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MNA International Desk: Russia said Friday it will host a three-way summit with Turkey and Iran on the Syrian conflict early next year, after foreign minister Sergei Lavrov voiced scepticism about an announced withdrawal of US forces. “It’s our turn to host the summit… around the first week of the year. This will depend on the schedules of the presidents” of the three countries, deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov was cited as saying by news agency. The last meeting between Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Iran’s Hassan Rouhani and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place in Iran in September. Lavrov refused to ...

MNA Science Desk: The mobile internet speed was restored this morning 10 hours after it was slowed down by the telecom regulator. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) through an e-mail asked four mobile operators to restore the 3G and 4G services around 7:30am without mentioning details, said officials of the operators. The BTRC yesterday night suddenly directed the mobile operators to slow down the internet by shutting down 3G and 4G services two days ahead of the 11th national election. As per the BTRC order issued around 10:00pm yesterday, people using the internet on their phones would not be able ...

MNA National Desk: As she addressed officials and employees at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on the last working day of her current tenure, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she feels proud being the daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, not of being the country’s premier. “I feel proud of being the daughter of the father of the nation, not the prime minister … I don’t think about how I will enjoy the post. Rather, for me it’s a matter of how much I can engage myself in the people’s welfare,” she told officials and employees ...

MNA Business Desk: Bangladesh Bank has suspended all kind of mobile-based financial services (MFS) for temporary basis ahead of the December 30 national election, reported news agency. All MFS providers have been asked to keep mobile-based financial services suspended from 5:00pm on December 28 to 5:00pm on December 30, the central bank said in a circular today. However, MFS can allow the individual transaction through mobile account at limited scale up to Tk 5,000 from 5:00pm on December 29 to 5:00pm on December 30, according to the circular. The decision was taken following the instruction given by the Election Commission, ...

MNA Exclusive Desk: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on everyone in Bangladesh to enable a ‘peaceful, credible and inclusive poll’ ahead of the Dec 30 election, reported news agency. The secretary general’s office released a statement to the effect on Thursday. The statement called on all stakeholders to ‘ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections’. Bangladeshi citizens, including women and minorities, must feel safe and confident in their ability to exercise the right to vote, it said.

MNA National Desk: Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad has stepped out of the race in Dhaka-17 constituency for the ruling party candidate, reported news agency. He will be extending support to Awami League’s candidate, ex-film star Akbar Hossain Pathan, insiders confirmed. Ershad returned from attending treatment in Singapore yesterday, and the first thing he did was step out of the race from where he stood as a candidate of Jatiya Party. He is contesting from another constituency in the northern region, Rangpur-3, but not under the name of his own party.

MNA National Desk: The Awami League-led Grand Alliance will win the upcoming general election with a two-third majority, the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader said today, reported news agency. The ruling party leader and contesting for Noakhali-5 constituency said this during an electioneering programme at Bashurhat HSC Govt High School ground in Companiganj upazila this noon. “Sheikh Hasina is being praised by the entire world today. The mass public support generated in favour of ‘boat’ symbol from Sunamganj to the Sundarbans and from Tentulia to Kutubdia, it is apparent that the Grand Alliance, led by Sheikh Hasina, will defeat the ...

MNA National Desk: The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday lifted its’ previous restriction on plying of motorbikes to gather news of the 11th Parliamentary Election, slated for December 30, reported news agency. The move comes a day after the Editors’ Council wrote to the commission to ensure the mobility of journalists for election observing and media coverage. Earlier on December 21, the EC has issued a guideline citing that journalists covering the 11th general election will not be able to use motorbikes on the Election Day. Amid criticism from journalists, polls observers’ organizations and civil society, the EC backtracked from ...

MNA Exclusive Desk: The High Court has not invalidated the candidacy of 25 Jamaat-e-Islami leaders; consequently they will not be restricted from participating in the parliamentary election, lawyers said. An HC bench, comprised of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Khairul Alam, gave the order on Thursday. Besides, the High Court has issued a ruling to discern why the Election Commission’s decision will not be declared illegal. Barrister Tania Amir was present at the hearing on behalf of the writ filed, while Advocate Yasin Khan represented the Election Commission. Deputy Attorney General Motahar Hossain Saju represented the state at the hearing, ...

