Breaking News:

Senior BNP leaders granted bail in bomb explosion case until submission of police report* Elias Ali is alive and hiding in good health.. will be produced before the people, says AL MP Tarana Halim* Trial of Salahuddin Quader Chowthury for crimes against humanity starts, proceedings adjourned due to pandemonium* Garmewnt workers of 400 factories join duty ending demonstration* BNP postponed mass procession in Dhaka city in view of police restrictions* Destiny 2000 chairman faces arrest for alleged fraudulence.

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Prof Anwar made new JU VC

President Zillur Rahman on Thursday appointed Dhaka University's biochemistry department teacher Professor Anwar Hossain as the Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University. The appointment came after the incumbent, Prof Sharif Enamul Kabir, resigned, Education Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser told bdnews24.com. The new Vice Chancellor is the President of Dhaka University Teachers' Association. The res

18-party leaders’ bail plea hearing on May 23

A Dhaka court on Thursday fixed May 23 for hearing the separate bail petitions filed by 33 leaders of BNP-led 18-party alliance, including party's acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a vehicle torching case in front of PM's office during hartal.
Judge Jahurul Haque of Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge Court fixed the date in response to 15 separate bail pleas filed by 33

Sheikh Hasina's homecoming day observed

The homecoming day of Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was observed Thursday with a vow to build medium income Bangladesh foiling all conspiracies being hatched by the vested quarters.
The AL and its front organisations chalked out elaborate programmes including hoisting of national and party flags, placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur R

Khokan, Minu among 129 held, 50 injured

Bomb blasts and arrests marked the opposition BNP-sponsored nationwide hartal on Thursday called in protest of a court order jailing 33 of the top 18-party alliance leaders.
More than 100 pro-hartal opposition supporters and activists were arrested from across the country, including 17 from Dhaka Metropolitan area, police sources said.
BNP central leader Khairul Kabir Khokon was det

18-party vows to continue movement

The BNP-led 18-party alliance on Thursday vowed to continue movement till the rescue of missing BNP leader M Elias Ali, release of senior leaders of the 18-party alliance and withdrawal of cases against them.
Addressing a press conference, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said that the government would not be able to stop the opposition movement even it arrests more l

Govt’s indiscriminate arrest, bus torching by opposition hurt average citizens

The torching of 13 motor vehicles on the eve of hartal on Wednesday and causing damage to 300 other motor vehicles in two days; continued arrest, police action on opposition leaders and workers preventing them from bringing out processions have made average people frustrated as they hardly see an escape from the same old tactics applied by two sides.
The fresh spate of hartal since late la

Pro-BNP lawyers agitating on the High Court premises in support of 18-party called hartal on Thursday.

Judiciary now a puppet institution, says SCBA Chief

President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Zainul Abedin on Thursday said the judiciary became a puppet institution now due to government interference.
Addressing a press conference at the South Hall of the bar association the SCBA chief said judiciary has already lost it’s power to function independently.
"The interference of government on the judiciary has created an

Destiny Chairman, 2 others get bail

Destiny-2000 Limited chairman Rafiqul Amin and two others obtained bail on Thursday in fraud case till June 10.
Magistrate Saifur Rahman of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka passed the order on a
bond of Tk 10,000.
Other two accused are: Baishakhi Media Limited directors-
Irfan Ahmed Sunny and Syed Sajjad Hossain.
On May 14, MNH

Resist terrorism bilaterally: Dipu

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni has reaffirm that Bangladesh would continue to promote democracy, secularism, free media, interfaith and intercultural tolerance to fight the menace of terrorism.
"Bangladesh condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, she said while addressing the closing session of the "Regional Workshop on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Co

276 Hajj agencies selected by Govt

The government has initially selected 276 Hajj agencies to send Hajj pilgrims and requested them to sign an agreement with the hajj officer by May 30.
Besides, the government will appoint some Hajj and Omrah agencies to facilitate hajj programme this year. Willing individuals', institutions and travel agencies have been asked to submit application to the Religious Affairs Ministry by May

Thousands of home-going commuters crowded the Kamalapur Railway Station yesterday afternoon to take journey by train as buses and other vehicles remained off the roads due to hartal.

