08 Aug 2008

• Competent, honest men not elected in local polls : Observer group launches report
• HC scraps president’s power to ignore SJC advice
• BNP, AL oppose general polls under emergency : The long-running issue came to limelight after the August 4 election
• 219 Bangladesh peacekeepers awarded UN medals

07 Aug 2008

• Fate of 9 mayors-elect hangs in balance : New laws arm govt with power to suspend them on criminal charges
• Winners have to quit party posts : AL decries new laws, fears vacuum in grassroots leaderships
• Significant progress made in releasing Begum Zia - Zillur : BNP wants Khaleda’s release without any condition

06 Aug 2008

• AL bags city mayoral posts : Zillur terms poll results people’s victory : It’s a rehearsal for JS election thru’ covert understanding, alleges BNP
• Hasina hails city polls, urges EC to be more aware for next polls : Make public new voters’ list, no polls under emergency further - Zillur
• Confusion about use of ID cards, flawed roll, make mess of polls : CEC apologises to voters who failed to cast votes
• Poor people start moving to cities in search of work and livelihood

05 Aug 2008

• Awami League( AL ) candidates rule city polls : Kamran, Hiron win; Khaleque, Liton leading; AL men clinch victory in 8 out of 9 municipalities
• Severe earthquake may kill one lac people and destroy 25% buildings in Dhaka

04 Aug 2008

• State of emergency would ensure security during elections - CEC : City Corporations and 9 municipalities go to polls today
• Graft Cases-Saifur, 3 ex-MPs get HC bail : Bail matters of 4 bigwigs sent for full-bench hearing
• 41-point Colombo declaration : SAARC accord on trade, energy, connectivity
• Ex-Army chief Mustafizur laid to eternal rest : AL expresses shock at the death, demands release of other AL leaders, expresses doubts about neutrality of Emergency Govt
• Truth and Accountability Commission(Tac) gets going : Graft suspects must seek absolution by Sept 1

03 Aug 2008

• SAARC leaders pledge to boost living of the poor
• S. Arabia, Kuwait deport 224 more workers : Torture in Mideast custodies alleged
• Elections to city corporations and municipalities tomorrow : Ban on the campaign comes into force midnight 02/03 Aug
• BNP is ready to hold talks with govt - Delwar : Mannan Bhuiyan is responsible for division in BNP - Hannan Shah
• 30,000 biogas plants installed across the country

02 Aug 2008

• Summit begins today amid tight security : Food security, trade imbalance, climate change main SAARC agenda in Colombo
• Physician advises Tarique be sent abroad : ...his health condition was gradually going out of control
• Govt urged to suspend 27 recruiting licenses : 780 recruiting firms misappropriated crores from BD workers
• Rahul Gandhi in city on a 5-day visit : Rahul is interested to see if the Grameen Bank and BRAC projects could be replicated in India

08 Aug 2008

[ × ] Competent, honest men not elected in local polls : Observer group launches report

UNB/ The News Today

UNB/ The News TodayPolitical leaders, academics and civil-society members disagreed with an observer group's view that competent and honest candidates were not elected in the just-held local-body polls.
"It's enough for the qualification of candidates being honest and competent. Ph.D.-holders are not necessary in the elections," said Professor Dr Abul Barkat, general secretary of Bangladesh Economic Association.
He said despite some negative aspects, there were some positive signs of the test polls, including high voter turnout, increased participation of women and minority voters, decrease in terrorism and least money games seen in the August 4 elections.

[ × ] HC scraps president’s power to ignore SJC advice

The New Age BD

The High Court on Thursday scrapped the president’s power to ignore the Supreme Judicial Commission’s recommendations on appointing Supreme Court judges. A special High Court bench passed the order after hearing a public interest litigation writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Idrisur Rahman.
The writ petition challenged the legality of the Supreme Judicial Commission Ordinance, promulgated on March 13 establishing the commission to recommend appointment of Supreme Court judges.
After the verdict, the president now will need to go by the commission’s recommendation in appointing judges at the Supreme Court and the commission can act independently.

[ × ] BNP, AL oppose general polls under emergency : The long-running issue came to limelight after the August 4 election

UNB/ The News Today

As a crucial general election draws closer, key politicians and advisors of the caretaker government are engrossed in intense debate over the holding of the polls in December under the state of emergency.
The long-running issue came to limelight after the August 4 election to four city corporations and nine municipalities peacefully with large voter turnout under cover of the emergency, which was clamped down apparently to disengage politicians feuding over the issues of general election that was eventually stalled in January last year.
After the successful holding of these local polls, the caretaker administration got a strong point that it is possible to hold general election too under the emergency, but the key protagonists in political domain vehemently opposed the theory.

