail Killing Day. Various programs including black flag
hoisting were held on the occasion.
Photo : Masrakul Alam
11 BNP men
remanded over attack
on Justice Manik
DHAKA : A court yesterday
placed 11 leaders and activists of
BNP on two-day remand each
in a case lodged over the alleged
attack on former Supreme
Court judge AHM Shamsuddin
Chowdhury Manik.
The remanded accused are-
Maksudur Rahman Sumit, Md
Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Md
Robin Khan, Md Sagor, Md
Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan, Md
Harun Ur Rashid, Motiur
Rahman, Shamim Rahman,
Jamal Hossain, Ariful Islam
and Abu Taher.
Dhaka Metropolitan
Magistrate Devdas Chandra
Adhikari passed the order as
police produced the accused
before the court and pleaded to
place them on five-day remand
each.
After six years, UN climate
summit returns to Africa
MOMBASA : The U.N. climate summit is back in
Africa after six years and four consecutive
Europe-based conferences, reports UNB.
The 27th annual Conference of the Parties of
the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate
Change - better known as COP27 - will be held in
the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt and
begins next week. It's been branded as the
"African COP", with officials and activists hoping
the conference's location will mean the
continent's interests are better represented in
climate negotiations.
Hosts Egypt say the meeting represents a
unique opportunity for Africa to align climate
change goals with the continent's other aims, like
improving living standards and making
countries more resilient to weather extremes.
Organizers expect over 40,000 participants, the
highest number ever for a climate summit on the
continent.
Ever since the conference's first iteration in
Berlin in 1995, the U.N. climate summit
continues to rotate annually among the five U.N.
classified regions: Africa, Asia, Latin America
and the Caribbean, central and eastern Europe,
and western Europe. It's the fifth time that an
African nation has held the U.N. climate summit,
with Morocco, South Africa and Kenya all
serving as former hosts.
The first African summit, held in Marrakech in
2001, passed landmark accords on climate
funding and made other key decisions on land
use and forestry. The following three meetings
on the continent had some success on issues like
adapting to climate change, technology and
sowing the seeds for the Paris Agreement in 2015
years earlier. Marrakech is also the last African
city to host the event, having hosted a second
COP in 2016, that aimed to implement some of
the Paris goals.
The Paris Agreement, considered a major
success of the U.N. climate summits, saw nations
agree to limit warming to "well below" 2 degrees
Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), with an aim of
ICSB council
meets finance
secretary
DHAKA : The newly-elected
council members of the
Institute of Chartered
Secretaries of Bangladesh
(ICSB), led by its President
Mohammad Asad Ullah,
called on Fatima Yasmin,
senior secretary of Ministry
of Finance, at her secretariat
office yesterday
On behalf of the council,
the ICSB President
introduced the newly-elected
office bearers' and council
members to the Secretary
and apprised her of various
activities that ICSB
undertook for professional
development as well as its
future plans, said a press
release here.
The Finance Secretary gave
a patient hearing to various
activities of the Institute and
appreciated the role of ICSB
towards the development as
well as promoting the
chartered secretaries
profession in the country.
She also assured her
continued support to the
ICSB.
The council members
hoped that her continued
support and guidance would
help the institute to move
forward to achieve its
objectives.
Senior Vice-President of
the Council Mohammad
Nurul Alam, its vicepresident
AKM Mushfiqur
Rahman, member Oli Kamal
and Secretary and Chief
Executive Officer of the
Institute Md Zakir Hossain
were present at the meeting.
Pope presses Muslim dialogue
in first papal visit to Bahrain
VATICAN CITY : Pope Francis is bringing his
message of dialogue with the Muslim world to the
kingdom of Bahrain, where the Sunni-led government
is hosting an interfaith conference on East-
West coexistence even as it stands accused of discriminating
against the country's Shiite majority.
Human rights groups and relatives of Shiite
activists on death row have urged Francis to use
his visit, which begins Thursday, to call for an end
to the death penalty and political repression in
Bahrain. But it's not clear if Francis will publicly
embarrass his hosts during his four-day visit, the
first of any pontiff to the island nation in the Persian
Gulf, reports UNB.
Francis has long touted dialogue as an instrument
of peace and believes a show of interfaith
harmony is needed, especially now given Russia's
war in Ukraine and regional conflicts, such as in
Yemen. On the eve of the trip, Francis asked for
prayers so that the trip will promote "the cause of
brotherhood and of peace, of which our times are
in extreme and urgent need."
The visit is Francis' second to a Gulf Arab country,
following his 2019 landmark trip to Abu
Dhabi, where he signed a document promoting
Catholic-Muslim fraternity with a leading Sunni
cleric, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb. Al-Tayeb is the
grand imam of Al-Azhar, the seat of Sunni learning
in Cairo. Francis followed that with a 2021 visit
to Iraq, where he was received by Grand Ayatollah
Ali al-Sistani, one of the world's pre-eminent
Shiite clerics. Francis will meet again this week in
Bahrain with al-Tayeb, as well as other prominent
figures in the interfaith field who are expected to
attend the conference, which is similar to one hosted
last month by Kazakhstan that Francis and el-
Tayeb also attended. Members of the regional
Muslim Council of Elders, the spiritual leader of
the world's Orthodox Christians, Patriarch
Bartholomew, a representative from the Russian
Orthodox Church and rabbis from the United
States are all expected, according to the Bahrain
program. The trip will also allow Francis to minister
to Bahrain's Catholic community, which numbers
around 80,000 in a country of around 1.5
million. Most are workers hailing from the Philippines
and India, though trip organizers expect pilgrims
from Saudi Arabia.
`icÎ weÁwß
GD-1772/22 (11x5)
GD-1777/22 (9x3)
FRIDAY, NOvEMBER 4, 2022
3
Sharing meeting on "Sustainable Solid Waste Management: Stakeholder Engagement, Lessons and
Way Forward" was held at LD Hall of Jatiya Sangsad yesterday.
Photo : Courtesy
researchers for taking public interest into
consideration for sustainable waste management
tBt report
professionals and researchers at a view
exchange meeting on Wednesday,
underlined the need to ensure
sustainable waste management in the
country taking public interest into
consideration.
Decomposing waste has made urban
life very dangerous. Marginalized
people suffer the most due to poor
management of solid waste, they
observed. the speakers further said the
waste management should be
programme based and not project
based. sustainable waste management
should be ensured by participation of
all stakeholders and none should be left
out.
In collaboration with UsAID and
Counterpart International, the sharing
meeting on "sustainable solid Waste
Management:
stakeholder
engagement, Lessons and Way
Forward" was jointly organised by
Dusthya shasthya Kendra (DsK),
BArCIK, Coalition for Urban poor
(CUp) and Insights at LD Hall of Jatiya
sangsad. DsK executive director Dr
Dibalok singha presided over the
function while sanjida Jahan Ashrafi
made the keynote presentation.
taking part (virtually) in the meeting
as the chief guest, Minister for Local
Government, rural Development and
Cooperatives Md tajul Islam said
industrialization is increasing along
with development of the country. thus,
IU BCL observes
Jail Killing Day
IU CorresponDent
the Islamic University unit of
Bangladesh Chhatra League
observed Jail Killing Day to
mark the assassination of
four national leaders inside
Dhaka Central Jail, on
thursday with due
solemnity.
Marking the day, More
than two hundred leaders
and activists of the BCL IU
unit, led by its president
Faisal siddike Arafat,
brought out a procession,
wearing of black badges
from the party's tent around
12:00pm. the procession
ended in front of the
university's Mrittunjoyee
Mujib mural after parading
the main roads of the
campus.
Later, IU BCL leaders paid
tributes to Father of the
nation Bangabandhu
sheikh Mujibur rahman
including the four national
leaders who were killed on
this day way back in 1975.
Fateha and Doa Munajat
were also offered, marking
the day.
Among others, IU BCL unit
activists tonmoy saha tony,
Munshi Kamrul Hasan Anik,
Boni Amin, Muzahidul Islam
and Mridul rabbi were
present here.
on november 3, 1975, the
four national leaders and
heroes of the country's
Liberation War, acting
president syed nazrul
Islam, prime minister
tajuddin Ahmad, finance
minister Captain Mansur Ali
and the relief and
rehabilitation minister AHM
Quamruzzaman were
assassinated inside Dhaka
Central Jail.
waste is also generated even at the
union level.
He said the government has taken
initiatives for proper waste
management. Besides, initiatives have
been taken to implement waste
management policies in the city. Union
level waste collection will be started
from now.
the LGrD Minister said that
fertilizer and electricity can be
produced from waste.
"We will work on that now. Many
organizations are working with us.
they will invest and we will supply
them with waste. It will increase the
production of fertilizer and electricity,"
he added.
Chairman of parliamentary standing
Committee on the MInistry of
environment, Forest and Climate
Change saber Hossain Chowdhury said
when no one thought about waste
management in post-independence
Bangladesh, Bangabandhu sheikh
Mujibur rahman thought about it.
He regretted that there is no shortage
of laws in the country but we cannot
enforce the law properly. Likewise, he
said, effective initiatives should be
taken to implement waste
management policies.
Chowdhury expressed his hope that it
will be possible to ensure proper waste
management with the joint efforts of
all.
professor. Ijaz Hossain said that the
solid waste management rules-2021
have been passed recently to achieve
the goal of solid waste management in
the country.
Although several groundbreaking
steps have been taken in the
regulations, overall there is no clear
idea of what strategy or action plan the
government has set for solid waste
management.
According to estimates made in the
2014 waste database, the total waste
generated in 2025 will be 47 thousand
tons. If this trend continues, solid waste
generation will exceed 57 thousand
tons in 2030 and 77 thousand tons in
2040.
It was also said in the meeting that 50
percent of the city's waste is not being
collected. As a result, these wastes are
causing pollution in the city. Lowincome
people suffer especially due to
the waste dumped in the slums.
Besides, a large amount of methane is
released from the landfills around
Dhaka. It is 100 times more harmful
than carbon dioxide. so we have to
think about the landfill concept in
waste management.
the sharing meeting was also
addressed, among others, by UsAID
representative Kristin McCrae, Chief
executive officer of Dhaka north City
Corporation, Md selim reza, Chief of
party of CpI Mainuddin Ahmed, poba
Chairman Abu naser Khan, ward
councillor shikha Chakrawarty,
Aminur rosul and executive director of
CUp Khondaker rebeka san Yat.
The Islamic University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League observed Jail
Killing Day to mark the assassination of four national leaders inside Dhaka
Central Jail, on Thursday with due solemnity.
Photo : Courtesy
Jail killing the worst chapter
in Bangladesh history: Atiqul
DHAKA : Mayor of Dhaka north City
Corporation (DnCC) Md Atiqul Islam
yesterday cited the jail killing conspiracy as
one of the atrocious chapters in the history
of Bangladesh.
"they (the four leaders) led the nation
standing in the front-line during the Great
War of Liberation. the same persons were
brutally killed after being confined in a
highly guarded place by the conspirators,"
Atiqul said while talking to newsmen, after
paying homage to the four national leaders
in city's Banani graveyard, said a release.
"the plot to take Bangladesh towards an
unwanted journey took its final form, by
this disreputable incident," he added.
the DnCC Mayor strongly demanded the
capital punishment of the murderers and
confiscation of their movable and
immovable property, added the release.
earlier, the Mayor paid rich tributes to
the martyrs of the Jail Killing incident by
placing floral wreaths at their graves. He
also offered a special dua and took part in
Fatiha recitation.
on november 3 in 1975, four national
leaders and heroes of the country's
Liberation War-syed nazrul Islam,
tajuddin Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali and
AHM Quamruzzaman-were assassinated
inside the Dhaka Central Jail.
the four leaders played a key role in
forming the Mujibnagar government in
exile, that led the Liberation War in
1971, with syed nazrul Islam as the
acting president, tajuddin Ahmad as
the prime minister, Mansur Ali as the
finance minister and AHM
Qamruzzaman as the home, relief and
rehabilitation minister.
Workshop for DU
teachers held
Quality Assurance (QA) wing
of Institutional Quality
Assurance Cell (IQAC-DU),
University of Dhaka organized
a workshop amongst the
teachers on "programme self
Assessment" at the
Conference room of IQAC-
DU for the second phase on
thursday, a press release said.
professor Dr. sabita
rezwana rahman (Director,
IQAC-DU) presided over the
Workshop and spoke on
"role of IQAC in
coordinating skill,
knowledge and competence
in higher education in the
University of Dhaka".
professor Dr. syed shahrier
rahman (Additional
Director, QA, IQAC-DU)
spoke on "programme self
Assessment: procedure and
report Writing". professor
Dr. A.t.M. shamsuzzoha
(Additional Director, etL,
IQAC-DU) anchored the
workshop and spoke on
"Importance of self
Assessment" in the session.
It may be mentioned that
according to the advice of the
University Grants Commission
(UGC) and Bangladesh
Accreditation Council (BAC),
IQAC organises series of
workshops, special talks
successfully throughout the
year on a regular basis for the
faculty members and officers
of the University of Dhaka
for achieving Quality Higher
education.
Govt to procure fertilizer, 55
lakh litres of soybean oil
DHAKA : the government yesterday
approved separate proposals for procuring
fertilizer, 55 lakh litres of soybean oil and
8,000 metric tons of lentil to meet the
growing demand of the country.
the approvals came from the 32nd
meeting of the Cabinet Committee on
Government purchase (CCGp) in this year
held yesterday virtually with Finance
Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting
virtually, Cabinet Division Additional
secretary sayeed Mahbub Khan said that the
day's meeting approved a total of 17
proposals.
He informed that following a proposal
from the Ministry of Industries, the
Bangladesh Chemical Industries
Corporation (BCIC) would procure some
25,000 metric tons of rock phosphate from
M/s Desh trading Corporation (main
supplier: M/s Zentrade, FZe, the UAe) with
taka 88.76 crore. the price of per ton
phosphate would be $334.77 from the
previous rate of $380.
Mahbub said that the BCIC would procure
some 30,000 metric tons of bulk granular
fertilizer from Muntajat, Qatar under the 9th
lot under state-level agreement with around
taka 198.62 crore with the price of per ton
fertilizer costing $626.67 down from the
previous price of $632.
the BCIC would purchase another 30,000
metric tons of bulk granular fertilizer under
the 3rd lot from Fertiglobe Distribution
Limited, UAe with around taka 198.62
crore and another consignment of 30,000
metric tons of bulk granular fertilizer under
the 4th lot from Fertiglobe Distribution
Limited, UAe with around taka 198.62
crore. Besides, Mahbub informed that the
Bangladesh Agricultural Development
Corporation (BADC) under the Ministry of
Agriculture would procure some 25,000
metric tons of tsp form a tunisian company
with around taka 148.65 crore. per ton
fertilizer would cost $562.5 against the
previous price of $704.25.
the Cabinet Division Additional secretary
said that the state-run trading Corporation
of Bangladesh (tCB) would procure some
8,000 metric tons of lentil with around taka
68.78 crore where per ton lentil would cost
$859. the price of per KG lentil would be
taka 85.99.
the tCB would also procure some 55 lakh
litres of soybean oil with around taka 89.61
crore with per litre soybean oil costing taka
162.94 from the previous price of taka
171.85.
Following a proposal from the Ministry of
Housing and public Works, the works under
the package number WD-1, WD-2 and WD-
4 under the project for establishing
Bangabandhu sheikh Mujibur rahman
novotheatre, rangpur has been awarded to
the M.g. Jamal and Company Ltd with
around taka 121.18 crore.