Pak mid-air collision kills four pilots

Two Pakistan Air Force light aircraft collided mid-air on Thursday, killing four pilots on a routine training mission northwest of Islamabad, police said.
It was the sixth Pakistan Air Force crash in seven months and the second in a week, raising concerns over the safety of its largely Chinese and locally made fleet.
The cause of the accident was not immediately clear.
One of

Rizvi gets bail in one case

A Dhaka court on Thursday granted bail to BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in one case, while it rejected his bail petition in another case.
Judge Md Johurul Hoque of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court granted Rizvi's bail in the case filed for cracker explosion inside the Bangladesh Secretariat and the same court rejected his bail plea in the other case filed on charge

Business

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Bank Asia Chairman A Rouf Chowdhury seen with the participants of its 26th Foundation Training Course concluded at the Bank's training institute at Panthapath in the city on Wednesday. Bank’s Managing Director (Current Charge) Aminul Islam was present among the other senior officials on the occasion

Draft import policy to be vetted by cabinet soon

The commerce ministry is preparing the three-year import policy to give it effect from July 1, this year.
The draft 'Import Policy Order 2012-2015' has been finalized with 52 recommendations putting the main focus on trade liberalization and discouraging imports which are harmful for domestic industry, public health and security.
"We've drafted the policy order placing emphasi

Chittaranjan cotton mills to be turned into textile village

The Government has decided to raise a textile village on the abandoned site of Chittaranjan Cotton Mills. . The decision to set up the textile village on 33 acres land belonged to the closed mills came with positive rating from the locals.
The mills were abandoned 15 years ago at Godnail in Narayanganj on the river Sitalakkha. The decision has ben taken by the Cabinet Committe

EBL opens 3 more ATMs in city

Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL) has opened two ATMs at Niketon and Gulshan and one 'EBL 365' kiosk with ATM facilities at Wari in the city on Wednesday.
Bank's Deputy Managing Director Muklesur Rahman inaugurated the new EBL outlets while its Head of ADC Zahidul Haque, Head of Admin and Security Md. Abdus Salam along with other senior officials were present on the occasion.

Saria joins BASF Corp in USA

Saria Sadique, Managing Director of BASF Bangladesh has been appointed Business Director, Automotive in BASF Corporation, USA with effect from 1st June 2012. He is the 1st Bangladeshi and from South Asia and ASEAN to achieve this very high level position in USA.
As the CEO of BASF Grameen, Saria was also successfully led the BASF SE's Social joint venture with Grameen to bring the solution

SJIBL oksys 25pc stock dividend

The 152nd meeting of the Board of Directors of Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd (SJIBL) has recommended 25 per cent stock dividend for 2011 held at its head office in the city recently. Bank's Chairman Anwer Hossain Khan presided over the meeting while its top executives were present.
The meeting decided to hold the Bank's next AGM on June 19 at the city's Bangabandhu International Conference Ce

Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO, BRAC Bank Ltd and Jamal Uddin Ahmed, President of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh shaking hands after signing a deal recently. BRAC Bank will now collect Hajj fees in all branches across the country.

NLI declares 50pc cash dividend

The 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of National Life Insurance Co. Ltd (NLI) was held on Thursday at NLI Tower in the city with Mahmudul Huq Taher, Chairman of the company presiding over the meeting.
The meeting unanimously approved the audit acconts of the company for 2011 and declared 50pc cash and 10pc stock dividend for its shareholders for per share of Tk. 100/- each.

IBBL re-elects new body

Prof. Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher has been elected as the Chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd (IBBL) in a Board meeting of the Bank held on Tuesday. The meeting also elected Yousif Abdullah Al- Rajhi and Engr. Mustafa Anwar as the Vice Chairmen of the Bank.
Bank's new executive committee was formed with Engr. Md. Eskander Ali Khan, Dr. Abdulhameed Fouad Al-Khateeb, Hafizul Islam Mi

duty-free market access to Thailand sought

Bangladesh is now having more emphasis towards developing Eastward trade and Commerce Minister GM Quader on Wednesday sought duty-free access of Bangladeshi products to Thailand to help the growth of trade between the two countries.
"Bangladesh is interested in expansion of trade with Thailand and make it bearing effective fruits we need duty-free access to Thai market, he told

Rwanda seeks more Bangladeshi investment

Rwanda is seeking closer business ties with Bangladesh. They want export from Bangladesh and also investment to his country. The country's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Williams Nkurunziza urged the business community here to expand trade and investment in his Central African country.
He was exchanging views with Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Murshed Murad

Deputy Managing Director of First Security Islami Bank Syed Waseque Md. Ali inaugurating its recently shifted training institute at the city's Bashundhara R/A. institutes' Principal Yusuf Haroon Abedi was present among other bank officials on the occasion.

