Archive for January 11th, 2009
Sunday, January 11th, 2009The US Department of Justice has moved to confiscate nearly $3 million from bank accounts in Singapore, which are allegedly linked to a bribery scandal in Bangladesh, involving Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.The justice department is seeking a forfeiture action against the accounts that are alleged to be the proceeds of a wide-ranging conspiracy to bribe public officials in Bangladesh and their family members, in connection with various public works projects, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich of the Criminal Division on Friday in Washington DC.The forfeiture action against the funds, held by ...
(read more) Sunday, January 11th, 2009The ninth parliament may convene without the 45 women lawmakers in reserved seats as the Election Commission (EC) does not seem to have any plans to hold election to the seats before the inaugural session on January 25.It means the new legislature might have to go into session before its full formation.According to the constitution, parliament shall consist of lawmakers elected both directly and indirectly.Citing a High Court (HC) ruling and constitutional provisions, legal experts said the establishment of parliament is never complete without members in the seats earmarked for women. They argue that sittings of the ...
(read more) Sunday, January 11th, 2009Israeli forces pounded rocket-launching sites and smuggling tunnels in Gaza yesterday and planes dropped leaflets warning of an escalation in attacks, as Palestinian militants fired at least 10 more rockets at Israel.Egypt hosted talks aimed at ending the violence.Flames and smoke rose over Gaza City amid the heavy fighting. The Israeli threat to launch a "new phase" in its two-week-old offensive that has already killed more than 800 Palestinians came in defiance of international calls for a ceasefire.Israeli planes sent a cloud of white leaflets fluttering across the Gaza City skyline warning residents it would soon step up its war ...
(read more) Sunday, January 11th, 2009Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged her party men to forget personal interests and devote themselves to the service of the common people who overwhelmingly voted Awami League to power.“This is not the time for reckoning what we have got and what we haven't…The main consideration is what we could give to the people,” she told a discussion marking Bangabandhu's Homecoming Day at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference centre.Hasina said people have given the Awami League a big responsibility through the December 29 elections. “We must fulfil their hopes and aspirations,” she said.“We've got the opportunity to serve the people getting over ...
(read more) Sunday, January 11th, 2009Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged her party men to forget personal interests and devote themselves to the service of the common people who overwhelmingly voted Awami League to power.“This is not the time for reckoning what we have got and what we haven't…The main consideration is what we could give to the people,” she told a discussion marking Bangabandhu's Homecoming Day at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference centre.Hasina said people have given the Awami League a big responsibility through the December 29 elections. “We must fulfil their hopes and aspirations,” she said.“We've got the opportunity to serve the people getting over ...
(read more) Sunday, January 11th, 2009The BNP would accept chairmanship of parliamentary standing committees and reserved seats for women in parliament in addition to the "offer" for the post of deputy speaker.The party which suffered a humiliating defeat winning only 29 seats in the December 29 polls may pick Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury as the deputy leader of the opposition.BNP may also propose the names of two MPs-elect -- MK Anwar and Mosharraf Hossain -- to the ruling party for the post of deputy speaker if the treasury bench offers, say party insiders.It will also nominate qualified women this time for the reserved seats for women ...
(read more) Sunday, January 11th, 2009A newly elected lawmaker from Moulvibazar is a businessman with an annual income of only Tk 18,000.Of the four lawmakers from the district -- all from the Awami League-led grand alliance-- two others are also businessmen, each earning around Tk 2.4 lakh annually.The other legislator is a lawyer with an annual earning of Tk 1.83 lakh.All this information was provided in the affidavit attached to their nomination papers for contesting the December 29 parliamentary polls.Md Shahabuddin, elected from Moulvibazar-1 (Baralekha-Juri) constituency, is a businessman, and he owns immoveable property worth Tk 10 lakh and moveable property worth Tk ...
(read more) Sunday, January 11th, 2009Vice-Principal Abdus Shahid, Awami League (AL) lawmaker of Moulvibazar-4 constituency, has been tapped to serve as the chief whip in the newly constituted parliament.Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina has picked him for the post.On the other hand, Advocate Abdul Hamid, former speaker, is going to be elected as the speaker of the ninth parliament since the policymakers of the ruling AL are actively considering him as party nominee for the post, sources in the AL said.Hamid, who was deputy leader of the opposition in the previous parliament, is expected to be elected speaker in ...
(read more) Sunday, January 11th, 2009The Election Commission (EC) will hold a high-level meeting today to finalise steps to ensure law and order during the January 22 upazila parishad election.Chiefs of police, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Ansar and representatives of the Armed Forces Division will attend the meeting to be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda.The meeting to be held at 11 am at the National Economic Council Auditorium at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city will also finalise other essential prerequisites to successfully hold the election to 481 upazila parishads in a free, fair and credible manner.The meeting will review ...
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