Greece has raised a wildfire alert to its second-highest level after dozens of blazes broke out over the weekend. They come following a record warm winter in the country. Greece on Sunday raised the wildfire alert level for several regions to "high risk" — the second-highest —  after more than 70 forest fires were reported across the country on Saturday. Although most were brought under control, one on the island of Crete was still burning on Sunday, the fire department said, adding that three people had been lightly injured in the blaze. High winds expected On Saturday, "71 fires were declared in agricultural and forestry regions across the country in 12 hours, between 0300 GMT and 1500 GMT," said the Civil Protection Ministry, which is also in charge of responses to the climate crisis. The raised alert comes as strong winds of up to 60 kph (37 mph) are expected until Tuesday in parts of Greece, "making the situation extremely dangerous for the outbreak of fires," the ministry said.  The areas concerned include the Athens region, the center, the Cyclades islands and Crete.  Dry conditions amid climate change Greece has experienced five weeks with little or no rain as the Athens Observatory warns of a worrying level of drought. The Mediterranean country recorded a record average temperature of 11.8 C (53.2 F) over the winter, and temperatures have been unseasonably high since April started. On Tuesday, Chania on Crete reached 31 C. Like many other parts of the Mediterranean, it suffered an extensive heat wave last summer in which 20 people died and almost 175,000 hectares (430,000 acres) were scorched by blazes. Around 20,000 holidaymakers and locals had to be brought to safety as fires raged in the south of the island of Rhodes, a popular tourist destination. Experts say that Greece's wildfire season, which used to begin in May, is likely to begin progressively earlier due to human-made climate change.    

Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the voters to go to the polling centres early in the morning to cast votes for the 12th national parliamentary election slated for January 7. "My request to all of you (voters) is that in this January 7 election, please all the voters will get up early in the morning and go to the polling centres to cast your vote," she said. The Awami League chief came up with the call while addressing a public rally at Taraganj Degree College here as she is visiting Rangpur for day-long election campaign. Like the formal election campaign rally that began on December 20 from Sylhet, Bangabandhu's younger daughter and Sheikh Hasina's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present on the dais. Seeking votes for boat, the AL’s election symbol, to the people to serve them once again, the premier said Boat is the symbol of the Boat of Prophet Nuh through which the human race was saved during the Great Flood. She said through this Boat, you people got your independence and developed your living standard. "Will you cast your votes for the Boat?” the prime minister asked the people who were present in the rally, saying, “Promise me, please raise your hands if you are in favour of boat,”. The crowds responded enthusiastically to Sheikh Hasina by raising their hands and chanting slogans for the Boat at that time. The premier also introduced AL nominated candidate for Rangpur-2 constituency Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahasanul Huq Chowdhury (Duke) in the rally and requested all to vote for him. Referring to numerous development programmes of the Awami League government in the last 15 years, she said it has been possible for the government because people gave votes for the Boat in the last three elections. She also said there are some development programmes left to be completed to materialise the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to make Bangladesh as a homeless-and-landless free country with eradicating poverty completely. She continued that, "all people will get beautiful lives and we are working towards that target." No one will be neglected in the country of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said Sheikh Hasina, adding, "We want to take the country forward." She went on saying, "currently we've got the status of developing nation. Keeping that in mind, we want to make Bangladesh a developed country. This country will be developed only if the symbol of Boat remains in power." Mentioning that she has lost parents and brothers, Sheikh Hasina said she has nothing to lose and nothing to gain. "But, you have to stay well, your life will be beautiful," she said. The premier said my goal is that your children will get a beautiful life from generations to generations. With Taraganj Upazila Awami League President Alhaj Atia Rahman in the chair, Awami League nominated candidate for Rangpur-2 constituency Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahasanul Huq Chowdhury (Duke) also spoke at the rally. The premier landed at Syedpur Airport by a commercial flight around 11am, and then she started journey for Taraganj by road. The Awami League president kicked off her party's election campaign from Sylhet-I constituency after offering Ziarat at shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) following the tradition Besides, on December 23, she held election rallies virtually in six districts - -at Public Library Filed in Kushtia, Wazir Ali School and College Field in Jhenaidah, Satkhira Government High School in Satkhira, Zilla Stadium in Netrokona, and Sheikh Russell Stadium in Rangamati district as well as Bamna and Patharghata upazilas in Barguna districts from Bangladesh Awami League Office. On December 21, she also held election rallies in five districts --Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Natore, Pabna and Khagracchari - through a virtual platform from Awami League Office at Tejgaon. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed a public meeting at the same ground in Pirganj on December 22, 2018. On December 31, 2013, she joined a street rally at Tarfmauza High School ground and a party's workers' meeting at Fatehpur Joysadan in Laldighi. A festive mood is prevailing everywhere in Pirganj as well as the entire district marking the visit of the Prime Minister and the daughter-in-law of Pirganj.   Rally in Mithapukur: Later, on her way to Pirganj, the prime minister joined another election rally in Mithapukur upazila, and introduced AL nominated candidate Rasheq Rahman for Rangpur-5 constituency and requested all to vote for him as well. Sheikh Hasina urged all to cast votes for Boat in the next election to strengthen the hands of Awami League to turn "digital Bangladesh" into "smart Bangladesh". She added: "Our students and youths will be smart and skilled manpower, and we will build up them for the future while by 2041, Bangladesh will be developed, prosperous and Smart Sonar Bangla". The Awami League president cautioned every AL candidate to avoid any kind of chaos, saying, "You have to hold the election peacefully".   She also urged the people to make sure the victory of Awami League to serve them again. Mentioning that the people of Bangladesh are my family, Sheikh Hasina said, "My father gave his life for the people of Bangladesh. I'm also by your side, I will serve you." She said people are in peace, have food at home, security of life, education, medical treatment and a beautiful life during the Awami League government.   Source: BSS

Preliminary results show that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev won more than four votes in five. The snap election in Kazakhstan was called after authorities forcefully quashed deadly unrest earlier this year. Kazakhstan's electoral commission indicated that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will most likely remain in charge of Central Asia's largest country following a snap election Sunday against five little-known but government-approved challengers. Preliminary results showed that Tokayev had won a landslide victory with 81.31% of the vote, in line with earlier exit polls that had given him between 82.2% and 85.5% of the ballots. "The people have clearly expressed their confidence in me and we have to justify it," 69-year-old Tokayev said as the results emerged. According to the exit polls, the runner-up had managed barely 5% of the vote.  Tokayev called Sunday's presidential election in September. Tokayev's rise to power The vote comes after deadly unrest shook the Central Asian country and left more than 230 people dead earlier this year. Since then, Tokayev has unveiled reforms that included strengthening the parliament, reducing presidential powers, and limiting the presidency to a single seven-year term. This means he could stay in office until 2029 if he wins Sunday's election. But tensions persist in the country, as evidenced by seven people being arrested on Thursday charged with an attempted coup. Tokayev took office from Kazakhstan's first post-Soviet president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in 2019. After unusually long-running protests against the government, Nazarbayev said the country needed a "new generation of leaders." Tokayev was speaker of parliament at the time and considered Nazabayev's handpicked successor. Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have criticized Kazakhstan's failure to meet electoral recommendations, including "conditions of eligibility and registration of candidates." Tension with Russia over Ukraine The International Monetary Fund has warned of the persistent risk of instability, as Kazakhstan's economy is heavily dependent on Russia and is suffering from the impact of the war in Ukraine as a result. Tokayev has criticized Moscow's invasion of Ukraine but stopped short of joining Western sanctions on Russia. He has, however, also refused to recognize referendums with which Russia claimed to have annexed some Ukrainian regions. Kazakhstan has also taken in hundreds of thousands of Russians who fled after President Vladimir Putin issued a conscription order in September. One senior government official told the Reuters news agency a resounding election win for Tokayev could embolden him to further distance himself from Russia.

