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[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T06:51:46 | null | 2016-08-28T09:39:27 | A suspected ‘robber’ were killed in a ‘gunfight’ between members of Rapid Action Battallion-12 and suspected robbers on Kushtia-Meherpur highway at Moshan area under Mirpur police station in Kushtia early Sunday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248879%2Frobber-killed-kushtia-gunfight%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Kushtia-map-1.jpg | en | null | ‘Robber’ killed in Kushtia ‘gunfight’ | null | null | newagebd.net | A suspected ‘robber’ were killed in a ‘gunfight’ between members of Rapid Action Battallion-12 and suspected robbers on Kushtia-Meherpur highway at Moshan area under Mirpur police station in Kushtia early Sunday.
The dead was identified as Mukul Munshi, 40, son of Yusuf Munshi of village Baromile under Bheramara in Kushtia.
The crimes prevention company-1 commander of RAB-12, Mosaddeque Ibne Muzib said a team of his company on tip off that a robber gang had been taking preparations to commit robbery on highway went to Moshan area to arrest suspected robbers and recover illegal firearms.
As the team reached near the area, the suspected robbers opened fire on them and RAB members also retaliated by firing, he said.
As the gunfight was over, RAB personnel searched the area and found bullet hit Mukul and he was taken to nearby upazila health complex where on-duty doctors declared him dead, Mosaddeque said.
He said that they recovered a foreign made pistol, 2 rounds of bullets and two machetes from the spot. | http://newagebd.net/248879/robber-killed-kushtia-gunfight/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/524d9e932acdca8756c08f190f5bbffd75bdc6652978abfb5c9613ba4d54e62a.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:38 | null | 2016-08-26T16:28:08 | Turkey aims to clear its borders of Islamic State and other militant groups to prevent a new flow of migrants and will continue operations until the... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248516%2Fturkey-clearing-borders-militants-prevent-migrants-pm%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Binali-Yildirim.jpg | en | null | Turkey clearing borders of militants to prevent more migrants: PM | null | null | newagebd.net | Turkey aims to clear its borders of Islamic State and other militant groups to prevent a new flow of migrants and will continue operations until the nation’s security is guaranteed, prime minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday.
Yildirim also told a news conference that the outlawed Kurdish militant group PKK was behind Friday’s bombing of a police headquarters in Turkey’s southeast, the latest in a string of attacks that the authorities have blamed on the group.
The attack came two days after Turkey launched an incursion into Syria against Islamic State and Kurdish militia fighters there. | http://newagebd.net/248516/turkey-clearing-borders-militants-prevent-migrants-pm/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/5419e6ab25f4cfbf61f21b54ab7f023d87d309a6cac9c375a051406a90badede.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T12:46:47 | null | 2016-02-11T00:36:44 | The US intelligence chief said Tuesday efforts by Bangladesh’s prime minister to undermine the political opposition will probably provide openings for transnational terrorist groups to expand their presence in the South Asian country... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F201765%2Fexpansion-of-terror-groups-in-bangladesh-us-intel-warns%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Expansion of terror groups in Bangladesh: US intel warns | null | null | newagebd.net | The US intelligence chief said Tuesday efforts by Bangladesh’s prime minister to undermine the political opposition will probably provide openings for transnational terrorist groups to expand their presence in the South Asian country.
Director Of National Intelligence James Clapper questioned Bangladesh’s public insistence that the killings of foreigners were the work of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and are intended to discredit the government of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
In written testimony to a Senate hearing on worldwide threats, Clapper noted the claims of responsibility from the Islamic State group for 11 high profile attacks on foreigners and religious minorities, and claims from the Ansarullah Bangla Team and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent for killing at least 11 progressive writers and bloggers in Bangladesh since 2013.
Bangladesh is a Muslim country with traditions of secularism and tolerance but it has become increasingly troubled by extremist violence.
Hasina’s government has denied that the Islamic State group has a presence in the country, and has accused domestic Islamist groups and political opponents for the violence.
Bangladesh has been in political ferment since the run-up to January 2014 elections that were boycotted by opposition parties, and over war crimes prosecutions brought against Jamaat-e-Islami leaders over alleged involvement in atrocities during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. | http://newagebd.net/201765/expansion-of-terror-groups-in-bangladesh-us-intel-warns/ | en | 2016-02-11T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/6ee16dd2035b5d3e93aa63d77a19fb873c005824aa730277699998ed9e6de0e9.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T08:51:47 | null | 2016-08-29T13:51:00 | Jagannath University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling party student wing, for the second time on Monday attacked the agitating students who... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249081%2Fbcl-attacks-protesters-at-jagannath-univ-again%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BCL-activist-beat-JnU-student.jpg | en | null | BCL attacks protesters at Jagannath univ again | null | null | newagebd.net | Jagannath University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling party student wing, for the second time on Monday attacked the agitating students who are rallying to press home their demands for constructing residential halls on the vacated land of Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road.
Witnesses said that a group of Chhatra League men led by the university unit Chhatra League president Shoriful Islam swooped on the agitating students on the campus.
The students alleged that at least 15 agitators were injured in Chhatra League attack while the students started bringing out procession from the campus in the morning.
They were rushed to nearby private clinic and hospital.
The agitating students that the leaders of Chhatra League were attempting divert their movement to other directions.
Meanwhile, the university authorities on August 21 formed an 11-member body led by business studies dean Moniruzzaman to talk with the agitators.
The authorities on August 11 wrote a letter to the government seeking permanent ownership of the former jail property.
The students have been staging demonstrations since August 1, boycotting classes and examinations and blocking roads in support of their demands. | http://newagebd.net/249081/bcl-attacks-protesters-at-jagannath-univ-again/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/1366ec4a4dd2394135e8b0fac0260dcd40a88d547a539409a4c5cc632a62f9e4.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T12:48:32 | null | 2016-08-27T18:33:09 | Paribesh Banchao Anodal, a non-government organisation working on the environment, on Saturday demanded immediate steps to stop the bad practice of cow fattening... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248711%2Fpoba-seeks-steps-cow-fattening%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cow-unb.jpg | en | null | Poba seeks steps against cow fattening | null | null | newagebd.net | Paribesh Banchao Anodal, a non-government organisation working on the environment, on Saturday demanded immediate steps to stop the bad practice of cow fattening with harmful drugs ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Various harmful drugs are used for fattening cows to make quick buck during Eid-ul-Azha, reports United News of Bangladesh.
People are affected by various diseases eating the meat of such fattened cows as it harms kidney, liver, heart and other organs of people, said PBA leaders at a meeting.
They said there are many active cliques across the country who fatten cows ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. It is essential to take immediate tough and effective steps for curbing the practice of fattening sacrificial animals considering the public health, they added.
PBA chairman Abu Naser Khan presided over the meeting while its joint general secretary Lenin Chowdhury presented the keynote paper. PBA general secretary Md Abdus Sobhan, its leaders Syed Mahbub Alam, Md Selim and Tofail Ahmed also spoke on the occasion, said a press release. | http://newagebd.net/248711/poba-seeks-steps-cow-fattening/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/b4517cdbf76d4bbc53e04cee2ee8fe1a0162ecbaba9786f7f42994f8d03bbc9f.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T10:50:07 | null | 2016-08-27T14:35:12 | Police on Saturday said they arrested four suspected operatives of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team at places in Faridpur... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248695%2Ffour-ansarullah-operatives-arrested-faridpur%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ABT-logo.jpg | en | null | Four Ansarullah operatives arrested at Faridpur | null | null | newagebd.net | Police on Saturday said they arrested four suspected operatives of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team at places in Faridpur.
The arrestees were identified as Farid Mridha, 32, his two associates Shahidul Islam, 35, and Mohsin Molla, 35, residents of Sadarpur, and Nahid Molla alias Nadim, 20, of Bhanga in Faridpur.
All of them were arrested in drives at Sadarpur and Bhanga in last 48 hours, police superintendent Jamil Hasan told journalists at a press briefing at his office this noon.
Farid Mridha was the leader of the militant outfit in Faridpur region, he said.
Following their confession, police raided a book shop at Amirabad Bazar in Char Bhadrasan and recovered a 9mm pistol, five bullets and jihadi books.
Besides, 10 crude bombs and more jihadi books were seized from Nahid’s house according to his confession, the police super said.
Nahid, an active operator of ABT, is an accused of a case filed under Explosives Substances Act with Kotwali police station in Mymensingh, he added. | http://newagebd.net/248695/four-ansarullah-operatives-arrested-faridpur/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/f632c7bf95bf4e8bbc3ccd5488ef0dfab8ed729f41d2696643abd5065173c574.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T20:52:07 | null | 2016-08-31T00:46:06 | The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed Mir Quasem Ali’s petition seeking review of its verdict upholding his death sentence for war crimes.... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249456%2Fdeath-war-crimes%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Quasem.jpg | en | null | Death for war crimes: Quasem loses legal battle | null | null | newagebd.net | The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed Mir Quasem Ali’s petition seeking review of its verdict upholding his death sentence for war crimes.
Rejection of his review petition by a five-judge bench chaired by Chief Justice SK Sinha paved the way for the execution of 63-year old Jamaat leader Mir Quasem.
The other judges in the apex court’s bench were Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Mohammad Bazlur Rahman.
As a notorious Al-Badr commander in 1971, Mir Quasem committed various war crimes in the port city of Chittagong and particularly at a torture cell he ran in the Dalim Hotel.
He was sentenced to death for abducting and killing teenage freedom fighter Jasim Uddin in confinement at Dalim Hotel based torture cell and dumping his body in the Karnaphuli River.
In recent years he emerged as a business and media tycoon and ran business establishments of Jamaat.
Copies of the 29-page verdict of the apex court had been sent to the International Crimes Tribunal-1 and the office of Dhaka district magistrate, Supreme Court Registrar general Syed Aminul Islam said.
On receipt of the verdict’s copy at 6.15 PM Tuesday, ICT-1 officials said that they immediately forwarded it to the Dhaka Central Jail.
Dhaka Central Jail received the copy of the apex court’s verdict at 9.05 PM and immediately sent it to the Kashimpur Central Jail Part 2, said Dhaka Central Jail senior superintendent Md Jahangir Kabir.
War crimes death row inmate Mir Quasem is housed in a condemned cell of the Kashimpur Central Jail Part- 2.
Kashimpur Jail’s superintendent Prosanta Kumar Bonik told New Age at 10 PM Tuesday that the verdict copy was on its way to Kashimpur.
Mir Quasem would get ‘reasonable time’ to seek mercy from the president, law minister Anisul Huq told New Age.
The government is now free to execute the death sentence of war crimes convict Mir Quasem, attorney general Mahbubey Alam told reporters.
Mir Quasem’ lawyer Khandker Mahbub said that Mir Quasem’s death sentence had been ‘obtained on the basis of false allegation and false evidence’ presented by the prosecution.
On March 8, the same bench of the Appellate Division had rejected Mir Quasem’s appeal against his death sentence handed by the ICT-2 on November 2, 2014 finding him guilty of abducting, torturing and murdering teenage freedom fighter Jasim Uddin at Al-Badr’s torture centre at Dalim Hotel.
The apex court upheld Mir Quasem’s death sentence only for Jasim’s murder.
It set aside Mir Quasem’s death sentence on the charge of abducting and torturing five persons and killing two of them, Tuntu Sen and Ranjit Das Latu, at Dalim Hotel and their houses were set on fire in November 1971.
The apex court upheld six sentences handed to Mir Quasem by the ICT-2 each for 20-year jail for abducting and torturing freedom fighters and pro independence people in confinement.
The apex court set aside two other sentences involving jail for various terms handed to Mir Quasem by the ICT-2.
Until now, 24 war offenders have been sentenced to death and 18 others to jail of various terms.
Mir Quasem would be the sixth top war criminal to die.
Appeals of only two more top war criminals ATM Azharul Islam and Abdus Sobhan, both Jamaat leaders, await disposal by the apex court. | http://newagebd.net/249456/death-war-crimes/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/dce8523ef175e72d715505b6620463cc8967a1fe66968ae91812d98c6641db91.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T18:50:02 | null | 2016-08-30T00:15:01 | Bangladesh’s domestic cricket was thrown into turmoil after the Bangladesh Cricket Board unexpectedly decided to host Afghanistan for a three-match one-day | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249216%2Fafghan-series-puts-bcl-cold%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Afghan series puts BCL in cold | null | null | newagebd.net | Bangladesh’s domestic cricket was thrown into turmoil after the Bangladesh Cricket Board unexpectedly decided to host Afghanistan for a three-match one-day international series in September.
The series will kick off on September 25 and that means the BCB will have to hold the first-class Bangladesh Cricket League, which was supposed to start on September 20, without national players or defer it for an indefinite period.
Prime Bank, one of the three franchises playing in the four-team BCL, decided to pull out their name from the tournament following the uncertainty.
The unavailability of leading cricketers in BCL is one of the reasons that Prime Bank highlighted for their decision while it also criticised BCB for hosting two editions of the tournament in the same year.
‘We are not playing in the forthcoming edition of BCL,’ Prime Bank manager Saiful Islam told New Age on Monday.
‘We cannot play BCL in this manner. We were told that national players would be available but now we have been informed that it won’t be the case due to the Afghanistan series,’ said Saiful.
‘Along with that we cannot play the same tournament twice in a year,’ he said.
Earlier the BCB announced that BCL would be held as part of preparation for the national players ahead of the home series against England.
The BCB all of a sudden decided to host Afghanistan for three ODIs respectively on September 25, 28 and 30.
BCB cricket operation chairman Akram Khan said that he is aware of the decision of Prime Bank regarding their withdrawal from BCL, dropping a hint that they were in two minds over hosting BCL as per schedule.
‘They [Prime Bank] might quit from the BCL but it is up to them whether they will continue or not,’ said Akram.
‘Whether we will host BCL or not from September 20 it is up for discussion. When we announced the date we did not had any series against Afghanistan.
‘We are aware that franchises would be unhappy if they don’t get the service of the national players during the BCL. In that case we might go for the NCL [National Cricket League] but that is yet to be decided,’ he said.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said that forming the teams of the NCL won’t be easy unlike previous years with the recent inclusion of Mymensingh as a division.
The national implementation committee for administrative reforms on September 15, 2015 approved to form the Mymensingh as the 8th division of the country.
NCL, the traditional first-class tournament, is played between seven divisions of the country while selectors are yet to be informed by the BCB whether they will include Mymensingh or not.
‘We have to know whether Mymensingh will be included or not from this edition of NCL. If they are included we have to reshuffle the teams and it won’t be easy as it seems because you have to go through the players’ details,’ said Minhajul.
‘As per as BCL is concerned we cannot accommodate many senior cricketers. Afghanistan will play a practice match on September 22, which means we need more players beside the regular members of national team for Afghan series,’ he added.
Ban v afg FIXTURES
Sept 21 – Afghanistan arrive
Sept 23 – Practice Match at Fatullah
Sept 25 – Bangladesh v Afghanistan, 1st ODI at Mirpur
Sept 26 – Reserve Day
Sept 28 – Bangladesh v Afghanistan, 2nd ODI at Mirpur
Sept 29 – Reserve Day
Oct 1 – Bangladesh v Afghanistan, 3rd ODI at Mirpur
Oct 2 – Reserve Day | http://newagebd.net/249216/afghan-series-puts-bcl-cold/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/88101e0fdd263b6e376fe5ca20742d3b6cdeee831d1c43523290b5919a1b2f12.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T08:50:31 | null | 2016-08-28T13:46:18 | The Supreme Court on Sunday cleared the way for executing Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh leader Asadul Islam alias Arif for killing two judges of... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248890%2Fsc-upholds-death-jmb-leader-arif-killing-judges-jhalakati%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/High-Court_HC.jpg | en | null | SC upholds death for JMB leader Arif for killing judges in Jhalakati | null | null | newagebd.net | The Supreme Court on Sunday cleared the way for executing Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh leader Asadul Islam alias Arif for killing two judges of Jhalakati in 2005.
A five-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha gave the order through rejecting a petition filed by Asadul seeking review of its earlier judgment that upheld his death penalty, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Two judges — Jagannath Pandey and Shahid Sohel Ahmed — were killed in a suicide bomb attack at Purba Chadkati in Jhalakati town on November 14, 2005.
JMB chief Sheikh Abdur Rahman, his second-in-command Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai, Ataur Rahman Sani, younger brother of Sheikh Rahman, Abdul Awal Molla alias Omar alias Shakil Ahmed, son-in-law of Sheikh Rahman, Amjad Hossain alias Khalid Saifullah, Iftekhar Hasan Al Mamun and Asadul, in absentia, were awarded death sentences by the trial court in Jhalakati on May 29, 2006 for killing the two judges.
The Appellate Division had upheld death penalty of six JMB leaders in the sensational killing case.
Death sentence of the first six militants were executed on March 29, 2007.
Later, Asadul was arrested from Mymensingh on July 10, 2007. | http://newagebd.net/248890/sc-upholds-death-jmb-leader-arif-killing-judges-jhalakati/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/25685cf7c454b2c458b69be72e664007925552b3ea1432e0bd7cc0236a4857c3.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T14:51:50 | null | 2016-08-31T20:37:30 | Prime minister Sheikh Hasina. – Focusbangla photo
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged all to remain always ready for any type of sacrifice | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249510%2Fstay-ready-sacrifice-pm%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PM-Sheikh-Hasina.jpg | en | null | Stay ready for any sacrifice: PM | null | null | newagebd.net | Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged all to remain always ready for any type of sacrifice for the country’s sake.
‘We all have to keep in mind that if we want to build the country, we have to remain ready all the time for any type of sacrifice,’ she said while addressing a meeting at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh in the capital.
Bangladesh Chhatra League arranged the meeting marking the national mourning day. BCL president Saifur Rahman Sohag presided over the programme, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Noting that it is possible to achieve anything if there is a strong
commitment, the prime minister said, ‘I’m always ready to sacrifice anything for the country and its people.’
Observing that there is an evil attempt to hinder the country’s development, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is moving ahead thwarting all the hurdles and it will continue its march forward with the Liberation War spirit.
Sheikh Hasina, also the BCL chief patron, said the student community has a very important role to play in this regard. ‘We have to revive the forgotten real history of the country, its pride and victory. We also can’t forget our glorious victory. Or else, our existence will be at stake.’
Being a victorious nation, she mentioned, the people of this country cannot act as puppets of Al Badrs, Rajakars and those who never wanted the country’s independence and killed three million people.
‘The Father of the Nation laid down his life, but his ideology is with us. We’ll have to move forward with that ideology and build Bangladesh accordingly’ she said.
Noting that study is their prime job, Hasina asked the BCL leaders and activists to be attentive to their study. ‘Students will have to build themselves as worthy citizens of the country through receiving modern and time-befitting education. We’ll have to keep pace with the entire world,’ she said.
Describing students as the nation’s future leaders, she said they have to hold the spirit and ideology of the Liberation War. ‘You must build the country like the way the Father of the Nation dreamt to build the golden Bengal.’
Eminent journalist and researcher Syed Badrul Ahsan was a discussant at the programme conducted by BCL general secretary Zakir Hossain. | http://newagebd.net/249510/stay-ready-sacrifice-pm/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/dd3ab5620cafff30266db4edf775d3362b5acc193ef6270dc14b46ab35479535.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T08:50:53 | null | 2016-08-29T14:34:15 | A suicide bomber killed at least 45 people when he drove a car laden with explosives into a compound run by local militias in Aden on Monday, Medicins Sans... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249088%2Fsuicide-bomber-kills-45-yemen%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Aden-Yemen-map.jpg | en | null | Suicide bomber kills 45 in Yemen | null | null | newagebd.net | A suicide bomber killed at least 45 people when he drove a car laden with explosives into a compound run by local militias in Aden on Monday, Medicins Sans Frontieres said, in one of the deadliest attacks in the southern Yemeni port city.
The official said at least 60 other people were brought into a nearby hospital run by the medical charity in Aden’s Mansoura district.
No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but it resembled previous suicide bombings which Islamic State said it carried out in the city.
A security source said the attack targeted a school compound where conscripts of the Popular Committees, forces allied to the internationally recognised President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, were gathered for breakfast.
The blast rocked the area and sent debris flying, sending residents fleeing, one witness said.
Islamist militants have exploited an 18-month-old civil war between the Houthis and Hadi’s supporters and launched a series of attacks targeting senior officials, religious figures, security forces and compounds of the Saudi-led Arab military coalition which supports Hadi. | http://newagebd.net/249088/suicide-bomber-kills-45-yemen/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/f8be7773ec85bf4dcd37b8bda968b85b0b04a51bd6bb432c595528b2c3bdbbfb.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T18:52:42 | null | 2016-08-28T00:25:48 | The United Kingdom’s state minister for international development Rory Stewart arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a four-day official visit... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248860%2Fuk-minister-rory-stewart-city%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | UK minister Rory Stewart in city | null | null | newagebd.net | The United Kingdom’s state minister for international development Rory Stewart arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a four-day official visit.
A British High Commission release said that the state minister arrived to reaffirm the UK government’s commitment to support Bangladesh to become an economically prosperous and developed nation, according to a release.
On arrival, Rory Stewart said, ‘He UK and Bangladesh have a longstanding, close friendship built on a shared history and mutual interests including development, bilateral trade, and security.’
He would assess the latest progress made by UK aid in support of the government’s aim to achieve middle income status within the next decade.
He would meet a range of people including the top government officials, development partners, civil society, business community and most importantly ordinary Bangladeshis who have benefitted from the UK support.
He would leave Dhaka on Tuesday morning. | http://newagebd.net/248860/uk-minister-rory-stewart-city/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/308fd704344d9b758e2bacf14ffe5c9ec2d7dcc3e33eb99c33997129b1be2e47.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T12:49:45 | null | 2014-06-19T00:31:21 | Islamist scholar Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips left Dhaka on Wednesday as the intelligence requested him to leave the country, said the organisers that arranged his lecture in Dhaka... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F22347%2Fbilal-philips-forced-to-leave-dhaka%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/new026.jpg | en | null | Bilal Philips forced to leave Dhaka | null | null | newagebd.net | Islamist scholar Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips left Dhaka on Wednesday as the intelligence requested him to leave the country, said the organisers that arranged his lecture in Dhaka.
‘Philips arrived Dhaka on Tuesday,’ said Sharif Abu Hayat Apu, manager of Dhaka chapter of SEAN, a sister concern of Islamic Online University, a global educational institute founded by Dr Bilal Philips.
Bilal, who is banned in many western countries for inspiring youths in jihad, was supposed to deliver two lectures in Dhaka.
SEAN also published invitation card of Bilal’s lectures and distributed it through social media.
He was scheduled to deliver lectures on June 21 at the Institute of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh on ‘purification of wealth’ and ‘union of Islamic nation’.
On June 24, Bilal was scheduled to deliver lecture on Allah at United International University Auditorium at Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi.
‘Bilal Philips cannot deliver such lectures as he came on tourist visa,’ said a highly placed official of special branch of police preferring anonymity.
The officer, responsible for giving arrival clearance to the foreigners, however did not comment on how such a controversial man got visa and allowed to pass the airport.
Bilal Philips is an Islamic thinker, religious teacher, speaker, writer and TV presenter. He now lives in Qatar.
There is allegation that Bilal has been inspiring youths with suicide bombing for long.
He has been banned in the USA, the UK, Australia, Germany and Kenya. | http://newagebd.net/22347/bilal-philips-forced-to-leave-dhaka/ | en | 2014-06-19T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/db5dd9acd1f8f88409bd1962d278c007988dc435d865f365f2c40860586e8319.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T18:54:13 | null | 2016-08-31T00:44:34 | The ministries’ power would be enhanced to approve purchases for development projects under the annual development progamme up to Tk 100 crore, finance division officials told New Age... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249454%2Fgovt-procurement%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | GOVT PROCUREMENT: Ministries to get more power | null | null | newagebd.net | The ministries’ power would be enhanced to approve purchases for development projects under the annual development progamme up to Tk 100 crore, finance division officials told New Age.
The finance division, they said, took the move to introduce the new system by altering the terms of reference of the cabinet committee on national purchases.
The new system, they said, would also authorize the ministries to approve purchases up to Tk 50 crore relating to projects outside the ADP.
The ministries would also be authorized to spend up to Tk 30 crore to hire consultants for development projects under the ADP.
Questions have been raised by economist how far the new system would ensure probity in expenditures by the ministries with poor track records of transparency.
Currently, the ministries need to seek approval from the cabinet committee on national purchases for any expenditure exceeding Tk 50 crore for procurement of goods and services for ADP projects and Tk 10 crore for non-ADP projects.
