News 24 Hours

DHAKA: Democracy International (DI) is providing training to the women aspirants, both reserved and non-reserved seats, for the upcoming national parliamentary elections of Bangladesh. DI’s International Director of Programs and a former official for Hillary Clinton’s US Presidential Campaign Jed Ober began to provide training to nearly 150 women Monday.

DHAKA: Thousands of workers of hundreds of readymade garments factories on Monday started protest in the capital, Savar and Gazipur to press their demand for Tk 8,000 minimum salary. The protest of third day turned into a violence when workers blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways and police obstructed them. In Gazipur, workers started protest, later vandalized over 60 vehicles and 10 garment factories. They also locked into sporadic clashes with police.

photo: banglanews file photo GAZIPUR: A bus driver and a truck driver, victims of Jamaat hartal violence, succumbed to their injuries on Monday after four-day fighting for life. The deceased were identified as Nazrul Islam Bhuian 35, resident of Haydrabad village of the district and Sikander, from Gazia area of Shariatpur upazila. Sources said that during the second day of Jamaat called 48-hour hartal, Shibir activists torched the bus when Nazrul was on the driving seat, leaving him burnt critically.

RIYADH: Two more Bangladeshi pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia on Saturday and Sunday. The deceased were identified as M Abdul Momen 77, passport number- AF1084349 and M Showkat Hossain 64, passport number- AF2054893. Altogether eight Bangladeshi pilgrims were died in Saudi this year. Sources said Abdul Momen died in Mecca on Saturday and Showkat Hossain died in Medina at local time around 4:00 pm on Sunday due to heart attack.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina NEW YORK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arrived New York on Monday morning on an eight-day official visit to attend the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). An Emirates flight carrying the Prime Minister and the members of her entourage landed at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York around 9:00am. The premier will address the 68th session of the UNGA on September 27. On the sidelines of the UNGA, she will attend a number of high-level events and bilateral talks, including her Indian Counterpart Manmohan Singh.

DHAKA: Aimed at improving trade and cultural ties, the West Bengal government has approved setting up of four border "haats" on the India-Bangladesh border. A Border Security Force (BSF) officer came up with the disclosure in Kolkata on Saturday. "As a confidence building measure, we had identified and sought approval for setting up border haats at 32 locations. The West Bengal government has approved four of those haats," said BSF Additional Director General BD Sharma. The border haat or a common marketplace, where local traders from both countries would be allowed to set up shops, would not only allow people from the respective countries to buy each other`s products but also help in improving mutual relationship as well as trade and cultural ties, he said.

RANGPUR: The Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Professor Dr Nurun Nabi got released early Sunday after a 5-day confinement at his office. The teachers called off their siege programme including and fast-unto-death program after getting assurance of salary hikes of teachers and staffs and regularization their jobs. The Vice-chancellor in a two-hour long meeting with university syndicate and protesting teachers that started at around 11:00 pm promised to meet their demands. Earlier on Tuesday, they agitated started their agitation program to meet their seven-point demand. The agitating teachers’ platform ‘Progressive Teachers’ Forum’ addressed a press conference at teacher’s hall room on Saturday and poised stern position as they said the agitation would continue until there demands are met. Deprived teachers alleged that they staged several agitation programs for five months to realize the demands.

Home Mi DHAKA: Home Minister MK Alamgir categorically said the government is not afraid but concerned on recent political murders. The minister came up with the disclosure while he was talking to journalists at his office on Sunday after holding a high-level meeting on law and order situation of the country. He also confirmed about the proper investigation on recent party clashes. MK Alamgir categorically said if BNP tries to create any anarchy in the society they will be obstructed strictly.

Fina DHAKA: Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Sunday categorically said the Grameen Bank (GB) is being brought under the regulations of Bangladesh Bank (BB) as per new act. “The GB is out of the regulations of the central bank. Under the proviso of the amended Grameen Bank Act, it will come under the regulations of the Bangladesh Bank,” he said. The finance minister came up with the disclosure while talking to journalists after a meeting of the cabinet committee on purchase at the secretariat.

DHAKA: International Crimes Tribunal-2 will pronounce any day the verdict of BNP leader Abdul Alim for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during liberation war as arguments of both sides completed. The tribunal also cancelled the bail of the accused in response to an appeal of prosecution. ICT-2 led-by Justice Obaidul Hasan passed the orders after finishing counter argument and concluding speech by prosecution on Sunday.

