Oil prices rise on violence in world

SINGAPORE, Dec 29, 2014 (AFP)- Oil prices rose in Asia Monday as fresh violence in Libya stoked concerns about possible supply disruptions, analysts said. 

West Texas Intermediate for February delivery rose 46 cents to $55.19 while Brent crude for February gained 35 cents to $59.80 in late-afternoon trade.

Daniel Ang, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore, said investors are showing concern as the "armed conflict in Libya is affecting crude oil flows". 

Forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognised government on Sunday carried out air strikes against Islamist militia following attacks on the country's crucial Al-Sidra oil export terminal. 


The Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) group has been been trying to take Al-Sidra and the nearby Ras Lanuf terminal since Thursday when it killed at least 22 soldiers in a surprise attack by speedboat.

Seven oil storage tanks at Al-Sidra were set on fire as a result of the fighting.

On Sunday firefighters managed to extinguish four of the fires, an oil official said.

Since fresh clashes first erupted around the export terminals on December 13, Libya's oil production has dropped to fewer than 350,000 barrels per day compared with 800,000 previously, industry experts say.

More than three years after dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, Libya is awash with weapons and powerful militias, and has rival parliaments and governments.

Read More

6 killed as covered van hits train

DHAKA, Dec 29, 2014 (BSS)- At least six persons including a 
woman were killed and 10 others injured when a covered-van hit a 
train at Kamalapur Railway Station this afternoon.

The accident took place around 1pm when a covered van rammed 
into Dhaka bound 219-Narayanganj local train after defying signal 
at Inland Container Terminal of Kamlapur Railway Station, 
officer-in-charge Abdul Majid of Dhaka Railway Police Station 
told BSS. 

Senior deputy assistant engineer of Bangladesh Railway Abdul 
Matin filed an accident case with Railway Police Station in this 
connection, he also said. 

Two persons were killed on the spot while four others died at 
Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), hospital sources said 
while police claimed five persons were killed in the incident. 

Condition of four passengers out of 10, who are now 
undergoing treatment at DMCH, is stated to be critical, hospital 
sources said. 

Of the deceased, three were identified as Naim Islam, 16, a 
class ten student of Khoda Box Alia Madrasa under Bakerganj 
Upazila of Barisal district, son of Yunus Shikder, Mojibur 
Rahman, 50 and Alamgir Hossain, 45. 

All the deceased and injured are the passengers of the 
train, police and hospital sources said. 

A three-member committee headed by Dhaka divisional officer 
Nazmul Islam was formed to probe the incident. Two other members 
of the committee are: divisional engineer Mohiuddin Arif and 
divisional mechanical engineer (loco) Sadekur Rahman. The body 
has been asked to submit the probe report by three working days. 

After visiting the place of occurrence, Railways Minister Md 
Mazibul Hoque told newsmen that goods laden covered van hit a 
Dhaka bound 219-Narayanganj local train around 1pm. 

The covered van driver might have lost control over the 
steering or anything else and some injured passengers of the 
train are now undergoing treatment at hospital, he said. The 
train was badly damaged, he added.

Read More

no scope to turn Bangladesh into a militant country

AIBANDHA, Dec 29, 2014 (BSS) - President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, MP, on Monday said no scope would be given to turn Bangladesh into a militant country despite conducting militancy by the anti liberation forces.


"BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia is always making conspiracy to go to power riding on the Islamic militants. All sorts of conspiracies and ill mechanism of Begum Zia to materialize her dream to go to power will be foiled with the united efforts of patriotic people", he said.

Hasanul Haque Inu made the comments while addressing a district conference and council of JSD, district unit, on the premises of Shahid Minar of the town here at noon as the chief guest.

Nazmul Haque Prodhan, MP, and Rezaul Karim Tansen, MP, were present as special guests.

With acting president of district JSD Seliquzzaman Chowdhury Rubel in the chair, the function was also addressed, among others, by public relation secretary of JSD freedom fighter Shafiuddin Mollah, acting president of district AL Advocate Syed Shams-ul- Alam Hiru, general secretary Abu Bakar Siddique, workers' party leader Aminul Islam Golap, NAP leader Lutfar Rahman Ranzu, JSD leaders Shariful Islam Bablu, Golam Maruf Mona, Dr Akram Hossain, Advocate Sirajul Islam, Advocate TSA Alamgir and Khademul Islam Khudi. 

In the name of hartal and barricade, no destructive activities like terrorism and sabotage would be allowed in the country to foil its ongoing development process under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister said.

"The people of Bangladesh had boycotted Khaleda Zia and her allies for conducting militant and subversive activities in the country during her regime," he said, adding that the people would take initiative so that none could form government in the country in future taking the support of Razakars and the militants.

He also urged Begum Zia to come to the healthy politics at the greater interest of the country shunning the path of violence and terrorism and leaving the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh which played anti liberation role in 1971.

Read More

Air Asia plane missing off Indonesia : searching continue

JAKARTA, Dec 29, 2014 (BSS/AFP) - Multinational teams searched Monday for any sign of an AirAsia plane missing off Indonesia with 162 people on board, but one top official warned it was likely at the bottom of the sea.