Now the ministries can spend up to Tk 10 crore for hiring consultants for ADP projects and Tk five core for non ADP projects.
On August 24, finance minister AMA Muhith approved a finance division proposal to introduce the new system to facilitate easier purchases which increased to Tk 66,061 crore in the last fiscal from Tk 8,026 in 2012-13, officials said.
They said that the introduction of the new system would require approval from the prime minister or the cabinet.
The National Economic Council at a meeting chaired by the prime minister on April 5 empowered the planning ministry to approve development projects worth up to Tk 50 crore, up from Tk 25 crore, to ease pressure on the ECNEC.
At that meeting the planning ministry had opposed a proposal mooted in 2014 to authorize the ministries to take development projects worth up to Tk 25 crore without seeking approval from the Planning Commission.
Officials said Muhith had been pressing for long to empower the ministries to implement development projects more speedily.
Centre for Policy Dialogue executive director Mustafizur Rahman said that the new system might facilitate speedier implementation of development projects but not the accountability of the ministries. | http://newagebd.net/249454/govt-procurement/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/37ef5006ae9a71a87f44900e9a3699950d0f2223b1f1f2f580b3f2bc6c8c486d.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T12:50:10 | null | 2016-08-29T16:19:38 | Offering US help in Bangladesh’s fight against terrorism, US secretary of state John Kerry on Monday expressed his country's eagerness to closely work with the intelligence agencies of Bangladesh... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249099%2Fbangladesh-us-to-fight-against-terrorism-together-kerry%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Kerry-and-Hasina.jpg | en | null | US to work with Bangladesh to fight terrorism: Kerry | null | null | newagebd.net | Offering US help in Bangladesh’s fight against terrorism, US secretary of state John Kerry on Monday expressed his country’s eagerness to closely work with the intelligence agencies of Bangladesh.
He came up with his country’s desire during a meeting with prime minister Sheikh Hasina at her office.
‘Bangladesh and the United States will fight against terrorism together, we are interested to work closely with Bangladesh’s intelligence,’ he said.
Kerry said his country has a number of experts who can help fight against the violent extremism. ‘We want to help,’ he said.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
During the hour-long meeting with the Prime Minister, he said, the US secretary of State put emphasis on exchanging information with Bangladesh.
In reply, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh wants to get have from the US as the country is advanced in technology. ‘If you give us information, it’ll be helpful for us to hunt down the terrorists,’ she said.
Kerry also said the non-Syrian terrorists of the IS are returning to their homeland due to their continuous defeat in the battlefield.
When the prime minister raised the issue of getting money and arms by the IS terrorists, John Kerry said the IS terrorists are getting money through selling the oil from the areas that have been captured by them. ‘They also impose higher rate of tax on people in their invaded areas,’ he added.
The prime minister said terrorism is a global problem now and the government is working to create mass awareness against this social menace. ‘Mass people are cooperating with us, religious leaders are also involved in this agenda and they are playing an important role,’ she said.
Regarding the recent trend of terrorism, she said surprisingly the children of wealthy families are getting involved in such activities.
‘They’ve everything…these youths are getting involved in these activities as their parents are not giving proper attention to them,’ she said.
In reply, Kerry said children are playing games full of violence when their parents are going out of the house.
Highly praising the socio-economic progress of the country, the US Secretary of State said Bangladesh has been doing a brilliant job in terms of economic development and added that the US is a partner of the country in its development and other issues.
John Kerry said Bangladesh and the US can work together in many others sectors like climate change, health and energy.
About his visit to the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 in the capital, the US secretary of state said he was really impressed to see the historical evidence in the house.
The prime minister requested Kerry to extradite the Bangabandhu killers living in the US. In reply, Kerry said: ‘I understand your sensitivity, the issue is under review.’
Mentioning ‘Friendship to all and malice to none’ as the main motto of the foreign policy of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on maintaining good relationship with all.
Terming the US-Bangladesh relation as wonderful, Sheikh Hasina said the ties would be further consolidated in the days to come.
She also urged the secretary of the state to allow all Bangladeshi products, except arms, to the US market.
Foreign minister AH Mahmod Ali, prime minister’s adviser Gowher Rizvi, Bangladesh ambassador to the USA M Ziauddin, US assistant secretary on Central and South Asia affairs Nisa Desai Biswal, Bangladesh’s foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque, PMO secretary Suraiya Begum and US ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Barnicat were present.
Earlier, on his arrival at the Prime Minister’s Office, Sheikh Hasina herself received the US Secretary of State John Kerry.
(Updated) | http://newagebd.net/249099/bangladesh-us-to-fight-against-terrorism-together-kerry/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/141e507e9ae27d76fe49e98e07acf4a60c490b28f46d9f3357aba332b55d5f54.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T20:54:24 | null | 2016-08-30T00:38:50 | National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Port on Monday ruled out any possibility of an alliance with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the movement against the coal-fired Rampal power plant project near the Sunderbans... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249235%2Frampal-power-plant-7%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/National-Committee.jpg | en | null | Rampal power plant: oil-gas body rules out alliance with BNP, PM’s arguments | null | null | newagebd.net | National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Port on Monday ruled out any possibility of an alliance with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the movement against the coal-fired Rampal power plant project near the Sunderbans.
At a press conference in the city, the committee also ruled out prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent claim that the power plant would not harm the Sunderbans.
It said that the technology mentioned by Hasina would only increase the cost of power generation at Rampal power plant leaving significant impact on the Sunderbans through air and water pollutions by micro-level particles and different harmful oxides.
The committee held the press conference two days after Hasina reiterated her government’s firm stand for the Rampal power plant claiming that the power plant would not cause any harm to the unique biodiversity of the Sunderbans.
Earlier on Wednesday, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia demanded cancellation of the Rampal power plant project terming it anti-people, anti-state, imprudent, illogical and non-profitable and called on people to raise voice against the project.
At Monday’s press conference, committee’s member-secretary Anu Muhammad said that their policy did not allow an alliance with any individual or any organisation involved in any act against national interest.
The erstwhile BNP-led government had taken many decisions including to extract coal from Phulbari deposit in Dinajpur using harmful open-pit method, he said, adding that both the major political parties — BNP and the ruling Awami League — extended supports to the committee’s movements at times whenever they were in opposition.
In 2006, Hasina, as the opposition leader, extended her support to the movement against open-pit coal mining project at Phulbari.
Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company, a 50-50 joint venture of Bangladesh Power Development Board and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation, is implementing the project to install a 1,320MW coal-fired power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat by 2019.
Anu rejected Hasina’s claim that the emission of gases from the power plant would not harm the Sunderbans as wind flowed to the opposite direction of the Sunderbans from the project site.
Referring to Environmental Impact Assessment report prepared by the government itself, he said that the wind would flow towards the Sunderbans from the site for at least four months, from November to February, every year.
Anu rejected the prime minister’s claim that there would not be any sound, air and water pollution by the Rampal power plant.
He said the government documents showed that loading-unloading of coal and its transportation would pollute the Passur river, vital for survival of the Sunderbans.
He said that the joint-venture’s documents showed that hot water with two degrees centigrade higher than the normal temperature would be released in the river Passur but Hasina claimed that no polluted or hot water would be released in the river.
He asked that how could it be believed that the Effluent Treatment Plant would be used at the power plant in a remote area whereas the government had failed to ensure its use at the factories in Dhaka which had almost destroyed four rivers around the capital.
Committee convener Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah said that the movement would continue until the interest of the people was protected. | http://newagebd.net/249235/rampal-power-plant-7/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/2ee8dfbe42633d0846657b8d2234b3c08400bbcc71194aabcdfabd207b3e1e07.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T12:48:23 | null | 2016-01-27T00:01:19 | AS A genre of writing, memoirs stand out clearly as these entwine and interweave facts, impressions, perceptions, evaluations and judgements. The volume has progressed thematically and chronologically as follows: genealogy... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F197041%2Fa-walk-with-kamal-siddiquis-in-one-life%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/opd01-18.jpg | en | null | A walk with Kamal Siddiqui’s In One Life | null | null | newagebd.net | AS A genre of writing, memoirs stand out clearly as these entwine and interweave facts, impressions, perceptions, evaluations and judgements. The volume has progressed thematically and chronologically as follows: genealogy, parental primacy, ancestral home, socialisation, prejudices, superstitions, stereotyping, gender biases, rivalries, pettiness, factionalism, social cleavages and fissures, bigotry, pristine nature, farming practices, early-life social networking, child marriages, dysfunctional social practices, family relocations, small-town experiences, gastronomical feats, family-life anecdotes, metropolitan experiences, school experiences, neighbours and neighbourliness, boarding school experiences, college experiences, Dhaka University experiences, faculty-member cavalcade, male-female student interactions, campus politics and dynamics, literary and cultural activities, campus elections, cafeteria pranks and hilarity, campus violence, left politics, communalism, Old Dhaka charm, residence hall mélange, underground days, camaraderie, electoral campaigning, opportunism and capitulationism, guerrilla operations, factional politics, court battles, faculty-member assault, friendship grid, student leaders, academic achievers, job experiences, civil service probationary days, field research, and travelling brouhaha.
Written over a period of seven years and published in 2015 by the Academic Press, the book is a consequential contribution to research, writing and publication output in Bangladesh for at least three reasons: one, an attentive socio-economic account of individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities in a colonial and post-colonial society; two, a kaleidoscopic look at social formation, class dynamics, political movement, searing poverty and policy shifts in a developing country buffeted by persistent underdevelopment, international hegemony, nascency and inchoateness; and three, the specifics, challenges and vicissitudes of higher-level public sector management training. Chronicled competently and meticulously are some researched, documented and focused strands: how families and individuals survive and continue, grow and expand and struggle and accommodate, how the political/policy leaderships act and how the people react, how the political process imposes and unpacks authoritarian, anti-people and non-participatory policies, decisions and practices on the larger civic society, how constitutionalism, the electoral cycle and democratic forces are butchered and trashed by powerful reactionary and hegemonic groups, how imperialism and subimperialism intersect with, influence and dominate domestic politics and policies, how the dingy political operatives, party thugs and lumpen elements terrorise people, unleash violence, spew obscenity and mutilate institutions/organisations and the rule of law, how opportunities are skewed in favour of a particular social class and are stacked against the poor, the dependent and the powerless, how the high incidence of poverty and the tendentious use of exclusionary mechanisms reproduce themselves, how asymmetrical relationships and unequal exchanges take root and become dominant forces in the larger society, how low-income and middle-income families and individuals are tattered and the life hopes/aspirations are decimated under the juggernaut of the highly-polarised market economy, how social mobility, potential fulfilment and agreement are quashed and smothered by traditional elitism and rural and urban rich, and how management training continues, in some respects, to be socialised, conventionalised, conservatised, gentrified and officialised, how indigenous and pro-people service motive is taken over by a pernicious, predatory and fetishist elitism, how public personnel end up serving the short-term and strategic interests of the ruling class and how sycophancy has abused and replaced truth-telling — à la Aaron Wildavsky — and has been elevated into a luxuriating art form.
The work is likely to startle some readers, at least it jolted me, especially when Siddiqui cites the reasons for writing his memoirs and his core values and priorities. His disclosure and disclaimer indicate disarming candour, do not show malice or rancour and are not only fresh, but more significantly, sincere.
The volume underwrites essentially the commandist, hierarchical, coercive. authoritarian and top-heavy nature of governance and public management at the highest level in Pakistan/Bangladesh. The ruling class and its cohorts, representatives and operatives at all levels and in all categories and specialities control and maintain their systemic and hegemonic hold on power, position, privilege, access, distribution, redistribution, opportunity and participation.
Notable, too, is that Siddiqui not only describes a social space — which was done competently — but also succinctly analyses and evaluates it without intermingling fact and opinion and reality and interpretation, thus separating the two elements and evincing methodological proficiency.
The book’s narrativity needs appreciation. In one fell swoop, vignettes about student leaders who rose to prominence during the 1960s in East Pakistan are provided skilfully, thus informing and assisting older readers as well as the current generation.
‘In One Life’ is, in a sense, many lives. Indeed, there are many lives — tender, receptive and productive. Let many lives and life forces animate the ambience, fulfil promises, go places, reach heights and bloom in all directions. ‘In One Life’ would, then, be appreciatory and celebratory in its effects and impacts.
One, it must be noted, learns vicariously in life. One’s lifeview, for instance, can get extended and reinforced when Siddiqui informs how food hoarding, for instance, was done nefariously by some famous celebrities and philanthropists of Bengal during the infamous Bengal famine of 1943.
Life is, indeed, multifaceted. Life, as Siddiqui shows in his work, not only pulsates with grim, dour and macabre power-play but also waxes innocent. blissful, joyous, lyrical, mirthful and almost celestial.
Then again, each life is separate and indivisible, but if and when life’s spark and spunk are shared and disseminated, it touches, moves, informs, sensitises, inspires and influences many lives. Throughout human history, this social dynamic and civilisational impulse have been of seminal value, and Siddiqui has been in good company in that respect.
Laced with delightful and poignant juvenile anecdotes, firm but loving parental guidance and nurturing, family-member frolics and foibles, sibling bonding and rivalries and dulcet and idyllic early-life milieu, his memoirs are far from being prosaic, pedantic and ponderous that many dread. I thank the author for such engaging, mellifluous and evocative prose.
The work’s salutary features are innocence, impishness and levity which liven up the book, eg there must be Burmese cousins in the family, occasional visits to the banks of a fast-flowing hilly stream would rouse literary abilities and sleeping blissfully on the last bench of a mathematics class with a borrowed pair of dark glasses. These nuggets are absolutely hilarious and one cannot get better that!
More on the credit side, the entire family was physically, emotionally, intellectually, ethically and morally supported by a nurturing father and an absolutely adorable mother. Not many university students during the 1960s in the then East Pakistan were that fortunate and did not have such enviable parental support, which money and power cannot buy and is a manifest outcome of high-quality, committed, principled and God-loving parents. Underpinning Siddiqui’s expansive life and paralleling his expanding work are an abiding set of core personal and family values, an intrinsic aspect of the memoirist’s personality development, character formation, intellection, understanding and introspection that must not be missed out.
Some members of Dhaka’s chattering classes talk about ‘rage’, always unfairly and spitefully and sadly with little or no understanding and without accounting for his intellectual, cognitive, psycho-emotional and ideological forte and propensities. As far as I can probe, Siddiqui’s ‘rage’ is a creative angst against hypocrisy, dishonesty, depravity, wickedness and mediocrity. He does not suffer fools, knaves or pretenders. Besides without some kind of ‘rage’, stimulus or drive, one cannot possibly put in and sustain over time the work that is necessary to go places and achieve.
Siddiqui makes a weighty, timely and uncommon observation in the fast-evolving condition of Bangladesh that high academic achievers at the University of Dhaka have not, as yet, made their imprint in the international community. Barring some exceptions in and outside the country, the observation is aptly and equally applicable to our political/policy leaderships, professionals, natural/social science researchers, writers, specialists and other thinkers/activists. While why this is so cannot be answered by a single-factor explanation, some reasons may be advanced: complacence, deficiency in cooperation, collaboration and team-building, adulatory and indulgent culture, penchant for instant name and fame, resting on laurels, inappropriate incentive structure, high living costs and ego-satisfying behaviour residualising research, output, writing, publication and performance, deficiency in lifelong tenacity, willpower and persistence, and inadequate life quest and pursuit. I could not agree more with Siddiqui’s findings. I hope this revelatory observation — aligned with the past, the present and the future — wakes up Bangladeshis at home and abroad. Why it is that we do not have in our midst a Noam Chomsky, an Iqbal Ahmed, a Tariq Ali, a Samir Amin, an Arundhati Roy, a Roger Penrose, a Joseph Stiglitz, a Jacques Tati, or a Jacques Derrida. Incidentally, and this may sound contentious to many, we in Bangladesh must produce more work in the English language, along with our first language Bangla so that the internationalisation of our effort and output gets easier and quicker.
The obstacles Siddiqui faced with chutzpah during his university days, hassle, harassment, tension, angst, hostility, exclusion and expulsion that he suffered, intimidation that came from intelligence operatives, the repression that was foisted on him by the university authorities, the social, political and ideological experiences that he accumulated are exceptional and educative. Relative to many of us who had a rather staid and predictable life at the university, the price, physical as well as psycho-emotional and financial, that he paid and the family members endured, the uncertainty, indignity, loneliness, insecurity and pain of an underground and fugitive life can make some of us sink into dejection and despair about such cruelty, bestiality and inhumanity. Such a mode reveals a shocking lifeview and spatial gaps between governance/management actors and people/citizens.
Siddiqui is a good man and a sound scholar with high-powered research, analytical, managerial and interactional skills. One can, and should, see his goodness, forthrightness, civility and humanism which emanate from his life and work. Humility, truth-telling and self-analysis appear recurrently in his struggles, efforts and achievements, sometimes explicitly but largely implicitly. He is one of a kind. Not many natural or social scientists, writers, researchers or achievers can claim to have such attributes. A very few public and private sector practitioners, and for that matter, not many academics and researchers, get into publication. Without getting into reasons for non-publication, it is observable that his eventful life and expansive scholarship reveal a great deal about his life, pursuits, hope and aspirations. Originally a student of natural sciences, he later migrated to social sciences, especially development economics, and has been for the last four decades researching and writing about growth, development, empowerment, redistribution, income inequality, land reforms, class formation, politics, power, policy-making, rural development, decentralisation, local authority, governance, and so on.
Siddiqui is our polymath. He writes prolifically and variously. I wish him years and years of writing, reflection and research so that people get to benefit from his scholarship, commitment, passion in a country where pessimism, distrust and near-nihilism can be seen sweeping away whatever little is left of traditional bonhomie, spontaneity, multilateralism, pluralism, fragile optimism and discordant zeitgeist.
Siddiqui is a man on a tripod. The three legs he stand on are his early-life bustles, his intense, long-abiding and profound love emotion during his university days, and his quest for a just society, humane living conditions and a healthy environment. In that sense, his life blends into our life, and ours into his.
Siddiqui succeeded in going for the jugular of injustice, discrimination, unfairness, privilegism, exclusivism and privatism. It is time Bangladeshis knew their true heroes.
Dr Jamal Khan was a professor of public sector management at the University of the West Indies, West Indies. | http://newagebd.net/197041/a-walk-with-kamal-siddiquis-in-one-life/ | en | 2016-01-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/2be064f1b0c3dd00e0fb927ff82e17b4beeaf5447270c63747f5fb227cc097f1.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T18:52:57 | null | 2016-08-29T00:21:20 | Detectives arrested an alleged drug peddler along with 50 ampoules of Pethidine in Daulatdia bus stand area of Chuadanga town on Saturday night. The arrested was identified as Rafiq, 38, a resident of Chunuripara... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249024%2Fman-held-pethidine%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Man held with Pethidine | null | null | newagebd.net | Detectives arrested an alleged drug peddler along with 50 ampoules of Pethidine in Daulatdia bus stand area of Chuadanga town on Saturday night. The arrested was identified as Rafiq, 38, a resident of Chunuripara. Chuadanga DB police subinspector Amir Abbas said acting on a tip-off, they conducted a drive in the area and arrested Rafiq along with the drugs. | http://newagebd.net/249024/man-held-pethidine/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/3a12f1b69ed03a6de2c2d530a3ab31fab4bbc12a25b250ff97ca1a42edfd1071.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T12:49:50 | null | 2016-08-27T18:15:52 | Iraq's government would consider selling crude through Iran should talks with the autonomous Kurdish region on an oil revenue-sharing agreement fail, a senior oil ministry official in Baghdad told Reuters... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248709%2Firaq-plans-sell-oil-iran-talks-kurds-fail%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/iraq-MAP.jpg | en | null | Iraq plans to sell oil through Iran if talks with Kurds fail | null | null | newagebd.net | Iraq’s government would consider selling crude through Iran should talks with the autonomous Kurdish region on an oil revenue-sharing agreement fail, a senior oil ministry official in Baghdad told Reuters.
Iraq’s state oil marketing organisation plans to hold talks with the Kurdish Regional Government, possibly next week, about Iraqi oil exported through Turkey, deputy oil minister Fayadh al-Nema said in an interview on Friday evening.
‘If the negotiations come to a close’ without an agreement ‘we will start to find a way in order to sell our oil because we need money, either to Iran or other countries’, he said by telephone.
Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia, depends on oil sales for 95 per cent of its public income. Its economy is reeling under the double impact of low oil prices and the war against Islamic State militants.
The Kurdistan region produces around 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) on its territory and exports those volumes via Turkey. Baghdad would not be able to reroute those volumes to Iran but could order shipments of some 150,000 bpd via Iran that are being produced in the nearby province of Kirkuk.
An agreement between Iran and Iraq could function in a similar fashion as oil-swap deals Tehran has had with Caspian Sea nations, according to an oil official who asked not to be identified.
Iran would import Iraqi oil to its refineries and export an equivalent amount of its own crude on behalf of Baghdad from Iranian ports on the Gulf. Iraq has ports on the Gulf but they are not linked to the northern Kirkuk fields by pipeline.
Iraq’s state-run North Oil Company resumed pumping crude through the Kurdish-controlled pipeline to Turkey last week as ‘a sign of goodwill to invite them (the Kurds) to start negotiations,’ Nema said.
He said pumping had resumed on the instruction of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi following ‘some understanding’ between Baghdad and Erbil. Abadi said on Tuesday the decision had been made to avoid damage to reservoirs.
The flow of crude extracted from Kirkuk by North Oil and pumped in the pipeline has been running at about 75,000 bpd since last week, or half the rate before it was halted in March, Nema said.
Should there be an agreement with the Kurds, flow through the pipeline would be increased to more than 100,000 bpd, not to the previous level of 150,000 bpd, he added.
Nema said about 20,000 bpd would be supplied to the refinery of Suleimaniya, in the Kurdish region, and 30,000 bpd would be refined locally in Kirkuk.
The pipeline carries crude to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, where the Kurds have been selling it independently on the international market, along with oil produced in their northern region.
The Kurdish government has been calling on Baghdad since March to resume the pumping of Kirkuk crude in full to help Erbil fund its war against Islamic State. Sources in Erbil have said splitting the Kirkuk flows would divide the Kurds and complicate the task of fighting the ultra-hardline militants.
A KRG spokesman in June told Reuters the Kurds are ready to strike an agreement with Baghdad if it guarantees them monthly revenue of $1 billion, more than double what they make currently from selling their own oil.
The dispute revolves around Kurdish oil exports that Baghdad wants to bring under its control.
‘If Baghdad comes and says ‘OK, give me all the oil that you have and I’ll give you the 17 percent as per the budget’, which equals to 1 billion, I think, logically it should be the thing to accept,’ KRG spokesman Safeen Dizayee said in June.
‘Whether this oil goes to the international market or first to Baghdad and then to the market, it doesn’t make any difference,’ he added. ‘We are ready to enter dialogue with Baghdad.’
The Kurdish government stopped delivering crude oil to the central government about a year ago, a decision taken when Baghdad’s payment fell under $400 million a month, Dizayee said.
It is also in a dispute with the central government over Kirkuk, where North Oil produces its crude and which the Kurds claim as part of their territory. The Kurds took control of the region two years ago, after the Iraqi army disintegrated when Islamic State overran a third of the country. | http://newagebd.net/248709/iraq-plans-sell-oil-iran-talks-kurds-fail/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/5cbf7ea1b6bd4afb9db53e47a3e6f1230407c0dd55f264d4909bbd67a8e0c780.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T10:51:26 | null | 2016-08-30T13:26:54 | The students of Willes Little Flower School and College and their guardians on Tuesday launched a fresh demonstration blocking the Kakrail intersection near the... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249291%2Fwilles-little-flower-students-continues-protest-risha-murder%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Willes-Little-Flower-student-blocked-road.jpg | en | null | Willes Little Flower students continues protest over Risha murder | null | null | newagebd.net | The students of Willes Little Flower School and College and their guardians on Tuesday launched a fresh demonstration blocking the Kakrail intersection near the school premises demanding justice for murder of their fellow Suraiya Akter Risha.
Several hundred students along with their guardians went on demonstration at around 12:00pm carrying placards and posters and chanted various slogans like ‘Justice for Risha’ and ‘We want justice for Risha’.
The blockade halted traffic triggering severe tailbacks in the area, witnesses said.
Surayia, 15, Class VIII student and daughter of Ramjan Hossain of Siddikbazar in the capital, was stabbed by a stalker on August 24, died from her injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital Sunday morning.
Earlier on Monday the agitating students also blocked the read and later called off the blockade after the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna zone assistant commissioner Shibli Noman assured them that the killer would be arrested within 48 hours.
