One female RMG worker was killed and ten more injured during a confrontation between police and workers on Wednesday in the Konabari area of Gazipur. Anjuara Begum, aged 24, was the spouse of Jamal Hossain and resided in Char Natipara, Kazipur upazila, Sirajganj. She was an operator of Islam Garments in the Konabari area.

The clash happened in the morning when workers started to demonstrate in Konabari area, against the government issued minimum wage for the labourers, and police shot rubber bullets, sound grenades and lobbed teargas shells. At least 12 workers were hurt in the conflict and 2 were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared Anjuara dead, said in-charge of DMCH police outpost Bachchu Mia.

Source: https://www.newagebd.net/article/217131/rmg-worker-killed-in-clash-with-police-in-gazipur#google_vignette

Md Ashfaqur Rahman, the founder and CEO of Maven Autos, died in a bike accident today. He fell from his bike on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway at around 2:30 AM. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. The doctors declared him dead around 3:30 AM.

According to Rakibul Hasan, store and customer service officer of Maven Autos, Ashfaqur travelled to Mawa last night for some work. It’s unclear whether he lost control of his bike or some other vehicle was involved in the accident.

Source: The Daily Star

The website ‘istomorrowhartal.com’, which previously provided up-to-date information on hartals (strikes) and blockades in Bangladesh, has reappeared in 2023 amidst the ongoing blockades. The website was established in 2015. The website was originally established amidst a phase of frequent hartals by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). It has been recently enhanced to incorporate details regarding the most recent blockades initiated by the aforementioned party.

The website was made by Pathao founder Hussain M Elius in 2015, to provide a reliable source of info for people to know whether a hartal or blockade was to take place on the following day. It was a result of the challenges faced by commuters and the need for companies to plan ahead during unforeseeable times. With the repeat of BNP-led blockades in 2023, ‘istomorrowhartal’ has seen an update with info of latest blockades.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/tech-startup/news/website-tells-you-if-there-will-be-oborodh-tomorrow-3463776

A recently found video shows Mike Johnson, a Republican politician, promoting an app that enables “accountability” between him and his son over any porn use. “Covenant Eyes is the software that we’ve been using a long time in our household,” he said. The app sends an alert to his son whenever he looks at anything explicit, and sends him an alert when his son does the same.

An accountability partner makes sure you’re on your way to stick to your goals. In his case, it is his son who’s 17, Johnson said. “So he and I get a report of all the things that are on our phones or devices once a week. If anything objectionable comes up, your accountability partner gets an immediate notice.”

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/mike-johnson-uses-app-alerts-family-porn-covenant-eyes-2023-11?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=tech-sf

During a campus-hosted vigil on Friday, a University of Massachusetts Amherst student was apprehended based on allegations of punching a Jewish student and spitting on the flag of Israel, according to officials. The occurrence transpired during a “Bring Them Home: Solidarity Walk and Installation” orchestrated by UMass Hillel, an on-campus Jewish organization. The organization stated that the event featured vacant seats at a Shabbat table symbolizing the 240 individuals held captive by Hamas.

At the event, the suspect walked through the gathering “aggressively giving people the middle finger,” UMass Amherst Hillel said in a statement. After the event ended and event security had left, the same student came back and then punched a Jewish student holding an Israeli flag, took the flag and spit on it, the organization said. The assaulted student was not injured, school officials said. UMass Police looked into it and the student, unidentified, was arrested that night and released on bail with a condition of not returning to campus.

Source: NBC News

Artists from Bangladesh are coming together to perform a concert for charity named “To Gaza from Dhaka” in solidarity with Gaza in the midst of its ongoing crisis. The concert will be organized by the platform Artists Against Genocide on November 24 at the central campus of Dhaka University.

Today, musician Ahmed Hasan Sunny, one of the platform’s spokespersons, informed the media that this concert will feature the performances of at least fifteen bands and musicians. As of now, confirmed performers include Maqsood O’ Dhaka, Zohad Reza Chowdhury of Nemesis, Karnival, Masha Islam, rapper Shafayat, and Aseer Arman. In a few days, a few additional bands and performers will be finalized.

Source: The Daily Star

A video of a former Chhatra League leader publicly stamping on the boat symbol in ballots for the by-election of Laxmipur-3 (Sadar) seat has spread on Facebook. In this video, the person can be seen stamping the boat symbol on multiple ballot papers in the polling station. After the video went viral on Monday, there was accusations of unfair voting practice.

