Bangladesh News

CA pledges all-out support to legitimate commerce

Monday, December 3rd, 2007Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed reiterated yesterday his government's all-out support and priority-based cooperation in expanding competitive and legitimate commercial activities in the country."The trend of international market is now oriented towards globalisation. Foreign trade is now more competitive and is based on knowledge and policy guidelines than any other time in the past. We'll have to turn this challenge into opportunity through pragmatic strategy and combined efforts," he said.Fakhruddin was addressing the inaugural function of the three-day Third Bangladesh Knitwear Exhibition 2007 at Hotel Sheraton, organised by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).The chief adviser said partnership and ... (read more)

Trial of Hasina starts today

Monday, December 3rd, 2007The trial of an extortion case against detained Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina and two others begin today at a Special Court in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex.Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court will begin the hearing on charge framing against Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and cousin Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim at 9:30am, court sources said.Earlier on November 28, the court directed jail authorities to produce Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim before the court today.The trial against Sheikh Rehana will be held in her absence, as she has still not ... (read more)

Naser Rahman’s wife sent to jail

Monday, December 3rd, 2007Detained former BNP lawmaker M Naser Rahman's wife Rezina Naser was sent to jail yesterday in a case filed against her for amassing wealth through illegal means.Meanwhile the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday pressed charges against detained former state minister for communications Salahuddin Ahmed and his wife Hasina Ahmed in connection with a graft case.Also a Dhaka court yesterday directed authorities concerned to publish an advertisement in two national dailies asking former Awami League (AL) lawmaker Dr HBM Iqbal and four of his family members to appear before the court within the next three days.REZINA NASER Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque of the ... (read more)

Advisers want more scrutiny of law

Monday, December 3rd, 2007The council of advisers to the caretaker government yesterday sent back the Independent Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Ordinance-2007 to the law ministry for further scrutiny for ensuring full independence of the commission."The law ministry will place the ordinance to the council as soon as possible after review," Syed Fahim Munaim, press secretary to the chief adviser (CA), told reporters at a news briefing in the CA's office following a meeting of the council.He also said it is yet to be finalized with which government authority the commission will be affiliated.The council of advisers approved the EC's proposal to ... (read more)

Growth gains should reach marginalised people

Monday, December 3rd, 2007Economists yesterday underscored the need for taking the benefits of economic growth to the marginalised section of population to offset the increased level income inequality.They suggested creation of a central agency for economic affairs for the government's macro-, micro- and sector-based policies to address future development challenges.They also recommended autonomy for Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and more operational independence for Bangladesh Bank and the think tanks for economic advancement.The recommendations came at the inaugural session of a two-day international conference styled "Development Prospects of Bangladesh: Emerging Challenges" presided over by Centre for Policy Dialogue Chairman Prof Rehman Sobhan.Bangladesh Institute ... (read more)

Hurricane Sidr: 12 relief seekers held for bringing out procession

Monday, December 3rd, 2007Police yesterday arrested 12 relief seekers on ground of violating emergency rules as around 500 of them brought out a procession demanding relief materials in a cyclone-affected outlying village of Barguna.Legal steps would be taken against the arrestees upon completion of primary interrogation, said Sohrab Ali, officer in charge of Barguna Sadar Police Station (BSPS).Speaking with The Daily Star, he added, "No one has the right to bring out any procession breaching the state of emergency -- regardless of his or her demand."The arrestees -- Zakir Hossain, 28, Harunor Rashid Master, 40, Abdur Rahman, 36, Sushanta, 38, Tuhin, 32, Humayun ... (read more)

Tarique granted HC bail in 2 extortion cases

Monday, December 3rd, 2007The High Court (HC) yesterday granted ad interim bail to Tarique Rahman, senior joint secretary general of the BNP, in two extortion cases while another division bench issued a ruling on the government to explain why detention order against him should not be declared illegal.A Dhaka court, meantime, set December 6 to pass judgment on a seven-day remand prayer for Tarique in another case.TARIQUE'S BAIL The division bench of Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman and Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury granted the ad interim bail to Tarique, reports UNB.The court also issued a ruling upon the government to explain in ... (read more)