Category: General

Walton has launched a new flagship smartphone with a 64-megapixel rear penta-camera – a five-sensor camera – set-up.

Also, the phone sports a 32-megapixel selfie camera on the front and advanced features, including powerful RAM, ROM and side-mounted fingerprint.

The flagship model of Primo ZX4 has been released targeting the users who look for advanced features in devices, SM Rezwan Alam, chief executive officer of Walton Mobile, said. “Priced at Tk26,999, the 8.6mm phone has been released in charcoal black colour.”

Primo ZX4 is made of 3D glass panels. It has a 6.67-inch full HD plus LTPS display with a 20:9 aspect ratio, Habibur Rahman Tuhin, marketing in-charge of Walton Mobile, said.

Run by the Android 11 operating system, this Walton phone sports a powerful 2.05 GHz Helio G95 Octacore processor, ARM Mali-G76 MC4 GPU with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, which will ensure high speed.

The phone comes with 128GB internal storage with 256GB micro SD card support.

For adequate power backup, the phone has a 4000mAh Li-Polymer battery with 18watt Type-C fast charging.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The government has appointed Sadia Faizunnesa, now serving as the consul general of Bangladesh in New York, as the next ambassador of the country to Brazil.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed her appointment Monday.

Sadia, a career diplomat, belongs to the 18th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service Foreign Affairs cadre.

She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1999 and served as director-general for the UN there, deputy permanent representative at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, and in different capacities at the Bangladesh missions in Bangkok, Berlin, and for multiple wings at the headquarters.

Sadia received a master’s in development studies from Brac University and graduated with a bachelor of medicine and surgery degree from Dhaka University.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Sunday, 1st of August marked the 50th anniversary of the historic ‘Concert for Bangladesh’, the charity concert organized for the aid of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh by world-famous Indian sitar maestro Pandit Sri Ravi Shankar, and English singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist of The Beatles, George Harrison at the historic Madison Square Garden, New York.

Initiated with a mission to draw international attention to the war genocide and fund relief for refugees from then East Pakistan, the pair of concerts was organized on August 1st, 1971 featuring legendary names in world music including Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and more.

The Concert for Bangladesh is acknowledged as the first such charity concert for a humanitarian cause, that paved the way for many later events such as BandAid, LiveAid and Live8.

Although the ongoing global pandemic of Covid-19 prevented any massive-scale celebration in the country, the historic day has been observed with deep respect and a couple of significant arrangements as tributes to the historic charity concert that addressed Bangladesh to many of the music lovers around the world.

Honouring the legacy of the historic concert, London-based UBIK Productions and Samdani Art Foundation (Dhaka) organized a unique online concert titled ‘Concert from Bangladesh’ on Sunday, supported by the British Council Digital Collaboration Fund.

The mixed reality concert, streamed live at the Pioneer Works’ online platform on Sunday at 6 pm (Bangladesh time) enthralled audiences through an exclusive audio-visual journey divided into an expansive three-act, featuring renowned Baul singer Arif Baul accompanied by instrumental artists Nazrul Islam, Saidur Rahman, and Sohel; an exclusive piece on the second act composed by Enayet Kabir and Nishit Dey, exploring the shared musical language between Nazrul Sangeet, classical raga, and 90s music utilizing the cutting edge electronic production and arrangements by Enayet Kabir, Provhat Rahman and Adittya Arzu, also known as Siaminium, with classical raga and Nazrul Sangeet by Meerashri Arshee and Moumita Haque, Bansuri flute by Jawaad Mustakim Al Muballig and Nishit Dey on sitar – and the concluding act by the popular Bangladeshi hip hop duo, the 12-year-old ‘Gully Boy’ Rana alongside Tabib Mahmud.

Acclaimed British-South Asian artist Shezad Dawood crafted the virtual reality stage for the concert with having the historical-intellectual hub Beauty Boarding, the riverbanks of Gorai River in Kushtia and Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur, Naoga on the background. The concert was co-curated by Diana Campbell, Artistic Director of the SAF, alongside music producer and artist Enayet Kabir, assistant curators Ruxmini Choudhury and Shoummo Saha.

Inspired by the virtuous concept of the charity Concert for Bangladesh, all proceeds from this unique concert will be distributed between the performing musicians and Bangladeshi charity organisation, Friendship, which offers healthcare for climate change refugees and promotes women’s rights in Bangladesh.