A 57-second video that has gone viral shows a man sitting in a polling booth repeatedly stamping a boat symbol on a ballot paper. A card with boat symbol, which denotes an affiliation with Bangladesh Awami League, hangs around his neck. Another person in the room was helping him stamp the ballots.

Source: Prothom Alo

A confrontation yesterday between locals and students at Daffodil International University in Ashulia resulted in the injuries of 5 students. Ejaj Ur Rahman, director of students’ affairs at the DIU, said that during the evening, an unauthorized group of people stormed a campus building and shattered several windows with bricks.

Later, they assaulted students who were demanding justice for the murder of a fellow student while demonstrating on campus. The assault resulted in the injuries of 5 students. Then, agitated students vandalized several market stalls in the vicinity. The president of the Chandgaon Traders and Owners Association, Shahariar Sumon, asserted that DIU students set 4 shops on fire and vandalized at least 70, while claiming that they did not attack the students. On October 27, Hasibul Islam Antar, a student of the DIU’s textile department, was assaulted by locals in Savar. He later died at a Mymensingh hospital on November 1.

Yesterday, the university authorities had filed a case with the Savar Model Police regarding this. Police arrested the main accused, Rahat Sarkar, from Gazipur.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/five-hurt-locals-attack-daffodil-univ-students-3462846?amp

As Israeli bombs struck a school serving as a place of refuge and landed outside a hospital, the United Nations warned of a “catastrophic” situation for children in Gaza, as pressure mounted on Israel over the civilian suffering caused by its campaign.

The UN estimates that more than forty percent of those killed in Gaza following nearly four weeks of conflict were children; 3,900 child victims have been reported, and an additional 1,250 are presumed to be buried beneath bombed structures. Inadequate rescue equipment, overcrowded hospitals, and dwindling supplies render the possibilities of survival for those stuck in rubble unbearably rare. Over the last 29 days, an average of 130 have been killed each day.

Source: The Guardian

Sri Lanka’s cricket board has been sacked by their sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe on Monday, days after a humiliating loss to India at the World Cup. Sri Lanka Cricket, the richest sports organization on the economically struggling island, and Ranasinghe have been embroiled in a dispute for several months regarding allegations of pervasive corruption.

Arjuna Ranatunga, the 1996 World Cup-winning captain of Sri Lanka, has been designated chairman of a new interim board, according to a statement from Ranasinghe’s office. A former board president and a retired supreme court judge are also members of the new seven-member council. The action was taken a day after secretary Mohan de Silva, the second-highest officer of the board, resigned. Ranasinghe publicly called for the resignations of the entire board following Sri Lanka’s 302 run defeat by hosts India in the World Cup last week.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/sports-special/icc-cricket-world-cup-2023/news/sri-lanka-sacks-cricket-board-days-after-world-cup-thrashing-3462876

A Bangladeshi woman gave birth to a baby aboard a Saudi Arabia domestic flight. The woman, 30, was on a plane flying from Tabuk to Jeddah on Friday when she experienced contractions, Saudi news portal ‘Sabq’ reported.

Two football teams were among the passengers on board, and they were accompanied by medical professionals who assisted in the delivery of the infant through the translation of medical instructions by another traveler until the woman delivered the baby securely. The physicians decided against cutting the umbilical cord until a medical support team at the airport had completed its assessment of the situation. Female Saudi physicians specializing in emergency care were mobilized to provide the essential medical attention to the woman and her infant daughter. Both were transferred to a nearby hospital once their conditions had been confirmed to be stable.

Source: https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/bangladeshi-gives-birth-midair-on-domestic-flight-in-saudi-arabia-1.99207972

On Sunday, leaders and activists of Jahangirnagar University Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing) locked several faculties at the campus on 1st day of BNP’s 48-hour nationwide blockade. Shortly after, a proctorial team hurried there and unlocked the gates, according to on-campus reports.

“We did this to bolster the current blockade by BNP. 7-8 activists including the campus JCD leader Mazharul Amin Tamal, Salman Ahmed and Mehdi Hasan were there,” said Mizanur Rahman, an activist of the Ju CD unit and a student of the 2014-15 academic session. BCL’s JU unit president Akhtaruzzaman Sohel said, “Chattra Dal is carrying out the activity like thieves, but students are not behind them. The students stood against this by breaking down the locks.”