Australia, Singapore and Malaysia deployed planes and ships to assist in the Indonesian search as anguished relatives waited for news of their loved ones more than a day after Flight QZ8501 disappeared over the Java Sea.

The Airbus A320-200 lost contact en route from Surabaya in Indonesia's east Java to Singapore on Sunday after the crew requested a change of flight plan due to stormy weather, in the third crisis for a Malaysian carrier this year.

"Based on the coordinates given to us and evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is at the bottom of the sea," National Search and Rescue Agency chief Bambang Soelistyo told journalists.

"That's the preliminary suspicion and it can develop based on the evaluation of the result of our search," he said.

Currently search teams are scouring an area where the sea is 40-50 metres (130-160 feet) deep, he said, adding that Indonesia was coordinating with other countries to access any equipment needed to scour the seabed.

"Due to the lack of technology that we have, I have coordinated with our foreign minister so we will borrow from other countries which have offered. They are the UK, France and US," he said.

"It is not easy to look for something underwater... that will not break our spirit to continue searching, no way."

- Hoping for news -

Distraught relatives spent the night in Surabaya hoping for news of loved ones as international teams expanded their search area.

Intan, 28, urged Indonesia to seek international help to find the plane which was carrying her brother and his family and friends.

"My hope is Indonesia seeks as much help as possible from other countries. Don't claim 'We have sophisticated technology', just ask other countries because they are better equipped," she told AFP.

"My prayer is I really, really hope that there will be news about the people on board. Whatever it is, what is important is we know where they are now," she said.

Read More

Sheikh Hasina Reached at Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nov 25, 2014 - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was given a red carpet reception as she flew in here today to attend the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit.

The two-day Summit begins at the City Hall (Rashtriya Sabha Griha), Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu tomorrow.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and members of her entourage landed at Tribhuban International Airport in Kathmandu at 4.05 pm (Nepal time).

Deputy Prime Minister of Prakash Mansingh, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams received Sheikh Hasina at the airport.

The Prime Minister was given a guard of honour by Nepal Army. On the occasion, national anthems of both Bangladesh and Nepal were played.

After a warm reception at the airport, the Prime Minister in ceremonial motorcade was taken to Hotel Crown Plaza Kathmandu-Soaltee where she will be staying during her visit to Nepal.

Thousands of people attired in traditional Nepali costume and beating drums on the roadside welcomed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The roads and road islands were decorated with the national flags of the SAARC countries and portraits of SAARC leaders.

The Prime Minister will address the inaugural session of the 18th SAARC Summit along with other heads of state or government of the SAARC nations tomorrow.

Read More

Latif Siddique sent to jail

DHAKA, Nov 25, 2014
to jail Abdul Latif Siddique, who was recently removed from the
cabinet and also ruling Awami League (AL) on his surrender to
Dhanmondi Police Station.

Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Atiqur Rahman sent him
to the jail after showing him arrested.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Bakar Siddik of Dhanmondi Police
Station sent Latif Siddique to the CMM court after he (Latif
Siddique) turned himself to the police station this afternoon.

He came to Bangladesh from India on Sunday night.

Multiple arrest warrants were issued against him in a number
of cases for his remarks on Hajj and Tablig Jamaat that hurt the
religious sentiment of the members Muslim community.

- A court here this afternoon sent

Read More

Maximum TK 50 lakh loan for women entrepreneurs: Muhith

Dhaka

, Nov 25, 2014 - Finance Minister AMA Muhith today told the House that the country's women entrepreneurs are getting maximum TK 50 lakh as loan at 10 percent interest from different banks and financial institutions as part of the women economic empowerment.

"The Women Entrepreneur Dedicated Desk has also been set up at all bank-branches to ensure the financial assistance for the women entrepreneurs," he said while answering to a scripted question of Salma Islam of Dhaka-1 in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS).

The minister said the SME foundation, BISIC, business bodies, entrepreneurs development institutions and other stakeholders are jointly imparting training and arranging various workshops, seminars and exhibitions to create new markets for their products.

He mentioned that the present government has underscored the need for the development of women entrepreneurs saying that Bangladesh Bank is still conducting some programmes in this regard.

Read More

BB reduced the rate of provisioning for short-term agricultural loan

DHAKA, Nov 18, 2014 - Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Tuesday reduced the rate of provisioning for short-term agricultural loan and microcredit.

A loan provision is an amount set aside in the event that the loan
defaults.

The central bank in a circular said the rate of the provision would be 2.5 percent against a loan of Taka 100, meaning a bank should set aside Taka 2.5 for an unclassified agricultural loan and microcredit of Taka 100. Earlier, the rate of provisioning for the similar loans was fixed at 5.0 percent.

BB said the loan provisioning was reduced to encouraging participation of the banks in disbursing agricultural loan and microcredit.

It, however, said the loan provisioning for classified as 'sub-standard' and 'doubtful' agricultural loans and micro-credits would be 5.0 percent and for the classified as 'bad/loss' would be 100 percent.