Widespread voter discontent amid high inflation means that President Joe Biden's Democrats face a tough time holding onto their control of both houses of Congress. US President Joe Biden on Saturday cast his ballot in the US midterms, taking part in early voting ahead of elections on November 8.   He cast his vote in his hometown of Wilmington in the eastern state of Delaware. He was accompanied by his granddaughter Natalie, who was voting for the first time. Biden's Democrats currently have control of both houses of Congress. But polls suggest that the Republican opposition will likely regain control of both chambers amid widespread voter discontent due to high inflation. After casting his ballot, Biden told reporters that he was "feeling good" and that the midterms were "not a referendum" but rather "a choice." "It's a fundamental choice, a choice between two very different visions for the country." Biden condemns attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband What did Biden say about attack on Pelosi's husband? Biden also spoke about the attack this week on the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at their California home. The president condemned the tense political climate in the United States. He blamed it on the false claims of former President Donald Trump and his followers that the last election was stolen. "It's one thing to condemn the violence," Biden said. "But you can't condemn the violence unless you condemn those people who continue to argue the election was not real, that it's being stolen." The intruder at the Pelosi home, who police identified as a 42-year-old male, fractured her husband's skull but had intended to target the speaker herself. Pelosi, who as speaker of the House of Representatives is second in line to the US presidency, was not at home at the time of the early morning assault. Pelosi tweeted her first public statement since the attack on Saturday, saying she is "grateful for the quick response of law enforcement and emergency services" and the "life-saving medical care" her husband is receiving. What's up for grabs? The ruling party often takes a beating during the midterm elections. And many expect a similar outcome this time around. Many Americans have already cast their ballots in early voting, either by mail or directly at a polling station. Turnout is usually lower in midterm elections than in presidential ballot years. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are on the ballot, as well as 35 Senate seats, just over a third of the upper chamber.

Supporters of ousted prime minister Imran Khan are calling for early elections. Some experts say that a new poll could be the answer to some of Pakistan's political and economic turmoil. Pakistan has been plunged into a new political crisis after ousted prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lost a key vote on Friday in Punjab, the most populous province. This comes after the party won a by-election last week. Khan called on his supporters to protest across Pakistan and thousands took to the streets late Friday night, calling the loss a theft. Khan’s candidate, Pervez Elahi, initially received 186 votes but the deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly Dost Muhammad Mazari rejected 10 of the votes over violations of poll rules. Meanwhile, Hamza Shehbaz had 179 votes and thus retained his position as chief minister in Punjab. Khan has repeatedly called for early elections due to his party’s growing popularity, but Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his main political opponent, has announced that the elections will be held on schedule in 2023. The only way forward from here is to hold free and transparent elections, Khan tweeted last Monday after he won the by-elections in Punjab. Any other way will only lead to increased political uncertainty and further economic chaos, he said. Could early elections help create stability? Since his ouster, thousands of Khan supporters have gathered at rallies where he has delivered lengthy speeches and claimed that Sharif’s government was imposed on Pakistan by a US-led conspiracy. Early elections are the longstanding demand of PTI as political polarization, particularly in Punjab, is growing. All of the macroeconomic indicators are negative and there is no way forward except through early elections, Maleeka Bokhari, former parliamentary secretary and PTI lawmaker, told DW. Some analysts believe that the current political and deepening economic crisis could ease as a result of free and fair elections. Elections are key, so long as they are viewed as free and fair, said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. If they were seen as credible elections, then the political crisis would ease as there would be more stability with a government in place that’s viewed as legitimate. And the economic crisis would ease as the government would no longer be distracted by political tumult, and donors including the IMF would feel comfortable providing funds with less instability and a government viewed by the public as legitimate, Kugelman added. Khan eyes high chance of success in polls Given the current momentum, it seems likely that Imran Khan and the PTI would achieve success if elections were held this year, particularly in Punjab and KP [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] province. The PTI is in a stronger position electorally than it was at the start of the year, prior to the no-confidence motion, Niloufer Siddiqui, a political science professor at SUNY Albany in the United States, told DW. Kugelman added that while early elections could be helpful, they shouldn’t be held too early. No matter how much the government is struggling to hold on, it will want to stay the course until the fall, so that it can weigh in on the selection of the next army chief. That’s a critical matter given the power of the army chief, and the current government will want to make sure that the next chief is not on the side of Imran Khan, the government’s core rival.Khan may sweep the polls, but not necessarily. Pakistani politics are nothing if not unpredictable. And the wildcard factor is the military. If Khan struggles to win back enough support from the army, they could potentially hurt his cause in elections, he said. Meanwhile, Bokhari believes that the current prime minister is aware of Khan’s growing popularity and is making a tactical move for this reason. Sharif is delaying the elections announcement. He knows that they are deeply unpopular and that people rejected Khan’s ouster as a result of regime changes, and Punjab has rejected Sharif in the recent by-elections, she said. Siddiqui of SUNY Albany added that the political turmoil in the country has taken a toll on the economy as well. The combination of Imran Khan’s effective narrative and the economic turmoil has hurt the incumbent parties, she said. There is little doubt that this political turmoil and uncertainty, however, has taken an additional toll on the economy, and will continue to do so. This has been coupled with extreme weather, which is laying bare many of the country’s deep-seated infrastructural and governance problems.