Earlier, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar on Sunday unveiled a commemorative stamp worth Tk 10 and an opening envelope worth Tk 10 from his office in Dhaka, alongside a data card worth Tk 5, honouring the historic concert.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak unveiled a special commemorative book titled ‘The Country That Lived – Fifty Years of Freedom and the Concert for Bangladesh’ on Saturday.

The ‘Concert for Bangladesh’, joined by 40,000 live audiences at the Madison Square Garden in New York City is considered the trailblazing event that revolutionized many all-star charity events that have followed ever since.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking the release of 18 imported Brahman-breed cows seized by customs officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on July 5.

Barrister Mehedi Hasan filed the petition on behalf of Imran Hossain, the owner of Sadek Agro in Mohammadpur, on Monday.

The seized cows are now at Savar Dairy Farm.

Defence counsel Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol said: “We’ve sought permission to release the cows and directives to hand over those to their owner.”

The hearing on the writ petition will be held at the bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim on Tuesday.

Customs officials on July 5 seized 18 Brahman-breed cows at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The cows were later handed over to the Livestock Department.

“The cows were imported from the US and arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight. We seized them as the import of Brahman-breed cows is not legal in the country,” Md Abdus Sadek, deputy commissioner (preventive) of Dhaka Customs House said.

The market value of each cow is Tk 12-15 lakh.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and Australia will play the opening match of the bilateral T20I series at the Sher-e-Bangla cricket stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday (August 3). Both Australia and Bangladesh teams are enclosed in a bio-bubble, and all those directly involved in the series are closely monitored by physicians and subjected to the covid19 test on a regular basis. The good news is that all of the players from both sides have tested negative so far and are likely to participate in the series opener. The first match preview of the BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021 is discussed in this article.

BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021: Team News for the First Match

Bangladesh

Bangladesh team management may opt for Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Mithun to open the innings in the series opener because of the growing concern of the injuries of openers Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Naim. Bangladesh have limited options in the opening slot, therefore they want to give the responsibility to the senior members of the squad.

Mustafizur Rahman is uncertain about the first two matches in the bowling department. Shoriful, Taskin, and Saifuddin may all be in the playing XI. Saifuddin has been struggling with the ball lately, and he will need to change his line and lengths to be successful against the Australian batters. Apart from that, the rest of the players from the just concluded Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe T20I series will likely remain unchanged.

Expected Playing XI (Bangladesh)

M Naim, S Sarkar, Shakib , Mahmudullah (Captain), Afif, Shamim, N Hasan (WK), Nasum, MSaifuddin, Taskin, Shoriful

Australia

Australia have struggled to reach their full potential in the Twenty20 format since the beginning of the year. For the Windies and Bangladesh series, Cricket Australia has rested some star players and offered a few newcomers an opportunity to shine on the international stage.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mathew Wade may captain Australia in this BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021 in the absence of regular skipper Aaron Finch. He may also open the innings with Josh Philippe in the first match. Australia may field two spinners in the series opener given the fact that Mirpur’s surface is likely to assist spinners. That’s why both Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa may be included in the playing XI.

Read:Bangladesh and Australia will play a five-match Twenty20 International series starting from August 3

Expected Playing XI (Australia)

J Philippe, M Wade (C & WK), M Marsh, M Henriques, A Carey, A Tye, M Swepson, Ashton Agar, A Zampa, J Hazlewood, M Starc

Toss, Weather Forecast, and Recent Form

Thunderstorms are expected early in the day, but the remainder of the day will most likely be overcast on Tuesday. There is no advantage to choose bat first or bat second at the SBNCS, Mirpur. With this in mind, the captains may make their final decision based on the pitch condition. According to recent form, Australia have lost seven of the ten T20I matches they have played this year, while Bangladesh have lost four of the six matches they have played in 2021.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA-76) in person maintaining health guidelines.

“We’re hoping that our Prime Minister will lead the Bangladesh delegation (in person),” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters on Monday.

He said the UNGA will be held on a limited scale this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and they do not know about the heads of state and government who will be joining it in person.

The UNGA will open on September 14, and the first day of the high-level General Debate will be held on September 21.