Rubber plunges to 4-month low Singapore commodity exchange

Rubber plunged to a four-month low as the political impasse in Greece raised speculation the nation may leave the euro, deepening an economic slump in the region and weakening demand for the commodity used in tyres.
October-delivery rubber slumped as much as 5.1 per cent to 265 yen a kilogramme (US$3,317 a metric tonne), the lowest level for a most-active contract since Jan 6, before tradi

Spain sounds alarm on risk premium, warns against Greek exit

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sounded the alarm yesterday after the nation's debt risk premium hit a euro-era record, and he warned against a Greek exit from the single currency zone.
Uncertainties over Greece prompted investors to pour their money into safe- haven German bonds while fleeing eurozone nations seen most at risk such as Spain, which is the region's fourth biggest econ

Stocks prices fall further, taka under pressure

Share prices continued to fall in weekend trading Thursday on higher selling pressure driven by fears of political uncertainty when Bangladesh taka remained under pressure as the euro rebounded from its four month low against the dollar, market analysts said.
They said investors in stock markets became more cautious since Wednesday when Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Dhaka cancelle

Higher dollar, Greece woes hit commodity prices

Gold prices fell down again, crude was mixed and corn, wheat rose Thursday as a higher U.S. dollar and continued uncertainty in Greece weighed on traders, traders said.
They said investors gravitated to the dollar in response to continued uncertainty regarding the political situation in Greece, as they currently see the greenback as a safe haven.
Agricultural commodities were all a

City

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Organization Snippets

Kranti Shilpigosthi
In observance of historic May Day Kranti Shilpigosthi, a cultural organization organised a discussion and cultural programme at the VIP seminar hall of the Central Public Library in the city's Shahbagh on Thursday with its Acting President Nilufar Jahan Chinu in the chair. The discussion was addressed, among others, by Gener

Today’s Events

Conference
Bangladesh Environment Movement organises a press conference on 'Protection of water bodies in Savar region' at the Hall Room of Dhaka Reporters Unity today at 10 am.
Human chain
National Garment Workers Federation organises a human chain in front of the National Press Club today at 4 p

Common people are showing their identity cards at the Secretariat area during hartal hours on Thursday as security measures were tightened.

Opposition can’t pull down govt thru’ chaos: Tuku

State Minister for Law Shamsul Islam Tuku on Thursday said that the opposition cannot pull down the
government by creating chaos in the country. The opposition is "trying to create issues to stage violence on the street, but such programs are not acceptable to the people," he said while talking to the reporters at his ministry. In reply to a question, Tuku said the government ha

Economics of Tobacco & Tobacco Taxation released

Taxing all cigarette brands at a specific rate of Tk 34 per 10 sticks (70% of retail price) could lead nearly 7 million current smokers to quit and prevent 7 million youths from initiating smoking, preventing 6 million premature deaths and raising additional excise revenue of Tk 15.1 billion, according to a report released on Thursday.
Noted economist Prof Abul Barakat presented the report

Dhaka District and Session Judge Abdul Mazid accords reception to outgoing Dhaka-District and Session Judge Special Court-I Borhan Uddin Ahmed by giving crest at Jagannath-Sohel Memorial Auditorium of Dhaka Judge Court on Thursday.