Police said they had already collected the killer’s photograph, his present and permanent addresses and his arrest was only a matter of time.
Ramna police station officer-in-charge Moshiur Rahman said that none was arrested in connection with the killing till Tuesday morning. | http://newagebd.net/249291/willes-little-flower-students-continues-protest-risha-murder/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/486b87e852a025292c98de00b152b7171acf79d8e0ff3f8fefd58113d29538e9.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T12:50:36 | null | 2016-08-30T17:46:11 | The Supreme Court on Tuesday published the full verdict on the review petition field by convicted war criminal Mir Quasem Ali against the death penalty handed down... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249312%2Fsc-publishes-full-verdict-mir-quasems-review%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/front05.jpg | en | null | SC publishes full verdict on Mir Quasem’s review | null | null | newagebd.net | The Supreme Court on Tuesday published the full verdict on the review petition field by convicted war criminal Mir Quasem Ali against the death penalty handed down by International Crimes Tribunal for his crimes against humanity in 1971.
Supreme Court registrar general office said the verdict has been published and it would be sent to concerned authorities by today. | http://newagebd.net/249312/sc-publishes-full-verdict-mir-quasems-review/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/6ef20e2740e20ea7b1eec36cf142fa320a070639e337e14e790616fd39ad757f.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T10:52:37 | null | 2016-08-29T15:40:15 | A suicide bomber killed at least 54 people when he drove a car bomb into a militia compound in Aden on Monday, the health ministry said, in one of the... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249088%2Fsuicide-bomber-kills-54-in-yemen-attack%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Aden-Yemen-map.jpg | en | null | Suicide bomber kills 54 in Yemen attack | null | null | newagebd.net | A suicide bomber killed at least 54 people when he drove a car bomb into a militia compound in Aden on Monday, the health ministry said, in one of the deadliest attacks claimed by Islamic State in the southern Yemeni port city.
The director general of Yemen’s health ministry in Aden, al-Khader Laswar, told Reuters that at least 67 other people were wounded in the attack in the city’s Mansoura district.
The militant Islamic State group said in a statement carried by its Amaq news agency one of its suicide bombers carried out the bombing.
‘Around 60 dead in a martyrdom operation by a fighter from Islamic State targeting a recruitment centre in Aden city,’ the statement said, without giving further details.
A security source said the attack targeted a school compound where conscripts of the Popular Committees, forces allied to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, were gathered for breakfast.
Witnesses said the suicide bomber entered the compound behind a truck that had brought breakfast for the conscripts, who had queued for the meal.
Ambulance sirens wailed throughout the morning as they ferried casualties to a hospital run by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, which was overwhelmed by the number of casualties. An MSF spokesperson said the hospital received at least 45 bodies and more than 60 wounded people.
Islamist militants, including Islamic State, have exploited an 18-month-old civil war between the Houthi movement and Hadi’s supporters, attacking senior officials, religious figures, security forces and compounds of the Saudi-led Arab military coalition which supports Hadi.
Last month, the governor of the southern Yemeni city of Aden survived a car bomb attack targeting his convoy, the latest attempt on the city’s top official.
In May, a suicide bomber killed at least 40 army recruits and injured 60 others when he rammed a booby-trapped car at recruits lined up to enlist for military service at a compound in Aden.
Hadi’s supporters, who accuse former President Ali Abdullah Saleh of using Islamist militants to target the internationally-recognised president, have launched a series of raids in recent weeks to try to stem the violence, seizing dozens of people suspected of involvement in attacks across the city.
In eastern Yemen, forces loyal to Hadi, backed by troops from the United Arab Emirates, drove members of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula from the city of Mukalla in a military operation in May.
(Updated) | http://newagebd.net/249088/suicide-bomber-kills-54-in-yemen-attack/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/3e525146ed517779791dfe71749b8a2a491487577ce8d69f3c5c230dc3199371.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T10:49:17 | null | 2016-08-28T16:44:16 | Police on Sunday arrested the general secretary of Rajshahi University unit Biplabi Chhatra Moitree over some facebook posts on the prime minister’s stance... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248907%2Fleftist-activist-held-facebook-post%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/fb-post.jpg | en | null | Leftist activist held over facebook post | null | null | newagebd.net | Police on Sunday arrested the general secretary of Rajshahi University unit Biplabi Chhatra Moitree over some facebook posts on the prime minister’s stance over Rampal power plant.
Police arrested Dilip Roy at around 11:30am on the campus.
Meanwhile, the university unit Bangladesh Chhatra League president Rashedul Islam Ranju filed a case with Motihar police against Dilip accusing him of maligning the prime minister. | http://newagebd.net/248907/leftist-activist-held-facebook-post/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/57546cd1f580a8f4f89e6ef3fa608d26a0e751321296e2b0225fc527f90b1053.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T10:50:33 | null | 2016-08-30T14:23:21 | A Laksmipur court on Tuesday convicted eleven people and sentenced them to death for killing a Bangladesh Nationalist Party activist Maolana Babor... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249302%2F11-die-killing-laksmipur-bnp-activist%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Laksmipur-map.jpg | en | null | 11 to die for killing Laksmipur BNP activist | null | null | newagebd.net | A Laksmipur court on Tuesday convicted eleven people and sentenced them to death for killing a Bangladesh Nationalist Party activist Maolana Babor in 2003.
After examining all records and witnesses, Additional District and Sessions Judge Md saidur Rahman handed down the verdict, acquitting three accused, reports United News of Bangladesh.
The convicted are Alam, son of Sabir Miah, Miraj, son of Bala Munshi, Manju, son of Joynal Abedin, Saiful Islam, son of Abdur Rouf, Abdul Shahid, son of Alim Aziz, Bala Munshi, son of late Fazal Haque, Mahiuddin, son of Ali Haider, a resident of Titarkandi village, Mainuddin, son of Suja Miah, a resident of Purba Rajapur, Morshed Alam, son of Jamaluddin, a resident of Gobindapur, Masud, son of Khalilur Rahman, a resident of Jagannathpur village, and Md Abdul Basher, son of Syed Ahmed, a resident of Madhay Gobindapur of Laksmipur .
According to the prosecution, Maolana Babor, a resident of Titarkandi village was shot and stabbed to death by his political rivals in a clash while he was returning home at the village after watching a cricket match on March 8, 2003.
Later victim’s brother Nurul Islam filed a case with sadar police station on March 10.
Police later submitted a charge sheet accusing 14 people. | http://newagebd.net/249302/11-die-killing-laksmipur-bnp-activist/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/f583b3deed26925a8efed2e114db10ddfc3af7378f375ccaed394d9c729e9f90.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T18:49:04 | null | 2016-08-27T00:23:06 | The decomposed body of an unidentified woman was found on the bank of the River Teesta at village Kashiram of Kaliganj in Lalmonirhat on Friday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248647%2Fwoman-found-dead-lalmonirhat%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Woman found dead in Lalmonirhat | null | null | newagebd.net | The decomposed body of an unidentified woman was found on the bank of the River Teesta at village Kashiram of Kaliganj in Lalmonirhat on Friday. Kaliganj police officer-in-charge Mohammad Sajjad Hossain said that they recovered the body being informed by local people and sent it to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examinations. | http://newagebd.net/248647/woman-found-dead-lalmonirhat/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/19777caa4c0712dd40ed7b2b1d7f35618ee884d92cf3a67cac6922da6516d165.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T04:50:16 | null | 2016-08-30T08:09:42 | Mexico's government on Monday dismissed the head of federal police, Enrique Galindo, after a recent report that detailed grave human rights abuses by officers serving under him... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249272%2Fmexico-fires-head-federal-police-report-executions%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/maxico.jpg | en | null | Mexico fires head of federal police after report of executions | null | null | newagebd.net | Mexico’s government on Monday dismissed the head of federal police, Enrique Galindo, after a recent report that detailed grave human rights abuses by officers serving under him.
Earlier in August, an investigation by Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission concluded that some 22 suspected drug gang members were ‘arbitrarily executed’ in a confrontation with federal police in western Mexico in May 2015.
Galindo was removed from his post at the behest of president Enrique Pena Nieto to help facilitate a fast and transparent investigation of the case, interior minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong told a news conference.
In the bloody encounter last year, federal police ambushed suspected members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel holed up at a ranch near the small town of Tanhuato in the violent western state of Michoacan, killing 42.
Just one police officer died in the fight. | http://newagebd.net/249272/mexico-fires-head-federal-police-report-executions/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/1765c07774650140c1aaa33f0af426ee488bc1a11d0720dd05b586cec22ca660.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T20:50:25 | null | 2016-08-29T00:36:50 | Shahid Quadri, one of the leading contemporary Bengali poets, died of old age complications at a New York Hospital on Sunday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249042%2Fpoet-shahid-quadri-dies%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Shahid-Quadri.jpg | en | null | Poet Shahid Quadri dies | null | null | newagebd.net | Shahid Quadri, one of the leading contemporary Bengali poets, died of old age complications at a New York Hospital on Sunday.
He was 74. Mofidul Hoque, co-founder and Trustees of the Liberation War Museum and a family friend of the late poet, told BSS that Quadri was suffering from old age complications and was under treatment at the hospital.
The poet left behind his wife Nira Quadri and a son.
Born on 14 August, 1942 in Dhaka, Quadri is one of the prominent poets of post-1947 Bengali poetry, who brought in a fresh air by introducing urbanism and a sense of modernity in terms of the use of urban-life-related diction.
While focusing on nature and urban life, his poetry also inspires patriotism and universalism and delves deep into the conflicts and the sense of alienation pervading modern life.
For his poetry, Quadri was awarded Bangla Academy Award in 1973. He also received the Ekushey Padak in 2011 for his contribution to language and literature.
His major publications include Uttaradhikar (Inheritance, 1967), Tomake Abhibadan Priyatama (Salute to You, Dearest; 1974), Prem Biraha Bhalobasar Kabita (Poems of Love and Separation), Kothayo Kono Krondon Nai (Weeping nowhere) and Amar Chombongullo Pouchhaya Deo (Please, Convey my kisses). | http://newagebd.net/249042/poet-shahid-quadri-dies/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/117cb7aa33a1dcceae8943de015022c5422c28b3d16bd20d791c70c43319419e.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T04:48:01 | null | 2016-08-27T09:55:24 | The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police started busting a den of banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248682%2Foperation-jmbs-narayanganj-hideout%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Narayanganj-paikpara.jpg | en | null | Operation on in JMB's Narayanganj hideout - New Age | null | null | newagebd.net | The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police started busting a den of banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh after its discovery in Narayanganj sadar early Saturday.
Officer-in-charge of Narayanganj sadar police station said acting on a tip-off, the DMP’s special unit unearthed the JMB den in a building at Paikpara beside Boro Koborsthan early in the morning and started an operation in the militant hideout, reports United News of Bangladesh. | http://newagebd.net/248682/operation-jmbs-narayanganj-hideout/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/7a91a9a92a3890d42e86fd642d5c718b29ccaa319160f5763870cb6c9ac5c142.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T20:53:58 | null | 2016-08-30T00:43:17 | Ruling Awami League-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders and activists once again on Monday launched attacks on Jagannath University students on movement in demand of residential halls... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249251%2Fdemo-dorms-2%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Bangladesh-Chhatra-League-J.jpg | en | null | Demo for dorm: BCL activists attack again agitating students | null | null | newagebd.net | Ruling Awami League-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders and activists once again on Monday launched attacks on Jagannath University students on movement in demand of residential halls.
Witnesses said that Chhatra League activists, led by JnU unit president FM Shoriful Islam, swooped on the agitating students several times, when they were holding peaceful programmes on the second day of their two-day strike on the campus.
The students said that at least 20 students were injured in a series of attacks by the BCL men while the students were going to bring out a procession from the campus, boycotting classes and examinations.
The injured were taken to the nearby private clinics and hospitals.
The agitating students said Chhatra League activists hit them with plastic chairs and sticks as they did not join the BCL programme.
‘If Chhatra League wants to hold a rally for halls, they can do it separately,’ said a student, asking, ‘Why are the BCL men barring our peaceful movement again and again?’
The students alleged that the BCL men were conspiring to detract their movement.
Monirul Islam Rajon, one of the organisers of the movement, said, ‘Chhatra League men kept me confined for several hours, hit me and make me chant slogans with them.’
He said that the students would hold strike on the campus on Tuesday on the same demand.
‘We will also hold a rally at Central Shaheed Minar in the capital at 10:00am on Tuesday,’ he added.
JnU unit Chhatra League president FM Shoriful Islam, however, denied the allegation that Chhatra League men attacked any student.
‘We are holding demonstrations demanding construction of halls. We will also hold strike on the campus on Tuesday also,’ he said.
He also said that everyone should come forward to strengthen the hall movement forgetting the past incidents.
‘Chhatra League is also holding demonstrations for halls,’ BCL central president Saifur Rahman Sohag told New Age on Monday when asked about the BCL attacks on the agitating students.
He said that he would look into the matter.
Earlier, on August 28, at least 15 students were injured as Chhatra League activists attacked the agitating students while they were bringing out a procession from the campus.
On August 24, at least five students were injured as Chhatra League activists attacked the agitating students while holding demonstrations for dormitories at Purana Paltan intersection in the capital.
‘We will carry on our movement until we get any definite answer from the government,’ said Raisul Islam Nayan, another organiser of the movement.
JnU proctor Noor Muhammad told New Age that no classes and examinations were held at the university because of the student strike.
‘The authorities will take steps once a written complaint is submitted to them,’ the proctor said when asked about BCL attacks on the agitators.
Meanwhile, the authorities on August 11 wrote a letter to the government seeking permanent ownership of the former jail property for construction of dormitories for the students.
The students have been holding demonstrations since August 1, boycotting classes and examinations and blocking roads in support of their demand for halls on the land of recently shifted Dhaka Central Jail.
The students say they have been living at rented houses as the authorities failed to provide them with accommodations since establishment of the university. | http://newagebd.net/249251/demo-dorms-2/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/f6e91f7d8abdc4838dd4c45070aee3221d0651700d1ea333f85119bc5d208b7a.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T18:52:16 | null | 2016-08-28T00:28:41 | Malaysian student activists led a rally Saturday to demand the arrest of prime minister Najib Razak, who has been implicated in a US government probe into massive fraud in a Malaysian investment fund... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248863%2Fmalaysian-students-rally-demand-pms-arrest%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Malaysian-students-rally.jpg | en | null | Malaysian students rally to demand PM’s arrest | null | null | newagebd.net | Malaysian student activists led a rally Saturday to demand the arrest of prime minister Najib Razak, who has been implicated in a US government probe into massive fraud in a Malaysian investment fund.
More than 1,000 people defied a police ban as they congregated at two locations in Kuala Lumpur and marched to historic Independence Square. They held posters and caricatures of Najib, with some chanting ‘Catch, catch Najib.’
The US department of justice said last month that at least $3.5 billion had been stolen from 1MDB, a Malaysian fund founded by Najib. It has initiated action to seize $1.3 billion it said was used to buy assets in the US.
It said in court filings that more than $700 million had landed in the accounts of ‘Malaysian Official 1.’ It didn’t name the official, but appeared to be referring to Najib. Allegations against 1MDB have gained steam, but Najib has steadfastly denied any involvement or wrongdoing.
‘Can we send MO1 to jail and bring that person to face justice?’ student leader Anis Syafiqah Mohamad Yusof said at the rally.
Police put barricades around the square, forcing protesters to gather around the perimeter. It was a rare protest led by student activists in the country, and backed by opposition parties and civil groups.
The rally ended peacefully after nearly three hours, with student leaders placing the effigies of Najib, his wife, Rosmah Mansor, his stepson Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz and businessman Low Taek Jho into a mock prison. | http://newagebd.net/248863/malaysian-students-rally-demand-pms-arrest/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/323d8bce39a617bad018f8a60d562e606a52c0f78713aa1302627c62e2a02a15.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T10:52:17 | null | 2016-08-30T15:10:30 | Four teachers of Bagadi Gani High School in Chandpur were sued on Tuesday in connection to the suicide of a schoolgirl Sathi Akhter on Monday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249308%2Fteachers-sued-schoolgirls-suicide-chandpur%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Chandpur-map.jpg | en | null | Teachers sued over schoolgirl’s suicide in Chandpur | null | null | newagebd.net | Four teachers of Bagadi Gani High School in Chandpur were sued on Tuesday in connection to the suicide of a schoolgirl Sathi Akhter on Monday.
Sathi’s father Delwar Hossain filed the case this morning with Chandpur police station accusing assistant headmaster Md Alauddin, assistant teacher Md Jakir Hossain, Jahangir Hossain and Fatema Begum.
Sathi, a class VIII schoolgirl of village Madhya Bagadi, hanged herself after assistant headmaster of her school punished her on Sunday for failing to pay Tk 80 as examination fee on Monday, her family alleged.
The victim’s family, referring to her classmates, alleged that the schools assistant headmaster, Md Alauddin, forced Sathi to stand in the sun for about an hour as she failed to pay a due of Tk 80, out of her examination and other fees of Tk 400.
They also alleged that Sathi committed suicide as she could not bear the punishment and insult by the assistant headmaster.
As the news of her death spread in the locality, villagers attacked the school and smashed window pans and doors while all the teachers and students fled, the villagers said.
Chandpur model police station officer-in-charge Md Waliullah told New Age that they were investing into the matter but no one was arrested till Tuesday. | http://newagebd.net/249308/teachers-sued-schoolgirls-suicide-chandpur/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/7167d4a0bd2df8b18b25537456690cc9b06f5ad7b75f0b1b5bf7b54fd84ddcab.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T10:53:23 | null | 2016-08-31T14:01:26 | Police on Wednesday morning arrested the suspected killer, Obaidul Khan, in the case of murdering Suraiya Akhter Risha, Class VIII student of... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249464%2Frishas-suspected-killer-obaidul-held%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Willes-Little-Flower.jpg | en | null | Risha’s suspected killer Obaidul held | null | null | newagebd.net | Police on Wednesday morning arrested the suspected killer, Obaidul Khan, in the case of murdering Suraiya Akhter Risha, Class VIII student of Willes Little Flower School and College.
Ahmed Rajiur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Domar police station in Nilphamari, said Obaidul was detained at Sonaray Bazar around 7:30am.
Acting on a tip-off, police started drive at Domar since Tuesday evening to arrest Obaidul, he said.
His photograph was also provided to the locals in this connection.
Obaidul was being sent to Dhaka, the police officer-in-charge added.
Risha’s father Ramjan Hossain expressed satisfaction after the news of Obaidul’s arrest. ‘It (arrest) brought peace to me amid grief,’ he told New Age.
Ramjan demanded speedy trial of the perpetrator.
Suraiya Akhter Risha, 15, of Siddikbazar in the capital, was stabbed in the abdomen by stalker Obaidul Khan, also a worker of a tailoring shop at city’s Elephant Road, on August 24.
She died from her injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on August 28.
Students of Willes Little Flower School and College continued to protest on the school premises and its adjacent road since August 28 demanding that the suspected killer be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, a team of Ramna police with the help of Birganj police in Dinajpur detained a sister and brother-in-law of Obaidul from his village home at Miratongi under Birganj on Monday night.
The detained were identified as Khadiza Begum, 36, and her husband Khadimul Islam, 46, of the village, said Birganj police officer-in-charge Abu Akkas Ahmed.
(Updated) | http://newagebd.net/249464/rishas-suspected-killer-obaidul-held/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/8cf5f7da6ac72fa2117bdb0e55957b861fca361857fa5269de6492046ee072c1.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T06:51:20 | null | 2016-08-28T09:55:57 | Petrol pump and tank-lorry owners and workers have enforced a seven-hour strike on Sunday to press home their 12-point demand, including cancellation of 'abnormal' land lease charge... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248883%2Fpetrol-pump-tank-lorry-owners-enforce-seven-hour-strike%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Tank-lorry-strike-Godnail-d.jpg | en | null | Petrol pump, tank-lorry owners enforce seven-hour strike | null | null | newagebd.net | Petrol pump and tank-lorry owners and workers have enforced a seven-hour strike on Sunday to press home their 12-point demand, including cancellation of ‘abnormal’ land lease charge.
All petrol pumps and tank-lorry operations will remain off from 6:00am to 3:00pm across the country on the day as per an announcement of Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank-lorry Owners-Workers Unity Council, a new body formed by the owners and workers in the sector.
The Unity Council announced the programme at a press conference at a city hotel last week.
‘Our strike will be observed all over the country as per earlier announcement as the government had not taken any step to meet our demands,’ convenor of the Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank-lorry Owners-Workers Unity Council told United News of Bangladesh.
One of the main demands of the council is cancellation of new ‘abnormal’ land lease charge imposed by the Roads and Highways Department for the use of its land by petrol pump owners for the operation of their pumps.
‘Our land lease charge has been raised by about 188 times through a recent order. Currently, we pay about Tk 64,000 annually for the use of a land. Once the new rate is effective, we’ll have to pay Tk 27 lakh a year,’ said Nazmul Haque, citing an example of a land in Matuail area.
The rate may vary from area to area, but the enhancement, in most cases, is nearly 188 times which is totally abnormal.
The other demands include re-fixation of commissions on the sale of petroleum, increasing the tank-lorry fares, introducing Tk 5-lakh accident-insurance coverage for tank-lorry workers, re-fixation of evaporation and operation loss at reasonable level, giving priority to tank-lorries at the ferry terminals, banning the sale of petroleum fuel by private refiners to petrol pumps to check the fuel adulteration or allowing them under necessary legal framework.
Construction of new terminals for tank-lories in new locations and renovation of old terminals, reviewing the existing policy for petrol pump set-up, and stopping police harassment on tank-lorry operation are also among the 12 demands. | http://newagebd.net/248883/petrol-pump-tank-lorry-owners-enforce-seven-hour-strike/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/55c07eba5d81000b483cfd00225892f52121370dd54be388422a6706ff89c01a.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T20:53:33 | null | 2016-08-30T00:37:19 | India’s union culture and tourism minister Mahesh Sharma, who was in the Taj city on Sunday, advised women foreign tourists not to wear skirts and other ‘skimpy’ clothes during evenings ‘for their own safety’, reports The Times of India... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249232%2Fdont-wear-skirts-indias-culture-minister-tells-foreign-tourists%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Don’t wear skirts, India’s culture minister tells foreign tourists | null | null | newagebd.net | India’s union culture and tourism minister Mahesh Sharma, who was in the Taj city on Sunday, advised women foreign tourists not to wear skirts and other ‘skimpy’ clothes during evenings ‘for their own safety’, reports The Times of India.
Sharma, who was responding to questions from media, said, ‘For their safety, women foreign tourists should not wear short dresses and skirts.’ The minister added that this would also be part of an advisory pamphlet to be given to tourists, as ‘Indian culture is different from the Western’.
The minister also advised foreign tourists visiting the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan to keep the sensitivity of Indian culture in mind.
Sharma said at a meeting of home ministry, PMO and culture ministry a week ago, it was decided to launch a helpline for tourists, especially for foreigners.
‘We have asked them (foreign tourists) not to go out alone. Also we are asking them to click pictures of the number plates of taxis they take and send it to their friends, so that drivers also know that he will be caught in case of any untoward incident. Although we have not specifically asked them what they should wear or not wear. We are asking them to take precaution while
going out at night. We are not trying to change anyone’s preference,’ he clarified later.
Even last year, Sharma had stoked controversy by saying that girls wanting a night out is not acceptable in India. ‘Girls wanting a night out may be all right elsewhere but it is not part of Indian culture,’ the minister had told a private TV channel.
The 54-year-old first time MP from Noida has been in the news for a string of comments which were decried by opponents as ‘regressive’ and an ‘assault on India’s composite culture’. Speaking on the controversy over renaming of Delhi’s Aurangzeb Road after former president APJ Abdul Kalam late last year, Sharma had said the former president was a nationalist despite being a Muslim. | http://newagebd.net/249232/dont-wear-skirts-indias-culture-minister-tells-foreign-tourists/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/9e515a36a9e49fe8a664b4eeefe1a260fcb4f80a249a260533339ee37b6e2ff0.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T10:50:53 | null | 2016-08-29T15:29:20 | At least 15 people were killed at a wedding party near Iraq's southern Shi'ite city of Kerbala late on Sunday, police said on Monday. A police statement said five... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249090%2Ffifteen-killed-iraqi-wedding-party%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Karbala-map.jpg | en | null | Fifteen killed at Iraqi wedding party | null | null | newagebd.net | At least 15 people were killed at a wedding party near Iraq’s southern Shi’ite city of Kerbala late on Sunday, police said on Monday.
A police statement said five assailants including a suicide bomber attacked the celebration in Ain al-Tamr, west of Kerbala.
