Economists are warning that Britain’s lifeless economy and slow progress in spending cuts endangers its privileged AAA credit status, which may be downgraded by credit ratings agencies this year. This week, thirty-one economists surveyed, gave a median 60 percent chance…
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Poverty-cut story wins UNDP prize
Bangladesh has won second place in an annual United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) storytelling competition with a story that highlights the success of its poverty alleviation efforts. The story had a specific focus on the contributions that destitute women have…
DSE gaining
The key index of Dhaka Stock Exchange gained more than 58 points to stand at over 4,149 points after two hours of trade on Tuesday. Shares and mutual funds worth over Tk 1.78 billion changed hands with 219 issues gaining,…
Muhith wants WB in Padma project
Finance Minister AMA Muhith is set for a visit to Washington in February to meet the President of the World Bank to resolve the standoff over the funding of the Padma Bridge. Talking to journalists at his Secretariat office on…
‘Bangladesh an East-West bridge’
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says that Bangladesh’s geographic location makes it a ‘convenient connecting hub’ between the Eastern and Western countries. “It’s essential to utilise this opportunity (geographical location) properly for the country’s socioeconomic development,” she said on Tuesday while…
BCL, Padma graft allegation embarrass govt: Inu
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu says the Awami league’s student affiliate and the allegations of corruption over the Padma bridge project have affected the image of the government during the last four years. “The unruly acts of [Bangladesh] Chhatra League…
Collect rape evidence fast: HC
The High Court on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the DNA and medical test of the rape victim without any delay. HC also asked to file case against rapist soon after rape.
Cargill cattle plant closes for global warming
From: RP Siegel, Triple Pundit It sounds a bit like justice served, doesn’t it? When Cargill announced the closing of its Plainview, Texas, cattle operation, they cited a record low cattle supply as the result of the region’s severe drought.
Thai minister backs Bangladesh workers
Thailand’s Labour Minister on Monday backed the fishing industry’s idea that its acute labour crisis could be eased by importing manpower from Bangladesh. The National Fisheries Association of Thailand proposal surfaced on Jan 22 apparently as workers from Myanmar, Cambodia…
Stocks end positive Monday
The prices of the most shares on the country’s premier bourse increased on Monday, to continue upward trend for the fifth consecutive day. The benchmark General Index of DSE, gained 26 points to reach 4,197 points at closing of the…
BGMEA sit-in calls for arrests
Apparel workers on Monday held the owners of Tazreen Fashions and Smart Fashions responsible for the death of at least 118 workers in devastating fires, demanding they be arrested by Jan 31. They hit the authorities with the deadline from…
BNP won’t allow stage-managed polls
A senior BNP leader on Monday said his party would resist any government move to manipulate the next general election from behind the scenes keeping the opposition away. The statement is a response to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks of…
Cabinet okays drafts of five laws
The cabinet approved in principle the drafts of five laws including the extradition treaty with India, Freedom Fighter-Public Servants (Retirement) Act-2013, Rural roads maintaining policy, Alternative Child Food Marketing Controlling Act-2013. Cabinet also approved the proposal of announcing April 28…
Jamaat, Shibir clash with police in Motijheel
At least 15 policemen were injured when activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front, Islami Chhatra Shibir, attacked the law enforcers in Dhaka’s Motijheel commercial area on Monday. ”The amaat-Shibir activists set fire to two vehicles and smashed over 100…
Benazir for shooting Shibir activists
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Benazir Ahmed on Monday asked police personnel to open fire targeting Shibir activists as soon as they (Shibir) are visible. The city police boss came up with the direction while visiting injured police members at…
Chetia cannot be extradited for asylum prayer
The ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia will not be extradited under the treaty signed Monday, Bangladesh’s Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir said at a joint press conference after the signing of the landmark pact. To a question on India’s request…
‘President’s call useless’
he chief opposition party’s MP Moudud Ahmed said the call bore no value. “It’s not consistent with the reality. That’s why we cannot respond to the President’s call.” Zillur made the call during his opening speech at the 16th session…
Hall-Mark loan scam: ACC quizzing 7 Shajalal officials
Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) started quizzing seven officials of Shahljalal Islami Bank Limited (SIBL) for their alleged involvement in ‘non funded’ loan scam with controversial Hall-Mark group. The officials are- SIBL Iskaton Branch assistant vice president (AVP) and deputy manager…
Winter session begins with BNP staying away
The 16th session of the ninth Parliament began but the main Opposition BNP stayed away in keeping with its recent tendency to boycott the House. The session’s proceedings, presided over by the Speaker Abdul Hamid, started around 3:30pm. President Mohammad…
BGB-BSF flag meeting held in Lalmonirhat
A commander level flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India was held at Nazirgamari Border under Patgram upazila of the district on Sunday morning. Lalmonirhat-31 BGB Patgram Camp Company Commander Subedar Abdul Khalek…
Congress team for duty free access to US
Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni categorically said visiting US Congressional delegation thinks that Bangladesh should get duty free access of its products to US market. The foreign minister also suggested Bangladesh to appoint lobbyists as they need support of more…
245 killed in Brazil nightclub fire
At least 245 people have been killed in a nightclub fire caused by a pyrotechnics show in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria. A police official has said, reports Al Jazeera. ‘There are 245 dead and 48 in the…
Bangladesh to be ‘Global Disease Detection site’
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is strengthening its ties with Bangladesh as part of its initiative to protect the global community from the urgent public health threats. Director of the world’s leading public health institute Dr…
HC asks govt: Don‘t harass or arrest Fakhrul
The High Court (HC) directed the government not to harras or arrest BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in new case for the next two months ‘without proper legal procedure’. An HC bench comprising Justice Hasan Foyej Siddique…
‘No proof of sabotage in Tazreen fire’
Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir on Sunday said there was no proof of any “act of sabotage” behind the fire at Ashulia’s Tazreen Fashions Ltd, which claimed the lives of over hundred garment workers late last year. He said there…
Padma Bridge getting new design
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina categorically said that with the help of army, Bangladesh University of Science and Technology (BUET) and Bridges Division a new design for Padma Bridge would be prepared by the next six months. The premier came up…
Mymensingh to be City Corp
The government has decided to upgrade Mymensingh municipality to a City Corporation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday told Awami League Parliamentary Party at a meeting that the proposal would be placed at the next meeting of National Implementation Committee…
‘Doesn’t matter who participates in polls’
The remark of the Prime Minister comes amid opposition’s threat to boycott the election. Amid opposition’s threat to boycott the next parliamentary election if the government does not restore the caretaker government system before it, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on…
Ferries hike charges for cars
Charges for private vehicles boarding ferries are expected to rise, because of the recent hike in fuel oil rates, Shipping & Inland Water Transport Minister Shahjahan Khan said on Saturday. Charges for private cars are in for the hike, which…
Bangladeshi named for ‘Padma Shri’
India has named a Bangladeshi citizen for one of its highest civilian awards ‘Padma Shri’ on the occasion of its 64th Republic Day, being celebrated Saturday. According to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Jharna Dhara Chowdhury, Secretary of the…