The Foreign Minister indicated that there will be less engagements on the sidelines due to the Covid situation.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Thanks to talented filmmakers around the world, they have been giving a remarkable number of inspirational movies for entrepreneurs. However, all entrepreneurs go through an upsetting time despite the phase of their business. A little encouragement works as a tonic to get yourself back on track at this point. You can try these best business films to be inspired.

Top 10 Best Inspirational Movies for Entrepreneurs

The Entrepreneur | 2011 | Italy | IMDb: 6.1/10

The burden of bank loans is one of the worst nightmares for entrepreneurs. This film shows the desperate attempts to handle the liabilities. Eventually, it delivers a warning of careful fundraising to bypass up-ahead harsh debt management.

Andrea Purgatori wrote the screenplay with this film’s director Giuliano Montaldo. This film, starring Pierfrancesco Favino, won the golden globe of Italy in Best Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Score.

It Takes a Man and a Woman | 2013 | Philippine | IMDb: 6.8/10

Business or job, whatever it is, everyone does it for their own family. But in many cases, this career causes a rift between relationships in personal life. Based on such a story, Carmi Raymundo scripted the film under the direction of Cathy Garcia-Molina.

This commercially successful romantic comedy is a sequel to two films- A Very Special Love (2008) and You Changed My Life (2009). The film, starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo, won Golden Screen Award in Best Motion Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, and Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Mondays in the Sun | 2002 | Spain | IMDb: 7.6/10

This drama brings some hilarious elements to take everything in life lightly. Sometimes the ecstasy of waiting for a new beginning becomes priceless despite the hardships of life. Six men share these feelings in this film and end up in funny hustle.

Fernando Leon de Aranoa, the director of this film, co-wrote the screenplay along with Ignacio del Moral. Javier Bardem, Jose Angel Egido, and Luis Tosar were starring in the film.

The film won five categories at Goya Awards, four categories at San Sebastián International Film Festival.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | 2019 | UK | IMDb: 7.6/10

This film is a great inspiration to contribute to the community with amazing innovation. No matter how difficult it is, if there is a will, there is a way. William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer depict this principle in their memoir- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, where William, a Malawian schoolboy, manages to create a windmill.

This biography film, directed and Screenplay by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who also stars in the film, premiered at Sundance Film Festival.

This historical film won the Truly Moving Picture Award at Heartland Film 2019.

The Social Network | 2010 | America | IMDb: 7.7/10

This film, made in the direction of David Fincher and screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, is one of the best movies for entrepreneurs. Based on ‘The Accidental Billionaires’ by Ben Mezrich, the film tells the story of Facebook, the giant social network of the world.

This groundbreaking entrepreneurship now maintains approximately 2.69 billion users actively per month. Jesse Eisenberg played the founder of Facebook- Mark Zuckerberg.

The film won three categories in Oscar out of eight nominations. Moreover, this film bagged several awards, including two BAFTA and three Golden Globes.

The Billionaire | 2011 | Thailand | IMDb: 7.8/10

Like Mark Zuckerberg, who became the billionaire of 2008 at his 23, this film is a story of a university dropout teenager becoming a billionaire.

If you do it properly, you will succeed, even if it is something like a seaweed business. The film’s director Songyos Sugmakanan and the screenplay writer Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit attempted to establish this morale by this film.

This film, starring Pachara Chirathivat, got a Grand Prix nomination at Osaka Asian Film Festival.

The Wind Rises | 2013 | Japan | IMDb: 7.8/10

The original concept of this film comes from the novel- The Wind Has Risen (1937) by Tatsuo Hori. This tale shows how the invention of Jiro Horikoshi gets accepted by the imperial army of Japan even after lots of failures.

In fact, every coming up with a new thing takes time. It requires patience during the failure. Hayao Miyazaki has shed light on this point through the direction and screenplay of the movie. Hideaki Anno, Hidetoshi Nishijima, and Miori Takimoto gave their voice for the major roles. This animated film got an Oscar nomination as Best Animated Feature Film.

The Corporation | 2003 | Canada | IMDb: 8/10

Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott directed this documentary based on The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, a book by Joel Bakan. The criticisms captured in the screenplay, written by the novelist Bakan, Harold Crooks, and the director Achbar, will give you a visual demonstration of the corporate world.

This film, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival as a world cinema audience award, won Genie Award and Philadelphia Film Festival as Best Documentary.