Read More

Bangladesh exporting jute in 69 countries

Dhaka,Nov 18, 2014 -Textiles and Jute Minister Muhammad Emajuddin Pramanik today informed the Jatiya Sangsad that the raw jute and jute products are being exported to 69 countries across the world.

A total of 18.07

The countries include Iran, China, Australia, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippine, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Egypt, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, Chili, Germany, United States, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Pakistan, Soudi Arabia, Argentina, Brazil, France and Portugal.

He said Taka 7,641.77 crore were earnd by exporting raw jute till now from 2008-09 fiscal year.

On another question raised by Moazzem Hossain Ratan, Emajuddin said there are 23 silk villages across the country. There is a plan to set up more 15 ideal silk villages in four years to expand and develop silk industry in Bangladesh upto 2017, he said.

The minister said jute is being cultivated on nearly 17 lakh acres of land. Jute seed and modern agri matarials have also been distributed to 2.50 lakh farmers of 200 upazilas free of cost, he added.

lakh bales of raw jute are being exported every year, the minister said while replying to a question of treasury bench member Didarul Alam.

Read More

President asked the authorities immediately arrest of killer of Rajshahi University Professor

RAJSHAHI, Nov 18, 2014  - Terming the killing of Rajshahi University Professor AKM Shafiul Islam as unexpected, President Abdul Hamid today asked the authorities concerned to immediately arrest those involved in it for exemplary punishment.

"I've been observing with grave concern that recently a professor of social science department of Rajshahi University AKM Shafiul Islam was killed . . . I' m shocked with the nation for such an incident," said the President while speaking at the 4th Convocation of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) here.

He said a distinguished scholar of an institution of highest seat of learning will be killed in this way is not expected to anyone.

"I urge the authorities concerned to immediately arrest the killers and give them exemplary punishment for the gruesome killing" said the President.

Congratulating the new graduates on the occasion of the convocation, Abdul Hamid advised the graduates to devote themselves to the nation building activities.

"You, the graduates, are the important human resource of the country . . . today's convocation is giving recognition to your achievement and on the other hand, it is also giving you responsibility towards your family, society and above all towards the country and nation," said the President who chaired the convocation as the chancellor of the university.

Abdul Hamid said education is the first stair to build a nation. Education doesn't mean only economic and social development, rather it also means developing students intellectually with non-communal spirit, and above all awakening deep patriotism, he added.

The President stressed the need for combining joy with education and said that affection for people, humanity, culture, tradition, and knowledge and technology-based techniques must be infused in education.

"We need an education that makes creative and enlightened people, not the certificate-oriented education or the kind of education which rely on reading of textbooks," he added.

Abdul Hamid said education is the key to entering the world of enlightenment which has thousands of passages. "I hope the education will open windows of the locked chamber of darkness and superstition . . . education will teach us to shun narrowness . . . we want education that will make bridge among the people," he added.

The objective of the higher education is to disseminate knowledge and innovation of new knowledge apart from building skilled manpower, the President said, adding, "To this end, country's universities have to play role in creative activities, practicing free-thinking and flourishing the freedom of thinking so that students can develop themselves with non-communal spirit and leadership quality".

The President laid especial emphasis on research and said there is inextricable link between education and research because new knowledge is created through research which plays important role in fulfilling the existing demands of the society.

"So the university teachers have to engage themselves in research," he added.

Terming the present age as the age of information technology, the President said that there is no alternative but to develop efficient engineer to face the challenges. Bangladesh has huge human resources, he said and hoped that they would contribute to the national development once they will be able to enrich themselves with knowledge of information technology.

Noted educationist Dr Jamilur Reza Chowdhury delivered the convocation speech while RUET vice-chancellor Dr Rafiqul Alam Beg gave welcome speech.

A total of 2513 graduates were conferred degrees at the convocation.

Read More

World Toilet Day on Nov 19

DHAKA, Nov 18, 2014 - 'Inadequate sanitation in South Asia leads to a number of diseases including diarrhea. But the most dramatic result of open defecation is the Ebola outbreak in West Africa,' a World Health Organization (WHO) report said this in a report published on the eve of the "World Toilet Day", November 19.

The WHO estimates that every dollar spent on sanitation gives a return of nine US dollars. It also estimated that India's loss to GDP was 6.4 per cent due to poor sanitation.

The WHO in its report said that South Asia is likely to miss its target of reaching the sanitation goals by 2015, the target year for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). So far, the most successful case has been Nepal where it has improved to 86 per cent from 40 per cent and the second best case is Bangladesh here it improved from three per cent to 34 per cent.

The secretary-general of the United Nations in a message on "World Toilet Day," has called upon countries to form a "global partnership" to address the challenges of sanitation.

He said the task was even more imperative as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) terminal year will end next year but achievements in the sanitation sector has not been satisfactory.

The secretary general also said that one-third of women defecate in the open making them prone to diseases and sexual violence. The total number of women not having access to safe toilets is a "staggering" 1.25 billion, worldwide. That is why the focus of this year's "World Toilet Day" is "Equality, Dignity and the Link Between Gender-based Violence and Sanitation."