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/countrywide-blockade/news/chhatra-dal-activists-lock-buildings-ju-faculties-3462366

In Kolkata, during the CWC 2023 match against South Africa, Virat Kohli scored his 49th one-day international century, tying the mark held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar of India. Kohli, who is 35 years old, amassed 100 runs off 119 balls, inciting a frenzy among the crowded audience at Eden Gardens.

Tendulkar scored 49 centuries in 451 innings and 462 matches, while it has taken Kohli 277 innings and 289 ODIs. Kohli now has the second-highest runs at the World Cup with 542.

Source: BBC

Anisul Huq, minister of law, justice, and parliamentary affairs, stated on Sunday that the arrests of BNP leaders were not for political motives but rather for their participation in illicit activities. He delivered the remark during a press conference at the Secretariat.

“They were not apprehended on political grounds. Because of their involvement in illicit activities, they were apprehended. It is completely unrelated to politics,” he declared. The law minister met with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun earlier today.

Following the political violence that claimed the life of a police official and a political activist on October 28, nearly a dozen leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Party Vice Chairman Barrister Shahjahan Omar (Mirza Abbas), have been arrested.

Source: https://www.newagebd.net/article/216882/bnp-leaders-arrested-not-for-political-reasons-law-minister

দ্বিতীয় দফায় বাংলাদেশের প্রধান কোচের দায়িত্ব নিয়েছেন হাথুরুসিংহে। দলের দায়িত্ব নিয়ে আশানূরুপ কিছু করতে পারেননি তিনি। চলমান বিশ্বকাপে বাংলাদেশের পারফরম্যান্সও শোচনীয়। তবে দলের এমন বাজে সময় টুর্নামেন্ট চলাকালীন সময়ে হাথুরু জানালেন আসল কাজ হবে তার বিশ্বকাপ শেষে।

সোমবার (৬ নভেম্বর) শ্রীলঙ্কার বিপক্ষে দিল্লিতে মাঠে নামবে বাংলাদেশ দল। তার আগে সংবাদ সম্মেলনে এসেছিলেন হাথুরুসিংহে। এ সময় বিশ্বকাপ ব্যর্থতার প্রশ্নে টাইগার এই প্রধান কোচ বলেন, ‘আমার আসল কাজ শুরু হবে বিশ্বকাপের পরে। আগের সাত মাসে কিছুই করার ছিল না।’ হাথুরুসিংহে বলেন, ‘দলটা যে অবস্থায় ছিল সেখান থেকে নিয়ে এখনকার জন্য প্রস্তুত করেছি। আসলে আমার কাজ শুরু হবে এরপর। বিশ্বকাপের জন্য প্রস্তুত হওয়া একরকম, আর দলকে সামনে নিয়ে যাওয়া আরেক চ্যালেঞ্জ।’

গত সাতমাসে অনেক কিছুই নিজের নিয়ন্ত্রণের বাইরে ঘটেছে বলে মন্তব্য হাথুরুসিংহে। তিনি বলেন, ‘দেখুন আমি সাত মাস আগে কাজ শুরু করেছি। আমার হাতে কেবল সাত মাস সময় ছিল। এর মাঝে বেশ কিছু জিনিস ঘটেছে যা আমার নিয়ন্ত্রণে ছিল না। আমার মনে হয় এটা নিয়ে আলোচনা করা কিংবা ভাবার সঠিক সময় নয়।’

Source: Daily Ittefaq

A garment union representative reported on Friday that Levi’s and H&M are among the leading global clothing brands whose production has been halted in Bangladesh due to days of violent protests by workers demanding a near-tripling of their wages. Providing many of the world’s most renowned fashion houses, Bangladesh’s 3,500 garment factories generate approximately 85% of the nation’s $55 billion in annual exports.

The majority of the sector’s four million employees, however, are women whose monthly wages begin at 8,300 taka ($75) and whose working conditions are appalling. Striking employees have stormed dozens of factories, while the proprietors of several hundred others have closed in an effort to prevent vandalism. Many of the country’s largest factories which produce apparel for nearly all major Western brands and retailers were among them, according to Kalpona Akter, president of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF).

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/levis-h-m-halt-production-as-bangladesh-garment-workers-protest-against-low-wages-4542543

The department of the Canadian government who are responsible for national health policy, Health Canada, asked to withdraw 216,595 pieces of sleepers from the brand ‘George’ that were made in Bangladesh for health risks. The defective products were sold between November 2022 and June 2023, the department said on their website.

