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:: BANGLADESH |
Bangladesh Cyclone Kills 4
KHULNA -- A cyclone packing 150 mph winds slammed Bangladesh's southeast coast late Thursday, killing at least 41 people and forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes, officials said.
Bangladesh finally joins Trans-Asian railway network
DHAKA -- Bangladesh has signed the inter-governmental agreement to join the proposed 80,900-kilometer regional railway network, originating from the Pacific seaboard of Asia and ending up on the doorstep of Europe, said officials.
No consultant to regulate edn institutions any more
The government will no longer appoint any consultancy firm to curb corruption in regulation of educational institutions under the education boards as such appointments in 2005 and 2006 have proven but 'futile', education ministry sources said.
Bangladesh liberators want war criminals punished
DHAKA -- A forum of freedom fighters has asked the caretaker government that punishing 'war criminals' - those who actively opposed the liberation of Bangladesh - is as important as its current drive against corruption.
Dissidents oust ex-Bangladesh PM Zia as party chief
DHAKA - Dissidents in Bangladesh's largest political party have ousted former prime minister Khaleda Zia as leader while she is under arrest on corruption charges, officials said Tuesday.
Taskforce quizzes Hasina over graft charge
DHAKA -- Members of the Anti-Corruption Commission taskforce on Monday interrogated former prime minister Sheikh Hasina at jail in connection with a bribery case filed against her and six others on September 2.
Dhaka-Delhi border deal 'close'
DHAKA -- Bangladesh and India say they are close to solving frontier issues after five days of talks in Dhaka between border officials of the two countries.
Dhaka improves on its graft image
Bangladesh has dropped from the position of the 3rd most corrupt country to a tied position of the 7th most corrupt in this year's Transparency International (TI) world corruption perception index (CPI).
EU seeks answers on Bangladesh human rights
The European Union has asked Bangladesh's military-backed government for information on individual human rights cases, reports said.
US expresses rights concern over Bangladesh
The United States has said it has concerns about human rights in Bangladesh, which has been ruled by a military-backed emergency government since January.
Bangladesh asks UK to help recover lawmakers' offshore assets
Bangladesh's military backed government asked the U.K. to help recover assets moved offshore by lawmakers as part of its crackdown on corruption that has resulted in the arrest of more than 150 politicians since January.
Bangladesh authorities launch democracy talks
DHAKA: Army-backed authorities in Bangladesh opened crucial talks with major political parties aimed at steering the country down the path from emergency rule to democracy, officials said.
Bangladesh stuck in political limbo
The interim government in Bangladesh has hit another landmark, arresting one of the country's most charismatic politicians, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
India for a stable Bangladesh: MEA
NEW DELHI: Reacting to the developments in Bangladesh, the Foreign Office here expressed the hope that its leaders would be allowed to take part in the elections. “India is interested in a stable, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh,” the Ministry for External Affairs spokesperson said in response to a question.
Elections in Bangladesh by next December
Dhaka, Aug. 18 (PTI): Elections in emergency-ruled Bangladesh will be held by December next year, Army Chief General, Moeen U Ahmed, has said.
Democracy in Peril in Bangladesh
(Muchkund Dubey)
The domestic politics of Bangladesh was poised in a delicate position at the beginning of the year 2007. The country was heading towards a general election which was doomed to be a farce.
A tale of three democracies in South Asia
During the current tumultuous and difficult phase of democratic evolution of the country, it is quite natural for the citizens to do some soul searching as to why democracy came to such a pass in the country. To compare is a universal human trait.
Sheikh Hasina's counter proposals
Awami League president and former premier Sheikh Hasina has come up with some novel proposals for reforms, which should turn out to be a reformer's delight in view of the heightened fervour and pressure for political reforms in Bangladesh.
Save Bangladesh from environmental disaster
The global environment is the pivot on which each and every element of the living beings has to depend for its survival. None of us can expect to be exceptional of it. Wherever we live in this globe natural environment plays its inherent role to let us survive. Say it the role of solar or cosmic energy from cosmos or geological topography along with its huge geophysical masses abreast air and water, every atom in the natural phenomena acts directly or indirectly on each animal body that can never be exceptional for human creature.