Read More

10 Bangladeshi IT professionals pass 1st official ITEE

DHAKA, November 17, 2014 – Ten Bangladeshi IT talents have qualified for the recognition as an international IT professionals by IT Engineers Examination (ITEE), an international standardized examination of the IT professionals, presently recognized in 13 Asian countries. Among the 182 candidates who took part in the ITEE Exam held in October 2014, the successful 10 candidates proved that they have IT skills and knowledge of global standard and they can become valuable assets for IT industry of both home and abroad,”  Mohammad Enamul Kabir, Project Director of BD-ITEC said when announcing the authorized result of ITEE in Bangladesh today. Bangladesh organized the first official ITEE Exam on October 26 last after getting membership from Information Technology Professional Examination Council (ITPEC) in September 2014. The examination was held at Dhaka University (DU), Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET), Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology (CUET), Rajshahi University and Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). The ITEE Exams are organized twice a year simultaneously with other ITPEC member countries (Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam).  In Japan, ITEE is recognized as a national standardized examination for IT professionals where five to six lakh IT students and IT professionals attend every year. Bangladesh IT-engineers Examination Center (BD-ITEC) under Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology introduced the examination in the country under a project titled Capacity Building on ITEE Management with the assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Chief Advisor of JICA-ITEE Project Hideo Hoya said one of the objectives of introducing ITEE in the country is to give international branding to Bangladeshi IT professionals. He hoped that the certificate of ITEE will help the local Bangladeshi IT professionals to get international recognition and jobs around the globe. Bangladesh has placed second among seven Asian countries in its maiden trial ITEE last year. From now on, BD-ITEC will conduct ITEE in Bangladesh twice in a year along with other Asian ITPEC member countries.  

Read More

Journalist Baby Moudud learnt computer from Sk.Hasina

DHAKA, Nov 11, 2014 - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said she had her first lesson of computer education from her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

"I also knew the word 'digital' from Joy," said Sheikh Hasina, the architect of Digital Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister disclosed this while addressing the Digital Center Entrepreneurs Conference at the National Parade Square in the city.

Some 11,000 entrepreneurs of over 4,500 Digital Centers, previously known as Union Information and Service Centers (UISCs), joined the conference.

At the outset of her speech, the Prime Minister said: "The computer education that I had and the word 'digital' I learnt from none other than my son Sajeeb Wazed Joy."

Highlighting the role of Joy in her computer education, Sheikh Hasina said there is no age for learning.

"Joy used to bring computer, when he studied at the school. Then I used to touch the computer. I along with my friend (late) Baby Moudud learnt computer typing from him," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government always gave priority to the computer education and training. "That's why my 1996-2001 government withdrew tax on computer at the advice of Joy."

"Joy had advised to lift tax on computer, and accordingly I asked the then finance minister (late) Shah AMS Kibria to take steps (to this end)," she said.

Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League chief, said it was her party which bought a computer first in 1991 to conduct party activities smoothly. "Taka 3.50 lakh was spent to purchase that computer," she said.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, eminent IT expert and PM's ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, State Minister for ICT Junaed Ahmed Palak and UNDP Country Director Paulin Tamesis addressed the conference as special guests with Local Government Division Secretary M Monzur Hossain in the chair.

PM's Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikdar spoke, while PMO Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad gave the address of welcome and Project Director of the A2I Programme Kabir Bin Anwar gave the vote of thanks.

Read More

Chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPU) left Dhaka for CPA headquarters

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, also the Chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPU) executive committee, left Dhaka for CPA headquarters in London yesterday evening.

The CPA chairperson will perform her official work there for the first time, said a press release today.

Besides, at the invitation of the World Health Organization (WHO), she will take part in a two-day programme “Stakeholder Meeting: Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health” in the Swiss city of Geneva on Thursday, the release added.

Chief Whip of Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) ASM firoz, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministry Imran Ahmed, senior secretary of the Parliament Secretariat Md Ashraful Maqbul and other concerned high officials were present at the Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport to see her off.

(BSS)

Read More

Holy Ashura observed recalling Karbala tragedy

DHAKA, Nov 4, 2014  - The Muslims in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world observed the holy Ashura today marking the 10th day of Muharram with due religious solemnity and in a befitting manner.

The day is observed as a symbol of "sacrifice and mourning" recalling the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA), a grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), in the battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram in Hijri 61.

In the historic battle, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his 72 followers were martyred by the soldiers of Yazid at Karbala while fighting for establishing truth and justice in society.

The word Ashura means simply "tenth" in Arabic, and therefore the name of the remembrance, literally translated, means "the tenth day". 

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages marking the holy Ashura.

They called upon all to resist injustice and establish truth and justice reflecting the great teachings of Holy Ashura. 

Different religious organizations, including Islamic Foundation, chalked out various programmes to observe the day.

The Shi'a Muslims brought out a large procession known as Tazia in the city from Imam Bara at Hosenee Dalan of Old Dhaka. 

Besides, several processions were brought out from the city's different areas including Mirpur, Mohammadpur and Purana Paltan.