The zipper pulls and foot grips of the ‘George’ brand clothings risked being ingested or choked on, as they might fall off after repeated washing. “Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sleepers and check the style number printed on the collar to determine if they are impacted by this recall. According to a Canadian government website, the clothings were made in Bangladesh by Gazipur-based Unique Designers Ltd and distributed by PDS Far-East Ltd of Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Faruque Hassan, president of BGMEA, responded that he is not fully informed about the issue.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/export/news/canada-asks-withdraw-sleepers-made-bangladesh-safety-concerns-3462141

জনসভাকে উদ্দেশ্য করে প্রধানমন্ত্রী বলেন, “আগামী নির্বাচনের তফসিল যেকোনো সময় ঘোষণা হবে। আগামী নির্বাচনে নৌকায় ভোট দিয়ে, যাকেই প্রার্থী করি- সেটা কানা-খোঁড়া যেই হোক, তাকে নৌকায় মার্কায় ভোট দিয়ে বিজয়ী করবেন।”

শনিবার (৪ নভেম্বর) রাজধানীর আরামবাগে মেট্রোরেলের আগারগাঁও থেকে মতিঝিল অংশের উদ্বোধন উপলক্ষে আওয়ামী লীগের ঢাকা বিভাগীয় জনসভায় তিনি এসব কথা বলেন। প্রধানমন্ত্রী বলেন, “এবার নৌকা জিতবে। এ দেশের মানুষ যেন উন্নত জীবন পায়, সেটাই চাই।”

Source: Dhaka Tribune

“Jawan,” a film starring Shah Rukh Khan, has sparked the practice of Hindi films being released concurrently in India and Bangladesh. ‘Tiger 3’ starring Salman Khan is now following this trend. ‘Tiger 3’ will be released in Bangladesh on November 12, concurrent with its global release, which will also encompass India. ‘Tiger 3’s’ importation and release in Bangladesh are the responsibility of Jazz Multimedia.

Abdul Aziz, the president of Jazz, stated that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted permission for the film’s release in Bangladesh, as requested in their application. On November 12, ‘Tiger 3’ will therefore be released in Bangladesh on the same day it is released in India and other countries.

Source: Samakal

A charity shop has issued a request to not donate sex toys in light of recent donations of the same. The Barnardo’s branch in Gorseinon, Swansea, was enthusiastic about reinforcing on social media that it is a charity for children. Furthermore, the organization claimed that its volunteer team comprised individuals of various age groups.

Additionally, clients were informed that the branch is equipped with CCTV “to trace these items back to their rightful owners.” As per the Barnardo’s website, additional items that are not permitted at its branches are car booster seats, mattresses, electric blankets, and white goods including laundry machines and refrigerator freezers.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/charity-shop-in-swansea-asks-people-not-to-donate-sex-toys-12993282

On Saturday, PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the metro rail service from Agargaon to Motijheel, the capital’s commercial district. The PM traveled to Motijheel from metro rail’s Agargaon station to mark the operation of this new section. This increases the country’s first metro rail’s service area from Uttara to Motijheel.

The Uttara to Agargaon section of the metro rail was inaugurated by the PM on December 28. The Agargaon-Motijheel section of the metro rail system will commence operations for a duration of four hours, stopping at three stations: Farmgate, Secretariat, and Motijheel. The remaining terminals will be gradually operationalized, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) representatives said. Additionally, Sheikh Hasina commenced construction of the MRT Northern route on Saturday. As of Sunday, commuters can travel to Motijheel from Agargaon between 7:30 am and 11:30 am.

Source: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/development/330027/pm-hasina-opens-metro-rail-s-run-from-agargaon-to

A Bangladeshi national suspected of belonging to a Pakistani Al-Qaeda-affiliated group that studied military tactics and published incendiary videos online was apprehended by Italian police yesterday, according to reports. The man, who defined himself as a “Al-Qaeda lover” on Facebook, allegedly posted online videos and messages “inciting terrorist actions or acts of intolerance toward other communities,” according to Genoa police.

