German Economy Minister Robert Habeck says Berlin will need to allow sub-seabed storage of CO2 produced in certain industries in order to reach its goal to be carbon neutral by 2045. Germany plans to allow carbon capture and sub-seabed storage technology in certain industries, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday. Such systems capture carbon dioxide at the point of emission, remove it from the atmosphere, and store it underground. What are the plans? "The technology is safe," Habeck said at a news conference on the German government's carbon management strategy. Germany aims to become carbon neutral by 2045. It is currently Europe's largest emitter of CO2. Habeck, who is also responsible for climate change policy, said that certain industrial sectors, such as cement production, will need to use carbon capture technology for Berlin to reach its climate goals. Overground C02 storage will remain prohibited, according to Habeck. A law passed in 2012 gave Germany's states the power to veto the use of carbon capture technology. The minister said that the law will also need to be changed to allow the transport of CO2 captured from industrial processes. He said that the needed changes will continue to be discussed over the coming months. Germany will also make use of carbon capture and utilization technology, where captured C02 will be used for other products rather than being stored underground.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged on Sunday the country’s alem-ulama to cooperate with her government to eradicate religious superstitions, terrorism and militancy so no one can misguide the children by wrong interpretation of Islam. “I want your cooperation in eradicating religious, superstition, terrorism and militancy. We especially request you to keep watch so our children don’t follow the wrong path,” she said. (Reports UNB) The prime minister was addressing the award giving ceremony of National hifzul quran competition 2023 held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC). She urged the Islamic scholars of the country to protect the dignity of Islam, the religion of peace, also urged the parents and guardians to watch where their children go and with whom they associate. Hasina said Islam, the religion of peace, is getting a bad name because of the terrorism and militant activities of a few people all over the world. “It is not acceptable to me that these terrorists will be known today by the name of Islam and the saddest thing is that a handful of people use our religion to carry out militant and terrorist activities,” she said. The PM said that she does not know who taught them that if anyone kills people, that person can go to heaven. “This is not written anywhere in the Qur'an and the Prophet (PBUH) did not say it. In his farewell hajj speech he told Muslims to show tolerance towards all religions. This is the essence of Islam,” she said. The PM said that she does not know who taught them that if anyone kills people, that person can go to heaven. “This is not written anywhere in the Qur'an and the Prophet (PBUH) did not say it. In his farewell hajj speech he told Muslims to show tolerance towards all religions. This is the essence of Islam,” she said.