President for public, private initiative in telecom, IT to change rural people's fate

President Zillur Rahman on Thursday called for taking public and private initiatives in the telecommunication and information technology (IT) sector with a view to changing the fortunes of the rural people as well as that of entire Bangladesh.
The President made the exhortation while addressing the inaugural function of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day-2012, or

Call to increase budget for children

Speakers at a roundtable discussion on Tuesday demanded more budget allocation for children aim to success Vision-2021.
The discussion titled 'Investing in Children: An Avenue to Materialise the Goals of Vision-2021' was organized by Save the Children, department of Development Studies of Dhaka University (DU) and Centre for Services and Information on Disability (CSID) here at Dhaka Repor

District

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Orphans of Govt Shishu Paribar in Sirajganj facing threat, feel insecurity

The orphan boys, who were tortured and harassed in several ways in the Government Shishu Paribar (Children/Kid Family) at Raypur in Sirajganj town, are now facing insecurity following the continuous threat of some concerned officials. They are also leading inhuman and miserable life at the Shishu Paribar after their replacement there centering the mysterious behaviour of the staff especially supe

BAGERHAT: A two-day long school-level debate competition organized by Bangladesh Debating Society began at Bagerhat on Wednesday.

3 electrocuted

Tuesday on 11 am Amzad Hossain (30), son of Boytullah and Shain (25), son of Enamul Haque have been electrocuted at the crops field of Mohadevpur Upazila under Naogaon district. On this incident a case has been with Mohadevpur Police Station.
Sherpur Correspondent adds:A associate professor of Sherpur Govt. College died from electrocution in Sherpur Sadar Upa

ISWARDI (Pabna) : Brinjal field is affected by diseases in Iswardi .

Sweet pumpkin gains popularity in Rangpur char areas

Sweet pumpkin cultivation on fallow char lands has gained popularity among the ultra poor living on the Teesta river basins at Gangachhara upazila in Rangpur district.
A good number of growers have already become financially solvent by cultivating the crop on nearby sandy charlands lying on the river beds. According to sources, a total of 100 acres of land of 500 ultra poor people living

Farmers show interest to vegetable farming as it is more profit making

Farmers of the region including the vast Barind tract are showing interest in vegetable farming, as it is being more profitable than any other crops.
As a result, the vegetable farming is on the gradual rise. But, the irrigation cost of the farmers has been enhanced to a greater extent due to the humid weather this year.
Horticulture Specialist Monzurul Huda told BSS that Rajs

Rice price falls in Narsingdi

Prices of rice have registered slight fall with the arrival of new Boro rice in the markets of the district.
Some traders of Narsingdi district town told The New Nation correspondent that the prices would further comedown with adequate supply of rice in the markets.
Coarse rice is being sold at Tk 26 to 28 Per kg against Tk 30 to 32 per kg a month ago. Fine variety of rice is

HSC examinee slaughtered in Jhenidah

An HSC examinee was slaughtered to death in Jhenidah. The terrorists left his body on Dulalpur banana orchard under Shailkupa upazila on Tuesday night.
The victims is identified as Billal Hossain, 25 son of Fazlur Rahman of Charshantidanga village under Kushtia sadar district. He was a student of DM college under Shailkupa upazila. He has already appeared as a casual HSC exami

News In Brief

Robbers loot valuables in Manikganj
Manikganj Correspondent
Robbers looted valuables from a house at Kandhapara village under Saturia Police Station in Manikganj district on Wednesday. Police said a gang of masked armed robbers numbering 15 to 20 entered the house of Abdul Hakim Ali, owner of a brick field, by breaking the lock of the ma

International

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US attack on Iran ready: Envoy

Ahead of the upcoming Iran-P5+1 talks, US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Dan Shapiro says Washington has already drawn up plans for a possible military attack against Tehran.
"It would be preferable to resolve this (Iran's nuclear issue) diplomatically and through the use of pressure than to use military force," Shapiro said in remarks aired by Israel's Army Radio on Thursday.
H

7 dead in attack on Afghan governor

Suicide attackers with explosives stormed a governor's compound in southwestern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing themselves and seven people, officials said.
The attack took place at the compound of the provincial governor of Farah, said Abdul Rauf Ahmadi, a regional police spokesman.
The governor and the deputy governor were unharmed, he said.
When the attackers raided the c

Protest Pak rallyies against US, Israel

Pakistani people have held protest rallies across the country, expressing their anger at Israeli and American intervention in the Muslim world, Press TV reports.
The protesters on Wednesday condemned the brutal acts of Israel against the oppressed people of Palestine.
Chanting anti-US slogans, people from all walks of life, including women and children, participated in the rallies i

