The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has blasted the main opposition BNP chief, Khaleda Zia, for her comments that the constitution would be ‘thrown away’ saying none expected such remarks from the opposition leader. ‘Nobody expects such comments from the leader of the opposition,’ she said as the newly elected
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Bangladesh, India launch enclave census
Bangladesh and India launched on Thursday a census of enclaves – areas where one country’s territory is surrounded by the other – in an effort to end complex border disputes. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, a government official in Dhaka, said the first-ever census would count people living in 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 55 Bangladeshi ... Read more
2 girls allegedly commit suicide, two killed in traffic accidents in city
Two persons were killed in separate traffic accidents while two young girls allegedly committed suicide in the city on Thursday. Bilkis Akhter, 17, daughter of Abdus Sattar, allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at Begunbari in Tejgaon area
Awarding IOCs land, shallow sea blocks draws flak
High officials of the energy sector are frustrated over the government’s decision to float fresh international tenders for oil and gas exploration on land and the shallow parts of the Bay of Bengal. There are not many potential areas left for Bapex, the state-run company for oil and gas exploration and production, since the major ... Read more
Cop assaults journo for graft report
Police assaulted a journalist in Tanore upazila of the district yesterday for writing a report depicting corruption and irregularities in the local police administration. The report was published on Wednesday in Sonar Desh, a local daily, where the victim, Imran Hossain works as an upazila correspondent
People to oust govt: Khaleda
The leader of the opposition in the parliament, Khaleda Zia, also the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, on Wednesday said that her party would not allow the holding of any parliamentary polls if they were not held under a caretaker government. Putting out a call for the people to rise up and overthrow the government, Khaleda ... Read more
Students mourn death of fellows
Students of the educational institutions across the country, participating in the national mourning programme on Wednesday, expressed their deep shock and sorrow at the death of 44 fellow-students in Mirsharai. Black flags were hoisted at schools and colleges across the country. The students and teachers wore black badges, attended special prayer sessions and observed
Terror strikes Mumbai again
20 killed, 113 injured as blasts rock the city Terror struck India’s financial hub Mumbai last night leaving at least 20 people dead and 113 injured in 3 separate blasts in quick succession, confirmed the Indian home ministry. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said, “These are terror attacks. It is an attempt to disrupt peace.” ... Read more
Mobile courts may be used to check traffic indiscipline
Cell phones can’t be used while driving The government is seriously thinking of using mobile courts to ensure strict enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance to bring about much-needed discipline in country’s transport sector, with a particular eye to checking the use of mobile phones by people while driving. Home affairs minister Sahara Khatun on ... Read more
Viqarunnisa managing committee dissolved
Guardians allege decision made to save principal The government on Wednesday dissolved the managing committee of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College after some committee members, in the absence of the chairman, Rashed Khan Menon, had removed Husne Ara Begum as the principal and appointed senior teacher Ambia Khatun to the position. The government also formed ... Read more
No respite from loadshedding in Ramadan
Austerity advised Electricity consumers are unlikely to get any relief from power outage during the ensuing holy month of Ramadan, reports UNB. Rather, they will face 500-700 MW load shedding during the Ramadan beginning August 2 although about 1000 MW power was added to the national grid in last one
Farmer drove truck
The man, who was driving the truck that turned turtle into a ditch in Mirsarai killing so many children Monday, was a farmer most of his life and he did not even have a driving licence. Mofiz, in his late 40’s, was a helper to the driver of the vehicle owned by Haji Rice Mill. ... Read more
No hope for left eye
Doctors say after surgery on Rumana Dhaka University teacher Rumana Manzur will never regain her vision in the left eye, said opthalmologists of Vancouver General Hospital in Canada after conducting a surgery on Tuesday. The eye-specialists have decided to operate on her right eye tomorrow, said Rashed Maqsood, a cousin of Rumana
Housewife tortured to death for dowry
A 15-year-old pregnant housewife, who was undergoing treatment after her husband allegedly tortured her at his in-laws’ house for dowry, died at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Tuesday night. The deceased was identified as Jannatul Ferdous, daughter of Abul Kalam, a madrassa teacher and a resident of Haji K Ali Road under Kadamtoli police ... Read more
One month in jail or Tk 500 fine
Soft law sees rise in mobile-talking-driving offences Poor implementation of a law is allowing drivers to talk over mobile phones while driving, putting lives of many at risk. The rules say that an offender has to pay a nominal fine of Tk 500 or serve one month in jail or both for talking on the ... Read more
Tears in heaven
Rubber slippers float on water, reddish partly from oil leaked from the truck or from blood of 42 children and 2 others who perished when it plunged into the ditch. People still come and stand silent to give a vacant look at the site. Only ravaging anger and a sense of nothingness prevail
Survived but shell-shocked
His whole body except the left leg was free. The leg was stuck in the muddy ditch bed and the railing of the truck. Only a few inches under the water, Borhan felt it was miles to conquer. He tried to gather strength to give it a last try. Someone trapped under the truck pulled ... Read more
Highrise parking at Karwan Bazar
Says mayor, discloses budget for Dhaka Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) yesterday announced a Tk 2715 crore budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, increasing allocations for maintenance and development of traffic infrastructure by 11.27 percent. Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka unveiled the budget at Mahanagar Natya Mancha with no raise in holding tax. The budget has allocations ... Read more
Saudi Arabia may recruit more Bangladeshis
Saudi Arabia will consider taking more workers in farm and other sectors from Bangladesh, the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, told the Bangladesh foreign minister, Dipu Moni, in Jeddah on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia will also ease restrictions on allowing changes in iqama (work permit) of Bangladeshi workers, he said
Analysis: Saudi Arabia needs to ensure full protection for foreign domestic workers
By MUNA KHAN The issue of the mistreatment of domestic workers in Gulf nations is not new, but it has remained in the spotlight since an Indonesian maid was beheaded in Saudi Arabia on June 18 for killing her employer. Not only has it turned into a diplomatic fracas between the two nations, but it ... Read more