After several failed attempts, New York state is poised to ban single-use plastic bags provided by stores, making it only the second US state, after California, to pass such a rule. With Democrats controlling both chambers of the state legislature,…
Month: March 2019
Singer Khurshid Alam hurt in Bogura road crash
Entertainment Desk Prominent Singer Khurshid Alam, 75, was injured when a truck hit his private car on Dhaka-Rangpur highway at Jhupgari in the district early today. He is now undergoing treatment at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital, said…
Malaika , Arjun Kapoor to get married on April 19
Reports have been doing rounds for quite some time now that Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor will be getting married this year. The couple will reportedly tie the knot on April 19. According to the buzz, the rumoured couple will…
Suborna Mustafa, Sabyasachi in Cox’s Bazar for shoot
Entertainment Desk The much talked upcoming movie “Gondi” of Fakhrul Arefeen Khan’s has been in the spotlight from the beginning of this year, for its storyline and cast. The first part of the film was shot in London while the…
221 shops gutted in Gulshan DNCC kitchen market fire
Dhaka, Mar 30 – Just two days after a major fire in the Dhaka’s Banani area left 25 people dead, another fire broke out at Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) kitchen market in Gulshan area early Saturday and gutted all…
Thai Election Commission blames software for counting error
Bangkok, Mar 30 (AP/UNB) — Thailand’s Election Commission said that computer software was partly to blame for inconsistent and delayed vote totals from last Sunday’s general election. During early reporting of the election results, its tabulation software had trouble handling…
Barisal Varsity VC says sorry for his remarks against pupils
Barishal, Mar 29 – Amid growing student protests, Barisal University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Imamul Haque on Friday expressed sorrows for his recent ‘offensive comment’. In a press statement signed by university public relations officer Faisal Ahmed, the VC requested the…
Bridging the gaps for the disabled
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 29 2019 (IPS) – People with disabilities are being left behind, and steps must be taken to ensure their inclusion in the world of education and work. Approximately 15 percent of the world’s population, or an estimated one…
First city fully ravaged by climate change tries to rebuild
MAPUTO, Mar 29 2019 (IPS) – The city of Dondo, about 30 kilometres from Beira, central Mozambique, didn’t escape the strong winds of Cyclone Idai. It is estimated that more than 17,000 families were displaced and more than a dozen schools…
Dhaka highrise fire death toll climbs to 25
Dhaka, Mar 29 (UNB) – The death toll from the devastating fire at FR Tower in the city’s Banani area rose to 25 as six more bodies were recovered from the spot on Friday morning. Talking to reporters at the…
Dr Kamal for national commission to ensure building safety
Dhaka, Mar 29 (UNB) – Jatiya Oikyafront convener Dr Kamal Hossain on Friday suggested formation of a national commission to find out whether there is any lack of law in ensuring safe construction of high-rise buildings in the country. “We…
It’s no accident, but killing: BD minister about highrise fire
Dhaka, Mar 29 (UNB) – Terming the Banani fire a killing incident not any accident, Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Friday promised that stern actions will be taken against those responsible for it, no matter how…
Govt acting like a puppet: Fakhrul
Dhaka, Mar 29 (UNB) – Describing the Awami League-led government as a ‘puppet-one’, BNP on Friday alleged that bureaucrats are now ruling the country. “We all know who did what in the (December-30) election. Now, the state is being run…
French New Wave director Agnes Varda dies aged 90
Paris, Mar 29 (AP/UNB) — Filmmaker Agnes Varda, a trailblazer of the French New Wave and feminist activist who later won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, has died. She was 90. Her production company Cine Tamaris confirmed…
Dhaka highrise fire survivors narrate tales of horror
Dhaka, Mar 29 (UNB) – It was not possible to see anything as there was a dark wall of smoke everywhere. Within 10 minutes the smoke spread throughout the building making it difficult for people to escape. Exhausted and terrified, Hasina…
French court finds “bone tests” flawed, but constitutional