The group opened fire with machine guns and threw hand grenades at the party, the statement said, and security forces killed all the attackers.
Initial reports in local media late on Sunday, citing security sources, blamed the killings on a dispute between two tribes at the wedding party in Ain al-Tamr.
The previous bombings targeting Shi’ite cities were claimed by Islamic State, the ultra-hardline Sunni group that controls parts of northern and western Iraq.
There were no claims of responsibility for Sunday’s attack, 12 hours after it happened. | http://newagebd.net/249090/fifteen-killed-iraqi-wedding-party/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/1a67809f7e944c1f0c8598745caddd62a048ef21b043e1d1774365ec02d1a80b.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T08:50:06 | null | 2016-08-28T14:43:38 | Police detained owner of the building where three militants, including Gulshan café attack mastermind Tamim Chowdhury, were killed during a special... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248899%2Fhouse-owner-narayanganj-militant-den-held%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Sanaul-narayanganj.jpg | en | null | House owner of Narayanganj militant den held | null | null | newagebd.net | Police detained owner of the building where three militants, including Gulshan café attack mastermind Tamim Chowdhury, were killed during a special police operation in a militants den in Narayanganj.
The detainee was identified as Nuruddin Dewan, owner of the house at Paikpara beside Bara Kabarsthan, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Mainul Hauqe, superintendent of police, Narayanganj, said police detained 12 people, including Nuruddin Dewan, on Saturday afternoon in connection with the incident.
Later they released 11 of them except Nuruddin.
The SP added police kept Nuruddin in detention on charge of withholding information about the militants from police and a case will be filed against him.
Three militants, including Gulshan café attack mastermind Tamim Chowdhury, were killed during a special police operation, ‘Hit Strong 27’, in a ‘New JMB’ den in a building of Narayanganj on
Saturday morning. | http://newagebd.net/248899/house-owner-narayanganj-militant-den-held/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/02653fc7bbaaa131d159e5ec96f6187f77c07fa999ff440fb9b24ab41cc765c6.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T06:49:25 | null | 2016-08-29T10:25:37 | US secretary of state John Kerry arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning on a nine-hour visit packed with a series of meetings to discuss bilateral and global issues... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249069%2Fkerry-city-packed-schedule%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/John-KERRY-1.jpg | en | null | Kerry in city with packed schedule | null | null | newagebd.net | US secretary of state John Kerry arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning on a nine-hour visit packed with a series of meetings to discuss bilateral and global issues that both sides expect to take the relations to ‘new heights’.
Foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali received Kerry at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his arrival around 10:15am from Geneva by a special aircraft.
Kerry will start his day visiting Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city at about 11:30am.
He will meet prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office at 12:00pm, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Kerry will reach state guesthouse Padma at 1:10pm and hold meeting with the foreign minister there. Mahmood Ali will host working lunch at the same venue from 1:50pm to 2:35pm.
He will visit K-Tex Industrial Company Ltd in Mirpur and will deliver a speech for youngsters at the EMK Center in Dhanmondi in the afternoon.
Then he will visit the residence of US ambassador Bernicat and the Chancery Complex of the US embassy from 5:00pm. From there he will move to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
He is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New Delhi at 6:40pm. Foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque will see him off at the airport.
The priority areas for talks will include ‘US’ growing cooperation on global issues, bilateral partnership on democracy, development, security and human rights’.
There are lots of ‘offers’ on the table, including different kinds of assistance the US is willing to provide to Bangladesh, said US ambassador Marcia Bernicat on Sunday.
She hinted that the ongoing assistance and new programmes on counterterrorism, fight against violent extremism and cooperation with law enforcement agencies will come up for discussion.
‘The visit is very nicely placed in the middle of all those ongoing efforts. This (visit) is an opportunity,’ Bernicat told reporters after attending a programme in the city.
However, Bangladesh has a position to go for need-based assistance protecting the country’s interest if any foreign country offers any assistance.
Ways to further strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism, defeating violent extremism, US assistance in a number of new areas, including security related assistance, will come up prominently during Kerry’s discussion with Bangladesh leadership, said officials from both sides.
Bangladesh may raise again the restoration of GSP facilities, duty- and quota-free access of Bangladeshi apparel to the US market and deportation of AM Rashed Chowdhury, a fugitive convicted killer in the murder case of Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, diplomatic sources said.
Bangladesh will convey its tougher stance against terrorism and violent extremism to Kerry, said a foreign ministry official.
The government is also ready to respond describing its position on the ‘people’s demand’ for continuing the trials of war criminals ‘if the issue comes up for discussions’ at any stage, a diplomatic source said.
Bangladesh will also brief the US secretary of state about the robust security measures taken after the Holey Artisan Bakery attack that claimed 17 foreign nationals’ lives.
Earlier, foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali said ‘all the aspects’ of Bangladesh-US relations, especially the current world order will be discussed during Kerry’s visit.
Both Bangladesh and the United States will touch upon the whole range of bilateral, regional and international issues with a special focus on current global order and what steps need to be taken as partners jointly in addressing the common challenges ahead to ensure the shared prosperity, foreign ministry officials said.
Discussion on strengthening cooperation in the areas of blue economy, energy, trade, investment and workers’ rights will also be discussed.
There is a scheduled event in New Delhi on August 30 titled ‘US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue’. Kerry will attend the event.
It is Kerry’s first visit to Bangladesh as US secretary of state after former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton visited Bangladesh during her tenure. | http://newagebd.net/249069/kerry-city-packed-schedule/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/e47a41c0df019e4165931abfaf6d8b44eefcd04ae4fd12e2007ed77cdfc01f53.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T08:48:21 | null | 2016-08-27T12:10:18 | The Indian government seems set to slap terror charges on Islamic tele-evangelist Zakir Naik for motivating over 50 people accused in terrorism-related cases... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248692%2Findia-set-bring-terror-charge-zakir-naik%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Dr-Zakir-Naik.jpg | en | null | India set to bring terror charge against Zakir Naik | null | null | newagebd.net | The Indian government seems set to slap terror charges on Islamic tele-evangelist Zakir Naik for motivating over 50 people accused in terrorism-related cases, while declaring his Islamic Research Foundation as an ‘unlawful’ organisation.
Top government sources said the two-pronged action plan against Naik, a popular Islamic missionary who has been accused of being the ‘inspiration’ behind the Dhaka restaurant attack in July, has been worked out on the basis of scrutiny of his speeches, reports The Times of India.
They said the home ministry, armed with legal opinion, has decided to book Naik under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for speeches it has, along with the Maharashtra government, found to be laced with jihad-inspiring content.
‘The primary ground for invoking terror charges against Naik are statements by those involved in past terror acts, conceding that they were motivated by his speeches,’ said an intelligence officer. Naik, who was abroad when the probe into the Dhaka attack turned him up as the man who inspired the jihadis, put off his plan to return to India. He is unlikely to return anytime soon.
Among the alleged terrorists who have recorded statements against Naik are Feroze Deshmukh, a former IRF employee arrested for his alleged role in the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case; Qateel Ahmed Siddiqui, an Indian Mujahideen member murdered inside Pune’s Yerwada prison in June 2012; alleged Islamic State recruiter Afsha Jabeen, who was arrested in September 2015 on deportation from the UAE; and Mudabbir Sheikh, Mohammed Obaidullah Khan, Abu Anas and Mohammed Nafees Khan, who were arrested in raids by the NIA in January for floating an IS-affiliated outfit named Junood-ul-Khalifa-e-Hind.
Authorities have also decided to apply the UAPA to ban IRF on grounds of spreading hatred between religious communities through public speeches, activities and ‘forced conversions’ by its members. It may be recalled that brother of one of the 17 Kerala youth who recently joined IS and are believed to have fled to IS-controlled Khorasan province in Afghanistan, has alleged that he was forced by an IRF member to come to Mumbai for conversion.
An ‘unlawful’ association is different from a ‘terrorist’ organisation listed under UAPA. The law, while defining an ‘unlawful association’, covers any organisation ‘which has for its object any activity that is punishable under Section 153A or 153B of IPC’ – provisions dealing with threat to social and communal harmony.
Once IRF and its associate organisations are declared as ‘unlawful’, it will face closure of its offices and interests across the country. | http://newagebd.net/248692/india-set-bring-terror-charge-zakir-naik/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/bdafe1fbc07c06007b97dc4285fe43cd00b40a374ef5ebdc80320dac78379652.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T18:50:59 | null | 2016-08-28T00:31:23 | Liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Huq said in Gazipur on Saturday that the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman would be relocated from the Sangsad Bhaban area... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248867%2Fzias-grave-relocated-mozammel%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Zia’s grave to be relocated: Mozammel | null | null | newagebd.net | Liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Huq said in Gazipur on Saturday that the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman would be relocated from the Sangsad Bhaban area.
‘The controversial role of Ziaur Rahman during and after the liberation war proved that he had not wanted the country’s independence…Grave of such a controversial person cannot be located in the Sangsad Bhaban area,’ said a release of the ministry quoting Mozammel to have told a discussion.
Local unit of the ruling Awami League organised the discussion at Kashimpur marking the anniversary of the assassination of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was killed along with all but two of his family on August 15, 1975 by a group of army.
The minister made the comment a day after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party criticised a reported move of the government to withdraw Shwadhinata Padak conferred on its founder Ziaur Rahman, who was a sector commander and led the Z Force in the Liberation War in 1971.
Mozammel said that trials of those directly involved in the killing of Sheikh Mujib were completed, those who were behind the scene remained out of reach.
He underlined the need for constituting a commission to find out all the people in home and abroad involved in the killing of Sheikh Mujib.
Mozammel said, ‘It was possible to kill Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975, but his ideology could not be destroyed and it is not possible to destroy it even in future.’
He said, Sheikh Mujib’s ideology was rather becoming stronger day by day.
Zia, the then president, was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981. | http://newagebd.net/248867/zias-grave-relocated-mozammel/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/9179607f20adf84e9de8d6adf48e3eca3afdb9830486965cfb649f11efedb45a.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T06:51:57 | null | 2016-08-31T09:55:33 | Hundreds of representatives of Myanmar's ethnic tribes gathered Wednesday in the country's capital for historic peace talks with the government aimed at... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249471%2Fmyanmar-holds-historic-peace-talks-ethnic-groups%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi.jpg | en | null | Myanmar holds historic peace talks with ethnic groups | null | null | newagebd.net | Hundreds of representatives of Myanmar’s ethnic tribes gathered Wednesday in the country’s capital for historic peace talks with the government aimed at ending decades of separatist insurgencies that have claimed thousands of lives.
The delegates, dressed in traditional garb and headgear, streamed into a conference hall in Naypyitaw for the five-day talks called by the new government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Although her title is state counsellor she is seen as the country’s real leader.
Suu Kyi, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and the head of armed forces Gen Min Aung Hlaing are scheduled to give speeches at the opening of the talks to determine the fate of the country’s various ethnic minorities, who make up about 40 percent of the population.
‘All our people around the country want peace. So I do believe we will be successful in getting it at the conference,’ said Khun Than Myint, the facilitator of the meeting, whose official title is Union Peace Conference — 21st Century Panglong.
This is a reference to the Panglong Agreement brokered in 1947 by Suu Kyi’s late father, independence hero Gen Aung San, in a town called Panglong. This week’s conference is being attended by 17 of the 20 main armed groups, including the Karen, Kachin, Shan and Wa, along with other stakeholders.
The 1947 deal granted ethnic minorities autonomy and the right to secede if they worked with the federal government to break away from Britain together. Aung San was assassinated the following year and the deal fell apart. Since then, ethnic groups have accused successive, mostly military, governments of failing to honor the 1947 pact, just before Myanmar gained independence from Britain the next year.
The first uprising — launched by ethnic Karen insurgents — began shortly after independence. Since then other ethnic groups have also taken up arms.
Skirmishes, particularly in northern zones where Kachin insurgents are fighting the army, have displaced more than 100,000 civilians since 2011 alone. At least 100,000 more have sought refuge in squalid camps in neighboring Thailand, and are unlikely to return home until true peace takes hold.
The rebel armies control a patchwork of remote territories rich in jade and timber that are located mostly in the north and east along the borders with China and Thailand. They represent various ethnic groups that for decades have been fighting for autonomy while resisting ‘Burmanisation,’ a push by the Burman ethnic majority to propagate its language, religion and culture in ethnic minority regions.
Suu Kyi promised that bringing peace would be her top priority when her government assumed power earlier this year after decades of military rule. The previous military-backed government brokered individual truces with various insurgent groups and oversaw a ceasefire covering eight minor insurgencies last year that fell short of a nationwide deal.
‘It is still too early to say,’ whether this Panglong conference is representative of the aspirations of all groups, said Khu Oo Reh, the spokesman of the United Nationalities and Federal Council, a group that represents all ethnic armed groups. ‘But we really hope that we can achieve real democracy and equality for all ethnic groups, and self-determination in our region.’ | http://newagebd.net/249471/myanmar-holds-historic-peace-talks-ethnic-groups/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/9be403d866b972787b1cc8206586a9b9e606e4d24083a2ec06efb321a47c929d.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T18:50:20 | null | 2016-08-29T00:42:46 | Ruling Awami League-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League activists on Sunday attacked Jagannath University students on the first day of their two-day fresh strike demanding construction of residential halls... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249049%2Fagitation-for-dorms%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BCL-activists2.jpg | en | null | AGITATION FOR DORMS: BCL activists attack JnU students | null | null | newagebd.net | Ruling Awami League-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League activists on Sunday attacked Jagannath University students on the first day of their two-day fresh strike demanding construction of residential halls.
Witnesses said that Chhatra League activists, led by JnU unit president FM Shoriful Islam and general secretary SM Sirajul Islam, swooped on the agitating students around 10:00am on the campus.
The students alleged that at least 15 agitators were injured in a series of attacks by the BCL men while the students were going to bring out a procession from the campus in the morning, boycotting classes and examinations.
The injured were taken to nearby private clinics and hospitals.
The agitating students alleged that the BCL men were conspiring to detract their movement.
However, JnU unit Chhatra League president FM Shoriful Islam told New Age that Chhatra League did not attack anyone.
‘We will continue our movement until we get any clear answer from the government,’ said Raisul Islam Nayan, one of the organisers of the movement.
When asked about the BCL attack on the agitators, JnU proctor Noor Muhammad told New Age that he would make no comment on the matter.
About allegation that police helped the attackers, Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, Lalbagh division deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said that the law enforcers did not detain any of the agitators.
‘We will help the agitators if they move peacefully,’ he said, adding that the agitators did not vandalise any vehicle on the roads.
Meanwhile, the university authorities on August 21 formed an 11-member body, led by business studies dean professor Moniruzzaman, to talk to the agitators.
The authorities on August 11 wrote a letter to the government seeking permanent ownership of the former jail property.
The students have been staging demonstrations since August 1, boycotting classes and examinations and blocking roads in support of their demands. | http://newagebd.net/249049/agitation-for-dorms/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/87c238ed5326857bc5665a16b1837b6d911d4834b757753165911505741be492.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T14:50:23 | null | 2016-08-27T20:23:48 | At least 50 people were injured in a series of clashes between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League, ruling party backed student organisation at Khulna Medical College on Saturday over establishing supremacy on the campus... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248723%2F50-hurt-bcl-factional-clash-khulna-medical-college%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Khulna-medical-college-admi.jpg | en | null | 50 hurt in BCL factional clash at Khulna Medical College | null | null | newagebd.net | At least 50 people were injured in a series of clashes between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League, ruling party backed student organisation at Khulna Medical College on Saturday over establishing supremacy on the campus.
Police and witnesses said some supporters of BCL KMC unit general secretary Saidur Rahman Titu’s followers swooped on the followers of president Saifullah Mansur and beat them up when they went to the college canteen, leaving 20-25 leaders and activists injured.
Hearing the news of the attack, followers of Saifullah, equipped with home made weapons, chased the activists of their rival group around 1:00pm, reports United News of Bangladesh.
At one stage, a chase and counter-chase took place between them that left 15-20 students injured.
The BCL men also vandalised two motorcycles and the windows of different rooms of the college and hospital during the clash.
On information, police and Rapid Action Battalion members rushed in and brought the situation under control.
Of the injured, 20 students were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital from where four critically injured ones were shifted to Dhaka as their condition deteriorated.
The clash took place during prime minister’s personal secretary Namita Halder’s visit to the burn and plastic surgery unit of the KMCH.
However, Namita Halder managed to leave the hospital with police protection. | http://newagebd.net/248723/50-hurt-bcl-factional-clash-khulna-medical-college/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/96f61394f6a91183025b42a71369df8e6e53554586d06a1070295e6f5991565a.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T10:48:51 | null | 2016-08-28T14:48:55 | The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Sunday distributed the National Export Trophy for 2011-12 and 2012-13 among 113 export organisations for their... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248900%2F113-exporters-get-natl-export-trophy%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PM-award.jpg | en | null | 113 exporters get Nat’l Export Trophy | null | null | newagebd.net | The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Sunday distributed the National Export Trophy for 2011-12 and 2012-13 among 113 export organisations for their significant role in overseas trade and thus earning foreign currency.
The awards were distributed at a programme organised jointly by the ministry of commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
A total of 52 export organisations received gold medals, 37 silver while 24 bronze medals for the fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Twenty-four establishments received gold medals for FY12 are Refat Garments, Square Fashion, Square Textiles, Noman Waving, Zaber and Zobaer Fabrics, Apex Foods, Popular Jute Exchange, Akiz Jute, Apex Tannery, Picard Bangladesh, FB Footwear, Agri concern, Oran Exports, Rajdhani Enterprise, Karupanna, Rangpur, Bengal Plastic, Far Ceramics, Uniglory Cycle, Thanvir Polymer, Beximco Pharma, Service Engine, Universal Jeans, Shasha Denims and Montrims.
The establishments which received silver medals for FY12 are Ananta Apparels, GMS Composite, Mosharraf Composite, Envoy Textiles, Seamark (BD), FR Jute, Janata jute, S F Industries, RMM Leather, Farm Fresh, Pran Agro, Capital Enterprise, Ever Bright Plastic, Transworld Bicycle, Al Habib Enterprise, Graphics People and Jeans-2000.
Twenty-six establishments which received gold medals for FY13 are Refat Garments Ltd, GMS Composite Knitting Industries Ltd, Kamal Yarn Ltd, Saad Sun Textiles Mills Ltd, Jaber and Jobaer Fabrics Ltd, Noman Terry Towel Mills Ltd, Apex Foods Ltd, Popular Jute Exchange Ltd, Akij Jute Mills Ltd, Apex Tannery Ltd, Picard Bangladesh Ltd, FB Footwear Ltd, Al-Azmi Trade International, Pran Dairy Ltd, Rajdhani Enterprise, Karuponno Rangpur Ltd, Bengal Plastics Ltd, Unit-3, Farr Ceramics Ltd, BRB Cables Industries Ltd, Marine Safety System, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Graphicpeople Ltd, Universal Jeans Ltd, Shasha
Denims Ltd, Montreams Ltd and Mir Telecom Ltd.
Nineteen enterprises that received silver medals for the FY13 are Ananta Apparels Ltd, Square Fashions Ltd, Badsha Textile Ltd, Envoy Textile Ltd, Uniliance Textile Ltd, Seamark (BD) Ltd, Reza Jute Trading, Janata Jute Mills Ltd, SAF Industries Ltd, RMM Leather Industries Ltd, Laimai Footwear Ltd, Monsoor General Trading Company Ltd, Pran Agro Ltd, Capital Enterprise, Core-the Jute Works, Bengal
Plastics Ltd, Service Engine Ltd, Pacific Jeans Ltd and Jaber and Jobaer Accessories Ltd.
The ministry of commerce provides gold, silver and bronze trophies for the exporters in commodity and service sectors every year.
The awards are given after the evaluation of the organisation’s export earnings, growth of earnings and addition of new products.
Presided over by commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, the function was addressed, among others, by chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on commerce ministry Md Tajul Islam Chowdhury, senior secretary of the commerce ministry Hedayetullah Al Mamun and FBCCI president Abdul Matlub Ahmad. EPB vice-chairman Mafruha Sultana delivered the address of welcome. | http://newagebd.net/248900/113-exporters-get-natl-export-trophy/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/80cc7bbb991107a78f4d38284e67fb3f97f66b0607d39c1b106440a41f67a1ca.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T14:47:30 | null | 2016-08-26T20:09:06 | A leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Jahangirnagar University unit was killed in a road accident near the campus on Dhaka-Aricha highway on Friday afternoon... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248535%2Fjcd-leader-jahangirnagar-univ-killed-road-accident%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/JCD-leader1.jpg | en | null | JCD leader of Jahangirnagar Univ killed in road accident | null | null | newagebd.net | A leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Jahangirnagar University unit was killed in a road accident near the campus on Dhaka-Aricha highway on Friday afternoon.
The deceased Sahidul Islam Tusher was a vice-president of JU unit JCD and also student of statistics department.
Witnesses said that Tushar along with some other leaders and JCD activists was returning to the campus from Bishmial area by a BRTC bus after attending a commemorative programme.
Tushar was hanging with a stand of the BRTC bus door when a pickup van hit it from back.
He fell down on the road near the JU main entrance.
Tushar was rushed to the Enam Medical Collage and Hospital where director Anwarul Kader Nazim of the hospital declared him dead. | http://newagebd.net/248535/jcd-leader-jahangirnagar-univ-killed-road-accident/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/c587333393ad7f9ae7b49e20ae817cf5c4f1e68cd42d9d2107544636c5385297.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T06:48:43 | null | 2016-08-28T10:30:28 | A probe flown by the US space agency NASA has made its first close approach to the planet Jupiter since going into orbit in July... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248881%2Fjuno-probe-makes-close-pass-jupiter%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Jupitar.jpg | en | null | Juno probe makes close pass of Jupiter | null | null | newagebd.net | A probe flown by the US space agency NASA has made its first close approach to the planet Jupiter since going into orbit in July.
Juno was commanded to pass just 4,200km above the cloud tops of the gas giant on Saturday.
No previous spacecraft has got so close to the world during the main phase of its mission.
Juno had all its instruments – and its camera – switched on and primed for the encounter.
NASA expects to be in a position to release some images from the approach in the next few days. They will be the highest resolution pictures ever obtained of Jupiter’s clouds.
The moment of closest approach was set for 12:51 GMT.
At that time, Juno would have been moving at 208,000km/h with respect to the planet, sweeping from north to south over the multi-banded atmosphere.
The probe became gravitationally bound to Jupiter on 5 July after a five-year, 2.8-billion-km journey from Earth.
Executing a carefully choreographed engine burn, the spacecraft put itself in a large ellipse around the world that takes some 53 days to traverse.
‘[On 5 July] we turned all our instruments off to focus on the rocket burn to get Juno into orbit around Jupiter,’ explained principal investigator Scott Bolton.
‘Since then, we have checked Juno from stem to stern and back again. We still have more testing to do, but we are confident that everything is working great, so for this upcoming flyby Juno’s eyes and ears, our science instruments, will all be open.
‘This is our first opportunity to really take a close-up look at the king of our Solar System and begin to figure out how he works,’ the Southwest Research Institute scientist said in a NASA statement prior to the flyby.
Juno’s quest is to probe the secrets of the Solar System by explaining the origin and evolution of its biggest planet.
The spacecraft’s remote sensing instruments will look down into the giant’s many layers and measure their composition, temperature, motion and other properties.
We should finally discover whether Jupiter has a solid core or if its gas merely compresses to an ever denser state all the way to the centre.
We will also gain new insights on the famous Great Red Spot – the colossal storm that has raged on Jupiter for hundreds of years. Juno will tell us how deep its roots go.
Controllers will send the probe on another 53-day orbit before firing the probe’s engine once again on 19 October to tighten the circuit to just 14 days.
The configuration will then be held until February 2018 when the spacecraft will be commanded to make a destructive dive into Jupiter’s atmosphere. | http://newagebd.net/248881/juno-probe-makes-close-pass-jupiter/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/f9b1fbe0b4d18fedb53c0ca0a1cab60c03a15945e98b966a37c238d1a458f898.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T18:50:29 | null | 2016-08-30T00:18:41 | Bangladesh Under-16 Women’s football team maintained their 100 per cent start to the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualifiers with an emphatic 5-0 win over Singapore in Dhaka on Monday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249218%2Fu-16-girls-rout-singapore%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/U-16-girls.jpg | en | null | U-16 girls rout Singapore | null | null | newagebd.net | Bangladesh Under-16 Women’s football team maintained their 100 per cent start to the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualifiers with an emphatic 5-0 win over Singapore in Dhaka on Monday.
