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Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh phoned Sheikh Hasina last evening and congratulated her on assuming office as prime minister of Bangladesh. He wished her and the people of Bangladesh all success in the endeavour to strengthen democratic institutions in Bangladesh, according to a press release of the

The European Union (EU) expects Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s new government to make a talks offer to the BNP to reach an agreement for holding an inclusive, transparent and credible election. “Now that there is a new government, the EU expects that it will make an offer of dialogue to the BNP, in order to ... Read more

Stray incidents of violence marked the countrywide blockade, enforced by the BNP-led 18-Party Alliance, on Sunday. The blockade, which resumed at 6am on Sunday, after a two-day break, will continue till 6am on Monday as the 18-Party Alliance has postponed its protest programme after this period until further

The local patrons of 37 foreigners, who were arrested on charges of illegally running Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) business at Uttara area in the city, wanted to use them to siphon off people’s money through forged credit cards in Bangladesh, RAB sources said. On December 22, a team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-1 conducted ... Read more

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will launch an investigation into the wealth and assets of some ministers and MPs of the previous government. The decision was taken at a meeting on Sunday, a senior ACC official said. The official said former ministers and MPs, who contested the January 5 general

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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,

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

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