In the processions, the Shi'a Muslims expressed mourning and grief by flagellating themselves on the back with chains, beating their heads intending to connect them with Imam Hussain's (RA) sufferings.

Other programmes of the day included Quran Khwani, Milad Mahfil, fasting and feeding of the destitute.

In all main cities including Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet, the Shi'a Muslims brought out Tazia processions and paraded main streets chanting "Hai Hussein, Hai Hussein." 

Read More

Korea Expressway Corporation gets Padma Bridge supervision work

DHAKA, Nov 4, 2014 -Bangladesh Bridges Authority yesterday signed a contract to appoint a consultant firm for supervision of the construction work of the main Padma Bridge and river training at a cost of Tk 383.15 crore.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader witnessed the agreement signing ceremony as the chief guest at the Bridge Bhaban in the city.BSS


According to the contract, Team Leader (Overseas Project Division) of Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) Cho, Nam-Min and M Shafiqul Islam, project director of Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

Cho, Nam-Min led six companies based in Korea.

Korean Ambassador in Dhaka Lee Yun-Young, Bridge Division Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, chief engineer of Bangladesh Bridges Authority Kabir Ahmed, chief of local technical evaluation committee Dr Jamilur Reza Chowdhury and officials concerned were present during the contract signing ceremony.

According to the project, the overall implementation of the project is 22 percent, while 15 per cent implemented of its infrastructure. The contract duration has been fixed at five years.

Read More

6 kg gold bars seized at Hazrat Shahjalal Int Airport

DHAKA, Nov 4, 2014  - Members of customs intelligence arrested a youth with 6-kg gold bars worth about Tk 3 crore from the Green Channel area of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport here this morning.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Noor-e-Alam Siddique of Armed Police Battalion (APBn) confirmed the news saying, "The arrested passenger was identified as Zillur Rahman, 35, son of Mizan Rahman, an inhabitant of Kuara village of Shariatpur district."

He was a passenger of Bangladesh Biman Airlines Limited (flight no BG-056). He arrived here from Rome of Italy at about 9:30 am.

"The gold bars, weighting one kg each, were found searching a bag kept in his possession," the APBn official added.

A case was lodged with airport police station in this connection.Source:BSS

Read More

People Observing holy Ashura

DHAKA, Nov 3, 2014  - Muslims all over the world will observing the holy Ashura tonight(ten Mahram) with due religious solemnity, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA), grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH),

On this day, 10th Muharram in the Hijri year 61, Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA) along with his family members and close relations were entrapped by Yazid's forces and later embraced martyrdom in Karbala after battling for long hours.

About 1332 years back, Imam Hossain (RA) had to make supreme sacrifice to uphold the spirit of Islam and the teachings of the Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

Besides, this day is very important day in human history and has been observed as a major sacred day by Muslims for reasons obvious which were mentioned briefly in the holy Quarn as well as elaborately in the Hadith.

Muslims believe that Almighty Allah has created the Earth on this day and the 'Qiamat Day (The Day of Justice)' will happen on this date.

Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) got relief from the 'Fire-Den' of Nomrud (who declared himself as the creator of the world) and Prophet Hazrat Yunus (AS) was also released from the grab of big fish by the grace of the Creator.

Read More

people expressed satisfaction death sentence of Muhammad Kamaruzzaman

DHAKA, Nov 3, 2014  - Eminent citizens of the country today expressed their satisfaction over upholding of death sentence of Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, assistant secretary-general of Jamaat-e-Islami.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today upheld the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 verdict sentencing death to Jamaat leader Kamaruzzaman for committing crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division (AD) headed by Justice SK Sinha delivered the verdict around 9.10 in the morning. Three other judges of the bench are Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, Justice Hasan Foez Siddique and Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury.

Just after the verdict one of the prosecutors of ICT Tureen Afroz expressed her satisfaction and said "the verdict is a victory of spirit of Muktijuddha. It's a victory of history of mankind. This verdict will be a milestone in establishing justice and rule of law. It will be marked as another step of freeing the nation from culture of impunity."

Eminent cultural activists Nasiruddin Yusuf Bacchu said souls of Liberation War martyrs will get peace through the verdict. This is a right verdict against war criminal like Kamaruzzaman who was involved in crimes like killing, rape and looting during the War of Liberation.

"Bangladesh is a civilized country. We waited a long for getting such kind of verdict. At last we got justice," he said.

Read More

List of razakars after proper list of freedom fighters

Dhaka 30 Oct 2014: Minister for Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haq on Thursday said the government will prepare a list of Razakars after compiling a proper list of freedom fighters.

He was speaking at a rally at 11:00 am at the capital’s Bangabandhu avenue.
The Minister also claimed no one is observing Jamaat’s hartal anywhere in the country as everyone is satisfied with the verdict against Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami.

Read More

Verdict on Mir Quasem Sunday

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) -2 on Sunday will deliver verdict in the case against Jamaat-e-Islami central committee leader Mir Quasem Ali over committing crimes against humanity during Liberation War against Pakistan in 1971.

Three-member ICT-2 led by Justice Obaidul Hasan on Thursday fixed the date for pronouncement of the judgment.