Three policemen have been injured in an attack by suspected Islami Chhatra Shibir activists when they were conducting a raid in Dhaka.

DHAKA: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Kader Mollah’s wife Sanwara Jahan met Khaleda Zia, leader of 18-party opposition alliance on Friday night to seek steps to save her husband from execution. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court’s appellate division awarded death penalty to Quader Mollah, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Isalmi, for crimes against humanity in 1971.

DHAKA: A West Bengal-based human rights group is working on filing a writ petition seeking justice for Felani Khatun, a Bangladeshi minor girl shot dead by BSF personnel while she was trying to illegally cross the international border. Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) would be filing the petition before the Supreme Court seeking compensation for the victim as well as punishment for Border Security Force (BSF) constable Amiya Ghosh, accused of fatally shooting the girl.

CHITTAGONG: The Islamic outfit Hefazat-e-Islam has threatened to besiege the secretariat to press home their much-talked-about 13 points demand. The leaders of Islamic outfit came up with the announcement after meeting of Olama-Mashaekh chaired by Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Allama Ahmed Shafi at Jamia Ulum Babunagar Madrasa at Fatikchari upazila in the district.

LONDON: The Qatar based Al Jazeera TV broadcast a documentary on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made by international eminent journalist late David Frost. The documentary titled “Bangabandhu, the hero of liberation” was aired at GMT 20:00 on September 20. This is the last documentary film made by David Frost. For collection of the information making the documentary, he visited Bangladesh in June this year after 41-year.

GAZIPUR: Authorities of most of the readymade garments in Gazipur shut their factories for Saturday following workers’ agitation demanding leave to join a rally in capital. With a view to pressing home their several demands including pay hike, Sramik Oikya Parishad, a platform of 52 garment workers’ welfare union, is set to hold a grand rally at 2:00pm at Suhrawardy Uddyan in the capital.

DHAKA: The bail hearing of Adilur Rahman, Secretary of Human rights organization Odhikar, will be held on September 25. Dhaka Cyber Crime Tribunal fixed the date on Thursday as no state prosecutor was appointed yet. Meanwhile, high officials of British, European Union, German, France, Nepal embassy were present in the tribunal.

Khaleda Zia and John Kerry DHAKA: In response to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s letter, Opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said she thinks that the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh can be resolved through a constructive dialogue. The opposition leader sent a letter to the US secretary of state on Wednesday in response to his letter in which he expressed concern and uncertainty over the ongoing political confrontation in Bangladesh.

DHAKA: Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police held Joni, friend of Oishee Rahman, for his alleged involvement in killing Special Branch inspector and his wife, from city’s Badda area early Thursday. Sources said Joni was absconding after the murder incident. He is now being interrogated at DB headquarters in city’s Mintoo Road area. DMP’s Media and Public Relation’s Department Deputy Commissioner of police Masudur Rahman confirmed the matters to banglanews. The details will be disclosed at around 11:00 am through a press conference, he added. Earlier on August 16, police recovered the decomposed bodies of the couple around 4:00pm breaking into the flat on the fifth floor of the building. The bodies were found in Oishee’s bathroom and they bore several stab wounds, police said earlier.

photo: b DHAKA: The 48-hour hartal, called by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, is underway for second straight day on Thursday amid stray incidents of violence across the country. The party and its student wing Chhatra Shibir are observing the general strike for protesting the Supreme Court verdict that awarded death penalty to Quader Mollah. Banglanews Correspondent reports: A leader of Jamaat-e-Islami and a passenger were killed and 17 persons, including eight cops were injured, and numbers of vehicles were vandalized and torched during the hartal hours throughout the country.

MEHERPUR:  A leader of Jamaat-e-Islami was shot dead and 14 people, including five policemen, nine activists of Jamaat-Shibir, were injured while attacking police car at Gouripur under Mujibnagar upazila on Thursday morning. The deceased was identified as Delwar Hossain, 40, the president of Dariapur union under Sadar upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami. A reliable source of Jamaat said 10 activists of Jamaat and Chibir were injured, six by bullets, in a clash with police.

DHAKA: A four-day director general (DG) level conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India will come to an end on Wednesday afternoon. BSF Director General Sri Suvas Joshi and BGB Director General Major General Aziz Ahmed will hold a press briefing at BGB headquarters in the city after signing ‘Joint Record of Discussion’ (JRD).

