Archive for April 1st, 2007
Sunday, April 1st, 2007Hours after the execution of the six linchpins of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), the government high-ups yesterday gave hints that it is now the turn of the patrons and masterminds of the militants to face trial."We have already tentatively identified the patrons of the organisation [JMB]," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad told a private television channel."There were patrons behind the militants and by this time we have almost identified them. We have got names of persons involved with the organisation from the militants arrested so far. We have area-wise lists and we are proceeding based on this," he ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden followed up the record breaking exploits of Glenn McGrath to make Bangladesh's debut in the Super 8's a forgettable one at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua earlier today.The opening pair consigned the Tigers bowling to all corners of the ground as they overtook Bangladesh's total off 105 to reach 106 off only 13.5 overs without the loss of a wicket to complete a comprehensive ten wicket victory in their rain reduced 22-over encounter.Gilchrist scored a sparkling 59 off 44 balls with the help of eight fours and one six while Hayden chipped ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007The forthcoming 14th Saarc Summit in New Delhi is expected to focus particularly on trade, terrorism and connectivity amongst the member countries. The two-day summit that begins on Tuesday at the Vigyan Bhavan Convention Centre will underscore an increased global interest in the region with the US, European Union (EU), China, Japan and South Korea participating as observers for the first time since the launching of the regional grouping 22 years ago in Dhaka.Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse, Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007Prices of produce in different kitchen markets in the capital are in a downward trend since Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) started setting up open markets where retailers may sell their produce for lower prices than other kitchen markets. The price of a kilogram of onion was Tk 16 to Tk 18 in TT Para open market in Kamalapur while the price was Tk 22 to Tk 24 in other kitchen markets on Friday. The price of a kilogram of rice in BDR operated markets was Tk 15.25 while the minimum price of a kilogram of rice was Tk 21 in Hatirpul ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007Some local ship building companies are receiving orders worth millions of dollars from foreign buyers for large ocean-going ships as they are diverting orders from developed East Asian countries to labour intensive developing countries like Bangladesh.Ship building industry sources said since countries like South Korea and Singapore are becoming less interested in building such ships, European buyers are now coming to Bangladesh, China and India.Bangladesh can be a major builder of large ocean-going ships if the government allows duty free import of steel, the basic raw material for ship building industry, they say.Duty free import of steel can be ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007Former post and telecommunications minister barrister Aminul Huq was sued on Friday night for aiding and abetting the militants of banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).This is the first case against any of those ex-BNP ministers and lawmakers widely alleged to have backed the rise of Islamic militancy in the northern districts.Fazlur Rahman, who was abducted by Bangla Bhai and his gang and left maimed three years ago, filed the case with Bagmara Police Station in Rajshahi.Besides Huq, the main accused, four other BNP leaders including Rajshahi district BNP General Secretary Shis Mohammad and 23 JMB operatives are among the ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007Bangladesh yesterday asked for duty-free access for its goods to the Indian market and the removal of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers to reduce nearly $8 billion cumulative trade deficit between Bangladesh and India, when Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury met Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.Terming the meeting an attempt to revive the dormant bilateral negotiation structures between the two neighbours, Iftekhar said India reassured Bangladesh that no water would be diverted from the Tipaimukh river and Mukherjee has given positive signs for ratifying the 1974 Indira-Mujib Land Boundary Agreement."We asked the Indian government to provide duty-free access for ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007Saarc foreign secretaries yesterday discussed taking Safta to the next level by including a free trade in services and unanimously deciding to recommend the setting up of South Asian University, creation of Saarc Food Bank and granting Iran observer status. The first day of the two-day Saarc Standing Committee Meeting in New Delhi, comprising foreign secretaries, included discussions to operationalise the Saarc Development Fund (SDF) and a regional transport network ahead of the Saarc leaders' summit to be held in the Indian capital on April 3 and 4."We discussed taking Safta to the next level by including trade in ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, marking the birth and death anniversary of Prophet Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH), will be observed across the country as elsewhere around the Muslim world today.President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, immediate past prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the occasion.The day is a public holiday.The government has chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day. The programmes include hoisting the national flag atop all government and non-government buildings, publishing supplements in newspapers, displaying banners inscribed with 'Kalema Taiyeba' at important government buildings, establishments and roads, illumination ...
(read more) Sunday, April 1st, 2007As the seventh meeting of the Forum for Regional Cooperation among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) began in Dhaka yesterday, speakers at its inaugural session emphasised that transport connectivity among the member countries is crucial for economic exchanges.They also said when improved transport connectivity will be in place, Chittagong Port will become a commercial hub for the region, as the Bay of Bengal will become more accessible to the BCIM member countries for transporting their exports through the port.The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) is organising the two-day meeting of BCIM Forum focusing on further strengthening the regional economic ...
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