Police claim that the suspect has been under investigation since 2021 and is part of Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). They also claimed that he was waiting for his residency in Italy before planning to fight in Pakistan. The militant organization adopting a strict Islamist ideology, is classified as a foreign terror group by the United States and surfaced in Pakistan in 2007 when it orchestrated a deplorable surge of violence that culminated in a military crackdown in 2014. The group, which maintains ties to Al-Qaeda, has been bolstered in recent times by the Taliban’s resurgence in adjacent Afghanistan.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/europe/news/bangladeshi-arrested-italy-suspicion-al-qaeda-links-3460881

At least 3 people were hurt as a bus hit a private car inside Bangabandhu tunnel in Chittagong’s Patenga area last night. The injured could not be identified immediately.

An assistant engineer with the Bangabandhu Tunnel authority, Tanvir Rifat said that an Anwara bound bus hit a private car from behind at around 8:50pm, leaving 3 passengers of the car injured. “Upon information, we rushed to the spot and sent the injured to a hospital,” he said. Assistant manager of the tunnel authority Jahangir Alam said they were getting ready to take legal action in this regard. The tunnel wasn’t damaged because of the accident, he added.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/accidents-fires/news/bangabandhu-tunnel-three-hurt-bus-hits-car-3461076

“Pett Kata Shaw,” a web series by Nuhash Humayun, won “Best International Feature” at the Raindance Film Festival in the United Kingdom. The eleven-day festival commenced on November 25. On October 31, at 6:00 pm local time, Nuhash’s directorial effort was screened at Genesis. Additionally, the winners were declared via the festival’s Instagram post.

Nuhash posted on his socials about the achievement writing, “PETT KATA SHAW wins Best International Feature at Raindance. It was beautiful to hear a Bangla name called out for the TOP award of the festival. Thanks to the Raindance programming and jury”.

Source: The Daily Star

Election Commission released the final voters’ list for the 12th parliamentary polls on Thursday afternoon with 11,96,91,633 voters. Election Commission’s NID wing Director General AKM Humayun Kabir said that this is the final voters’ list before polls.

He mentioned that there are 60,771,579 male voters, 58,919,202 female voters, and 852 hijra voters.

Source: The Daily Star

On Thursday morning, at least 25 people, including five police officers, were injured in confrontations between garment workers and police in the Mirpur area of Dhaka. Various areas of Gazipur also experienced labor disruption on the same day, with police using tear gas to disperse agitated workers. The garments workers, particularly in Dhaka and Gazipur, are now on movement for over a week demanding increase of their monthly wages and clashes with law enforcement agencies and street protests occurred in past three days. In light of this, Border Guard Bangladesh personnel were deployed in Dhaka and neighboring areas on Thursday to secure the factories and prevent any acts of vandalism.

According to witnesses in Dhaka, several thousand workers from various garment factories in Mirpur began demonstrating at the Mirpur- 11 intersection in the morning, disrupting traffic flow on the surrounding roads. At approximately 11:00 a.m., the police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse agitated laborers, resulting in at least 25 injuries. Since the morning, workers have reportedly been demonstrating peacefully to urge their demand for a minimum wage of Tk 23,000. However, police assaulted them, resulting in 20 injured workers, they said. Pallabi police station in charge Md Mahfuzur Rahman said that police asked workers to vacate the road for traffic but workers engage in clash leaving five policemen injured.

Source: New Age

This morning, police used teargas canisters and sound grenades to disperse garment factory workers who had blocked the Mirpur neighborhood of Dhaka in order to demand a wage increase. Assistant Commissioner (zone of Mirpur) Hasan Mohtarim stated that four law enforcement officers were injured when the workers hurled brick chips at them. When Kafrul police were attempting to convince the workers to free the road, the workers attacked them with brick chips around 11:30am, the police officer said.

Several helmet-wearing, stick-welding outsiders were among the laborers, according to the AC. However, some workers alleged that Awami League activists also joined the police while dispersing them. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel were stationed there, but no action was taken, local reporters reported. RMG workers blocked the main road at Mirpur-11 for the third consecutive day around 8:30 a.m., impeding traffic in the area as they demanded a pay increase. They also demanded the arrest of those who assaulted protesting workers in the last two days. Our reporter on the scene reports that workers also threatened to vandalize vehicles attempting to traverse that section of the roadway. “We are continuing our peaceful protest for a wage increase,” said one of the employees. However, we were assaulted. The attackers have not yet been captured. “No one cares about our lives,” a protesting worker stated.

Source: The Daily Star

Switzerland modified the blood donation requirements for men who have sexual relations with other men, making the criteria for eligibility identical for homosexuals and heterosexuals.

