The Election Commission (EC) has issued an order to keep scheduled banks open on next Friday and Saturday (Jan 5-6), two days ahead of the 12th national election. On Wednesday (Jan 3), the governor of Bangladesh Bank received a letter from Atiar Rahman, deputy secretary of the EC Secretariat.   The branches in Dhaka, Chittagong, and other metropolitan cities, districts, and upazilas should remain open for two days with limited manpower so that the EC Secretariat, returning officers, and related parties can withdraw money. The EC, however, said the bank officials who have been given duty as polling officers should be kept out of this.  The national election is scheduled for January 7 for which a general holiday has been declared nationwide on the polling day.

March 09, Thursday is World Kidney Day. This day is observed on the second Thursday of March every year. The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of kidney.  To maintain good health, kidneys play an important role. We all need a healthy kidney to maintain good health.  Studies have shown that about 10 percent of people around the world are suffering from kidney disease. Almost one million people die every year due to kidney disease.  According to experts, the best way to maintain your kidney healthy, You have to develop some good habits. A healthy lifestyle should be followed to stay healthy. Which will help to keep your kidneys healthy. Exercise regularly. It will keep your blood pressure under control. Keep your heart healthy. It helps to prevent kidney damage. High blood pressure is harmful to the kidneys. Check it regularly to keep your blood pressure under control. Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop kidney disease. Kidney problems require dialysis or organ transplantation. Keep your blood sugar under control. Diabetic patients should have regular kidney function tests on a regular basis. If the problem is detected at an early stage, it can be cured. Drink enough water to keep your kidney healthy. Water removes sodium, urea and other toxins from the kidneys. As a result, the role of water is immense in keeping the kidneys healthy. A healthy diet protect against many diseases. Eat low calorie foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Reduce salt intake. Avoid eating packaged foods. You can consult with a dietician for kidney-friendly diet. Excessive drinking alcohol does not only damage the liver, it also damages the kidneys. Also smoking should be avoided. It damages both kidneys and lungs. Kidney process the waste from body. Kidneys also play a role in hormone production. So it is our duty to take care of kidney.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has been trying its best to keep the country's economy vibrant despite the world is going through a global economic recession due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war. "We're building Bangladesh with the ideal of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We have been able to transform Bangladesh into a developing country. One day this Bangladesh will be built as a developed and prosperous country," she said.   She was addressing a discussion virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here commemorating the death of her former political adviser Dr SA Malek.  Bangabandhu Parishad organised the discussion at Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum in the capital's Shahbagh.   The Prime Minister recalled the contribution of Dr SA Malek to spread the ideology of Bangabandhu and the Liberation War spirit in a turbulent period after assassination of the Father of the Nation with most of his family members on August 15 in 1975.   "Dr SA Malek is one of them who played a key role to put forth the ideology of Bangabandhu before the people," she said, adding that Dr Malek had played a great role in making the people familiar with the term of "Second Revolution" given by the Father of the Nation.   Sheikh Hasina, also President of Bangladesh Awami League, said she never thought that she would be the president of the party (Awami League) although she did politics from her school life.   "But, I had to take charge of the Awami League as the party made me its president in my absence through the council of 1981," she said. Dr Malek and Mohammad Hanif played the most significant role in electing her as president of the Awami League while they made public opinion and took it to the party forum, she said.

