Bangladesh are seeking an improved performance to make a winning start to the three-match ODI series as they take on the visiting Sri Lanka at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram tomorrow (March 13). The match starts at 2.30 PM. The two sides had already played a three-match T20 series, which Sri Lanka won by 2-1. Sri Lanka edged Bangladesh past by three wickets in the first match after a thrilling contest but the hosts bounced back strongly to level the series with a dominating eight-wicket victory in the second game. In the third game, Bangladesh were undone by the sling action of Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara whose five-wicket haul including a hat-trick snatched the series from Bangladesh. Thushara, the replacement of injured Matheesha Pathirana, is set to play the ODI series too and so Bangladesh need to come up with a solid plan to neutralize his effect. “We need to start well to gain the momentum. Hopefully we’ll come up with our best performance,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said. The last ODI between the two sides was marred by the ‘Timed Out’ incident and it had an impact in the T20 series also. In the first match, Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam brought back the memory after showing ‘Timed Out’ gesture when he removed Sri Lankan opener Avishka Fernando. The approach and body language of the players of the two teams were not cordial enough in the entire series, which reached a crescendo when Towhid Hridoy engaged in a spat with the Lankan players during the third T20. Later, after confirming the series, Sri Lanka players brought out ‘Timed Out’ celebration, sparking ire in the Bangladesh tent further. After the third T20, Bangladesh Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said Sri Lanka haven’t moved on from the incident but they should. "I think they should get out of it. They should stay in the present. We were within the rules [with the timed out dismissal]. They are in a frenzy about it. I am not too worried about it,” he said. However, the way things are going, it is obvious that the ‘Timed Out’ matter will loom large on ODI series also. After Shakib Al Hasan inflicted ‘Timed Out’ on Angelo Mathews during the World Cup, Bangladesh won the match by three wickets. Shakib, the then captain, played the crucial role with attacking 82 runs in that victory. Overall the two sides played 54 matches between them of which Bangladesh won 10 and Sri Lanka 42. The two matches ended in a no result. Bangladesh has been a fortress for Sri Lanka until their last tour, when they conceded the three-match ODI series by 2-1. But before that, Sri Lanka won every series played here by the two teams. They also won several tri-nation series and Asia Cup here. On Bangladesh soil, Sri Lanka won 14 matches against the Tigers and lost six. Stat might show the Sri Lankan dominance over Bangladesh in every aspect but the situation changed after the 2015 World Cup when the Tigers won a considerable number of matches to break Lankan dominance. Despite losing the T20 series, Bangladesh still looked favourite in the ODI series, considering their recent results against the Lankans. Squad: Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay.

Pharmacy chains CVS Health and Walgreens will soon begin selling a commonly used abortion pill —mifepristone — expanding availability of the drug that is at the center of legal challenges surrounding abortion rights. American drugstore chains CVS Health and Walgreens said they will soon begin dispensing the abortion pill, mifepristone, in states were abortion is allowed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2023 finalized a rule to allow greater access to mifepristone, including by extending its availability across major pharmacy stores. The FDA labeling had previously limited availability owing to safety concerns. CVS Health and Walgreens have now completed the procedure in keeping with the FDA rule change that will allow them to sell mifepristone. The drug, along with a second pill, misopristol, is used for medical abortions, a term used to describe a method where a pregnancy is terminated with the help of the two pills instead of surgery. More than half of pregnancies are terminated by way of medical abortions in America, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Biden praises greater access to abortion pill “With major retail pharmacy chains newly certified to dispense medication abortion, many women will soon have the option to pick up their prescription at a local, certified pharmacy—just as they would for any other medication,” US President Joe Biden said.  “I encourage all pharmacies that want to pursue this option to seek certification,” he said. CVS Health, the nation's largest drugstore chain, said they will start filing prescriptions for mifepristone in Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts in the weeks ahead. Walgreens will begin dispensing the medication within a week. The chain will start with some locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California and Illinois. Biden has made abortion rights a critical issue of his presidential campaign. He has released abortion-focused ads and has sought to portray his main rival, former President Donald Trump, as being one who could threaten Americans' personal freedoms. Access to medical abortion a big issue in election year The news comes as the US Supreme Court is set to consider whether to restrict access to mifepristone, with a decision that could upend the FDA's approval and regulation of the drug that has been considered safe for many years. A ruling is expected in July. Access to medication abortion, especially by mail, which was also one of FDA's 2023 rule change, has become a topic of heated debate. The Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade that constitutionally protected abortions. Many conservative states, such as Tennessee, have since enacted total abortion bans. 

