Bangladesh’s position in the Global Peace Index has slipped to 105, from last year’s 91, according to the index, prepared by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which ranks 162 countries, by measuring security in society, extent of conflict, and degree of militarisation. But Bangladesh is in a better position than India, Pakistan and Myanmar. ... Read more
Month: June 2013
PM on Press freedom
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the freedom of press has been guaranteed in Bangladesh along with the freedom of thought and conscience as per article 39 of the Constitution. “However, taking advantage of press freedom, a section of media is trying to create confusion among the people by publishing incorrect information,”
Environment rights groups want climate commission
Environment rights groups said on Wednesday that the climate change adaptation planning has barely been integrated into the national budget 2013-2014. A national climate commission should be formed for appropriate integration of climate adaptation, which is necessary for the country’s survival. They were speaking at a press conference on “Budget 2013-14 does
Barisal brawl continues before local polls
Candidates release election manifesto The Grand Alliance-backed Sammilito Nagorik Committee nominated Shawkat Hossain Hiron, outgoing mayor of the BarisalCity Corporation, as its mayoral candidate, on Tuesday evening, for the coming city corporation polls. Hiron announced a 23-point election manifesto, to transform Barisal into a modern and beautiful city, with civic amenities. Other mayoral
Army does not act upon civilian advice
The army never takes part in any operation upon the advice of a civilian, counsel of former BNP leader Abdul Alim said at the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Wednesday. Defence counsel Advocate Ahsanul Huq Hena said this during the cross-examination of prosecution witness-23 Abdul Hye against Alim.
Admn under political directives: Cabinet secy
Cabinet secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan has observed that, in a democracy, the administration has to run under political directives, but is not under political influence. “The administrative machinery of a democratic system of governance moves under political guidance or directive, but not under political influence,” the cabinet secretary told reporters,
Illegal structures on Buriganga pulled down
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority on Wednesday conducted a drive to demolish illegal establishments in three kilometre areas along the River Buriganga. The seven-hour drive started from Zinjira ferry terminal opposite the Sadarghat launch terminal and ended to Buriganga Telghat.
Five jailed for selling formalin-treated mangoes
93.75pc of mangoes formalin-mixed A day after a survey revealed that most summer fruits are treated with formalin, a mobile court in the capital on Wednesday sentenced the owners of five mango depots at Karwan Bazar to 15 days in jail and fined them Tk 2 lakh each for treating mangoes with the deadly chemical. ... Read more
20 intellectuals demand trial of Twaki killers
Twenty eminent citizens sent a joint statement to the prime minister demanding trial of the murderer of Tanvir Mohammad Twaki of Narayanganj. The signatories to the statement urged the prime minister to take step regarding the arrest of the killers of Twaki who was murdered three months ago.
National Poetry Council DU unit formed
The National Poetry Council’s Dhaka University unit was formed with the English department professor Kajal Bandyopadhyay as its president and poet Aleem Haider Dhrubo as general secretary, a press release said. The central unit approved the newly formed 19-member committee
Sarak Bhaban to move to new location
The communications ministry on Wednesday started the groundwork for shifting Sarak Bhaban from the Supreme Court premises to the capital’s Tejgaon following a High Court order. The communications minister, Obaidul Quader, on the day visited the Roads and Highways Department workshop, which has been selected for Sarak Bhaban at Tejgaon.
Revenue shortfall widens to Tk 5,705cr in 11 months
Shortfall in the revenue collection widened further to Tk 5,705 crore in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year that made the National Board of Revenue officials almost confirmed about a sure failure in achieving the tax collection target set for the FY 2012-2013, officials said. According to the NBR provisional data, Tk ... Read more
Bangladesh gets 8 more years to implement TRIPS
The least developed countries including Bangladesh got another eight more years of exemption from implementing the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement as World Trade Organisation on Tuesday extended the exemption period until June 2021, officials of the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.
German bank employee naps on keyboard, transfers $293m
A tired German bank employee fell asleep on his keyboard and accidentally transformed a minor transfer into a 222 million euro ($293 million) order. The Hessen labour court heard that the man was supposed to transfer just 62.40 euros from a bank account belonging to a retiree, but instead ‘fell asleep for an instant,
Overdue export earnings rise in political unrest
The country’s overdue export earnings increased significantly in the last few months due mainly to the recent spates of political violence in the country, said officials of Bangladesh Bank. The exporters failed in shipping their products according to the delivery date in the last few months because of frequent shutdowns called by the opposition
DSE turnover hits 8-month high
The turnover of the Dhaka Stock Exchange on Wednesday hit eight-month high with a straight three trading-session gain amid fresh fund injection by the investors following the reported Bangladesh Bank move to release fund for the stock market within next month. The turnover of the DSE advanced to Tk 752.30 crore
New insurance companies
IDRA asks 75 applicants for hearing in June 16-20 The Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority has asked 75 applicants for licences of about 10-12 new insurance companies to appear before it for hearing in June 16-20. The insurance regulator made the decision to hear the detail business plans of the applicants at a meeting presided ... Read more
Healthy employer-employee relation can avoid labour unrest
Speakers tell seminar Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday called for a healthy relation between the employers and the employees to avoid labour unrest. ‘Sometimes lack of communication between the employees and the employers gives birth to unexpected incidents like labour unrest,’ said Dhaka Chamber
BB receives 100 pieces of ancient currencies
Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday received 100 pieces of ancient currencies from Bangladesh Numismatic Collectors’ Society. Members of the society handed over the currencies to BB governor Atiur Rahman on the day. The currencies were from the Sultan dynasty,
Bangladesh institutionalising arbitration: minister
With over 2.4 million cases pending in the courts, as of the end of last year, and complex court procedures, foreign companies and investors feel unprotected and discouraged to enter into commercial deals with Bangladesh, law minister Shafique Ahmed said on Wednesday. ‘There is no end to litigation. If the objective is to