Lionel Messi’s hopes of winning a World Cup title suffered a scare as Argentina booked a semifinal spot. A Dutch comeback had threatened the fairy tale, before Emiliano Martinez kept the dream of a crowning glory alive. Two wins separate Lionel Messi from the irrefutable status of the greatest player of his, and perhaps every, generation. "We are a team which knows what we are doing," said Messi. "We love to win. We want to be protagonists and really lust for the trophy." His arms pumping and swinging at the end of an explosion of emotion at the Lusail Stadium, Messi’s delight was as palpable as his relief. His dream of claiming the crowing glory of a World Cup title in what is likely to be the last time he features on world football’s grandest stage are alive for a few more days at least.  "It is unbelievable," he admitted. "We suffered a lot in the end. But in the end we made it. We didn't expect the Dutch to come back although we knew they would be tough. We know we had to be unified in the shoot-out." Messi heroics rescued by a Martinez double act  There were a few nails bitten to get there as Argentina survived an almighty scare against the Netherlands after Messi had played an influential role in fashioning a 2-0 lead. After Nahuel Molina gave Argentina a first-half lead from Lionel Messi's brilliant pass, he himself added a second from the penalty spot. For Messi it was the tenth World Cup goal of his career as he drew level with Argentina's record World Cup scorer Gabriel Batistuta.  Talk of a clash with Croatia had already begun on the airwaves and in the stands. However, former Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst came off the bench to inspire a Dutch comeback with two late goals that sent a dramatic and heated World Cup semifinal into extra time after a 2-2 draw. He had carried them for most of the match, but Messi’s World Cup fate was once again in the hands of others during the shootout. The 35-year-old’s converted his penalty in the shootout before Emiliano Martinez saved two attempts while his namesake Lautaro scored the clinching penalty to set-up a tie with Croatia.  "Croatia will be very tough," Messi warned. "Not everyone can beat Brazil. They are much better than many expected." It is only the second time Argentina has reached the last four since 1990. A golden generation stalled in South Africa, Gonzalo Higuain squandered golden chances in the 2014 final against Germany, while defensive lapses cost them in Russia.  The belief now though, is that football may yet write a fitting ending to one of the greatest ever careers at the last time of asking.

The landscape of human civilization is changing with the advancement of information technology. Conventional ideas and strategies have also changed in the field of journalism. The challenge of journalism as a profession is increasing day by day. However, there is ample opportunity in journalism to contribute to the welfare of the society and the state, which will keep you ahead of other professions. Earlier, journalism was mainly under the control of 'Rban Journalists'. A journalist of the last century, has been established with innate talent. Today, they are shining in their glory as pioneers in the history of journalism. But in order to be a smart journalist of the present generation in the changed world reality, the first condition that has to be fulfilled is that he has to be ‘computer literate’ regardless of his university degree. He will have to move forward step by step by acquiring practical skills by acquiring adequate education and training at the institutional level. Until now, our country had to be satisfied with the news sent by the regional correspondents depending on the phone, fax or postal department. But now, thanks to the Internet and satellite telecommunication system, the professionalism of journalists has increased from town to village. With the advent of satellite technology and fiber optical communication systems around the world, it is possible to take electronic journalism further in the near future. The question may arise, how safe is journalism as a profession? Or how comfortable can this profession be in the personal and surrounding life of a young journalist? However, at present there is no security system to guarantee these questions. However, young people of this generation are interested in choosing journalism as a career. And the big proof of this is the various magazines and TV channels. Journalism is truly a great profession. An honest and professional journalist plays a significant role in the progress of society, country and nation. He never calculates his just reward.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) stressed building bright and beautiful life of children by keeping them away from violence, drugs, militancy and terrorism. “Senior citizens, parents, guardians, teachers, society’s distinguished personalities, imam of mosques, responsible persons of different religious organizations and people’s representatives have to be aware in building children’s beautiful and bright life,” she said. The premier was addressing a function on the 101st birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children’s Day-2021 as the chief guest, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs organized the function at the Mazar (Mausoleum) Complex of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj. Sheikh Hasina called upon the children to concentrate on study and follow the advice of parents, guardians and teachers for a better future. “You (children) will remain well and we (government) will do everything possible to this end,” she said. Father of the Nation has given the country’s independence and the government is working tirelessly so every person in the country can have a beautiful and better life along with bright future, she added. The Prime Minister said today’s children are tomorrow’s future and the government wants they to grow up beautifully in line with this year’s Children’s Day’s theme. The theme of this year’s birthday of Bangabandhu and National Children’s Day is “Bangabandhur Janmadin, Shishur Ridoy Hok Rangin”. State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira spoke on the occasion as the special guest while ministry’s Secretary Md. Sayedul Islam delivered the welcome address. Minor child Swapnil Bishwas, a student of Class-II, demonstrated the historical March 7 speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as another little child Anusuya, a student of class-VI, chaired. Safwan, a student of class-III and Rubaba Zaman, a student of class-VI, spoke at the ceremony on behalf of the children. The Prime Minister also exchanged views with a few children and greeted the country’s all children on this auspicious day. At the function, On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Fazilatun Nessa Indira distributed books and prizes among the winners in competitions organized by the Gopalganj district administration. The Prime Minister said Father of the Nation loved the children so much and that’s why, the government has announced the birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as National Children’s Day. In the country’s Constitution after Independence, she said, Bangabandhu had made the education for children fully free, adding that the children enrollment rate now stood at almost cent percent. Mentioning that the closure of educational institutions is painful for students, Sheikh Hasina urged the children to continue study and sports as practices of culture and sports are essence of growing up nicely. “You (children) will pull the country ahead as a future of the state,” she said, referring to the dream of the Father of the Nation of building the country as hunger-poverty-free Sonar Bangla where every person will get home. On the occasion of Mujib Year, the premier reiterated her government’s determination to provide house and land to each home and land less people which will be illuminated with electricity so children can carry on their study. She said Bangladesh has attained the status of a developing nation but there is no way to stand still here rather the country has to be pulled ahead further. “Now our next goal is to turn the country as developed one by 2041 and we are taking all required measures to this end,” she added. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday assured the people that the government has paid special attention to keeping them safe from coronavirus amid apprehensions of worsening virus situation in winter months. She said the government will procure a vaccine as soon as it is available and has already given advance money for booking a vaccine which is about to be invented. "We’ve given special attention to how to secure people (from coronavirus) putting aside other issues … So, the people of the country don’t need to be anxious," she said while opening various development projects, including three bridges, in Magura, Narayanganj, Jashore and Pabna through a video conference from her official residence Ganobhaban. Sheikh Hasina said that another wave of coronavirus is coming worldwide and the government is taking its preparations from now to face that. She again urged everyone to follow health instructions. "Keep yourself protected and keep others protected," she said, adding that it is a shared responsibility. The Prime Minister said the government and the people now have the experience of facing COVID-19. "We firmly believe that we’ll be able to do that (successfully tackling a second wave)," she said. Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18. Although the Prime Minister has been warning of a second wave, the people still appear reluctant to follow health guidelines. The government has recently adopted a ‘no mask, no service’ policy and recently, launched a drive to ensure the use of masks by people. Bridges to spur growth Talking about the newly-constructed bridges in Magura, Narayanganj and Jashore, Sheikh Hasina said that the socio-economic condition of the people will improve with the developed communication system. She said that after coming to power, the Awami League government has built a huge communication network in the country. "As a result, today our economy is very much active, we’ve started so many projects, Inshallah we’ll complete them," she said. Sheikh Hasina said that the newly-constructed bridges in Jashore, Magura and Narayanganj would make the economy stronger, while communication and transportation of goods would be easier. These will also play a very significant role for the socio-economic development of the respective areas and alleviating poverty from the region, she opined. The Prime Minister said the Padma Bridge would make communication networks easier with other parts of the country as the newly-constructed bridges were open to traffic today. Besides, every region, particularly the southern part of the country, would be more developed once the construction of the mega project is completed. Sheikh Hasina said that as a political party, Awami League always worked with a farsighted economic plan and it implemented all the plans undertaken in light of the directives in the Constitution. As a result, the people get good results of the initiatives of the Awami League government, she said. Sheikh Hasina said her government could not implement all of its development plans due to the coronavirus pandemic this year. But, the coordinated efforts of all including administration, police, BGB, RAB, and the Armed Forces, made it possible to keep the economy running, she said and extended her sincere thanks to all concerned for their efforts. LGRD Minister M Tajul Islam and LGRD Secretary Helaluddin Ahmad also spoke joining the event through video conference from the Cabinet division at Bangladesh Secretariat while businessmen Anjan Chowdhury also spoke at the programme from Pabna. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated a number of newly-constructed development projects through video conferencing from Ganobhaban. The projects include newly-constructed 600.7-metre Sheikh Hasina Bridge over Madhumati River at Angkhali Ghat of Mohammad Upazila under Magura district, 576.21m Muktijodhha Golam Dastogir Gazi (Bir Protik) Bridge over Shitaloksha River under Narayanganj, 702.55m bridge over Bhairab River on Amtola Jisivia Moricha-Nauli Bazar road from Jashore-Khulna Highway and Bir Muktijoddha Rafiqul Islam Bakul Shadhinota Square at Pabna. Source: UNB AH

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has asked banks to keep the margin on the opening of letters of credits (LCs) to import onion at a minimum level. “The prices of onion are on an upward trend at local markets following the price hike of the key cooking ingredient in international markets,” said a BB circular issued today. Under the circumstances, BB instructed banks to keep the margins on opening letters of credits (LCs) for importing onions at a minimum level. The instruction would be effective until December 31 this year. Source: BSS AH

As the world slowly emerges from months of lockdown and opens businesses, there are certain things that people need to do to keep themselves safe in the post-coronavirus era. The lockdown cannot go on for months and countries need to be ‘on the look-out’ for coronavirus and this means, people will have to be prepared to protect themselves. Till date, more than 3.9 million confirmed cases have been reported worldwide with about 275,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Bangladesh has seen an upward trend in number of confirmed cases in recent days. Until Friday, the country reported more than 13,000 cases and over 200 deaths. And the situation is unlikely to improve within the next few days. The country has shut educational institutions and mass transports but allowed businesses to operate ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest festivals of Muslims. So, what should individuals do to better protect themselves after their countries lift restrictive measures before the pandemic is over? WHO says the two main channels of coronavirus transmission are respiratory droplets and contact. And so, continuing to wear personal protective equipment will help, reports Xinhua. In an interim guidance published in April, WHO said wearing a medical mask is one of the prevention measures that can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19. However, masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-washing with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water, the WHO noted. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or a bent elbow while coughing or sneezing and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces will also help. It suggests avoiding parks or places recently exposed to coronavirus as protective measures. The WHO also discourages going to crowded places which may contain coronavirus patients and crowds make it difficult to maintain a proper physical distance. On Friday, the Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) discussed in a report how to overcome post-lockdown mass mobility challenges and incorporate social distancing as the "new normal". "Since this crisis is 'novel,' we need to come up with solutions which weren't thought of before, or were rejected for being too futuristic or impractical for a developing and densely populated nation like India," said Paresh Rawal from the ORF. So, here are few things you can do to protect yourself and others: -      wear protective equipment -      wear masks -      covering mouth with tissue papers or bent elbow while sneezing or coughing -      avoiding crowded places and parks -      frequently washing hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water -      maintain social distancing as much as possible Source: UNB AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the armed forces to enforce a vigil against some existing social menaces alongside their routine duties, saying her government would continue to follow “zero tolerance” policy to eliminate the curses. “There are some social menaces like narcotics, terrorism, militancy and corruption . . . I am drawing your special attention to these,” she told an armed forces graduation ceremony in the capital. The premier added: “We have already announced the ‘zero tolerance policy’ against terrorism, militancy, narcotics and corruption, the ongoing drives against the menaces will be continued.” Sheikh Hasina said elimination of these menaces was a must to protect society as “we do not want to allow them to destroy our children’s