The Myanmar army has reportedly flouted international rules by planting land mines within 100 yards along its border with Bangladesh, especially opposite to Rezuamtali and Tombru border posts. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had notified
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Anti-terror amendment bill passed amid opposition boycott
As the Parliament on Tuesday passed the Anti-Terror (amendment) Bill-2013, opposition lawmakers led by BNP leader Moudud Ahmed walked out of the House in protest against its passage. The bill moved by Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir and passed by voice vote allows the courts to accept videos, still photographs and audio clips
Bureaucratic tangles stall digital phone project
Bureaucratic tangles have reportedly delayed a Tk. 500 crore Japanese-funded project to digitalise the telecommunication sector. The project, Telecommunications Sector Development, aims to save the country crores of Taka by cracking down on the illegal network of Voice over
HC issues rule on ACC chief
The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a rule asking the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman Ghulam Rahman to explain under what authority he has been holding the post of the ACC chairman despite the expiry of his tenure on May 1. It also asked the authorities concerned to explain why all the actions under the ... Read more
WB submits probe report on Padma bridge scam
Finance minister AMA Muhith received the final investigation report of the World Bank’s (WB) external experts panel on the Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB) Project scam. In the report, the WB panel noted that they found a criminal conspiracy that includes former communication minister Syed Abul Hossain as the most
BNP wants consensus on CG issue: MK Anwar
BNP standing committee member MK Anwar on Tuesday urged the Speaker of Parliament to take steps to reach a consensus over the non-party caretaker government (CG) issue for holding the next general poll in a free and fair manner. “Compromise between the Awami League and the BNP over the CG issue is a must. We ... Read more
Assurances galore but no implementation
Despite a slew of assurances from the leaderships of both Bangladesh and India for the last 21 months, the much-talked-about Teesta water sharing agreement has not been signed yet. Besides, no conclusion of the issue appears to be in sight in the near future. An interim agreement on Teesta water sharing was set to be ... Read more
Polls boycott by any party unlikely: PM
Terming the country’s people democracy loving and pro-election, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said she does not believe anyone could think of boycotting the polls. “I don’t think anyone is thinking of boycotting the next election,” she said when outgoing Danish Ambassador Svend Oiling paid a farewell call on her at her office.
Heat wave with humidity makes life difficult
A heat wave pushing mercury upwards and lack of rain despite high humidity across the country have started taking its toll due to dehydration and heat related problems. In Dhaka city, which recorded a maximum temperature of 36 Degrees Celsius and a minimum of 28.7 Celsius did not have a drop of rain despite high ... Read more
Barisal poll, a ‘do-or-die’ match for rival political alliances
The battle of the ballot in Barisal has turned into a fight between ‘jote’ and ‘mahajote’, between the BNP-led alliance and the ruling Grand Alliance. There are three mayoral candidates in the fray, but two of them are important: Ahsan Habib Kamal, who is supported by the 18-party alliance,
Bangladesh pledges contribution to Palestinian cause
Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Tuesday pledged a token contribution of $ 50,000 from the government of Bangladesh to finance the Strategic Plan for Development of Al-Quds and Al-Sharif of Palestine. She made the announcement during her
Child labours engaged in hazardous work
Young men in their teens work in the city’s Bangla motor area at road side “auto-repair shops”. They specialise in repairing broken or damaged plastic body parts of motor-bikes and motor-cars. Though highly skilled, these young men’s jobs are extremely hazardous. They use open fires to heat up metal files to shape solid and resin ... Read more
Telecom firm to change city phones
The Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTCL) is going to implement a new project to replace about 180,000 land phones, including about 70,000 broadband lines, in Dhaka with a new technology, officials said. The new project, Telecommunication Network Development, will be implemented in six telephone exchanges here. The project will also include IGW,
428 out of 528 City Corporation polling centres vulnerable: EC
The zonal election offices and law enforcement agencies have identified 428 out of 582 polling centres in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet City Corporations as “vulnerable”. In a paper prepared by the Election Commission (EC), based on information supplied by these agencies, it noted that “Rajshahi is the den of ‘Sibir-Jamaat’
Moudud, Tofail trade charges in parliament
Opposition BNP’s senior lawmaker Moudud Ahmed and ruling Awami League’s prominent politician Tofael Ahmed locked horns over a range of issues including Tarique Rahman and caretaker government in the Jatiya Sangsad on Monday. Taking part in the discussion on the supplementary budget, Moudud Ahmed urged the ruling party men to refrain
Labour rights, GSP to dominate talks during Kerry visit
The issues relating to labour rights, workplace safety, next national election and generalized system of preferences (GSP) facilities for Bangladeshi products are expected to dominate the bilateral talks between US secretary of state John Kerry and Bangladesh foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni, according to sources.
Chittagong sitting on a seismic zone: Expert
Chittagong and its adjoining areas are highly vulnerable to earthquakes. Dr Mohammed Jahangir Alam, vice-chancellor (VC) of Chittagong University of Science and Technology (CUET) and city planner, said: “Most of the buildings in the port city lack quake-proof measures and no other precautionary arrangements to face any such natural disasters”. “As a result,
Umrah visa validity limited to two weeks
The Hajj Ministry of Saudi Arabia has decided to limit the validity of Umrah visas to only 14 days because of the ongoing work to expand the mataf – the circumambulation area, reported Arab News on Sunday. According to a circular sent to Umrah agencies in the Kingdom and Saudi missions abroad two days ago, ... Read more
Five risky bldgs being evacuated CMCH staff quarter
Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) authorities have decided to evacuate five risky buildings of hospital staff quarter. Six families were evacuated from a building of the quarter on Monday after its balcony collapsed on Sunday. Members of Chittagong Fire Service and Civil Defense helped the families to shift their belongings to safer places.
Upcoming poll is a must under CG oversight, says Khaleda
BNP chairperson and leader of opposition Khaleda Zia said she would never allow Awami League-led grand alliance government to hold the next general election keeping it remain intact in power. “The next general election is a must under a non-party caretaker government oversight. The next general poll would not be allowed to hold under the ... Read more