HRW urges Zardari not to sign Human Rights Commission bill

The Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged the President of Pakistan not to sign a bill to authorize a newly formed national human rights commission until it is revised to "authorize investigations of the military and the intelligence agencies for human rights violations."
"The National Human Rights Commission if given teeth can play a critical role in improving Pakistan's dir

Syria losing information war against West: Assad

Syria is losing the information war against the West, President Bashar al-Assad has admitted, as violence continued across the country.
"They outplayed us... at the very beginning of the crisis - invented stories," he told a Russian TV channel.
Mr Assad also said the results of last week's elections proved Syrians supported his cabinet's reforms.
Separately, Damasc

Sports

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Parvinder Awana dismissed MS Dhoni for 6 during the IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings at Dharamsala on Thursday.

Abahani maintain lead at the top

League leader Abahani Limited maintain their winning spree by consolidating its position at the top of the table as they blank Arambagh Krira Sangha with a 2-0 win in the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier Football League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday.
Abahani surged ahead in the 9th minute when Arambagh midfielder Jahidul Hasan Dalim fouled winger Zahid Hossain in the dang

UCB First Women's Hockey Competition starts today

The United Commercial Bank (UCB) First Women's Hockey Competition starts today at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium. Bangladesh Hockey Federation will arrange the hockey meet under auspices of United Commercial Bank.
Narail District team will face Nahar Academy in the inaugural match, which starts at 2.00 PM.
Managing Director of UCB M Shafiqul Alam will formally open the

Yuvraj eyes comeback after cancer treatment

India's World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh hopes to return to cricket in "three to four months" after recovering from a cancerous tumour, media reports said on Thursday.
Yuvraj, asked by reporters in Chandigarh whether he could make a comeback in a year's time, said: "One year is too late. I am hoping to make an early comeback, maybe by the next three to four months."

Clarke ties the knot

Former playboy Michael Clarke was enjoying married life Thursday after the Australian Test captain tied the knot with a model in a secret ceremony, saying he was "the happiest guy in the world".
Clarke, known as "Pup" for his youthful precociousness, shocked the sporting world by announcing he married Australian Kyly Boldy on Tuesday in the Blue Mountains west of Sydne

Shah Rukh Khan faces police probe over cricket row

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan faced a police probe and a lifetime ban from Mumbai's main cricket stadium on Thursday following a furious late-night row with staff at the ground, officials said.
The actor, who co-owns the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders, took a group of youngsters including his daughter Suhana onto the pitch of the Wankhede Stadium after a match

Punjab dismiss Chennai by 6 wickets to stay afloat

Returning after a long lay-off, Adam Gilchrist led from the front to take Kings XI Punjab to a comfortable six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at the HPCA Stadium on Thursday.
Punjab's eighth victory in 15 matches kept alive their hopes of making the IPL play-offs this season, while Chennai, having played all their matches and finished on 17 points, stay fourth in the standings but wi

Subhrajit's ton powers CAB U-15 to a commanding position

Visiting CAB U-15 team, rode on opener Subhrajit Das unbeaten ton enabling them to cross Bangladesh U-15 team's first innings total as the visitors were well placed at 220 for 1 in 67 overs at stumps on the second day of the second three-day match at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Thursday.
The visitors are now in a commanding position taking a narrow five run first innings lead

Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic returns the ball to Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the Italian Open Tennis Tournament (ATP and WTA World Tour), in Rome's Foro Italico on Thursday. Kvitova won 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

Under-14 team leaves for Nepal

Bangladesh Under-14 team left for Nepal last morning to take part in the AFC U-14 Festival of Football scheduled to begin from May 10.
The five participating countries- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and host Nepal- are taking part in the tournament that will conclude on May 23.
Talking to BSS over phone, Bangladesh Football Federation public relation officer Ahsan Ahmed said

Focus on Chittagong

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Reception to talented students at Raozan

Raozan Club, Chittagong has arranged to extend reception with awards to the successful students those attained GPA-5 in the last SSC and Dakil examinations within the Raozan upazila.
The reception function will be held at Chittagong press club auditorium on June 7 next. The successful students of Raozan upazila but resides in city area have been requested to get enrolled their

Wine recovered, one held

Detective Police of Chittagong metropolitan police recovered locally made wine of about 40 liters from Patenga thana area on Tuesday night .
One drug peddler named Ranjit Das was caught red handed while selling this contraband drug to others. Acting on secret information, DB police team conducted raid in GM colony, Patenga and recovered these wine . Another accused in drug traf