RIYADH: Three Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia due to old age complication in last five days. Deceased were identified as Afsar Ali Kazi, 67, son of Sharser Ali Kazi of Shibganj of Bogra, Elim Fakir, 71, of Raninagar of Noagaon and Julfikar Ali, 57, son of late Rahmat Ullah of Satkhira.

FROM HOUSE: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suggested opposition chairperson Khaleda Zia to pay a visit to an eye doctor. “Ruling government has developed a lot of projects including power, energy, road infrastructure, over bridge, flyover, bridge and culvert. Khaleda Zia does not see the developments. So I suggest, she should pay a visit to an eye doctor,” she said.

DHAKA: The 48-hour hartal, called by Jamaat-e-Islami protesting Supreme Court verdict that awarded death penalty to Quader Mollah, is underway amid stray incidents of violence countrywide from 6:00am Wednesday. Jamaat-Shibir activists unleashed violence in some districts in the early hour of 48-hour hartal that began at 6:00am Wednesday.

DHAKA: Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Rtd) Jabed Ali claimed backbone of the Election Commission is alright. Standing up from chair Jabed Ali said, “See my backbone is still alright. I am the oldest person of the commission and I am fit. So you understand backbone of every commissioner is fine.”

FROM THE SUPREME COURT: Attorney General Mahbub-e-Alam categorically said that there is no provision of reviewing the verdict issued by the appellate division of Supreme Court that sentenced Quader Mollah to death. In a post-verdict reaction, Mahbub-e-Alam at his office on Tuesday said, “The apex court has granted our appeal filed against inadequate sentencing by ICT. This is the final verdict. There has no provision to review the verdict.”

DHAKA: Jamaat-e-Islami activists have unleashed violence in some districts on Tuesday soon after the Appellate division sentenced Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah to death. In Dhaka, refusing the verdict against Quader Mollah, Chhatra Shibir, student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, brought out a procession in the Bijoynagar Water Tank area in the capital on Tuesday noon.

DHAKA: Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif categorically said the death sentence of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Mollah would be executed by next 45 days during the tenure of the present government. He came up with the assertion while talking to reporters at his Karwan bazaar office at around 11:30am Tuesday. “The nation became pleased after the verdict as their expectation has been fulfilled. The souls of 30 lakhs martyrs will find peace, once the verdict is executed,” he added.

DHAKA: Retailers are betting on Bangladesh`s garment industry more than that of any other country in the coming years, new research shows, despite recent deadly factory accidents that have put their reputations at risk. Bangladesh`s $20 billion garment business came out ahead of smaller rivals Vietnam and Cambodia in the ranking of countries with the highest potential for future sourcing, according to a new study by consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

DHAKA: The Appellate division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah to death for committing crimes against humanity during liberation war in 1971. The five-member bench of the Apex Court led-by chief justice Md Mozammel Hossain passed the verdict at 9:37am after concluding the hearing on appeals filed against inadequate sentencing and conviction of war criminal and Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah.

DHAKA: Jamaat-e-Islami called a 48-hour hartal from Wednesday morning protesting the Supreme Court verdict that sentenced Qauder Mollah to death for committing crimes against humanity. Jamaat acting secretary general Rafiqul Islam Khan confirmed the matter through a statement on Tuesday noon.

FROM RAJSHAHI: BNP Chairperson Khaleda categorically said that Awami League itself is an anti-liberation force. “Government has to quit power as it has become a mad,” she said. She came up with the observation while addressing a rally at Madrasa ground in Rajshahi on Monday afternoon.

DHAKA: The Appellate division will deliver a verdict Tuesday on appeals filed against inadequate sentencing and conviction of war criminal and Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah. SC Registrar AKM Shamsul Islam said that the appeals will come up as item No 1 in tomorrow’s list of the apex court for verdict. In the meantime, the government beefed up the security at the court premises to avoid any untoward incident over pronouncement of the verdict.

TANGAIL: Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, categorically said that the government would execute the verdicts of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). He came up with the observation while addressing a rally as a chief guest organized by district Awami League at Vhashani hall on Monday.  

DHAKA: Iran’s new atomic energy chief pledged increased cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog on Monday, less than two weeks before the two sides hold a new round of talks over Tehran’s disputed atomic activities. ‘I have come here with a message of my newly elected president (Hassan Rohani) to further enhance and expand our ongoing cooperation with the agency,’ Ali Akbar Salehi told the annual meeting of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) member states, reports The Jerusalem Post.

