Dozens people have died in floods which hit several cities in the north of Sao Paulo state. Pre-lenten Carnival festivities were canceled as the governor requested the army's support. Torrential rains hit coastal areas of Brazil's south east, triggering floods and landslides which killed dozens and left hundreds more homeless. The rains struck the north of Sao Paulo state on Sunday. Two of the hardest hit cities, Sao Sebastiao and Bertioga, canceled their pre-lenten Carnival festivities. Tarcisio de Freitas, the state governor of Sao Paulo, declared a state of emergency in five towns along the coast. At least 36 people have died as a result of the floods so far, Sao Paulo state authorities said in a statement. The floods left over 200 people homeless, with 338 more evacuated in the coastal region north of the city of Sao Paulo, according to the state government. Heavy rains are projected to continue in Sao Paulo's coastal areas, weather forecasts predicted, which means the death toll is likely to climb. Wealthy tourists usually flock to the northern coast of Sao Paulo state during Carnival season to escape the big cities' massive street parties.

Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (JaMuKa) has finally decided to cancel the ‘Bir Uttam’ title of former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. The decision was taken at a meeting of JaMuKa on Sunday. JaMuKa member and Member of Parliament Shajahan Khan said, committee has been formed to send the proposal to the government. There are some misdeeds committed by Zia and for that reason JaMuKa decided to cancel the title. The mentionable reasons are- violating the constitution, cancelling the fundamental principles of the constitution, helping the self declared killers of Bangabandhu and maintaining relation with them, for maintaining secret communication with them, maintaining association with the killers that were mentioned in different interviews by the self declared killers, helping them to leave the country and appoint them in different important posts and though being a freedom fighter forming cabinet consisting the anti liberation characters. Former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman was one of the sector commanders in the liberation war. For his role in the liberation war the Awami League government led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman adorned him with the ‘Bir Uttam’ title after the independence. On 15th August 1975 some misguided members of army killed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members. From the top level of Bangladesh Awami League there were allegations of Zia’s involvement in the killing. AH