A four-month waiting period applies to all individuals, heterosexual or homosexual, after their last sexual encounter with a new partner, or a 12-month waiting period if they have had sexual contact with more than two partners in the preceding four months. A policy dating back to the beginning of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980s prohibited homosexual males from donating blood in Switzerland until 2017. Since then, men who engage in sexual activity with other males are only permitted to donate blood if 12 months have passed since their last homosexual encounter.

Source: Reuters

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the local currency card TakaPay today in an effort to reduce reliance on international card networks such as Visa and Mastercard and save much-needed US dollars. Bangladesh Bank issued the card, first of its kind, in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Hasina launched the card from the Gono Bhaban. She was virtually linked to the headquarters of the state-owned Sonali Bank, the privately-owned City Bank, and the Brac Bank. The three institutions have been tasked with issuing the TakaPay card in conjunction with the central bank. TakaPay will provide services on a national scale using “The National Payment Switch of Bangladesh,” a BB-operated electronic payment platform. The card can initially be used within the country. Later, the central bank will issue a Taka-Rupee card that can be used to make purchases in India. The Visa and MasterCard payment networks of business institutions, including banks and other financial institutions, facilitate the electronic transfer of taka.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/pm-launches-takapay-the-first-local-currency-card-3458716

In accordance with the new ‘Internship Policy 2023’ issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladeshi graduates and postgraduates may now intern at government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions. According to official sources, this policy seeks to increase the professional qualifications of local youth through internships at government, private, and commercial institutions. The objectives of this policy also include assisting graduates combine work experience with textbook knowledge, receive practical training from local institutions, and get familiarised with the workings of government offices.

This internship opportunity is open to Bangladeshi citizens with a graduate or postgraduate degree. However, applicants must submit their applications within two years of completing their graduate/postgraduate degree or equivalent. Each candidate may only submit an internship application to a government office once. Applicants will be selected based on merit as well as their subject matter knowledge, as determined by the concerned institution. Each fiscal year, the government will determine the number of internship opportunities available. In addition, government agencies must now publish internship recruitment advertisements to attract recent college graduates. The recruitment posts will need to include contact details of the organisation, required eligibility, and explicit instructions on how to apply for the internship.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/tech-startup/news/government-offices-offer-internships-graduates-3458996

Tariq and Manal Hamouda are in disbelief over the loss of three generations of their family, which occurred thousands of miles away in the violence of the siege in Gaza. The Palestinian Americans residing in Maple Grove, Minnesota, say it’s been over a week since they learned 42 of their relatives had been killed in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and they still cannot completely comprehend the news.

Hamouda reports that his wife, whose maiden name is Saqallah, lost four brothers, a sister, and the majority of their children when two explosions obliterated the Saqallah family compound in the Sheikh Ejleen neighborhood of Gaza City on October 19. According to Hamouda and his family, it was an Israeli airstrike. Since October 7, Israel has launched numerous airstrikes against Gaza City, including multiple strikes that day. CNN is unable to corroborate independently that it was an Israeli strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it was unable to remark without the house’s coordinates. Fearing retribution, the family declined to provide CNN with the coordinates.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/31/world/palestinian-american-family-relatives-killed-gaza/index.html

FIFA has verified that Saudi Arabia will host the men’s 2034 World Cup after receiving the sole bid for the tournament. Tuesday, hours before FIFA’s deadline for expressions of interest, Australia opted not to submit a proposal to host the tournament. Morocco, Portugal, and Spain are the only candidates for the 2030 tournament, which will also be held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. In late 2024, a FIFA congress will affirm the hosts.

Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said bidding for the World Cup wasn’t going to be favourable to Australia. He said: “Saudi is a strong bid. They have a lot of resources, and not just [for] the 2034 World Cup. “They are disrupting European football paying higher dollars. This is a disruption in the market and that is what positions Saudi in a strong way. From the government, top down they are prioritising investment in football. That is difficult to compete with.”

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/australia-will-not-bid-2034-world-cup-fa-2023-10-31/

Four individuals were detained for waving the Palestinian flag during the Pakistan-Bangladesh World Cup cricket match at Eden Gardens stadium on Tuesday, police said. Two are from Jharkhand, and the other two are from Kolkata’s Ekbalpore and neighboring Howrah, according to a senior police officer. “We have detained two of them for waving the Palestinian flag near Gate 6, and two more for doing so in Block G1.” We are trying to figure out their motive,” the IPS officer told PTI.