Besides, the meeting approved a proposal
from the road transport and Highways
Division under which the package number
Wp-01 under the project for upgrading
Kumargaon-Badaghat-Airport road into
four-lane would be implemented by spectra
engineers Ltd with around taka 439.64
crore.
Apart from this, the meeting gave nod to a
proposal for appointing egis India
Consulting engineers pvt Ltd as consultant
with around taka 111.44 crore for the
Upgradation of Mongla port project to be
implemented by the Mongla port Authority.
Quality Assurance (QA) wing of Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC-DU), University of Dhaka
organized a workshop amongst the teachers on "Programme Self Assessment" at the Conference
Room of IQAC-DU for the second phase on Thursday.
Photo : Courtesy
Govt approves proposal to increase
signatory firms for procuring LnG
DHAKA : the government yesterday
approved a proposal in principle for
increasing the number of signatory firms
under the Master sale and purchase
Agreement (MspG) for procuring LnG
from the spot market.
Under the proposal moved by the
petrobangla under the energy and
Mineral resources Division, MspA will
be signed with eight more firms.
these are: LnG Japan Corporation,
Japan; socar trading UK Ltd.; posCo
International Corporation, Korea; Qatar
energy trading LLC; Inpex
Corporation, Japan; pavilion energy
trading & supply pte Ltd. singapore;
petroChina International pte Ltd.
singapore; and ptt International
trading pte Ltd, singapore.
the approval came from the 24th
meeting of the Cabinet Committee on
economic Affairs (CCeA) in this year
held yesterday virtually with Finance
Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the
chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting
virtually, Cabinet Division Additional
secretary sayeed Mahbub Khan said
that the day's CCeA meeting approved a
total of two proposals. He said that the
government has such kind of MspA with
16 firms and with the latest approval the
number of such firms under MspA
would increase to 24 to make the LnG
procurement process more competitive.
Mahbub also informed that the
meeting approved another proposal in
principle from the Ministry of Liberation
War Affairs for procuring the necessary
services under the Direct procurement
Method (DpM) for holding various
programmes to implement the
unfinished events and other
programmes marking the golden jubilee
of country's independence.
Officials welcomed the newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Secretary Humayun Kabir
Khandakar yesterday.
Photo : PID
fridAy, NovEMBEr 4, 2022
4
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
friday, November 4, 2022
Jail killing Day
The nation mourned with a heavy heart
on the occasion of the observance of
the Jail Killing Day on Thursday. The
most brutal assassination of Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and members of his
family on August 1975 will remain forever
etched in the consciousness of all right
thinking Bangladeshis as the blackest and
most shameful period in the history of this
nation.
But the deeply shocking incidents of mid
August 1975 were followed by no less
savageries only three months later in
November of that year when four national
leaders-Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin
Ahmed, Mansur Ali and Kamaruzzaman --
were stealthily and mercilessly slain in
Dhaka Central Jail in the small hours by the
most heartless assailants. They were working
for the coup makers that toppled the
government and decided on this bloody
method of getting rid forever their potential
political opponents.
But the slain leaders were among the
highly respected and worthy sons of the
country. They contributed to the
organisation of the liberation struggle for
Bangladesh in foreign soil by acting in their
capacities as highest ranking leaders of the
Bangladesh government in exile in 1971.
Prior to the independence of the country,
they made the contribution of a life-time to
rouse Bangladeshis for nationhood. From
the 1952 glorious language movement that
created the first impulse towards
independent Bangladesh to struggling
against various autocratic governments for
the realisation of the rightful dues of
Bangladesh, for democracy, for spreading
the spirit of Bengali nationalism and for
finally risking their everything in the final
phase of the struggle for Bangladesh and
leading the Bangladesh government in exile
with great ability and dedication, the
deceased four leaders deserve to be
remembered and respected by Bangladeshis
of all generations as national leaders.
Needless to say, the killing of these four
leaders in utterly helpless conditions when
they should have felt specially protected for
being safely in the custody of the jail house,
constitutes a barbarity of matchless
proportion and the most unacceptable and
worst violation of human rights.
Bangladeshis since then have traveled a long
way towards democracy and in securing
basic rights of countrymen. Let us hope that
they will succeed in firmly consolidating
their democracy and human rights so that
the face of the nation never gets blackened
again from such abominable slaying.
Although the killers were protected by
political developments for years, the train of
events slowly but gradually turned against
them. First, under the incumbent
government, the killers of the Bangabandhu
were successfully convicted and four of them
were hanged for their crimes in 2010. There
were some 15 persons in the squad of killers
who were responsible in varying degrees for
the killing of the four leaders in jail who were
also directly involved in the assassination of
members of the first family. After the
hanging of four of them in 2010, eleven of
them were sentenced in different degrees
ranging from the death penalty to long term
rigorous imprisonment. But they are
absconding and are known to be in foreign
countries.
It becomes an obligation on the part of the
Bangladesh government or whosoever
comes to power next, to complete extradition
treaties with these countries at the soonest
(if these are not in place) and arrange for the
immediate extradition of these convicted
ones to Bangladesh to face justice.
Only finally dispensing justice in relation to
these absconding killers will mean that in
future persons with similar heinous
mentality will be deterred from indulging
afresh in such ghastly crimes. And
democracy, human rights and rule of law will
be strengthened.
Israel's farcical elections and fictional democracy
Israel's powerful military and booming
economy are undeniable facts, but its
much-celebrated democracy is utter
fiction.
Israel claims to be a Jewish and
democratic state. In fact, it is neither. It
boasts of being "the state of the Jewish
people" everywhere, when less than half of
the world's Jews live in the country. Today,
Israel rules over 15 million people between
the Jordan River and the Mediterranean
Sea, half of whom are not Jews; most can't
vote in Israel.
Israel does not even recognise
"Israeliness" as a nationality and rejects the
liberal democratic concept of a "state of all
its citizens". Instead, the Jewish state
recognises two strata of people: Jews who
are entitled to full rights and Palestinians
who must be content with fewer or no rights.
These Palestinians are grudgingly tolerated
as second-class citizens, occupied and
repressed as colonial subjects, or are kept
away as undesirable refugees, whose
inalienable right to return would destroy the
"Jewish state".
And if that's not enough to raise eyebrows,
consider the fact that there is no consensus
in the "Jewish state" as to "who is a Jew".
Orthodox, Reform and secular Jews have
different - even conflicting - interpretations
of Jewishness. It is a religious question that
is dependent on power politics, as this old
Israeli satirical sketch illustrates quite well.
Nevertheless, the legal and political
rationale in apartheid colonial Israel
privileges the Jews living on all territories
between the River and the Sea in all
important spheres of life, including
citizenship, housing, land rights, language,
culture, mobility, and so on.
In that way, Israel/Palestine is no different
from apartheid South Africa, where
privileged whites also enjoyed a degree of
communitarian democracy. But Western
hypocritical elites, who refer to "the one and
only democracy in the Middle East", never
spoke of "the only democracy in Africa".
Tomato, tomahto. To compensate for the
lack of true democracy, Israel holds
elections - spectacular elections. The more
THE news of the death of a fellow
journalist when it first reached us on
Monday last was our own, private
loss: the loss of those few in a large country
who earn their living from this profession
called journalism or media, for only we are
aware of the challenges and risks we face,
regardless of the side we may or may not
pick. Good or bad journalism, partisan or
objective, nothing can guarantee safety. But
still, compared to threats, beatings, loss of a
job, Arshad Sharif's death was the
unkindest cut of all.
Within hours of this news, it was clear
that this was not going to be a choti si
kahani (short story) concerning only us.
The heavens themselves blazed forth his
death, to paraphrase Shakespeare, and for
an entire week, it seemed as if the already
fraught political situation was made all the
more volatile by the news from Kenya.
Perhaps, someone more knowledgeable
can explain in the coming days the
outpouring of grief which seemed to cross
cities, professions and distances. People
travelled to Islamabad for his funeral,
which according to some accounts was one
of the biggest ever held at Faisal Mosque,
where men and women gathered to say
namaz. And the slogans raised there that
day belonged not to any party, but to an
angry populace, most of whom were
unfamiliar to Arshad's friends and family.
By turning up there, they made it clear that
they, too, had a claim on him. But
elsewhere, politics was reaching a
crescendo.
Imran Khan chose the same week to
announce his long march and on the day of
the funeral itself came an even bigger
surprise - a press conference addressed by
the DG ISI. It was a first by all accounts. For
despite the central and high-profile role of
The warning lights are blinking on the
dashboard of the world economy.
Germany has slashed its economic
outlook for the next two years, predicting
negative growth in 2022. Britain is also
forecasting contractions as it struggles to
stay on top of skyrocketing bond yields.
Inflation in the US is at a four-decade high,
and the Federal Reserve's aggressive
interest-rate increases are exporting
monetary pain far and wide.
As European economies begin a gradual
slide into recession, all eyes are now turning
to Asia. The world's most populous
continent has established itself as an
economic linchpin, sheltered from the worst
elections it holds, the crueller and more
fragmented they become. As I wrote after
the last election, "personal ambition trumps
politics, and politicking outweighs ideology"
in today's Israel.
The fragmentation gives the country an
allure of plurality and diversity, especially in
contrast to the first three decades of the
Israeli state, when Labour predictably won
every election. But in recent years, the Right
has become as dominant as Labour was,
albeit with more screaming, slights and
slurs.
Cruelty has become Israel's national sport.
Indeed, "Israel's politics is crueller than
most", according to Benjamin Netanyahu.
He should know; he's the champ. Cruelty
comes in two strands: political vitriol and
racist violence. Both flare up like fireworks
with each election season, which comes as
often as spring or summer these days.
It is no surprise then, that as the
November 1 election approached, the fifth in
four years, the country's political discourse
turned poisonous. Where Israel's racist
leaders fall short on political disagreement,
they make up for it in personal insults and
character assassination. "Scum of the
human race", "pathological liar", "assassin",
and "fascist" are some of the milder
language animating Israel's electoral
spectacle.
Even accusations of Nazism and anti-
Semitism have been hurled again and again
by fanatics from the religious and secular
camps. It is these types of accusations the
Netanyahu camp whipped up in the mid-
1990s that led to the assassination of then
MArwAN BisHArA
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin for daring to
advance the peace process without a clear
Jewish majority in the Knesset.
Crude racism against the Palestinians is as
certain to accompany the election season as
winter cold and summer heat. But there is
an exception to the rule - if or when
Palestinians betray their conscience in
return for table crumbs; these "good Arabs"
are appreciated like the house slave, Stephen
Warren, in Quentin Tarantino's film Django
Unchained.
Cruel violence is likewise predictable
during election season as we have witnessed
in the past. In a ritualistic projection of
machoism and bravado, Israel has
bombarded the besieged Gaza, invaded and
Cruelty has become israel's national sport. indeed,
"israel's politics is crueller than most", according to
Benjamin Netanyahu. He should know; he's the
champ. Cruelty comes in two strands: political vitriol
and racist violence. Both flare up like fireworks with
each election season, which comes as often as spring
or summer these days.
economic ramifications of the crisis created
by Russia's invasion of Ukraine by its
booming labor market, abundant mineral
and energy resources, and technological
innovations.
But confidence in the institutions of
capitalism is being steadily eroded in many
Asian countries, where multinational
behemoths have engorged themselves on
the continent's plentiful assets for years,
leaving environmental damage, poverty,
and lawsuits in their wake.
Such behavior lays a time bomb in global
supply chains, imperiling not only local ways
of life and ecosystems, but indirectly
threatening the whole global economy by
THEo NorMANToN
re-invaded Palestinian towns and refugee
camps in the occupied West Bank, killed and
imprisoned thousands of Palestinian
civilians, destroyed countless homes, and
terrorised an entire people under the pretext
of combatting terrorism.
And so, a year after Netanyahu's minions
took over from him, their coalition
government has proved just as bad, if not
worse. Naftali Bennett and Avigdor
Lieberman, who in the past served as
Netanyahu's chiefs of staff, Gideon Sa'ar,
who was his cabinet secretary, and Yair
Lapid and Benny Gantz, who were ministers
in his cabinet, have repeated Netanyahu's
crimes and follies in the occupied
Palestinian territories.
The apples do not fall far from the tree.
Their government bombarded Gaza,
reinvaded West Bank cities, expanded illegal
settlements and blocked all paths to a
Shock and awe
most of our previous ISI heads, no one can
remember one ever addressing a press
conference. And this from someone, who
has had his images removed from pictures
which had to be released publicly.
The historic press conference continues
to be discussed days after it was held.
The intel chief and the DG ISPR spoke in
detail about Imran Khan, the PTI
government's removal and their denial of
the foreign conspiracy of regime change.
Shock and awe aside, the historic press
conference continues to be discussed days
after it was held.
But it was not just an extraordinary press
conference; one may be allowed to say it
appeared to be a defensive one. For what
else could one call it when two senior
officials face the cameras after three days of
what appeared to be a widespread outburst
at the death of a journalist. And it came just
an hour or so before his funeral.
That it was felt necessary for such a
formal and official response to the
allegations surrounding Arshad Sharif's
death suggests there was some concern
about what was being said - that he had left
because of falling out with the
establishment. After all, in our difficult
past, there have been tragic deaths of
journalists and allegations too.
But this time around, the establishment's
ArifA Noor
reaction was unprecedented. It has been
said that the sombre interaction on
Thursday afternoon was carried out to not
just communicate with Pakistanis but also
their own. And that it needed to be done
publicly. Indeed, for the head of the spy
agency to say he kept his men out of the
inquiry commission to ensure its
independence in itself said much about the
institution's concern over existing
perceptions.
This is further reinforced by the fact that on Thursday itself, the
military's press conference was followed by multiple press conferences
by government officials but not a single one of them was memorable. No
one remembers even the identity of the ministers who spoke on
Thursday but the presser is still being discussed.
This is not to say that the rest of the
conference was any less newsworthy, for it
was a back and forth on the tense political
situation, while those speaking kept
declaring their distance from the mess. This
included the long march, the regime
change theory as well as the issue of the
chief's extension.
But the biggest loser of this afternoon was
undoubtedly the government. That the
security establishment had to come out and
refute Imran Khan's regime change story is
basically an admission that the government
of 13 parties was unable to do this. It will
now be hard to refute the conclusion that
the government did not succeed in
countering Khan's bayania (narrative) and
the men in uniform had to do it themselves
after six months of letting the parties
handle it.
This is further reinforced by the fact that
sowing mistrust and resentment toward
globalization, the countries they represent,
and even capitalism itself.
If the coming economic crisis has an
upside, it will be the opportunity it affords us
to pause and assess the strengths and
failures of the established modus operandi.
With any luck, 2022 will be remembered as
the year that multinationals in Asia began to
compromise on profits in the name of
sustainability.
Multinationals behaving badly in Asia is
nothing new. They established themselves
as the 17th century, when the Dutch East
India Trading Company was formed as the
world's first joint-stock company. It soon
negotiated settlement.
The "moderate" Gantz, who bragged
about flattening whole residential
neighbourhoods in Gaza when he was the
military chief of staff, was at it again in 2021,
overseeing more devastation, this time as
Israeli minister of defence. Most recently, he
nominated an illegal settler as the new
military chief of staff.
No surprise then, that "the prince of
darkness and hate", Benjamin Netanyahu is
expected to win a sixth term as prime
minister, despite his indictment for breach
of trust, accepting bribes, and fraud. If he
does, Netanyahu is sure to form a "national
immunity government" that ensures he
stays out of prison. His alliance with farright
parties, like Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma
Yehudit (Jewish Strength), might also try to
weaken the supreme court and the judiciary
by subjugating them to its parliamentary
majority. Former Prime Minister Ehud
Barak has recently condemned the "unholy
alliance between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir
and the messianic racists" as the "true threat
to the State of Israel", and predicted that its
victory may usher "a period of darkness".