France’s highest court recently ruled that controversial bone tests to assess the age of unaccompanied migrant children are flawed, but nevertheless comply with France’s Constitution. The Constitutional Council acknowledged that such tests contain a “significant margin of error”. They have been the…
Only a national government can prevent “no deal” Brexit
At the time of writing it seems unlikely that the Withdrawal Agreement will be accepted by Parliament on 29th March, the day originally set for the UK to leave the EU. Parliament has decided that in these circumstances it will hold…
The EU Del expresses deep condolence at loss of life in fire
“The Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh expresses its deep condolences for the loss of lives from the fire at FR Tower on Kamal Ataturk Avenue at Banani, Dhaka. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families which lost…
New UN Climate report another strong wake-up call: Guterres
The increasing number of natural disasters and dangers linked to climate change, highlighted in a major UN report released on Thursday, represents “another strong wake-up call” to the world, which must be countered by finding sustainable solutions quickly, UN Secretary-General…
Dhaka highrise fire survivors narrate tales of horror
Dhaka, Mar 29 – It was impossible to see anything as there was a dark wall of smoke everywhere. Within 10 minutes the smoke spread throughout the building making it difficult for people to escape. Exhausted and terrified, Hasina Parvin,…
Premier cricket: Legends of Rupganj maintain top slot with Abahani
Dhaka – Legends of Rupganj beat Prime Doleshwar SC by 72 runs on Friday, maintaining their top slot in Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League with holders Abahani Limited. Rupganj and defending champions Abahani both have 12 points from seven matches.…
Inter-district Women’s Kabaddi begins in Faridpur
Dhaka – The final round of the Inter-district Women’s Kabaddi Tournament began in Faridpur on Friday with hosts making a good start beating Rangpur by 31-14 points in one of the four opening day’s matches. In the day’s other matches,…
2nd Div Football: Mugda SKS beat BG Press 4-1
Dhaka – Mugda Samaj Kallayan Sangsad earned a facile 4-1 goals victory over BG Press in the Dhaka Metropolis 2nd Division Football League at the Kamalapur Stadium here on Friday. Asaduzzaman struck twice in the 51st and 81st minutes while…
Safe menstrual practices important for progress
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 28 2019 (IPS) – As menstruation continues to be shamed in many communities, one organisation is rising up to the challenge to ensure “safe menstruation for all women of Bangladesh.” Half of the approximately four billion women around…
‘Don’t tell my husband I have leprosy’
MAJURO, Mar 28 2019 (IPS) – Meretha Pierson has been a nurse for the past seven years, working in the government-run leprosy clinic in Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands. Her patients come in all ages, from different economic backgrounds…
US performs first kidney transplant from living donor with HIV
The kidney of a 35-year-old HIV- positive woman has been transplanted into another patient with the virus that causes AIDS, US surgeons announced Thursday, in a major medical breakthrough. The surgeons at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore performed the operation…
Ocean heat hits record high
Ocean heat hit a record high in 2018, the United Nations said Thursday, raising urgent new concerns about the threat global warming is posing to marine life. In its latest State of the Climate overview, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)…
Ethnic minority cultural festival begins
A two-day ethnic minority people handicrafts and cultural festival began here yesterday amidst various colourful programmes. Rajshahi Divisional Ethnic Minority Cultural Academy organised the festival at Green Plaza of Rajshahi City Corporation here aimed at promotion of ethnic culture and…
‘Lal Jomin’ brings tears to audience’s eyes
Lal Jomin, a solo drama, based on the War of Liberation, was staged at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) on the occasion of the Independence and National Day on Tuesyesterday. The 203rd show of the hour-long drama kept the audience…
Hit US political satire ‘Veep’ back for final curtain call
When “Veep” premiered in the middle of Barack Obama’s presidency, its brand of dark satire — and its take on narcissism in American political life — seemed at odds with reality. Seven years on, the award-winning HBO comedy — which…