Harishchandrachi Factory | 2009 | India | IMDb: 8.4/10

Filmmaking itself was once magnificent entrepreneurship. Paresh Mokashi, the director and screenplay writer of this movie, has tried to tell that story. The film shows how Dadasaheb Phalke became the pioneer of full-length feature filmmaking in India by making Raja Harishchandra (1913).

Nandu Madhav played Dadashaheb, and Vibhavari Deshpande played Saraswati, the wife of Dadashaheb.

This comedy film achieved the honor to get selected in the official entry of India for Oscar as the Best Foreign Language Film.

Catch Me If You Can | 2002 | America | IMDb: 8.1/10

This masterpiece, made by the artistic storyteller- Steven Spielberg, can give you lessons on the colorful practical life. Jeff Nathanson wrote the screenplay based on the autobiography with the same name by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding. Abagnale successfully lived multiple lives, including a doctor, pilot, lawyer, and the most outstandingly, a bank check forger.

Leonardo DiCaprio played Abagnale Jr., while Tom Hanks played an FBI agent, who chasing Abagnale in the film.

Christopher Walken and John Williams got Oscar nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Music, Original Score respectively.

Takeaways

These best business movies are not only inspirational for entrepreneurs but also contain insight into living. Basically, life didn’t set any boundary to try something new. Moreover, continuous endeavor keeps open the door of opportunity. As you aren’t living anyone’s life but you, you better focus on what you love to do.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is the only country which has been able to ride over the pandemic better than any other nation, says IFFRAS, an international think tank headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

The country, which former US National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger acerbically referred to as basket case in 1972, has in the last 50 years since its independence performed better than Pakistan, it said.

Bangladesh’s growth rate was way above Pakistan, even before the pandemic; in 2018-19 it was 7.8% compared to Pakistan’s 5.8%, said IFFRAS (International Forum for Rights and Security).

IFFRAS, in its article titled “Bangladesh and Pakistan – Formerly one Nation, today a World Apart” described how Bangladesh became a “miracle story” and Pakistan a “disaster tale”.

It mentioned in the Covid-19 pandemic and amid major changes unseen in a century, the global economy is mired in its deepest recession since World War II and multilateralism and the international order are confronted with unprecedented challenges, which has created considerable obstacles to South Asian development in the economic and other fields.

Bangladesh and Pakistan are a world apart today because they perceive their national interest very differently, IFFRAS mentioned.

Bangladesh sees its future in human development and economic growth. Goal posts are set at increasing exports, reducing unemployment, improving health, reducing dependence upon loans and aid, and further extending micro credit, it said.

For Pakistan, according to IFFRAS, human development comes a distant second. “The bulk of national energies remain focused upon check-mating India and nurturing extra state actors in the 1990s.”

It said Bangladesh’s economic miracle also benefitted from separation of religion from state and their leaders’ single-minded focus on Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves in May 2021 hit a record $45.10 billion amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which is more than double compared to Pakistan’s17.1 USD bn in June 2021.

The real marvel lies in the fact that even in FY ’20, when economies around the world contracted as a result of pandemic lockdowns, Bangladesh managed a 5.24% growth, (IFFRAS) said.

In 2021, Bangladesh’s GDP per capita had grown by 9% rising to $2,227. Pakistan’s per capita income, meanwhile, is $1,543. In 1971, Pakistan was 70% richer than Bangladesh; today, Bangladesh is 45% richer than Pakistan.

With macro-economic stability as its cornerstone, Bangladesh’s economy has increased by 271 times over 50 years, IFFRAS said.

Bangladesh’s successful journey is a good example and in just two decades, Bangladesh has overtaken Pakistan on key economic indicators.

Over the past 20 years, Bangladesh’s GDP per-capita increased 500 percent, two and a half times that of Pakistan, said IFFRAS.

There are thousands of garment factories in Bangladesh, a country which does not grow cotton.

But by importing cotton worth a couple of hundred million dollars, Bangladeshi garments factories are exporting it in the form of readymade garments worth $35 billion, it said.

On the contrary, Pakistan – despite being a cotton-growing country – has failed to increase its exports of garments and textile products beyond $10 billion, said IFFRAS adding that even worse, Pakistan is now importing cotton.