Hartal observed peacefully

Dawn to dusk hartal called by the BNP-led 18-party alliance was observed peacefully here yesterday without any untoward incidents.
BNP-led great alliance enforced daylong hartal across the country following the arrest of 33 leaders of the alliance in Dhaka on Wednesday last. The major activities of the picketers in support of hartal not found in city area excluding the si

CCCI concerned at snail’s pace of Dhaka-Ctg Highway dev work

President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Murshed Murad Ibrahim expressed deep concern and urged the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her intervention and necessary action in implementing Dhaka-Chittagong Highway four- lane work to a greater pace so that it can meet the deadline.
He conveyed the message to the Prime Minister yesterday

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Senior leaders of Awami League accorded a reception to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on the occasion of her 31st homecoming day on Thursday.

Nigerian woman arrested with cocaine in city

Police held a Nigerian woman with cocaine from a city hotel of Banani area Wednesday afternoon.
The detained was identified as Betti, 32. Sub-Inspector (SI) of Banani Thana Amirul Bashar told banglanews24.com police went in a drive in the hotel and recovered two pieces of cocaine capsule from the room of the Nigerian citizen.
On suspicion and according to doctor's suggestion,

AL restored country’s dignity: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that her party restored the dignity and image of the country that it had lost after the assassination of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with most of its family members.
"The people of Bangladesh had achieved dignity through independence, but lost it after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975. We've returned back

Khokan's remand hearing May 22

A Dhaka court on Thursday fixed May 22 for hearing on the remand plea of investigation officer (IO) Paltan police station SI Mokhter Hossain against BNP education affairs Secretary Khairul Kabir Khokan.
Earlier, in the day, police arrested Khokon and another person from in front of party's Naya Paltan central office in the city in a case filed on April 19. Former deputy minister for

Rural dev officials being trained in Korea

KOICA is providing training to 12 Bangladeshi officials on rural development strategies in Korea from 17th May to 2nd June 2012.
The training has been designed to provide knowledge on policy, strategy and methodology of rural and social capital development, leadership development of rural leaders in Comilla region through application of "Saemaul Undong", a successful community d

FBCCI urges steps to avert confrontation

President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad on Thursday sought a provision for imposing penalty with regular tax rate on whitening undisclosed income.
He also said the businesses do not favour the government decision allowing the investors to invest black money in stocks by paying tax at 10 percent.
"We're urging the government to

Non-govt pry teachers’ new programme

Teachers of non-government primary schools on Thursday announced fresh programs to press for regularization of their job and realizing compensation for the family of a teacher killed in police action in the capital.
President of Non-Government Primary School Teachers' Association Bangladesh Mohammad Shamsul Alam announced the programs at a press conference at the National Press Club.

Length of elevated expressway reduced

The government yesterday decided to reduce the length of Dhaka Elevated Expressway by about four kilometers slashing the alignment touching Mugda, Manda, Maniknagar and Golapbag areas.
Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad announced the decision here following a review meeting on land acquisition and rehabilitation of the project of Dhaka Elevated Expressway (DEE) under Public P

'Tripura's '71 help from sense of responsibility'

Manik Sarkar, Chief Minister of Tripura, yesterday said that people of the Indian state had helped the freedom loving people of Bangladesh in 1971 from their sense of responsibilities.
"We are proud of that. We have nothing to seek or gain in exchange," he added.
The Chief Minister was addressing a winding up session of a 3-day programme jointly organised by Tripura Unive

SUST teachers withdraw strike

The teachers of Applied Sciences Faculty of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet have withdrawn their strike, which was continuing from March 9 in support of their demand for uniform rule for recruitment of teachers and promotion.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the teachers of the faculty on Wednesday night, said Niloy Chandra Sarker, one of the agitating t

Stocks close week with downtrend

Amid political unrest and delay in hearing on writ petition over minimum share holding, stocks at both the
bourses Dhaka and Chittagong - on Thursday posted a slight fall maintaining the downtrend for the last three
consecutive sessions.
Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) benchmark index, DGEN, lost 0.37 percent or 18.84 points to close at 4991.79 after fluctuations throughout the

A number of picketers hurling stones at CNG vehicles in the city during hartal hours on Thursday.