[ × ] 219 Bangladesh peacekeepers awarded UN medals

The Financial Express

A total of 219 'Blue Helmets' from Bangladesh Air Force have been awarded the United Nations peacekeeping medals in DR Congo. Force Commander of the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) General Babacat Gaye decorated them with the UN medals at a function on July 30.
The colourful ceremony was also attended by the Interim Commander of MONUC's Eastern Division, General Farukh Bashir, and the Director of MONUC's Regional Office in Ituri, Madam Olamide Adedej, and local Congolese authorities.
The Bangladesh Air Force has operated in Ituri since August 2003 and has two units: the Utility Aviation Unit and the Airfield Services Unit for the Bangladesh Air Force.

07 Aug 2008

[ × ] Fate of 9 mayors-elect hangs in balance : New laws arm govt with power to suspend them on criminal charges

The New Age BD

The fate of nine of the four city and nine municipal mayors-elect hangs in balance as the military-controlled interim government has armed itself with power to suspend them as they are facing criminal or corruption charges.
The Election Commission at the moment has nothing to do about the elected representatives facing criminal or corruption cases, but the government may suspend them in accordance with laws, observed an election commissioner.
According to Section 12(1) of the Local Government (City Corporations) Ordinance 2008, the government in consultation with the local government commission can suspend any mayors or councillors against whom charges have been pressed in criminal cases.

[ × ] Winners have to quit party posts : AL decries new laws, fears vacuum in grassroots leaderships

The Daily Star

The mayors and councillors elect who hold party posts will have to resign from those posts before taking oath of offices in accordance with the new laws on formation and functions of city corporations and municipalities.
This will create a vacuum in the leadership of the political parties at the grassroots level and the Awami League (AL) which won majority posts in Monday's polls to four city corporations and nine municipalities will be the most affected.
The caretaker government promulgated the laws in May this year with the strict provision in an effort to free the local government institutions from the grips of partisan politics.
Senior AL leaders told that they would ask the government to amend the laws to allow the elected mayors and councillors to hold party posts.

[ × ] Significant progress made in releasing Begum Zia - Zillur : BNP wants Khaleda’s release without any condition

The Bangladesh Today

Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman on Wednesday said that the government has taken an initiative for releasing Begum Zia and bringing BNP into the government sponsored dialogue.
"In this regard, we are moving forward and we are hopeful that we would be able to get a solution very soon," he told reporters after meeting with the communication adviser Major General Ghulam Quader (Retd) at the Secretariat yesterday.
Replying to a query Zillur said, "Khaleda will be released, the way Sheikh Hasina was released. But a lot of matters are related with her release. So the process is being delayed."

06 Aug 2008

[ × ] AL bags city mayoral posts : Zillur terms poll results people’s victory : It’s a rehearsal for JS election thru’ covert understanding, alleges BNP

The New Nation BD

The Election Commission yesterday unofficially declared results of four city corporations and pourasava elections held Monday where candidates backed by the Awami League won marginally.
The Awami League backed candidates swept all four-city corporations and eight of the nine municipalities that went to the polls.
The EC declared AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Badar Uddin Kamran, Talukder Abdul Khaleq and M Showkat Hossain as the mayor-elect for Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna and Barisal respectively announcing the detail results of four city corporations and pourasava elections.
Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Delwar Hossain has decried Monday's city corporation and pourasava elections saying it was a rehearsal for the parliamentary polls through a covert understanding under the emergency.

[ × ] Hasina hails city polls, urges EC to be more aware for next polls : Make public new voters’ list, no polls under emergency further - Zillur

The Bangladesh Today

Hailing the polls' results of four city corporations, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina urged all concerned - including the incumbent government and the Election Commission - to be more careful in their respective duties and responsibilities considering citizens' rights as per the Constitution.
"Amid spontaneous participation in the electoral process on Monday, people of Bangladesh further proved that they earnestly want to restore the democracy through ensuring a free, fair and credible election across the country. The authorities concerned must be sincere and accountable where the voters would be able to cast their votes with a view to electing their representatives," observed the former Prime Minster who was temporarily released for overseas treatment.
Sheikh Hasina sent this massage over telephone from USA to her Press Secretary on Tuesday morning.
Later, acting AL President Zillur Rahman yesterday afternoon at formal press conference termed the victory of AL to four city corporations as the success of democratic values and expectations of the people.
Meanwhile, an application for extending the time of release for the overseas treatment of Sheikh Hasina was filed to the Chief Adviser yesterday noon.