After the Galwan clash last year, several rounds of military and diplomatic talks have taken place to resolve the standoff. Disengagement at some border points did take place but by and large, there is an impasse on complete disengagement. The 24th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on May 31, 2022. The Indian delegation was led by the Additional Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs. The Director-General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation, read the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release. Both the sides agreed to hold the next (16th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, added the MEA release. The two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas. They recalled that since the last meeting of WMCC in November 2021, both sides have held the 14th and 15th meetings of the Senior Commanders in January and March 2022 respectively. The Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi had also visited India in March 2022 and held discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The two sides exchanged views on the current situation along the LAC in the Western Sector in Eastern Ladakh. As instructed by the two Foreign Ministers at WMCC on India-China Border Affairs, both sides should continue the discussions through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC at the earliest so as to create conditions for the restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. Source: Microsoft News

The world is currently in the early stages of a third wave, World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.     "We are now in the early stages of a third wave," he said in his opening remarks at the 8th meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee on COVID-19.     The WHO head said that in the past week cases of COVID-19 were increasing globally, and deaths have started to go up again. Moreover, "deaths are increasing again" after 10 weeks of declines, he added. "The Delta variant is one of the main drivers of the current increase in transmission, fueled by increased social mixing and mobility, and inconsistent use of proven public health and social measures," he stated.     According to Ghebreyesus, "the Delta variant is now in more than 111 countries," so the WHO expects "it to soon be the dominant COVID-19 strain circulating worldwide, if it isn't already."     The WHO head slammed "a shocking disparity in the global distribution of vaccines". Meanwhile, lack of access to vaccines leaves most of the world's population "at the mercy of the virus", the WHO director general said recalling that "many countries still have not received any vaccines, and most have not received enough".     Although, Ghebreyesus argued, "COVAX can work, but the scale is still far too small, with just over 100 million doses shipped". Source: TASS/BSS AH

Bangladesh’s economy is showing nascent signs of recovery backed by a rebound in exports, strong remittance inflows, and the ongoing vaccination program, says a new World Bank report. The report titled “Bangladesh Development Update – Moving Forward: Connectivity and Logistics to strengthen Competitiveness,” was launched through a virtual media briefing today (Monday). After being severely affected by the COVID 19 pandemic-which slowed growth and for the first time in two decades slightly reversed the poverty reduction trend-the economy is recovering gradually. Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan chaired the launching session virtually today while senior economist of World Bank, Bangladesh Bernard James Haven and senior economist of World Bank Matias Herrera Dappe made two separate key-note presentations. “Despite the uncertainty created by COVID-19, the outlook for Bangladesh’s economy is positive. Much of the pace of recovery will depend on how fast mass vaccination can be achieved,” said Mercy Miyang Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan. “The World Bank will support a resilient recovery, helping Bangladesh achieve green, smart, and inclusive growth.” In FY21, the World Bank said the real GDP growth for Bangladesh could range from 2.6 to 5.6 percent depending on the pace of the ongoing vaccination campaign, the extent and duration of mobility restrictions and how quickly the world economy recovers. The lending agency said growth will be supported by a recovery in manufacturing as export demand strengthens, a rebound in construction supported by accelerating public investment, and robust service sector growth as the vaccination campaign progress. Inflation is projected to remain close to Bangladesh Bank’s 5.5 percent target, and the fiscal deficit is projected to remain at 6 percent of GDP. When asked what are the challenges the country would face during this difficult time of COVID-19, Mercy said the problem is not about the challenges, rather what the country would do to go forward. “We need a series of strategies ……..that will emphasis on green, resilient and inclusive growth and development,” she added. The World Bank country director said there is a need for lot of efforts to address malnutrition, stunting and better health care for all. Besides, she stressed the need for accelerating digital technology, improving local supply chain, logistics, connectivity and biodiversity. Replying to another question about the progress on possible $500 million budget support recently sought by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Mercy Tembon said the concerned World Bank team is already working on this and by the end of its mission, it is likely to be finalized. She said the biggest assets of