One held for killing of Bangladeshi in Thailand

Thai police arrested the main suspect in killing of a Bangladeshi national at a Pattaya hotel in Thailand. The arrestee is Malee Jindawong, a sex worker. An officer of Bangladesh Embassy to Thailand informed it to banglanews.
Police recovered four necklaces which she wore on that night, two mobile phone sets, and a digital camera from her possession. They suspected that these valuab

Hartal disrupts war crimes trial

The regular proceedings of the International Crimes Tribunal was disrupted yesterday as lawyers of the 1971 war crime suspects abstained from the court while security reasons barred jail authorities from producing the suspects due to opposition stoppage.
Court officials and lawyers said the two tribunals were set to hear arguments in four cases of "crimes against humanity" agains

Editorial

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War with undefined objectives

Abdur Rahman Chowdhury :

The Qatar round of talks between the United States and the Taliban has apparently failed. Neither side has made any statement on the discussions and the reason of the failure of the talks. It is however reported that the conditions put forward by the U.S. representatives were extreme and left very little room for the

How to meet HR challenges

Dr. M. S. Haq :

One of my articles - Kolkata experiences through lenses of Gene mechanics - was published on editorial page of The New Nation - Bangladesh on 4th day of April 2012. The article dealt with a variety of things - against the backdrop of Gene Mechanics, one of my present day brain children. In the article, there was a brief mentio

Every child deserves a 5th Birthday

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has recently launched a campaign under the above mentioned title with the motto - "Every child deserves a 5th birthday, together we will end preventable child deaths".
While heartily appreciating USAID's campaign to ending preventable child deaths globally, I would like to request everyone to join the "Every Chil

Concern about freedom of judiciary

INCREASINGLY, people in different sections of life but specially the intelligentsia, are starting to cry for the independence of the judiciary in Bangladesh. The latest incidents of mass arrests of central leaders of the main opposition party and the courts' response to them, have brought the matter into sharp focus. The leaders were first sought to be arrested on charges framed by the police dur

For people-oriented climate adaptation

CLIMATE change is sure to affect the ecosystem, society and economy of the country in the near future due to its geographical position, and characteristics and agrarian base of economics. The country is expected to lose more than five percent of crop growing season due to unusual pattern of monsoon, rising temperatures, leading to serious consequences on food scarcity. Rice yield is likely to dec

Feature

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Catechu Makes Brown

Sheikh Arif Bulbon:
The revival of natural dyes and vegetable colours is not confined to the realm of textiles. It has a deeper significance for visual arts. One artist in particular stands out as an advocate of natural colours in Bangladesh - the legendary artist SM Sultan.
Sultan chose to live close to nature, abandoning the city for Narail

‘Patience and Admiration’ at Interior Depot

Art & Culture Report:
The first solo photography exhibition by Nazmul Haque titled “Patience and Admiration” was held at the Interior Depot in the city’s Gulshan area recently.
Renowned artist Monirul Islam inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest. The exhibition features images of wildlife, birds and cityscapes, most of which

Nazrul Academy celebrates Tagore’s birth anniversary

Art & Culture Report:
To celebrate the 151st birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Nazrul Academy organised a discussion and cultural function at its auditorium in the city’s Moghbazar’s Belalabad area recently.
The programme was presided over by Research and Publication Secretary of Nazrul Academy M Mizanur Rahman, while General Secre

Reading Circle’s book reading on Tagore’s short stories at IGCC tomorrow

Art & Culture Report:
On the occasion of the centenary of the publication of Rabindranath Tagore's celebrated work-"Gitanjali"-in English, the Indira Gandhi Culture Centre (IGCC) of the High Commission of India is going to organise an evening of book reading by noted literary group of Bangladesh, "The Reading Circle", of Rabin

‘Raja Himdari’ to be staged next month

Art & Culture Report:
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have survived. His first plays were written later than those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides. The most famous tragedies of Sophocles feature Oedipus. Sophocles influenced the development of the drama, most importantly by add