Cruel, perhaps, but merited.
To be sure, Netanyahu has repeatedly
slated Barak and worse. In his recently
published autobiographical monstrosity,
Bibi, the spinner-in-chief trashes many if
not most of his predecessors, successors,
and former partners and interlocutors. The
book's 736 pages are full of lies, half-truths,
and hyperboles, as well as conceit, selfimportance
and delusion, but I will leave
that matter for another day.
Such is the dreadful state of "Israeli
democracy" today. Far right fanatics and
bloody generals dominate the absolute
majority of seats in the Israeli parliament
and compete for the seats of the terribly
shrinking Left. The more elections Israel
holds the less democratic and more despotic
it becomes towards the Palestinians, alas.
Marwan Bishara is an author who writes
extensively on global politics and is widely
regarded as a leading authority on US
foreign policy, the Middle East and
international strategic affairs.
on Thursday itself, the military's press
conference was followed by multiple press
conferences by government officials but not
a single one of them was memorable. No
one remembers even the identity of the
ministers who spoke on Thursday but the
presser is still being discussed.
There is another aspect to this also. The
officers spoke frankly about past politics
and 'mistakes', which is being interpreted
as the institution's decision to support
Khan during the 2018 election. And with
this context, which was also highlighted
during the question-and-answer session,
their recounting of the story about how
Imran Khan was willing to offer an
unlimited extension to the army chief in
exchange for staying in power may do more
than just reflect on the former prime
minister.
For his supporters and others, this will
simply reinforce the messaging of the PTI
that the vote of no-confidence was not
simply an organic, democratic move
planned and carried out by the PDM
parties. And that it was somehow linked to
the institution itself.
This perception has become news due to
the press conference of Thursday. Not just
because of what was said but because of the
government itself which is also constantly
talking about the appointment. When
Imran Khan says he doesn't want the
government to appoint the army chief and
the prime minister responds by saying he
will consult no one on the appointment of
the army chief, they are both creating a link
between the political situation at the
moment and the appointment. And so did
the press conference on Thursday.
The writer is a journalist.
Time for multinationals to change their record on Asia
began vying with other colonial businesses
in Asia, such as the British East India
Company, with both engaging in a moral
race to the bottom and carving out corporate
fiefdoms in the name of their governments.
These companies were actively involved in
the slave trade, shipping millions of Africans
around the world for the purposes of trade
or unpaid labor. India and Indonesia both
became hubs in this egregious market, and
locals were systematically enslaved and put
to work in inhumane conditions in service of
the companies' profits.
Theo Normanton is the Moscow
correspondent for bne IntelliNews.
FrIDAY, NOvEMBEr 4, 2022
5
India-Iran ties are set for a new direction
Rajeev Agarwal
Iran's Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was
on an official visit to India from June 8 to 10, during which
he held talks with Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Indian external
affairs minister. This was his first visit to India since
assuming office in August 2021 and comes at a crucial
juncture amid geopolitical churn not only in the region but
across the globe.
Amir-Abdollahian also called on Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, a privilege not accorded to all visiting
foreign ministers. Tweeting on the meeting, Modi
highlighted how "relations have mutually benefitted both the
countries and have promoted regional security and
prosperity."
The official statement released by the Ministry of External
Affairs highlighted the exchange of views on important issues
like the Iran nuclear deal, the Ukraine conflict, and the
situation in Afghanistan. India "appreciated the role of Iran
in facilitating India's medical assistance to Afghanistan,
including supply of COVID-19 vaccines to Afghan nationals
residing in Iran." In addition, all bilateral issues including
cooperation in the field of regional connectivity and the
progress made at the Chabahar port were reviewed. Exuding
confidence at the outcome of the visit, the Iranian foreign
minister said that "preparing a roadmap for strategic
cooperation between Iran and India can regulate long-term
relations and protect it from the impact of destructive
factors."
India and Iran share close historical ties from the times of
Persian Empire and Indian kingdoms. Iran is an important
nation in India's neighborhood and in fact, the two countries
shared a border until India's partition and independence in
1947. Iran is also important to India as it provides an
alternate route of connectivity to Afghanistan and Central
Asian republics, in the absence of permission for India to use
the land route through Pakistan.
ndia-Iran relations have, however, witnessed ups and
down over the decades, mostly owing to factors that go
beyond strictly bilateral issues, like the stoppage of oil
imports from Iran after May 2019 owing to U.S. sanctions
following the revocation of the Iran nuclear deal, India's close
relations with Israel, and Iran's ties with China, including
signing a 25-year strategic partnership agreement. There are
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-
Abdollahian in New Delhi, India, June 8, 2022.
Photo: Twitter
other sticky issues, too, like Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
launching drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and UAE, both
close partners to India, or Iran's statement on the Modi
government's abrogation of Article 370 of Indian
Constitution, which gave special status to Kashmir. Iran on
its end has not taken kindly to India succumbing to
international pressure of sanctions on Iran. However, both
countries have tried to keep their engagement above such
occurrences and maintain a cordial trajectory of bilateral ties.
Despite the rather subdued engagement with Iran, there
are a number of areas of convergence and enhanced
engagement for India to consider. Afghanistan presents one
such opportunity. The Taliban government has largely been
isolated since it took over Kabul in August 2021. Iran was one
of the few countries that did not withdraw its embassy from
Kabul and has continued to keep its channels of
communication open with the Taliban. India, on the other
hand, was quick to wind up its embassy in Kabul but has now
indicated that it is keen to reopen its embassy in some form
shortly. A delegation from India met the Taliban foreign
minister in Kabul on June 2. Iran and India have
collaborated already in the past on Afghanistan and Iran's
role as a viable direct land route to Afghanistan is
undisputable. India and Iran have the potential to forge a
common and effective policy of engagement with
Afghanistan in the future.
The Iran nuclear deal, which is at a stage of impasse, offers
the next opportunity for convergence between India and
Iran. Eight rounds of talks in Vienna since April 2021 have
not yielded any positive results. Any hopes of an early
resolution were dashed by the recent announcement by the
IAEA on June 6 that it had adopted a resolution formally
criticizing Iran for a lack of cooperation. The resolution was
supported by the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany and
opposed by Russia and China. On the same day, the Terrorist
Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), a group of countries led
by the U.S. and Gulf nations, sanctioned three individuals
associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-
Qods Force (IRGC-QF). It may be recalled that the
designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization is one of
the major sticking points between the United States and Iran
on the nuclear deal.
No nuclear deal means no lifting of economic sanctions on
Iran and no crude oil exports from Iran. India, which has
stressed exercising its strategic autonomy while importing oil
from Russia amid sanctions on Russia due to its war with
Ukraine, could explore a similar decision point in Iran,
opening up a huge potential for trade and cooperation.
The rebalancing taking shape in the West Asian region too
offers great potential to strengthen India-Iran ties. For a long
time, India's growing ties with the Gulf countries, especially
Saudi Arabia and the UAE were seen as a "zero sum game"
pitted against their rivalry with Iran. Things are, however,
changing in the region rapidly.
The reluctance of the United States to remain actively
engaged in the Middle East has also made the nations in the
region think about alternatives. In a move that could indicate
breaking away from the U.S. dominance in the region Saudi
Arabia and the UAE, despite being key allies of the United
States in the region, have declined requests by Washington to
scale up oil production in the wake of Russia's war on
Ukraine, in order to lower the global price of crude oil.
On the other hand, sponsored by Iraq, Iran and Saudi
Arabia have held their fifth round of talks recently and seem
positive about reconciliation. The ceasefire in Yemen,
announced during Ramadan this year, is holding and Rashad
Al-Alimi, chairman of the newly established Yemeni
presidential council, is hopeful about finding a peaceful
solution to Yemen's seven-year war and humanitarian crisis.
The UAE and Qatar have held good talks with Iran. Iranian
President Ebrahim Raisi has already visited Qatar and Oman
this year. Syria and Iraq are slowly consolidating and are
positively disposed toward Iran.
Taiwan's KMT looks to
boost ties with US
KMT Chair Eric Chu gives an address at the Brookings Institution in
Washington, D.C., June 6, 2022.
Photo: Facebook
HIrO Fu
"We are here. We are back,"
said Eric Chu, the chairman of
Taiwan's largest opposition
party, the Kuomintang (KMT),
in a speech given to U.S.-based
party members during a
banquet in northern California
on Thursday, June 3.
"The KMT's pro-American
stance has never changed
since the founding of the party.
The KMT is not only friendly
with the U.S., but is more
capable of communication and
coordination on cross-strait
relations to avoid war," Chu
said.
While the KMT has long
been criticized as a party stuck
in the past, the chairman's 12-
day trip to the U.S has leaned
heavily - but selectively - into
the party's history to highlight
the themes of consistency and
American-friendliness.
The main purpose of Chu's
U.S. trip was to attend the
plaque-unveiling ceremony at
the KMT's reopened liaison
office in Washington, but
critics across the aisle have
called the trip one of
"amending" the party's soured
relations with the U.S. after
years of pushing an anti-
American line.
The KMT's role in backing a
2021 referendum against
ractopamine pork imports,
largely from the U.S., has often
been cited as clear evidence of
the party's distrust of the
country. Coupled with the
KMT's many instances of close
association with the Chinese
Communist Party (CCP), the
pro-China and anti-America
label has stuck.
n response to the criticism,
Chu pointed fingers back at the
ruling Democratic Progressive
Party (DPP), rebuking the
party's "yearslong smear
campaign" against the KMT in
Washington, D.C. The KMT
shut down its Washington
office in 2008, when it re-took
the presidency; the DPP,
meanwhile, opened its own
office in the U.S. capital in
2013.
According to KMT Vice
Chairman Andrew Hsia, who
is also part of the delegation,
Chu's mission includes
demonstrating commitment
to U.S. ties and dispelling lies
that "the party is anti-
American" by stepping up
communication with U.S.
politicians, local media, and
think tanks.
Regardless of what the party
claims, the pro-Chinese and
anti-American label has been
one that the KMT has
struggled to shake. This was
most evident in 2020, when
President Tsai Ing-wen's
landslide reelection was
interpreted as Taiwanese
taking a stand against pressure
from Beijing.
Using the media and official
platforms provided to him
now as the opposition party
chairman, Chu repeatedly
stresses that the KMT has been
consistently pro-democracy,
pro-America, and prostability.
Despite all the talk of
consistency, there has been a
notable shift in the party's
messaging on this trip.
Touching down in San
Francisco on the morning of
June 3, the KMT delegation
first paid respect to the Dr. Sun
Yat-sen Memorial Hall of San
Francisco. This was a selective
and symbolic start to the
party's trip in the U.S.
During an interview, Chu
highlighted the KMT founder's
deep connections to the U.S.,
where Sun spent years
fundraising for the revolution
against the Chinese Qing
empire. Chu even compared
the similarities between Sun's
political philosophy of the
"Three Principles of the People
(san min zhu yi)" and U.S.
President Abraham Lincoln's
notion of "government of the
people, by the people, for the
people" from the Gettysburg
Address.
These references to the
KMT's origins are intended to
highlight the party's history of
supporting democracy and
standing up to
authoritarianism, and later the
CCP, both of which align with
U.S. interests.
Similarly, Chu has
repeatedly used phrases such
as "since the beginning" and
"consistently" in speeches and
interviews to describe the
party's attitude toward the
U.S.
"We are a pro-U.S. party -
forever." Chu said in his
speech at the Brookings
Institution on June 6, "we are
not the so-called anti-U.S.
party. That is totally wrong."
Chu began his speech by
describing the many changes
in the international
environment during what he
calls "turbulent times." From
the rise of populism and
Brexit, the China-U.S. trade
war under the Trump
administration, to the more
recent COVID-19 pandemic
and Russian invasion of
Ukraine, what has not
changed, as Chu claims, is the
KMT's pro-U.S. stance.
According to the chairman's
speech, the KMT has not only
been pro-U.S. and supportive
of democracy and peace, but
has been deeply
misunderstood after being
mischaracterized by the media
and other political players.
Of course, the narrative
pitched by Chu runs contrary
to the many instances in which
the KMT has acted
inconsistently with the values
of its founder. Most notably
missing from Chu's cherrypicked
history lesson on the
party is 30 years of martial law
under the KMT regime in
Taiwan during the White
Terror.
Similarly swept under the
rug are the KMT's party
members who closely
associate themselves with the
CCP and support the cause of
"reunification." Recently,
former KMT chair Hung Hsiuchu
visited Xinjiang and
praised China's "antiterrorism"
efforts in the
region.
The party leadership could
attempt to dismiss its pro-
Chinese members as mere
outliers, but the reverse could
as easily be true - pro-
American members may be in
the minority. Despite Chu's
attempt to set the record
straight, his grasp on the party
can be tenuous at times, which
is only further complicated by
his hopes to maintain
communication and
coordination with China.
The single, consistent
narrative the KMT puts
forward is simply too good to
be true. Even with the best
intentions, the KMT cannot
undo its complex history in
Taiwan. However, the party's
inconsistent past does not
necessarily inform its future.
The KMT delegation
members, apart from Chu,
Hsia, and Head of
International Affairs
Alexander Huang, average an
age of under 40, a significant
deviation from the KMT's past
image of an aging party.
Will China-Nepal railway
see the light of hope?
BISWAS BArAl
The story starts in
December 1975, during the
trip to China of U.S.
President Gerald Ford. As
first reported in the BBC,
Ford and his secretary of
state, Henry Kissinger, were
talking to Deng Xiaoping,
the vice premier of China.
With his trip coming shortly
after India's annexation of
the Kingdom of Sikkim,
Ford asked Deng if India
would now look to invade
Nepal.
Assuring the American
duo that China is doing all it
can to prevent such an
eventuality, Deng added,
"…but what we can do is
quite limited. Perhaps
things will get better when
our railroad into Tibet is
accomplished."
China seems to have
understood the strategic
value of a trans-border
railway to Nepal, by way of
Tibet, even back then. But
the idea of that extended
Chinese rail-line was put on
hold until China was better
equipped to take up such an
ambitious enterprise.
That seems to have been
the Chinese calculation, at
least. But the trans-border
railway entered public
debate in Nepal only in 2016
when Nepali Prime Minister
K.P. Oli visited China to sign
the historic Trade and
Transit Treaty.
There was no agreement
on a cross-border railway at
the time. Yet the historic
2016 treaty did allow Nepal
to use Chinese territory for
third-country trade. India
had at the time blockaded
Nepal - for the third time -
when Kathmandu refused
to heed Indian concerns
over the new charter the
land-locked country was
drafting. The treaty with
China, Nepalis were made to
believe, would be a
guarantee against another
blockade from their fickle
southern neighbor.
Of course, a trade and
transit agreement is of little
use unless there is
infrastructure to actually
transport Nepali goods to
China and beyond.
When Oli again visited
China in 2018 after being reelected
prime minister, the
two sides hammered out an
MOU on "Cooperation for
Railway Connectivity"
under China's Belt and Road
Initiative.
The next stop in the
China-Nepal railway plan
was Chinese President Xi
Jinping's 2019 visit to Nepal,
when there was yet another
agreement on a feasibility
study, "which will lay an
important foundation to
launching the construction
of the Cross-Border
Railway."
It was during this trip that
Xi also promised to
transform Nepal "from a
land-locked country to a
land-linked country."