[ × ] Confusion about use of ID cards, flawed roll, make mess of polls : CEC apologises to voters who failed to cast votes

The New Age BD

Widespread confusion about the use of national identity cards in polls, flawed electoral roll and mismatch between the numbers on the cards and the roll made a mess of Monday’s local government polls.
The Election Commission earlier repeatedly said there was no need for people to use the national identity cards to cast votes, but in many places during polling on Monday no voters without the national identity cards were let in the polling stations.
Many voters complained they had not been allowed to case their vote as their names were not on the roll although they had the national identity cards, processed simultaneously during voters’ registration.
The chief election commissioner, ATM Shamsul Huda, on Tuesday, a day after the elections, admitted that some voters had failed to cast their vote in certain areas.
‘There were some problems in the management that needs to be corrected,’ he said, adding the Election Commission would be pleased to correct the mistakes found in the just-concluded local government elections.
‘If we can correct the mistakes, the commission will be able to hold the next elections, including parliamentary polls, in a credible manner,’ he said.

[ × ] Poor people start moving to cities in search of work and livelihood

The Bangladesh Today

The poor people have started moving to different metropolitan cities including the capital Dhaka and towns in search of work and livelihood. Especially during the monsoon the day labourers living in different places of the country have to face serious job crisis as they don't get any kind of jobs in their respective places. On the other hand, abnormal prices of essential commodities have destroyed hopes and aspirations breaking the financial backbones of the people, specially the poor and the destitute.
Many of them are passing inhuman lives with their family members in their villages. Even, they are failing to feed their children two times in a day. The city's bus and launch terminals are regularly witnessing huge rush of poor and destitute.
Following the on rush of huge needy and poor people from different places of the country, the day labourers are not getting job in the capital also. If they want to pull rickshaw, they are being provide rickshaw by the rickshaw owners. At least three day labourers by rotation, are driving rickshaw in the city.

05 Aug 2008

[ × ] Awmi League( AL ) candidates rule city polls : Kamran, Hiron win; Khaleque, Liton leading; AL men clinch victory in 8 out of 9 municipalities

The Daily Star

Awami League (AL) backed candidates seemed to be striding towards clinching mayoral victory in all four city corporation elections in the early hours of today with Badaruddin Ahmed Kamran already unofficially winning the Sylhet mayoral race, and Shawkat Hossain Hiron winning in Barisal.
Meanwhile, AL candidates already came out as victors in eight out of the nine municipalities where elections were held yesterday, while their archrival BNP backed candidates grabbed only one.
Voting in four city corporations and nine municipalities however ended peacefully with satisfactory turnout of voters yesterday, although widespread confusion over voters' identification numbers had caused a messy start in the morning slowing down the balloting.
No major incident of violence was reported, and the contestants, especially the mayoral aspirants, expressed their satisfaction regarding the overall voting atmosphere saying the polls were 'more or less' free and fair, except the lone incident in Barisal.
Law enforcers however arrested some people on charges of violating electoral rules by doling out money among voters.

[ × ] Severe earthquake may kill one lac people and destroy 25% buildings in Dhaka

The Bangladesh Today

A powerful earthquake may hit the country anytime causing a loss of life of at least one lac people in the capital Dhaka due to fragile and faulty structure of the residential buildings and commercial centres.
"As geographically Bangladesh remains at the earthquake-prone zone and neighbouring countries are being hit frequently by powerful earthquakes, there is possibility for Bangladesh to experience a devastating earthquake", said VC of BRAC University Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury at a seminar titled " earthquake risk in Bangladesh and mitigatory measures" held in the capital on Monday.
He added that if an earthquake with the magnitude of 7 Richter scale hits the country, around one lac people will die and one-fourth buildings will collapse as the buildings were not constructed properly.
According to a Rajuk report, a number of 25, 000 buildings are vulnerable in the capital posing a serious threat to the life of the city dwellers.