The other judges of the tribunal are Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Miya and Justice Md Shahinur Islam.


The process of the trial concluded on 4 May. Tribunal reserved the judgment for some days to deliver verdict.


Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali has been under trial over a total of 14 offences he allegedly committed during the Liberation War in 1971.

Read More

Jamaat Chief Nizami to hang

A Bangladesh war crimes court on Wednesday handed a death sentence to the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami in a long-awaited verdict.


A judge found Motiur Rahman Nizami, 71, guilty of murder, rape and looting during Bangladesh’s 1971 war and sentenced him “to hang by the neck until his death”.
Security was tightened across Bangladesh ahead of the long-awaited verdict, amid fears that it will spark a new round of bloodshed.


Similar judgement against several of his senior lieutenants in the Jamaat-e-Islami party plunged Bangladesh into one of its worst crisis last year as tens of thousands of supporters fought with police.


More than 500 people died in the unrest and subsequent political violence ahead of disputed polls in January.


Junior home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said “all sorts of security measures have been taken across the country” amid fears that a death sentence could unleash a new bout of bloodletting.


While it was effectively banned from taking part in this year’s legislative elections, Jamaat has millions of activists who have staged shows of strength on the streets of Dhaka and other major cities in the aftermath of the previous verdicts.


“We won’t tolerate any attempt to create instability or chaos,” Khan told reporters on Tuesday.


Extra police and border guards have been deployed in the capital and in other major cities, security officials said.


Nizami arrived at the court in Dhaka early Wednesday flanked by heavy security, while hundreds of officers surrounded the complex.
Dozens of former “freedom fighters”, who battled in 1971, also gathered outside the court, demanding Nizami’s execution.


The verdict, originally scheduled for June, was postponed at the 11th hour because Nizami was suffering from high blood pressure.


“We are finally going to get the long-awaited verdict,” prosecutor Tureen Afroz told AFP. “We hope he will be sentenced to death for his crimes during the war.”
As the leader of now defunct Islami Chhatra Sangha (ICS), prosecutors say that Nizami turned the then student wing of Jamaat into a militia which killed professors, writers, doctors and journalists.


The aim was to make the fledgling nation an “intellectual cripple”, prosecutor Mohammad Ali said.
“When the war was nearing an end, as the chief commander of al Badr he ordered a ‘hit list’ based on which top intellectuals were abducted and killed,” he said.
Prosecutors say Nizami, as leader of al Badr, either personally carried out or ordered the deaths of nearly 600 Bangladeshis.


Nizami is already on death row after being sentenced to hang in January for trafficking weapons and trying to ship them to a rebel group in northeast India.


Defence lawyers say Nizami, Jamaat’s leader since 2000, was prosecuted for war crimes as part of a government witch-hunt against its opponents.

“He was a leader of the ICS but he never headed al Badr,” his son and lawyer Nazib Momen told AFP, adding his name was not in the list of war criminals prepared by the post-independence government.


Since it was established by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2010, the self-styled International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced around a dozen opposition leaders for war crimes.
Rights groups have criticised the trials, saying they fall short of international standards and lack any international oversight.
The country’s secular government maintains the trials are needed to heal the wounds of the conflict that it says killed three million people.
Independent researchers estimate that between 300,000 and 500,000 people died.
(AFP)

Read More

IPU President Saber Hossain Chowdhury returns home

DHAKA, Oct 21, 2014

Chowdhury also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, won the post defeating three other contestants on the concluding day of the 5-day 131st IPU conference held in Geneva on October 16.

In the election, Saber secured 169 votes and his nearest contender
Australia Bronwyn Bishop got 95 votes. Saber Hossain is the first Bangladeshi to win the IPU post.

Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) Md Fazlee Rabbi Mia, Chief Whip ASM Feroz, JS Whips Md Atiur Rahman Atique, Md Shahab Uddin and Mahbub Ara Begum Gini, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Ministry Dr Dipu Moni, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Youth and Sports Md Jahid Ahsan Russel, Sanjida Khanam, MP, greeted him at Hazrat Shahjalal (R )International Airport.

- Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP, who was elected President of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the next three years, returned home today.

Read More

Govt. to convert all textbooks of primary level into multimedia books

DHAKA, Oct 21, 2014  - The government will convert all textbooks from class one to five under the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) into multimedia books for making them attractive, enjoyable and easily understandable to the learners.

"Initially, 33 books from class one to five under NCTB will be converted into multimedia books with the collaboration of Information and Communication Technology (ICTD) Division and BRAC," Education Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam Khan told a workshop on "projection of multimedia books" at the BRAC Center.

The contents of some books including mathematics, science and environment converted into multimedia books under the project of ICT Division titled "Developing Interactive Multimedia Digital Version of Primary Education Contents" were exhibited at the function.

Khan said the government also will take steps to convert all books of technical education and Madrasha education curriculums into multimedia books.

"The learners will not need to memorize the texts, if the education contents are converted into digital version using pictures, chart, diagram, audio and video" he said.

Khan said the government has a plan to supply tablets to the educational institutions to read multimedia books.

