Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia on Saturday gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the government for announcement accepting BNP’s demand for an interim non-party caretaker government for holding the next general election in the country. “We have already given you a lot of time for declaration about a non-party and neutral caretaker government for overseeing the next ... Read more
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Respond to offer of talks, Hasina tells Khaleda
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Saturday, urged the opposition leader in Parliament, Khaleda Zia, to come to the talks table to resolve the current political stalemate. “Respond to our offer of talks and shun the politics of killings,” Hasina said at a meeting with the grassroots leaders of Barguna district unit of Awami League, at ... Read more
ILO against boycotting of Bangladeshi RMG
Against the backdrop of the Savar tragedy, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) voiced its opposition against boycotting of Bangladeshi readymade garments by the international buyers. “I want to make a plea to resist the temptation for boycott or sanction. We have to keep that away from the situation provided that we act and we act ... Read more
‘60m people very poor’
Eminent economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said 50-60 million people are still very poor in the country despite anti-poverty efforts by NGOs. “Bangladesh has achieved success in many sectors and the rural economy is a real boost”, he said while addressing a national convention in the city on Friday.
Khaleda has taken collision course: PM
In an immediate reaction to the ultimatum given by the opposition leader for holding the election under non-partisan government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Khaleda has taken the course of confrontation. “But the door of dialogue is still open,” Mahbubul Huq Shakil, PM’s special assistant quoted the prime minister as saying. Meanwhile, the leaders of the
Savar death toll rises to 554
Rescuers sifting through the rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza, on Saturday, recovered 20 more bodies from the debris, and, with this, the death toll from the tragic incident rose to 554. The tragedy struck the eight-storey building on April 24. Recounting the search operation, officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station Asaduzzaman, on Saturday, said ... Read more
Hefazat’s ‘Dhaka siege’ today
Leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh (HIB), on Saturday, announced that they were firm in their intention to besiege Dhaka, at any cost, today, despite the Prime Minister’s call to postpone their programme. Premier Sheikh Hasina had urged them to defer their blockade programme, so as to help rescue operations at the building that collapsed in Savar,
Savar survivor Arati stares into a bleak future
Fourteen-year-old Arati Rani Dhar was seething in pain on her bed at the Enam Medical College Hospital. Bandaged, her right leg has been amputated from below the knee. She has survived, but lost one of her vital limbs. Suffering severe trauma, she screamed: “What sin have I committed
Virgin sea beach surfaces in Bay of Bengal
A virgin sandy sea beach has surfaced in the southern corner of the country and is awaiting tourists and visitors. The newly surfaced sandy beach, with an unspoilt pristine beauty, is around 15 km long and is located on a small island in the southern district of Bhola. This virgin beach is located between two ... Read more
Stop violence before building talks platform: Mozena
US ambassador to Bangladesh, Dan W. Mozena, on Saturday, said that dialogue is necessary to keep democracy alive in Bangladesh. “America wants to see Bangladesh go ahead, overcoming the critical moments, through dialogue. Political violence should be stopped, before building a platform for dialogue,” he said, while addressing an inaugural function on ‘USAID
Strike at Benapole Port from today
Six organisations linked to export-import business through Benapole Port will go on an indefinite strike on Sunday. They announced the strike after a joint meeting of the six organisations at C&F Agent Association. The six organisations are: Benapole C&F Agent Association, Jessore Chamber of Commerce, Benapole Truck Owners’ Association, Benapole Transport Owners’ Association,
Burial money of Savar victim looted
Robbers looted the cash given to a family member of a Savar tragedy victim for her burial here in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur, while they were returning home with the body on Saturday early hours, rescued on the 10th day of the accident. The deceased was identified as Khadiza Begum, 30, wife of Younus Ali ... Read more
Hefazat’s demands not acceptable: MKA
Home Minister Dr. Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir said on Saturday that Hefazat–e-Islam’s 13-point demand were not acceptable against the backdrop of the present situation of the country. There is no logic to accept their demands. He added that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently cleared the matter in her speech. The minister said this while talking to journalists ... Read more
PM urges BNP, Hefazat to postpone programmes
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday urged the opposition BNP and Hefazat-e-Islam to postpone their planned protests in Dhaka scheduled for March 4 and 5 respectively taking into consideration the ongoing rescue operations for the Savar victims. “It is their democratic rights to hold peaceful rallies anytime anywhere in Bangladesh. However, I request
ILO pushes for a roadmap today
Visiting Deputy Director General (DDG) for Field Operations and Partnerships, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo said here on Friday that they are expecting a way forward after Savar tragedy and a roadmap will be there by Saturday to address safety issues. “I’m looking forward in a very positive way. We’ve to consider this ... Read more
BNP for written proposal on talks
The BNP says it will agree to negotiate if the government proposes a dialogue in writing and agree to restore the caretaker system to conduct parliament polls. Party chief Khaleda Zia’s adviser Shamsuzzaman Dudu responded on Thursday to Prime Minister’s offer for talks to Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia. “We’d like to request the prime minister ... Read more
Hefazat turns down PM’s proposal
Immediately after the Prime Minister’s call to postpone its Dhaka siege programme scheduled for May 5, Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh (HIB) Maulana Ahmad Shafi on Friday said they would go ahead with their programme. “There was no assurance and directive about implementation of Hefazat’s 13-point demands in prime minister’s speech during her press
FBCCI urges Hefazat to withdraw siege
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at a press conference on Friday urged Hefazat-e-Islam to withdraw its Dhaka siege programme considering the rescue operations of the tragic Savar building collapse incident. “The programme will create a new crisis in the country’s political arena,”
Eminent citizens welcome dilaogue move
Dhaka, May 3: Eminent citizens welcomed the government call to the opposition for dialogue to resolve the ongoing political impasse and emphasized that dialogue was the only solution to groom the democratic process in the country. Eminent jurist Barrister Rafique-ul Huq welcomed and thanked the prime minister Sheikh Hasina to invite the opposition leader Khaleda ... Read more
Offers of adoption for Shahina’s son pour in
Even as the story of Shahina in the aftermath of the Savar tragedy evoked nationwide anguish, more such tragic tales are unfolding in the wake of the Rana Plaza building collapse. Twenty-five-year-old Rehena Akter, and her husband Monsur Ali, 30, both perished in the Savar disaster. Rehena was the daughter of Ibrahim Ali, a footpath ... Read more