Senior Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim on Monday urged opposition chief Khaleda Zia to return to Parliament with a specific proposal for a poll-time government to hold the next general election in a free and fair manner. “Return to the Jatiya Sangsad with a specific proposal, alternative to the caretaker government system. The government
dhaka
BNP warns govt against political confrontation
Senior BNP leader Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain on Monday warned the government against indulging in “politics of confrontation”. “The ruling Awami League wants to cling to power forcibly. In a bid to make its mission a success, it is trying to fish in troubled waters. It will be solely responsible if the politics of confrontation takes place ... Read more
Defence chiefs pledge to uphold constitution
The chiefs of the three armed forces on Monday told the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry at its meeting that despite provocation by any quarter they would not support extra-constitutional steps. Quoting the three chiefs of the services, Idris Ali, chairman of the committee told the media, that they (three chiefs) were oath-bound
14-party alliance announces fresh programmes to resist anarchy
The ruling 14-party alliance on Monday announced fresh programmes in a bid to what they said ‘resist the anarchy of the communal and anti-liberation forces’. The programme includes holding of rally from May 2 to May 4 across the country. Briefing the media after the 14-party meeting, Awami League presidium member Mohammad Nasim said,
Journos observe token hunger strike
Journalists observed a token hunger strike on Monday demanding the release of Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman. They observed the token hunger strike from 10 am to 2:30 pm on the National Press Club premises. Ruhul Amin Gazi, president of a faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), said that they will continue
Nation greets Bangla 1420 in style and colour
The nation on Sunday celebrated “Pahela Baishakh,” the first day of the Bengali New Year 1420 with fanfare and festivity in style and a traditional colorful way. The grand celebration kicked off as the first sunrise of 1420 became visible on the eastern horizon, welcoming the New Year with especially chosen seasonal song – “Eso ... Read more
Dr Yunus to receive US Congressional Award Wednesday
Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank, will receive the US Congressional Gold Medal award on Wednesday. Prof Yunus is already in the USA to attend the historic award-giving ceremony to be held in Washington, an official at the Yunus Centre told UNB on Monday.
Migrant Workers Act approved
The Cabinet on Monday approved a new law titled “Oversees employment and Migrant Workers Act 2013” allowing seven years of jail and a fine of Tk one lakh for cheating and forging passport in the name of sending workers abroad. The approval was given in its regular meeting, held at the secretariat with Prime Minister ... Read more
Police halt lungi-clad bikers’ procession
Police on Saturday foiled a procession of bikers towards Baridhara brought out in protest against a reported ban on lungi-clad rickshaw pullers in the city’s one of the ‘posh’ areas. The lawmen, led by Kazi Mainul Islam, an inspector of Banani police station, stopped more than 200 lungi-clad bikers near Banani playground when
Slumped trade continues in audio industry
Mixed albums featuring upcoming singers released Set against the backdrop of the slumped trade market, audio production companies have not taken any major initiative for a big budget project targeting the Pahela Baishakh celebrations. Mixed albums featuring popular and upcoming singers will be the main attraction by the audio CD music industry for Pahela Baishakh ... Read more
Restore political stability for economic growth: WB
Breaking out of low investment trap biggest immediate challenge, it says The World Bank on Saturday said Bangladesh must restore political stability for the sake of its economic growth. The recent political violence is hampering the country’s investment opportunity and development prospects, said officials of
Bikers in lungi ride towards Baridhara today
Bike riders will march to Baridhara, one of the ‘posh’ areas in Dhaka, today protesting at a reported ban imposed a few weeks back on lungi-clad rickshaw pullers in the area. BD Cyclists, a Dhaka-based bike riders’ association, will organise the ride to begin at 4:00pm from Manik Miah Avenue in front of Jatiya Sansad ... Read more
Sabina Yasmin to perform in Kolkata
The nightingale of Bangla songs Sabina Yasmin is scheduled to go to Kolkata on Friday to perform in two concerts. Famous in Bangladesh and also popular in Paschim Banga, Sabina Yasmin has been invited by the famous Indian singer Usha Uthup. To mark the 43rd year of Usha Uthup’s dominant presence in India’s music arena, ... Read more
Pvt sector credit growth slumps below 14pc
Economists, businessmen say low growth ominous sign for economy The credit growth in the private sector declined to below 14 per cent in February on year-on-year basis for the first time since the financial year 2009-10 due mainly to the recent political unrest, said economists, businessmen and bankers. They said that such low credit growth ... Read more
Prolonged unrest is weighing on ecomonic growth: Moody’s
The ongoing political unrest and violent general strikes are weighing on Bangladesh’s economic growth by heightening the vulnerability and threatening to derail reform progress, said Moody’s in its latest credit outlook. The US-based credit rating agency in the report released on Thursday said the GDP growth of the country would fall to 5.9 per cent ... Read more
Govt eyes to cut joblessness by half, poverty by 2/3rds by 2030
The government targets to cut unemployment and underemployment by 50 per cent and the poverty headcount by two-thirds by 2030 under a draft post-2015 development agenda. The Planning Commission has already framed a draft of the country’s post-2015 development agenda which the United Nations may adopt after
RMG makers allege banks floating rules
Garment manufacturers on Thursday alleged that the commercial banks continued to stop granting them fresh loans if there were substandard classified loans against their names violating central bank order. They also alleged that a number of banks
United Power first to go under revised rules
United Power Generation and Distribution Company, a private power enterprise, on Thursday announced that it would go public under the ‘Book-Building Method’ for the first time after the controversial method was amended following the 2010-2011 stock market crash. The company is scheduled to hold a road-show for institutional
Dhaka, Delhi sign MoU for small dev projects
Bangladesh and India on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of small developmental projects in Bangladesh. Economic Relations Division secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran signed the MoU on behalf
DW, ETV launch Onneshon
Bangla Tele informative show titled Onneshon, created by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), featuring environment and technology will be aired on local channel Ekushey Television, declared at a press conference held on Wednesday at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. The show will be screened at 6:30pm on Saturdays and will be repeated at 3:30pm on ... Read more