Bangladesh is its people and for this they need to be healthy, educated and also having a good livelihood. Responding to another question about the government’s measures to protect the poor during this pandemic situation, the county director said Bangladesh did extremely well when the pandemic hit and it had also launched a good number of stimulus packages to keep people remain employed despite the shocks. Besides, she said there was a lot of social protection measures like cash transfers while the whole drive by the government was to ensure that the poor are not suffered from hunger. “The government had good performances in taking care of the poor,” Tembon said adding that the social protection measures helped people during this bad time and also to keep people in their jobs. Asked about the reasons behind projection of a wider growth range instead of a specific number this time by the lending agency, Tembon said the growth number depends on many other things which are happening now. She said if the inward remittances to Bangladesh continue its robust and resilient growth, then growth in this fiscal year could be around 5 percent. Over the first half of FY21, the World Bank said factories reopened and exports rebounded. However, the economy faces elevated risks in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In Dhaka and Chittagong, the country’s two largest cities, recent surveys pointed to a recovery in the labor market in the first half of FY21. With gradual restoration of livelihoods, food security in poor and slum areas improved. In Chittagong, the percentage of adults working had returned to pre-COVID levels by February 2021. Risks to the outlook remain elevated. A fragile global economic recovery could dampen demand for RMG products and limit job opportunities for migrant workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated financial sector risks stemming from nonperforming loans and weaknesses in bank governance and risk management. Improving logistics performance could help accelerate the recovery and improve competitiveness. The report outlines opportunities to modernize the logistics system to ensure business continuity and build resilience. This can be achieved through a system-wide strategy to increase logistics efficiency; improve the quality, capacity, and management of infrastructure; improve the quality and integration of logistics services; and, achieve a seamless integration of regional logistics services. Besides, the lending agency also suggested some key priorities which include increasing government revenues, diversifying exports, resolving financial sector vulnerabilities, rebalancing urbanization, and improving the business climate. “The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented global recession,” said Bernard Haven, World Bank Senior Economist, and co-author of the report. “Protecting households affected by the pandemic remains an urgent priority, while structural reforms can help accelerate the recovery.” Answering to a question, Bernard said the lockdown would have an impact on employments and for this the government would have some additional programme to support the affected people. The Bangladesh Development Update is a companion piece to the South Asia Economic Focus, a twice-a-year World Bank report that examines economic developments and prospects in the South Asia Region, and analyzes policy challenges faced by countries. The Spring 2021 edition titled South Asia Vaccinates, launched on March 31, 2021, shows that economic activity in South Asia is bouncing back, but growth is uneven, recovery remains fragile, and the economic outlook is precarious. The report also focuses on the different dimensions of vaccine deployment and provides a cost-benefit analysis of vaccination in the region. Source: BSS AH

Pfizer says an early peek at its vaccine data suggests the shots may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19, indicating the company is on track later this month to file an emergency use application with U.S. regulators. Monday’s announcement doesn’t mean a vaccine is imminent: This interim analysis, from an independent data monitoring board, looked at 94 infections recorded so far in a study that has enrolled nearly 44,000 people in the U.S. and five other countries. Pfizer Inc. did not provide any more details about those cases, and cautioned the initial protection rate might change by the time the study ends. Even revealing such early data is highly unusual. “We’re in a position potentially to be able to offer some hope,” Dr. Bill Gruber, Pfizer’s senior vice president of clinical development, told The Associated Press. “We’re very encouraged.” Authorities have stressed it’s unlikely any vaccine will arrive much before the end of the year, and limited initial supplies will be rationed. “We need to see the data, but this is extremely promising,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University. He ticked off many questions still to be answered including how long the vaccine’s effects last and if it also protects older people as well as younger people. If Pfizer’s vaccine ultimately pans out, “it’s going to be a while before this has a major impact at the population level,” said Goodman, a former chief of Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine division. The interim results were “an interesting first signal,” but questions remain, said Marylyn Addo, head of the tropical medicine unit at UKE hospital in Hamburg, Germany. Global markets, already buoyed by the victory of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, exploded on the news from Pfizer. All major markets in