He is on leave, says HT Imam Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, absentee minister of state for home affairs yesterday set at rest all speculations about his political career by claiming that he personally handed over his resignation letter to the prime minister on May 31 and therefore was no longer a minister of the government. ... Read more
News
Farmers feel pinch of a draught-like situation
There has been a draught-like-situation across much of the country because of lower than usual rainfall in this peak rainy season, posing a serious threat to Aman cultivation, according to a government report. The country might face a full-fledged draught first time in eight years if the prevailing hot spell without sufficient rain continues in ... Read more
BB announces monetary policy: Lending rate cut stressed
The Bangladesh Bank yesterday announced a “pro-active accommodative” monetary policy for next six months to spur investment, sustain growth, emphasising lending rate cut and keeping provision to supply fund from foreign currency reserve. “The prime goal of this monetary policy is to assist a sustainable and productive growth by keeping inflation at a tolerable level,” ... Read more
BNP applies to EC seeking time till Jan 31
Submission of constitution With the deadline for submission of final party Constitution to the Election Commission only six days away, the BNP yesterday submitted an application to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) seeking time until January 31 next year for submitting its constitution following approval by the national council. While the ruling party the Awami ... Read more
CNG Filling Station Owners to enforce non-stop strike from August 1
If 6-point demand not met by July 31 CNG Filling Station Owners to enforce non-stop strike from August 1 Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association is “determined” on their stand to enforce countrywide nonstop strike from August 1 if their 6-point demands were not met by the government by July 31 deadline. ... Read more
$1,149m sought from donors
Climate Change Battle $1,149m sought from donors The government yesterday sought $1,149 million global assistance for mitigating the impact of natural disasters on a long-term basis, especially in the coastal districts which are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. “We appealed for assistance from the international community mainly for construction of embankments, cyclone ... Read more
Kalam stresses efficient water management on regional basis
Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam on Sunday said the co-riparian countries in the region should develop an efficient water management for their mutual benefit. “Better management of water can ensure regional benefit of this resource,” Kalam said during talks with Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Grameen Bank headquarters after his arrival here ... Read more
Pakistan committed to fighting terror, Hillary tells India
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended Sunday Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism, while warning that the perpetrators of last year’s Mumbai attacks must be brought to justice. “We believe there is a commitment to fighting terrorism that permeates the entire (Pakistan) government,” Clinton told reporters in New Delhi during her first trip to India ... Read more
Ctg Port facing shortage of equipment
July 19: The Chittagong Port, the country’s prime seaport, is suffering from acute shortage of container handling equipment causing serious problem in the field of maritime trade. The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) about four years back procured 141 container handling equipment at a cost of Tk 330 crore in order to gear up the container ... Read more
Clouds over fate of 60,000 rural poor
Govt decides not to extend leases of over 800 water bodies to a Grameen subsidiary A government decision of not extending leases of over 800 water bodies to a Grameen Bank subsidiary put livelihoods of over 60,000 rural poor in jeopardy. Grameen Motsho O Pashusampad Foundation (GMPF), which transformed hundreds of derelict ponds into viable ... Read more
AL failure to hold alliance meeting annoys partners
Most of the components of the ruling Awami League-led alliance have expressed frustration at the Awami League’s failure to hold even a single meeting with its allies in six months after assumption of office. Some of the parties in the alliance feel that the government has failed to address problems like the rising commodity prices ... Read more
Jobs for 2,000 youths in Barguna, Kurigram
Tk 100 a day during training, Tk 200 when employed proposed for National Service programme The government would provide employment to around 2,000 HSC-passed unemployed youths in two most poverty-ridden districts during the current fiscal year under the newly introduced ‘National Service’
Fund release to be made conditional on progress of ADP works
The finance ministry will make disbursement of development funds conditional on satisfactory progress of project implementation works on a monthly basis, officials said. ‘We will not disburse any fund to ministries if they fail to show satisfactory progress on monthly basis in implementing development projects under Annual Development Programme,’ said a senior official of the ... Read more
Online registration likely for SSC, HSC students
The government is going to introduce online registration for Secondary School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent examinees in phases, education ministry officials said. The education ministry at a recent meeting, presided over by the education secretary, Syed Ataur Rahman, decided to resume
Century’s longest total solar eclipse July 22
The solar eclipse that will take place early morning on July 22 will be a total eclipse of the sun to be visible from a narrow corridor through northern India, eastern Nepal, northern Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar’s northern tip, central China and
Mandela Day launched as anti-apartheid icon turns 91
Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, celebrated his 91st birthday on Saturday with the launch of a special day for good deeds to be done in his name. Surrounded by family and anti-apartheid stalwarts at his home in Johannesburg, the increasingly frail elder statesman was showered with messages of goodwill from world ... Read more
Former Indian president Abdul Kalam arrives today
Former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam arrives here today on a three-day visit. “During his tour, the high-profile dignitary will address the students of the premier Dhaka University, join the convocation of a private technological university, hold talks with Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and attend a dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister ... Read more
IFC conference on Tipaimukh: Take issue to int’l fora if Bangladesh ignored
A daylong national conference on ‘Transboundary rivers’ yesterday adopted a declaration urging the government to take the issue of construction of Tipaimukh Dam by India to the international fora, if the demand for all data and information on the plan are not shared and Bangladesh’s opinion is
Rajshahi Mayor for captive dredging in River Padma to check environmental degradation
Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation AHM Khairuzzaman Liton here on Saturday called for captive dredging in the Padma river to protect the region from environmental degradation. He observed that human livelihood, economy and environment of the region is completely dependent on the river so effective step
Cabinet reshuffle that never was
Prime Minister’s meeting with President Zillur Rahman yesterday fuelled renewed speculations that the cabinet would be reshuffled any day before the Friday’s Awami League National Council Session. Spokespersons of the President’s House, the Prime Minister’s Office as well the AL high command took pains to explain that