Elections and beyond: Representation and repositioning
It is apparent, among other things, from present day initiatives and activities of the army-supported government of Bangladesh that a determined, as well as conscious move (on the part of government) is going on to assist Bangladeshis and others in the effort towards facilitating at least an acceptable qualitative improvement in the domain of people's representation in the country's parliament within a shortest possible time, as practicable. It is a commendable step. Congratulations! We (to whom it may concern) wish them success in the above area.
Jahanara Imam: The brilliance remains
Jahanara Imam's life ended thirteen years ago, in a blaze of glory. That is the truth. The courage she demonstrated in her final years of temporal existence remains an inspiration for all of us to follow.
The 'confessional statements' and journalistic ethics
The exposure of "confessional statements" by AL and BNP stalwarts and some business tycoons of the country in the electronic and print media have perturbed the minds of some people in different ways.
Losing Bangladesh, by degrees
Imagine, if you will, a country marooned between a snowy mountain range and a churning sea. The country is small, a thumbprint on a vast continent. It holds the youngest and largest delta in the world. This means the landscape is fickle, the rivers often shifting and swallowing giant swaths of land.
Present Anti-corruption Drive, Over ambitious Expectation versus Ground Reality & Relevant Issues
The people of all walks of life are indeed happy observing the ongoing anti-corruption drive initiated by the present interim government. Though initially some of them were sceptical, however, with the arrest of the national icon of corruption, the eldest son of the immediate past premier, it has been now ascertained the seriousness of the government in curbing corruption.
Finally, the military in the forefront of governance in Bangladesh
I penned an article when Iajuddin took the charge of Chief Advisor (CA) of the caretaker government (CG) in late October 2006 in which I correctly predicted that the military will take control of Bangladesh, eventually.
Varanasi and the puppet masters of terror
Investigation into the Varanasi bombings has led to the Harkat ul-Jihad Islami, accentuating concerns about the emergence of Bangladesh as a base for Islamist terror groups.
WE NOW know who planted the bombs that went off in Varanasi last month, killing 20 persons. But the puppet masters, it turns out, sat in cities hundreds of kilometres away: in Dhaka, Karachi, and Kandahar.
Fear stalks Bangladesh after suicide bomb attacks
Dhaka, Nov 30 (IANS) Bangladesh was in the grip of fear after the first ever suicide bomb attacks in two of its cities Tuesday gave a clear indication of growing religious fundamentalism and raised questions over the adequacy of Dhaka's handling of such terrorist strikes.
India steps up security for missions in Bangladesh
New Delhi, Nov 30 (IANS) India has stepped up security at its missions in Bangladesh following militant threats to Western embassies and is framing a long-term strategy to insulate itself from a new wave of Al Qaeda-inspired terror threatening that country.
India allays Bangladesh fears over river-linking
Dhaka, Sep 21: India Wednesday allayed Bangladesh's fears regarding an ambitious river-linking programme, saying the scheme would not include rivers that flowed across international borders.
Natwar Singh back from goodwill trip to Dhaka
New Delhi, Aug 8: Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh returned here Monday after a visit to Bangladesh that saw "frank and cordial discussions" on key issues affecting bilateral ties, including border fencing, infiltration, terrorism and trade.
Bangladesh to commercialise agriculture sector
Dhaka, Aug 8: Bangladesh plans to commercialise the country's agriculture sector in a bid to make its produce globally competitive, reports Xinhua.
Focus on untapped potential in India-Bangla ties: Natwar
Dhaka, Aug 6: Indian External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh Saturday arrived in the Bangladesh capital on a goodwill mission and urged for deepening bilateral relations between the two countries to "focus on the enormous untapped potential for mutual benefit of our peoples".
Illegal Bangladeshi migration aggression on Assam: Supreme Court
New Delhi, July 13: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's first official visit to the US next week is likely to see a breakthrough in the crucial area of energy cooperation and will deepen strategic partnership with the two countries coming together to strengthen democracy in the world.
