Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible. "We are in contact with Israel, we are in contact with Iran. And for such ways to resolve the situation to be found that would satisfy both sides," Putin told reporters. Israel has decapitated the leadership of Iran's allies Hamas and Hezbollah in recent weeks, and Iran fired missiles into Israel on Oct 1. Putin said Russia was willing to get involved if both sides wanted that.

WASHINGTON, Oct 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Elon Musk warned Thursday that the "fate of Western civilization" depends on Donald Trump returning to office as the tech billionaire launched five nights of campaign events for the White House candidate in the key swing state of Pennsylvania. "And this election, I think, is going to decide the fate of America and, along with the fate of America, the fate of Western civilization." Trump is in a knife-edge election against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, less than three weeks ahead of Election Day. Musk, who endorsed Trump in July, is one of the Biden administration's fiercest critics and frequently spreads far-right misinformation about undocumented immigrants and voter fraud. Trump has largely handed off his grassroots "get-out-the-vote" push to Musk's America PAC in Pennsylvania and the other swing states expected to determine the election.

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Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has resumed his duties after undergoing a minor skin procedure at Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital"The chief adviser underwent a minor procedure to remove a skin lesion at the Combined Military Hospital on Thursday. He returned to his regular activities this morning," Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, was quoted by bdnews24.com as saying on Friday. Dr Yunus is set to meet with leaders of various political parties on Saturday for their input on state reforms, the Chief Adviser's Office announced. Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, deputy press secretary to the chief adviser, said that invitations had been sent to several groups, including the Gono Forum, the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, BJP, 12-Party Alliance, LDP, Jatiya Mukti Council, Labour Party, and the Jatiya Party (Andaleeve), for the second round of discussions.

Retiring Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn from the squad for next week's first Test against South Africa amid uncertainty over whether he can return to his homeland because of "a security issue". "We have been informed that Shakib is unavailable for the first Test," the BCB said. Bangladesh will face South Africa in two Tests, the first of which starts on 21 October in Dhaka. Shakib was playing in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada when the regime collapsed and has not returned to Bangladesh since. The first Test against South Africa in Mirpur, near the capital Dhaka, will be the first international cricket fixture in Bangladesh since crowds stormed Sheikh Hasina's palace.

Fred spent the entire weekend playing with the cats, brushing the cats, talking with the cats and he spent an hour trying to coax Mr. Whiskers from under the bed. Fred talks nonstop about his cats; on the rare occasion we go out, he’s constantly checking his security cameras to see what the cats are doing. – Cat’s Out of the BagDear Cat’s: Fred’s relationship with his cats is much longer than his relationship with you. Do they think that Joy’s parents won’t like you for some reason? Do they fear Joy’s parents will judge your home or be intimidated by it?

The Desert Sun staffThe California Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Oct. 17, 2024, results for each game:Daily 3Midday: 8-5-0Evening: 7-4-8Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Daily Derby1st:7 Eureka-2nd:10 Solid Gold-3rd:5 California Classic, Race Time: 1:43.57Check Daily Derby payouts and previous drawings here. Fantasy 508-09-11-34-36Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Daily 44-6-5-6Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Another trough of low pressure is forming over the Bay of Bengal after the recent dissipation of a depression, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. On Wednesday, a similar low pressure system developed into a depression, impacting India's Tamil Nadu coast before dissipating the next day. "A low pressure system is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal on Oct 21 or 22. According to the BMD's regular bulletin, the trough of low currently lies over the north bay, bdnews24.com reports. After a brief dry spell of two to three days, there could be more rainfall due to the low pressure, according to the meteorologist.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad as a replacement for veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the squad for the first Test against South Africa. Hasan Murad, 23, has been in impressive form in domestic cricket, claiming 136 wickets in just 30 first-class matches since his debut in 2021. The decision to include him comes after Shakib made himself unavailable for the Test, citing security concerns. However, Hasan Murad has performed consistently in first-class cricket and has been part of our system. The BCB reportedly urged Shakib to cancel his Dhaka-bound flight and return to the USA instead, further complicating his involvement in the Test series.

DHAKA: Retiring former skipper Shakib Al Hasan told local media on Thursday he was not returning to Bangladesh because of “a security issue”, potentially missing what he says will be his final match for his country. Shakib is among dozens from Hasina’s party facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters during the uprising. “I was to return home... but now I don’t think I can,” Shakib told broadcaster bdnews24.com. The broadcaster and other Bangladesh media said Shakib was in Dubai but would be heading to the US. Shakib was playing in a domestic T20 cricket competition in Canada when the regime collapsed and has not returned to Bangladesh since.

NEW DELHI, Oct 18, 2024 (AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend this month's BRICS summit in Russia, New Delhi said Friday, weeks after his friendly hug with President Vladimir Putin drew condemnation from Ukraine. India's foreign ministry said Modi would be in Russia on October 22 and 23 for the summit, held in the city of Kazan along the Volga river. The Ukraine war has forced India to look for other sources for arms instead of Russia, traditionally its biggest provider. The BRICS group takes its name from the initial letters of the five members who joined in 2009 -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Yury Ushakov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy aide, said this month that leaders of 24 countries would be attending the summit.

The uncapped left-arm spinner is drafted into the squad after Shakib decides against returning home for his farewell TestUncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad has been picked to replace retiring all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the Bangladesh squad for the first Test match against South Africa. The Bangladesh Cricket Board made the announcement on Friday due to Shakib's unavailability for the series opener in Dhaka's Mirpur on Oct 21. As a result, left-arm spinner Murad has been selected for the upcoming Mirpur Test. He was, however, included in the squad for last year’s Test series against New Zealand. Additionally, Murad has the experience of playing five unofficial Test matches for the Bangladesh 'A' team.

WASHINGTON, Oct 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - An Indian intelligence official has been indicted for his role in a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader in the United States, the Justice Department said Thursday. Yadav is the second Indian national to be charged in the United States in the alleged plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US and Canadian citizen who lives in New York. Nikhil Gupta, 53, pleaded not guilty in June to involvement in the assassination plot after being extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic. Pannun, in a statement on X, denounced the alleged assassination plot as a "blatant case of India's transnational terrorism" and a "threat to freedom of speech and democracy." Unlike the United States, Canada has highlighted its concerns publicly and at the highest level, with Trudeau criticizing India's actions.

DHAKA, Oct 17, 2024 (BSS) – The Advisory Council of the interim government today approved the proposed list of 26 holidays for the 2025 calendar year. However, nine holidays coincided with weekends (Fridays and Saturdays). Of the total holidays, there will be 12 general holidays while 14 other holidays by the executive order of the government. Subjects included in the list of approved holidays are:(a) 12 general holidays have been approved on the occasion of national days and important religious occasions of various communities, of which five weekends -- three Fridays and two Saturdays. (b) 14 official holidays have been given by executive order on the occasion of Bengali New Year and various important religious festivals.

Bangladesh conveys security concern to MyanmarBangladesh conveys security concern to MyanmarNarinjara News, 17 October 2024Bangladesh on Wednesday conveyed security concerns to Myanmar stemming from the volatile border situation including an increase in human trafficking, said Dhaka Tribune on 16 October issue. The country’s foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain highlighted the issue when Myanmar ambassador in Bangladesh U Kyaw Soe Moe paid a maiden call on him in Dhaka. Bangladesh and Myanmar, being two neighbours, have certain challenges in bilateral relations that need to be resolved on a priority basis, said Touhid Hossain. He expressed deep concern over the recent influx of over 40,000 Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh as they fled the conflict situation there. The ambassador conveyed his government’s gratitude to Bangladesh for providing shelter, food and medical support to Myanmar troops, as well as facilitating their repatriation after they had recently crossed into Bangladesh amidst the ongoing conflicts in Rakhine State.