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MNA National Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived here to join the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). A British Airways flight carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage that left the Heathrow Airport at 11:05am (local time), landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey at 2:10pm on Sunday. Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mohammad Ziauddin and Bangladesh permanent representative to the UN Masud Bin Momen received her at the airport. After the reception at the airport, a ceremonial motorcade escorted the Prime Minister to Hotel Grand Hyatt New York, where she will be staying during ...

MNA Sports Desk: Mustafizur Rahman conceded just four runs in the final over to secure a three-run victory in their 2nd Super-Four game of the 14th Asia Cup at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night. Having been behind the required run rate for much of their innings, the Afghans entered the last 5 overs needing 51 to win with 5 wickets in hand – if there was to be a charge at victory, this was it. Afghanistan ended the innings on 246 for 7 in 50 overs where number-four batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi [71 off 99b; 5×4] and ...

MNA Business Desk: The government has imposed a 22-day ban on catching, selling and transporting hilsa in a 7,000-km breeding ground to ensure the safe spawning of this popular fish during its peak breeding period. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Taskforce formed to implement the ‘Mother hilsa protection campaign 2018’ held on Sunday with Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda in the chair, reported news agency. The objective of the restriction from October 7 to October 28 is to save mother hilsa which lays eggs during the period. There will be a ban on ...

MNA Tech Desk: Facebook said a dating service it teased early this year is being rolled out in Colombia. The social media giant chose the Latin American country as its test lab because Colombians are particularly avid fans of using social networks and websites to find partners. The new feature, rolled out in Colombia this week, allows users to create a separate “dating” profile not visible to their network of friends, with potential matches recommended based on preferences and common interests. The service is programmed not to link up people who are already connected as family or friends, and users ...

MNA Education Desk: The entry test of Faculty of Fine Arts disciplines under ‘Cha’ (F) unit (Drawing Part) of Dhaka University (DU) for 2018-19 academic sessions was held. A total of 1,566 students who passed ‘Cha’ unit’s general knowledge part exam on 15 September, participated Saturday’s test. Earlier, a total of 16,480 students applied against 135 seats of ‘Cha’ unit, said a DU press release. Vice-chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman, DU Pro-VC (administration) Muhammad Samad, Fine Art Faculty Dean Prof Nisar Hossain and senior teachers visited the examination halls to observe the overall situation. The admission test of ‘Ka’ (A)-unit for science ...

MNA Entertainment Desk: Kenya overturned a ban on Rafiki, a film about a lesbian love affair and the first ever movie from the country to be shown at the Cannes film festival. Director Wanuri Kahiu brought the court action after the Kenya Film Classification Board banned Rafiki for “promoting lesbianism,” meaning the film would be ineligible for the Oscars. Judge Wlfrida Okwany ruled that Rafiki could now be shown to “willing adults only” for seven days, a minimum requirement for submitting feature films for the Oscars competition. Okwany said that to maintain the ban would deprive Kahiu of “the fame, ...

MNA National Desk: The workers of a readymade garment factory have blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Maleker Bari since on Sunday morning demanding their salaries and other dues. The agitated workers of ‘Newtex Factory’ also protested the incident of falling ill of some their fellow workers after drinking contaminated water in the factory on Saturday evening. Later, workers from other nearby factories joined them, reported news agency. They also vandalised several vehicles and burned tyres on the highway. Police have been trying to bring the situation under control, said Kazi Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge of Gachha Police Station. Meanwhile, the authorities of ...

MNA Exclusive Desk: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said the International Criminal Court (ICC) has recognized its capacity to deal with the Rohingya issue to investigate widespread allegations that Myanmar forces have driven Rohingyas from their homes, reported news agency. “As far as I understand, the ICC has recognized its capacity to deal with the issue. So, I think that this is already on course,” he said. The UN chief said there was an initiative already by Bangladesh in relation to the ICC. “So, the question is already on the table.” The UN chief made the remarks at a ...

MNA International Desk: Tanzanian authorities said the death toll in the ferry that capsized in Lake Victoria on Thursday rose to 209 as more bodies were expected to be pulled off one of Africa’s great lakes. On Friday, Tanzanian President Magufuli announced a four-day mourning period for the victims of the ferry accident. According to sources, the ferry, with a capacity of 101 passengers and 25 tonnes of cargo, capsized at around 1 pm local time Thursday. Tanzanian President Magufuli also ordered the arrest of safety inspectors from the country’s transport regulator, the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority. Preliminary ...

