Bangladesh News

Polls dates to be declared Monday

Friday, September 19th, 2008All signs now suggest that the much debated upazila elections will not be held before the parliamentary poll after all, as the government and the Election Commission (EC) seem to be finally moving towards conceding to political parties' almost unanimous demand for the national ballot first.With the latent new turn in the electoral course developing, the EC will announce on Monday specific dates for the parliamentary, upazila parishad, and Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) polls.Disclosing the EC's plan for announcing the election dates on Monday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday however categorically said, "Detailed schedules for the ... (read more)

Conviction order of seven stayed by HC

Friday, September 19th, 2008The High Court (HC) in a major decision yesterday issued its first stay order on corruption convictions of seven people including three former state ministers, in separate cases filed during the caretaker government's anti-corruption drive.The HC stayed for three months the convictions by trial courts of state ministers Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin and Aman Ullah Aman, BNP leader Advocate Syeda Ashrafi Papiya, former BNP minister Mirza Abbas's wife Afroza Abbas, former BNP state minister Mir Nasir's son Mir Helaluddin, and Orion Group Chairman Obaidul Karim.They were convicted and sentenced to different terms of imprisonment in ... (read more)

Rebel Tigers slapped with 10-year ban

Friday, September 19th, 2008Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday imposed a ten-year ban each on cricketers who joined the Indian Cricket League (ICL).The harsh but inevitable decision came a day after 13 rebel cricketers including six centrally contracted players signed for the ICL under the banner "Dhaka Warriors"."The board has decided to impose bans of ten years on contracted and all registered players, officials and technical staff of the BCB who participate in cricket events which are not authorised by the International Cricket Council [ICC] and BCB," said BCB president Major General Sina Ibn Jamali while disclosing the outcome of the board's emergency ... (read more)

Deep depression fizzles out

Friday, September 19th, 2008Over 10 fishermen went missing as three more trawlers sank in the turbulent sea on Wednesday night amid the deep depression that crossed Orissa coast early yesterday.Flood control embankments in Bagerhat, Satkhira, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Barguna and Bhola were washed by tidal surge during high tides. Around 50 villages, 50 shoals and also the low-lying areas of these districts have been inundated, leaving thousands of people marooned.Standing Aman crops at the affected villages have been damaged while about 200 shrimp enclosures washed away.Water vessels plying 76 routes remained suspended as the rivers became choppy due to influence of the ... (read more)

Crime dons active ahead of Eid, polls

Friday, September 19th, 2008Notorious underworld criminals are coming out of hideouts and reorganising their operatives ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr and upcoming elections, which has resulted in the recent rise in criminal incidents like murder, extortion and mugging.Officials of a number of intelligence agencies said they have reports that at least six top criminals wanted in eight to 10 murder cases visited the country three to four times in the last six months from their hideouts allegedly in India and had meetings with their associates.Braving the risk of getting arrested, they are visiting Bangladesh to reorganise their groups that got disorganised after their fleeing the ... (read more)

EC separately sits with BNP, allies Saturday

Friday, September 19th, 2008The Election Commission (EC) will hold separate meetings with the BNP and its allies Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) on Saturday, wrapping up the yearlong dialogues with political parties on electoral issues.Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said the commission's secretariat would issue invitations to the talks today.The EC was scheduled to hold talks with the three parties today, but changed the date as the BNP yesterday said they were not still prepared, the CEC said.The BNP had kept from joining its September 7 meeting with the EC, saying the talks will not yield any positive results. ... (read more)

HC judge feels embarrassed to hear Hasina’s stay petition

Friday, September 19th, 2008A vacation bench of the High Court (HC) yesterday felt embarrassed to hear a petition filed by Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina, now abroad on parole, seeking stay on the proceedings of the MiG-29 war plane purchase corruption case.The HC bench comprised of justices Mirza Hussain Haider and Mamnoon Rahman was set for hearing the petition but one of the judges felt embarrassed to hear it.Hasina's counsels then requested the chief justice to constitute another bench for hearing.At their request Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin sent the petition to the bench of justices AFM Abdur Rahman and SM Emdadul Hoque ... (read more)