But, again, there was little
progress. The COVID-19
pandemic played spoilsport
as bilateral engagements
came to a near-halt. Another
cause for the delay was a
change of guard in
Kathmandu in May 2021
when Nepal's Supreme
Court effectively booted Oli
out of power and installed
Sher Bahadur Deuba of the
Nepali Congress in his place.
While the Oli-led Nepal
Communist Party, which
had come into being partly
at China's behest, was
openly Sinophilic, the new
prime minister from a
different party chose to inch
closer to the West and India.
Deuba let it be known that
Nepal was not interested in
building the railway with
Chinese loans - but he was
game if China was prepared
to fund the project through
grants.
The Deuba government
also successfully pushed the
American MCC compact
through the Nepali
parliament, much to the
chagrin of China, which saw
the agreement as a part of
the U.S. Indo-Pacific
Strategy intended to curb
China's rise.
Chinese Foreign Minister
Wang Yi then rushed to
Nepal to feel Deuba's pulse
at the end of March 2022.
China agreed to help with a
"technical study" of the
railway.
Whether one supports the
project or not, extending the
Golmud-Lhasa-Shigatse
railway into Nepal will not
be easy, under any
government. There are still
doubts over its technical
feasibility, its ability to
carefully navigate the fragile
ecology and rugged terrains
of the Himalayas, and its
huge cost (around $5
billion).
Rupak Sapkota, ex-deputy
director at the Institute of
Foreign Affairs under
Nepal's foreign ministry and
a China hand, refuses to
believe there has been no
progress on the railway. The
pre-feasibility study has
been completed, he pointed
out, and the feasibility study
Xi outlined in his 2019
Nepal visit could soon be
underway.
But will the Chinese build
the rail line using grants? It
is not that they cannot do so,
Sapkota said of the railway,
90 percent of which will be
bridges and tunnels. "But
they worry about the
precedent it will set in their
dealings with other
infrastructure-hungry
countries in the region," he
added.
This is only one part of the
calculation, however.
Beijing could still agree to a
railway deal favorable to
Nepal, considering the
project's strategic value as
China's "gateway into South
Asia."
Sapkota sees Xi's
statement about making
Nepal a land-linked country
as meaningful. Coming from
the Chinese president, it was
a loaded statement, "an
indication of the strong
Chinese commitment to
connecting with Nepal," he
said.
Perhaps as a sign of this
commitment, in August
2021, China started working
on the 70-kilometer stretch
that will extend the Golmud-
Lhasa-Shigatse railway to
Kerung on the China-Nepal
border. After its completion,
Kathmandu will be just 100
kilometers away.
The railway's arrival in
Kerung will itself be a gamechanger,
said Nischchal
Nath Pandey, director of the
Kathmandu-based Center
for South Asian Studies
think tank. "But what
happens when the rail
touches the Nepali border?
We have to build a station, a
customs point. Where is the
planning?"
In such a state of chaos,
Pandey argued, the idea of
extending the railway to
Kathmandu is like "trying to
run before you learn to
walk."
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Nepal's then-Prime
Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Photo: AP
FRIdAy, NoveMBeR 4, 2022
6
Raujan (Chittagong): A joyous procession on the occasion of Planning Student Convention-2022 for
the first time in the country.
Photo: Gazi Joynal Abedin
CUET holds Planning Student
Convention-2022
GAzI JoyNAL ABedIN, RAozAN CoRReSPoNdeNT:
The 2-day Planning Student
Convention-2022 has started at
Chattogram University of Engineering
and Technology (CUET) for the first
time in the country with the
participation of 7 public universities.
On November 3 in the Central
Auditorium of the University the
convention was held in a joint initiative
of the Department of Urban and
Regional Planning (URP) of CUET and
Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP).
The chief guest at the opening
ceremony of the convention was the
vice chancellor of CUET Mohammad
Rafiqul Alam.
He said, "There is no alternative to
sustainable development planning in a
densely populated country like
Free eye camp
held in Debiganj
PANCHAGARH: A daylong
free eye camp was held
on the premises of Green
Residential Model School
and College in Debiganj
upazila of the district
yesterday, reports BSS.
Debiganj Upazila Parishad
and Dinajpur Gousil Azom
BNSB Eye Hospital have
jointly organized the eye
camp with the help of
Andheri Hilfe Bonn
(Germany).
Upazila Nirbahi Officer
(UNO) of Debiganj Md.
Golam Ferdous inaugurated
the eye camp as the chief
guest.
Municipality Mayor Abu
Bakkar Siddik, Eye camp
arrangement committee
member and panel
chairman of upazila
parishad Babul Hussein
Sarker were present.
About 500 hundred poor
eye patient were given free
eye treatment after
examining their eye. Of
them, 80 poor patients
underwent cataract
operation.
A total of seven doctors led
by Dr Fahomida Nasmin
conducted the camp.
Jail killing Day
observed in Jamalpur
JAMALPUR: Jail Killing
Day was observed in the
district in a befitting manner
yesterday, reports BSS.
On November 3 in 1975,
four national leaders and
heroes of the country's
Liberation War -- Syed
Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin
Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali
and AHM Quamruzzaman--
were assassinated inside the
Dhaka Central Jail.
District Awami League
took out various
programmes including
hoisting flags, placing floral
wreaths and discussion
meeting to mark the day.
The Awami League hoisted
national, party and black flags
at half-mast on the party
office premises in Bakultola
area in the town.
It was followed by paying
homage by placing wreaths at
the portrait of Bangabandhu
and four leaders.
Bangladesh. Without sustainable and
innovative planning, no development
will be successful. In the current reality,
that development must also be
environmentally friendly. Bangladesh
is now moving from Digital Bangladesh
to Smart Bangladesh. Our universities
are working towards the
implementation of Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina's vision "Village will be a
city". Our young planners need to focus
on research and innovation."
President of Bangladesh Institute of
Planners (BIP) Mohammad Fazle Reza
Sumon presided over and URP
Assistant Professor ATM Shahjahan
moderated the convention where
Commodore Mohammad Nurul
Abshar (NGP, NDC, PSC), Chairman of
Cox's Bazar Development Authority
(NGP, NDC, PSC), Dean of
Architecture and Planning Faculty of
CUET Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Hasan,
convening planner of the convention
organizing committee, Prof. Dr. M.
Shafiq-ur-Rahman were present as
special guests.
CUET City and Regional Planning
Department Head Professor Dr.
Muhammad Rashidul Hasan gave
welcome speech.
Prior to the seminar at 9:30 am, the
opening day was heralded by the flying
of the dove as a symbol of peace and a
joyous rally in front of the
administrative building of CUET. The
rally proceeded from the
Administration Building to the Civil
Engineering Building and ended at the
URP Building. Students, teachers and
officials of different universities along
with invited guests participated in it.
The court ordered life imprisonment to 5 defendants in the three rape
cases in Sunamganj.
Photo: AK Milon
5 people sentenced to life
imprisonment in Sunamganj
AK MILoN, SUNAMGANJ CoRReSPoNdeNT:
The court ordered life imprisonment to 5
defendants in the three rape cases in
Sunamganj. Judge Zakir Hossain of
Sunamganj Women and Children Torture
Prevention Tribunal gave this verdict on
Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, in 2012,
the court sentenced 4 people to life
imprisonment in the sensational case of
mass rape in the shrine area of "Shah Arefin
Shah" in Tahirpur of the district and
spreading the video on the Internet. Besides,
Judge Zakir Hossain ordered life
imprisonment to another person in the case
of kidnapping and raping a girl child in
Chhatak. Meanwhile, the court sentenced
the bus driver Shaheed to 5 years
imprisonment for saving the life of the girl
after jumping from the bus during the
attempted rape of a college girl in a moving
bus in Dirai. Lawyers for the defendants
claimed that the verdict was unfair. Nantu
Roy, the public prosecutor of the Women
and Child Abuse Prevention Tribunal, said
they were happy with the verdict.
In Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj, the second RAMSAR site and protected
wetland known as Mother Fisheries, Tanguar Haor, banned konazal and
China duari nets worth about 10 lakh 10 thousand taka was seized by the
mobile court in the operation.
Photo: Jahangir Alom Bhuiya
Tributes paid to
four slain national
leaders in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI: People of all
walks of life including
different political parties,
educational institutions,
corporate bodies and sociocultural
organizations here
today paid glowing tributes
to the four slain national
leaders on the occasion of
the Jail Killing Day, reports
BSS.
Marking the day, huge
wreaths were placed on the
grave of Shaheed AHM
Kamaruzzaman, one of the
four national leaders, in
city's Kadirganj family
graveyard besides
garlanding of portraits of
Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman and four
national leaders at Awami
League's party office.
Rajshahi City Corporation
(RCC) observed the Jail
Killing Day paying rich
tribute to the four national
leaders, assassinated inside
the Dhaka Central Jail on
this day in 1975.
Several mourning rallies
were brought out and
marched toward the grave of
Shaheed
AHM
Kamaruzzaman to pay
homage to the national
leader.
City Mayor and Presidium
Member of Bangladesh
Awami League AHM
Khairuzzaman Liton, eldest
son of Shaheed AHM
Kamaruzzaman, along with
his office colleagues and
employees placed wreaths
on the grave and offered
prayers there.
A blood donation
programme was also held at
the city bhaban premises
followed by a discussion and
doa mahfil.
After Zuhr prayers, milad
and doa mahfil was held at
Sonamasjid Jame Mosque
and city bhaban wakita
mosque and other ward level
mosques.
City and district units of
Bangladesh Awami League
and its associate bodies
observed the day through
various programmes and
paid rich homage to the
martyred.
BNP leaders
gathering in Barishal
for upcoming rally
Md SHAH JALAL, BARISHAL
CoRReSPoNdeNT:
On the occasion of the
November 5 rally of BNP in
Barishal, BNP workers have
started coming to Barishal
from other districts of
Barishal through different
means, especially since
Bhola area of Barishal
division is a riverside area,
many leaders and activists
are coming to Barishal by
road by boat. On the other
hand, construction of stage
is going on in a part of
Bangabandhu Udyan. And
all the work is supervised by
the activists. The work of
installing banners, festoons,
panaflux on the surrounding
roads including the rally
ground is going on in full
swing. The central leaders
say that there will be no
benefit by stopping the
transport; the activists have
already taken up their
position in Barishal city.
Along with that, if
necessary, the leaders and
activists will come by seatrawlers
and bicycles on the
road, and if there is a
problem with that, they will
come on foot. BNP leaders
said that after getting the
permission for the rally, they
started the ground
preparation work by visiting
the rally venue on Tuesday.
The work of preparing the
BNP stage at the rally venue
started from Wednesday
afternoon. And BNP leaders
are taking care of these
works from present.
Besides, preparatory
meetings are being held at
the gathering place from
time to time. Leaders and
activists are traveling there
from different places on
motorcycles and on foot.
BU observes Jail killing day
On the occasion of Jail killing day, a
discussion meeting has been organized
under the initiative of Barishal University
Teachers Association. The discussion
meeting was held on November 3, 2022 in
the Kirtankhola auditorium of the university.
The chief guest was the Vice-Chancellor of
Barishal University, Professor Dr. Md.
Sadequl Arefin.
President of the Barishal University
Teachers Association and Associate
Professor of the Marketing Department Md.
Abdul Qayyum chaired the meeting and
Treasurer of Barishal University
Mohammad Badruzzaman Bhuiyan and
Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Professor Dr. Mohsinuddin were present as
special guests. In the speech of the chief
guest, the Vice Chancellor said, the four
national leaders were very honest, simple,
trustworthy, prudent and far-sighted.
He exhorted all, including the young
generation, to follow these qualities of a
national leader. In the meeting, among
others, Associate Professor of
Mathematics and Vice-President of the
Teachers' Association Dr. Bijan Krishna
Saha, Associate Professor, Department of
English, Bangabandhu Hall's Provost and
Teacher's Committee Member Md. Arif
Hossain, Assistant Professor of Geology
and Mining Department, Shere Bangla
Hall's Provost and Teacher's Committee
Member Abu Zafor Mia and Barishal
University Officers' Association General
secretary Abu Hasan.
Editor-in-Chief of the Teachers'
Association and Associate Professor of the
Department of History Mohammad Abdul
Baten Chowdhury, the leaders of the
teachers' committee of the university along
with the teachers, officers and employees
were present in the discussion meeting
conducted by.
A discussion meeting has been organized under the initiative of Barishal
University Teachers Association on Thursday.
Photo: Courtesy
BNP leader Salimullah Lavloo's
burial completed
ARAFAT AL-AMIN, MATLAB CoRReSPoNdeNT:
Fatepur West Union BNP General Secretary
Salimullah Lavlu of Chandpur's Matlab
Uttar Upazila has been buried after the
funeral. On Thursday, people of all walks of
life participated in the funeral prayer in the
premises of Mojaddediya High School
adjacent to Mandartali Bazar. After the
funeral prayers, the leaders of Matlab Uttar
Upazila BNP paid tribute with flowers. After
the funeral prayers, Salimullah Lavlu's body
was buried in the social cemetery.
Thousands of leaders and activists came to
pay their last respects to this popular leader
of Union BNP.
Member of the Central Executive
Committee of Bangladesh Nationalist Party
(BNP) Dr. Alhaj Jalal Uddin and Tanveer
Huda, son of former Minister of State for
Establishment Nurul Huda, participated in
the funeral prayers and expressed their
deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
Matlab Uttar Upazila BNP President Adv.
participated in the funeral prayer. Fazlul
Haque Sarkar Hannan, General Secretary
Nurul Haque Jitu, Former General Secretary
Alamgir Sarkar, Chhengarchar Municipal
BNP General Secretary Jahangir Pradhan,
BNP Leader SM Jahangir Alam Pradhan,
Upazila BNP Organizing Secretary Mian
Manjur Amin Swapan, Upazila Juba Dal
President Khairul Hasan Benu, General
Secretary Rashed Zaman Tipu, Jubo Dal
leader Faisal Ahmed Sohail, Jubo Dal leader
Noman Hossain, Jubo Dal leader Momin
Sarkar, Upazila Chhatra Dal president Nurul
Huda Faizi, Chhatra Dal leader Joynal
Patwari and hundreds of activists.
Someone killed him and left him on the
side of the road of his house in the night of
November 1. Later on the morning of
November 2, a van driver named Jahangir
Alam saw the body and called out. Later
Matlab North police station recovered his
frozen body and sent it for postmortem.
Later on Thursday, November 3, after the
funeral, the burial was completed.
Meanwhile, his wife, children and relatives
are almost mad after losing Salimullah
Lavloo prematurely. His death has cast a
shadow of mourning on all levels in the area.
Mandartali and the surrounding area
seemed to be paralyzed.
Fatepur West Union BNP General Secretary Salimullah Lavlu of Chandpur's
Matlab Uttar Upazila has been buried after the funeral. Photo: Arafat al-Amin
on the occasion of the November 5 rally of BNP in Barishal, BNP workers
have started coming to Barishal.
Photo: Md Shah Jalal
FrIdAy, noveMBer 4, 2022
7
The FBI has arrested two alleged members of the far-right anti-government group the Boogaloo Boys, with authorities increasingly
concerned about the potential for violence in the leadup to next week's midterm elections.
Photo : Internet
2 alleged 'boogaloo' members
arrested in Michigan and Ohio
DETROIT : The FBI has arrested two
alleged members of the far-right antigovernment
group the Boogaloo
Boys, with authorities increasingly
concerned about the potential for
violence in the leadup to next week's
midterm elections, reports UNB.