MNA Tech Desk: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has opened a Facebook page titled ‘RAB Cyber News Verification Centre’ to aware people over fake news and rumours spread during the 11th parliamentary election. Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Benazir Ahmed revealed it at a press conference arranged to brief journalists regarding the elite force’s preparation for the upcoming general election at its media centre in city’s Karwan Bazar on Thursday. If anyone becomes confused about any news, he/she will have to share it on the Facebook page and the RAB team will instantly reply it after verifying the ...

MNA National Desk: The Jatiya Oikyafront will hold an emergency meeting in the afternoon today (Thursday), reported news agency. The meeting is scheduled to be held at Oikyafront’s central office in Purana Paltan around 3:00pm. Later, the alliance convenor Dr Kamal Hossain ,in a press conference, will inform the outcome of the meeting.  According to a party source, he meeting will discuss the next course of action about the upcoming national election and to take final decision on the election strategy.

MNA Entertainment Desk: BTV has postponed its long-running tradition of broadcasting the campaigning speeches of different political parties ahead of the national election, reported news agency. All forms of campaigning are barred in the 48 hours before the Dec 30 polls. According to the instructions provided by the Election Commission or EC, Thursday is the last day of the election campaign. Before Nov 29 election in 2008, the speeches of Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia were broadcasted on BTV on the last night of the election campaign on Nov 27.

MNA International Desk: President Donald Trump made a surprise Christmas visit to US troops in Iraq on Wednesday, his first trip to a conflict zone nearly two years into his presidency and days after announcing a pullout of American troops from neighbouring Syria. Trump was looking for some positive headlines after several days of turmoil over his decisions to withdraw the 2,000 US troops in Syria, pull out half of the 14,000-strong contingent in Afghanistan, and push out Defence Secretary James Mattis two months earlier than planned for criticising his policies. Accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and speaking at ...

MNA Business Desk: IPDC Finance Limited, the first financial institution of Bangladesh established in 1981, has been awarded third position under the “Financial Services Sector” category for the “Best Presented Annual Report 2017” by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB). Finance Minister AMA Muhith attended the award ceremony as chief guest, held on Moday at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka, said a press release. Among others, IPDC Finance Head of Business Finance Rizwan Dawood Shams, Head of Retail Business Md Kayser Hamid, Chief Financial Officer Benozeer Ahmed, and Senior Manager of Finance and Accounts Fahmida Khan, ...

MNA Tech Desk: Millions of users of Amazon’s Echo speakers have grown accustomed to the soothing strains of Alexa, the human-sounding virtual assistant that can tell them the weather, order takeout and handle other basic tasks in response to a voice command. So a customer was shocked last year when Alexa blurted out: “Kill your foster parents.” Alexa has also chatted with users about sex acts. She gave a discourse on dog defecation. And this summer, a hack Amazon traced back to China may have exposed some customers’ data, according to five people familiar with the events. Alexa is not ...

MNA Sports Desk: Bashundhara Kings clinched their first domestic title defeating Sheikh Russel KC by 2-1 goal in the final of Swadhinata Cup, reported news agency. The match held at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital Wednesday (Dec 26). For Bashundhara, Marcos Vinicius and Motin Mia scored the two goals. It was the 10th edition of Swadhinata Cup. Last month, Abahani Limited had shattered Bashundhara’s dream of clinching the maiden title in this season’s first tournament, the Federation Cup, with a 3-1 win in the final game.

MNA Life Style Desk: The benefits of cycling are almost as endless as the country lanes you could soon be exploring. If you’re considering taking up cycling, and weighing it up against other potential activities, then we’re here to tell you that cycling is hands down the best option. Builds strength – Cycling is not just an exercise for the legs. Contrary to general perceptions, cycling helps in building strength in a holistic manner Cuts the risk of coronary heart disease – Cycling gives a workout to your heart, lungs and blood vessels, and thus reduces the risk of heart ...

MNA Exclusive Desk: A team of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has visited opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front’s chief, Dr Kamal Hossain, reported news agency. The DMP team, led by Deputy Commissioner (Motijheel division) Anwar Hossain, visited Dr Kamal at his Motijheel office around 1pm on Wednesday. “We came here as part of our regular duty.  We discussed Dr Kamal’s security issues,” Anwar Hossain told reporters. Earlier, on Tuesday, Dr Kamal had a heated conversation with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Oikya Front chief alleged that “savage stick-wielding police” are preventing Oikya Front’s candidates from campaigning.

MNA National Desk: State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu has visited injured BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, at his Nayapaltan office, in Dhaka, reported news agency. Nasrul paid the visit to Gayeshwar, who is contesting the upcoming polls for Dhaka 3 constituency, around 11:30am on Wednesday. BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy was attacked during his election rally in Chunkutia, Keraniganj on Tuesday evening. He was admitted to Islami Bank Central Hospital in Kakrail after sustaining injuries in the incident.

