The killings of the candidates took place in Michoacan state, which is one of Mexico's most violent regions. Observers say the 2024 election will see the highest involvement of organized crime. Two mayoral candidates have been shot dead within a span of a few hours in the Mexican city of Maravatio, ahead of the June 2 national elections. The attack on the politicians took place in the western state of Michoacan, which is one of Mexico's most violent regions. Miguel Angel Reyes Zavala, a gynecologist who wanted to be run with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's Morena party, was gunned down in his vehicle outside of his clinic, authorities said. Two gunmen shot at point-blank range and then fled in a car, according to the witness testimonies collected by the investigating team. A few hours later, Armando Perez Luna, who hoped to represent the opposition National Action Party (PAN), was found dead in a car with marks of gunshots on his body, according to the state prosecutor's office. Spike in violence ahead of elections A surge in bloodshed in the run-up to elections has become an increasingly common phenomenon in Mexico, where local politicians, in particular, have become more vulnerable to violence. About three dozen candidates were killed during the last national election in 2021. More than 30 people have been killed in violence linked to elections in Mexico since June last year. Of these, 16 were aspiring candidates, according to research group Laboratorio Electoral. The killings often come when campaigning for elections is yet to begin. The violence is attributed to the strengthening of drug cartels in Mexico. Integralia Consultants, a research think tank, wrote in a report that "organized crime will intervene like never before in local elections in 2024" because cartels now have expanded their businesses and deal in more than just drugs.  

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that there was a discussion with the president India, Droupadi Murmu,  about the import of 50 thousand tons of onion and 100 thousand tons of sugar from India before Ramadan.  The foreign minister met the president of India, Droupadi Murmu, on Friday (February 9) afternoon. Later he told reporters about the matter. He said that we discussed about the products which are imported from India. We have discussed in detail about the import of 50 thousand tons of onions and 1 lakh tons of sugar before Ramadan.   We have discussed other issues as well. We discussed on various important areas of mutual interest as well as pledged to strengthen cooperation between two nations in various fields, Hasan Mahmud added.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Jan 29) has directed the  the authority concerned to reduce the import duty on four most essential items – rice, edible oil, sugar and date ahead of the upcoming Ramadan. PM Sheikh Hasina delivered this directive from the Cabinet meeting at her office in the capital. “The prime minister has given a clear directive to decrease the duty on four items – edible oil, sugar, rice and date — on the occasion of the upcoming Ramadan,” said Md Mahbub Hossain, the Cabinet Secretary, while briefing reporters at the Secretariat. Highlighting the instructions of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Secretary said that the supply of edible oil, sugar, dates and rice should not be reduced during Ramadan. Therefore, the Prime Minister has given instructions to reduce the duty rate of edible oil, sugar, dates and rice on the occasion of upcoming Ramadan. Mahbub Hossain said, "The National Board of Revenue (NBR) would assess how much the duty can be curtailed."  

This year Bollywood was dominated by Shah Rukh Khan. The Bollywood industry ruled two SRK films in a row. Along with King Khan, Salman Khan was also in the limelight for the sake of the third movie in the 'Tiger'. However, to ace the two Khans, this time 'Animal' is at the door. Ranbir Kapoor's new film has already broken the record of 'Jawaan'. According to Bollywood movie analysts, "Animal" can make 100 crores at the worldwide box office on the day of its release! At least the flurry of advance bookings is pointing to that. 'Animal' is the first Hindi film to be released in 888 theaters in America.