MNA Feature Desk: The first International Day of Sign Languages is being observed across the world on September 23, 2018 with the theme “With Sign Language, Everyone is Included!” The UN General Assembly decided to commemorate the day as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realisation of the human rights of people who are deaf. The UN resolution establishing the day acknowledged that early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and ...

MNA Sports Desk: Experienced batsman Shoaib Malik hit a six and a boundary to pull off a sensational last over three wicket win for Pakistan against a spirited Afghanistan in the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi. Malik pulled the second ball of the final over by paceman Aftab Alam over the deep square leg boundary and then whacked the next to deep fine leg for a boundary as Pakistan pulled off a nerve-wracking win in 49.3 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Pakistan, cashing a stiff 258-run target, were home and dry to start the Super Four Stage with a much ...

MNA Business Desk: The Netherlands has assured support for exporting diversified jute products from Bangladesh to the European Union (EU) market, reported news agency. This was conveyed to Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal during his meeting with the Managing Director of CBI of the Netherlands Hans Obdeijn held recently in The Hague, said the embassy on Saturday. The CBI is an implementing agency of the Dutch government responsible for promotion of imports from developing countries. During the meeting with the Managing Director of CBI, the Ambassador requested for CBI’s support for jute-diversified products development and assistance for ...

MNA Life Style Desk: If the sound of your morning alarm is worse to you than nails on a chalkboard, and if the thought of sunbeams through your window is cringe-inducing, this article’s for you. The tips below will make the early hours easier and, ideally, get you moving and more productive during the day. Do stretch Right when you wake up take stretch or do some yoga for 15 minutes. This will naturally stimulate your body; it’s like an espresso shot right to your brain. And unlike coffee, this natural energy boost could last you all day. Make a ...

MNA Entertainment Desk: Rihanna is now ambassador Rihanna, after her home country tasked her with promoting investment and tourism, reported news agency. Prime minister Mia Amor Mottley said that Rihanna—real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty—has been conferred the title of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. While the singer will not be formally accredited to another country, Mottley said that Rihanna—whose more colorful songs include “Bitch Better Have My Money”—would be in charge of bringing investment as well as encouraging education and tourism. “I couldn’t be more proud to take on such a prestigious title in my home country. Every Barbadian is going ...

MNA National Desk: Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, gave the government a deadline to meet its three-point demand, including steps for the formation of an-election time neutral government through discussions with political parties, by September 30. Their two other demands are taking effective steps for reconstituting the Election Commission and dissolving parliament before the announcement of the election schedule. Oikya Prokriya also announced to hold rallies across the country with the presence of national leaders from October 1 to involve people in their unity process. Engineer Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah, the convener of the National Committee to Protect ...

MNA National Desk: Senior Awami League leader and Panel Mayor 1 of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Osman Gani has died while undergoing treatment in Singapore. He died at Singapore General Hospital around 8:30am on Saturday (Bangladesh time), confirmed DNCC Public Relations Officer ASM Mamun. Gani was 69 years old at the time of his death. The DNCC panel mayor had left Dhaka for Singapore on August 14 this year. His body will be brought back home in a Singapore Airlines flight around 11:40 on Sunday. In a Facebook post, DNCC prayed for the departed soul of Osman Gani ...

MNA International Desk: The United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that he won’t rush into any deal with North Korea, reported news agency. Trump tells a rally in Springfield, Missouri, that he received a “beautiful letter” two days ago from Kim. But he’s not saying what the letter said. The president and Kim met in June in Singapore to discuss denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, AP reports. Trump says he has a “very good” relationship with Kim. He notes that North Korea has returned Americans being held there, as well as remains of American service members who went missing ...

MNA Sports Desk: India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2018 in Dubai on Friday, reported news agency. After the Tigers were restricted to 173, Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan made 61 in the opening partnership to set the platform for an easy chase. Dhawan made 40 from 47 balls before being trapped leg before by Shakib Al Hasan and Ambati Rayudu (13) also fell cheaply to Rubel Hossain, but Sharma and MS Dhoni then took the team towards victory. Dhoni hit 33 off 37 balls before giving a catch in a Mashrafe ...

