The High Court on Sunday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why it will not be directed to take steps against those responsible for selling essential medicines at excessive prices, reports UNB. An HC bench comprising Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain came up with the rule in
Other Headlines
Toxic wine behind Alexander’s death?
Mail Online Alexander the Great built a legendary empire before his untimely and mysterious death at the age of just 32 in 323 BC. Some historians argued his death was due to natural causes, while others maintained he was secretly murdered at a celebratory banquet. Now, an Otago University scientist may have unravelled the case some
Staying in both govt, oppn ‘against norms’
The government plan to include opposition Jatiya Party lawmakers in the cabinet contradicts an observation of the High Court that terms such inclusion immoral and violation of democratic norms. One Delwar Hossain had filed a writ petition with the High Court in 2006, challenging the legality of picking up ministers from the opposition, to form ... Read more
New ministers swear in today
Having notched up a majority in the 10th general election held on January 5, the Awami League-led 14-party alliance will form the new cabinet with an at least 40-member council of ministers on Sunday. President Md Abdul Hamid will administer the oath at the Bangabhaban at 3.30pm, military secretary to the President, Maj.-Gen. Fakhruddin Ahmed, ... Read more
Justice Habibur Rahman no more
A former chief adviser of a caretaker government and a former chief justice Muhammad Habibur Rhaman passed away at United Hospital in the capital at about 9: 50pm yesterday. He was 85. Rahman, a language veteran, was taken to the hospital at about 9:00pm after he became severely ill with a headache. Later, doctors declared ... Read more
Blockade postponed from tomorrow
New govt has no legitimacy: BNP mgir has made the announcement of postponing the blockade,” party assistant office secretary Shamimur Rahman Shamim said in a statement. He said the alliance will announce fresh programmes soon. Earlier in the day, Alamgir in a statement said, “The non-stop nationwide blockade of the 18-party alliance will resume at 6am Sunday ... Read more
Ershad takes oath at last
Gazette names Rawshan as Leader of the Opposition M Ershad, as the Leader of the Opposition of the 10th parliament. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath of Ershad, who was elected an MP from Rangpur-3 constituency in January 5 polls. The oath taking ceremony took place at the Speaker’s room in parliament amid an unusual secrecy, ... Read more
Workers being fired only to be hired on contract
RMG factory owners blame it on difficult situation A large number of readymade garment (RMG) factories in the capital and other industrial areas have cut jobs of a segment of their workers blaming it on workers’ unrest and difficulty in implementing new wage structure. Factory owners, labour leaders and leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and ... Read more
Khaleda visits Gulshan office after 2 weeks
Chinese envoy meets BNP chief BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia visited her Gulshan office on Saturday for the first time in at two weeks after a virtual confinement in her residence. Khaleda came to the office without any protocol, which she had been enjoying as the leader of opposition. In her first engagement at the office she ... Read more
Start talks on fresh polls
The chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Robert Menendez, has written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, urging them to begin negotiations on holding a fresh election that will be free, fair, peaceful and inclusive. In identical letters to both the leaders dated January 8, the influential ... Read more
Condemnation pours in against assaults on Hindus
Different organisations continue to condemn the spate of attacks on religious minorities and demand exemplary punishment of the perpetrators who recently swooped on the community, especially the Hindus, and damaged their houses and properties. On Saturday, they held human chains and rallies to express their exasperation towards such atrocious acts
Cold claims 40 lives in north so far
The biting cold in the past few days disrupting life in the country’s north has claimed at least 40 lives, mostly children and elderly, according to reports from our correspondents and other sources. Most deaths occurred in the Sub-Himalayan districts of Kurigram and Thakurgaon, where chilly winds were too much for the elderly and children,
EC warns against anarchy during voting in 8 seats
Chief Election commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed has directed the law enforcing agencies to guard against violence, arson and other unlawful activities in eight constituencies where elections will be held on January 16. According to the Election Commission (EC), polls will be held in 8 constituencies in six districts — Kurigram, Gaibandha, Dinajpur,
No diplomatic stand-off with US: India
India’s Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid has said there was ‘no stand-off’ with the US, over Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade who was arrested in the US, reports BBC. Salman Khurshid told this to reporters in Delhi, and predicted problems with the US would be sorted out. “If there are any issues” India and the US will “sort
UK to continue support: Envoy
Amid speculations about the UK aid programme in Bangladesh, British High Commissioner Robert W Gibson yesterday said Britain will continue to support the poorest and most marginalised people in Bangladesh, reports UNB. “UK aid is a partnership between the people of Britain and the people of Bangladesh,” said the British diplomat in a statement. He ... Read more
60 rescued
Illegal Trip To Malaysia 60 rescued 4 brokers arrested Police at a bus terminal in Chittagong yesterday rescued 60 people and arrested four suspected human traffickers in connection with trying to send them to Malaysia illegally. The suspected human traffickers are identified as Sohel Rana, 25, Md Ridwan, 28, Md Anwar, 22, and Mir Kashem ... Read more
Road accidents kill 3 in Tangail, Gazipur
At least three persons were killed and 20 others injured in separate road accidents in Tangail and Gazipur Saturday afternoon. Basail police officer-in-charge Md Salauddin Miah said that a 22-year-old man was killed on the spot and 20 others were injured as a Dhaka-bound bus fell into a roadside ditch at Kashil Chairmanbari in Basail upazila. The ... Read more
Enough is enough
Hasina tells Khaleda to stop ‘killing’, resolve problem, if any, thru talks Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday warned Khaleda Zia that she would be forced to take a strong stand if the BNP chairperson did not refrain from killing people in the name of carrying out political movements. “I urge BNP chief Khaleda Zia ... Read more
Down but not vanquished
BNP draws up post-poll movement strategy After having failed to force the government to postpone the January 5 election in the face of a massive crackdown, the main Opposition BNP is redrawing its strategy to launch a fresh movement. It will include hartal and countrywide organisational tour by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to drum up ... Read more
JP ‘bargaining’ for ministerial berths
New cabinet likely tomorrow A section of Jatiya Party (JP) leaders, led by Rawshan Ershad, wife of HM Ershad, is bargaining with the Awami League for portfolios in the Cabinet in accordance with commitments made before the election. The JP chairman, HM Ershad, however, did not take oath on Friday despite publication of the gazette. ... Read more