Timothy Teagan appeared
Wednesday in federal court in Detroit
on charges of being a drug user in
possession of firearms and
ammunition, and giving a false
statement in connection with the
acquisition of a firearm, according to
an unsealed federal complaint.
Meanwhile, the FBI said in a
criminal complaint filed Monday that
there was enough evidence to charge
Aron McKillips, of Sandusky, Ohio,
GD-1775/22 (5x3)
with illegal possession of a machine
gun and the interstate
communication of threats. It says
McKillips is a member of the
Boogaloo Boys and is believed to be in
a paramilitary group called the Sons
of Liberty.
The timing of the law enforcement
action is notable in part because it
comes just days before the midterm
elections. After the FBI searched his
home last month, Teagan told
documentarian Ford Fischer that
federal agents questioned him
specifically about potential violence
being planned ahead of the election.
"They were very, very particular
about questions involving anything
going on with the election," he said.
Warning that democracy itself is in peril, President Joe Biden called on
Americans Wednesday night to use their ballots in next week's midterm
elections to stand up against lies, violence and dangerous "ultra MAGA"
election disruptors who are trying to "succeed where they failed" in subverting
the 2020 elections.
Photo : Internet
538 02
"They were asking if I knew of any
violent plans or any violent
tendencies that could come forth
about the election. ... They were
asking if we had any plans to go to
polls armed."
Election workers have increasingly
been targeted by threats and
harassment since the 2020 election,
and it's gotten worse in recent weeks -
five people have already been charged
with intimidation.
Nationally, elections officials are
concerned about a flood of conspiracy
theorists signing up to work as poll
watchers, with some groups that have
trafficked in lies about the 2020
election recruiting and training
watchers.
Biden implores voters
to save democracy
from lies, violence
WASHINGTON : Warning
that democracy itself is in
peril, President Joe Biden
called on Americans
Wednesday night to use
their ballots in next week's
midterm elections to stand
up against lies, violence and
dangerous "ultra MAGA"
election disruptors who are
trying to "succeed where
they failed" in subverting the
2020 elections, reports
UNB.
This is no time to stand
aside, he declared. "Silence
is complicity."
After weeks of reassuring
talk about America's
economy and inflation,
Biden turned to a darker,
more urgent message,
declaring in the final days of
midterm election voting that
the nation's system of
governance is under threat
from former President
Donald Trump's electiondenying
lies and the violence
Biden said they inspire.
The president singled out
"ultra MAGA" Republicans -
a reference to Trump's
"Make America Great
Again" slogan - calling them
a minority but "driving
force" of the Republican
Party.
Pointing in particular to
last Friday's attack on House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi's
husband, Biden said that
Trump's false claims about a
stolen election have "fueled
the dangerous rise of
political violence and voter
intimidation over the past
two years."
"There's an alarming rise
in the number of people in
this country condoning
political violence or simply
remaining silent," Biden
added. "In our bones we
know democracy is at risk,
but we also know this: It's in
our power to preserve our
democracy."
The president's speech -
focused squarely on the rite
of voting and the counting of
that vote - amounted to a
plea for Americans to step
back from the inflamed
rhetoric that has heightened.
Powerball prize up to
$1.5 billion, 3rd-largest
ever in US
DES MOINES : The bad
news is that no one won
Wednesday night's huge $1.2
billion Powerball jackpot.
The good news is that
means the prize has grown
even larger to $1.5 billion
ahead of the next drawing
Saturday night. That is the
third-largest lottery prize in
U.S. history.
The numbers drawn
Wednesday night were: 2, 11,
22, 35, 60 and the red
powerball 23.
No one has won the top
Powerball prize since Aug. 3,
making for 39 consecutive
drawings without anyone
matching all six numbers.
What's behind three
months of lottery futility? It's
simple math. The odds of
winning the jackpot are an
abysmal 1 in 292.2 million.
It is because of those long
odds that the grand prize has
grown so large.
The new $1.5 billion prize is
actually for winners who opt
for an annuity, paid out
annually over 29 years.
Nearly all winners choose
cash, which for Saturday's
drawing would be $745.9
million.
GD-1773/22 (8x4)
Norway brings climate
ambitions in line with EU
OSLO : Norway, the largest oil producer in
Western Europe, on Thursday announced it
intended to cut 1990 emissions levels "at least
55 percent" by 2030, in line with EU goals,
reports BSS.
Just days before the COP27 climate
conference in Egypt, the announcement is in
line with commitments made by the centreleft
coalition government when it took power
in 2021.
While not a member of the European
Union, the Scandinavian country's new target
brings Oslo in line with the overall target set by
the 27-member bloc. Oslo also announced
that it would present climate plans each year
going forward.
Norway's climate target was previously to
reduce emissions by between 50 and 55
percent of 1990 levels.
"This sends a strong signal to other
countries, and we hope that more will up their
targets," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store
said on Thursday.
Store's Labour Party and its ally, the Centre
Party, rule out dismantling the oil sector,
which is a major part of the national
we`ÿ r/Rb-262(2)/3/11/22
GD-1774/22 (6x3)
economy.
The war in Ukraine and the reduction in
Russian exports have seen Norway become
the leading gas supplier to Britain and the
European Union.
"The demand for fossil fuel energy will fall
and renewable energy production must
increase. This has to go hand in hand," Store
told a news conference.
He stressed that the planet would still need
oil in years to come and argued it was "not a
bad thing that some of it comes from the
Norwegian continental shelf, which has the
lowest emissions."
Last week, the United Nations said current
country climate pledges leave the world on
track to heat by as much as 2.6 degrees Celsius
this century, warning that emissions must fall
45 percent this decade to limit disastrous
global warming.
A day earlier, the UN's climate change
agency had said governments were doing
"nowhere near" enough to keep global heating
to 1.5C and would steer a world already
wracked by increasing floods, heatwaves and
storms towards "catastrophic" warming.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022
8
First Security Islami Bank Ltd. inauguratedTakerhat Branch as its 201stBranchat J K Complex,
Pallibidyut Office Road, Takerhat Bazar, Takerhat, Rajoir, Madaripuron 03November 2022with a
view to providing shariah based banking services to its clients.Syed Waseque Md Ali, Managing
Directorof the Bankinaugurated the branch. Among others, Md. Masudur Rahman Shah,Deputy
Managing Director, Divisional Heads of Head Office,Md. AbdurRouf, Zonal Head of Barishal, Sheikh
FazlulHaqueBabu, RajoirUpazilla Vice Chairman,Nazma Rashid, Mayor, RajoirPourashova,Anowar
Hossain Shaikh, Manager of Takerhat Branchalong with local elites were present in the occasion. A
DoaMahfil was organized in this regard.
Photo : Courtesy
The 349thmeeting of the Board of Directors of ShahjalalIslami Bank Limited (SJIBL) held recentlyat
Corporate Head Office of the Bank by maintaining proper hygiene and social distance.On the
other hand, a few number of Directors of the Bank participated in this meeting through digital platform
(with a Video Conference). The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors Mohammed Younus.The Board approved a number of investment proposal and reviewed
various issue related to policy of the Bank. Among others the Vice-Chairman of the Board Mohiuddin
Ahmed, Directors Dr. Anwer Hossain Khan, Md. Sanaullah Shahid, Abdul Karim, Md. Abdul Barek,
Abdul Halim, Khandaker Sakib Ahmed, Engineer Md. Towhidur Rahman, Md. Nasir Uddin Khan,
Md. Moshiur Rahman Chamak, Jabun Nahar and Fakir Mashrikuzzaman; Independent Director
Ekramul Haque, the Managing Director & CEO Mosleh Uddin Ahmed and the Company Secretary of
the Bank Md. Abul Bashar were also present in the meeting.
Photo : Courtesy
Building climate resilience through the Lens of water
At a roundtable organised by
WaterAid, representatives
from the climate and water
sector actors urged proper
attention to address climate
impacts on water and Water
Sanitation and hygiene
(WASH). WaterAid also
launched its upcoming flagship
initiative titled the "Resilient
Water Accelerator" The
roundtable was held today at
Sonargaon hotel today.
Road to COP27 speakers
highlighted the need for world
to act now to protect
communities from the impacts
of climate change. Yet progress
is too slow. The 'low-regrets'
adaptation solutions proposed
by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) - such as water,
sanitation and hygiene
(WASH) services - will make
vulnerable communities more
resilient. WASH services will
reduce vulnerability to climate
impacts, and help close the gap
on gender, education,
prosperity and health
inequalities: all of which are
needed for community and
individual resilience. However,
these adaptation solutions need
financing, but to date, this has
been insufficient across the
world. The IPCC identifies
providing water and sanitation
services as one of the most
effective measures to reduce
climate-vulnerability in the
near-term and as a 'low-regrets'
adaptation measure. The
analysis also shows
geographical inequality of
WASH allocation remains
significant, where cities and
towns have received the highest
percentage of the allocated
funding compared to rural,
char, hilly, and coastal areas in
previous years.
Malik Fida, Managing
Director, CEGIS, stated, "Plans
which are guiding the vision of
Bangladesh in adaptive
measures to tackle climate
change needs sectoral
collaboration, direct linkages
and knowledge with on ground
reality. It is the collective
responsibility of sector actors to
sensitize this process and focus
on locally led adaptive
programmes that centers
people and community.
Ensuring these mechanisms
will aid direct impact in the
society".
Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeque
Ahmed, PKSF, mentioned,
"Water has to get the highest
priority, future project needs to
align with national strategies,
priority must given to
governances, framework and
infrastructures needs to change
in such a manner that caters to
drinking water. Climate finance
is becoming a debt burden for
countries and we must focus on
grant based finance,"
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited inaugurated its 391st branch at Chunarughat in Habigonj on
Thursday, 3 November 2022. Mohammed Monirul Moula, Managing Director & CEO of the bank
inaugurated the Branch as chief guest. Md. Omar Faruk Khan, Additional Managing Director of the
bank, Abdul Kadir Laskar, Chairman of Chunarughat Upazila Parishad, Mohammed Saiful Alam,
Mayor of Chunarughat Pourasava attended the program as special guest & Md. Maksudur Rahman,
Head of Development Wing addressed the welcome speech. Presided over by Muhammad Nurul
Hoq, Head of Sylhet Zone, Abu Sadat Moudud Ahmad, Head of Chunarughat Branch thanked the
audience. Md. Fazlur Rahman, journalist, Siddiqur Rahman & Hridoy Roy, business persons & Mst.
Toyeba Khatun, school teacher addresssed on behalf of the customers. Executives & employees of
the bank, clients, well wishers and local elites were present on the occasion. Photo : Courtesy
IBBL opens
Sarail branch in
Brahmanbaria
DHAKA : Islami Bank
Bangladesh inaugurated its
390th branch at Sarail in
Brahmanbaria Wednesday.
Mohammed Monirul
Moula, managing director
and chief executive officer of
the bank, inaugurated the
branch as chief guest,
according to a media
statement.
Islami Bank is a joint
venture public limited
company engaged in
commercial banking business
based on Islamic shariah.
Established in 1983 as the
first Islamic bank in southeast
Asia, it is listed on the Dhaka
Stock Exchange and
Chittagong Stock Exchange.
Bangladesh Bank
re-fixes transactions
hours from 10
am-3:30 pm
DHAKA : Bangladesh Bank
on Thursday announced
new transactions hours and
office timing for bankers
with effect from November
15.
According to the new
circular of department of
Off-site Supervision of the
central bank, banking
transactions hours have
been set from 10 am to 3.30
pm while the banks' office
hours from 10 am to 5 pm
from Sunday to Thursday.
Bankers' existing office
timing is from 10 am to
4pm.
Bank of England set
for biggest rate hike
in 33 years
LONDON : The Bank of
England is widely expected
to hike its key interest rate
on Thursday by the biggest
amount since 1989 as it
bids to cool sky-high
British inflation.
Following a regular
meeting, the BoE is seen
lifting borrowing costs by
0.75 percentage points to
three percent, according to
market consensus, which
would be the highest level
since the 2008 global
financial crisis, reports
BSS.
Some analysts, however,
are predicting a rise of one
percentage point, also a 33-
year high.
The move would mirror
aggressive rate-tightening
by central banks worldwide
as economies battle the
highest prices in decades.
The US Federal Reserve
on Wednesday announced
a fourth consecutive hike of
0.75 percentage points,
taking its benchmark
lending rate to 3.75-4.0
percent.
While calling further
interest rate increases
"appropriate" to tamp
down inflation, the Fed
also opened the door to
smaller hikes.
The BoE decision at 1200
GMT is set to add to a costof-living
crisis for millions
of Britons as hikes by
central banks see retail
lenders push up the rate of
interest on their own loans.
Repayments on UK
mortgages have surged in
recent weeks also after the
debt-fuelled budget of
previous British prime
minister Liz Truss spooked
markets, forcing her to
resign and triggering
emergency buying of UK
government bonds by the
BoE.
Her successor Rishi
Sunak has attempted to
bring calm to markets by
hinting at tax rises in a
fresh budget on November
17, even if such a move
further harms Britain's
economy.
"I think everyone knows
we do face a challenging
economic outlook and
difficult decisions will need
to be made," Sunak, a
former UK finance
minister, told parliament
on Wednesday.
British annual inflation
stands above 10 percent,
the highest level in 40
years, on soaring food
prices and energy bills.
Alongside its rate call, the
BoE will give its latest
inflation and growth
forecasts, with analysts
indicating that the UK
economy may already be in
recession.
"The BoE is expected to
hike its interest rate by no
more than 75 basis points,
on conviction that the
Sunak government would
opt for some fiscal
austerity, and nothing too
crazy to wreak havoc,
again," forecast Swissquote
analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya.
As the Covid-19
pandemic began in early
2020, the BoE slashed its
key interest rate to a
record-low 0.1 percent and
also pumped massive sums
of new cash into the
economy.
The Bank of England
started raising rates last
December and another
hike Thursday would be
the eighth increase in a
row.
Ruth Gregory, senior UK
economist at Capital
Economics, predicts that
the BoE will raise its
interest rate by one
percentage point on
Thursday and by the same
amount in December.
"If we are right that
domestic inflation will be
sticky, it may mean that the
Bank of England ultimately
has to act more
aggressively further
ahead," she added.
Mercantile Bank Limited inaugurated 'Matikata Uposhakha' in Dhaka and 'Panchagarh Upashakha'
in North Bengal region of the country yesterday to provide easy banking services to the customers.
Bank's Chairman Morshed Alam M.P., launched the uposhakhas on virtual platform as the chief
guest by cutting ribbon in a ceremony arranged at the Head Office of the bank. Md. Quamrul Islam
Chowdhury, Managing Director & CEO of the bank delivered his welcome speech. A. S. M. Feroz
Alam, Vice Chairman; M. Amanullah, Chairman, Risk Management Committee; Al-Haj Akram
Hossain (Humayun), Alhaj Mosharref Hossain and M. A. Khan Belal, Directors of the bank were
present as the special guests. Mati Ul Hasan, AMD, Adil Raihan, Shamim Ahmed and Hasne Alam,
DMDs, Tapash Chandra Paul, PhD, CFO of the bank, Shah Md. Sohel Khurshid, SEVP and Abu
Asghar G. Haruni, Company Secretary of the bank, Khan Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, MD of Online
Group, Hazi Hanif, invited guests, valued customers, two HOBs of controlling branch of the
uposhakhas, in-charges of the uposhakhas along with senior executives of the bank were connected
virtually in the opening ceremony. The Zonal Heads, HOBs and In-charges of the upashakhas were
also connected virtually.