It was a one-way traffic as captain Krishna Rani and substitute Anuching Mogini struck a brace each while Mousumi Jahan netted the other for the hosts to share the lead of Group C along with Chinese Taipei.
Earlier, in the day’s second game, Chinese Taipei handed United Arab Emirates an identical defeat.
Both Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei have equal six points from two matches but the latter is ahead of the hosts by virtue of goal difference.
In the day’s first match, Iran thrashed Kyrgyzstan 9-0.
The girls in Red and Greens started from where they left against Iran to dominate the show as coach Golam Rabbani Choton sent an unchanged squad that beat Iran 3-0 in their opening match.
Like the match against Iran, the hosts created a lot of scoring chances but could not cash in from those early opportunities.
As a result, they had to wait for nearly 40 minutes to break the deadlock as the Singaporeans parked the bus.
Winger Sanjida Akter was a constant threat for Singapore as the girl from Kalsindhur School exposed their defence line from the right flank time and again with her persistent crosses for the forwards.
Sanjida kept sending crosses from the right flank and forward Krishna, who squandered two easy opportunities in open net on the half-way of the first half, finally amended her to break the deadlock with header in the 39th minute.
Bangladesh doubled the margin two minutes into the second half as Krishna nicely received a cross from left-back Shamsunnahar inside the box and tapped in to make it 2-0.
Choton sent on Under-14 striker Anuching Mogini and Tahura to pile more pressure on the visitors.
However, Singapore fought bravely to keep the margin 2-0 before conceding three successive goals in the last nine minutes.
Anunching did not make any mistake to poke the ball in the 83th minute after Singapore goalkeeper failed to grip a powerful shot from Tahura while Mousumi found the back of the net with a moderate shot in the 86th minute.
Anunching finally hammered the last nail on the Singapore coffin in the stoppage time of the second half as the girl from Rangamati scored her second goal with another tap in.
RESULT
Bangladesh U-16 Women 5 (Krishna 39, 47, Anuching 83, 90+1, Moushumi 86) v Singapore U-16 Women 0 | http://newagebd.net/249218/u-16-girls-rout-singapore/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/c10c02513edd272f428065f0e694a7ce53d90337fe083d079c8d482bd75bd06f.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T14:51:07 | null | 2016-08-30T19:40:38 | A suicide bomber has detonated an explosives-laden truck near the gate of Somalia's presidential palace in the capital on Tuesday, killing at least 12 people... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249314%2Fsuicide-bomber-hits-somalia-presidential-compound-12-dead%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Somalia-Blast.jpg | en | null | Suicide bomber hits Somalia presidential compound, 12 dead | null | null | newagebd.net | A suicide bomber has detonated an explosives-laden truck near the gate of Somalia’s presidential palace in the capital on Tuesday, killing at least 12 people, police say.
The bomb exploded during a morning traffic jam, said Capt Mohamed Hussein, a senior police officer.
Some cabinet ministers at the SYL hotel were among the 31 injured, said Hussein. The blast damaged nearby hotels often frequented by government officials and business executives, he said.
The explosion was heard across Mogadishu, and smoke was seen billowing over the area of the presidential compound.
Somalia’s Islamic extremist group al-Shabab has claimed the responsibility for the blast, according to the rebels’ Andalus radio station.
The injured were taken to Mogadishu’s Madina Hospital, said Mohamed Yusuf, the hospital’s director.
The massive blast left a trail of destruction across the hilltop presidential complex and to nearby hotels. The bombing tore into blast walls protecting hotels and blew off the roofs of nearby houses.
‘Security forces tried to stop the bomber who used back roads before he sped through checkpoints near the presidential palace and detonated the bomb,’ said Colonel Ali Nur, a police officer. ‘He reached near the gate of the state house with flat tires.’
While al-Shabab has been ousted from most of Somalia’s cities, it continues to carry out bombings and suicide attacks, notably in the capital.
In late July, two al-Shabab suicide bombers detonated explosives-laden cars outside the office of the UN’s mine-clearing agency and an army checkpoint near the African Union’s main base in Mogadishu, killing 13.
Other attacks have targeted hotels. In June, extremist gunmen stormed the Nasa-Hablod hotel, killing at least 14. Two weeks before that, extremist gunmen killed 15, including two members of parliament, at the Ambassador hotel. | http://newagebd.net/249314/suicide-bomber-hits-somalia-presidential-compound-12-dead/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/be985feb75f2c6946322964e944e28c967070249db25e0647d9eed2f5dafff4a.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T14:50:23 | null | 2016-08-29T19:09:54 | Authorities on Monday lifted a curfew imposed in most parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir as part of a 52-day security lockdown, but reimposed it later in the day in most of Srinagar... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249113%2Findia-reimpose-curfew-kashmirs-main-city%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/India-kashmir1.jpg | en | null | India reimpose curfew in Kashmir's main city - New Age | null | null | newagebd.net | Authorities on Monday lifted a curfew imposed in most parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir as part of a 52-day security lockdown, but reimposed it later in the day in most of Srinagar, the region’s main city, after anti-India protests and clashes erupted in several neighborhoods.
Residents chanted slogans like ‘We want freedom’ and ‘Go India, go back’ as they hurled stones at government forces, who fired tear gas to stop them from marching in the streets, a police officer said.
The officer spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy.
Protests and clashes were also reported in many areas of the region. At least eight civilians were reported injured.
Authorities said they had decided to lift the curfew over much of the region in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Government forces removed steel barricades and coils of barbed wire from roads across the region. Public transport was off the roads in Srinagar but some private vehicles were seen on the streets.
The curfew, a series of communication blackouts and a tightening crackdown have failed to halt some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, triggered by the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8.
Since then, tens of thousands of people have defied security restrictions, staged protests and clashed with government forces on a daily basis seeking an end of Indian rule.
At least 68 civilians have been killed and thousands injured, mostly by government forces firing bullets and shotguns at rock-throwing protesters. Two policemen have been killed while hundreds of government forces have been injured in the clashes.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both. Most Kashmiris want an end to Indian rule and favor independence or a merger with Pakistan.
More than 68,000 people have been killed since rebel groups began fighting Indian forces in 1989 and in the subsequent Indian military crackdown. | http://newagebd.net/249113/india-reimpose-curfew-kashmirs-main-city/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/4528295a1b892e9f3a0afe3f90797f409e82b93064e51c3d4db34da1fc4a7c7f.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T20:50:02 | null | 2016-08-29T00:46:14 | Schoolgirl Surayia Akhter Risha, who was stabbed in the abdomen by a stalker on August 24, succumbed to her injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Sunday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249053%2Fschoolgirl-stabbed-stalker-dies%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Schoolgirl.jpg | en | null | Schoolgirl stabbed by stalker dies | null | null | newagebd.net | Schoolgirl Surayia Akhter Risha, who was stabbed in the abdomen by a stalker on August 24, succumbed to her injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Sunday.
Surayia, 15, daughter of Ramjan Ali of Siddikbazar in the capital, was a Class-VIII student of Wills Little Flower School and College. She died at the hospital at about 10:00am, said in-charge of the police outpost at the hospital Bachchu Mia.
As the news of her death spread, students of Wills Little Flower School and College took to the street and blocked Kakrail intersection at about 11:00am protesting at the murder of their fellow and immediate arrest of the killers.
Traffic came to a halt in the area triggering severe traffic gridlock.
The students call off the blockade at noon as the police officer about 12:00am, as police officers assured them that the killer would be brought to justice.
The students, however, continued demonstration inside the school and no class or scheduled examination was held at the school after 10:00am, guardians and agitating students said.
Dhaka Medical College forensic medicine assistant professor AKM Shafiuzzaman, who conducted post mortem examination of the body, told reporters that stabbing with a sharp knife caused Surayia’s death.
After her post mortem examination, when the family was receiving the body, a number of schoolchildren also demonstrated on the hospital premises arrest of the killer and exemplary punishment for him.
Surayia sustained grievous injury as she was stabbed in the abdomen reportedly by a tailoring shop worker of New Market in front of the school at Kakrail in Dhaka on August 24 students rushed her to the hospital.
The assailants stabbed her in the left side of the abdomen and her intestines came out of the body, said police outpost in-charge Bachchu Mia.
The victim’s mother Taniya Akhter alleged that tailoring shop worker Fakhrul Ahmed of New Market used to stalk and disturb her daughter often.
Surayia’s father Ramjan Hossain told New Age that they had buried her daughter at Azimpur graveyard.
He said that he filed a case with Ramna police station against the stalker and his unidentified cohorts under the Women and Children Repression (Prevention) Act on August 25.
Ramna police station officer-in-charge Moshiur Rahman said that none was arrested in the case.
He said that Ramjan’s case was for causing severe injury by stabbing with a sharp weapon in a bid to kill her and police would appeal to the court to consider the case as a murder case as the victim succumbed to her injuries. | http://newagebd.net/249053/schoolgirl-stabbed-stalker-dies/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/26116390e3aa611a098d021682518e7bb3f36277208569ff7a82f60a72b20d4e.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T12:48:58 | null | 2016-08-27T17:02:58 | The admission test for the first year Bachelor of Science Engineering courses under 2016-2017 academic sessions at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology will be held on October 26... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248706%2Fruet-intake-test-oct-26%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/RUET-Logo1.jpg | en | null | RUET intake test on Oct 26 | null | null | newagebd.net | The admission test for the first year Bachelor of Science Engineering courses under 2016-2017 academic sessions at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology will be held on October 26.
According to a RUET press release the decision was made in a meeting of admission sub-committee led by RUET vice-chancellor M Rafiqul Alam Beg.
The detailed information about the admission processes would be published at the university website www.ru.ac.bd. | http://newagebd.net/248706/ruet-intake-test-oct-26/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/7de286b1dde917f5a4af6b23cdd077393688f50dea51f34c5e15a25cfca81878.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T18:53:07 | null | 2016-08-28T00:26:47 | Authorities closed Pabna University of Science and Technology until September 30 as the students went on a rampage on the campus early Saturday demanding solution to the nagging power crisis in its dormitories... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248861%2Fpust-shut-violence%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | PUST shut after violence | null | null | newagebd.net | Authorities closed Pabna University of Science and Technology until September 30 as the students went on a rampage on the campus early Saturday demanding solution to the nagging power crisis in its dormitories.
The decision came from an emergency meeting held at the administration building on Saturday morning, PUST vice-chancellor Prof Al-Nakib Chowdhury said.
The university was declared closed from Sunday and the students were asked to vacate their dormitories by 5:00pm Saturday and they already started leaving the halls, he said.
The Eid-ul-Azha vacation was supposed to start on September 7 but it now begins on August 28 due to security reasons, the VC added.
Witnesses said some students of different residential halls went a rampage at the academic building, medical centre and cafeteria early Saturday demanding an immediate solution to electricity crisis. | http://newagebd.net/248861/pust-shut-violence/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/8e13b9f8c223d04e6f0e32ab7bb60c6bdd2a33c1991691462440e2e8f328d0ed.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T14:49:06 | null | 2016-08-27T17:38:06 | A fire in a Moscow printing plant killed 17 people on Saturday, officials said, and a representative of the Kyrgyz diaspora in Russia said all the dead were members of its community... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248719%2Ffire-kills-17-moscow-printing-plant%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Fire kills 17 in Moscow printing plant | null | null | newagebd.net | A fire in a Moscow printing plant killed 17 people on Saturday, officials said, and a representative of the Kyrgyz diaspora in Russia said all the dead were members of its community.
‘The incident happened when people were changing shifts at the printing house. It is very hard for us,’ Abdygany Shakirov, the Kyrgyz representative told Reuters.
Around 500,000 citizens of the impoverished former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan are working in Russia. The two countries belong to a Russian-dominated customs union.
The investigative committee, which reports directly to president Vladimir Putin, said a criminal inquiry had been launched into the deaths of 17 of the victims of the blaze.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in his Twitter feed that one more person died later in a hospital.
Ilya Denisov, an Emergencies Ministry official, told Rossiya-24 TV station a malfunctioning lamp caused the fire.
Lax fire safety standards are often blamed for fatal workplace blazes in Russia. In January, 12 people died in a fire in a Moscow clothing factory. | http://newagebd.net/248719/fire-kills-17-moscow-printing-plant/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/1648a9a0b7a443a2357a26f6c9c2e45693f6a4bc03dc80d1d43fa0de73ce347f.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T10:52:11 | null | 2016-08-29T16:19:38 | The United States on Monday said it would work together with Bangladesh to fight terrorism and reiterated its offer to provide experts to this end. ‘We would fight with Bangladesh to combat... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249099%2Fus-work-bangladesh-fight-terrorism-kerry%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Kerry-and-Hasina.jpg | en | null | US to work with Bangladesh to fight terrorism: Kerry | null | null | newagebd.net | The United States on Monday said it would work together with Bangladesh to fight terrorism and reiterated its offer to provide experts to this end.
‘We would fight with Bangladesh to combat terrorism … we have enough experts in this regard and we could help Bangladesh by giving these experts,’ US secretary of state John Kerry said when he called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office this noon, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
He said the one-hour meeting was held in a very cordial and warm atmosphere where the entire gamut of bilateral relations was reviewed.
Kerry also expressed the US interest to work closely with intelligence agencies of Bangladesh to fight terrorism. ‘We need to exchange information to combat terrorism,’ he said.
Highly praising Bangladesh’s tremendous development in socioeconomic progress, he said Bangladesh has been doing ‘brilliantly’ in the sector. ‘We have partnered with Bangladesh in its economic progress and other issues,’ he said.
The US secretary of state also showed his country’s eagerness to work closely with Bangladesh in other sectors like climate, health and energy.
While talking about the ongoing anti-IS drive in the Middle East, he said the IS has been cornered in the region due to the operation and many IS terrorists are now returning home on the face of the attack.
When the premier recalled the assassination of Bangabandhu and most of his family members in 1975 and requested the USA to extradite Bangabandhu’s killers living in the United States, the US secretary of state said he understands the concern of Sheikh Hasina.
‘The issue (of extradition) is under review by the US government,’ he said. | http://newagebd.net/249099/us-work-bangladesh-fight-terrorism-kerry/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/a76f6373c9c8c8a41a4c27ce369b1c61ba693c3ff5b7d2825b02367fd3b9ea45.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T18:50:54 | null | 2016-08-30T00:14:55 | New Bangladesh coach Tom Saintfiet on Monday named four uncapped players in his first 23-man squad for the international friendly match against the Maldives in September... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249212%2Funcapped-quartet-named-maldives-friendly%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Uncapped quartet named for Maldives friendly | null | null | newagebd.net | New Bangladesh coach Tom Saintfiet on Monday named four uncapped players in his first 23-man squad for the international friendly match against the Maldives in September.
Bangladesh will take on Maldives on September 1 in Male as part of their preparation for their Asian Cup play-offs qualifying tie against Bhutan on September 6 in Dhaka.
With the absence of several regular first team players like Mamunul Islam, Jamal Bhuiyan, Jewel Rana and Atiqur Rahman Meshu Sainfiet has turned to youth for their tie against the Maldivians.
Mamunul is undergoing a rehabilitation process following his left thigh muscle injury, Jamal is not available following his one-match international suspension and Jewel and Meshu are struggling with their current form.
That prompted the 43-year Belgian to pick midfielders — Mohammad Abdulllah and Jafar Iqbal of Arambagh KS, Didarul Alam of Rahmatganj MFS and Sentu Chandra Sen of Uttar Baridhara Club.
Apart from the quartet, defensive midfielders Prantosh Kumar Das and Enamul Haque Sharif were also recalled to the national fold after a long gap.
Prantosh last played for the national team in 2013 while Sharif represented the Red and Greens for the last time in 2009.
In-form winger Rubel Mia and striker Sohel Rana have also made their way into the final squad after a gap of two and five years respectively. Despite the duo were in the national squad, they are yet to earn any caps.
Saintfiet, who is now in his homeland with his newborn child and his wife, was absent for the comment but manager Iqbal Hossain said that the coach has picked up some players on the basis of their recent performances.
The coach also picked some players, who have matched with his playing system.
Sainfiet will join the national team in Maldives as the 23-member squad leaves for the Island country today.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Shahidul Alam Sohel and Ashraful Islam Rana; Defenders: Raihan Hasan, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Tapu Barman, Mamun Mia, Ariful Islam, Wali Faisal, Rezaul Karim, Yeamin Ahmed Chowdhury Munna; Midfielders: Prantosh, Sharif, Sohel Rana, Emon Mahmud, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Jafar, Abdullah, Sentu, Didarul; Forwards: Shakhawat Hossain Rony, Nabib Newaj Jibon, Rubel Mia and Sohel Rana. | http://newagebd.net/249212/uncapped-quartet-named-maldives-friendly/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/460a3dd5fcdb4c5aa76b36a0af19ddeb6a5d68c6d1735f910c5fd8d0f65df0c5.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T08:52:13 | null | 2016-08-29T12:50:33 | The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday ordered Citycell, the country’s oldest mobile phone operator, to pay its Tk 477.51 crore dues to the... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249079%2Fsc-orders-citycell-pay-tk-477-51-crore-due-btrc-three-months%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Citycell-logo.jpg | en | null | SC orders Citycell to pay Tk 477.51 crore due to BTRC in three months | null | null | newagebd.net | The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday ordered Citycell, the country’s oldest mobile phone operator, to pay its Tk 477.51 crore dues to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Council in installments within three months.
A five-member bench, led by the Chief Justice SK Sinha, passed the order after hearing petition filed by Citycell.
The court also ordered that Citycell can continue its operation on some conditions.
The mobile operator has to pay two-third of its outstanding payment within one month and the rest within the following two months, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Citycell also has to pay fees including licence fee on regular basis from September 17 to the BTRC.
If they fail to fulfill the condition, the BTRC will be able to take legal steps against them.
Attorney general Mahbubey Alam, Fazle Noor Taposh and Reza-E-Rakib stood for the state and Rokanuddin Mahmud stood for Citycell.
On August 22, the High Court stayed until September 16 the government’s process to stop Citycell’s operation for its failure to pay the BTRC an outstanding payment of Tk 477.51 crore.
Citycell filed a petition on August 23 to review the HC order.
On August 17, the BTRC chairman sent a notice to Citycell asking it to explain why its licence would not be scrapped for not paying the dues. The mobile phone operator was given a month to respond to the notice.
The BTRC had earlier issued a notification asking the Citycell subscribers to switch to alternative operator by August 16.
Under such circumstances, the High Court asked the government to allow the mobile phone company to continue its activities until the deadline of responding to the BTRC notice. | http://newagebd.net/249079/sc-orders-citycell-pay-tk-477-51-crore-due-btrc-three-months/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/b86eb547959120d6a4e0356d31bf8aa4d47d8d63cb614ff97751d92547d996d1.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T20:50:13 | null | 2016-08-27T00:42:12 | Huge imports remained stranded on mother vessels at outer anchorage of Chittagong and Mongla ports as the water transport workers continued countrywide indefinite strike for the fourth day on Friday although some launches operated on different routes from Sadarghat in Dhaka... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248660%2Fimports-stranded-ships-water-transport-strike-continues%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/water-transport-strike.jpg | en | null | Imports stranded on ships as water transport strike continues | null | null | newagebd.net | Huge imports remained stranded on mother vessels at outer anchorage of Chittagong and Mongla ports as the water transport workers continued countrywide indefinite strike for the fourth day on Friday although some launches operated on different routes from Sadarghat in Dhaka.
Labour leaders, however, alleged that some launch owners forced workers to run launches from Sadarghat, Barisal and Chandpur terminals.
About 65 launches left Sadarghat terminal while about 30 launches arrived at the terminal on Friday.
Operation of vessels carrying goods on all routes and launches on many routes remained halted since August 23 as the workers went on an indefinite strike for 15-point demands including an increase in minimum monthly wage of a worker at Tk 10,000 from the existing Tk 3,900.
Nou Sramik Sangram Parishad convener Bulbul Ahmed told New Age on Friday that no representative from either owners or the government communicated with them on Friday and they would continue the strike until their demands were met.
He also said that the owners of some launches forced the workers to operate lunches which was a violation of labour rights.
New Age correspondent in Chittagong reported that 18 lakh tonne imported goods remained stranded on 50 mother vessels at the Chittagong Port’s outer anchorage as the goods could not be offloaded because of the strike.
Port sources said that operational activities at the outer anchorage were disrupted because of the strike although the cargo handling on port jetties was almost normal.
Chittagong Port Authorities director (administration) Jafar Alam said that the number of loaded mother vessels was on the rise at the outer anchorage for the strike.
He said that cargo handling at outer anchorage facing disruption.
Of the anchored 50 mother vessels, three were wheat-laden, three were sugar-laden and another three were soybean oil-laden, said Jafar.
Mother vessels cannot berth at the jetties of the port and get anchored at the outer anchorage. The lighter vessels later transport the goods to the jetties.
Water Transport Cell joint-secretary Ataul Karim Ranju said that no lighter vessel went to the outer anchorage for loading cargos from the mother vessels in the past four days.
In Khulna, workers on Friday brought out processions at Mongla see port and said that the strike would continue.
Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president Shaiful Islam said that they contacted with both government and labour leaders to solve the issue but failed.
Noujan Sramik Federation Khulna district organising secretary Delower Hossain said that they would not call off the strike until the demands were met.
New Age correspondent in Barisal reported that the launch operation on local and regional routes started because of pressure from the owners on Friday afternoon.
Barisal river port officer Mustafizur Rahman said that MV Suravi departed Barisal port for Bhola via Sripur and Veduria at 2:00pm and MV Green Water left the port for Maju Chowdhurir Hat via Patarhat at 4:00pm.
arisal Launch Owners Association vice president Sheikh Abdur Rahim said that a group of water transport workers started strike ‘violating the law’ taking the passengers and owners hostages and so they decided to start operate launches.
Water transport workers movement council convenor Giasuddin said that the owners were trying to run some launches threatening workers to dismiss them. | http://newagebd.net/248660/imports-stranded-ships-water-transport-strike-continues/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/5268b8f6e35b4a4768772d5570391660e941a116f90d93b8403bbf41efba7f28.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T06:49:51 | null | 2016-08-29T12:36:05 | Indian union minister of state for culture Mahesh Sharma has asked the foreign tourists to avoid skirts during their trip to small towns of India. ‘When tourists arrive at the... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249075%2Findian-minister-asks-foreign-tourists-avoid-skirts%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/mahesh-sharma.jpg | en | null | Indian minister asks foreign tourists to avoid skirts | null | null | newagebd.net | Indian union minister of state for culture Mahesh Sharma has asked the foreign tourists to avoid skirts during their trip to small towns of India.
‘When tourists arrive at the airport, they are being given a welcome kit which has a card with dos and don’ts… it has instructions like if they are in small cities, they should not roam around alone at night or wear skirts…they should take a picture of the car they are travelling in and send it to their friend,’ Mahesh Sharma said on Sunday, reports NDTV.
India, the minister continued, is a ‘cultural country’ and ‘we have a different dress code for temples. Kindly keep that in mind while dressing up.’
He was responding to questions on the safety of tourists in Agra, a big draw for those who travel to India to see the magnificent Taj Mahal.
Asked whether he was recommending a dress code for tourists visiting India, the 55-year-old minister clarified: ‘We are not telling them what to wear and what not to wear. We are only saying that when they go out at night, they should be careful. We have no right to try and change anyone’s clothes or way of thinking.’
Despite the clarification, Sharma has not escaped the expected storm on Twitter, where he was trending on Monday morning.
Kapil Mishra, a minister of Delhi’s AAP government, tweeted that he would write to Sharma ‘requesting him not to insult nation by such advisories.’
Other tweets are both critical and supportive of the minister. | http://newagebd.net/249075/indian-minister-asks-foreign-tourists-avoid-skirts/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/897d7e00a7d60472e55f0b9ba86c71aeef554c23fdc8b1313b963daa72db6ec4.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T10:53:28 | null | 2016-08-29T14:00:01 | The authorities of Rajshahi University on Sunday night expelled a female student who earlier brought an allegation of sexual harassment against a teacher... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249093%2Fru-expels-student-bringing-false-allegation-teacher%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Rajshahi-University.jpg | en | null | RU expels student for bringing false allegation against teacher | null | null | newagebd.net | The authorities of Rajshahi University on Sunday night expelled a female student who earlier brought an allegation of sexual harassment against a teacher.
The expelled student, Shapla Sultana Safia, was a second-year student of linguistic department, and also an activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League, student wing of the ruling Awami League.
The decision was made at the university’s syndicate meeting with RU vice-chancellor Muhammad Mizanuddin in chair.