Posh zones turned business hubs

Sheikh Arif Bulbon:
Though Dhaka city is nearly 400 years old and got the capital status at least a couple of hundred years before, it started to develop again as capital city of a provincial government after the partition of British India in 1947. Dhaka again started to develop in a more planned way under a Master plan of DIT, which was established

Patua Quamrul Hassan Art Foundation honours BB Governor

Weekend Plus Report:
Patua Quamrul Hassan Art Foundation gave a reception to noted economist, Tagore exponent and Governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Dr Atiur Rahman at a function at Dhaka Club recently.
The Foundation honoured him as Dr Atiur recently got honorary award ‘Indira Gandhi Gold Medal’, which was given by Asiatic Society of Kolkata.<

Recipe

Sweet Potato Salad

Ingredients
Dressing
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Foyer Design

A foyer is an entryway to your home. The careful design and decoration of foyers is often neglected as these areas are sometimes considered just to be a pass through space. But it is necessary to keep in mind that foyers give guests the first impression about your home. And more importantly, it is the place to greet you when you come home.

Foyer Decorating Tips
l

Abul Fazal : A committed writer

Sayeda Banu:
Abul Fazal (1903-1983) educationist and writer, was born on 1 July 1903 in the village of Keochia in the Satkania upazila of Chittagong district. His father, Moulvi Fazlur Rahman, was Imam of Chittagong Jame Masjid. After initial schooling at a Madrasah, Abul Fazal completed the BA from Dhaka University in 1928. In 1931, he did his BT fr

Lyricist Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal

Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal a poet, educationist, singer and composer of songs, was a professor of Bengali literature at Dhaka University and worked for the government as the Director General of the Bangla Academy from 1986 till his death.
Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal was born in Gobinda village of ullahpara upazila in the district of Pabna on 11 March 1936. After passing MA in Bangla in 1959 from D

Snake dance

Corey Ford:
This slight story has an emotional impact that will give you a warm feeling toward Jerry, who is playing a much harder role than the one he reports to his mother. Notice how the author's telling of the story directs a sympathetic spotlight on his main character.
"Hello. That you, Mom? .. Oh, I'm sorry, operator, I thought I w

Poem

To blossoms
R. Herrick

Fair pledges of a fruitful tree,
Why do ye fall so fast?
Your date is not so past,
But you may stay yet here awhile,
To blush and gently smile,
And go at last.
What, were ye born !o be
An hour or half's delight,
And so to bid good- night ?
'T

Chittagong University students facing severe session jam

Alamgir Khandoker, CU:
The students of Chittagong University are facing acute session jam. Session jam that take away valuable years from the lives of the students. Students to qualify three to four years degrees in eight to nine years. Due to lengthy closures occasioned by politically motivated violence session jam occurs.
About 5000 students

Science fair at Daffodil Int’l School

Campus Life Report:
Daffodil International School hosted its Annual Science Fair 2012 on a bright and sunny Tuesday 14 May. Like every year, this year also the students of Play Group to Std. VIII took part in the Fair. The students had put their investigation in a wide variety of exciting experiments. Everyone switched their brains on and tried to be

Disabled friendly media role must

Sayeed Shuvo, RU:
Speakers at a seminar at Rajshahi University urged the policy makers of different media to play their vital roles in establishing disable friendly country. They urged the media people to play more roles to eradicate all barriers from their social lives as they have a good contribution on overall development of the country.
S

Op-ed

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Water security for growth, sustainability

Global Water Partnership:
Water security for a green economy: Water is a vital ingredient for the transition to a green economy, for poverty reduction and for sustainable development in all countries. It is crucial that the Conference outcomes include a sustainable development goal for water security as part of an agreed green growth agenda. Continue

Is Europe on a cross of gold?

Barry Eichengreen:
Increasingly, one hears predictions that the euro will go the way of the gold standard in the 1930's. And, increasingly, the reasoning behind such forecasts seems persuasive. But does that mean that the euro doomsayers are right?
Following the 1929 stock market crash, Europe was hit by a massive deflationary shock. Output co

Shock-proofing Asia’s economies

Noeleen Heyzer:
Uncertainty and volatility have quickly become the "new normal" of the global economy. For several reasons, this turbulent external environment poses the most significant threat to Asia-Pacific growth in 2012.
One of this environment's main features is the ongoing weakness of major developed economies. The expected V-

18 May, 2012 Friday