India-Bangladesh parliamentary body in the offing
Dhaka, July 10: Visiting Indian legislators here Sunday proposed an India-Bangladesh parliamentary forum comprising MPs of the two countries in an effort to cement ties between the neighbours.
Ahmadiya mosques torched, bombed in Bangladesh
Dhaka, June 24: Unidentified people torched and bombed two mosques belonging to the Ahmadiya minority Muslim sect in Bangladesh Friday, injuring at least two people.
India, Bangladesh to focus on border, trade
New Delhi, June 22: Conveying to Bangladesh the importance of continued action against insurgents, India sought to impart a business orientation to bilateral ties by promising to help reduce growing trade deficit between the two countries.
Nepal mulls gas supply from Bangladesh via India
Kathmandu, June 6: Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh are considering a gas pipeline project that will traverse through India, the Kathmandu Post daily reported Monday.
Awami League strike hits Dhaka
Dhaka, May 18: The usually bustling streets of the Bangladeshi capital wore a deserted look Wednesday as opposition Awami League enforced a daylong strike protesting the killing of a party leader.
Christina Rocca in Bangladesh
Dhaka, May 12 (IANS) US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca is in Bangladesh on a two-day visit during which she is expected to discuss a wide range of issues such as religious fundamentalism and trade with Dhaka.
Rocca discusses Nepal, Bangladesh with Indian officials
New Delhi, May 9: US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca Monday met senior Indian officials here and discussed developments in Nepal and Bangladesh.
Terrorists in Bangladesh? A conspiracy, says Khaleda
Dhaka, March 16: Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has said allegations of Bangladesh harbouring extremists and Al Qaida terrorists were nothing but a conspiracy against her government.
US, Bangladesh finalise trade draft
Dhaka, Feb 16: Dhaka and Washington have finalized a draft Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) aimed at promoting bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and the US, reports Xinhua.
Bangladesh editors denounce killings
Dhaka, Feb 14: Editors of leading national dailies in Bangladesh have expressed deep concern at the killing of a journalist last week and called for united action to protect lives and professional freedom of journalists.
Dhaka, Yangon okay plan for Asian Highway
Dhaka, Feb 8: Bangladesh and Myanmar have finalised the route for establishing a direct road link between Dhaka and Yangon, reports here say.
Bangladesh bracing for more violence
Dhaka, Feb 4: With the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led coalition threatening to take head on the main opposition Awami League on the streets, the country is bracing for more violence.
Over 10 million slum dwellers to swamp Dhaka
DHAKA: The number of slum dwellers in Dhaka will cross the 10 million mark in the next five years as the uncontrolled migration of the rural poor continues unabated.
Bangladesh strike over fuel price hike
DHAKA: Thousands took to the streets here Sunday (Dec 26) as the opposition called a countrywide dawn-to-dusk general strike denouncing the government move to hike fuel price.
Thousands of Bangladeshis return from Malaysia
DHAKA: More than 3,000 Bangladeshis have returned home from Malaysia since November after Kuala Lumpur threatened to crack down on illegal foreign workers.
Bangladesh export earnings grow by 19 percent
DHAKA: Bangladesh's overall export earnings amounted to $2.9 billion in the first four months of fiscal 2004-2005, growing by 19 percent over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, Xinhua reports.
Opposition forms 900km human chain against government
DHAKA: Hundreds of thousands of people formed a 900 km-human chain across Bangladesh to show "no confidence" in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led coalition government.
One killed in Bangladesh bomb attack
DHAKA: One person was killed and seven injured in a bomb attack in Bangladesh Friday (Dec 10), police said.
Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan hostages freed in Iraq: officials
DHAKA: Two truck drivers from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka who were kidnapped by militants in Iraq in October have been released by their captors, officials said.
Indian tour on hold, security team flies to Dhaka
DHAKA: An Indian security team flew into Dhaka on Dec 6 to check on Islamic threats to kill India's cricketers if they toured Bangladesh as originally scheduled starting this week.