The former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has refused to allow police to search his home, saying that they must be supervised. Khan earlier appeared in court to seek protection from arrest. Pakistan remained tense on Friday as former Prime Minister Imran Khan refused to allow police to search his house, laying out his terms for any such operation. Hundreds of police officers were deployed around Khan's home in eastern Lahore ahead of the planned search for suspects said to be involved in attacks on state and army buildings earlier this month. What are the latest developments? Police and government officials had arrived at the former prime minister and international cricket star's home.  Agreeing on the terms of the search was part of the latest wrangle between Khan and authorities amid deepening political instability in the country of 220 million people. Police allege that Khan was sheltering between 30 to 40 suspects linked to the violence and had threatened to raid the premises under a court order to detain them. However, authorities said they would only start the search for suspects after agreeing on terms and conditions. Khan has refused to allow a search until his stipulations are met. He said he feared that, if unsupervised, police might plant weapons and that a search could only be conducted by a panel set up by a high court. He also said a female officer should accompany the team. The 70-year-old's home, in the Zaman Park neighborhood of Lahore, was a site of battles between his supporters and police who had tried to arrest him in March for not showing up in court. At least 10 people died in the unrest, which only receded after Khan's release was ordered by Pakistan's Supreme Court. Khan was released from arrest last week and he returned home to Lahore. While police have sought Khan on charges of inciting supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to violence, he denies the allegation given that he was in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau at the time. That agency had arrested him as part of a corruption case. Khan has also faced charges under the country's anti-terrorism laws over protests he is alleged to have incited last year. Khan appeared conciliatory as he condemned the violence before an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, where he was seeking protection from arrest in multiple terrorism cases. The judge granted him protection from arrest in three terrorism cases until early June. Background of political turmoil After he was forced from power in a no-confidence vote by lawmakers, Khan has faced multiple corruption charges in Pakistani courts. The former international cricket star was indicted on claims that he unlawfully sold state gifts while serving as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. His arrest was based on a new warrant for a separate corruption case related to property. Khan and his supporters claim the proceedings are politically motivated. Khan's arrest and the subsequent violence have exacerbated Pakistan's political turmoil at a time of deepening economic woes. Authorities are also facing an uptick in militant attacks. Sirajul Haq, the leader of Pakistan's key Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, narrowly escaped a suicide attack in Zhob, in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Friday, police said. The bomber detonated explosives strapped to his waist while Haq was entering the district as part of a car convoy. Although Haq was said to be safe, five people were wounded in the attack. While was no immediate claim for the bombing, militants and other armed groups have for decades staged attacks in Balochistan — a region stretching across the borders of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan which has a nationalist independence movement.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today stressed the need for global efforts in changing the mindset of all to allow more women and girls to excel in science, urging the womenfolk to act as an agent to change them. "It is unfortunate that women represent only 12 percent of scientists and 30 percent of researchers globally. We must work to address the barriers in mindsets and learning environments to allow more women and girls to excel in science," she said.   In a video statement at the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly held at the UN Headquarters, New York, the USA, the Prime Minister urged the women and girls to act as the agents of change themselves.   "The women and girls in science and technology must remember that they are not alone. The steps they take would help open the door further for their sisters around the world," she said.   In Bangladesh, she said they have made it a priority to have Bangladesh's women and girls lead in every sphere.   "Our women are doing very well in the field of research and higher education. Scholarships are being given to girls to carry out research in agriculture, industry, health, science, art, information technology - all fields," she said.   To encourage girls, she said her government has established 5,275 digital centers across the country from where one girl and one boy entrepreneur are providing 200 types of services.   Describing measures taken by her government, she said they have established science and technology universities nationwide to ensure easy access to those for Bangladeshi boys and girls.   The Prime Minister said the hi-tech parks have created an inclusive environment where the girls can thrive alongside the boys.   "We wish to see our women and girls fulfill their potentials for innovation and creativity in science. We must bridge the gaps in opportunities available for them in developed and developing countries. We want our girls to have their full share in building smart, knowledge-based societies," she said.   The International Day of Women and Girls in science began as a resolution by the United Nations in 2015. The mission was to address the gender gap in STEM fields by celebrating the contributions and achievements of women in science.   "Today, we celebrate the women and girls who are making important contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," she added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Myanmar should allow international organizations to work in the Rakhine state to create an appropriate environment for the dignified return of the forcibly displaced Rohingya people.    "Myanmar should allow international organizations to work in the Rakhine state," she said while United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer called on her at the latter's official residence Ganabhaban.    Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.    "We're pursuing this with Myanmar and also discussed it. But, no response has yet come. We want to solve it. How long we can host this huge number of people?" the Premier was quoted as saying.    Some of the Rohingyas are already involved in criminal activities, including human trafficking and drug abuse, she said, adding that they are also destroying the environment in the region.   Recalling the CHT Peace treaty, Sheikh Hasina some 62,000 refugees were returned home from India after signing the treaty in 1997.    The UN special envoy said that she visited Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar and had talks with them.    Now, it is essential to create a suitable atmosphere to ensure their dignified return to Myanmar, she said.    She said all, including the UN agencies and NGOs, are working for Rohingyas in the camps.    Appreciating Bangladesh for its Rohingya management, she said Bangladesh needs a lot of support in dealing with the Rohingya issue.    Noeleen Heyzer said she also visited Myanmar and told its military government to find out a solution to the Rohingya crisis.   She put emphasis on making the Rohingya crisis an agenda in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting as well as the ASEAN-Bangladesh initiative to resolve the Rohingya crisis.    Prime Minister's Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at the meeting. Source: BSS AH

Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year's hajj, a sharp uptick after pandemic restrictions forced two years of drastically pared-down pilgrimages. The hajj ministry "has authorised one million pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, to perform the hajj this year," it said in a statement. One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives. Usually one of the world's largest religious gatherings, about 2.5 million people took part in 2019. But after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Saudi authorities allowed only 1,000 pilgrims to participate. The following year, they upped the total to 60,000 fully vaccinated citizens and residents chosen through a lottery. This year's hajj, which will take place in July, will be limited to vaccinated pilgrims under age 65, Saturday's announcement said. Those coming from outside Saudi Arabia will be required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel. The government wants to promote pilgrims' safety "while ensuring that the maximum number of Muslims worldwide can perform the hajj", Saturday's statement said. - Easing restrictions - The hajj consists of a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in Islam's holiest city, Makkah, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia. Hosting the hajj is a matter of prestige for Saudi rulers, as the custodianship of Islam's holiest sites is the most powerful source of their political legitimacy. Before the pandemic, Muslim pilgrimages were key revenue earners for the kingdom, bringing in some $12 billion annually. The restrictions in 2020 and 2021 stoked resentment among Muslims abroad who were barred. The kingdom of approximately 34 million people has so far recorded more than 751,000 coronavirus cases, including 9,055 deaths, according to health ministry data. In early March it announced the lifting of most Covid restrictions including social distancing in public spaces and quarantine for vaccinated arrivals, moves that were expected to facilitate the arrival of Muslim pilgrims. The decision included suspending "social distancing measures in all open and closed places" including mosques, while masks are now only required in closed spaces. Source: AFP/BSS AH