According to the rules of the university’s sexual harassment prevention committee, the student was expelled as she brought a false allegation of sexual harassment against a teacher, RU pro-vice-chancellor Chawdhury Sarwar Jahan told New Age.
Earlier on December 20, 2015, Shapla, also a residential student of the university’s Begum Rokeya Hall, had submitted a written complaint against ATM Rafiqul Islam, house tutor of the hall, to the university vice-chancellor demanding exemplary punishment of the teacher for assaulting her sexually.
On December 26, the authorities of Rajshahi University formed a three-member probe body, headed by RU students’ adviser Sadequl Arefin, to investigate the allegation.
The body submitted the probe report recently where they stated that they did not find any allegation of sexual harassment against the teacher.
The university authorities had also served a show cause notice to her over the false complaint. | http://newagebd.net/249093/ru-expels-student-bringing-false-allegation-teacher/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/3b4697a9baa7637d39db0d5c05c450190fb3540d80bc1514551394677263fb01.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T18:52:17 | null | 2016-08-27T00:28:46 | There has been no headway in the investigation into the murder of Supreme Court mosque’s khatib Nurul Islam Faruqui, also a presidium member of Bangladesh Islami Front, two years back... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248650%2Fpolice-clueless-2-years-faruqui-murder%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Police clueless 2 years into Faruqui murder | null | null | newagebd.net | There has been no headway in the investigation into the murder of Supreme Court mosque’s khatib Nurul Islam Faruqui, also a presidium member of Bangladesh Islami Front, two years back.
Islami Chattra Sena, the student wing of BIF, on Friday began a three-day road march from Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar to Tetulia in Panchagarh, to end on August 28, demanding justice in the killing of Faruqui.
The Criminal Investigation Department began probing the case after the Detective Branch in October 2015 admitted that it failed to make any headway in its investigation, CID officials said.
In the beginning of the CID probe, two suspects, who are detained on allegation of the murder of former Power Development Board chairman Khizir Khan, were interrogated without any success, they said.
CID inspector Aksed Ali Mondal, who has been probing the Faruqui murder case, said the two suspects, Tariqul Islam Mithu and Alek Bepari, two suspected members of banned Islamic extremist outfit Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh, gave almost no information about the killing.
He said the investigation was basically focused on extremist outfit JMB so far, but that now they will take other aspects under consideration.
He said the killing of Khizir and Faruqui were of the ‘same kind’ and believed that ‘the two killings were tied to the same thread.’
Aksed said that due to similarities between the two murders, the Khizir murder suspects were interrogated for the murder of Faruqui.
Faruqui, 50, was murdered when unidentified assailants slit his throat inside his apartment in the capital’s East Rajabazar on August 27, 2014.
Faruqui was a popular anchor of Kafela and Shantir Path, two Islamic talk-shows of Channel-i.
On August 28, 2014, the victim’s son Faisal Faruqui filed a murder case with the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station alleging that a group of eight or nine unidentified individuals committed the crime.
The detective branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police was assigned to investigate.
On October 14, Tarequl Islam Mithu was arrested from Tangail while Alek Bepari was arrested at Mirpur in the capital in connection with the murder of Khizir Khan.
The investigator said seven people so far have been shown arrested in the Faruqui murder case and two of them are now out on bail.
The CID inspector, however, said that he was still ‘almost’ clueless about the identity of the actual perpetrators and their motive for murdering Faruqui.
The victim’s son Ahmed Reza Faruqui said that his family was unaware about any progress in the investigation into his father’s murder. ‘We went to CID office seven or eight months ago and placed our statements before them.’
He said no one from police or any intelligence agency had contacted them since then and now their family lives in Gazipur.
Ahmed Reza demanded the arrest of the killers of his father immediately to ensure justice for his family.
The Islami Chattra Sena began its road march from Teknaf upazila town at 10am and held a rally near Chittagong Press Club later, chaired by Chittagong city (south) president Md Khobayed.
BIF advisor Abul Kashem Nuri was the chief guest at the rally where the organisation’s secretary general MA Matin and Chattra Sena central president Nurul Huq Chisti also spoke.
The road march with 120 vehicles reached Narayanganj where the marchers will stay the night.
It is scheduled to leave Narayanganj in the morning and meet for a rally in Dhaka Saturday noon before leaving for Tetulia. | http://newagebd.net/248650/police-clueless-2-years-faruqui-murder/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/bde80d525f5b8707da4def7e32734f5cb1b2e738860c55408b992e82d9627f10.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T18:51:12 | null | 2016-08-31T00:26:47 | The Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Iqbal Mahmood on Tuesday asked the authorities concerned to ensure that the immigration and passport department is free of brokers as its officials are serially blamed for such malpractice... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249448%2Ffree-passport-office-brokers-acc%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Free passport office from brokers: ACC | null | null | newagebd.net | The Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Iqbal Mahmood on Tuesday asked the authorities concerned to ensure that the immigration and passport department is free of brokers as its officials are serially blamed for such malpractice.
Inaugurating a public hearing over the alleged irregularities at the Department Immigration and Passport at the LGED auditorium in the capital he also urged the government officials to be more responsible while providing services to the public.
‘A large number of government officials think that they get their salaries from their jobs and take bribes for work,’ he said, adding that some of them enter government service with an attitude that they have opened a shop to earn money.
He urged government officials to overcome such colonial mentality as people are now more conscious about their rights.
Admitting to the allegation, the DIP director general Md Masud Rezwan said that he had failed to control the broker syndicate.
‘The syndicate is active at queues in the bank to help people deposit the fees and in front of the passport office to attest and fill up the forms,’ he said.
He said the authorities are working to drop the system of attesting documents as people face harassment from gazetted officers.
After introducing the machine readable passport system, document attestation is an unnecessary requirement, he said.
He also said the DIP will introduce help desks in front of all passport offices to help people fill up their passport forms.
At the public hearing organised by the ACC and Japan International Cooperation Agency, over 30 people spoke about their bad experience with passport officials and the officials tried to solve their problems right there.
Home ministry joint secretary Mohibul Haque moderated the public hearing while DIP directors ATM Abu Asad and Shihab Uddin Khan, deputy director M Abu Syed and assistant directors M Maksudur Rahman and Bilkis Afroza Siddika responded to the people.
Among others ACC commissioners, Nasiruddin Ahmed and AFM Aminul Islam were present at the programme. | http://newagebd.net/249448/free-passport-office-brokers-acc/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/bd0bd85a1b14e1783b003096d9423f8d0eca5a15cc49ec6390cd3fd7dfa6b067.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T06:51:39 | null | 2016-08-30T10:11:58 | The attorney general, Mahbubey Alam, on Tuesday said that the government can begin the process of execution of death row inmate Mir Quasem Ali, after receiving the full verdict of Supreme Court for his crimes against humanity during the Liberation War... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249280%2Fprocess-execution-receiving-full-verdict-ag%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/attorney-general-mahbub-alam.jpg | en | null | Process of execution after receiving full verdict: AG | null | null | newagebd.net | The attorney general, Mahbubey Alam, on Tuesday said that the government can begin the process of execution of death row inmate Mir Quasem Ali, after receiving the full verdict of Supreme Court for his crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.
The attorney general made the remarks after Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of the Jamaat leader at a briefing at the court premises this morning.
He said Quasem Ali now have only one option to seek presidencial clemency and the jail authorities would ask him whether he wants to seek mercy from the president after the getting the full verdict.
If Mir Quasem wants to seek presidential mercy, his application will be sent to the president and if he does not seek or the president rejects his mercy prayer, the government can execute him anytime, he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the SC order and said if the court did not upheld the death penalty for the war criminal that would frustrate the nation. | http://newagebd.net/249280/process-execution-receiving-full-verdict-ag/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/3c65c303817d52708fe840388ae27c7a042ee939fd65a43281c624f7967cccda.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T12:50:15 | null | 2016-08-27T17:20:21 | Barisal Metropolitan Police early Saturday closed a sub-inspector of city special branch in connection with his involvement with drug peddling... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248707%2Fpolice-officer-closed-drug-peddle%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Barisal-map.jpg | en | null | Police officer closed for drug peddle | null | null | newagebd.net | Barisal Metropolitan Police early Saturday closed a sub-inspector of city special branch in connection with his involvement with drug peddling.
Police sources said a patrol team caught SI Khurram with five pieces of Yaba at Baidyapara area.
After interrogation police found Khurram’s involvement with drug peddling, said Habibur Rahman, deputy commissioner (headquarter) of Barisal Metropolitan Police. | http://newagebd.net/248707/police-officer-closed-drug-peddle/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/6ffe6282e7d0acbd819c7b239f8e03be8cc27d83c94c196085a8c47419556aca.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T06:52:05 | null | 2016-08-30T11:40:59 | Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami called a 12-hour nationwide strike for Wednesday protesting against the Supreme Court verdict that upheld Mir Quasem Ali’s death sentence... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249284%2Fjamaat-calls-hartal-wednesday-protesting-sc-verdict%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/jamaat-e-islami-logo.jpg | en | null | Jamaat calls hartal for Wednesday protesting SC verdict | null | null | newagebd.net | Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami called a 12-hour nationwide strike for Wednesday protesting against the Supreme Court verdict that upheld Mir Quasem Ali’s death sentence.
In a press statement signed by S Alam, on Tuesday Jamaat announced the programme hours after the SC delivered the verdict.
The shutdown would start at 6:00am on Wednesday and will end at 6:00pm, the statement said. | http://newagebd.net/249284/jamaat-calls-hartal-wednesday-protesting-sc-verdict/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/3831a7948fabe5eda1858d33376ba8aafdeaa441572087d366cc866fffce6281.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T06:50:54 | null | 2016-08-28T12:20:40 | The Supreme Court is hearing on a petition filed by Mir Quasem Ali seeking review of its verdict upholding death penalty for him on Sunday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248884%2Fverdict-on-mir-quasems-review-plea-on-aug-30%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/front05.jpg | en | null | Verdict on Mir Quasem’s review plea on Aug 30 | null | null | newagebd.net | The Appellate Division of Supreme Court on Sunday concluded hearing on a petition filed by Mir Quasem Ali seeking review of its verdict upholding death penalty for him and set August 30 for pronouncing verdict.
A five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha heard arguments of Quasem’s lawyer Khandker Mahbub Hossain and attorney general Mahbubey Alam.
Khandker Mahbub submitted that there was no direct evidence of Mir Quasem’s involvement in killing young freedom fighter Jasim, so death sentence cannot be awarded to his client.
Attorney general Mahbubey Alam said involvement of Quasem in all the crimes have been proved as he was the commander at Dalim Hotel, so there is no chance to commute his punishment.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday started hearing a review petition filed by Mir Quasem on June 19.
In this petition, the 63-year-old Jamaat-e-Islami leader sought acquittal on all seven charges he was found guilty on.
On November 2, 2014, International Crimes Tribunal-2 handed down the capital punishment over crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
The Appellate Division upheld the verdict on March 8 this year and released the full text on June 6, hours after which ICT issued a death warrant. | http://newagebd.net/248884/verdict-on-mir-quasems-review-plea-on-aug-30/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/be0f37f258f0385a22459ca5c4ef672ba5550f241ef6f4c783026609652d3141.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T04:48:52 | null | 2016-08-27T09:25:59 | A woman and her grandson received burns after an explosion from an air conditioner took place inside their room at Wari in the city on Saturday morning... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248681%2Ftwo-burnt-city-air-conditioner-blast%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Two burnt in city after air conditioner blast | null | null | newagebd.net | A woman and her grandson received burns after an explosion from an air conditioner took place inside their room at Wari in the city on Saturday morning.
The victims — Parul Akter, 65, and Fahim Akter, 14 — were admitted to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said sub-inspector Bachchu Miah, in charge of the hospital police outpost.
Fahim received 80 per cent burns in his body while Parul Akter 35 per cent, hospital sources said.
Faruk Hossain, son of Parul Akter, said the explosion took place at a room of their flat housed in the second floor of a three-storey building at Tipu Sultan Road around 6:00am. | http://newagebd.net/248681/two-burnt-city-air-conditioner-blast/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/459ef984b8e8daa67f0541a8f0d55258c9854ccdac5f2f39816f156602d4c073.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T20:48:29 | null | 2016-08-27T00:45:34 | Water in the cross-border River Padma and other major rivers of Bangladesh have started to swell as the Farakka Barrage gates over the Ganges upstream in India have reportedly been opened... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248637%2Fpadma-swells-india-opens-farakka-gates%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Padma swells as India opens Farakka gates | null | null | newagebd.net | Water in the cross-border River Padma and other major rivers of Bangladesh have started to swell as the Farakka Barrage gates over the Ganges upstream in India have reportedly been opened.
The water level in the major rivers of Ganges Basin suddenly went up on Friday, posing a fresh threat of flooding in some parts of the country at a time when the flood situation was just improving, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre officials said.
The water level in the Padma in Rajshahi, at Goalanda and at Hardinge Bridge points rose by around 15 centimetres from what it was on Thursday, it said.
The rising trend would continue for the next three days, FFWC executive engineer Sazzad Hossain said, citing the centre’s short-term estimation.
Indian daily, The Hindu, on Tuesday reported that as the Ganga swelled, the Central Water Resources Ministry directed that all the gates of the Farakka barrage in West Bengal be opened to relieve the danger of flood that hit India’s five states.
The order to open the Farakka barrage was seen as crucial. ‘I spoke to the Bihar chief secretary,’ Shashi Shekhar, secretary, Water Resources Ministry, said. ‘We have directed that all gates of the Farakka barrage be opened. This should help somewhat in managing the flood.’
The Farakka barrage has 104 gates and they are being opened to manage nearly 11 lakh cusecs of water that have inundated Bihar and affected nearly 10 lakh residents in the past week.
On Sunday, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had said that the Farakka barrage needed to be ‘removed’ and a national desilting policy put in place to prevent flooding.
‘It is not possible to protect Bihar from devastating floods without removal of the Farakka barrage on the Ganga,’ Nitish Kumar said, before going on an aerial survey of the flood-hit districts.
The barrage, built in 1975 close to the Bangladesh border, was designed to transfer 1,100 cubic metres per second of water from the Ganga to the Hoogly to flush out sediments.
However it has been controversial, with complaints that it is choking up the river’s natural flow and affecting the life of Bangladeshi people and biodiversity as well.
FFWC engineer Sazzad Hossain said it was a regular phenomenon that India kept the Farakka Barrage shut in dry season and opened when they cannot manage water during and after monsoon.
‘It is feared that the water surge (in Bangladeshi rivers) might hit again when the flood situation was improving’, he said.
New Age correspondent in Rajshahi reported that the water in the Padma along the city was following just below the danger level.
Low-lying areas around the city have already been inundated.
Zia Nagar, Talaimari, Sree Rampur and Panchabati have already been inundated. The city protection embankment along the river is under severe threat.
People living in the low-lying areas of Alupatty, Pacnhabati, Panchani Math, Zia Nagar and Sree Rampur have abandoned their houses and taken shelter on the embankments or on the high grounds.
Sahabuddin Ahmed, Water Development Board superintendent engineer in Rajshahi, said, ‘Embankment protection and monitoring activities were going on round the clock for a few days due to the threatening rise in the water level’.
New Age Jessore correspondent reported that six lakh people of 122 villages under three upazilas in the district have remained marooned due to water surge in the Bhabadaha area.
People were moved to 45 relief and rehabilitation camps, said Jessore deputy commissioner Humayun Kabir.
Locals said their miseries were increasing with the rise in water level.
Bikash Roy, chairman of Sundali union council under Abhaynagar upazila, told New Age on Friday evening that water was continuing to rise and miseries too.
People of the water-logged areas are suffering from pure drinking water as all the tube wells went under water, the UP chairman added. | http://newagebd.net/248637/padma-swells-india-opens-farakka-gates/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/c78864437903188c771e00efdfa53c5104407fefea9a19ff8ff5ef5f2fd7a22d.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T12:50:36 | null | 2016-08-29T18:04:54 | Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia met United States secretary of state John Kerry at the US Embassy in the capital... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249106%2Fkhaleda-meets-kerry%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Khaleda-Kerry.jpg | en | null | Khaleda meets Kerry | null | null | newagebd.net | Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia met United States secretary of state John Kerry at the US Embassy in the capital on Monday.
The meeting was held from 4:35pm to 5:10pm.
Elaborate discussions were held on various issues, including democracy, the rule of law, militancy and the next general election, said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhurl Islam Alamgir, reports United News of Bangladesh.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhruy and BNP chairperson’s adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed were present during the meeting.
BNP will brief reporters about the meeting. | http://newagebd.net/249106/khaleda-meets-kerry/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/bb7bcd2febe6798fec709e0c9546a3b5b32be5d1535c2389d35fcc431567e22f.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T20:51:06 | null | 2016-08-27T00:37:26 | The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party on Friday claimed a suicide truck bombing on a police building in Turkey’s southeast that killed 11 officers and wounded dozens more... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248661%2F11-turkish-cops-killed-pkk-suicide-bombing%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Turkish-cops-killed.jpg | en | null | 11 Turkish cops killed in PKK suicide bombing | null | null | newagebd.net | The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party on Friday claimed a suicide truck bombing on a police building in Turkey’s southeast that killed 11 officers and wounded dozens more.
The blast came two days after the Turkish army launched an offensive in Syria that the government
says is not only aimed against Islamic State jihadists but also a Syrian Kurdish militia detested by Ankara.
The blast tore the facade off the headquarters of the Turkish riot police in the town of Cizre, a bastion of PKK support just north of the Syrian border.
The local governor’s office said 11 officers were killed and 78 people injured, three of them civilians. Four people were said to be in critical condition.
The state-run Anadolu news agency said the explosion took place 50 metres from the building, at a control post.
The PKK said it carried out the assault in retaliation for the ‘continued isolation’ of the group’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan and the ‘lack of information’ about his welfare.
Cizre, a majority Kurdish town, has been badly hit by renewed violence between the PKK and government forces since the collapse of a ceasefire last year.
Turkish security forces have been hit by near daily PKK attacks since a two-and-a-half year truce with the state collapsed in July 2015, leaving hundreds of police officers and soldiers dead.
Turkey’s operation in Syria aims to push both IS and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units militia that is fighting the jihadists out of the border region.
Ankara considers the YPG, which has links to the PKK, as a terror group bent on carving out an autonomous Kurdish region on Turkey’s border.
On Friday, the army sent four more tanks over the border, according to an AFP photographer at Karkamis on the Turkish side of the frontier.
Kurdish activists have accused Turkey of being more intent on preventing Syrian Kurds creating a stronghold than fighting IS jihadists.
But prime minister Binali Yildirim on Friday denounced as a ‘bare-faced lie’ suggestions in Western media that the Syria operation was singling out Kurds.
‘They either know nothing about the world or else their job is to report a bare-faced lie,’ he said.
Ankara’s hostility to the Syrian Kurdish fighters has put it at odds with its NATO ally, the United States, which supports them in the fight against IS.
On Wednesday, Turkish tanks and fighter jets helped pro-Turkish rebels rout IS from the town of Jarabulus, on which the YPG appeared to have designs.
On Thursday, Turkey shelled Kurdish fighters in the area, saying they were failing to observe a deal with the US to stop advancing west into IS-held territory.
Anadolu quoted security sources as saying the military would continue to intervene against the Syrian Kurdish fighters until they began to retreat.
In a separate incident on the border, three Turkish soldiers were injured by mortar shells fired from Syria that landed in Yayladagi district, Dogan news agency reported.
The agency said there had been clashes between local Turkmen and Syrian regime forces in Latakia, from where the shells were fired. | http://newagebd.net/248661/11-turkish-cops-killed-pkk-suicide-bombing/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/bce3a5bff9fc4eec98bf5d7c07e5ec756791e53b9069a1260791096f823b5758.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:20 | null | 2016-08-26T17:17:29 | Four-storey information and communications technology centres will be set up at district and upazila levels to ensure smooth e-service delivery to... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248526%2Fdistrict-upazila-four-storey-ict-centres%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bangladesh-govt-logo.jpg | en | null | Each district, upazila to have four-storey ICT centres | null | null | newagebd.net | Four-storey information and communications technology centres will be set up at district and upazila levels to ensure smooth e-service delivery to the grassroots people as the government chases its digital dream.
The planning commission has already approved the preliminary development project proposal to this end involving Tk 156.70 crore. ‘It’ll be implemented by June 2019,’ said a planning commission official, reports United News of Bangladesh.
‘Of the total project cost, Tk 24.10 crore is likely to come from the national exchequer while the rest of Tk 132.60 crore as project assistance, likely from the Indian government,’ the official added.
The official, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the government is going to take various ICT activities at the grassroots level, but there are no sufficient government offices under the ICT division.
For a sustainable ICT infrastructures and e-service delivery to the grassroots level, it requires independent office buildings which may include business process outsourcing centres, mini data centre,
regional network operation centre, as the government has declared ‘Vision 2021: digital Bangladesh’ to make the country as a middle-income country using ICT.
‘Some projects are under process to establish BPO centres, (network operation centre) mini data centers,’ the official said adding, ‘In the phase one, a limited number of ICT centers will be established. All other upazilas will be covered in the later phase.’
Another official at the ICT division said four-storey ICT centres will be established at 17 upazilas each having 12,000 square feet floor space in each ICT center. ‘The government will provide the land
for each of the ICT centres.’
Besides, the official said, one full-fledged ICT training lab will be established in each ICT centre to accommodate 30 participants with all the modern training facilities.
Under each new four-storey ICT centre, business process outsourcing center, mini data center, NOCs and other necessary ICT equipment will be installed for providing ICT enabled services to the
citizens at the grassroots level.
Besides, one network operation centre will be established in each ICT center from where local network operation can be monitored. | http://newagebd.net/248526/district-upazila-four-storey-ict-centres/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/a79130706c4ac19e6d3c55944be94f7b4692d4969764c7e8d452582cfc04332f.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T04:51:03 | null | 2016-08-31T08:35:34 | Islamic State said on Tuesday one of its most prominent and longest-serving leaders was killed in what appeared to be an American air strike in Syria, depriving the militant group... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249461%2Fkey-leader-killed-syria%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ISLAMIC-STATE-SYRIA-ADNANI.jpg | en | null | Key IS leader killed in Syria | null | null | newagebd.net | Islamic State said on Tuesday one of its most prominent and longest-serving leaders was killed in what appeared to be an American air strike in Syria, depriving the militant group of the man in charge of directing attacks overseas.
A US defense official told Reuters the United States targeted Abu Muhammad al-Adnani in a Tuesday strike on a vehicle travelling in the Syrian town of al-Bab. The official stopped short of confirming Adnani’s death, however.
Such US assessments often take days and often lag behind official announcements by militant groups.
Adnani was one of the last living senior members, along with self-appointed caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who founded the group and stunned the Middle East by seizing huge tracts of Iraq and Syria in 2014.
As Islamic State’s spokesman, Adnani was its most visible member. As head of external operations, he was in charge of attacks overseas, including Europe, that have become an increasingly important tactic for the group as its core Iraqi and Syrian territory has been eroded by military losses.
Advances by Iraq’s army and allied militia towards Islamic State’s most important possession of Mosul have put the group under new pressure at a moment when a US-backed coalition has cut its Syrian holdings off from the Turkish border.
Those military setbacks have been accompanied by air strikes that have killed several of the group’s leaders, undermining its organisational ability and dampening its morale.
A US counter-terrorism official who monitors Islamic State said Adnani’s death will hurt the militants ‘in the area that increasingly concerns us as the group loses more and more of its caliphate and its financial base … and turns to mounting and inspiring more attacks in Europe, Southeast Asia and elsewhere’.
Under Adnani’s auspices, Islamic State launched large-scale attacks, bombings and shootings on civilians in countries outside its core area, including France, Belgium and Turkey.
The official said Adnani’s roles as propaganda chief and director of external operations had become ‘indistinguishable’ because the group uses its online messages to recruit fighters and provide instruction and inspiration for attacks.
Islamic State’s Amaq News Agency reported that Adnani was killed ‘while surveying the operations to repel the military campaigns against Aleppo.’ Islamic State holds territory in the province of Aleppo, but not in the city where rebels are fighting Syrian government forces.
Amaq did not say how Adnani, born Taha Subhi Falaha in Syria’s Idlib Province in 1977, was killed. Islamic State published a eulogy dated August 29 but gave no further details.
Recent advances by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, and by Syrian rebels backed by Turkey, have made inroads into Islamic State holdings in Aleppo province, cutting them off from the Turkish border and supply lines along it.
Iraqi army advances against the jihadist group mean Baghdad is on track to retake Mosul by the end of this year, the head of the US military’s Central Command General Joseph Votel said on Tuesday.