"We are talking to the donor agencies to provide assistance for supplying tablets to the educational institutions which will turn the books of NCTB, Technical Education Board and Madrasha Education Board into multimedia books," he said.

Director Education of BRAC Shafiqul Islam said they have appointed two foreign `e -Learning' experts- Marteen Delkle of Netherlands and Ruhee Tustam, a Harvard University fellow to develop contents and convert the books of NCTB from class one to five into multimedia books.

"BRAC has expertise to convert all books from class one to ten into digital version," he said.

NCTB Chairman Md. Abul Kashem Miah, Project Director of Developing Interactive Multimedia Digital Version of Primary Education Contents Project Md. Akhter Hossain and Nila Afroz of BRAC, among others, addressed the function.

Read More

Govt to ensure safe future for every child: PM

DHAKA, Oct 21, 2014 - Terming the barbaric killing of Sheikh Russell on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 as the saddest side of the carnage, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is determined to ensure safe future of all children.

"Killing of a child like Russell at point blank range is a most tragic side of the August 15 carnage. We don't want death of any child in this manner," she said adding, "We want to give them a safe future and build up each of them as worthy citizens of the country to enable them to lead the country in all spheres."

The Prime Minister was distributing prizes among the winners of chess, drawing and cultural competitions organized by Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu Kishore Parishad marking the 50th birth anniversary of Sheikh Russell.

Addressing a gathering of children and juveniles at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here, the Prime Minister said, "You have to always keep in mind that you are the citizens of a victorious nation. A victorious nation can never bow head to anybody except the Almighty."

Recalling the memories of youngest brother Sheikh Russell, the Prime Minister got emotional saying, "Russell is much younger than me. I had took care of him in his early age. I don't want to see similar fate in the life of any children."

"Russell always deprived of fatherly affection since his birth as Bangabandhu was mostly busy with politics or was in jails for years. Russell visited the prisons in his very tender age with us, my mother and relatives to see his father, and he could clearly realize that he is deprived of his father's affection," Sheikh Hasina, eldest daughter of Bangabandhu said.

The Prime Minister said the carnage of August 15 was not only aimed at annihilating a family. The conspiracy was hatched with a view to destroy the spirit of the war of liberation, distort the history, divert the country to another direction and put forth the country to the hands of the defeated force.

PM's advisor Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, secretary general of the Parishad Mahmudus Samad Chowdhruy, MP, advisor of the Parishad Sirajul Islam Mollah, MP president of Dhaka chapter K M Shahidullah and member of Parishad Israt Jahan Ema also spoke on the occasion while president of the Parishad Raqibur Rahman was in the chair.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government is distributing free text books to lessen the burden of the parents of poor families. Students are given scholarship and steps were taken to help the student get easy access to education.

She said steps were taken for inter-school sports and cultural competition. "Students should be devoted for study, sports, culture and history. They have to know the real history of the nation," she said.

She urged the children to know the country's history and how the Pakistani forces had suppressed us for 24 years and how the country got liberation through a long struggle under the leadership of Bangabandhu.

The Prime Minister said, every people of Bangladesh would live with full rights and particularly the rights of every children should be safeguarded. "The government has taken special measures for the children with disability," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said children are the future of the country. So children have to acquire knowledge to run the country efficiently in future and take forward the nation towards prosperity. "We want to build up the children in this way," she added.

Praising the role of Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu Kishore Parishad in reorganizing the pro-liberation people during military regime, the Prime Minister said at that time politics was banned and leaders and workers conducted their activities under the banner of the Parishad.

Sheikh Hasina said, it was unfortunate that our children for a long time could not know the country's real history inside the country. They had to go abroad to know the history.

"But now the spirit of the war of liberation is now implanted in the hearts of new generation. None would be able to misguide them in future," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Ministers reminded the children about the remarks of Bnagabandhu that Bangladesh, our motherland, needs golden son to build a golden nation. "You are the golden son of the soil," she said urging them to devote them in studies, obey the guardians, teachers and extend helping hands to the poor.

"Never neglect the blinds, physically disabled and helpless people. See them as a human being. And in this way we would be able to bring forward our country," she said.

Read More

গণপিটুনির শিকার র‌্যাব সোর্স

রাজধানীর রমনায় র‌্যাব সোর্স পরিচয়ে যাত্রীবাহী বাসে তল্লাশি করতে গিয়ে জামাল আহমেদ নামে এক যুবক গণপিটুনির শিকার হয়েছেন।

রোববার বাংলামোটরে এ ঘটনা ঘটে।

রমনা থানার পরিদর্শক (তদন্ত) সেলিম মিয়া বলেন, বাংলামোটরে যাত্রীবাহী একটি বাসে সাদা পোশাকে প্রথমে র‌্যাব পরিচয়ে এক যাত্রীকে তল্লাশি শুরু করেন জামাল। আশপাশের লোকজনের সন্দেহ হলে তার পরিচয়পত্র দেখতে চায়। এ সময় তিনি নিজেকে র‌্যাবের সোর্স হিসেবে পরিচয় দেন। তার এ অসংলগ্ন কথাবার্তায় বাস যাত্রীদের সন্দেহ বাড়ে।