04 Aug 2008

[ × ] State of emergency would ensure security during elections - CEC : City Corporations and 9 municipalities go to polls today

The Bangladesh Today

Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Barisal city corporations and nine municipalities go to polls today (Monday) amid unprecedented security measures, with enthusiastic voters all set to elect the mayors, councillors and women councilors for reserved seats. In most cases, the main electoral battle is likely to take place between Awami League and BNP supported candidates.
All eyes are fixed on the four city corporations and nine municipalities' elections which are being held today. All preparations have been completed for holding the elections today.
The government has declared public holiday in the country's four city corporations and nine-municipality areas to facilitate the voting taking place after five years. The Election Commission (EC) has put restriction on movement of all types of motorized vehicles in these cities and towns until midnight today.
Meanwhile, Talking to the reporters at the EC secretariat yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda said the state of emergency would ensure security in holding the city and municipalities elections.
He said there are reports that some people were deceiving the voters saying that the photocopies of national ID cards are necessary for casting their votes. There is no need of National ID cards in casting their votes, the CEC added.

[ × ] Graft Cases-Saifur, 3 ex-MPs get HC bail : Bail matters of 4 bigwigs sent for full-bench hearing

The Daily Star

The High Court (HC) yesterday granted anticipatory bail for six months to former finance minister M Saifur Rahman in Gatco corruption case filed by the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC).
HC also granted anticipatory bail to former BNP lawmakers Shahidul Islam Master, Abul Khair Bhuiyan, and Habibul Islam Habib, and to Laila Arjumand Banu, wife of Khulna City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Tayebur Rahman, until submissions of police reports in separate criminal cases against them.
Detained president of BNP student wing Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Azizul Bari Helal, was also granted ad-interim bail in a case filed against him on charges of violating Emergency Power Rules (EPR).
The HC bench also issued separate rules upon the government ordering it to explain why the petitioners should not be granted regular bail.

[ × ] 41-point Colombo declaration : SAARC accord on trade, energy, connectivity

The News Today BD

The two-day 15th SAARC Summit Sunday adopted a 41-point Colombo Declaration articulating commitments of the South Asian leaders to implement the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) in its letter and spirit through issuing directives for removing trade barriers and giving special consideration to LDCs in the bloc, reports UNB.
In the communiqué the SAARC leaders recognized the need to continue to address the major barriers hindering effective trade liberalization in the region, which include sensitive lists of items and Non-Trade Barriers (NTBs).
They directed that the decision to revise the sensitive lists by the SAFTA Ministerial Council (SMC) be implemented early.
On combat against terrorism, the SAARC leaders expressed deep concern over the "serious threat posed by terrorism to the peace, stability and security of the region".
They emphasized the need for strongest possible cooperation in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime amongst the relevant agencies of the member-states, especially in the area of information exchange.
The declaration stressed the necessity of fast-tracking projects for improving intra-regional connectivity and facilitating economic, social and people-to-people contact.
The declaration carries concern at the human loss suffered through natural disaster in the region and stress on the need for the timely provision of relief in humanitarian emergencies.
Expressing deep concern at the looming global water crisis, they recognized that South Asia must be at the forefront of bringing a new focus to the conservation of water resources.
On poverty alleviation, the declaration emphasized undertaking sustained efforts, including developing and implementing regional and sub-regional projects towards the attainment of SAARC Development Goals (SDGs).

[ × ] Ex-Army chief Mustafizur laid to eternal rest : AL expresses shock at the death, demands release of other AL leaders, expresses doubts about neutrality of Emergency Govt

The Bangladesh Today

Former Army Chief General (Retd) Mustafizur Rahman Bir Bikram is no more. He died at the Combined Military Hospital early Sunday. He was 67. The Ex-Army Chief is survived by his wife, three daughters and a host of relatives, friends and well wishers.
Late Mostafiz who served as the Chief of Army Staff for about three years during Sheikh Hasina's premiership - had been suffering from pancreatic cancer and heart disease - breathed his last at about 5am yesterday.
One of the co-accused with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the MiG-29 purchase graft case, Mustafizur was arrested from Apollo Hospital on May 25 this year. He was undergoing treatment for acute chest pain during that time.
The High Court granted him bail on May 28 and he was exempted from court appearance.
Earlier, Awami League at a press conference yesterday morning expressed its grave sorrow and shock at the death of Mustafizur Rahman. It conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members of the deceased and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul. AL leaders also observed a-one minute silence in honour of the late army chief.
Acting AL President Zillur Rahman demanded of the government to release detained AL leaders and ensure final release of the AL President Sheikh Hasina.