The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) will begin at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Dhaka’s Purbachal area on January 21.  Haider Ali, Information and Public Relations Officer of the Commerce Ministry, confirmed the matter.   Haider said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the month-long fair at Purbachal.  The Dhaka International Trade Fair was first held in 1995. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, it was not possible to organise the fair in 2021. The Ministry of Commerce and Export Promotion Bureau jointly organise the fair.

A reckless batting show caused Bangladesh's seven-wicket defeat to Pakistan in their Asia Cup Super Four opener today at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. After opting to bat first in a pitch, proved to be easier to bat, Bangladesh were bowled out for 193 in 38.4 overs, a total that Pakistan knocked off in 39.3 overs, reaching 194-3. Opener Imam-ul-Haq hammered 78 off 84 with five fours and four sixes and Mohammad Rizwan was not out on 63, playing a key role in Pakistan's effortless victory.   Bangladesh batters' lack of ability to deal with the hostile pace also proved to be fatal. Speedster Haris Rauf was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 4-19 and backed up well by fast bowlers Nasim Shah (3-34) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (1-42). Mushfiqur Rahim made team-best 64 and captain Shakib Al Hasan hit 53. They shared 100-run for the fourth wicket to help Bangladesh save from further blushes. Shakib as expectedly chose to bat first in a wicket where they put up 334-5 against Afghanistan, their highest total in overseas but against a top class bowling attack, which was rated one of the best in the world at this moment, they were left clueless. The rot began in just second over, when Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the centurion of the previous match, chipped one straight at mid-wicket off Nasim for naught. In doing so, Nasim kept his record of giving a breakthrough with new ball in each of his 13 ODIs. Liton Das, replacing the injured and inform Najmul Hossain Shanto, gave the side a ray of hope with some classical cover-drive against Nasim and Shaheen. However Shaheen undid him with extra bounce that Liton only could fend to the keeper Rizwan for 16 off 13. Rauf got into act, crashing the stump of Towhid Hridoy (2) with 145 kph delivery before removed Naim Sheikh (20) with a return catch as Bangladesh were left to a tittering 47-4 in 9.1 overs. Mushfiqur and Shakib appeared to revive the innings with calculative aggression with Shakib particularly looking in supreme touch. He clipped pace bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf through fine leg for a single to complete his 54th half-century and 97th overall in International cricket off 53 balls. But a rash shot against the same bowler caused his dismissal as the partnership reached 100 exactly. Mushfiqur Rahim meanwhile remained calm under pressure and Shamim Patwari sent the Bangladesh fans to delirium further, whacked Shaheen for a six over fine-leg. But the joy was short-lived as Iftikhar Ahmed had him caught by Imam-ul-Haq at square leg for 16 with a quicker delivery. Rauf came back as Mushfiqur charged him, only to get an edge which was taken comfortably by Rizwan behind the wicket. In immediate next delivery he removed Taskin for duck to stand on a hat-trick. Shoriful though denied him the feat, Nasim Shah who hurt his shoulder during the fielding, cleaned up the tail to give the Pakistani batters and easy target to overhaul. And Pakistan made no errors. Although Bangladesh new ball bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam bowled intelligently, Pakistan batters showed the patience unlike Bangladesh batters. Left arm pacer Shoriful was particularly tough to deal with and he got the rewards for his superb line and length with the wicket of Fakhar Zaman (20).  Taskin got the better of in from Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who scored just 17, with a delivery that surprisingly kept low. Imam and Rizwan shared 85-run for the third wicket to edge Pakistan closer to victory. Mehidy Hasan Miraz denied Imam a century but Rizwan helped the side race to the victory with Agha Salman batting on 12 alongside him. Scores from the Super Four Asia Cup match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Lahore on Wednesday: Bangladesh 193 in 38.4 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 64, Shakib Al Hasan 53; Haris 4-19, Naseem Shah 3-34) Pakistan 194-3 in 39.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 78, Mohammad Rizwan 63 not out) Result: Pakistan won by seven wickets