MNA Exclusive Desk: The World Bank (WB) has approved US$25 million to help Bangladesh provide education and support to heal the psychological wounds of Rohingya children and youth. The second in a series to help Bangladesh deal with the crisis, the additional financing on grant terms expands an existing World Bank project to help about 350,000 Rohingya children and adolescents get basic education in learning centers. The existing ‘Reaching Out of School Children Project II (ROSC II)’ project is also being extended for two years, which will enable the enrollment of poor children in the host communities in Cox’s Bazar, ...

MNA Business Desk: The government has taken a project for modernization and expansion of three Jute mills under the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) at a cost of Tk 1.74 billion to retain the lost glory of the golden fiber. After implementation of the project, the three mills — UMC Jute Mills in Narsingdi, Jashore Jute Industry Ltd in Noapara of Jashore and Gulfra Habib Ltd in Sitakunda of Chattogram — will create new job opportunities, reported news agency. The project has already been approved at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting. Under the project, the ...

MNA Entertainment Desk: Rock band Wolf Alice won Britain’s Mercury Prize for album “Visions of a Life”, beating off competition from the likes of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and the Arctic Monkeys. The four-member band from north London, which first began as a duo in 2010, took the 25,000 pound ($33,165) prize and “album of the year” trophy, which has been awarded to a wide range of music artists since it began in 1992. “Visions of a Life”, the group’s second studio album, won praise from critics when it was released last year and reached No. 2 in the ...

MNA Tech Desk: The number of the country’s total internet users is now 90.5 million, according to statistics published on Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)’s website. The BTRC released its statistics updated till the end of August, reported news agency. Among them, 84.7 million consumers are mobile phone internet users, 5.7 million are broadband internet (ISP + PSTN) users and the rest 83,000 are WiMax users. The total number of internet subscribers reached 88.9 million at the end of July.

MNA Feature Desk: The holy Ashura was observed by the Muslim community in Bangladesh and other parts of the world on Friday, the 10th day of Muharram, amid heightened security measures. The day was observed as a symbol of “sacrifice and mourning” recalling the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA), the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), in the battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram in Hijri 61. In the historic battle, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his family members and 72 followers embraced martyrdom at the hands of Yazid’s soldiers in the desert of ...

MNA Education Desk: A total of 562,628 students have applied for admission of the undergraduate courses at National University (NU) under 2018-19 academic sessions, reported news agency. The number of seats available in the National University is 4,68,540, a NU press release said. The primary application of the admission process began on 9 September and ended on 19 September. The final merit list of the candidates will be published within September this year and the classes of the students under 2018-19 session will begin on 11 October next.

MNA National Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left for New York where she is expected to highlight her response to the Rohingya crisis, at the UN General Assembly. She is also expected to present Bangladesh’s proposals to end the Rohingya crisis, at the UN General Assembly or UNGA. A special Biman Bangladesh flight carrying Hasina left Dhaka at 10:23am on Friday for London en route to New York to join the 73rd Session of the UNGA. The prime minister is leading the 50-member Bangladesh delegation and a 200-member delegation of businessmen has also been accompanying her. Among the top ...

MNA National Desk: The 3rd founding anniversary of Bangabandhu Peshajibi League was observed in a befitting manner on Monday. The leaders of the organization paid homage to the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman marking the founding anniversary. They placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 as a pool of leaders of the organization led by Bangabandhu Peshajibi League founder president Dr. Sarker Md. Abul Kalam Azad and General Secretary Sheikh Jamal Ahmed. They also distributed vegetable seeds to the over 1,000 citizens who are interested in creating rooftop garden with ...

MNA National Desk: Reiterating that the government firmly believes in freedom of press, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged the journalists to play a constructive role for the country’s development. She said this while distributing assistance among journalists from Bangladesh Journalists’ Welfare Trust at a function at her office. A total of 113 journalists suffering from various diseases and financially insolvency and family members of the journalists who have died in different incidents were given the financial assistance. Chaired by Information Minister and Chairman of the Trust Hasanul Haq Inu, the function was addressed, among others, by PM’s Media ...