Day: May 31, 2024

Rajya Laxmi and Akkal have clinched the title of the Fourth Rara Trail Run organized around the country's largest lake, the Lake Rara, by the Nepali Army. The Army has been organizing this long-distance run each year. This year the run is hosted by the Army's Hanuman Dhwaj Company, Rara. One hundred and ninety-four people including 169 males and 35 females participated in the run held today morning. Akkal Baduwal, 17, of Bama, Chhayanath Rara Municipality-14 came out first, completing the 16 kilometres run in one hour two minutes and 10 seconds. Similarly, Sher Bahadur Budha of Kanaka Sundari rural municipality-3, Jumla was placed in the second position with timing of one hour two minutes and 11 seconds while Chandra Rawat was in third place clocking one hour two minutes and 21 seconds. Among the women contestants, Rajya Laxmi Rawal, 19, of Gajyangkot, Jumla stood first, completing the run in one hour 14 minutes and 33 seconds; Kalpana Budha of Peda, Patarasi rural municipality-2, Jumla stood second with timing of one hour 14 minutes and 52 seconds while Samita Budha of Jumla stood third clocking one hour 16 minutes and 31 seconds. Those coming out first, second and third position in both the men's and women's categories have won cash prize of Rs 50 thousand, Rs 40 thousand and Rs 30 thousand, respectively along with trophy and certificate. Chief District Officer Topendra KC, Acting Mayor of Chhayanath Rara Municipality and Padam Raj Malla among the guests distributed the prize and trophy and certificate to the winners. Rajaram Budha, 51, was the oldest contestant and 15-year-old Dipendra Rawal the youngest contestant. Source: National News Agency RSS

Two people died and one sustained serious injuries in an auto-rickshaw and motorcycle collusion in Dang. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) at the Area Police Office Tulsipur, Thakur Pokharel informed that the deceased have been identified as motorbike rider Rajesh Bhandari, 30, a local of Babai rural municipality-4 and pillion rider Sakar KC, 31, of the same place. Both were pronounced dead in course of the treatment. The auto-rickshaw (Ra 1 Ha 4096) heading to Tulsipur from Kumalgadhi of Dang Tulsipur-2 and a motorbike (Ra 7 Pa 250) had collided each other. Likewise, auto-rickshaw rider Rudra Bahadur Thapa, 43, of Dang Shaninagar-7, Khaireni sustained critical injuries in the accident. He is undergoing treatment in Nepalgunj. Source: National News Agency RSS

Wolfs", an upcoming action comedy starring Hollywood superstars George Clooney and Brad Pitt, will be released in Indian theatres on September 27, Sony Pictures Entertainment India announced on Wednesday. The film is written and directed by Jon Watts, best known for Tom Holland's three "Spider-Man" movies. "Wolfs" marks a reunion between Clooney and Pitt, who last appeared on screen together 16 years ago in the 2008 crime comedy "Burn After Reading". The duo have also featured on Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's" trilogy -- "Ocean's Eleven" (2001), "Ocean's Twelve" (2004) and "Ocean's Thirteen" (2007). Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Hamas announced on Thursday that it has informed mediators of its readiness to reach a "full agreement," including a comprehensive hostages-prisoners exchange deal, if Israel stops its war in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement from the Gaza-ruling Palestinian faction. Hamas said it has showed flexibility and positivity in response to the efforts of the mediators throughout all previous indirect negotiating rounds, but Israel used these negotiations "as a cover for the continuation of aggression" against the Palestinian people, citing military operations in Rafah and seizure of the crossing as evidence. Hamas and other Palestinian factions will not accept to be part of this policy by continuing negotiations in light of "aggression, killing, siege, starvation and genocide of our people," it added. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Tuesday that Israel had handed over a document with the Israeli proposal to Qatar and Egypt to resume negotiations for the exchange of detainees with Hamas and a ce asefire in Gaza. The last round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, hosted by Egypt for two days earlier this month, stalled after the Israeli attack on Rafah city in southern Gaza Strip. Hamas's inclination to seek an agreement came amid continued fighting in Rafah city despite international condemnations of the Israeli attack. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have arrested two Myanmar nationals with more than three kilograms (kg) of crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth) in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar district. The arrested are identified as Md Alam, 19 and Md Ayach, 21. Both of them are residents of Myanmar's Maungdaw district, according to a BGB press release, received here today. On secret information, a patrol team of BGB's Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB) set up a check post at Noakhalipara near Marine Drive road around 5:30 pm on Thursday and started searching vehicles. Later, they stopped a CNG-run auto-rickshaw for a search and seized crystal meth ice from the passengers, the release added. The arrested persons along with the seized crystal meth ice were handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station. A case has been filed against them in this regard. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Integrated efforts of all government and non-government entities can be the best way of strengthening the anti-tobacco campaign to protect people from various non-communicable diseases due to both active and passive smoking. Utmost emphasis should be laid on highlighting health and other risks associated with tobacco use apart from advocating for effective policy to cut tobacco consumption. Administrative officials and law enforcers came up with the observation while addressing a post-rally discussion in the city on Friday. The divisional and district administrations organised the discussion at the office conference hall of Divisional Commissioner in observance of the World No Tobacco Day-2024. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2024 is 'Protecting Children From Tobacco Industry Interference.' This year's theme aims to protect young people and urges the tobacco industry to stop targeting the young population with products that are harmful to their health. Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Dewan Muham mad Humayun Kabir addressed the meeting as chief guest with Additional Commissioner Mohinul Hassan in the chair. Additional Commissioner Tarafder Muhammad Akter Jamil welcomed the participants giving an illustration on aspects of the Day. Imposing restrictions on smoking in public places and transports is very important for protecting many non-smokers from various non-communicable diseases caused by smoking. Use of tobacco items causes many non-communicable diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory disorder. Divisional Director of Local Government Parvej Raihan, Additional Superintendent of Police Anwar Hossain, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Bibhuti Bhushan Banerjee and Additional Superintendent of Police Abu Saleh Muhammad Ashraful Islaml and President of Rajshahi Press Club Saidur Rahman also spoke. Commissioner Jafarullah highlighted the risks of tobacco on health and called for full-length enforcement of the tobacco control law t o cut tobacco use in the country. He urged all to take comprehensive measures to raise voice against tobacco use to build a tobacco-free society. Commissioner Dr Humayun Kabir also said the government has amended the law to make it more stringent because of growing tobacco use in the country. As per the law, the selling of cigarettes to those below 18 has been banned. He said mobile courts should be conducted against all sorts of violations of the law, adding that all the district administrations should supplement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's announcement of freeing the country from tobacco use by 2040. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has set a target of feeding vitamin 'A' capsules to more than 5.79 lakh children. DNCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury disclosed this while speaking at a press conference at Nagar Bhaban in city's Gulshan-2 on Thursday, a press release said today. As part of the programme, Vitamin A-plus campaign will be held in 1904 centers of 54 wards of DNCC tomorrow, he said. Vitamin 'A' capsules will be given at designated centers from 8 am to 4 pm, the release added. The National Vitamin A-plus campaign will be conducted tomorrow with a target to feed vitamin A-plus capsules to over 2.22 crore children, aged between six months and 59 months, to prevent childhood blindness and reduce child mortality in the country. Under the campaign, 27 lakh children, aged between six months and 11 months, will be given blue-colored vitamin A-plus capsules while 1.95 crore children, aged between 12 and 59 months, will be administered red-colored capsules free of cost on the day. Vitamin A deficiency is a serious threat to both mother and child's health, health experts said, adding that the impact of vitamin A deficiency is not only causes blindness, but also increases death risk by causing various diseases. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today said no more Rohingya or Myanmar national will be allowed to enter Bangladesh. He said this to journalists while visiting Ukhia Rohingya Camp in the district this morning. Asaduzzaman said weapons are being used in Rohingya camps while Rohingyas are divided into different groups and sub-groups. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and Army are working to control the Rohingyas, he added. The home minister said some evidences of concern over forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, the Rohingyas, are being seen. "From the beginning, we are saying that if the Rohingyas cannot be send back within the quickest time, there will be unrest here. A hub of international criminals can be created here. Now we are witnessing some evidences of that concern," he added. The presence of some people who are fighting inside Myanmar has been noticed here, he mentioned. Asaduzzaman said the biggest matter of concern is - Bangladesh doesn't produce any drugs but dru gs are coming from Myanmar as some people of the camp are involved with drug peddling. "We are trying to identify them to bring them to justice" he said. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, APBn chief Selim Mohammad Jahangir, Additional Inspector General Anwar Hossain and Chattogram Range DIG Noor-E-Alam Mina were present on the occasion. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The newly appointed secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Md Jahangir Alam today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj. After laying the wreath, he stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation. Later, he prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs who had to embrace martyrdom on the fateful August 15, 1975. A special prayer was also offered seeking the longevity of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members. The secretary also signed the visitors' book kept at the administrative building of Tungipara Mausoleum Complex. Additional Secretary of Public Security Division of Home Ministry Rezaul Mostafa, Joint Secretaries Abul Fazal Mir and Dhananjoy Kumar Das, Deputy Secretaries Zahid Hasan, Mahbub Rahman Sheikh, Superintendent of Police of Gopalganj Al-Beli Afifa, Deputy Director of Local Government Department of Deputy Commissioner's Office Azharul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Golam Kabir, Tungipara Upazila Chairman Babul Sheikh, Upazila Awami League Vice-President Elias Hossain, Municipal Mayor Sheikh Tozammel Haque Tutul, Municipal Awami League President Sheikh Saiful Islam, among others, were present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has reaffirmed Bangladesh's steadfast support for UN peacekeeping missions in the coming days. He express this view while attending a joint reception by Bangladesh and Austria at the United Nations headquarters in New York to mark International Peacekeepers Day on Thursday, a foreign ministry press release said here today. During the event, Dr Hasan said Bangladesh has always been at the forefront of UN peace initiatives following the foreign policy of its founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He highly lauded the dedication and professionalism of Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed at different UN peacekeeping missions. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in peacekeeping operations, emphasizing the increasing global threats to peace and the critical need to bolster peacekeeping efforts. Hasan Mahmud, along with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Austria's Charg, d'Affaires Stefan Pretterhofer, paid tribute to 64 peacekeepers from 34 countries who died in 2023 while serving in UN missions. Earlier in the day, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, received the 'Dag Hammarskj"ld Medal' from the UN Secretary-General on behalf of two Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were martyred in 2023. The event showed Bangladesh's significant role and continued dedication to international peacekeeping efforts, said the release. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud has sought continuous support from the member states of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for ensuring the safe and sustainable repatriation of nearly 1.3 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar. He made the urge while briefing ambassadors from OIC member countries at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday, a foreign ministry's press release said here today. During the briefing, Hasan praised the OIC for its leading role in international efforts to alleviate the plight of the Rohingyas and updated the envoys on the current situation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh foreign minister expressed deep concern over the increasing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state at the briefing held in the OIC conference room at the UN Headquarters. He laid emphasized on the need for the Rohingyas' full citizenship rights upon return to Myanmar. Ambassadors from OIC member states, including Saudi Arabia, Gambia, Pakis tan, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt and Indonesia, expressed their gratitude to the Bangladesh foreign minister for the timely briefing. They commended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's generosity in sheltering the Rohingyas and voiced full support for Bangladesh's demands for their repatriation. On a two-day official visit to New York starting on May 30, the foreign minister is scheduled to hold further meetings with top UN officials and representatives from member states. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the death of former Member of Parliament (MP) from Faridpur-1 Constituency and former Senior Secretary Manjur Hossain Bulbul. In a condolence message today, the Head of State prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of the deceased and conveyed deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. Bulbul breathed his lat at the age of 68 at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital in Dhaka on Thursday (May 30) around 2:30 pm. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha