Month: November 2013

Govt, opposition take US official Nisha’s visit seriously Diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing political crisis may gain momentum during the Dhaka visit of US official Nisha Desai Biswal, with the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP remaining rigid on their stances on the issue of polls-time government. Biswal, who flew in yesterday ... Read more

Pankaj on Bangladesh’s peace, stability India is consulting Bangladesh’s ongoing political situation with other countries including the United States, which have interest in peace and stability in the country, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran said yesterday. “We are discussing the situation in Bangladesh with different countries … so, we have discussed the issue also ... Read more

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar wept as he left the pitch for the final time on Saturday after his 200th Test match, ending a dazzling career spanning nearly a quarter of a century. The master batsman, who has god-like popularity across India, waved to thousands of cheering, emotional fans and wiped tears from his eyes ... Read more

In a scathing attack on BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday called the opposition leader bloodthirsty and wanted to know how much blood she actually needs to quench, reports UNB. “She (Khaleda) is not happy with the way the hartal hooligans engaged in burning innocent people, she needs more destruction,

The Opposition BNP wants a dialogue with the government to end the prevailing political crisis in the country on the poll-time interim administration issue. “We want a dialogue with the government to end the country’s prevailing political impasse. I, on Khaleda Zia’s instruction, am telling the government that we are keen for talks to settle ... Read more

Worried leading citizens press govt, opposition for talks Twenty-four eminent citizens of the country yesterday expressed grave concern over the confrontational politics on formation of a polls-time government and its outcome. The crisis can be solved through dialogues and understanding between the government and the opposition, they observed in a joint statement under

A CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver who sustained burn injuries in a bomb attack by hartal supporters in Savar on November 3, the day before the second spell of the 18-party enforced 60-hour hartal, died at DMCH burn unit early Saturday, reports UNB. The victim was identified as Asad Gazi, 35,

Three days of escape into a world of words, languages, thoughts and imagination came to an end at the Bangla Academy yesterday, with hopes that the Hay Festival Dhaka 2013 will help the Bangla language cross boundaries. Coming as a respite after back-to-back hartals, the festival offered the young and old an opportunity to revel in ... Read more

The authorities have failed to implement a High Court order to prevent greedy land-grabbers from filling up river-beds and encroaching the banks of rivers around the city. These unscrupulous people are running their businesses in connivance with some Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) officials, a sand trader on the bank of the

At least 25 people, 10 with bullet, were injured as local BNP activists clashed with police and BGB members in Sitakunda upazila headquarters in the district on Saturday, reports UNB. The injured were admitted to different hospitals of the area. Sitakundu Muradpur union BNP president Mohorom Ali,

Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Hussain Muhammad Ershad on Saturday said that his party was no longer with the Awami League-led grand alliance. “We will formally clear our position soon through a press conference. But we are no longer with the AL-led 14-party grand alliance. Our presidium member GM Quader has already resigned from the cabinet,” ... Read more

The US wants to see the continuation of democratic process and a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh, Nisha Desai Biswal, US assistant secretary of state, said yesterday. She was talking to civil society representatives at the residence of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena in the evening. Biswal also said

Bangabandhu Bridge Govt’s money gobbled up  Probe finds 2 firms pocket Tk 1.16cr Two local firms working at the Bangabandhu Bridge have gobbled up Tk 1.16 crore between November 2010 and March this year, according to an official investigation. Shamim Enterprise Ltd and UDC’s job is to operate and maintain the bridge. The companies embezzled ... Read more

HUGE number of brickfields is operating in the country flouting relevant laws and polluting the environment. It is causing the biggest threat to the public health and we urge the government to stop the running of faulty brickfields to save the people. Estimates suggest that the number of brickfields may run over 11,000 and many ... Read more

GLOBAL civil society leaders at a climate seminar now in progress at Warsaw in Poland have said industrialized nations are responsible for global climate refugees and these refugees must have their right to be rehabilitated in the industrialized countries. We agree with their observations, share their concerns and urge the global community to formally recognize