Photo : Courtesy
Air Astra receives approval for
commercial operations
Air Astra has received the Air
Operator Certificate (AOC)
from the Civil Aviation
Authority of Bangladesh
(CAAB) on 3rd November,
2022 through a ceremony
held at the Flight Standard &
Regulations offices of the
authority. The AOC (No. 27) is
the final approval from the
regulatory authority allowing
the airline to begin
commercial flight operations.
The AOC was handed over by
Air Commodore Shah Kawsar
Ahmed Choudhury, Member
(Flight Standards &
Regulations), CAAB to Imran
Asif, Chief Executive Officer &
Accountable Manager, Air
Astra, a press release said.
At the ceremony, Air
Commodore Shah Kawsar
Ahmed Choudhury welcomed
Air Astra to the industry to
contribute to the GDP of the
country through safe &
efficient flight operations
across the country. He also
thanked Air Astra for its
consistent compliance with
the regulations of CAAB
leading to its certification
within one year since
application, and the first
passenger airline AOC issued
since 2014.
The CEO of Air Astra
thanked the authority for its
continued support and
guidance helping the airline to
comply with all regulations
and achieve the AOC. He
reassured the authority that
the airline shall always
endeavor to act absolutely
professionally through its
team of industry-leading
professionals and always
adhere to all regulations -
especially ones pertinent to
safety.
Air Astra has already taken
delivery of 2x ATR 72-600
aircraft at Dhaka and further
2x aircraft are scheduled to be
delivered within 2022. The
French-built aircraft is the
most modern turboprop in the
world today with excellent
industry reliability, configured
to carry 70 passengers in a
comfortable, quiet cabin.
Following the achievement
of the AOC, the airline shall
soon make official flight
schedule announcements for
commercial operations.
FriDAY, NoveMber 4, 2022
9
Manchester City's rico Lewis (right) celebrates with a teammate after scoring his side's first goal during the match
against Sevilla.
photo: Ap
Man City beat Sevilla with teenager
Lewis stealing the spotlight
SportS DeSk
Manchester City teenager Rico Lewis
marked his first senior start with his
maiden goal for the club to spark a
comeback in a 3-1 defeat of Sevilla to
complete their unbeaten Champions
League group campaign yesterday,
reports UNB.
With the prolific Erling Haaland absent
as he recovers from injury, Argentine
striker Julian Alvarez impressed with a
goal and two assists and Riyad Mahrez
was also on the scoresheet.
The night, however, belonged to Lewis.
City were confirmed as Group G
winners and Sevilla assured of third spot,
and Pep Guardiola made seven changes
to his starting line-up with 17-year-old
right back Lewis seizing his opportunity
at the Etihad Stadium.
Rafa Mir gave Sevilla the lead in the
31st minute with a pinpoint header past
City reserve keeper Stefan Ortega and the
hosts struggled to make much impression
against the Spanish side.
Guardiola took off Jack Grealish at
halftime and sent on Rodri and City were
a different proposition as they extended
their unbeaten home run in the
Champions League to 23 games.
Lewis, joined in the starting side by 20-
year-old Cole Palmer, levelled in the 52nd
minute when he ran on to a slide rule pass
by Alvarez and lashed a right-footed shot
into the net past keeper Yassine Bounou.
Lewis, aged 17 years and 346 days,
became the youngest player to score on
his first Champions League start,
breaking the record held by Karim
Benzema who was 17 years and 352 days
when he scored for Olympique Lyonnais.
"What a goal. He's a fantastic player, so
intelligent. He understands everything.
He made a fantastic goal and played
really well," Guardiola said.
"In the first half, the guys tried. Second
half was better, really good goals. I'm
happy for everyone."
Alvarez, who started his fourth
successive Champions League game, was
arguably City's best player.
The 22-year-old former River Plate
player produced a composed finish to put
City ahead in the 73rd minute, taking the
ball around Bounou and firing high into
the net after being played in by a sublime
pass from substitute Kevin de Bruyne.
With City dominating, Mahrez sealed
the victory with a clinical finish after
another assist by Alvarez.
City won the group with 14 points and
Borussia Dortmund also going through to
the last 16 as runners-up on nine.
Javier outstanding as Astros no-hit
Phillies in 5-0 World Series win
Sports Desk
Cristian Javier led Houston pitchers
in an unprecedented World Series
combined no-hitter Wednesday as the
Astros beat Philadelphia 5-0 to level
Major League Baseball's championship
showcase, reports UNB.
Javier threw six innings without
surrendering a hit and relief pitchers
Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan
Pressly kept the door firmly closed as
the Astros knotted the best-of-seven
title series at two games apiece.
One day after the Phillies belted a
World Series record-equalling five
home runs in a 7-0 game three victory,
Javier's fastball flummoxed the host
hitters. The 25-year-old Dominican
struck out nine and walked two in a
dominant performance.
Abreu struck out all three he faced in
the seventh inning and Montero retired
the side in the eighth before Pressly
worked around a one-out walk as he
delivered the final three outs in the
ninth.
The only other no-hitter in the 118-
year history of the World Series was
Don Larsen's perfect game for the New
York Yankees against the Brooklyn
Dodgers in 1956.
"That's crazy, man," said Astros
catcher Christian Vazquez. "We play for
this and making it that special is even
better."
Astros manager Dusty Baker said
Javier had delivered an "electric"
performance from the mound.
"He threw the ball up, down, and that
shows you that the best pitch in
baseball is still the well-located
fastball," Baker said. "He was calm,
cool. "Man, it's a strange series-they hit
five home runs yesterday and then no
hits today." The Houston hurlers were
backed by a five-run outburst in the
fifth that was keyed by Alex Bregman's
bases-loaded two-run double.
Chas McCormick led off the inning
with a ground ball single off Phillies
starter Aaron Nola.
Jose Altuve looped a single to left
field and Jeremy Pena hit a sharp single
to left off a breaking ball Nola hung
over the plate to load the bases.
That spelled the end of Nola's night,
Jose Alvarado taking over on the
mound with three on and none out.
Offensive surge
He plunked Yordan Alvarez with his
very first pitch and Houston had their
first run of the night.
Bregman followed with a two-run
double to right field. Kyle Tucker's
sacrifice fly to center scored Alvarez as
Bregman advanced to third then scored
on Yuli Gurriel's single to left field.
Alvarado finally closed out the inning
by striking out Vazquez and Aledmys
Diaz. Javier-who had struck out J.T.
Realmuto, Bryce Harper and Nick
Castellanos in order in the bottom of
the fourth-followed up the Astros'
offensive surge by retiring the next six
batters he faced.
Of his 97 pitches, Javier threw 70
fastballs, and Vazquez said it was a
pitch that could always be counted
upon.
"It's I think the best fastball I've ever
seen," the catcher said in an on-field
television interview. "You can call it
whoever is in the batter's box and it's
going to be awesome. It's going to be
effective and it's going to do the job."
The victory means that after game
five in Philadelphia on Thursday, the
Astros will return to Houston for game
six on Saturday and a potential game
seven on Sunday.
Cristian Javier of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch against the philadelphia phillies.
photo: Ap
Nadal stunned by Paul in opening
match at Paris Masters
SportS DeSk
Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Paris
Masters in the second round on
Wednesday after losing in three sets to
American Tommy Paul, boosting
Carlos Alcaraz's hopes of finishing the
year as world number one, reports
UNB.
Nadal, who received a bye as second
seed, was playing his first singles match
in two months after spending time at
home in Mallorca with his wife and
newborn son.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion
shook off an early break in the opening
set by winning five of the next six
games.
But Paul recovered from dropping
serve in the third game of the second
set to win a tie-break, having failed to
convert a set point with Nadal serving
at 4-5. The Spaniard's lack of match
practice told as Paul dominated the
final set, breaking three times to seal
the biggest win of his career.
"I had the match (in my hands) in
that second set with a set and break. I
played a terrible game there. I didn't
deserve the victory playing that bad in
that key moment," said Nadal.
Nadal is a 14-time French Open
champion but has never won the title at
Bercy.
"A lot of things have been going on
the last couple of months, without a
doubt. But we are always ready to find
Williamson wants
to hit top gear with
T20 World Cup
semi-final in sight
SportS DeSk
New Zealand captain Kane
Williamson said Thursday he
was staying patient and
working to hit top gear as the
Black Caps look to clinch a
Twenty20 World Cup semifinal
berth against Ireland,
reports BSS.
New Zealand are in pole
position on net run rate in
Group 1 but level on points
with England and Australia
with one game remaining,
meaning victory against
Ireland in Adelaide should
guarantee a semi-final spot.
Williamson is one of the
world's leading batsmen in
Test cricket, but has often
struggled with the demands of
the shorter format where he
bats at the key number three
position.
He has struggled to convert
starts into bigger scores or to
accelerate, with his strike rate
at a modest 122.51 runs per
100 balls.
He was at the crease for
almost 13 overs, taking 40
balls and 57 minutes to make
40 on Tuesday as New
Zealand failed to chase down
180 to beat England.
"You're always wanting to
get better, and cricket is a
pretty fickle game by its
nature," Williamson told
reporters.
"You sort of do go through
different periods where
there's better rhythm and
then other times where you're
working harder and you're
trying to make sure that
you're making a valuable
contribution.
"So that's the focus... and
staying a little bit patient with
it, as well.
The game forever
challenges us."
Williamson's 23 in 23 balls
in his team's opening win
against hosts Australia
contrasted with teammate
Devon Conway's 92 off 58
balls as New Zealand smacked
200 in their 20 overs.
He scratched around for
eight off 13 balls in the
previous match against Sri
Lanka.
"With the bat, there's a
number of, I guess, phases or
gears to go through," he said.
"I definitely want to keep
touching on those third and
fourth gears where you are
exploring some different areas
of the ground."
Other New Zealand
batsmen have stepped up,
with Glenn Phillips hitting
104 off 64 balls against Sri
Lanka in Sydney to rescue the
team from 15-3 and a 36-ball
62 against England in
Brisbane.
excuses. At the end, it's always the
same. You play well, you win; you don't,
you lose," he added.
Nadal said he expected to compete at
the Tour finals in Turin from
November 13-20.
"If nothing happens, I hope to be
there. I'm excited about playing, even if
it hasn't been the perfect couple of
months for me."
Paul goes on to play Pablo Carreno
Busta for a place in the quarter-finals.
Alcaraz, the reigning US Open
champion, will play Grigor Dimitrov in
the last 16 after defeating Japan's
Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-4.
The 19-year-old smacked 30 winners
including nine aces despite a heavilytaped
left knee, an issue he had
downplayed on Monday.
"I tried to find my best level. I think I
played really well. I don't think about
the pressure of being world number
one," said Alcaraz.
The Spaniard was presented with the
world number one trophy earlier in the
week, having become the youngest
player to top the ATP rankings in
September.
"I felt number one before getting the
trophy, but of course with the trophy, is
amazing. It was amazing feeling when I
had the trophy in my hands."
Alcaraz admitted there is a target on
his back now as the world's top-ranked
player.
"Probably the difference, the way the
players play against me, probably I felt
that difference, but not too much," he
said.
"I would say the players play better or
more aggressive with me."
Nadal's loss means Alcaraz will end
the season as the top-ranked player if
he takes home the trophy on Sunday.
Nadal's early exit was preceded by
that of Daniil Medvedev, the 2020
Paris champion and 2021 runner-up
who was knocked out by Australia's
Alex de Minaur 6-4, 2-6, 7-5.
De Minaur, who had not previously
beaten a top-five player, will now face
US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe,
who eased past Jack Draper 6-3, 7-5.
Felix Auger-Aliassime qualified for
the season-ending Tour finals for the
first time, with Andrey Rublev
completing the tournament's eightman
field after Taylor Fritz and Hubert
Hurkacz both lost.
Auger-Aliassime began his bid for a
fourth title in four weeks by battling
back from the brink to beat Mikael
Ymer in three hours and 30 minutes.
The Canadian eighth seed scraped
through 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) to
extend his winning streak to 14
matches.
Auger-Aliassime saved two break
points at 1-4 in the second set just as
Ymer looked poised to end his
unbeaten run.
rafael Nadal congratulates tommy paul at the end of their second round
match in the paris Masters.
photo: Ap
AC Milan, Leipzig take
final last-16 places as
PSG lose top spot
SportS DeSk
AC Milan reached the
Champions League knock-out
stage for the first time in nine
years on Wednesday with a 4-
0 victory over Salzburg, while
RB Leipzig also qualified by
thrashing Shakhtar Donetsk,
reports UNB.
Paris Saint-Germain will be
the team group winners want
to avoid in Monday's last-16
draw after missing out on top
spot in Group H despite a 2-1
win at Juventus, as Benfica
hammered Maccabi Haifa 6-1
to snatch first place on total
away goals.
Seven-time European
champions Milan knew a
point would be enough to
send them into the last 16 for
the first time since the 2013-
14 season after a group-stage
exit last term.
"These kinds of nights is
what we wish for," Milan
coach Stefano Pioli told Sky
Sport. "We wanted to show we
improved compared to last
season in the Champions
League. We're ambitious now,
so let's see what happens
next."
Pioli's side eased any nerves
at the San Siro inside 14
minutes as Olivier Giroud
headed home. Milan's return
to the knockouts was all but
confirmed less than a minute
after half-time when Giroud
headed the ball across goal for
Rade Krunic to nod past
Philipp Kohn in the Salzburg
goal.
Giroud added his second
before the hour mark,
allowing the home fans the
opportunity to celebrate for
the remainder of the match
and Junior Messias added
further gloss to the scoreline
in added time.
Milan qualified from Group
E in second place behind
Chelsea, who came from
behind to beat Dinamo
Zagreb 2-1 at Stamford Bridge
with goals from Raheem
Sterling and debutant Denis
Zakaria.
Leipzig also only needed to
avoid defeat to go through
against Ukrainians Shakhtar
in Warsaw.
Shakhtar, playing their
home matches in Poland and
having seen most of their
foreign players leave due to
Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
had stunned Leipzig 4-1 in
their Group F opener.
But the Bundesliga side
were too strong after
Christopher Nkunku's early
strike left Shakhtar with a
mountain to climb.
Andre Silva and Dominik
Szoboszlai netted in the
second period and Dani
Olmo's shot was deflected into
his own net by Valeriy Bondar
to wrap up a 4-0 win.
"I'm really proud of the
team. We didn't start well in
this Champions League
campaign, but we put in a
solid performance today and
are really happy to be
through," Leipzig forward
Emil Forsberg told DAZN.
Holders Real Madrid
secured first place in the
group by hammering Scottish
champions Celtic 5-1 at the
Santiago Bernabeu.
Luka Modric and Rodrygo
both scored penalties
awarded for handball in the
opening stages, before Real
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
saved Josip Juranovic's spotkick.
Second-half goals from
Marco Asensio, Vinicius
Junior and Fede Valverde
completed the rout despite
Jota's late consolation for
Celtic who finished bottom.
Karim Benzema also made
his return from injury as a
substitute to complete a good
night for Carlo Ancelotti's
men.
Benfica snatch first from
PSG
PSG lost top spot in Group
H despite Nuno Mendes'
69th-minute winner in Turin
as Benfica scored five goals in
the second half at Maccabi.
Kylian Mbappe's brilliant
individual effort put PSG in
front, before Leonardo
Bonucci dragged alreadyeliminated
Juventus level.
Mendes scored only a
minute after coming off the
bench, but late drama in Israel
saw PSG slip to second.