Europe, where infections have soared, are up 5%. In the U.S., Dow futures also rose 5% and were up about 1,400 points just over two hours before the opening bell. The shots made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech are among 10 possible vaccine candidates in late-stage testing around the world — four of them so far in huge studies in the U.S. Another U.S. company, Moderna Inc., also has said it hopes to be able to file an application with the FDA later this month. Volunteers in the final-stage studies, and the researchers, don’t know who received the real vaccine or a dummy shot. But a week after their second required dose, Pfizer’s study began counting the number who developed COVID-19 symptoms and were confirmed to have the coronavirus. Because the study hasn’t ended, Gruber couldn’t say how many in each group had infections. Doing the math, that would mean almost all the infections counted so far had to have occurred in people who got the dummy shots. Pfizer doesn’t plan to stop its study until it records 164 infections among all the volunteers, a number that the FDA has agreed is enough to tell how well the vaccine is working. The agency has made clear that any vaccine must be at least 50% effective. No participant so far has become severely ill, Gruber said. Nor could he provide a breakdown of how many of the infections had occurred in older people, who are at highest risk from COVID-19. Participants were tested only if they developed symptoms, leaving unanswered whether vaccinated people could get infected but show no symptoms and unknowingly spread the virus. FDA has required that U.S. vaccine candidates be studied in at least 30,000 people. In addition to adequate numbers of older adults, those studies must also include other groups at high risk, including minorities and people with chronic health problems. And it told companies they must track half their participants for side effects for at least two months, the time period when problems typically crop up. Pfizer expects to reach that milestone later this month, but said Monday no serious safety concerns have been reported. Because the pandemic is still raging, manufacturers hope to seek permission from governments around the world for emergency use of their vaccines while additional testing continues — allowing them to get to market faster than normal but raising concerns about how much scientists will know about the shots. The FDA’s scientific advisers last month said they worry that allowing emergency use of a COVID-19 vaccine could damage confidence in the shots and make it harder to ever find out how well they really work. Those advisers said it’s critical these massive studies are allowed to run to completion. Source: UNB AH

After Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque helped the Tigers to post the highest Test total at home and secure a lead of 295 runs, Zimbabwe lost two wickets in the first over of their second innings to Nayeem Hasan in the ongoing Dhaka Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday. At the end of day three, Zimbabwe were batting at nine for two in five overs with Brendan Taylor and Kevin Kasuza were unbeaten for 1 and 8 respectively. The touring side is now trailing by 286 runs with eight wickets in hand. Earlier, Bangladesh stalwart Mushfiqur recorded his third double-ton in Test cricket after Mominul Haque hit his ninth Test century in the same game. Riding on the bats of Mominul and Mushfiqur, Bangladesh posted 560 for six, Bangladesh’s highest Test total at home, in 154 overs and declared the innings securing a lead of 295 runs. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten for 203 off 318 balls with 28 fours. Along with him, Taijul Islam also remained unbeaten for 14. With this double-ton, Mushfiqur became the first and only Bangladeshi to have hit three double-centuries in the longest format of international cricket. Mushfiqur reached his third double-ton off 315 balls with 28 fours. He drove Ainsley Ndlovu to the cove area for a four to complete the double-century in style. Right after it, Mushfiqur did a Tiger posture to celebrate the occasion. His maiden double-ton (200) came back in 2013 against Sri Lanka at Galle. Five years later on, he struck his second double-ton (219*) against Zimbabwe in 2018 at Sher-e-Bangla. Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are only two others Bangladeshi batsmen to have hit double-ton in Test cricket. Both of them have one double-century each. Before Mushfqiur touches a new milestone, Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque also hit a ton in the ongoing Test. The southpaw ended on 132 off 234 with 14 fours. It was his first Test century after 14 innings. Mominul had hit his last century against West Indies back in 2018 in Chattogram. He played 14 Test innings since then but couldn’t reach a century until now. The southpaw took 156 balls to reach his ninth hundred with 12 fours. He drove Donald Tiripano for a four to the long-off area and completed the century by one of his finest shots of the innings. Earlier, Bangladesh ended day two scoring 240 for three in reply of Zimbabwe’s first innings of 265. Before Mominul and Mushfiqur, Bangladesh opener Najmul Hossian Shanto also struck a fifty (71), which was his maiden 50-plus score in international cricket. Brief score: Zimbabwe 1st innings: 265/10 in 106.3 overs, Ervine 107, Prince 64, Regis 30, Nayeem 4/70, Abu Jayed 4/71, Taijul 2/91 Bangladesh 1st innings: 560/6 declared in 154 overs, Mushfiqur 203*, Mominul 132, Shanto 71, Ndlovu 2/170, Tshuma 1/85 Zimbabwe 2nd innings: 9/2 in 5 overs, Kasuza 8*, Taylor 1*, Nayeem 2/4 Source: UNB AH