The initial investigation revealed that the four individuals, who are in their mid-twenties, were protesting the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and chose the international match for their demonstration.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/4-detained-for-waving-palestinian-flag-during-pak-bangladesh-match-in-kolkata-cops-4533338

বর্ষাকালে মুরগি এমনিতে একটু কম ডিম পাড়ে বলে মন্তব্য করেছেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা। দ্রব্যমূল্যের ঊর্ধ্বগতির প্রসঙ্গ টেনে তিনি বলেন, “বর্ষাকালে মুরগি এমটিতেই একটু কম ডিম পাড়ে। ডিমের দাম বাড়ল কেন, সেটা নিয়ে চিৎকার। এরপর যখন বললাম আমদানি করব, তার আগে দাম গেল কমে।” মঙ্গলবার (৩১ অক্টোবর) বেলজিয়াম সফর-পরবর্তী সংবাদ সম্মেলনে এসব কথা বলেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী।

কৃত্রিম সংকট সৃষ্টির অভিযোগ তোলে শেখ হাসিনা বলেন, “এখন আবার আলুর দাম বৃদ্ধিতে বাণিজ্যমন্ত্রী বলছেন, আলুও আমদানি করা হবে। আলু পচাবে তবুও দাম কমাবে না। এটা তো ঠিক না। সেজন্য আমি বলেছি, দোকানে দোকানে না, যারা এগুলো মজুত করে তাদেরকে ধরতে হবে। ইতোমধ্যে সেই নির্দেশনাও দেওয়া হয়েছে।” গণমাধ্যমের সহায়তা চেয়ে সরকারপ্রধান বলেন, “এজন্য গণমাধ্যমের সহায়তাও দরকার। মানুষের কষ্টটা যাতে না হয়, সেজন্য সরকার সচেতন রয়েছে।”

Source: Dhaka Tribune

Hamza Choudhury, a midfielder for Leicester City, says he is “sorry for any offense he may have caused” with a social media comment often interpreted as pro-Palestinian nationalism. Monday, Choudhury posted “From river to sea” alongside an image of the Palestinian flag on X, formerly Twitter. Critics argue that the phrase implies Israel’s annihilation, but some pro-Palestinian protesters disagree. Choudhury, 26, stated that his post was “unfortunately misconstrued.”

The former England Under-21 midfielder, who deleted the post on Tuesday, stated in a statement, “It was never my intention to offend anyone, but rather to express sympathy for the innocent people who are suffering.”I apologize for any offense caused by this. I share the hope of people around the globe that a peaceful resolution to this conflict will end the ongoing suffering of innocent people.” The Football Association is reportedly aware of Choudhury’s original post and contemplating whether it violates any regulations. The Championship club Leicester stated, “We have discussed the matter with Hamza and shared our concerns that views expressed in this manner – without sufficient context on a deeply nuanced and sensitive topic – are susceptible to misinterpretation, which risks unintentional offense to certain segments of our communities.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67261620

সংবাদ সম্মেলনে সাংবাদিক মঞ্জুরুল আহসান বুলবুল প্রশ্ন করেন, ‘কোন বিদেশি শক্তি আমাদের চোখ রাঙাচ্ছে আমাদের সরকারের দিকে? নির্বাচন নিয়ে আমরা অনিশ্চয়তার মধ্যে আছি। নির্বাচন কি আদৌ হবে? বা যথাসময়ে হবে? নাকি জরুরি ব্যবস্থা আসবে?’ জবাবে প্রধানমন্ত্রী বলেন, ‘নির্বাচন হবে যথাসময়েই হবে। কে চোখ রাঙাল আর কে চোখ বাঁকাল, আমরা তার পরোয়া করি না। কারণ অনেক সংগ্রাম করে ভোট ও ভাতের আন্দোলন করেই আমরা বাংলাদশে গণতন্ত্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করেছি।’ তিনি বলেন, ‘গণতন্ত্র থাকলে, নির্বাচিত সরকার থাকলে, বিশেষ করে আওয়ামী লীগ সরকার থাকলে যে দেশের উন্নতি হয়, এটা আপনারা নিশ্চয়ই বিশ্বাস করেন।’