[ × ] Truth and Accountability Commission(Tac) gets going : Graft suspects must seek absolution by Sept 1

The Daily Star

The much talked about Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac), the newest institution for dealing with graft charges in the country, finally started operating yesterday letting corruptionists seek mercy by voluntarily confessing to their graft, and by depositing their ill-gotten wealth to the state exchequer.
The commission, with a tenure of five months, launched its operation by issuing a public notice about its objectives, perspectives, and jurisdiction. Habibur Rahman Khan, who is a retired judge of the High Court, discussed the issues with journalists in an introductory briefing in the Tac office on Hare Road in the capital.
Graft suspects may apply to the commission by September 1 of this year for making voluntary disclosures about their corruption, the public notice said.

03 Aug 2008

[ × ] SAARC leaders pledge to boost living of the poor

The New Nation BD

Against the backdrop of food and fuel insecurity and threat of both terrorism and climate change, South Asian leaders Saturday promised effective cooperation in all potential fields to fight hunger and achieve faster economic growth to improve the lifestyle of their impoverished people.
The pledges were explicitly made at the 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) that began here at the magnificent Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall amidst extraordinary security bulwark.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and host Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed the inaugural session of the 2-day summit. The theme of the summit is ''SAARC: Partnership for the People''.
Bangladesh caretaker government Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed proposed adopting a clear roadmap for SAARC to fight out poverty and achieve accelerated economic growth to ensure socioeconomic progress for some 1.5 billion South Asians.

[ × ] S. Arabia, Kuwait deport 224 more workers : Torture in Mideast custodies alleged

The News Today BD

Thousands of Bangladeshi fortune-seekers now working in different work fields in two middle-east countries - Kuwait and Saudia Arabia - are still being deported. More than 200 innocent workers who went there spending lakhs of taka were also forcibly sent back home from these two countries on Saturday.
These two Middle Eastern countries, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, continued to deport Bangladeshi workers on charges of violating local laws.
A total of 224 Bangladeshis - 139 from Saudi Arabia and 85 from Kuwait - were sent back on Saturday, according to an estimate by the immigration at Zia International Airport.
Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait alleged that the police and military had made wholesale arrests of Bangladeshis. Also alleged that the police and the military personnel tortured the Bangladeshis in custody.
The Kuwait authorities had announced Wednesday that they would examine video footage and photographs of protesting workers to find out those responsible for damaging vehicles and attacking police, and deport them.
The deportation from Kuwait started after Asian workers, mostly Bangladeshis, went on strike and damaged property in the Gulf country, demanding pay hikes and better working conditions.

[ × ] Elections to city corporations and municipalities tomorrow : Ban on the campaign comes into force midnight 02/03 Aug

The Bangladesh Today

With hardly 48 hours left for the elections of Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Barisal city corporations and nine municipalities, campaign by the candidates for the posts of mayor and councillors reached its peak on Saturday and the stages are now set to hold elections tomorrow (Monday) amid unprecedented security measures.
Nine pourasabhas where election will be held are Manikganj, Chuadanga, Sariatpur, Dhupchachia (Bogra), Sripur (Gazipur), Sitakundu (Chittagong), Gopalganj (Sylhet), Phulbaria (Mymensingh) and Noahata (Rajshahi).
The mayor and councillors candidates along with their relatives and supporters are now holding meetings and going door to door for seeking votes. They continued their last minute electioneering before the ban on the campaign came into force at midnight yesterday 48 hours before the voting.
Meanwhile, with unprecedented security measures already in force to ensure free, fair and impartial voting, the Election Commission has imposed a 48-hour ban on public meetings, processions, carrying of arms or any other programmes in any ward of these city corporations.

[ × ] BNP is ready to hold talks with govt - Delwar : Mannan Bhuiyan is responsible for division in BNP - Hannan Shah

The Bangladesh Today

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain on Saturday said that the party is ready to sit with the caretaker government to discuss on various issues specially relating to release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Replying to a query he said BNP is still united under the leadership of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. "BNP is not divided. After releasing Begum Zia, BNP will regain its image and the party will be more strengthened and united," he added.
He urged the government to observe late President Ziaur Rahman's death anniversary on May 30, under government auspices and declare 7th November as a National holyday.
Meanwhile in the morning, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Brigadier General ASM Hannan Shah (Retd) welcomed Mannan Bhuiyan's statement about releasing Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman. "At last he (Mannan Bhuiyan) realised his mistake but it does not mean that Mr. Bhuiyan will be warmly received by the party. The leaders will evaluate his activities before his return to the party," Hannan Shah told reporters. Hannan Shah said Mannan Bhuiyan is responsible for division now prevailing in BNP. "When Begum Zia will be released all divisions in BNP will be removed," he added.