Possible last-16 opponents
for the Qatari-owned club
include 14-time champions
Real Madrid, Manchester
City, Bayern Munich, Chelsea
and in-form Napoli.
"It doesn't matter, we
qualified... We'll watch the
draw and we'll play to win,"
Mbappe told RMC Sport.
Three goals in 14 minutes in
the second half gave Benfica
hope of matching PSG's goal
difference and pipping them
on away goals.
It appeared as though the
Portuguese would come up
two short, but Henrique
Araujo scored in the 88th
minute and Joao Mario struck
in injury time to complete the
job.
FRIdAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022
10
Ananta Jalil learning martial
arts for his next movie
TBT REPORT
Popular Dhallywood actor Ananta
Jalil is now learning martial arts for
his next movie 'Kill Him' where he will
be seen in a fight against another
Dhallywood action hero Rubel. Hence
his effort to present himself properly
on the screen.
Talking to the media, Ananta Jalil
said that he is preparing himself for
the movie 'Kill Him'. For this, he is
learning "martial arts" and
"bodybuilding" for this movie.
"I am preparing for the movie 'Kill
Him'. I started bodybuilding more
strongly. Practicing martial arts -
since it's an action movie. Besides, our
action movie master Rubel Bhai is in
it. You know Rubel Bhai is the king of
martial arts. There will definitely be
action with him in the movie. So I am
preparing for that," said Ananta Jalil.
In response to a query from
reporters about the movie 'Netri-The
Leader', Ananta Jalil replied that his
character in this movie will not be
harmed since he is playing the role of
a bodyguard to Barsha, who is playing
the role of 'Netri'. "My job is to save
her," he said.
Noted that the shooting of the
H O R O s c O P E
movie 'Kill Him' directed by Md. Iqbal
will start soon. Ananta-Barsha star
ARIEs
Some close friends could turn you on to a new
interest or perhaps a group you might want to join.
Intellectual stimulation through those closest to
you could open the way to new plans and
innovations. You might want to try combining artistic interests
with technology, Aries, perhaps expanding your knowledge of
photography, computer graphics, or filmmaking. Success and good
fortune through such activities are strongly indicated.
TAURUs
Sudden, unexpected news could arrive
today, perhaps by mail or phone. You
could host a virtual group meeting of
some kind. A lot of exciting information
and stimulating conversation could take
place, Taurus, bringing fresh ideas that spark new
interests. Expect a very busy but productive day,
looking ahead toward the future rather than back
toward the past.
GEMINI
Short journeys in your neighborhood,
perhaps connected with a group you're
associated with, could take up a lot of
your time today, Gemini. Fascinating
and stimulating emails or calls could
arrive. Books and magazine articles could provide
information that sends you in a new direction in
some way. Write down your ideas! You will want to
remember them all.
'Netri-The Leader' is awaiting release.
Barsha will be seen in the leading role.
Critics call it the best Marvel film
since Avengers Endgame
Marvel Studios' next tentpole film
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set
to hit the theatres in just over two
weeks' time. The film had its world
premiere this Wednesday in the US
where film stars, the film's team, as well
as select journalists watched the film.
And while the review embargo is still
on, the first reactions from those who
watched the film are here, and they are
unanimously positive.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is
part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
and the direct sequel to 2018's Black
Panther. The difference here is that it
features a new actor taking over the
mantle of the superhero, following the
death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020,
who played the titular role in the first
film. The story follows how Wakanda
mourns the loss of T'Challa and faces a
new threat in Namor.
The first reactions to the film indicate
that it is likely to be one of the finest
MCU films in recent times, with most
critics labelling it everything from
'fantastic' to 'powerful'. Sean O'Connell
of Cinema Blend called it a cathartic
film and called it, "an emotional movie
about loss, legacy and healing. The story
is intimate, but vast with global power
struggles and palace intrigue. Tenoch
Huerta's Namor is a FORCE, better
than I hoped." Ashley Saunders of
Comic Book Resources liked how the
film honours Chadwick and T'Challa.
"It's EMOTIONAL, POWERFUL, &
BEAUTIFUL. Tenoch is brilliant,
immediately grabbing your attention.
Welcome to the MCU Namor. Riri is
fun w/ Peter Parker like energy. Action,
Phase 4 tie-ins, & some surprises. Loved
it," she wrote.
Many critics went as far as to call it
one of the best MCU films ever. Samuel
Leggett Jr of Critics Choice tweeted,
"WakandaForever is easily the best
Marvel film since Avengers: Endgame.
The scope, the camera work, the acting,
and the raw emotions on and off screen
can be felt throughout! This is the
Marvel I've missed! I had one word in
my heart all night; "WOW...'"
There was equal amount of praise for
the film's villain-Namor, played by
Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta. Both the
actor and the character are making their
MCU debut with Wakanda Forever.
"The intro of Namor was incredible, the
story bittersweet and packed with
emotionally charged twists," wrote
Travis Hospon from Punch Drunk
Critics. Black Panther Wakanda
Forever is directed by Ryan Coogler and
stars Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright,
Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Lupita
Nyong'o, Martin Freeman, apart from
Tenoch. The film releases in theatres on
November 11. Source: Collider
cANcER
Technology could pave the way for you to
greatly increase your income, possibly
through new skills or investments. This is
likely to be a very positive development,
setting the stage for future financial success. Some
unusual, interesting dreams could come your way,
bringing unexpected revelations about you and your past
- and possibly your future. Write them down! They could
hold important messages for you from your higher self.
LEO
A surprising revelation, either from
within or from sources like books, the
Internet, or communications from others
could set you in an entirely new direction.
You will have an increased sense of freedom, as well as
a clearer and more progressive outlook. You might
consider some pretty heavy changes in your life, Leo,
but don't make any final decisions or arrangements
today. Wait before putting your ideas into action.
VIRGO
Discoveries made through occult sciences
such as astrology or numerology could
see you embrace some rather
revolutionary ideas about yourself, the
world, and life. You could become involved with a
group associated with metaphysical studies or take an
online class or workshop of some kind. This could
mean a new direction for you in some way, Virgo. It
might greatly enhance your life and thinking.
Warfaze releases
new song ‘Maya’
TBT REPORT
Popular Bangladeshi band
Warfaze releases new song
'Maya' after a long break.
Written and composed by
Warfaze vocalist Palash Noor,
the song has been produced
by Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu
and Samir Hafiz.
The song 'Maya' is about
the journey of a person's life.
It highlighted the thoughts,
consciousness and feelings of
a person.
The song is now available
TBT REPORT
The 15th solo art exhibition
titled '(Non) hierarchical
Order of Forms' by Abhijit
Chowdhury, will begin today
(Friday) at the La Galerie of
Alliance Francaise de
Dhaka, Dhanmondi in the
capital.
The opening ceremony of
the exhibition will be held on
the gallery premises on
Friday at 5pm. The
Federation of Bangladesh
Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FBCCI) president
Md. Jashim Uddin will
attend the event as the chief
guest, while actor and artist
Afzal Hossain will be present
as the special guest.
Abhijit Chowdhury is
known as a fine and
promising artist in
Bangladesh. Abhijit's
on Gaan app. The band
released the song on October
31. Anyone can enjoy the song
by purchasing it Tk50 BDT
only.
The band is planning to
release another new song
very soon.
Warfaze was formed in 6
June 1984 and since then the
band had numerous line-up
changes. The band has
released seven studio albums,
one compilation album, and
several singles till date.
Solo art exhibition of Abhijit begins today
greatest source of
inspiration is nature. He
takes all kinds of elements
from nature with great care
and understanding through
his artistic perception, and
then he arranges those
pleasingly in his painting.
His creations are of
abstract expressionism
where perceptions and
feelings like joy, despair,
sorrow, hope, dream,
imagination, love, hate Etc.
Exist. He wants to prove
through his creations that
art is nothing but
(humanized science) as well
as a means of addressing
humanity.
The exhibition will be
open to all every Monday to
Saturday from 3:00pm to
9:00pm, until November 12
and will be closed on
Sunday.
Rambha thanks fans for love and
support after car accident
Rambha, who also worked in regional cinema, recently met with a car
accident in Canada. She suffered minor injuries, but her daughter
Sasha was admitted to the hospital. On Tuesday, the actor shared
pictures from the accident spot and asked her fans to pray for
her family. Now, she has provided a health update for her fans
on social media.
Rambha conducted an Instagram Live in which she thanked
everybody who prayed for her daughter. She said that they have
all recovered from the accident, and are now back at home.
Rambha lives in Canada with her husband and three children.
In the video, the Judwaa actor said, "To all my fans, friends
and family members who all prayed for our speedy
recovery and our safety, I thank you from the bottom of
my heart. My kids and I are safe now. Please keep
praying for us. I am overwhelmed by the love and
support I am getting from you all. I have no words to
express my happiness and joy that you all support me.
My children are safe, especially my daughter Sasha is
also safe. We all came back to our house. Thank you, I
love you all."
While reading fan comments during the live
session, Rambha also expressed her happiness at
still being remembered. She said, "I am so happy
that you all remember me and love me the same."
Rambha quit acting in 2010 after marrying Canadabased
businessman Indhran Pathmanathan and
moved to Toronto.
Rambha has been a popular face in Indian cinema. She has
films like Judwaa, co-starring Salman Khan and Karisma
Kapoor, Aa Okkati Adakku, Sargam, Jaani Dushman: Ek
Anokhi Kahani and Gharwali Baharwali among others, to her
credit.
LIBRA
Sudden lucky breaks could come your
way today, Libra, possibly through
friends or groups with which you're
involved. A long-term goal you've been
working toward might bring unexpected but
wonderful results. Virtual group activities,
particularly those involving social or political issues,
could take up a lot of your time. This promises to be
a busy, productive day. Expect the unexpected!
scORPIO
Today you might feel the desire to break
free from your daily routine, Scorpio,
particularly regarding career matters.
You might consider developing a
business of your own, one that would give you a lot
more freedom than you currently have. This is a good
day to start looking into it. You might find that there are
more possibilities out there than you expected.
sAGITTARIUs
A sudden and unexpected opportunity
to take a journey by air could come your
way today, Sagittarius. This might be
something you've wanted for a long
time finally manifesting. Certainly, adventure is in the
air, although it might be mental adventure as much as
physical. Some information could come your way that
catapults you into a new and exciting field of interest.
This promises to be a thoroughly stimulating day.
Former Bollywood actor
Source: Hindustan Times
cAPRIcORN
Technology could pave the way for you to
greatly increase your income, possibly
through new skills or investments. This is
likely to be a very positive development,
setting the stage for future financial success. Some
unusual, interesting dreams could come your way,
bringing unexpected revelations about you and your past
- and possibly your future. Write them down! They could
hold important messages for you from your higher self.
AQUARIUs
The unexpected need to take a journey
by air or spend a lot of time working
could bring about an inconvenient
separation from your partner. While the
reasons for this situation and the projected outcome
are very positive, it can cause a temporary upset in
your relationship. Don't worry about it. The upset will
pass, particularly when the desired results are
attained. Concentrate on the matter at hand.
PIscEs
Is your workplace upgrading its
equipment? Are you in the process of
increasing your technology skills?
Today's planets show that success and advancement
through technology are definitely in the offing for
you, Pisces. If you've been thinking about purchasing
a computer, do it today if you can. Whatever your
goals, you can harness current innovations to help
them along. Give it some thought!
fRiDAy, novemBeR 4, 2022
11
AWS announces availability of AWS
Outposts rack service in Bangladesh
TBT Report
AWS Outposts rack can now be
shipped and installed at data centers
and on-premises locations in
Bangladesh.
AWS Outposts rack, a part of the
AWS Outposts family, is a fully
managed service that extends AWS
infrastructure, AWS services, APIs, and
tools to virtually any data center or colocation
space for a truly consistent
hybrid experience. AWS Outposts rack
is ideal for workloads that require low
latency access to on-premises systems,
local data processing, and migration of
applications with local system
interdependencies. Outposts rack can
also help meet data residency
requirements.
With the availability of Outposts rack
in Bangladesh, you can use AWS
services to run your workloads and data
in country in your on-premises
facilities and connect to your nearest
AWS Region for management and
operations.
To learn more about Outposts rack,
read the product overview and user
guide. For the most updated list of
AWS Regions where Outposts rack is
supported, check out the Outposts rack
FAQs page.
"We are excited to bring AWS
Outposts rack to customers in
Bangladesh, which allows our local
customers to focus on developing
offerings that enhance customer
experiences, and improve business
performance, while leaving the
responsibility of managing the
infrastructure to us," said Puneet
Chandok, president of Commercial
Business, AWS India and South Asia at
AISPL. "AWS Outposts rack allows
customers to process data locally, and
will help to unleash more innovation
across industries by supporting low
latency applications such as highquality
and multiplayer gaming
experiences, manufacturing execution
systems, or medical diagnostics. We are
committed to working with
organizations in Bangladesh and our
AWS Partners to help local businesses
grow and drive economic productivity
in Bangladesh."
"We are excited about the AWS
Outposts launch in Bangladesh. In
Bangladesh, we strive to provide the
power of upcoming digital
transformation, enabling everyone to
improve more their lives, build
societies and secure a better future for
all, moving towards a developed and a
Smart Bangladesh by 2041. AWS
Outposts rack will allow us to use cloud
services and tools to build new network
services with a high degree of
digitalization, analytics, using the same
AWS tools we use today," said NM
Zeaul Alam, senior secretary,
UN Security Council denies Russia
call for bio weapons probe
UNITED NATIONS : The U.N. Security Council
on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected
Russia's attempt to establish a commission to
investigate its unfounded claims that Ukraine
and the United States are carrying out "military
biological" activities that violate the convention
prohibiting the use of biological weapons.
Russia only got support from China in the vote
on its resolution, with the U.S., Britain and
France voting "no" and the 10 other council
nations abstaining. The resolution was not
approved because it failed to get the minimum
nine "yes" votes required for adoption.
The 2-3-10 vote reflected the council's
continuing opposition and skepticism about
Russia's actions since its Feb. 24 invasion of
Ukraine. The council has been paralyzed from
taking any action against Russia's military
offensive because of Russia's veto power.
Russia circulated the draft resolution and a
310-page document to council members last
week alleging that military biological activity is
taking place at biological laboratories in Ukraine
with support from the U.S. Defense
Department.
Russia's deputy ambassador Dmitry
Polyansky said after the vote that his
government was "extremely disappointed" that
the council did not respond positively to its
request to establish a commission. Its proposed
resolution called for the Security Council's 15
members to carry out the investigation of
Russia's complaint, as allowed under Article VI
of the biological weapons convention.
Information and Communication
Technology Division, Bangladesh
"5G is the latest telecom technology
designed to significantly speed up and
improve the responsiveness of wireless
networks. Cloud native 5G platforms
allow a wide range of private and public
infrastructure options. Building
telecom 5G Core on an AWS Outposts
rack infrastructure will make it possible
to use AWS technologies in Bangladesh
at on-premises sites to fulfil the
demands of both commercial and
consumer clients." said Shyam Sunder
Sikder, chairman, Bangladesh
Telecommunication Regulatory
Commission (BTRC)
"AWS Outposts rack will help us to
address the needs of our customers that
would like to run workloads onpremises
while still being able to
leverage essential AWS technologies to
modernize their business processes
and services. AWS Outposts rack will
allow us to use cloud services and tools
to build new network services enabling
success and innovation for our
customers in Bangladesh." said Dr. Asif
Naimur Rashid, chief business officer,
Grameenphone Limited
"We are pleased to continue our
collaboration with AWS and are excited
about the launch of AWS Outposts rack
in Bangladesh. Our reliable and
resilient co-location services with AWS
will provide a cost-effective way of
securely hosting customer's workloads
on AWS Outposts infrastructure within
Bangladesh," said Syed Almas Kabir,
managing director, MetroNet
Bangladesh Limited.
