The impact of inter-group conflict on population dynamics has long been debated
especially for prehistoric and non-state societies
scientists from the Complexity Science Hub
the University of Washington and the Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie consider that beyond direct battle casualties
conflicts can also create a ‘landscape of fear’ in which many non-combatants near theatres of conflict abandon their homes and migrate away
scientists have extensively studied and debated the presence and role of conflicts in prehistory,” said Dr
a researcher at the Complexity Science Hub
such as those on population numbers is still difficult.”
“This is even more complicated by potential indirect effects
leave their homes or avoid certain areas.”
These indirect impacts of conflict could have caused significant
long-term population fluctuations in non-state societies
such as in Neolithic Europe (circa 7,000 to 3,000 BCE)
“Our model shows that fear of conflict led to population declines in potentially dangerous areas.”
where overpopulation could lead to higher mortality and lower fertility.”
“The results from the simulation studies nicely match empirical evidence from archaeological field work
like for instance the Late Neolithic site of Kapellenberg near Frankfurt
a researcher at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology
we have many instances of a temporal abandonment of open agricultural land
associated with a retreat of groups to well-defendable locations and considerable investments in large-scale defense systems like ramparts
often well-defended locations could have led to increasing wealth disparities and political structures that justified these differences,” said Dr
indirect effects of conflict might have also played a crucial role in the emergence of larger political units and the rise of early states.”
To simulate population dynamics in Neolithic Europe
the authors developed a new computational model
they utilized a database of archaeological sites
analyzing the number of radiocarbon age-measurements from various locations and time periods
under the assumption that this reflects the scale of human activities
“This allows us to examine the typical amplitudes and timescales of population growth and decline across Europe
Our goal was for our simulation to reflect these patterns,” Dr
direct collaboration with archaeologists is immensely important.”
“This study is a great example of the potential that such interdisciplinary collaboration can have.”
The study was published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface
Landscape of fear: indirect effects of conflict can account for large-scale population declines in non-state societies
Interface 21 (217): 20240210; doi: 10.1098/rsif.2024.0210
This article was adapted from an original release by the Complexity Science Hub
Fire at Bailey Road shopping mall doused
Some banks hit by capital squeeze
Air purifiers for Dhaka: hope or hype?
Chinmoy Das shown arrested in advocate Alif murder case
Nazia Haque Orsha has never shied away from speaking out against injustice. Whether as a dedicated citizen or a committed artiste, the actress has consistently raised her voice for the right causes. During the height of the anti-discrimination protests, she stood with the people during a time of national crisis. Activism is innate for her—during her years at Jahangirnagar University, she always had a fearless stance against wrongdoings, setting the tone for the strong advocate she is today.
There has been a lot of buzz around the Actors' Equity lately. Do you think the organisation needs reforms?
The industry hasn't fully bounced back yet. How are you viewing the situation?
What are your expectations from the interim government?
Additionally, there's a stark wage gap—some people earn Tk 15,000, while others make up to Tk 2 lakh. It's vital that even those with lower salaries can afford basic necessities like three meals a day. This won't happen overnight, but with time and gradual efforts, it's achievable. The fight against corruption must be relentless and pervasive, ensuring fairness and equity in every corner of society.
I believe that the censor board may no longer be necessary. The power of cinema is immense—films from different countries can convey profound messages even when we don't understand the language. We might not always grasp the lyrics of every song, yet we can still hum along and feel the music's essence. Instead of a censor board, what we really need is a gradation or rating system. This would involve clear guidelines about which films are appropriate for different audiences.
A censor board can often create unnecessary complications, and it's important to consider whether those on the board truly understand the art of cinema. Replacing censorship with a well-structured rating system would allow for more freedom while still guiding viewers effectively.
|রাজনীতিদেশের পথে খালেদা জিয়ামঙ্গলবার বাংলাদেশ সময় সকাল সাড়ে ১০টায় এয়ার অ্যাম্বুলেন্সটি হযরত শাহজালাল আন্তর্জাতিক বিমানবন্দরে অবতরণ করবে।
Belarusian Metallurgical Plant (BMZ) / metallurg.belsteel.com
The Belarusian Metallurgical Plant (BMZ) pipe rolling shop in Zhlobin produces parts for mortars and armour plates. Some of the products go to Orsha, some to Russia, reports the Zhlobin telegram channel Free Zhlobin
the BMZ workers were earlier sent to Orsha to the "Legmash" plant to produce shells
Legmash produces shells, for example, for "Grad" missile systems. Aliaksandr Lukashenka's visit to the enterprise in May this year confirmed this
Information about preparations for the production of military products at BMZ first appeared in November 2022
it was reported that the BMZ Research Center had been ordered to produce samples of armoured plates for military equipment and body armour
The official representatives of the BMZ should have reported on the production of parts for the military-industrial complex
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2014 11:32 AM EDTPorsha Williams of the Real Housewives of Atlanta turned herself in to police after they issued an arrest warrant stemming from an on-screen fight between Williams and co-star Kenya Moore at the show’s reunion taping nearly a month ago
She was charged with battery and released on a $2,000 bond, according to CNN
The reality TV star obviously had time before getting her photo taken, and apparently, her mug shot looks pretty great — TMZ called it “the most glam mug shot ever.”
Watch the video above to see what happened
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Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko paid a visit to the dairy farm Ustensky in Orsha District on 30 October
The dairy farm Ustensky belongs to the production enterprise Ustye of the National Academy of Sciences
The head of state was briefed on the performance of the enterprise and its prospects
In 2015 the president instructed to transfer the struggling production enterprise Ustye in Orsha District to the National Academy of Sciences
In the Soviet times the farm was one of the most advanced companies
Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences Vladimir Gusakov told the head of state that now the farm is on its feet
We started restoration with crop production through leveling off and enlarging the fields
and providing the most recently developed varieties
and this made it possible to restore animal farming,” he said
“So this is an example not only for [Vitebsk Oblast Governor Nikolai] Sherstnev but for Belarus in general
The chairman of the Academy of Sciences admitted that at first the National Academy of Sciences was worried about the restoration of such a neglected enterprise
but now Belarusian scientists do not want to give it to anyone
It cost Br34 million to build a new dairy complex
It was commissioned at the end of last year
The dairy complex is designed for 1,000 milking and 200 dry cows
There are many milking parlors in Belarusian farms but
A special mechanism automatically brings a cow to the milking parlor
She walks into the free place for milking; the computer remembers the peculiarities of each cow
Today the National Academy of Sciences is mulling over another such dairy farm
I have some options,” the president told the head of the National Academy of Sciences
An innovative complex for seed production has been built not far from the farm
The factory can fully meet the demand for seeds in Mogilev and Vitebsk oblasts
The head of state instructed to consider the construction of similar complexes in other oblasts to satisfy their needs
at all stages,” stressed Aleksandr Lukashenko
The head of state was also told about the results in the work to develop Belarusian varieties of grain
The NASB Scientific and Research Center for Farming has achieved good results here
there are some unsettled issues in the country as a whole
Not all the farms follow the technologies and crop rotation system
The president got familiar with red Danish cattle breeding and the use of innovative milking equipment at the Ustensky farm
The president was offered to taste the products made from milk of red Danish cows
The head of state took a detailed interest in the livestock management at the farm
The president paid special attention to technological discipline
Construction of an additional dairy farm has almost been agreed upon
because this is the future,” said the head of state
this experience should also be extended to the Kupalovskoye Holding Company in Shklov
“We need to build such farms in every region
We need to expand this experience,” the Belarusian leader stressed
Apr 22, 2024 | Defence
Poland and Lithuania have begun joint military exercises to test their readiness to defend the Suwałki Gap
a strategically important stretch of land along their shared border that sits between Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad
Military personnel from the US and Portugal are also taking part
began on Sunday around the towns of Druskininkai
Alytus and Varėna on the Lithuanian side of the border
Over 1,500 troops and 200 units of military equipment are involved
The joint 🇱🇹 and 🇵🇱 international exercise #BraveGriffin has begun.more than 1,500 soldiers and 200 units of military equipment, according to the bilateral "Orsha" plan of 🇱🇹 and 🇵🇱 will practice a defense scenario near to the #SuwalkiCorridor
📷🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/udbcxKrwOE
— Lithuanian_Armed_Forces (@LTU_Army) April 21, 2024
The manoeuvres will last a week and will test a defence scenario based on Poland and Lithania’s so-called “Orsha” plan to defend the Suwałki Gap
which is seen as a potential chokepoint in a war with Russia
The exercises will be observed by the two countries’ presidents
“All the exercises will be realistic” and “the visibility of the army in Lithuania will be huge” this week
announced the chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces
the deployment of strategic operational command
as we would do during real preparation for an armed conflict,” he added
The manoeuvres are part of NATO’s broader Steadfast Defender exercises
the alliance’s largest since the end of the Cold War
involving 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO member states
Those were launched in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
“It is a clear signal of the strong determination and commitment of [NATO] alliance members to mutual defence,” said Lithuania’s armed forces
Around 20,000 troops from nine countries are taking part in NATO's #Dragon24 exercises in Poland as part of #SteadfastDefender24
They are testing the alliance’s deterrence and defence capabilities, including around the Suwałki Gap, a strategic chokepoint https://t.co/rfLecknIDp
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) March 5, 2024
Main image credit: Lithuanian Armed Forces/X
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The domestic linen industry can become two times more efficient within several years
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said while inspecting Orsha Linen Mill on 30 November
The head of state was informed that only few countries in the world grow flax
“It is good that there are fewer players on the market
we should grow our own flax so that we will not have to purchase [part of raw materials from other countries]
This industry should become at least two times more efficient within three years
We can do it if our government performs as it should,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said
The President criticized agricultural industry chiefs and governors for inadequate amount of domestic flax fiber
About a third of capacities of Orsha Linen Mill is not used
while part of flax fiber for processing has to be purchased from other countries
this affects the price of the end products and the company’s performance in general
According to Vice Premier Mikhail Rusy and governors
unfavorable weather conditions intervened with the industry’s plans this year
the President emphasized that it is unacceptable to put the blame solely on this factor and pointed to the industry’s underachievement in the previous years
The head of state was assured that overall flax is a lucrative crop that can generate good profit
The President was informed about the upgrade of the linen mill and investment injected into it
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that agricultural producers should directly benefit from better performance and get a profit
the linen mill has been incrementally increasing procurement prices for raw materials and is ready to offer even more incentives to flax producers
The head of state studied the company’s production facilities
talked to employees and examined product samples
The year has begun with the news of celebrities tying the knot, one after another. After Mousumi Hamid and Farhan Ahmed Jovan's wedding news, the media industry is pleasantly surprised with the news of newly wedded couple Nazia Haque Orsha and Mostafizur Noor Imran.
Actress Orsha posted the wedding pictures on her social media account, writing, "With nature and family, 'I' is now 'Us' -- officially married. Together, the two have worked in projects like "Jahan" and "Shahosh".
The photos, taken by Badhon Mahmud, were also in a unique 'rural' setting, without the glitz and glamour of usual celebrity weddings.
Orsha told The Daily Star that the marriage took place with the blessings of the family of both sides. For a long time, Orsha's mother has been suffering from medical complications, hence the actress made her appearances on-screen sporadic. However, as soon as her mother's health improved, their families decided that this is the right time for this marriage ceremony.
It is essential to take care of people – workers of enterprises – and their salaries when addressing issues regarding the operation of certain enterprises
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during the working trip to Orsha on 28 August where he is visiting a cheese-making plant of OOO Savushkin-Orsha
Upon arrival the head of state asked about the performance of the enterprise and its development prospects
The modern facility is gradually increasing its production capacity
there is an indebted melted cheese factory in Orsha
the products of this factory are easily replaceable
and salaries of workers are one third lower than salaries at OOO Savushkin-Orsha
It was mentioned that specialists can be employed at a new enterprise and their salaries will increase
a certain volume of raw materials will be released
Aleksandr Lukashenko gave an instruction to address the issue
The president stressed that people’s salaries and highly productive jobs are a priority
We need to start to work as we should from 1 January
Mogilev Oblast – a land for a zone of raw materials – can be used if necessary.”
Orsha should more actively use its own resources for local development
You are still living at the expense of the state
Do not think that we will carry Orsha on our shoulders through the next five-year period
You will have to pull your socks up,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said
Vitebsk Oblast Governor Nikolai Sherstnev told the president that the overall situation in the region has not changed a lot; the region is operating steadily; the social and economic situation is not tense
Aleksandr Lukashenko asked about progress in the construction industry
as well as expectations regarding gross regional product by the end of the year
This figure is expected to be 1-2% behind the target
The head of state was told about the construction of new agricultural facilities in the region
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that decisions on building farms should be made on the ground
“Why do you raise this matter at the level of the president
You want to transfer power down from the top
Why should the president decide whether a collective farm will build something with the help of its own people or another organization,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said
The head of state visited the Savushkin-Orsha company in the city
The president studied the company’s performance and talked to the staff
He offered his vision of the development of the region
and this is not because it is my native land
but because its development model was supposed to become an example for other similar cities (Borisov
We are following the path we started in Orsha
Next year we will finish this saga and you will have to show concrete results,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said
“I know that you still need to do something
but you will do it on your own with a little support from the state
urban-type settlements and agro-towns to improve
and there is a lot of work there,” the president said
One of the employees asked the president to take the construction of a polyclinic in the Zadneprovie-3 residential neighborhood under control
the construction of the healthcare facility will be financed by the central and regional budgets; the polyclinic is scheduled to be commissioned in 2023
The head of state noted that this should be a no-frills project
“We will build so many polyclinics that they will not be used to their full capacity
This polyclinic project should be optimal,” he said
we will accomplish it,” the head of state added
Aleksandr Lukashenko asked about the dairies in the region that show the same high results as this manufacturing facility
According to Vitebsk Governor Nikolai Sherstnev
these are virtually all cheese-making factories
He also cited Glubokoye Dairy as a good example
The president stressed that there should be no difference between state-run companies and private businesses
Both the state-owned and private companies should be well-performing businesses using cutting-edge technologies and achieving great results
All manufacturers should work in equal conditions
This is the level we need to reach [the matter pertains to Savushkin Orsha]
There should be no big difference between Moshensky [owner of Savushkin Product and Santa Bremor] and Sherstnev
We need to create a level playing field for all
starting with commodity zones,” the head of state said
“There is just one thing: we will make an emphasis on allegiance and loyalty to the state
to make sure what has happened recently will not happen again
Most privately-owned businesses have started running afoul of the state
many of them have started acting low,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said
The head of state added that people will not be persecuted for having a different opinion
Half of them may have opinions that differ from those of the government
undermining the country at a time when the country is facing a big threat from outside” the head of state said
The founder and CEO of Calgary’s NeuroTrition Inc
has put together nutrition programs for addiction recovery
created a healthy tea for The Tea Factory and knows what to eat to reduce stress – and hangovers
Thirty years later, Orsha Magyar still remembers her mom asking that question as they waited in line for their food rations in then-communist Hungary
“Some of my first memories of food are my mom asking me to make a choice,” says Magyar, founder and CEO of Calgary’s NeuroTrition Inc. In her Kensington office
a trained neuroscientist and holistic nutritionist
is explaining her lifelong fascination with food
Magyar remembers her mom struggling to ensure there was enough food for Orsha and her sister as they grew up
When they moved to Canada when Magyar was five
the family relied on food banks for the first years
“I remember from a young age being very grateful for food and open to eating anything and everything – but also making a promise to myself that
I would make my own decisions about food and would help make healthy foods that tasted good more accessible and available for people,” she says
a consulting company that combines her love of food with neuroscience
specifically the science of how food affects the brain
and we create programs based on that,” she says
“We see it especially with stress – we can eat in certain ways that prevent stress from hitting us as much as it would otherwise,” she says
With her chefs and husband, fellow neuroscientist Matt Hill, Magyar likes to play in her home kitchen, making things like bone-broth gummies and chocolate avocado mousse.
Her favourite food tip for stress-reduction? Eat regularly to keep blood sugar in check and consume a combination of complex carbohydrates, good-quality proteins and healthy fats at every meal.
Magyar, an admitted wine devotee, also has words of wisdom for hangover avoidance: “Eat something, please.” The more you eat, the less severe the hangover, she says. Go for a healthy fat like oily fish, raw nuts or avocado. In a pinch, swallow a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil before libations begin. Drink lots of water and finish off with a sleep-in.
Orsha Magyar’s favouritesCalgary restaurant: River Caf
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[gravityform id=”48″ title=”false” description=”false”]
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the role of citizens in maintaining order and developing communities during his visit the village of Bolbasovo
The head of state got familiar with the upgrading and social development of Bolbasovo
he said that gradual steps are taken in Belarus to improve living conditions in the country
starting from the capital and ending with agro-towns
“We have cleaned up here and it is you who will maintain order here from now on,” said the president
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the need for further landscaping of the village
the development of park areas and the most comfortable living conditions
Villages like Bolbasovo or Kopys are a model to be used to bring order to similar villages throughout the country in the next few years
The president called upon the citizens to join in the process
“Everyone needs to make their contribution
It will play its role,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko
He stressed that he is not a supporter of an exclusively market approach and the state will continue to play the necessary role in the development of territories
their improvement and the creation of new jobs
“This beauty will be in demand by people only when they have a place to work
we must also create workplaces,” said the president
A number of construction projects have been launched near Bolbasovo to give impetus to economic development
They include the restoration of the airport and the construction of a large industrial and logistics center nearby
“We have wonderful logistics here - an international automobile highway
and an airport,” added Aleksandr Lukashenko
The head of state called for a businesslike approach to the use of empty buildings and premises
Some of them can be transformed for other purposes
“For me this village is a symbol of our inseparable friendship with Russians
During the Soviet time a lot of Russians worked here
Different nations lived here and used this airfield
It was one of the strategic military airfields
Let this restored village be a symbol of our unbreakable friendship of Slavic peoples
Russians and Belarusians,” said the president
the head of state also touched upon the demographic issue
stressing the need for at least three children in every family: “We need people for the existence of Belarus
Aleksandr Lukashenko walked along the central street of the village
The things recently done in the village include repairs to roads
Modern children's and sports grounds were equipped
The issue of providing the population with high-quality drinking water was resolved through the construction of a deferrization station
The president paid a visit to two local grocery stores
Both the trading facilities are in demand among local residents
and prices for goods are at about the same level
The president stressed that for a more flexible pricing policy
it is necessary to level the working conditions of state and private trade organizations
Aleksandr Lukashenko urged to take a careful approach to the construction of large chain stores in the area for the fear that they can destroy the business of small convenience shops
The president also discussed with the local residents the need to improve the quality of services in the trade of industrial goods
Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the restored CulturalCenter in Bolbasovo
The center provides different types of services
Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the historical significance of the October Revolution Day which is celebrated annually in Belarus
“We left the October Revolution day a holiday in the national calendar
the attitude to this holiday is a bit different
Whoever tried to throw a stone in the past by rewriting the history got this stone in the present
We left this day as the holiday on our national calendar
and we need to fill this holiday with some other meaning,” the head of state said
This day was traditionally marked with the completion of projects in various sectors
“We have kept this good tradition intact,” the Belarusian leader stressed
projects have been implemented in the agricultural
Among the recently completed projects is the reconstruction of a bridge over the Pripyat in Zhitkovichi District
and social sector improvements in the town of Bolbasovo and Orsha District
Measures are currently implemented to boost economic development and create new jobs in these places
During the meeting with local residents Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized an exceptionally peaceful policy of the Belarusian state and people
I have already said that tens and hundreds of years of negotiations are better than one day of war
For this [peaceful and prosperous life] we must be a single whole
and live as we see it right,” said the head of state
“We have an average state by European standards
We are in the very center of Europe and we value this,” the Belarusian leader stressed
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the transit significance of Belarus
with its transportation infrastructure in the region
turned out to be in great demand for transshipment of certain goods
"Speaking at the Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting in Minsk
I said that the west need to value Belarus and do not impose sanctions against us
We stop it all at our own expense,” the head of state said
they have finally understood how valuable this piece of land in the center of Europe is
Americans also understand this today,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said
the president stressed: “One should get on well with the neighbors.” Here
he mentioned the recent talks about an American military base in Poland
“I told the minister of foreign affairs that we are not going to fight against you
We will have to set up bases in a counter-move,” said the head of state
Aleksandr Lukashenko also examined the progress made in the construction of a multi-modal industrial and logistics center in Bolbasovo
A march will take place in old-town Vilnius and the historical flag will be raised on the building of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
the Town Hall of Vilnius will host an international conference to discuss the challenges posed to the region by Moscow’s aggression
By looking at the past and at the current war in Ukraine
participants of the international conference “Together in Fight Against Moscow’s Imperialism: Then and Now” will discuss preparations for war and share experiences that may help stop Russia’s aggression in the future
the Defense Ministry said in a press release
adviser to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky
will also participate in the conference during his visit to Lithuania
The Battle of Orsha took place on September 8
between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Grand Duchy of Moscow
The battle was won by the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland under the command of Konstanty Ostrogski
Historians describe it as one of the greatest military victories in Lithuania's history
Nazia Haque Orsha first came into prominence with Lux Channel i Superstar. Since then, she has been consistently putting out remarkable performances on television. The talented artiste is gearing up to star in her first ever web series. Orsha discusses her career goals, her upcoming projects and more.
What can you tell us about your projects for this year?
My year began with multiple shoots. I will be a part of Shihab Shahin's Ditiyo Koishor web series. I completely fell in love with the story and I am excited to see how the viewers will react to it. Apurba is my co-star in the web series. On the other hand, I have teamed up with director Rumman Rony for the television serial, Three Med, which will be released in February.
What do you enjoy the most about being an actor?
I hardly ever get tired of my work. I think it is important to keep yourself busy if you want to flourish in this industry. I feel the happiest when I am shooting on the sets.
How was the experience of working in Shahriar Kabir Joy's directorial venture, 'Prarthona'?
I was drawn to the heart-touching story of Prarthona and I had a great time working with the cast and crew of the film.
You have been an active actor for a while, but we rarely see you in films. Why so?
I would love to do more films, but it is just that I have not come across a script that I really like. I strive to portray characters that will be memorable for the viewers.
Popular television actor Nazia Haque Orsha first came into prominence with Lux Channel i Superstar. Since then, she has been consistently putting out remarkable performances on television. The talented artiste is currently busy with several productions. On a candid chat with The Daily Star, the actor shares her recent plans and more.
You are set to appear in Chorki original film "Networker Baire". Can you tell us a bit about it?
We worked on this production from November last year. This film is about friendship, exploring the bonds of friendship in past and present times. The film will tell us a story about four friends and it is a fantastic story. The film has every element of entertainment, directed by Mizanur Rahman Aryan, the film will present the audience with a fresh new perspective.
How was your experience working with director Mizanur Rahman Aryan?
I worked with Mizanur Rahman Aryan on his directorial debut, "Ami Tumi She". I acted alongside Arifin Shuvoo and Ishana in that production. Back then, he was a novice director but now he's an expert director who understands what the audience expects.
Aryan has a different style of storytelling, which is captivating. He knows what kind of stories the audience wants, the kind of story they expect to see on the big screen.
OTT platforms are gaining a lot of popularity these days, how do you see this change?
This is definitely a positive aspect of the entertainment industry. Media is an ever-changing form of entertainment, we've seen so many changes in the last few years. Now the online platform is presenting a new opportunity to broadcast different types of stories.
The web is a powerful medium and it has a different language to it. The viewing platform has also changed drastically, as the audience can watch these contents anywhere, anytime. The directors can maintain a sense of individuality while working on digital content. We are stepping into a new era of digital content. So far, we are succeeding.
What are the Eid projects you are currently working on?
Right now, I am working on an Eid project, shooting in Pubail. Directed by Golam Sohrab Dodul, I worked on an Eid special for Banglavision, titled, "Mastermind". I also worked on a Shokal Ahmed directorial scheduled to air during the Eid holidays. I am busy with several other Eid projects at the moment as well.
What are your future aspirations regarding acting?
Acting is my passion, my place of love. I've received much appreciation and love from the audience because of acting, and it will remain my place of comfort and passion in the coming days.
I am trying my best to put out my best work, I expect to be involved in more quality content. I aspire to indulge myself in different versatile characters. I believe, with powerful acting, you can win the audience's hearts.
A march will take place in old-town Vilnius on Friday to mark the 500th anniversary of victory against Russia in the Battle of Orsha
A solemn ceremony will take place in the Cathedral Square
including a line-up of the Lithuanian Army's Guard of Honour
An international conference dedicated to the anniversary is also kicking off in Vilnius on Friday
The parliament has announced the year 2014 as the year of the Battle of Orsha
The Battle of Orsha took place on 8 September 1514 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Grand Duchy of Moscow
making history as one of the first examples of the classic artillery ambush
Despite considerably smaller number of military resources
the battle was won by the army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
BNS
Orsha inhabitants demand to bring back the Belarusian language to the public transport
More than 300 people have signed the appeal demanding to be able to hear public transport announcements in Belarusian
The Belarusian language was removed from Orsha public transport seven years ago
Officials have been rejecting all requests to bring it back ever since
Why is it a problem to use Belarusian names for bus stops and bring back Belarusian timetables to stations
All the attempts to discuss the Belarusian language issue with Orsha officials have brought no result
“Orsha public transport has been using only the Russian language for several years,” the authors of the petition noted
“Bus stops are announced in Belarusian and timetables are also in Belarusian in other Belarusian cities
All the attempts to discuss the problem with the administration of the public transport and all the appeals sent to officials have brought no result […] The Belarusian language has been ousted from all spheres of life in Orsha and Orsha District.”
Local and regional officials explain their refusal to bring the Belarusian language back to the public transport by the fact that there are two state languages in Belarus
“Many heads of Orsha District Executive Committee were not local inhabitants,” a local Belarusian Language Association (TBM) activist Yury Nahorny said
“You could send appeals to the executive committee and to the public transport administration
They kept saying that there were two state languages and that Russia was close...”
To avoid translating Russian announcements to Belarusian
local and regional officials kept saying that… they lacked specialists who could do it
Then they found another reason to refuse: some local citizens had allegedly opposed to hearing their mother tongue in buses
“We kept telling the officials that we would translate everything and find teachers with good pronunciation,” head of Orsha TBM affiliate said
somebody asked to preserve the Russian language in the public transport
The ideological department orders to find five or ten people from the Veteran Council or some other governmental organization who would sign the appeal
The petition would be considered as soon as it is delivered to Orsha District Executive Committee
why have they replaced the Belarusian language with Russian
I cannot tell you anything by phone,” chief specialist of the ideological department of Orsha District Executive Committee Tatstsyana Petrashkevich said
Deputy director of Orsha bus fleet #3 Vital Tsyareshchanka also mentioned complaints about the Belarusian language
There is no sense in translating announcements as Belarusians should be preparing to unite with Russia
“We used to have them [announcements and timetables in Belarusian] but it resulted in numerous complaints,” Vital Tsyareshchanka told Euroradio
“Belarusian announcement contained mistakes
That is why we switched to the Russian language
Vital Tsyareshchanka did not specify when Belarus would unite with Russia
Orsha is not the only Belarusian city where officials are refusing to use the Belarusian language
Graffiti with a Russian inscription was created to mark the Day of Belarusian Literature in Slonim
It was explained by complaints lodged by adherents of the Russian language
Those people turned out to be activists of ‘the Russian world’
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Seven helicopters will be upgraded for Mongolia
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On 20 July 1995 President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Orsha as part of a working trip to Vitebsk Oblast
The head of state visited the Orsha locomotive depot to get familiar with the the operation of the rolling stock
At the meeting with representatives of the country’s largest railway hub
Aleksandr Lukashenko presented valuable gifts to the leading manufacturers and talked to the workers
Then the president met with representatives of the city's workforce at the Palace of Culture of the Orsha Linen Mill
a significant conference was convened in Nazi-occupied Belarus
in order to decide whether the Wehrmacht should resume its advance on Moscow
The German Army Group North and Army Group South commanders
both wanted to switch to a solid defensive line
and thereby rest on the territorial gains made against the USSR up until mid-November 1941
Hindsight is useful but their views were undoubtedly correct
the temperature just west of Moscow had dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius
Wehrmacht troops were not furnished with winter clothing
nor did they have basic medical and military supplies
They were in no condition to fight a winter war that could succeed
Some German soldiers resorted to stealing the felt boots
fur caps and long greatcoats from dead Russian troops
more and more Germans were exiting the battlefield due to frostbite
severe cases of which were first recorded on 7 November 1941
Read more: Operation Barbarossa: An Overview – Part Two
had a different opinion to von Leeb and von Rundstedt
Army Group Center was tasked with capturing Moscow and bringing the war to a successful conclusion
Driven by personal ambition and his hope that the Russians were almost finished
ignoring the fierce weather and weakened state of his army
insisted that the march towards Moscow should continue
Halder and von Bock were influenced too by recollections of the First World War
Haunting the Orsha conference like a ghost was the German memory of the September 1914 Battle of the Marne which
cost the German Empire victory in World War I
During the Battle of the Marne in northern France
possible German success was thrown away due to a lack of resolution
Though the past usually has lessons to teach
and the similarities are few between the Battle of the Marne and the German position in the late stages of Operation Barbarossa
38 miles north-west of the Russian capital
more than 6 times greater than German losses
most of which were retained for the counter-offensive that was soon to come
Read more: The 20th anniversary of US military intervention in Afghanistan
The weakened Luftwaffe previously failed to eliminate the Trans-Siberian rail line
across which the fresh reserves of Soviet troops had been transported
Panzer Group 3 established a foothold over the Moscow-Volga Canal
the 2nd Panzer Army was unable to capture the city of Tula
This meant that the planned German pincers envelopment of Moscow
Panzer Group 4 pushed a division to within 18 miles of Moscow but it was halted by Soviet resistance
They would then open the sluices and “drown” Moscow by turning it into a giant artificial lake
By the start of December 1941 Skorzeny and his men
though they could see the spires of Moscow and the Kremlin in their binoculars
were knee deep in snow and could not carry out Hitler’s order
Skorzeny complained how “in spite of the confusion of our logistics and in spite of the bravery of the Russian soldiers
we would have taken Moscow in the beginning of December 1941 if the Siberian troops had not intervened
our Army Group Center did not receive a single division as reinforcement or replacement”
the temperature near Moscow plunged to minus 31 degrees Celsius and
the thermometer sank lower still to minus 36
The German soldiers were fighting desperately in the evergreen woods that lay around Moscow
With this halt the truth suddenly hit home
Army Group Center’s final effort to take Moscow had failed
and the failure left it in a most dangerous position
They were holding a front around 600 miles in breadth and against an enemy which
though it had suffered unprecedented losses
The Soviet counter-attack was launched on 5 December 1941
timed beautifully to strike the Germans at their weakest moment
Read more: Operation Barbarossa: Great strategic errors by Hitler that led to Nazis’ failure
von Bock’s army had in reserve a single
the result of German overconfidence along with Hitler and the high command’s willingness to gamble recklessly
Like players who continually doubled their stakes
they faced ruin should the dice fall the wrong way
the panzers and trucks were becoming immobile because the oil in their sumps was freezing solid
and the Germans had very little antifreeze
and the Wehrmacht was still heavily reliant on these animals for transportation
Even the lubricating oil in guns and other weaponry was starting to freeze
which the German logistics staff calculated were necessary to maintain Army Group Center
only eight to 10 trains were arriving every 24 hours
the invasion could only be regarded as a monumental failure
The objective had been to secure a 1,300 mile line from Archangel
to the Caspian Sea – running far eastwards of Moscow and taking in nearly all of European Russia
the reality was that the depleted German divisions still stood outside of Moscow and Leningrad
German forces were stopped 300 miles west of the Caspian Sea
Neither had the Caucasus region been penetrated
following the full German retirement from Rostov-of-Don on 2 December
What were the reasons for the inability to reach any of these aims
No single cause can be put forward but some are more important than others
Barbarossa’s strategic design was inadequate and amateurish
It called for an offensive across an extremely broad front
which served to weaken the force of the attack
and give the Soviet Army time to recover from the opening blows
the German high command had attempted to reach too many targets at the same time (Leningrad
Hitler had contributed greatly to the wear on his panzers
Tank units had less than 50 percent of their authorized strength when Operation Typhoon
Moscow ranked as Soviet Russia’s most important city
Apart from being the USSR’s biggest urban area
which enabled each part of the Soviet Army front to be reinforced
Moscow was a vital industrial center and it headquartered the country’s all powerful leader
The military and political ramifications of Moscow’s demise would have been huge
Read more: Operation Barbarossa: The Germans advance into the southwestern USSR
From the invasion’s outset on 22 June 1941
had Army Group Center been directed towards Moscow in a single great thrust – and protected on its flanks by Army Groups North and South – the capital may well have been fallen at the end of August 1941
previous strategic mistakes could have been rectified by assigning Moscow primary importance on that date; but Hitler compounded the errors by reasserting the plan to capture numerous objectives
The advance on Moscow was postponed for what would be a critical six weeks (until 2 October 1941)
“They apparently do not wish to exploit under any circumstances the opportunity decisively to defeat the Russians before winter!”
Note the repeated use of exclamation marks by von Bock
His views here would prove accurate in every sense
General Halder went so far as to say that Hitler’s 21 August directive “was decisive to the outcome of this campaign”; and in December 1941 von Bock
and resources were much greater than the Nazis had anticipated
the quality of Soviet military hardware was impressive
in particular the T-34 medium tank and KV heavy tank
only about 2,000 T-34 and KV tanks available to the Soviets
and most of these had been destroyed before winter by the enemy
British historian Evan Mawdsley wrote
“In 1941 the Germans were able to cope with the superior number of Soviet tanks
by means of some excellent towed anti-tank guns
which was actually a heavy anti-aircraft gun
gave the Wehrmacht the firepower to knock out even the T-34 and KV”
was not a decisive factor in 1941 when the crucial fighting was unfolding
Read more: Operation Barbarossa: Analyzing the fighting – Part 2
at least in part because of the brutality of their rule in the conquered regions
the Wehrmacht had initially been welcomed as liberators by a considerable part of the population
potential allies would evolve into implacable enemies when the true face of Nazi occupation was revealed
and this certainly did not help the Wehrmacht’s cause
far larger than western Europe where the Germans were triumphant the year before
is a sometimes overlooked factor in Barbarossa’s failure but it was clearly important
The terrain’s vastness was enhanced by German strategic blunders
The Soviet road network was much inferior when compared to the road system in France
especially when the heavy rains arrived in the second half of October 1941
Shane Quinn has contributed on a regular basis to Global Research for almost two years and has had articles published with American news outlets People’s World and MintPress News
The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space