New Delhi’s ambassador to Ottawa admitted a “lot of dialogue” is going on to restore relations after a diplomatic spat  India was “convicted” of the murder of a Canadian citizen even before the investigation was completed, New Delhi’s ambassador to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has said. These comments come days after New Delhi resumed e-visa services for Canadians amid a diplomatic spat between the two countries.  The envoy, appearing for an interview with CTV News, vehemently denied New Delhi’s involvement in the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. “It is still an allegation,” Verma pointed out. “We are a country of [the] rule of law, and all the freedoms have been given in the Indian Constitution. They are our pillars; we will not go beyond that,” he underlined. Verma reiterated that New Delhi would help “if there is anything specific and relevant and communicated to us” while suggesting that India was “convicted” even before Canadian authorities asked to cooperate in the investigation. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had earlier claimed that Canada has yet to provide any evidence to support its accusations against India.  In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government had “credible allegations” linking Nijjar’s death to Indian agents. Nijjar, a leader of the movement for a separate Khalistan state in India’s Punjab region, was designated as a terrorist by New Delhi in 2020.  Trudeau’s accusations created an unprecedented diplomatic row, with both countries expelling top-level diplomats and India halting visa services to Canadian citizens, citing threats to its diplomatic staff. Negotiations on a free trade agreement have also been suspended.  When asked about the current state of affairs between the two countries, the envoy asserted that the “security situation” concerning Indian diplomats in Canada has improved, which prompted India to resume e-visa services in the country last week.  “The relationship is better than it was a couple of months back,” Verma revealed, adding that a “lot of dialogue” is going on between the two governments, and most of it is constructive.  He also acknowledged that, in the early days of the spat, “emotions became very high.” “A bit of [the] emotional element will be there when the decisions are taken,” he added. India’s primary concern, the diplomat said, is that Canadian soil is being used "to launch attacks on [the] sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.” His statements came against the backdrop of an incident involving another Indian envoy in the US, which has a large contingent of Khalistan sympathizers. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s ambassador to the US, was mobbed and heckled by a group believed to be Khalistan supporters while on a visit to the Hicksville Gurdwara in Long Island, New York on Sunday.  In the video posted on social media, people can be seen shouting accusations, such as, “You are responsible for Nijjar’s killing! You plotted to kill [Gurpatwant Singh] Pannun!” Last week, several media outlets reported that US authorities had thwarted a plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who, like Nijjar, is listed as a terrorist by New Delhi. According to a senior official in the administration of US President Joe Biden, quoted by the Financial Times, Washington had warned New Delhi over concerns about its involvement in the case. Source: RT

Actress Tanjin Tisha has been in the headlines due to her suicide attempt and conflict with journalists. However, the actress has denied the suicide.  She also apologized to the journalists for her rude behaviour. Tisha will be seen in a new drama soon. A drama based on the story of Close-Up Kache Ashar Golpo, 'Valobashi Tobuo'. The trailer of the play has already been released on internets. Besides, Tisha herself also shared the trailer of the play on her Facebook account. 

Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today said there is no worry about national and international conspiracies ahead of the next general election as the countrymen always stand by her party. "Next election is ahead. National and international conspiracies are being hatched centering next polls. But, we have nothing to worry as the people are always beside us with their mandates," she said. (Reports BSS) The prime minister was exchanging views with Tungipara Upazila Awami League, its associate and affiliated organisations, local public representatives and civil dignitaries at the Tungipara Upazila AL office this morning. About repeated attempts to her life, Sheikh Hasina said they have reached today's position confronting bullets and bombs. She said Almighty Allah has given a task to every person and protect him or her until the work is accomplished. "Allah is above and the leaders and activists of my party on the ground to save. The people belongs to my party always protect me whenever I am attacked," she said. Pointing to the grenade attacks on the AL rally on August 21, 2004 killing 22 leaders and activists, she said the party men had saved her forming a human shield in exchange for their lives. "This is the great thing that I have got the chance to serve the people," she added. The prime minister arrived here yesterday afternoon after opening the Dhaka-Bhanga Rail Link at Mawa, Munshiganj end and addressing a grand rally at Dr Kazi Abu Yusuf Stadium at Bhanga in Faridpur. Soon after the premier along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana reached Tungipara, Gopalganj, she paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mausoleum and offered prayers and fateha there. She spent last night at Tungipara and is scheduled to leave for Dhaka this afternoon. Sheikh Hasina said her government is working to materialise the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to change the fate of the countrymen by giving them an improved and better life. "I am doing everything possible for the welfare of the people," she said. She thanked the people of her Tungipara-Kotalipary constituency for electing her time and again through votes despite she has not been able to give them adequate time as she has to look into the welfare of entire country.

Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today said there is no worry about national and international conspiracies ahead of the next general election as the countrymen always stand by her party. "Next election is ahead. National and international conspiracies are being hatched centering next polls. But, we have nothing to worry as the people are always beside us with their mandates," she said. (Reports BSS) The prime minister was exchanging views with Tungipara Upazila Awami League, its associate and affiliated organisations, local public representatives and civil dignitaries at the Tungipara Upazila AL office this morning. About repeated attempts to her life, Sheikh Hasina said they have reached today's position confronting bullets and bombs. She said Almighty Allah has given a task to every person and protect him or her until the work is accomplished. "Allah is above and the leaders and activists of my party on the ground to save. The people belongs to my party always protect me whenever I am attacked," she said. Pointing to the grenade attacks on the AL rally on August 21, 2004 killing 22 leaders and activists, she said the party men had saved her forming a human shield in exchange for their lives. "This is the great thing that I have got the chance to serve the people," she added. The prime minister arrived here yesterday afternoon after opening the Dhaka-Bhanga Rail Link at Mawa, Munshiganj end and addressing a grand rally at Dr Kazi Abu Yusuf Stadium at Bhanga in Faridpur. Soon after the premier along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana reached Tungipara, Gopalganj, she paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mausoleum and offered prayers and fateha there. She spent last night at Tungipara and is scheduled to leave for Dhaka this afternoon. Sheikh Hasina said her government is working to materialise the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to change the fate of the countrymen by giving them an improved and better life. "I am doing everything possible for the welfare of the people," she said. She thanked the people of her Tungipara-Kotalipary constituency for electing her time and again through votes despite she has not been able to give them adequate time as she has to look into the welfare of entire country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated that no more tolerance would be shown in case of the happening of 2013-14 like arson terrorism and inhuman atrocities prior to the next national election in the name of movement.   "There will be no scope left to spare if arson terrorism or likewise incidents or attacks to the commoners will take place before the election in the name of movement," she told a community reception hosted in honour of her at the Methodist Central Hall Westminster here. Reports BSS   The premier reminded the countrymen that the BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out mayhem across the country by burning people to death alive, destroying public and private properties by hurling petrol bombs in multi-modal vehicles that included passenger buses, trains and launches during 2013-14 in the name of so-called movement.   Many people including women suffered critical burn injuries in the arson attacks and they have been leading inhuman lives with their injuries, she said.   "We have no objection with your movement. While killing people by arson terrorism and destroying the country's properties are their movements. You had earlier killed 29 police personnel. If any such attempt is made on the lives of my distressed people, no mercy will be shown," she said.   Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap were present on the dais.   UK AL President Sultan Sharif presided over the function while General Secretary Syed Sajedur Rahman Faruk moderated it.   Sheikh Hasina, also President of the ruling Awami League, said it doesn't suit the BNP to speak about democracy as they had played ducks and drakes with the voting rights of the people.   BNP held a farcical election on February 15, 1996 and the people of the country ousted them from the power within one and half month after it assumed power through the election.   "The people of the country never allow the vote riggers to hang on power," she said.   The premier reminded the countrymen that the BNP-Jamaat alliance had prepared a voter list with 1.23 crore fake voters and attempted to hold an election with the list.   On the contrary, the leaders and activists of the Awami League had struggled for long to establish the voting rights of the people and the democracy, she said, adding that many of them sacrificed their lives in doing so.   The prime minister reiterated her pledge to hold a free and fair election, saying that her government has made all the reforms that included enacting law for forming the election commission (EC) alongside making it financially independent.   She said they have introduced the transparent ballot boxes and prepared a voter list with photographs to hold a free and fair election.   Sheikh Hasina said the BNP is now out of the movement for sending Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment.