Australian police offer
$633,000 reward for
Indian suspect
CANBERRA : Australian
police offered a 1 million
Australian dollar ($633,000)
reward on Thursday for
information on the
whereabouts of an Indian
national who is suspected of
murdering a woman on a
tropical beach four years ago
before returning to his
homeland.
Queensland state police
officers who speak Hindi and
Punjabi are waiting in an
office in Cairns to be contacted
from India via WhatsApp or
online about where Rajwinder
Singh, 38, can be found,
Detective Inspector Sonia
Smith said.
Singh was a nurse working
at Innisfail, south of Cairns,
when the body of 24-year-old
Toyah Cordingley was found
on Wangetti Beach on
Monday, Oct. 22, 2018.
She had gone to the beach,
north of Cairns, to walk her
dog the day before.
Singh flew from Cairns to
Sydney the day Cordingley's
body was found and left for
India the following day, police
said.
The reward is the largest in
Queensland's history and
unique in that it does not seek
a clue that solves a crime and
leads to a successful
prosecution. Instead, the
money is offered for
information that leads only to
a suspect's location and arrest.
Police Minister Mark Ryan
approved the reward and was
confident people knew where
Singh could be found.
"We know that people know
this person, they know where
this person is and we're asking
those people to do the right
thing," Ryan said.
"Now, there is a million
reasons for a billion eyes
around the world to help us
deliver justice for Toyah," he
added.
Deputy
Police
Commissioner Tracy
Lindford said detectives
believed Singh remained in
India. She appealed for
witnesses among India's
population of 1.4 billion
people to come forward.
Tri-annual conference of Rangpur District Jubo League will be held on next Saturday.The central
committee of Jubo League held a press conference at Rangpur Zila School ground on Thursday to
inform the overall preparations for the conference.
Photo : Azam Parvez
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Friday, Dhaka : November 4, 2022; Kartik 19, 1429 BS; Rabi-us-Sani 8 , 1444 Hijri
Although brinjal is available at local market for twelve months, now is the time to cultivate
brinjal as a winter vegetable. As the environment is favorable, the farmers are very inclined
towards brinjal cultivation. The picture is taken yesterday from Sariakandi Amtali area of
Bogura district.
Photo : Sangit Roy Bappy
BNP is the main mastermind
of politics of killing: Quader
DHAKA : Awami League General
Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said
BNP is the main mastermind of the politics
of killing, terrorism and intrigue in the
country but the killing and terrorism must
be stopped forever under the leadership of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"The main master of the politics of
killing is the BNP. They are the ones who
killed Bangabandhu, four national leaders
in prison and AL leaders and workers by
throwing grenades on August 21 in 2004,"
he said, reports BSS.
Quader, also the Road Transport and
Bridges Minister, made the remarks while
talking to reporters after paying tributes to
the portrait of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman at
Dhanmondi-32 here.
"We cherish the values of the Liberation
War in our spirit. For this, democracy
must be institutionalised in politics and
the politics of killing must be stopped forever
under the leadership of Sheikh
Hasina. This fight is going on," he said.
Terming the August 15 carnage of 1975
the most brutal killing in the world history,
the AL general secretary said
Bangabandhu's daughters - Sheikh
Hasina and Sheikh Rehana - escaped the
killing as they were abroad.
The killing of the four national leaders in
prison was continuation of the August 15
carnage, he said, adding that as a result of
continuation of the politics of killing, 23
fresh lives were bled on Bangabandhu
Avenue in an anti-terrorist rally in 2004.
BNP's ill politics
should be stopped:
Hasan
DHAKA : Information and Broadcasting
Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday
said BNP's ill politics should be stopped to
get rid of confronting politics forever from
Bangladesh, otherwise it won't be possible
to eliminate the politics of collision,
reports BSS.
He said ZiaurRahman was involved in
Bangabandhu killing on August 15 and jail
killing on November 3 in 1975.
Zia and his wife Begum Khaleda Zia had
chosen the path of killings and conflicts to
keep intact their power, he added.
The minister told the newsmen after
paying rich tributes to the graves of August
15 martyrs and the national four leaders at
Banani in the capital this morning marking
the Jail Killing Day.
A miladmahfil and special munazat
were also offered there.
Hasan said the worst killing in history
was orchestrated on this day in 1975. The
four national leaders were brutally killed
in the Dhaka Central Jail, he said, adding
they (the four leaders) didn't betray with
Bangabandhu.
He said it is regrettably true that the
killing literally took place in the hand of
ZiaurRahman as Zia was then in fact in
power. Zia was not only involved in the
killing of Bangabandhu, he was also
involved in the November 3 killing, said
Hasan, also Awami League joint general
secretary. He said Zia had started the politics
of killings and he killed armed forces
officials without any trial. Zia had
extremely violated the human rights in the
country, he added.
Bangladesh, Vietnam eye
$2 billion trade in 2023
DHAKA : Vietnamese Ambassador to
Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien has
expressed optimism that the bilateral
trade between the two countries will reach
$2 billion mark in 2023 when the two
countries will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic
relations, reports UNB.
In the first nine months of 2022 calendar
year, the bilateral trade turnover
between the two countries has reached
$1.1 billion and it is expected to reach $1.5
billion by end of December.
"If this trend keeps continuing, I hope
that trade between the two countries will
reach $2 billion in 2023," Ambassador
Chien told UNB in an interview, terming
the economic relations between the two
countries "robust".
Responding to a question, the
Vietnamese envoy said he has always
encouraged Bangladeshi businesses to
promote more Bangladeshi goods and
services to the Vietnamese people so that
Bangladesh can export more products to
the Vietnam market. "I think there is a lot
of potential to further boost the economic
relations between the two countries - from
manufacturing industry to agriculture," he
said seeking more cooperation with each
other as economic cooperation is one of
the most significant features of the bilateral
relations between the two countries.
The two countries want to maintain a
high economic growth and keep moving
towards realising the targets to be upper
middle-income countries in 2030 and
then developed and high-income countries
in the early 2040s, living up to the
dreams of the two founding fathers:
Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman
and Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh.
"One of the significant pieces of evidence
is that complementary cooperation
between the two countries can help each
other to realise and implement the development
strategy of each country," said the
Vietnamese envoy.
The bilateral trade between the two
countries now is in favour of Vietnam, said
the Ambassador.
BNP rally in Barishal
Commuters suffer as launch,
speedboat services suspended
BARISHAL : Launch and speedboat services
have been suspended in Barisahl district,
causing suffering to commuter.
Speedboat movement was halted on
Wednesday evening while launch on
Thursday morning amid BNP's allegation
that launch owners went on the sudden
strike as per the government's directive
ahead of the Bangladesh Nationalist
Party's (BNP) divisional rally slated for
November 5.
KabirHossain, inspector of river security
and traffic management department of
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport
Authority (BIWTA), said local people carried
out an attack on a launch named
'Awlad' and the launch owners enforced
the strike protesting the incident, reports
UNB.
The launch and speedboat services will
remain halted till November 5, he said.
However, the launch services on
Mehendiganj and MajuChowdhuryrhaat
routes remained undisrupted, he said.
No launches on Barishal-Bhola route
have left Barishal River Port and DC ghat
since morning.
However, the launch and speedboat
owners did not disclose any reason behind
the strike.
SaifulMridha, a launch passenger said "I
have come to the launch ghat to go to
Bhola in the morning but I did not find any
launche and speedboat operating since
morning."
The UNB correspondent found a number
of passengers waiting at Bheduriaghat
in Bhola for speedboat.
Earlier, three-wheeler drivers in
Barishal called a strike on November 4
and 5 demanding the authorities concerned
allow three-wheelers to operate on
the highway. The strike has coincided
with the upcoming rally of the BNP while
bus owners in the district have announced
a similar strike on the same dates.
The rally in Barishal will be the 5th one
by the BNP at the divisional level as four
others were held in Chattogram,
Mymensingh, Khulna, and Rangpur.
Fortified rice to be made available
DHAKA : Food Minister Sadhan Chandra
Majumder yesterday said fortified rice will
be made available through launching massive
campaign to address malnutrition
problem of the people.
"Fortified rice is one of the most effective
means to address micronutrient deficiencies
and improve nutritional status of the
people in the country," he told the inaugural
function of launching fortified rice as a
commercially product in Bangladesh at a
city hotel, reports BSS. Chairman of
Parliamentary Standing Committee on
the Food ministry DipankarTalukdar, MP,
Secretary of Coordination and Reforms of
Cabinet Division MdAtiurRahmanAtik
and Resident Representative and Country
Director of the World Food Programme
(WEP) Dom Scalpelli, senior officials and
leading nutritionists, among others
addressed the function.The minister said
mill owners across the country are polishing
rice, which is eventually destroying
food values of rice.
RCC election on
December 27
DHAKA : Rangpur City Corporation election
will be held on December 27. The
election schedule was finalised at a meeting
of the Election Commission (EC) with
Chief Election Commissioner
KaziHabibulAwal in the chair at the
Election Commission Secretariat on
Thursday, reports BSS.
EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam
announced the schedule after the meeting.
He said the Commission has also decided
to use electronic voting machines
(EVMs) and CCTV cameras in the election.
The balloting will start at 8.30 am and
continue till 4.30 pm without any break.
The election to the city corporation was
held on December 21, 2017. The first
meeting was held on February 19, 2017.
The tenure will end after five years of the
first meeting.
The meeting also held an elaborate discussion
on different local government
elections and by-elections in vacant posts.
It also decided to hold elections to five
municipalities and a number of union
parishads on December 29.
The five municipalities are-Bagha,
Rajshahi, Birol, Dinajpur, Boda,
Panchagarh, Alfadanga, Faridpur and
Banpara, Natore.
Increase supervision in
case investigation: Police
HQ to field officers
DHAKA : Police headquarters has given
instruction to field level police officers to
bring criminals under the law, through
increased supervision in case investigation.
The instruction was given from the
monthly crime review meeting held at the
police headquarters on Thursday, reports
UNB.
Additional IGP (Crime and Operations)
Md. Atiqul Islam, who presided over the
meeting, gave the instruction.
All metropolitan police commissioners,
tange DIGs and district superintendents
of police (SPs) participated virtually in the
meeting. DIG (Crime Management) YM
BelalurRahman, DIG (Operations)
MdHaider Ali Khan and related officers
were present at the police headquarters.
AIG (Crime Analysis) Sunanda Roy presented
statistics regarding the overall
crime situation of the country in the
month of September 2022 such as robbery,
murder, rape, gender violence,
recovery of drugs and weapons, unnatural
deaths etc.
HSC Exam
Police ban public movement
within 200 yards of Centers
DHAKA : Dhaka Metropolitan Police
(DMP) has imposed a ban on the movement
of anyone except Higher Secondary
School Certificate (HSC) students and
exam officials, within 200 yards of test
centres in the capital.
The DMP announced the new step in a
statement Thursday. The HSC and equivalent
exams are scheduled to begin on
November 6. More than 12.03 lakh students
are expected to sit for the exams at
2,649 centres, from 9,181 institutions
under 11 educational boards.
The public will be completely barred
from travelling within 200 yards of test
centres to ensure "proper and lawful"
exams, according to DMP Commissioner
KhandkerGulamFaruq.
Action will be taken if
any vandalism or public
sufferings seen: Kamal
DHAKA : Law enforcing agencies will perform
their duties if anyone causes public
sufferings in the name of protests by
blocking roads and vandalism, said Home
Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on
Thursday.
The Home Minister referred to a recent
statement by Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina that any party can hold their activities
peacefully and there is no objection
from the government, reports UNB.
But, the minister said, action will be
taken if there is any vandalism or public
sufferings.
"The Prime Minister believes that if the
political activities are conducted normally,
parties will hold meetings and talk about
their demands. Our government does not
intend to obstruct and are not obstructing
such activities," the minister said.
The minister made the remarks as he
talked to journalists in a dialogue organised
by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters
Forum (BSRF) at the secretariat on
Thursday.
He said that in case of any violent act,
cases will be filed as a normal procedure.
"Yesterday, a former justice's car was
vandalised and he filed a case following
the normal procedure. There is no need to
find the smell of politics here," said the
minister.
When asked if old political cases are
being reopened against the opposition
leaders, he said, "There is a backlog of
cases that need to be disposed of. We cannot
keep old cases pending for decades, so
nothing is being done here."
He said Awami League has always
believed a party has to come to power
through the people's mandate, and if any
kind of untoward incident occurs or there
are attempts to do so, the security forces
will act.
Int'l community must act with
fund and solutions to help most
vulnerable nations
DHAKA : Climate expert Prof Dr
SaleemulHuq says that the international
community must act and support the
worst affected and least responsible
nations with "funding and solutions" to
deal with climate change impacts, reports
UNB.
Climate change unequally impacts vulnerable
nations and indiscriminately creates
global crises causing chaos, new
poverty and violation of human rights.
"COP27 must make good on this agenda,"
said Prof Saleemul, Chair of the
Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) expert
advisory group, speaking at a report
launching event on Wednesday.
The flagship report entitled "Climate
Vulnerability Monitor, 3rd edition: A
Planet on Fire", commissioned by the CVF
and the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Group
of Ministers of Finance of the CVF presented
stark proof that climate change
impacts generate loss and damage, globally
creating crises for society, human health
and development.
Prof Saleemul said the Climate
Vulnerability Monitor provides them with
the anatomy of the loss and damage the
world now lives with because of decades of
insufficient climate inaction by rich, powerful
and responsible countries.
He said the detailed impact data and
evidence presented by the CVM3 provides
sobering reading on just how bad the situation
already is, and how much worse it
will become with fast rising global health
risks, extreme heat events, and economic
shocks, to name a few.
"Loss and damage have become the
biggest risk to global prosperity in the
present age," Prof Saleemul quoted as saying
in a message received from Accra,
Ghana.
Disclosing comprehensive new data on
the impact of climate change, the report
also highlighted the asymmetric consequences
for society which deepen global
inequalities with poorer and more vulnerable
nations the hardest hit.
Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the Board of
Global Center on Adaptation and 8th UN
secretary-general, said with this third edition
"CVM" they see clearly just how much
humanity finds itself at the crossroads.
Sadly, we have become a "Planet on Fire",
as the report's title highlights.
"If we do not act now, by the end of
the century, millions of lives would be
lost every single year because of
scorching heat," said the former UN
secretary general.
Suspended DIG
Mizanur terminated
over graft case
DHAKA : Suspended Deputy
Inspector General (DIG) of police
MizanurRahman, who is now in jail
over a corruption case, has been
fired from the service on Thursday.
The home ministry on Thursday
issued a notification, signed by its
Senior Secretary MdAminul Islam
Khan, saying that his termination
will be counted from February 23,
2022 when the High Court sentenced
Mizan to three-year in
prison, reports BSS.
According to the notification, a
charge sheet was filed on June 6,
2019 against MizanurRahman
(Additional Commissioner of Police
DMP, suspended and attached to
the Directorate of Police) on multiple
charges including the
Prevention of Money Laundering
Act -2012.
This order has been issued in public
interest, added the notification.
Pakistan kept their slim Twenty20 World Cup hopes alive with a 33-run win over South Africa in a rain-affected
Group 2 clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.In the picture, Babar Azam's reaction after his side beat
the proteas by 33 runs at the SCG.
Photo : ICC