In fact, a lack of innovation and commitment on the part of the authorities in Pakistan because of its feudal and tribal structures, it is unable to make use of its agricultural resources, particularly cotton, to increase its exports of textiles and textile made-ups, IFFRAS mentioned.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Global technology company vivo has launched its countrywide free “Doorstep Delivery” initiative following health protocols.

Customers can now enjoy the service by calling the vivo hotline number to place their order with their preferred e-tailers.

The free doorstep delivery service is operational 24X7, and direct requests can be placed at the vivo hotline number: 09610991079.

Sharon, sales director of vivo Bangladesh, said: “As a customer-centric and responsible brand, we are striving to ensure end-to-end customers’ safety and convenience while providing them with a hassle-free shopping experience. We have decided to offer this home delivery service to support customers as well as ensure business continuity for our partners and retailers.”

Some of the best-selling vivo smartphones in 2021 include V21, V21e, Y12S, Y1S, Y20G, and Y51.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Dr Shamsun Nahar Begum, chief scientific officer of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), has received the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) “Women in Plant Mutation Breeding Award.”

Also, BINA, a research organisation under the Agriculture Ministry, has received the “Outstanding Achievement Award” from the IAEA.

The awards will be formally conferred at the 65th General Conference of the IAEA in September to recognise contributions to plant mutation breeding and related biotechnology, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

BINA carries out research in different areas including crop improvement through induced mutation, biotechnology, soil management and biofertil­iser, irrigation and water manage­ment, pest management, physiological aspects of crop productivity, crop management, improvement of horticultural crops, technology transfer and impact assessment, and socio-economic research.

The organisation has succeeded in developing and releasing 112 modern varieties of 18 important crops by using nuclear techniques. These varieties are now making a significant contribution to raising the agricultural productivity of Bangladesh.

BINA has also been able to identify eight rhizobial inocula for fixing higher biological nitrogen in soils to increase the seed yield of beans, pulses and oil crops.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The World Bank is supporting Bangladesh with $590 million grant financing to address the needs of the displaced Rohingya people until their safe and voluntary return to Myanmar, and to minimise the impact on the host communities.

The Refugee Policy Review Framework aims at evaluating the effectiveness of the multilateral donor’s support to refugee-hosting countries across the world to strengthen relevant policies and institutions to best manage the situation, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Mercy Tembon said.

The World Bank came up with a programme in Bangladesh as part of the framework through the Economic Relations Division.

Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Most of them had fled a military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine in 2017.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said approvals will be given to some Internet Protocol Televisions (IPTV) within this month.

“We did not give any permission to any IPTV yet. We have asked the authorities concerned to apply for registration and some 600 applications have been submitted. We will give approval of some IPTV within this month after scrutiny,” he said.

The Minister came up with the information while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.

“It is known to all that according to the broadcast policy an IPTV can’t present any news and allegations have been brought against some IPTV,” said Hasan.

Replying to a question, the Awami League joint general secretary also said “The government has announced the mass inoculation drive following the roadmap, but BNP is trying to mislead people as they did in the past.”

Referring to the Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury’s remark about the government’s wrong policy, Hasan said “Knowing everything about the global situation, Dr Zafrullah is also misleading people. His statement is nothing but misleading.”

Dr Zafrullah on Sunday said the country’s health system has collapsed due to the ‘wrong’ policy of the government as it is suffering from ‘dependency syndrome’.

“The Covid death rate has increased in the country because of the government’s wrong policy. The government has been walking on a wrong path for which the health system has completely collapsed,” he said while speaking at a press conference at Gonoshasthaya Kendra.

“The government has taken all steps to stem the Covid-19 from the beginning and we were able to tackle the first wave of Covid-19 successfully under the leadership of the prime minister,” Hasan said.

He said that the government has already declared that 10 crore doses will come within this year and one crore people will be vaccinated in one month.

To a query about the reopening of export-oriented factories amid strict lockdown and sufferings of workers, the minister said the demand to reopen the export-oriented factories came from the businessmen. The decision to reopen factories was not made by any secretary or person, it was the decision of the government.

But the garment owners said they will start work with the workers living in Dhaka and adjacent areas, he said adding but the owners deviated from it and made phone calls to the workers outside Dhaka to join their work and it created a confusion.

Source: United News of Bangladesh