Archive for September 4th, 2009
Friday, September 4th, 2009Most routes of Bangladesh Railway are very dangerous for travelling at present as the railway still depends on obsolete and dilapidated manual and semi-manual signalling system installed as far back as 1927.Railway officials said use of the age-old route clearance system has increased scopes for human and mechanical failures, which caused some recent accidents. Traffic density has also increased in recent years, worsening the situation.About 40 percent of the railway's signalling system is manual and 43 percent semi-manual. The rest is operated through modern mechanisms like relay interlocking and computer-based systems.There were three collisions last year. According to the railway ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009A speeding train rammed a private car yesterday morning, leaving one injured, as it attempted to cross the Karwan Bazar level crossing defying the signal in the capital.The injured was identified as Nahian, 24, the car passenger. He was going to the North South University from his Mohammadpur residence.Sub-inspector (SI) Abu Bakkar of Government Railway Police told The Daily Star that Kamalapur Railway Station-bound Noakhali Express train hit the private car at around 7:00am as it tried to cross the lines from the wrong side of the road violating the signal.The train pushed the car to a distance to leave ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought technological and financial supports from the international community to combat the challenges of climate change.Addressing the World Climate Conference-3 yesterday at Geneva International Conference Centre, she explained to the world leadership Bangladesh's vulnerability to the climate change.Hasina also apprised them of her government's plans, programs and strategies for protecting the country's people from the disastrous impacts of the global warming.Earlier on her arrival at the conference centre at 9:15am (local time), World Meteorological Organisation Secretary General Michel Jarraud received the Bangladesh leader."I came here with deep concerns of our people, who no sooner had ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009Seven of the 10 amici curiae have given opinions against trying BDR personnel accused of different offences committed during the February 25-26 mutiny at the BDR headquarters under the army act.Advocate AF Hassan Ariff and advocate AFM Mesbahuddin were the last to tell the Supreme Court yesterday that it is not possible to try these offences under the Army Act 1952.Earlier, advocate TH Khan, barrister M Amir-Ul Islam, Dr Kamal Hossain, advocate Mahmudul Islam and barrister Ajmalul Hossain reasoned that the trial of BDR mutineers is not possible under the military law since the BDR personnel are not guided by ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009The government yesterday decided to make the anti-viral drug available in the market soon to treat swine flu patients.Meanwhile, the number of swine flu patients in the country stood at 275 after 16 more people were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) detected the new cases during its routine surveillance.The health ministry at a meeting yesterday decided to give permission to the local drug manufacturing companies to market the anti-viral drugs. But it could not be sold or bought without the prescription of a registered medical practitioner.Currently the anti-viral drug Oseltamivir ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009A Brahmanbaria court yesterday re-issued arrest warrant against five Rid Pharma officials for not showing up at the hearing of a case filed against them for producing toxic paracetamol syrup that claimed lives of 28 children.Brahmanbaria District and Sessions Judge A F M Mustafa re-issued the arrest warrant against Rid's Managing Director Mizanur Rahman, its directors Sheuli Rahman, also wife of Mizanur, and Abdul Gani and pharmacists Mahbubul Islam and Enamul Haque.The judge fixed September 30 for next hearing of the case.It was the third arrest warrant against the Rid Pharma officials. Earlier, the same court issued ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009President Zillur Rahman could have saved the government from sliding into the ongoing legal controversy over sending two district judges into forced retirement, had he not overlooked the constitutional provision on the issue.Had he enquired into the legality of the government's move, and followed the constitutional provision, the president could also have saved the judiciary from the executive branch's undue interference, at least on that occasion.Article 116 of the constitution says the president in consultation with the Supreme Court (SC) shall determine postings, promotions, grants of leave, and discipline of persons employed in the judicial service, and of ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday suspended nine officials including a general manager of its Khulna branch on charges of involvement in smuggling out torn notes worth about Tk 28 lakh from the branch.The officials include Abdus Sattar, general manager, deputy directors Mozammel Haque and Syed Hafizur Rahman, assistant directors Kohinoor Akhter, Sheuli Biswas, Sajjad Hossain, Ashok Kumar Sen, Rehana Akhter and another official-- Bazlur Rahman.Besides, it was decided that four labourers working on daily basis at Khulna branch would be handed over to police.BB sources said police recently recovered 28 bundles -- each containing 1,000 pieces of torn Tk 500 notes--from ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009The answer may be at hand to a crucial question about vaccination for the advancing swine flu one shot or two? Chinese officials approved a vaccine Thursday that they say prevents the new flu in a single dose.If they're right, it would be good news. Many health researchers fear it will take two shots to protect people, vastly complicating efforts to stem the spread of the illness.The World Health Organisation says it is encouraged after reviewing the test details from the vaccine by Beijing-based drug maker Sinovac Biotech Ltd. one of several being developed in China. However, experts said more ...
(read more) Friday, September 4th, 2009The High Court (HC) yesterday appointed three amici curiae (friend of court) for expert opinion on the legality of formation of a parliamentary body to investigate corruption allegations against former speaker Jamiruddin Sircar.The three are barrister Rafique-Ul Huq, advocate Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan and Dr M Zahir.A special division bench of the HC comprised of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Borhan Uddin made the appointments during the hearing on a writ petition by Sircar challenging the legality of formation of the parliamentary probe body concerning him.The HC said it might appoint two more amici curiae for their ...
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