MNA National Desk: Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir raised the demand at a news conference at the party chief’s Gulshan offices in Dhaka on Tuesday hours after an attack on senior party leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy. Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar is contesting for the Dhaka-3 (Keraniganj) constituency in parliamentary elections slated for next Sunday. He and no fewer than 15 of his supporters were injured in an attack by ruling party activists at Keraniganj earlier in the day, BNP leaders said. Supporters of his rival candidate the Awami League’s Nasrul Hamid Bipu denied the allegation claiming it was the ...

MNA NAtional Desk: Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina will join election campaign in three districts through a video-conference on Wednesday. “The prime minister will address election rallies in the districts of Chandpur, Kushtia and Naogaon today through a videoconference from her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi here in the afternoon,” a Prime Minister’s Office source said. Earlier the Awami League president joined electioneering in Rajshahi, Joypurhat, Narail and Gaibandha through a videoconference on December 20. She also addressed election rallies in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Brahmmanbaria and Pirojepur on December 19 through a videoconference. The Awami League ...

MNA International Desk: Suicide attackers stormed the Libyan foreign ministry in the capital Tripoli on Tuesday, killing at least three people including a senior civil servant in an attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, reported news agency. Twenty-one other people were wounded in the attack, authorities said. A car bomb exploded near the ministry, prompting security forces to rush to the scene, said special forces spokesman Tarak al-Dawass. A suicide bomber then blew himself up on the second floor of the building while a second attacker died when a suitcase he was carrying exploded, he said. A third ...

MNA Business Desk: Indian northeast state of Tripura is planning to export tea to Bangladesh through participating in the auction at Sreemangal in Sylhet, reported news agency. The export prospect has brightened with Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb having taken up the issue with Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu, the Business Standard reported, quoting Chairman of Tripura Tea Development Corporation Ltd (TTDC) Santosh Saha. He said the chief minister of Tripura had talks with the Union minister on the Tripura government’s plan to export tea through a tea auction centre at Sreemangal, which is only 5 km from Kailashahar in ...

MNA Sports Desk: The 4th Marcel Cup Open Bodybuilding Competition, organised by Bangladesh Bodybuilding Federation, got underway Monday while the opening ceremony was held Tuesday, reported news agency. A total of 200 bodybuilders from 60 clubs, organisations and gymnasiums will take part in the three-day tournament. ATN Bangla will telecast the final round live Wednesday from 3:05pm onwards. The details of the tournament were announced in a press conference Sunday afternoon at the conference room of Bangladesh Olympic Bhaban. The participants will take part in six categories – 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg and 80-plus kg.

MNA Education Desk: All students from 4,769 education institutions passed their exams, while all examinees from 43 institutions failed, reported news agency. Overall 85.83 percent students have passed the JSC and JDC exams, a 2.18 percentage-point increase from last year. Last year, all students from 5,279 education institutions passed, while all from 59 institutions failed. This means the number of educational institutions with a 100 percent pass rate has decreased by 510, while the number with a zero percent pass rate decreased by 16. The 100-percent pass rate institutions include 413 from the Dhaka Board, 912 from the Rajshahi Board, ...

MNA Life Style Desk: Poor sleep may increase the risk of developing mood disorders, especially depression among teenagers. A study, led by Peter Franzen from the University of Pittsburgh in the US, showed that teenagers with sleep deprivation may indulge more in risk-taking behaviour and addictions. This is because chronic sleep deprivation reduces the proper functioning of putamen-an area of the brain that plays a role in goal-based movements and learning from rewards. Lack of proper sleep also leads to less activity in the brain’s reward system. Studies showed that sleep loss and poor-quality sleep also lead to accidents and ...

MNA Entertainment Desk: Rapper Nicki Minaj has joined “The Angry Birds 2”. The Sony Animation sequel will release internationally on 16 August 2019, reported news agency. Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, and Peter Dinklage will all reprise their roles from the first film. They are joined by Leslie Jones, Rachel Bloom, Awkwafina, Sterling K. Brown, Eugenio Derbez, Lil Rel Howery, Dove Cameron, and Zach Woods. Minaj’s role is currently unknown. “Angry Birds 2” is directed by Thurop Van Orman and co-directed by John Rice. The release date for “Angry Birds 2” coincides with the 10th anniversary of ...