Among senior Islamic State officials killed in air strikes this year are Abu Ali al-Anbari, Baghdadi’s formal deputy, and the group’s ‘minister of war’, Abu Omar al-Shishani. Adnani had joined the group under its founder Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
There were conflicting reports earlier on Tuesday as to where and how he died.
A senior Syrian rebel official said Adnani was most probably killed in the Islamic State-held city of al-Bab in an air strike. Citing unconfirmed reports, he said Adnani was in the Aleppo region to raise morale in the face of mounting pressure.
Islamic State’s territory around Aleppo is of particular significance to the group because it is also the location of Dabiq, where an Islamic prophecy holds the last battle between Muslims and infidels will rage, heralding the end of time.
Iraq said in January that Adnani had been wounded in an air strike in the western province of Anbar and then moved to the northern city of Mosul, Islamic State’s capital in Iraq.
Adnani is a Syrian from Binish in Idlib, southwest of Aleppo, who pledged allegiance to Islamic State’s predecessor al Qaeda more than a decade ago and was once imprisoned by US forces in Iraq, according to the Brookings Institution.
He was from a well-to-do background but left Syria to travel to Iraq to fight US forces there after its 2003 invasion, and only returned to his homeland after the start of its own civil war in 2011, a person who knew his family said.
He had been the chief propagandist for the ultra-hardline jihadist group since he declared in a June 2014 statement that it was establishing a modern-day caliphate spanning swaths of territory it had seized in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.
Adnani had often been the face of the Sunni militant group, such as when he issued a message in May urging attacks on the United States and Europe during the holy month of Ramadan.
The United States designated him a ‘global terrorist’ this year and said he was one of the first foreign fighters to oppose US-led coalition forces in Iraq since 2003 before becoming spokesman of the militant group.
There is a $5 million reward on his head under the US ‘Rewards for Justice’ programme. | http://newagebd.net/249461/key-leader-killed-syria/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/393a0b357bd587e247d6e78e0d94a3bd47ce0370b2836aae28e4d6359687bfae.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T18:51:51 | null | 2016-08-27T00:26:39 | Consumers of different areas under Dhaka city, Naraynganj and its adjoining areas may experience low pressure problem in gas supply as Gas Transmission Company Limited has started pigging works at their two major gas transmission lines... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248649%2Fnganj-dhaka-may-face-poor-gas-supply-work-two-transmission-lines%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | N’ganj, Dhaka may face poor gas supply for work on two transmission lines | null | null | newagebd.net | Consumers of different areas under Dhaka city, Naraynganj and its adjoining areas may experience low pressure problem in gas supply as Gas Transmission Company Limited has started pigging works at their two major gas transmission lines.
The two lines, each having 30-inch diameter, are 60-km Bakhrabad-Siddhirganj line and 61-km Ashuganj-Siddhirganj pipeline.
Both the lines are very important as they are the main lines to supply gas to the entire area under Narayanganj and adjoining districts.
Many power plants and industries get gas supply from these two major transmission lines. But after a few years, these lines have to be cleaned up to remove condensates and other particles to ensure smooth supply of gas to the areas, said a Titas Gas official.
The state-owned Titas Gas transmission and distribution company receive gas from the two transmission lines to supply gas to their consumers.
GTCL officials said the pigging work will continue until September 1 and during the period the consumers in Narayanganj, Siddhirganj, Fatullah, Muktadirpur, Munshiganj, Zinzira and many localities in Dhaka metropolitan area may experience low pressure problem in their gas supply. | http://newagebd.net/248649/nganj-dhaka-may-face-poor-gas-supply-work-two-transmission-lines/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/44608f61b8489dd682833e097451e21f0261e634fafc2998772f856fa17affe2.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T18:50:46 | null | 2016-08-29T00:23:50 | The police arrested two ‘drug peddlers’ along with 3,500 Yaba in Chittagong city’s CRB area on Saturday night. The arrested were identified as Mohammad Abul Khair, 32, of Comilla, and Saifuddin, 33, of Agrabad in Chittagong city... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249026%2Ftwo-held-yaba-ctg-3%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Two held with Yaba in Ctg | null | null | newagebd.net | The police arrested two ‘drug peddlers’ along with 3,500 Yaba in Chittagong city’s CRB area on Saturday night. The arrested were identified as Mohammad Abul Khair, 32, of Comilla, and Saifuddin, 33, of Agrabad in Chittagong city. A Chittagong Metropolitan Police press release said that acting on a tip-off, the Detective Branch of Police conducted a drive in the area and arrested the two along with the drugs. | http://newagebd.net/249026/two-held-yaba-ctg-3/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/5dd75153f9e9f9a03e4ddcde27bd7b6610271c98beaf48bd50841f38b53ad246.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T18:52:32 | null | 2016-08-29T00:44:08 | The US secretary of state, John Kerry, will arrive in Dhaka on a nine-hour official visit starting from about 9am today... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249050%2Fkerry-due-today%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/John-Kerry-1.jpg | en | null | Kerry due today - New Age | null | null | newagebd.net | The US secretary of state, John Kerry, will arrive in Dhaka on a nine-hour official visit starting from about 9am today.
Bangladesh, in the official talks, will give priority to trade, investment, cooperation in blue economy and deportation of condemned fugitive killers of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the US, a senior foreign ministry official said.
The US, on the other hand, said security, human rights, democracy, development and some global issues were on its agenda for discussion, according to the US Department of State.
There are ‘lots of offers’ on the table, including different kinds of assistance the US ‘is willing’ to provide to Bangladesh, the US ambassador, Marcia Bernicat, told reporters on Sunday.
The Bangladesh ambassador to Washington, Mohammad Ziauddin, who is a member of the Bangladesh delegation in the official talks, told New Age at the foreign ministry on Sunday, ‘security is definitely going to be a dominant issue during Kerry’s visit.’
The US secretary of state, he said, ‘only travels’ to a country about which ‘it has interest’ and Washington always ‘wants to engage’ with countries on counterterrorism and violent extremism.
On security, counterterrorism and violent extremism issues, Bangladesh is likely to convey its preparedness to accept only need-based assistance from the US.
When asked what message would be given on points of security, counterterrorism and violent extremism, another Bangladesh delegation member said, ‘Bangladesh is capable of taking care of itself through ensuring security for its people.’
A lot has been done after the tragic terrorist attack on a Gulshan café on July 1 and subsequent incidents.
Bangladesh will seek duty-free and quota-free access to the US market and repatriation of killers of the founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the country, said an official.
John Kerry will lead a 10-member delegation in the official talks. Foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali will lead a 10-member Bangladesh delegation that includes commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque.
Trade between Bangladesh and the United States rose 8.5 per cent to almost $7 billion in 2015. Exports from Bangladesh accounted for $6 billion of the total, and 90 per cent of that was clothing.
The US accounted for a quarter of all of Bangladesh’s exports including textile and clothing products, shrimp, tea and golf club shafts, while it imports raw cotton, chemicals, machinery and equipment and pharmaceuticals.
The US investment in Bangladesh rose to about $2 billion in 2015 from $1.5 billion the year before, including an investment of more than $1 billion by the energy firm Chevron.
Law minister Anisul Huq recently said the government had located two out of six condemned fugitive killers of Mujib – Noor Chowdhury in Canada and AM Rashed Chowdhury in the USA.
Foreign minister Ali will receive Kerry at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his arrival between 9am to 9.30am from Geneva by a special aircraft.
Kerry will visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital at about 11:30am.
He will call on the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, at the Prime Minister’s Office at 12pm.
He will reach the state guesthouse Padma at about 1:10pm and hold official talks with a Bangladesh delegation. Foreign minister Ali will host a working lunch at the same venue.
Kerry will visit a garment factory at Mirpur at about 3pm.
He will deliver a speech to young people and members of the civil society at the EMK Center in Dhanmondi from 4pm to 4:40pm.
Kerry will visit the residence of US ambassador Bernicat and the Chancery Complex of the US Embassy at about 5pm.
Leader of the opposition in parliament Roushan Ershad and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia are scheduled to separately call on Kerry at the US ambassador’s residence.
Kerry is scheduled to leave Dhaka at about 6.30pm for New Delhi. Foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque will see him off at the airport.
It will be Kerry’s first visit to Bangladesh. His predecessor Hillary Clinton visited Bangladesh in May, 2012. | http://newagebd.net/249050/kerry-due-today/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/157dfa03476907daa3ac764c60689b869c90a4813b5432ac3f9773b01d098697.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T18:53:49 | null | 2016-08-29T00:41:37 | The Appellate Division on Sunday heard the review petition of war crime death-row inmate Mir Quasem Ali and said it would give the decision tomorrow... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249048%2Fmir-quasems-review-plea%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | MIR QUASEM’S REVIEW PLEA: SC hearing ends, order tomorrow | null | null | newagebd.net | The Appellate Division on Sunday heard the review petition of war crime death-row inmate Mir Quasem Ali and said it would give the decision tomorrow.
A five-judge bench chaired by Chief Justice SK Sinha set the schedule after hearing both the sides for over two hours.
The Chief Justice reminded during Sunday’s hearing that in its full verdict rejecting Mir Quasem’s appeal, the apex court had found that he was the commander of the torture cell at Dalim Hotel in Chittagong and that the occupation army of Pakistan had no role there.
The Chief Justice said that the apex court also found that as the commander of the torture cell at Dalim Hotel Mir Quasem bore superior responsibility in the war crimes committed there.
He said that the apex court found Mir Quasem’s direct involvement in the abduction, murder and dumping the body of teenage freedom fighter Jasim in the Karnophuli River.
Mir Quasem’s lawyer Khandker Mahbub Hossain prayed for reducing his client’s death sentence on humanitarian ground as he runs many charity institutions.
Khandker Mahbub also submitted that Mir Quasem did not deserve death sentence as none of the six prosecution witnesses gave evidence that his client was directly involved with Jasim abduction and killing.
Opposing the plea, attorney general Mahbubey Alam submitted that there was no scope to commute Mir Quasem’s death sentence to life-term.
He also submitted that the apex court rightly upheld Al-Badr commander Mir Quasem’s death sentence finding him guilty of abducting and killing teenage freedom fighter Jasim.
Later, the attorney general told reporters that the Chief Justice demanded to know from him whether the two prosecutors and the chief prosecutor had been removed as recommended the apex court in its full verdict for presenting flawed charges against Mir Quasem in the International Crimes Tribunal-2, the trial court.
The attorney general said that he submitted in the court that he would remind the government about the matter.
In the verdict the apex court said in its observations that there was no coordination between the two prosecutors who conducted the case against Mir Quasem during the trial.
In the verdict, the apex court said in its observations that there was no sequential coherence between examination of 20 prosecution witnesses by prosecutor Sultan Mahmud and examination of two other prosecution witnesses by prosecutor Zead-Al-Malum.
The attorney general also told reporters that in his submission in the court he said that he could not understand why Sultan Mahmud and Zead Al Malum were assigned to conduct this case when more competent prosecutors were available in the war crimes prosecution team. | http://newagebd.net/249048/mir-quasems-review-plea/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/cb75aac41bf44a716f7f1cbad20832ac2890641fe255065974a016aea21395c6.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T08:49:38 | null | 2016-08-27T10:50:52 | The Jagannath University teachers’ association convened an emergency general meeting on Sunday over the ongoing students’ movement for residential halls... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248689%2Fjnu-teachers-call-emergency-meeting-sunday%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jagannath-University-logo.jpg | en | null | JnU teachers call emergency meeting Sunday | null | null | newagebd.net | The Jagannath University teachers’ association convened an emergency general meeting on Sunday over the ongoing students’ movement for residential halls.
‘We have called an emergency general meeting over the students’ hall movement on the campus at 10:30am on Sunday,’ the university teachers’ association president Kazi Saifuddin told New Age on Saturday.
He said that they would talk about the present situation of the university.
‘The teachers will decide at the meeting they will participate in the students’ movement directly, or not,’ said Saifuddin.
‘The teachers also feel residential crisis badly,’ he added.
He also urged the students to go ahead with their movement peacefully.
Earlier on Friday, speakers at a solidarity rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital severely criticised the university teachers as they were not present at the rally.
From the solidarity rally at the Central Shaheed Minar, the agitating students announced a fresh strike on their campus for Sunday and Monday in support of their demands.
The university teachers on August 25 extended their solidarity towards the hall movement of the students through a press release.
The students have been staging demonstrations since August 1, boycotting classes and examinations and blocking roads to press home their demands for constructing residential halls on the land of recently moved-out Dhaka Central Jail in Old Dhaka. | http://newagebd.net/248689/jnu-teachers-call-emergency-meeting-sunday/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/0b619cb3d86aedffdb72e501f559ef1bd4c5fc559624a8db21f60f8c1d6f9bb0.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T20:50:31 | null | 2016-08-30T00:44:50 | Dhaka has expressed its concern over sudden surge in the flow of the trans-boundary river Padma as the gates of Farakka Barrage over the river Ganges upstream in India have reportedly been opened... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249261%2Fno-jrc-meet-last-6-years%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | No JRC meet in last 6 years | null | null | newagebd.net | Dhaka has expressed its concern over sudden surge in the flow of the trans-boundary river Padma as the gates of Farakka Barrage over the river Ganges upstream in India have reportedly been opened.
‘We have expressed our concern to our Indian counterpart over the sudden rise in the Padma water level, causing erosions in several districts of Khulna and Rajshahi,’ state minister for water resources Muhammad Nazrul Islam told New Age on Sunday.
He said that India usually began opening the Farakka barrage gates in July to manage the pressure of additional water during the monsoon.
‘But this year the flow increased suddenly due to heavy rainfall in some areas along the trans-boundary river Ganges in India…Obviously it is a matter of concern for us,’ the state minister said.
He said that Bangladesh had continued its efforts to hold a meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission to ensure rightful share of waters of the common rivers the two neighbours shared.
No JRC meeting was held in the past six years although it was supposed to meet at least twice a year to settle issues relating to common rivers, a senior official at the ministry said, adding that latest JRC meeting was held in New Delhi in March 2010.
The water level in the major rivers of Ganges basin suddenly went up on Friday, posing a fresh threat of flooding in some parts of the country at a time when the flood situation was just improving, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre officials said.
The JRC meeting was now essential as the river Padma, the lower part of the Ganges, was now swelling and causing huge damage inside Bangladesh, Nazrul said.
The flow in the Padma was the lowest ever in Bangladesh part during the lean season early this year because of unilateral withdrawal of waters from the upstream in India, official statistics show.
The ministry official said that India was apparently unwilling to hold the JRC meeting as it would find no argument for holding back the Teesta water sharing deal any further since the draft was prepared much earlier.
He said that it was affecting the overall activities of the authorised forum for decision making on sharing of common river waters.
The JRC could not function properly with India dragging its feet on the Teesta water sharing issue, crucial for Bangladesh’s agriculture and ecology, said the official.
‘The sudden surge in the flow is causing huge erosions along the river Padma…Many areas are now flooding afresh with the river overflowing,’ said Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology water resources engineering professor Umme Kulsum Navera.
She said that the JRC should meet at least twice a year to discuss the water issues of the common rivers as lives and livelihoods of thousands of people here were dependent on the rivers.
Established in 1972, the Joint Rivers Commission, among its other functions, is supposed to ‘maintain liaison between the participating countries in order to ensure the most effective joint efforts in maximising the benefits from common river systems to both the countries.’
Although the two neighbours share 54 trans-boundary rivers, they have an agreement only on the Ganges water sharing and the commission is mandated to monitor its implementation.
The two countries need to have treaties on all the trans-boundary rivers so that both were equally benefited and the
commission should work to this end, a JRC official said.
The 38th JRC meeting was postponed at the eleventh hour in June 2013 as the then Indian water resources minister had conveyed his inability to attend, said officials adding that Delhi was delaying the meeting despite repeated requests from Dhaka
for the bilateral talks to resolve the outstanding Teesta issue.
Indian daily The Hindu on Tuesday reported that as the Ganga swelled, the central water resources ministry directed that all the gates of Farakka Barrage in West Bengal be opened to relieve the danger
of flood that hit India’s five states.
The Farakka Barrage has 104 gates and they are being opened to manage nearly 11 lakh cusecs of water that have inundated Bihar and affected nearly 10 lakh residents in the past week, according to the Indian media report.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on August 21 said that the Farakka barrage needed to be ‘removed’ and a national desilting policy put in place to prevent flooding.
The barrage, opened on April 21, 1975 close to the Bangladesh border, was designed to transfer 1,100 cubic metres per second of water from the Ganga to the river Hoogly to flush out sediment deposition from the Kolkata harbour
It has, however, been controversial, with complaints that it is choking up the river’s natural flow and affecting the life of Bangladeshi people and biodiversity as well. | http://newagebd.net/249261/no-jrc-meet-last-6-years/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/4fc4e16248ed614f9569d8819a8504baf009f9b7b01072e332109ed6bea518c7.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T10:53:49 | null | 2016-08-31T16:07:06 | Frankfurt airport's Terminal 1 departure hall was evacuated on Wednesday after a passenger got into the departure gate area without completing the... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249488%2Ffrankfurt-airport-departure-hall-evacuated%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Frankfurt-Airport.jpg | en | null | Frankfurt airport departure hall evacuated | null | null | newagebd.net | Frankfurt airport’s Terminal 1 departure hall was evacuated on Wednesday after a passenger got into the departure gate area without completing the security check, possibly by mistake, the airport’s operator and police said.
All passengers had been cleared from the departure hall and would have to go through security checks again, a spokeswoman for Fraport said.
A police spokesman said it was unclear whether the person, who has not been found, had intentionally breached the security check and whether the person was carrying any forbidden items.
‘The main aim of the evacuation is to ensure that the terminal is secure,’ the spokesman said.
The Fraport spokeswoman said the breach at Europe’s fourth largest airport would lead to flight delays at the hub, airline Lufthansa’s main base.
In a similar incident, a Spanish man was arrested at Cologne-Bonn airport in May after breaching security, leading to flight delays. | http://newagebd.net/249488/frankfurt-airport-departure-hall-evacuated/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/51126aa4065fd3f3c7f5691b8dac800844e17e972fe99bf5db19b2a06c650205.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T08:48:48 | null | 2016-08-28T13:50:28 | A Dhaka Court has again deferred its judgment in the case filed for allegedly leaking the draft verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that sentenced... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248892%2Fjudgment-sq-chy-verdict-leak-deferred%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Farhat-Quader-Chowdhury-and-Humman-Quader-Chowdhury.jpg | en | null | Judgment on SQ Chy verdict leak deferred again | null | null | newagebd.net | A Dhaka Court has again deferred its judgment in the case filed for allegedly leaking the draft verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that sentenced war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury to death.
Special Public Prosecutor of the tribunal Md Nazrul Islam Shamim said the judgment has been differed as the writing of the verdict is yet to be completed.
The new date for the verdict has not been fixed yet, added the PP, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Earlier on August 14, the court deferred till August 28 its judgment in the case.
On August 4, Judge of the tribunal KM Samsul Alam fixed August 14 for delivering the judgment after completion of placing arguments in the case.
The accused in the case are Salauddin Quader’s wife Farhat Quader Chowdhury, his son Humman Quader Chowdhury, his manager Mahbubul Ahsan, lawyer AKM Fakhrul Islam, two staff of the ICT-1 Nayan Ali and Faruq Hossain and Fakhrul’s associate lawyer Mehedi Hasan.
The court also sent four accused—Fakhrul, Faruq, Nayan and Mahbubul—to jail when they appeared before the court.
Another accused lawyer Fakhrul’s associate Advocate Mehedi Hasan remained absconding.
On February 15, a Dhaka court framed charges against seven people, including wife, a son and a counsel for executed war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, in the case.
DB inspector M Shajahan submitted a charge sheet to the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court against the seven accused on August 28, 2014.
On October 1, 2013, ICT-1 sentenced BNP standing committee member Salauddin Quader Chowdhury to death after finding him guilty of committing crimes against humanity and genocide during the Liberation War in 1971.
However, some parts of the draft verdict were found posted in the internet several hours before pronouncing the verdict.
Later, showing the copy of the draft verdict, Salauddin’s wife and son raised a complaint that the verdict was originated from the Law Ministry.
On October 4, a case was filed with Shahabagh Police Station under sections 57 and 63 of Information and Communication Technology Act.
Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, also a BNP leader, was executed in the Dhaka Central Jail on November 22, 2015 for his crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 War of Liberation. | http://newagebd.net/248892/judgment-sq-chy-verdict-leak-deferred/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/32172f79282a23f58b4c059209e22671653e2feefb606ad2c62851f162d78407.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T18:52:04 | null | 2016-08-31T00:25:30 | Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday cautioned that those who are involved in staging crimes of enforced disappearances of the party’s leaders and activists will one day be tried... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249444%2Fbnp-try-perpetrators-enforced-disappearance%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BNP-1.jpg | en | null | BNP to try perpetrators of enforced disappearance | null | null | newagebd.net | Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday cautioned that those who are involved in staging crimes of enforced disappearances of the party’s leaders and activists will one day be tried.
BNP senior leaders issued the warning while addressing a function marking the International Enforced Disappearance Day to convey sympathy to the relatives of those leaders and activists of the party and its front and associate organizations, who fell victim to enforced disappearance.
The programme titled Anonta Apekhya (Wait for Forever), Enforced Disappearance in Bangladesh- 2009-2016 was organised by BNP at Supreme Court Bar Association Auditorium.
Presiding over the event, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said none who are involved in enforced disappearance would be spared.
One day they will have to face trial for committing the serious heinous crimes against humanity when a people’s government is established and their rights restored, he said.
BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said there will be serious consequences for the politics of enforced disappearance, and trials of the perpetrators of enforced disappearance would be held one day on the soil of the country.
Little Arian, son of Khalid, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal thana level leader of Dhaka city and victim of enforced disappearance, told the function that he and his father would go to Eid congregation together. Arian called on Allah to return back his beloved father as he wanted to travel with his father.
Another kid Ridi who caught a fever said she would be cured if her father came back. Ridi is daughter of Pervez, JCD Dhaka city’s Bangsal thana unit leader, victim of enforced disappearance.
Sisters, fathers and wives of those leaders and activists of BNP and JCD who fell victim to enforced disappearance, allegedly by member of law enforcers, described their sorrows and pains of losing near and dear ones and waited for their return.
BNP secretary general Fakhrul called on people to get united in the present ‘serious’ situation, forgetting conflicts, to forge a movement with people to provide answer to the questions of the children of victims of the enforced disappearance.
He regretted that leaders of some political parties or certain organisations wanted deny BNP activists their rights.
Fakhrul reminded them that no one was spared from the repression of Hitler.
The BNP leader criticised the government for issuing fresh ‘summons’ to the BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in a case over her date of birth.
He also critcised the government’s move to withdraw Shwadhinata Padak conferred on the late president Ziaur Rahman.
He said those who deny Zia, deny Independence. The War of Independence of Bangladesh and name of Ziaur Rahman are inseparable, he claimed.
The BNP leader said there is news that new laws are being enacted and under that law, extremists would not have to be produced before court.
Fakhrul said the country has now turned into a ‘jungle’.
BNP standing committee member Moudud said a time will come when people will turn around and democracy will return.
He said it is natural that the rise of extremism will take place due to political ‘vacuum’ and ‘absence’ of democracy in the country.
BNP leaders Jamiruddin Sircar, Zainul Abedin, Nitai Roy Chowdhury and Mahbub Uddin Khokon, among others, addressed the function conducted by organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince. | http://newagebd.net/249444/bnp-try-perpetrators-enforced-disappearance/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/64833a8c4640986d82aca2936309a609290186176b16a65beedb60280a27a387.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T20:53:07 | null | 2016-08-30T00:39:30 | Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday called on the visiting US secretary of state John Kerry and expressed her hope that economic development would take place and democracy would be restored in Bangladesh through US cooperation... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249238%2Fdemocracy-restored-thru-us-co-op%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Khaleda-Zia-4.jpg | en | null | Democracy to be restored thru US co-op | null | null | newagebd.net | Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday called on the visiting US secretary of state John Kerry and expressed her hope that economic development would take place and democracy would be restored in Bangladesh through US cooperation.
Kerry, during his meeting with Khaleda, discussed political and security issues in Bangladesh, the US Department of State said in a press release.
The secretary emphasised the importance of having a multi-party system with space for peaceful political opposition as key components of a secure, pluralistic democracy, it said.
He also underscored the usefulness of a unified effort, involving all segments of Bangladeshi society, for countering the threats facing the country, it added.
