Archive for August 16th, 2008
Saturday, August 16th, 2008Lust for wealth coupled with ability to make the most of his position as the political secretary to former prime minister Khaleda Zia earned Harris Chowdhury fancy flats and cars and stashes of notes.Using threats, winning businesses favourable concessions and grabbing government property, he became set up for life during the BNP-led alliance rule.Findings of investigations by the Task Force and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) go on and on about shady deals that made Harris a filthy rich.They reveal how he intimidated former Rajuk chairman and public works secretary Iqbal Uddin Chowdhury into giving him a flat.Ziaul ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008The nation yesterday paid effusive tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the 33rd anniversary of his death with the day observed at state level as National Mourning Day after a six-year break.On this day in 1975, the father of the nation along with most of his family members was assassinated by a splinter group of the armed forces. His two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -- escaped the bloodbath since they were abroad at the time.Bangabandhu's fiercest speech and decisive call for independence on March 7, 1971 -- 'Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinotar sangram' ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008The food and disaster management ministry will again involve Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in the next open market sale (OMS) of rice despite disputes over depositing of the profit money BDR had earned from the previous sales.The paramilitary force earned Tk 4.30 crore by selling 35,000 tonnes of rice at their outlets in 2007-08 financial year but it did not deposit the amount to the government exchequer, which disappointed the ministry officials.The officials said they were against involving the BDR in the OMS again, but they were helpless in the face of "strong lobbying" by some quarters in favour of the ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008More than 300 groups of muggers have been using around 500 spots in areas under 33 police stations across the capital to mug people with new techniques everyday, according to a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) research.DMP already identified 434 of those spots and declared the areas of Sutrapur, Jatrabari, Pallabi, Ramna, Tejgaon, Uttara, and Dhanmondi as the most affected.The police department also termed mugging as one of the major problems faced by the city residents as well as law enforcers.On July 29, a night time rickshaw ride of a private university teacher, from Gabtoli to Shahbagh, had him ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 33rd death anniversary.The president and the chief adviser placed wreaths separately at the grave of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj. They stood in solemn silence for a few minutes when army bugles played the last post, paying tribute to the father of the nation.Later, the president and the chief adviser, accompanied by senior civil and military officials, offered special prayers, seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Bangabandhu and for the peace, progress and prosperity of the country.Army Chief Gen ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's aides are in talks with the government to secure a deal under which he could quit to avoid facing impeachment or criminal charges, officials said yesterday.Musharraf's spokesman Rashid Qureshi condemned "malicious" Western media reports that he would stand down, but allies and officials from the ruling coalition both indicated that he was considering his resignation."Talks are underway and many people are interested that the issue is settled amicably without going into the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf," key ally and former deputy information minister Tariq Azim told AFP.Azim refused to rule out the possibility that Musharraf ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008Michael Phelps claimed his sixth Beijing gold and sixth world record as the United States mounted a gold rush on Friday, but the gloss of the Games was tarnished with the first drug failures.North Korean shooter Kim Jong-Su, who had won a silver and bronze medal, and unplaced Vietnamese gymnast Do Thi Ngan Thuong had both tested positive, the IOC said.They were the first doping failures in competition since the Games began a week ago.In an age where superlative performances spark suspicion, Phelps was moved to say his superhuman exploits are achieved fairly."Anyone can say whatever they want, I know, ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008The holy Shab-e-Barat will be observed across the country tonight seeking divine blessings for the well-being of mankind.The observance of Shab-e-Barat has special significance for Muslims who believe that on this night Allah determines the fate of all living beings for the coming year.Muslim devotees will spend the night at mosques and houses, offering special prayers They will also hold milad, visit the graves of their near and dear ones and offer prayers for the peace of the departed souls.They will also distribute food and sweetmeat among the neighbours and the poor on the holy night.President Iajuddin Ahmed and ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) resumed sale of essentials including rice at its 100 fair-price outlets in the capital yesterday."Rice along with other essentials was sold for Tk 30 per kg yesterday in the city's 100 outlets which witnessed a small crowd due to people's nescience about the resumption of sale at the outlets," Col Mujibul Huq, Dhaka sector commander of BDR, told The Daily Star yesterday.BDR, which previously ran 65 fair-price outlets in the capital, has added 35 more outlets to its tally ahead of Ramadan.BDR sources said a total of 210 fair-price outlets are in operation now across ...
(read more) Saturday, August 16th, 2008Israeli President Shimon Peres is desperately trying to help his friend Pervez Musharraf who is going through the most difficult time of his political life.Reliable sources in foreign office have revealed that Shimon Peres is putting indirect pressure on the coalition government in Pakistan through different diplomatic channels not to impeach Musharraf. Peres wants a safe exit for Musharraf and he is also ready to provide security for his friend outside Pakistan.These sources have claimed that Shimon Peres and Musharraf are in regular contact with each other for the last three years. Both met first in Davos in ...
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