At first glance, the news published by the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) is disturbing: On July 31, 2023, the average temperature of the global ocean surface was exactly 20.9648 degrees Celsius (69.73664 degrees Fahrenheit), above the previous record set in 2016. However, compared to 2016, this is only an extremely small increase of exactly 0.0188 degrees. Back then, the highest value was 20.95 degrees Celsius (if rounded up). So is the new temperature record actually just much ado about nothing? Unfortunately not because it fits in with the general trend this year — a trend that is consistently pointing upwards. World's oceans getting warmer and warmer  Since April, the global average daily surface temperature of the Earth's oceans (excluding the polar regions) has remained at record levels, which is simply far too warm for the time of year. For example, according to Copernicus analyses, daily average maritime temperatures had already reached 20.94 degrees Celsius on July 19. In addition, record surface water temperatures have persisted in the North Atlantic. In June, they averaged 0.91 degrees Celsius, the warmest of any Copernicus record for that period. And according to data from the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), preliminary measurements show the sea surface in the North Atlantic actually reached an all-time high temperature of 24.9 degrees Celsius during the last week of July this year. NOAA scientist Xungang Yin told the AFP news agency that sea surface temperatures are expected to "continue to rise in August." Normally, the North Atlantic reaches its maximum temperature in early September, according to the NOAA. Highest category of heatwave in the North Atlantic  In June, the North Atlantic was already experiencing a maritime heatwave of the highest category, explained Samantha Burgess of C3S in an interview with DW. One can assume that this will lead to a further large-scale fish deaths. There was also a risk of more storms forming in the North Atlantic, she added. "The ocean has absorbed 90% of the excess heat from extra greenhouse gases in the atmosphere," Burgess told DW. "The ocean is the proverbial enormous sponge that soaks up this extra heat when it gets hotter than what we have seen in the past." This situation is extreme. "We've seen maritime heatwaves before, but this is very persistent and spread out over a large surface area" in the North Atlantic, Karina von Schuckmann of the Mercator Ocean International research center told AFP. Record temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea  Water temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea also broke records this year. For example, Spanish researchers reported at the end of July that the daily mean sea surface temperature was 28.71 degrees Celsius. The Mediterranean region, which experienced record heatwaves in July, has long been considered a climate change hotspot. "Temperatures in the ocean are an absolute master switch," said Thorsten Reusch, a biologist at the Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research. The smallest changes could shake up the global climate system. "What we are seeing now is beyond any previously recorded water temperatures. That is definitely remarkable and alarming." The high ocean surface temperatures also coincide with the development of El Nino conditions, a period of warmer-than-average sea surface temperature values in the tropical Pacific. This naturally occurring climate pattern, which began on July 4 according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), results in a higher likelihood of extreme heat in many regions and in the ocean. A taste of what's to come In general, this year's July was accompanied by extremes and records. According to UN figures, it is most likely the hottest month since weather records began and probably has seen temperatures "unprecedented" for thousands of years.   In particular, parts of Europe, Asia and North America were hit by heatwaves and devastating wildfires. These extreme weather occurances were simply a taste of what is to come for the world's climate, warned the WMO and the EU's C3S observation program. "Man-made emissions are ultimately the main cause of this temperature rise," says Carlo Buontempo, director of C3S. Science has shown that weather extremes such as heatwaves are increasing in intensity and frequency as a result of global climate change. The Earth has already warmed by about 1.2 degrees Celsius since the beginning of the industrial age.  The Paris climate agreement aims to limit warming to well below two degrees, but preferably to 1.5 degrees. As it stands now, however, the Earth is heading for a dangerous warming of about four degrees.