Islamic group threatens to kill Indian cricketers in Bangladesh
DHAKA: A little known radical Islamic group has threatened to kill Indian cricketers when they tour Bangladesh from Tuesday (Dec 7), the Indian High Commission (embassy) told AFP.
4.5 mn children in Bangladesh live with disability
DHAKA: Over 4.5 million children in Bangladesh live with various disabilities, including learning disabilities, speech impairment and behavioural problems.
Huge Muslim congregation in Bangladesh
DHAKA: Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims have gathered in Bangladesh on the banks of the Turag river, on the outskirts of the capital, to attend an annual Islamic congregation that begins Friday.
Flowers changing Bangladeshi lives
DHAKA: Ahsanullah used to visit the botanical garden here almost every day as a child. He lived nearby, and loved plucking flowers from the garden to carry them back home.
Microsoft to open office in Dhaka
DHAKA: Microsoft Corp will open on Monday (Nov 22) its office in Dhaka to expand sales and fight piracy in the country.
100 injured in police-Myanmar refugees clash
DHAKA: A gunfight between Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar and policemen left over 100 people injured in Bangladesh Thursday (Nov 18).
Khan begins trip to Nepal, Maldives and Pakistan
DHAKA: Bangladesh Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan left Thursday (Nov 18) on a visit to three SAARC countries - Nepal, the Maldives and Pakistan - to invite their heads of state or government to the 13th SAARC summit in January.
Taiwanese eyeing Bangladesh for textile sector investment
DHAKA: Taiwanese textile entrepreneurs are keen on investing in Bangladesh because of high profit potential, says Roland Tsai, leading Taiwanese textile baron.
India seeks gas transit corridors through Pakistan, Bangladesh
NEW DELHI: India is awaiting Pakistan's reply to start talks on a proposed gas pipeline from Iran even as similar talks have been taken up with Bangladesh for sourcing the fuel from Myanmar, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has said.
India, Myanmar, Bangladesh to start gas project
DHAKA: India, Myanmar and Bangladesh are starting a gas pipeline project, Xinhua reports.
Tata investment helps smoothen Bangladesh feathers
NEW DELHI: The move by India's Tata Group to pump in $2 billion in investments in Bangladesh appears to have led Dhaka to restore a semblance of the old warmth in bilateral ties, strained of late over a variety of issues.
Bangladesh foreign minister to visit Nepal
KATHMANDU: Bangladesh Foreign Minister Morshed Khan will arrive in Kathmandu Thursday (Nov 18) on a three-day visit to invite Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to the 13th SAARC Summit in Dhaka.
Bangladesh officials lack IT knowledge
DHAKA: Most Bangladesh officials have little knowledge of information technology and are unfamiliar with the country's e-governance initiative even two years after its launch, reports Xinhua.
Ramadan causes blood crisis in Bangladesh
DHAKA: The Muslim month of fasting Ramadan has led to an unexpected crisis in Bangladesh.
Three-day mourning in Bangladesh for Arafat
DHAKA: Bangladesh announced a three-day national mourning from Thursday (Nov 11) as a mark of respect to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Bangladesh leaders condole Arafat's death
DHAKA: Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia have expressed deep shock at the death of Palestinian President Yaseer Arafat.
Bangladesh sets up committee to tackle illegal immigrants
DHAKA: Bangladesh has set up a nine-member body to track down illegal foreign nationals staying in the country, which intelligence reports say exceeds 200,000.
China setting up commercial hub in Bangladesh
DHAKA: Leading Chinese business houses are setting up a large wholesale market in Bangladesh as part of a 400-million taka ($6.78 million) project to increase exports.
Dhaka under tight security before Eid
DHAKA: The Bangladeshi capital will be patrolled round the clock for 10 days beginning Tuesday (Nov 9) to see through the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the festival of Eid, expected to fall Nov 15.
Concern over attacks on Ahmadiya's in Bangladesh
DHAKA: Bangladesh authorities Friday (Nov 5) foiled an attempt to demolish a mosque of the Ahmadiya sect, even as diplomats expressed concern over the community being increasingly targeted.
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