lives”. Defense Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) staged the ceremony to confer on the graduation degree to 235 army, navy and air force officers of Bangladesh and 21 other countries at Sheikh Hasina Complex of Mirpur Cantonment on Sunday. Of the recipients, 125 were from army, 34 from navy and 22 from air force of Bangladesh while the rest 54 were from foreign countries. The countries are China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Maldives, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, the USA and Zambia. Commandant of DSCSC, a prime national defense institution, Major General Md Enayet Ullah delivered the welcome speech at the function when the premier handed over certificates among the graduates. Senior officials from the three services, high officials and vice-chancellors of several public and private universities were present at the graduation ceremony. DSCSC provides professional military education to selected mid-career officers of the three armed services and prepares them for assumption of increasing responsibilities both in command and staff appointment. The Prime Minister said her government continued to work to make the armed forces as modern and well-equipped ones so it could move ahead keeping the pace with the modern world. She recalled the armed forces contribution to the country’s socio-economic development alongside protecting the national independence and sovereignty. Sheikh Hasina said that alongside the noble responsibility of protecting sovereignty, the members of the patriotic armed forces have also been assisting the civil administration in the country’s development activities and construction of infrastructures. The members of the armed forces have also earned name and fame in foreign lands with their honesty, dedication and professional acumen and humanitarian qualities in missions abroad, the Prime Minister said. Stating that the armed forces of Bangladesh have been contributing to the United Nations peacekeeping missions now, she said, “I want to develop the armed forces as modern ones so that they can move keeping pace with any country and can face any situation.” The Prime Minister said, “Our armed forces have earned fame wherever (in the world) they work and I feel proud for that.” She said the armed forces have won the heart of the local people of different countries through rendering humanitarian services there. Describing the foreign graduates as goodwill ambassadors, the premier hoped that they would play the role of goodwill ambassadors of Bangladesh in their respective countries and never forget Bangladesh. In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said the government is running the state with the policy “Friendship to all, malice to none.” “I can now say that all of the countries have harmonious and friendly relations with Bangladesh,” the premier added. Spelling out her government’s initiatives for the development and modernization of the armed forces, Sheikh Hasina said in pursuance of the defense policy of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the government has formulated the ‘Forces Goals 2030′. Sheikh Hasina said, in the last more than a decade, her government increased the capabilities of the armed forces and made splendid infrastructural development combined with modern training and equipment. Greeting the graduates of the Bangladesh Military Academy, the Prime Minister said, “The necessity of army for an independent and sovereign country is immensely needed and is inevitable.’ Therefore, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inaugurated the Bangladesh Military Academy at Cumilla Cantonment in a war-ravaged country aimed at developing Bangladesh Army as a trained, strong and efficient force. Quoting Bangabandhu’s speech in the first passing out parade of the cadets in Cumilla on January 11 in 1975, the Prime Minister said, “If our boys get the full opportunity, they will flourish to compete with any soldier of any country in the world. I believe we would be able to establish such an academy to showcase the institutional capacity to the outer world.” The Prime Minister called upon all to accomplish their respective duties sincerely to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country. “Our economy is strong enough. So, we want to build our country by ourselves and it is the duty of all to work from their respective positions with sincerity to build the country as a developed and prosperous one,” she said. The Prime Minister also elaborated achievements of her government in various sectors in the last more than a decade and said, “Bangladesh is marching ahead.” The poverty rate has came down to 20.5 per cent while the GDP growth rate increased to 8.15, the per capita income increased to USD 2000 and the inflation rate is contained within 5 percent. Ninety five percent people of the country have been brought under the electricity coverage, she said. To materialize the dream of Bangabandhu to build a hunger-and-poverty-free Sonar Bangla, the Prime Minister said her government has taken a 100-year-long program like Delta Plan-2100 so that generation after generation get a prosperous and developed country. She added that Bangladesh is set to celebrate the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujib in 2020 and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence in 2021 and 2020-2021 has been declared as ‘Mujib Borsho.’ “Bangladesh will definitely be prosperous and free from poverty and hunger as dreamt by the Father of the Nation,” she added. Source: BSS AH