একপর্যায়ে যাত্রীরা তাকে গণপিটুনি দেন। পরে তাকে পুলিশে সোপর্দ করা হয়।

পুলিশ কর্মকর্তা সেলিম মিয়া জানান, জামালের বিসত্মারিত নাম পরিচয় জানার চেষ্টা চলছে। তার বিরুদ্ধে মামলা হয়েছে।

Read More

রাজধানীতে ৫ ছিনতাইকারীকে গণপিটুনি

ঢাকা,১৯ অক্টোবর : রাজধানীতে পৃথক ঘটনায় ৫ ছিনতাইকারী গণপিটুনির শিকার হয়েছে। পরে তাদেরকে পুলিশে সোপর্দ করেছে স্থানীয় জনতা।

রোববার চকবাজার ও দৈনিক বাংলা মোড়ে এসব ঘটনা ঘটে।

অপর ঘটনায় শ্যামপুরে ডিবি পুলিশ পরিচয়ে বাংলালিংকের এক বিক্রয়কর্মীর দেড় লাখ ছিনিয়ে নিয়েছে দুর্বৃত্তরা।

গণপিটুনিতে আহত ছিনতাইকারীদের ঢাকা মেডিকেল কলেজ হাসপাতালে ভর্তি করা হয়েছে। তারা হলো সুমন, ইকবাল, লিটন, শামীম ও মারুফ।

চকবাজার থানার ওসি আজিজুল হক জানান, রোববার ভোর ৪টায় চকবাজারের এসি মসজিদের সামনে ফেরদৌস রহমান নামে এক যুবকের কাছ থেকে টাকা ছিনিয়ে নেয়ার চেষ্টা করে দুর্বৃত্তরা। পরে তার চিৎকারে আশপাশের লোকজন এসে সুমন, ইকবাল, লিটন ও শামীম নামে চার ছিনতাইকারীকে ধরে ফেলে। এ সময় তাদেরকে গণপিটুনি দেয় স্থানীয় জনতা। তাদের কাছ থেকে একটি চাকু উদ্ধার করা হয়েছে। এ ঘটনায় তাদের বিরুদ্ধে মামলা হয়েছে।

অপর ঘটনায় রোববার বেলা সাড়ে ১১টায় মতিঝিলের দৈনিক বাংলা মোড়ে ছিনতাই করতে গিয়ে মারুফ নামে এক ছিনতাইকারী গণপিটুনির শিকার হয়েছে।

ভুক্তভোগী রেজাউল ইসলাম জানান, তিনি পুরানা পল্টনের খান অ্যাসোসিয়েশনে হিসাব কর্মকর্তা হিসেবে কাজ করেন। সকালে ৮৫ হাজার টাকা নিয়ে বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংকে জমা দিতে যাওয়ার সময় দৈনিক বাংলা মোড়ে তিনজন ছিনতাইকারী তার টাকার ব্যাগ ছিনতাইয়ের চেষ্টা চালায়। তার চিৎকারে আশপাশের লোকজন এগিয়ে আসলে ২ ছিনতাইকারী পালিয়ে গেলেও মারুফ নামে এক ছিনতাইকারী ধরা পড়ে। পরে তাকে গণপিটুনি দিয়ে পুলিশে সোপর্দ করে স্থানীয় জনতা।

মতিঝিল থানার এসআই হেলাল উদ্দিন জানান, আহত ছিনতাইকারী মারুফকে হাসপাতালে ভর্তি করা হয়েছে। তার বিরুদ্ধে মামলা হয়েছে।

এদিকে, রোববার দুপুর আড়াইটায় ডিবি পুলিশ পরিচয়ে রাজধানীর শ্যামপুরে শ্যামপুরের মুরাদপুর মাদ্রাসা রোডে বেসরকারি মোবাইল অপারেটর কোম্পানি বাংলালিংকের এক বিক্রয়কর্মীর (এসআর) কাছ থেকে দেড় লাখ টাকা ছিনিয়ে নিয়েছে দুর্বৃত্তরা।

ভুক্তভোগী বিক্রয়কর্মী ইকবাল হোসেন জানান, দুপুরে সিম ও টপআপ বিক্রির ১ লাখ ৬৪ হাজার সংগ্রহ শেষে তা ব্যাংকে জমা দিতে রিকশায় করে যাচ্ছিলেন। পথে মাদ্রাসা রোডে একটি মোটরসাইকেলে করে দুজন ছিনতাইকারী ডিবি পুলিশ পরিচয়ে তাদের রিকশা থামায়। কিছু বুঝে উঠার আগেই তারা পিস্তল ও ছুরি দেখিয়ে টাকা নিয়ে পালিয়ে যায়। রিকশায় তার সঙ্গে বাংলালিংকের শ্যামপুরের জোনাল সেলস ম্যানেজার ফজলে মোহাইমেন ছিলেন। টাকা ছিনতাইয়ের ঘটনায় মামলা হয়েছে।

নিউজ বিএনএ ডটকম

Read More