DHAKA: The Election Commission expressed hope that ruling and opposition parties would take part in upcoming general polls as per constitution. Election Commissioner M Shahnewaz came up with the observation while taking to journalist at his secretariat on Monday. M Shahnewaz said, “We are optimist as the ruling and opposition parties will take part in next general polls with unanimity as they have enough time ahead of election.”

DHAKA: A journalist mother was injured as she jumped from a five-storied building on Monday after hearing her daughter’s death news. The injured journalist is Naznin Akter, senior reporter of daily Janakantha and wife of Rakibul Islam, chief reporter of GTV. Source said Naznin’s only daughter Chandramukhi died on Monday at Dhaka Children Hospital under treatment. Hearing the news she jumped from her five-storied rented house and became injured seriously.

TONGI, GAZIPUR: Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Sunday said that Awami League kept their promises so they can expect people to vote them again. He came up with the observation while addressing a roadside rally at Tongi at around 11:00am. Sajeeb Wazed Joy also said, “We are working to implement vision-2021. We promised to build-up digital Bangladesh, we completed our half of works. We want to complete the rest of work, that’s why we again want vote for Boat symbol.”

DHAKA: The left-leaning parties have called half-day hartal for Monday in Sylhet protesting the attack of Chhatra League activists on the rally of Communist party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD). Main opposition BNP has lent its support to the hartal. BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Razvi Ahmed confirmed the matter to banglanews on Sunday evening.

FROM JATIYA SHANGSHAD:  Environment and Forest Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud informed the parliament that Rampal Coal Power plant had not got final approval yet. The minister came up with the assertion while answering queries of a lawmaker during in the parliament on Sunday. Hasan Mahmud said, “Department of environment is surveying the consequences of the thermal plant to figure out environmental degradation to reduce it in a minimum scale and the final approval will come after the assessment.”

SYLHET: At least 25 leaders and activists of Communist party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) including president Mujahidul Islam Selim and Khalekuzzaman were injured as Chhatra League activists attacked a rally in Sylhet. The incident took place in court point area in the town at CPB rally on Sunday afternoon.

DHAKA: After a long waiting, the report about much-talked Hall-Mark scandal was submitted to the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC). An ACC team led by ACC investigation department director general Zia Uddin Ahmed submitted the report on Sunday. The report included the names of 25 officials of Hall-Mark group and Sonali Bank and sought approval of submitting charge sheet before the court.

FROM RANGPUR: Opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia declared to prevent any vote rigging by Awami League in upcoming election. She came up with the observation while addressing a mass rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground on Sunday afternoon.

DHAKA: War crimes investigation agency finalized its probe report against Jamaat-e-Islami nayeb-e-ameer Abdus Subhan and found nine charges of crimes against humanity committed during the country’s liberation war in 1971. The investigators will submit the report to the prosecution on Sunday as it is the scheduled day of the final report submission. Chief of the investigation agency Mohammad Abdul Hannan Khan came up with the disclosure at a press conference in his Dhanmondi office at around 11:00am Saturday.

DHAKA: Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed on Saturday said India should look at removing all trade barriers to help increase exports by the neighbouring country. “I have just met the Indian Commerce Secretary S R Rao and Revenue Secretary Sumit Bose. I have urged them to remove all tariff and non-tariff barriers on Bangladeshi exports,” Mahbub Ahmed said.

DHAKA: European Union (EU) has not yet decided to send observers in the upcoming general election of Bangladesh. This was clarified on Saturday in a press release issued in this regard on Saturday. The new release read: “We have repeatedly stated that the current mission in Dhaka is fact-finding and exploratory. It has not yet reached any conclusions.”

CHITTAGONG: Bangabandhu’s Grandson Sajeeb Wazed Joy, also a computer scientist, urged people to vote for the talented and competent candidates in upcoming general election. “If the court gives any final verdict of war crimes before next election, Awami League will execute it, he added. He came up with the assertions in a programme titled ‘Let’s Talk’ with various colleges and universities students of Chittagong at the Club Auditorium of the City, arranged by Centre for Research and Information (CRI) on Saturday. Addressing the young generation, Joy said, “Many things are depending on you as you have votes to cast. If you cast your vote for talented and competent candidates, country will move forward. Otherwise, we will recede to darker ages.”

COMILLA: Train communications on Dhaka-Chittagong-Sylhet routes was restored around 8:15pm on Saturday evening. Earlier, the communications were halted as the engine of Subarna Express went out of service at 7:10pm in Rasulpur of Comilla.