[ × ] 30,000 biogas plants installed across the country

The News Today BD

A total of 30,000 biogas plants have so far been installed in rural areas in the country as an alternative source of energy to reduce the use of firewood. People are using biogas for cooking, lighting and generation of electricity while residues from the plants utilized as organic fertilizer for crop production.
The initiatives of construction of bio-gas plants was undertaken as an alternative to the energy produced from firewood, the cutting and burning of which is harmful for the environment.
Out of total plants, 22,000 were constructed by IFRD of BCSIR (Bangladesh Council of Scientific Industrial Research) in last 10 to 12 years.
Apart from BCSIR, 25 organisations including, Grameen Shakti, BRAC, DANIDA, Local Government Engineering Department, Department of Environment, Bangladesh Agriculture University, Bangladesh Small and Cottage industries corporation and Department of Livestock Service are involved in the development of biogas technology.
Biogas is an old technology invented by Alexandra Volta in 1776 in Com, Italy. In Bangladesh, the first biogas plant was set up by Dr MA Karim, a professor of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on the varsity campus in 1972. It was a floating dome type plant of 3m3 gas production capacity.

02 Aug 2008

[ × ] Summit begins today amid tight security : Food security, trade imbalance, climate change main SAARC agenda in Colombo

The New Nation BD

South Asian leaders from eight SAARC countries sit for a summit meeting here today to chart a roadmap to address the challenges of soaring food and fuel prices, trade imbalances and climate change and improve the socioeconomic condition of 1.5 billion people in the region.
Amidst extraordinary security measures, Heads of State and Government arrived in the Sri Lankan capital to attend the 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The SAARC leaders will sign a SAARC Development Fund (SDF) charter with authorized capital of SDR one billion and launch the South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO), headquarters of which will be established in Dhaka.
The summit leaders will sign the Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters to effectively deal with terrorists and criminals hiding in other SAARC countries.

[ × ] Physician advises Tarique be sent abroad : ...his health condition was gradually going out of control

The Bangladesh Today

A physician of the BNP’s senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman once again suggested immediately sending him abroad as his health condition was deteriorating.
Orthopaedist at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Kazi Mazharul Islam, also a member on Tarique’s physicians’ panel, said he should be sent somewhere aboard as his health condition was gradually going out of control.

[ × ] Govt urged to suspend 27 recruiting licenses : 780 recruiting firms misappropriated crores from BD workers

The Bangladesh Today

The Taskforce on corruption has made recommendations to suspend the licenses of around 27 recruiting agencies of the country on charge of widespread corruption and irregularities in the name of manpower export abroad and causing endless miseries to the Bangladeshi workers.
According to sources, about one thousand recruiting agency owners adopted unfair means in exporting hundreds of thousands of workers to other countries from Bangladesh over the last several years, tarnishing the image of the country abroad. Taking full advantage of ignorance and simplicity of the Bangladeshi workers, they made crores of Taka illegally and unethically under the very nose of different law enforcing agencies.
Because of unbearable miseries of the Bangladeshi workers abroad due to irregularities, the taskforce started investigating the matter within and outside the country three months ago.

[ × ] Rahul Gandhi in city on a 5-day visit : Rahul is interested to see if the Grameen Bank and BRAC projects could be replicated in India

The New Nation BD

Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived Dhaka yesterday on a five-day visit to Bangladesh. Grameen Bank Chief and Nobel Laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus received the 38-year-old Indian Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the ruling Congress Party amid tight security.
The visit came amid media speculations about the timing of the tour as diplomatic sources earlier had hinted that Dhaka would have preferred that he delay the tour for few days until the return of Bangladesh interim government chief Fakhruddin Ahmed from the SAARC summit in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on August 4.
The Indian leader came to Bangladesh, for the first time, on a private visit to get first-hand knowledge of rural development particularly the micro-finance projects of Grameen Bank and the activities of BRAC in various sectors.
During his visit, he will also visit some projects of BRAC in Gazipur today and Grameen Bank projects Singair in Manikganj on Sunday, according to sources. He will visit Grameen Bank office in Mirpur on Monday.
It is learnt that Rahul Gandhi is interested to see if the Grameen Bank and BRAC projects could be replicated in India.

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