Bangladesh Tank-Lorry Owners’ Association, Bangladesh Fuel Oil Distributors Association, Khulna Divisional Tank-Lorry Workers’ Union and Padma, Meghna and Jamuna Tank-Lorry Workers’ Welfare Association are observing an indefinite strike since Sunday morning. Demands are raising commission on fuel sales to at least 7.5 percent, setting the tank-lorry economic life to 50 years, and issuing a gazette notification mentioning fuel traders as commission agents as per previous pledges. In Khulna, huge number of  private vehicles and motorbikes were seen forming queues at fuel pumps from Saturday night. Claiming their demands as logical, Md Muraduzzaman, a leader of petrol pump owners’ association, said they were forced to start the strike from Sunday morning as their demands were not met by August 31. Earlier on August 23, the Khulna fuel traders threatened to go for an indefinite strike from September 3 if their three-point demand was not met by August 31.

Due to flash flooding, postponed of 3 boards HSC and Equivalent examination has been started from today.  On Sunday at 10 am in the morning, the exam have been started.  The postponed 3 boards are-Chattogram Education Board, Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board, Technical Education Board. earlier on August 17, examinations of 8 boards-Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Jashore, Sylhet and Dinajpur have started. In that time, education Minister Dipu Moni said the results of all boards will be published together.  

Saudi Arabia began talks on resolving the Ukraine war on Saturday, Saudi state media reported, despite no delegation from Russia taking part. Senior officials from some 40 countries including the US, China, South Africa and India are attending the discussions in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah. Ukraine and its allies hope the two-day conference will lead to an agreement on key principles for a peaceful end to the 17-month conflict and win over non-Western countries that have so far stayed neutral over the conflict due to close ties with Moscow. Ahead of the summit, aides to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's said the delegates would look into his 10-point peace plan, which includes Russia withdrawing from Ukrainian territory and returning Crimea to Kyiv's control. It is not clear whether the talks are aimed at producing a joint statement.  Brazil Foreign Policy Advisor Celso Amorim underscored the importance of bringing Moscow into the dialogue, saying, "Although Ukraine is the biggest victim, if we really want peace, we have to involve Moscow in this process in some form."   On Saturday, DW spoke with Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington, DC, about the conference and what it means for Kyiv.  Kupchan said: "It gives Ukraine an ability to try to appeal to the court of world opinion, to get major countries that have been on the fence — Saudi Arabia, Brazil, India — to get them onto its side. I don't think we're going to see anything concrete emerge from this conversation, but it is a step forward." The US analyst went on to say: "I do think it's important that China is there. The fact that China has gone despite Russia's absence says to me that the Chinese are carefully hedging away from their unstinting support for Moscow in this war." What did Ukraine, Russia say ahead of the talks? "I predict that the conversation will not be easy, but the truth is on our side," Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said in an interview broadcast on Friday. "We have many disagreements and we have heard many positions, but it is important that we share our principles," Yermak, who is heading the Ukrainian delegation said. "Our task is to unite the whole world around Ukraine." In his nightly video message Friday, President Zelenskyy said, "a fair and honest end to Russian aggression will benefit everyone in the world. Everyone!" Although Russia has not been invited, the Kremlin has said it will keep an eye on the talks. While the conflict rages, Ukrainian, Russian and international officials say there is no prospect of direct peace talks between the two sides at present. Saturday's meeting follows Ukraine-organized peace talks in Copenhagen in June that were designed to be informal and did not yield an official statement. Riyadh hopes to play mediator Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest crude exporter, works closely with Russia on oil policy but has touted its ties to both sides and positioned itself as a possible mediator in the war. It has backed UN Security Council resolutions denouncing Russia's invasion as well as its unilateral annexation of territory in eastern Ukraine. Riyadh also helped mediate a prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia last year. Under de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom has sought a bigger role on the world stage and has pushed to expand ties with major powers outside the old framework of its relationship with the US. In May, the kingdom hosted Zelenskyy at an Arab summit in Jeddah, where he accused some Arab leaders of turning "a blind eye" to the horrors of Russia's invasion. Beijing also wants to broker peace China has also mooted a mediation role for itself in the conflict. Beijing describes itself as a neutral party but Western nations have criticized its close ties with Russia. In March, Beijing brokered a resumption of ties between Saudi and its arch-regional foe Iran. Beijing said Friday it would send its special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, to Jeddah. Like China, India has maintained close ties with Russia and refused to condemn it for the war and while ramping up imports of Russian oil. CFR analyst Charles Kupchan told DW: "it's important to have these conversations going because ultimately we will likely get to a point where it's time to shift from the battlefield to the negotiating table. China has an important role to play here, mainly because if anybody has influence over Putin, it is Xi Jinping. We will need China to lean on Moscow at the appropriate moment."

Scientists on Tuesday said that sediment at Crawford Lake in Canada provides evidence of the beginning of the Anthropocene age. The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) said that layered sediment at the bottom of the lake in the Canadian province of Ontario showed that the world had entered a new epoch defined by human activity's destabilizing influence on the environment. They chose the lake from a shortlist of 12 potential sites where the evidence of the impacts could be best measured and observed.  The group said that the bottom of the lake contained microplastics, residues from burnt oil and coal and detritus from nuclear bombs. Scientists said that the sediment showed a "golden spike" illustrating a sudden and irreversible shift in Earth's conditions. "The data show a clear shift from the mid-20th century, taking Earth's system beyond the normal bounds of the Holocene," working group member Andy Cundy, who is a professor at the University of Southampton, told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency, referring to the epoch that started at the end of the last ice age 11,700 years ago. "The sediment found at the bottom of the Crawford Lake provides an exquisite record of recent environmental change over the last millennia," said AWG chair Simon Turner, a professor at University College London. "It is this ability to precisely record and store this information as a geological archive that can be matched to historical global environmental changes." Anthropocene not yet recognized by international commission The members of the working group plan to present the findings to the International Commission on Stratigraphy in order to get the Anthropocene epoch formally recognized. There has been disagreement within the scientific community on when this period began, or whether it has begun, and the evidence required to demonstrate it. "At present, we've had 70 years of the Anthropocene," AWG chair Colin Waters said. "That has been long enough, because of the rapidity of the change and the preciseness of it, to recognize that we've moved into this new Earth state, and that it should be defined by a new geological epoch." "Clearly the biology of the planet has changed abruptly," Waters said. "We cannot go back to a Holocene state now." Holocene derives from the ancient Greek words for "whole" and "new," with the name chosen to denote the vastly changed characteristics on Earth as the last Ice Age ended. Anthropocene meanwhile derives from the Greek for "human" and "new."   

India is close to starting a mega hydropower project that has been in the works for 20 years, a key step in the country’s energy transition. State-run hydropower company NHPC Ltd. will start trial runs in July for the Subansiri Lower project that runs through the states of Assam and Arunchal Pradesh in the country’s north-east. The first unit is expected to be commissioned in December, according to finance director Rajendra Prasad Goyal. By the end of 2024, all eight units will be commissioned, he said. Hydropower, with its ability to quickly respond to fluctuations in electricity demand, is seen crucial for balancing the grid as intermittent generation of solar and wind power rises. However the 2-gigawatt project, started in 2003, was delayed by protests and litigation, driven by concerns over environment damage. The cost of the project jumped to 212.5 billion rupees ($2.6 billion), more than three times the original estimate. The National Green Tribunal allowed the work to resume in 2019 after eight years of suspension. Opposition to dams has limited the country to tapping barely a third of its hydropower potential of 145 gigawatts. “We need to get nearly 40 approvals from different departments before we start building a hydropower project. All the scrutiny should be done at this stage,” Goyal said. “Any stoppages after the construction has begun is problematic.” Large dams are also India’s way of boosting local economies in areas along its tense borders with China and Pakistan. As Subansiri approaches conclusion, NHPC is finalizing plans to award construction orders for the 2.9-gigawatt Dibang project, the biggest hydropower plant India has planned to build. To spur hydropower, the government has given large dams clean energy status. This forces provincial power distributors to prioritize purchase of hydropower ahead of electricity produced from fossil fuels. The government has also agreed to give budgetary support in some cases on civil construction and flood moderation work. Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination-2023 routine has been published. Under the supervision of nine general education boards the examination will commence on August 17 and will end on September 25.  Practical examination will hold between September 26 to October 4. On Thursday, June 08, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka has announced the examinations schedule. According to the notice issued by the Inter Education Board Examination Controller and Dhaka Education Board Examination Controller, Professor Md Abul Bashar, "The examinees have been asked to pass into the exam hall at least 30 minutes before the start of the examination.  Candidates will be allowed to use a scientific calculator. However, the use of programming calculator will be prohibited.  No candidate will be allowed to bring a mobile phone to examination center."