প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা বলেন, ‘আমরা মাত্র সময় পেয়েছি ১৪ বছর। এর মধ্যে যে উন্নয়ন হয়েছে, এটা শুধু ঢাকার মেট্রোরেল, এলিভেটেড এক্সপ্রেসওয়ে বা টানেল দিয়ে না, সারা বাংলাদেশে। পরিবর্তন আমি তৃণমূল থেকে করেছি।’ নির্বাচনের আগে সংলাপের প্রসঙ্গ তুলে প্রধানমন্ত্রী আরও বলেন, ‘যারা খুন করার পরেও বলে ডায়ালগ করতে হবে। কার সঙ্গে ডায়ালগ করতে হবে? ট্রাম্প সাহেবের সঙ্গে কি বাইডেন ডায়ালগ করছে? যেদিন ট্রাম্প আর বাইডেন ডায়ালগ করবে, সেদিন আমিও ডায়ালগ করব। কার সাথে ডায়ালগ, খুনিদের সাথে কীসের ডায়ালগ?’

Source: https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news-528576

Due to strikes called by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday, a groom comes over all the way from UK via helicopter for his wedding at Kushiara International Convention Center located in Sylhet. The groom and bride both returned to the UK via airway after the wedding event concluded.

The uncle of the groom said that the groom is an expatriate from Sylhet, Bangladesh who is currently residing in the UK. The groom wanted to arrive in this manner and they made sure to make it happen. He has also asked for everyone’s blessings for the newlyweds.

Source: https://www.rtvonline.com/amp/country/245816/হরতাল-তাই-হেলিকপ্টারে-কনে-আনলেন-বর

On the very first day the Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram was open to traffic, cars were observed exceeding the speed limit. The violation of traffic regulations was reported to the police and higher authorities after the CCTV camera captured the hazardous race. On Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Bangladesh’s first tunnel of its kind. According to bdnews24.com, the tunnel was opened to traffic at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.

The race was captured on video Sunday evening. The video of the race went viral on social media and was shared on multiple Facebook pages. Five were black, two were red, one was blue, one was white, and one was gray. They were racing through the tunnel and overtaking each other. “We have collected the video of the cars. They were seen practising different stunts on the road in the China Economic Zone,” said Tanveer Rifa, assistant engineer of the tunnel.

“Then they entered the tunnel from the Anowara end and were speeding. The CCTV camera caught it. They were overtaking each other and performing stunts inside the tunnel.” Tanveer said the police and higher authorities gave assurances of taking action once the cars were identified.

Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/cars-race-inside-bangabandhu-tunnel

If necessary, the United States will support democracy in Bangladesh, said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday. Matthew Miller made the remark in response to a query about Bangladesh during the State Department’s routine press briefing.

During the briefing, a journalist stated, “We have seen your statement from the weekend concerning the assaults on the opposition’s rally and the violence in Bangladesh. The police essentially orchestrated this violence, and the internet was cut down prior to the rally. Since then, the police have arrested hundreds of opposition politicians, including the BNP’s secretary general and the families of opposition leaders, and lodged a hundred cases against them. How does the United States respond to this situation?”

Matthew Miller replied, “We condemn the political violence that took place in Dhaka on 28 October. The reported killing of a police officer, a political activist, and the burning of a hospital and buses are unacceptable, as is violence against civilians, including journalists. “We encourage the authorities to thoroughly investigate the incidents at the 28 October rally and to hold those responsible for violence accountable. The holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone – voters, political parties, the government.”

Source: https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/gjjxt1zeb8

Workers of a garment factory in Mirpur-11 reported that rod-wielding intruders entered their workplace and assaulted them during a silent demonstration for a minimum wage increase.

As of 1:30 p.m., the entire neighborhood of Mirpur 11 had been enclosed off, the metro station was closed, and law enforcement officers were seen turning away vehicles and individuals. A worker told one of our correspondents that around 9:30 a.m., a large group of outsiders armed with sticks and rods entered the factory and began threatening the employees, resulting in a brawl. According to the workers, the intruders forced them out of the building and continued the assault on the streets in front of law enforcement. They were assaulted on the factory floor because they had ceased working today and were sitting at their desks, refusing to work in a protest for a minimum wage increase. Approximately sixty employees were treated at the Islami Bank Hospital in Mirpur, according to hospital personnel.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/mirpur-11-brought-standstill-after-rmg-workers-beaten-inside-factory-3457876