Travelers who are fully vaccinated with the shots from Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN will be allowed to enter Canada starting Nov. 30, the Canadian government announced on Friday.   Currently, Canada only accepts travelers who have received the vaccines including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.   Also starting Nov. 30, people leaving Canada by land or by air for less than 72 hours will no longer be required to provide proof of a negative molecular test to re-enter the country.   This change applies only to Canadians, permanent residents and individuals registered under the Indian Act, as well as accompanying children under 12, and individuals with medical contraindications to vaccination.   Additionally, starting Jan. 15, certain groups of travelers who are currently exempt from entry requirements will only be allowed to enter Canada if they are fully vaccinated.   Those groups include individuals travelling to reunite with family, international students, professional and amateur athletes, individuals with a valid work permit and other essential service workers including truck drivers.   "With more Canadians getting vaccinated every day, we can move forward cautiously toward a more open border economy and society," said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. "At the same time, we can't let our guard down."   To date, the country has reported a total of 1,762,434 cases with 29,481 deaths, according to the Canadian government. Source: Xinhua/BSS AH

Only people with the double doses of Covid-19 vaccine would be allowed to enter into the stadium during the three-match T20 International series between Bangladesh and Pakistan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed today.   This is will be the first time since the outbreak of the deadly virus, the fans will be permitted to enjoy cricket game live from the stadium.   The BCB had already published the ticket price for the much anticipated series with the lowest price of BDT 100 and highest of BDT 1000. The grand stand ticket will be the highest of price while price of VIP stand BDT 500, Club House BDT 300 and Southern/Northern stand BDT 150. Easter Stand has the lowest price of BDT 100. The ticket will go on sale from tomorrow with the first of three T20s starting on Friday.   "Certificate of double vaccination for Covid-19 is mandatory for ticket holders aged 18 years and above. Vaccine Certificate will be checked at entry to the venue on match days," the BCB said in a press release.   Tickets will be found only at the ticket selling booth at Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur. Booth will be opened at 9 AM and tickets will be sold until 6 PM subject to availability before the match.   The BCB, however, didn't clear how many tickets will go on sale from the capacity of 25,000 seats at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. At the same time, they also didn't confirm whether Zahur Ahmed Chowhdury Stadium in Chattogram which will host the first Test from November 26-30 will have fans back into the stadium.   All of the three T20 matches will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium beside the second Test from December 4-8. The first T20 is on November 19 while second and third is on November 20 and 22. Source: BSS AH

The body asked the Taliban to allow the media to operate freely and independently in the country. Members of the Taliban have barred at least two female journalists from their jobs at the public broadcaster Radio Television Afghanistan, and have attacked at least two members of the press while they covered a protest in the eastern Nangarhar province, according to news reports and journalists who spoke with CPJ. “Stripping public media of prominent women news presenters is an ominous sign that Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have no intention of living up their promise of respecting women’s rights, in the media or elsewhere,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “The Taliban should let women news anchors return to work, and allow all journalists to work safely and without interference.” On August 15, the day the Taliban entered Kabul, members of the group arrived at Radio Television Afghanistan’s station and a male Taliban official took the place of Khadija Amin, an anchor with the network, according to news reports and Amin, who spoke with CPJ via messaging app. Taliban members also denied Shabnam Dawran, a news presenter with Radio Television Afghanistan, entry to the outlet, saying that “the regime has changed” and she should “go home,” according to news reports and Dawran, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. Male employees were permitted entry into the station, but she was denied, according to those sources. On August 17, a Taliban-appointed newscaster took her place and relayed statements from the group’s leadership, according to those reports.  At about 10 a.m., a group of Taliban militants arrived at a demonstration of people gathering in support of the Afghan national flag, which Amirzada and Naeemi were covering, and beat up protesters and fired gunshots into the air to disperse the crowd, the journalists told CPJ. Amirzada and Naeemi said that Taliban fighters shoved them both to the ground, beat Amirzada on his head, hands, chest, feet, and legs, and hit Naeemi on his legs and feet with the bottoms of their rifles. CPJ could not immediately determine the extent of the journalists’ injuries. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid did not respond to CPJ’s request for comment via messaging app. Taliban militants have also raided the homes of at least four media workers since taking power in the country earlier this week, according to CPJ reporting.

The new State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said, I was a victim of sufferings while going to perform hajj. As a sufferer I know what needs to be done. By the grace of Allah I will not allow any irregularity during hajj. He said these to the newsmen at the secretariat on Tuesday. The Sate Minister said, there were many allegations over hajj in the past. We do not want that there will be any complain regarding hajj journey. We will not allow that. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said, we have to arrange better management this time than any other year in the past. I will ensure the process so that no complain will arise regarding hajj in future. As the State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah took his charge on the first working day at the secretariat on Tuesday. At that time he exchanged views with the officers and employees. AH