Khaleda along with her party’s three colleagues went to American embassy at Baridhara in the capital
around 4:20pm to meet John Kerry. Khaleda with her motorcade came out from the embassy around 5:10pm and drove to her residence at Gulshan.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who was present at the meeting, very briefly briefed the waiting journalists about the outcome of Khaleda-Kerry meeting in front of Khaleda’s Gulshan residence.
He said in the meeting between Khaleda and Kerry, that started at 4:35pm lasted for about 35 minutes, situation of democracy in Bangladesh, freedom of press, human rights and rule of law were discussed.
The BNP leader said the issue militancy and terrorism that emerged as a big crisis in the country were discussed prominently.
He said the United States would extend cooperation in bringing back stability in Bangladesh.
He said they (US side) expressed interest to work with Bangladesh in friendly manner for establishing democracy, people’s right and rule of law.
‘They (US side) and we are also hopeful that beside economic development, democracy will be restored in Bangladesh, through US cooperation,’ Fakhrul said.
In reply to a question, he said the issue of future election also was discussed in the meeting.
When asked about election issue, he replied that democracy, human rights, rule of law, militancy and terrorism were discussed widely.
Asked about whether Khaleda and Kerry had a one to one meeting, Fakhrul avoided answering with a smile.
He, however, told New Age that the meeting was very cordial.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and BNP chairperson’s adviser Sabih Uddin Ahmed also accompanied Khaleda during the meeting. | http://newagebd.net/249238/democracy-restored-thru-us-co-op/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/1d8b1ee146acb4a0324d3cf2859dae17baf76fa6337c61c7ed481c07ed45cd47.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T06:51:35 | null | 2016-08-29T10:58:59 | An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck 975 km (606 miles) northwest of Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249072%2Fquake-magnitude-7-4-strikes-northwest-ascension-island%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Quake of magnitude 7.4 strikes northwest of Ascension Island | null | null | newagebd.net | An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck 975 km (606 miles) northwest of Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday, the United States Geological Survey reported.
There was no immediate warning of any tsunami triggered by the quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the USGS said.
There were no reports of any damage or casualties. | http://newagebd.net/249072/quake-magnitude-7-4-strikes-northwest-ascension-island/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/cdd089d76edb7ff2b14f05db1d6800986b3f025a55829431af25887c01281f40.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T04:52:00 | null | 2016-08-30T09:19:49 | The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the review appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami leader and war criminal Mir Quasem Ali over an earlier verdict that upheld his death penalty for crimes against humanity in 1971 Liberation war... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249271%2Fsc-upholds-death-sentence-for-mir-quasem%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Mir-Quasem-Ali_V.jpg | en | null | SC upholds death sentence for Mir Quasem | null | null | newagebd.net | The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the review appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami leader and war criminal Mir Quasem Ali over an earlier verdict that upheld his death penalty for crimes against humanity in 1971 Liberation war.
The rejection cleared the way of war crimes convict Mir Quasem Ali’s execution.
Earlier on August 28, a five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by chief justice Surendra Kumar Sinha fixed August 30 for passing the judgment.
On November 2, 2014, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 handed down the capital punishment on 63-year-old Jamaat-e-Islami leader Quasem over crimes against humanity.
The Appellate Division upheld the verdict on March 8 this year and released the full text on June 6, hours after which the ICT had issued a death warrant against him.
Later on June 19, the Al-Badr commander submitted the petition to the apex court through his lawyers seeking review of the verdict.. | http://newagebd.net/249271/sc-upholds-death-sentence-for-mir-quasem/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/f827156ead287e006cc426c4da353bc8fea547ac842cfc00df788656d65e6416.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T20:50:38 | null | 2016-08-27T00:48:45 | Hundreds of brands of mosquito coils, both registered and unregistered, have flooded the market, besides other insect repellents, though they are highly injurious to human health... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248670%2Finsect-repellents-threaten-human-health%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Insect repellents threaten human health | null | null | newagebd.net | Hundreds of brands of mosquito coils, both registered and unregistered, have flooded the market, besides other insect repellents, though they are highly injurious to human health.
The active ingredients used in the insect repellents are imported as ‘public health pesticides’.
The sale of at least 609 of registered brands of mosquito coils and several hundred unregistered brands are allowed without testing their harmful effects on human health.
At least 25 brands of the so called public health pesticides are sold and used for cockroach knocking down, one for bug killing, five for sand fly and seven for housefly elimination.
None of them were ever tested to ascertain their harmful effects of human health.
Physicians and entomologists objected the sale and use of insect repellants as ‘public health pesticides’ as they pose serious threat to public health.
They said that people use the repellents to free their homes from mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, rats or other carriers of germs and viruses only because they don’t know about the harms the repellents do to their health.
They said that they could not understand why the authorities never discouraged the use of mosquito coils.
Following approval from the Pesticides Technical Advisory Committee, permission to market 667 brands of ‘public health pesticides’ was given by the Plant Protection Wing of the Department Agriculture Extension.
Plant Protection Wing director in-charge AZM Sabbir Ibne Jahan told New
Age that they only issued licenses for the import and marketing of public health pesticides.
The Plant Protection Wing, he said, gets the public health pesticides tested by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research to ascertain the efficacy in knocking down insects and rodents.
IEDCR laboratory officials said that they never carried out tests to find out the effects of these insecticides on human health.
They said that the chemicals in the insecticides could cause cancer.
Abul Khayer Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, director for Communicable Disease Control of Directorate General of Health Services, told New Age that no study or lab test was ever held to find out the harmful effects of public health pesticides on human health.
Former Bangladesh Medical Association president Rashid-e-Mahbub advised people not to use mosquito coils as they were highly dangerous for human health.
Rashid, who is also the president of Bangladesh Health Rights Movement, said that the authorities should eradicate mosquitoes at the larva stage by spraying kerosene or applying other biological methods on the breeding grounds.
At its 72nd meeting on July 30, PTAC formed a six-member committee and assigned it to investigate whether or not the active ingredients used in mosquito coils and other public health pesticides were injurious to human heath.
The committee is headed by entomologist and vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University, Mahbubar Rahman.
He told New Age that the insecticides were definitely injurious to human health.
Both Rashid and Mahbub said smoke emitted by mosquito coils were much more injurious to human health than cigarettes.
Research done by India’s Pune Chest Research Foundation in 2014 shows that smoke emitted by mosquito coils could cause cancer. | http://newagebd.net/248670/insect-repellents-threaten-human-health/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/e83fbec80b35a3706c757107358e771957b62ec5da915a7fba4208c9c2a8eaf5.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T12:51:41 | null | 2016-08-31T17:05:08 | The probe committee of Chittagong district administration has found responsible an engineer and the general manager of DAP fertiliser factory for the... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249498%2Fprobe-finds-two-officials-responsible-gas-tank-blast%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/CUFL.jpg | en | null | Probe finds two officials responsible for gas tank blast | null | null | newagebd.net | The probe committee of Chittagong district administration has found responsible an engineer and the general manager of DAP fertiliser factory for the blast and ammonia gas leak on Aug 22 last.
The committee has recommended withdrawal of the deputy chief engineer (electric) Dilip Kumar Barua and general manager (technical and maintenance) Nakibul Islam for neglecting duties, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
The probe report found them guilty of negligence on their part as they did not inspect safety of the factory or repair damaged sections, investigators told journalists at a press conference in the city today.
Chittagong deputy commissioner Mezbah Uddin told press the committee recommended departmental action against the two and suggested their withdrawal.
Earlier, a three-member investigation committee led by additional district magistrate Mominur Rashid submitted the investigation report to deputy commissioner Mezbahuddin.
A tank containing 340 tones of ammonia exploded at the Diammonium phosphate factory in Anwara upazila of the district On August 22.
More than 50 people fell sick inhaling ammonia gas leaked from the tank. Besides, the gas spread all over the area, affecting people and the local environment.
The investigation committee put forward recommendations that include- improvement in the factory management, inter-departmental coordination and ensure transparency in the employees’ work and accountability.
Another investigation committee formed by the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation will submit its findings on Sunday. | http://newagebd.net/249498/probe-finds-two-officials-responsible-gas-tank-blast/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/f147cd80a11b5904f06b284505e8775948e2c46a2b0445cb6bdda1d1b5b7308c.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T16:51:34 | null | 2016-08-30T20:35:15 | Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia should be tried in public for inducting convicted war criminals into their cabinets... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249317%2Fzia-khaleda-need-tried-public-says-pm%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PM-Sheikh-Hasina.jpg | en | null | Zia, Khaleda need to be tried in public, says PM | null | null | newagebd.net | Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia should be tried in public for inducting convicted war criminals into their cabinets.
‘Today, we have to create awareness for holding the trial of Zia and Khaleda Zia in public for making convicted war criminals ministers,’ she said while addressing a reminiscence meeting at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh in the capital.
Awami League’s Dhaka North and South units arranged the meeting on the occasion of National Mourning Day, reports United News of Bangladesh.
The prime minister regretted that Khaleda Zia had awarded the national flag, which was earned through the blood of millions of martyrs, to the war criminals. ‘Those who had been made ministers by Khaleda Zia were hanged as convicted war criminals,’ she said.
Posing a question, Sheikh Hasina said, ‘What should be the punishment of those who made the war criminals ministers. Country’s people will have to think about it. Today, we’ve to create awareness among all that Zia and Khaleda Zia need to be tried in public for making war criminals ministers.’
Talking about militancy and terrorism, she said Bangladesh will surely be free from this social menace.
She also quipped that the BNP chief sheds crocodile tears whenever intelligence agencies find out militants and terrorists, and law enforcement agencies take prompt action and whenever they are killed.
‘What will she do if they are caught alive? Would she worship them?’ she said.
As the BNP chairperson stressed the arrest of militants alive to know their roots, the prime minister said there is no need to find their roots. ‘Instead, it has to be inquired if the root came from the person who is vocal in favour of them.’
She also observed that those who patronised and awarded the killers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding president, and those who can make the war criminals ministers are involved in terrorism and militancy. ‘They won’t be
spared. People will put them on trial one day, Inshah Allah.’
In an emotion-charged voice, the prime minister said Ziaur Rahman had promulgated indemnity ordinance to protect the killers, and awarded them with posting in Bangladesh missions abroad. He rehabilitated the war criminals and gave them opportunity to do politics in Bangladesh, she said.
Hasina said her only aim is to bring smile to the faces of poor, distressed and oppressed people of the country for whom her entire family sacrificed their lives. | http://newagebd.net/249317/zia-khaleda-need-tried-public-says-pm/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/21758cb251c35c6ffbf26531aed91eb0b5fd4ca448dba0086942c845c1e641cd.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T18:51:50 | null | 2016-08-28T00:27:46 | Petrol pump and tank lorry owners and workers are scheduled for today to enforce a nine-hour strike across the country from 6:00am for their 12-point demands... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248862%2F9hr-petrol-pump-tank-lorry-strike-today%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | 9hr petrol pump, tank lorry strike today | null | null | newagebd.net | Petrol pump and tank lorry owners and workers are scheduled for today to enforce a nine-hour strike across the country from 6:00am for their 12-point demands.
The demands include cancellation of recently hiked land lease fee for petrol pumps, increase in the commissions on fuel sales and fare of tankers, introduction of a Tk 5 lakh accident insurance policy for tank lorry workers and rationalisation of the limits of various losses and depreciations.
‘No petrol pumps, oil depots and tank lorries will supply, load and unload fuel oil from 6:00am to 3:00pm,’ said Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Owners, Workers Unity Council president Mohammad Nazmul Huq.
On August 20, the council announced the programme.
Nazmul said that the government had not even communicated with them about the demands.
He warned that the council would announce tougher programme if the demands were not met.
About 5,600 petrol pumps, 17,000 dealers and agents and 42,000 tank lorries are involved in storing, transporting and selling diesel, kerosene, petrol, high octane petrol and other petroleum products.
About 40 lakh tonnes of fuel oil are sold across the country annually.
Nazmul said that the commission on fuel oil sales and tank lorry fares had not been adjusted over the past five years which was quite irrational.
Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association expressed its solidarity with the strike of petropl pumps and tank lorries, saying that both the businesses were suffering from some common problems caused by government decisions.
The CNG filling stations will, however, remain in service. | http://newagebd.net/248862/9hr-petrol-pump-tank-lorry-strike-today/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/db5ee119c4c87bff73dc30ce61cfbaf4f6a8121cb2a8575bef0c759a37f2f09a.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T18:52:30 | null | 2016-08-31T00:37:19 | While many across the border have welcomed the West Bengal assembly’s resolution to change the name of the state to ‘Bangla’ in Bengali, ‘Bengal’ in English and ‘Bangal’ in Hindi, a section of people are worried about the problems that might surface with Bangladesh’s National Anthem with this name-change, reports The Times of India... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249435%2Fwill-joy-bangla-now-refer-toi%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | What will Joy Bangla now refer to: ToI | null | null | newagebd.net | While many across the border have welcomed the West Bengal assembly’s resolution to change the name of the state to ‘Bangla’ in Bengali, ‘Bengal’ in English and ‘Bangal’ in Hindi, a section of people are worried about the problems that might surface with Bangladesh’s National Anthem with this name-change, reports The Times of India.
According to author Farah Ghuznavi, this seems both ‘utterly unnecessary and politically motivated’ to deny historical ties and undermine the natural affinities across this border. ‘It is inaccurate too. By virtue of language alone, Bangladesh can claim the title of ‘Bangla’ with as much justification as West Bengal; and that will be the case whatever West Bengal calls itself,’ she said,
Rasheda Rawnak Khan, teacher of the Dhaka University’s department of anthropology, believes that it is fair enough to change the name of the state since ‘East Bengal’ doesn’t exist. ‘But using the name ‘Bangla’ might lead to a lot of problems for us in all sense of the term, including our National Anthem. Bangla is the name of a language. People from other countries will confuse between the name of a language and a state. Bongodesh could have been a better alternative,’ Khan said.
The National Anthem of Bangladesh was penned by Rabindranath Tagore. It was written in 1905 during the first partition of Bengal when the ruling British Empire had an undivided India’s province of Bengal split into two halves. The first ten lines of this song constitute Bangladesh’s National Anthem. It was adopted in 1971 during its liberation war.
Ever since the name-change proposal was mooted, netizens had begun debating on how it might trigger a strong reaction from some political factions in Bangladesh. Some feared that they can put up a request of wanting to change the National Anthem since ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ might then refer to the Indian state of Bengal. That, in turn, might instigate an anti-Tagore politics – something that Bangladesh had witnessed when an earlier proposal regarding the name-change had been mooted during the Left regime.
According to Bangladeshi painter and acclaimed contemporary architect Mustapha Khalid Palash, this change will create confusion over who will have more claim to ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’. ‘Obviously the word ‘Sonar Bangla’ is metaphorically used in the song that we later conceived as our National Anthem unlike ‘Jana Gana Mana’ which was written purposefully. This decision will obviously undermine our National Anthem. When we use the word ‘Bangla’, we feel it is a part of the name of our country without the suffix ‘desh’. There was no need to have three different names of the state in three languages. I have never heard of this anywhere in the world. Now, this will add to confusion. What will people refer to when we say ‘Joy Bangla’?’ Palash asked.
However, author Anisul Hoque doesn’t fear any confusion regarding the National Anthem. ‘I don’t think there is any need to worry on that count. I welcome this name change. But I would have been happier if the name was changed to ‘Bongo’,’ Hoque said.
Actress Sohana Saba is in favour of name-change of West Bengal. But she doesn’t prefer the name Bangla. ‘Bengal is fine. But I don’t want the name Bangla because it can create confusion,’ Saba said. The actress doesn’t particularly apprehend any confusion regarding the Bangladesh National Anthem. ‘On Facebook, I have seen people discussing the National Anthem issue here in Bangladesh. But I don’t fear any confusion regarding that. We have been using the song ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ for 45 years now. It’s not easy to get confused there. But other problems might surface. If someone says Bangla, one will again have to explain Bangladeshi-Bangla or India’s Bangla,’ she explained. | http://newagebd.net/249435/will-joy-bangla-now-refer-toi/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/d02935275e63d0bd2ae78156725fc8aab096076127bbc80f41d4c0dd6432bac8.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T18:53:04 | null | 2016-08-30T00:12:59 | A 16-member Bangladesh chess team will leave Dhaka in the early hour on Friday for Azerbaijan to participate in the 42nd Chess Olympiad with a hope of producing their best-ever results... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249203%2Fchess-olympiad%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Chess Olympiad: Bangladesh eye ‘best ever result’ | null | null | newagebd.net | A 16-member Bangladesh chess team will leave Dhaka in the early hour on Friday for Azerbaijan to participate in the 42nd Chess Olympiad with a hope of producing their best-ever results.
Bangladesh men’s team’s best ever result in a Chess Olympiad was limited to finishing 33rd place in Turkey in 2012, a performance they failed to carry two years later In Norway when they finished on 64th.
Bangladesh women’s team could secure only 56th place among 136 nations on that occasion.
Bangladesh men’s team comprises four Grand Masters and an International Master this time, which gives Federation general secretary Shahbuddin Shamim a fresh hope of emulating their best performance or do even better.
‘We are hoping that the Bangladesh will do better than the last edition and will be trying to go beyond the result of the 2012 edition,’ Shamim told reporters at a press conference on Monday.
Bangladesh however will miss the presence of a coach but Shamim thought it will not be a major drawback.
After being elected as general secretary
two-and-half month ago, Shamim pledged to appoint a foreign coach for the national team, though he failed to keep the promise so far.
Shamim said they arranged a month-long camp ahead of the Chess Olympiad and during the= period the players were able to share their ideas, experiences and knowledge.
‘Considering the international rating, we stay at 50,’ said Grand Master Niza Murshed. ‘If we could finish among 40, then it will be good result for us.
It is possible to produce the best result, only if we can give our best,’ he said.
GM Enamul Hossain Rajib said they fared relatively well in the last edition but lost the final round which cost them a respectable position.
‘Actually we put up the similar performance in last two editions but the result of 2014 edition
was poor because of the defeat in the last round,’ he said .
Rajib and Niaz will join fellow GM Ziaur Rahman and Abdullah Al Rakib and Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagor in men’s team.
Women’s team will be comprised of IM Rani Hamid, FIDE Master Shamima Sharmin, FIDE Mmaster Jakia Sultana and FIDE Master Nazrana Khan Iva. IM Shamima Akter Liza will join the team from Lisbon.
The 42nd Chess Olympiad will be held in Baku from September 1-14. | http://newagebd.net/249203/chess-olympiad/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/28a6ac887a4b2337ac93452a398276d912dee1abef838bf3e0aabc8e7d871c61.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T08:53:22 | null | 2016-08-31T13:50:35 | Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said on Wednesday the Iranian-allied Houthi movement would not be allowed to take over Yemen, as he accused Iran of... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249482%2Fsaudis-say-houthis-not-allowed-take-yemen%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Adel-al-Jubeir.jpg | en | null | Saudis say Houthis not to be allowed to take over Yemen | null | null | newagebd.net | Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday the Iranian-allied Houthi movement would not be allowed to take over Yemen, as he accused Iran of seeking to sow unrest around the region.
The head of a Houthi-backed ruling council pledged readiness on Monday to resume negotiations on ending Yemen’s war but reserved the right to resist attacks by a Saudi-backed exiled government seeking to unseat it.
UN-sponsored talks to try to end 18 months of fighting collapsed in failure this month and the Houthi movement and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh resumed shelling into neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
The talks foundered after the Houthis and Saleh’s General People’s Congress announced the formation of the 10-member governing council on August 6, ignoring a warning by UN Yemen envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed that such a move would violate UN Security Council resolutions on how to solve the conflict.
Speaking to Reuters in Beijing, Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir said the ball was in the Houthis’ court as to whether peace talks resumed or not.
‘What is certain, not questionable, certain, they will not be allowed to take over Yemen. Period. So the legitimate government will be defended,’ al-Jubeir said.
‘The chance they have is to enter the political process, reach an agreement … for the benefit of all Yemenis including the Houthis,’ he said.
Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies accuse the Houthis of being pawns of Iran and have launched a military intervention to restore Hadi to power.
The Houthis have held on, having made an alliance with Saleh, who enjoys the support of most of the military.
The Houthis and the GPC hold most of Yemen’s northern half, while forces working for the exiled government share control of the rest of the country with tribes.
At least 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen’s 18-month-old civil war, the United Nations on Tuesday, approaching double the estimates of more than 6,000 cited by officials and aid workers for much of 2016.
Speaking earlier to students at a Beijing university, al-Jubeir lambasted Iran.
‘We see Iran supporting Houthis in Yemen and trying to take over the government, supply weapons to the Houthis, smuggle explosives to Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,’ he said.
‘We wish we could be as good neighbours like before the 1979 revolution,’ al-Jubeir said.
‘It’s up to Iran to mend its behaviour.’ | http://newagebd.net/249482/saudis-say-houthis-not-allowed-take-yemen/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/60ac8a7f5cde696a310047d3473090a107b8f862dc6a99a99a117c38b4176612.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T18:48:48 | null | 2016-08-28T00:29:35 | The water level in the River Padma inside Bangladesh has risen further because of the onrush of water from the Indian part of the river, officials have said... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248865%2Fpadma-continues-swell%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Padma continues to swell | null | null | newagebd.net | The water level in the River Padma inside Bangladesh has risen further because of the onrush of water from the Indian part of the river, officials have said.
The increased water in the river has inundated adjacent low lands, leaving hundreds of people marooned.
Due to rise in the Padma, many villages were affected in Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Kushtia, Jessore and Magura, according to Flood Forecasting Warning Centre.
The Padma was in rising trend and it might continue for the next 24 hours from Saturday morning, said FFWC outlook.
The river at Pankha, Rajshahi and Hardinge Bridge points were flowing respectively 11cm, 11cm and 12cm below their danger while the water level at Mahananda at Chapainawabganj point was flowing 15cm below its danger level as on 9:00am on Saturday.
FFWC assistant engineer and duty officer Ripon Karmaker told New Age that the rising trend of water flow in the Padma began on August 13 due to floods and heavy rainfall in Indian states.
Such increase in Padma water level might continue for the next two days, he apprehended.
New Age correspondent in Rajshahi reported that the Padma was rising dangerously after India opened all gates of the Farakka Barrage to save one of its states from being flooded.
The water may cross danger level in the next 24 hours, Bangladesh Water Development Board officials said.
At Rajshahi point, Padma rose by 12 to 13 centimetres every day in the past week, BWDB administrator Mir Mosharrof Hossain told New Age.
He said on Saturday morning that the water was flowing just 0.12 centimetre below the danger level. Friday’s reading was 0.20 centimetre.
The city protection dam has already been damaged in some areas.
‘At Rajshahi’s Bulonpur, the dam has already been damaged at four points, inundating some low-lying areas and homesteads,’ said Mir Mosharraf.
Efforts were on to save the town protection dam and stones, he added. | http://newagebd.net/248865/padma-continues-swell/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/1a3ecafb65b5451d40f4f59075737f448ed67f946bbd2a739c13945c0de2bc48.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T20:49:33 | null | 2016-08-29T00:37:26 | Coroners at Dhaka Medical College said on Sunday that all three militant suspects, including a Bangladeshi-Canadian wanted in the Gulshan attack case, had sustained single bullets to their heads during ‘gunfight’ with police inside an apartment in Narayanganj city during a raid on Saturday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249043%2Fgulshan-attack-27%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | GULSHAN ATTACK: Tamim died from single bullet to the head | null | null | newagebd.net | Coroners at Dhaka Medical College said on Sunday that all three militant suspects, including a Bangladeshi-Canadian wanted in the Gulshan attack case, had sustained single bullets to their heads during ‘gunfight’ with police inside an apartment in Narayanganj city during a raid on Saturday.
Bangladeshi-Canadian Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury had sustained only a single bullet that went through his head but the two others had wounds from a bomb explosion alongside the single bullet injury to their head, said Dhaka Medical College forensic medicine department assistant professor Shohel Mahmud, who led a three-member committee for the post-mortem.
After the two-hour postmortem, the coroner also told reporters that they had collected samples for DNA profiling while blood, urine and viscera were collected to determine whether they had consumed any drug during the time of the raid.
On Saturday morning, the 31-year-old, Tamim, and two others—one of them identified as Fazle Rabbi of Jessore—were found dead in two rooms at their rented apartment in Paikpara area in Narayanganj city after the police headquarters-guided 45-minute operation Hit-Strong 27 ended at about 9:30am.
The police officials said they had used heavy bullets during the operation while inspector general of police AKM Shahidul Hoque said snipers were deployed to tackle the situation.
The police said they seized an AK-22 rifle, a similar weapon seized after the Gulshan attack, and a .22bore pistol, along with improvised explosive devices from the apartment located on the top floor of the three-storey building on the side of a road beside a graveyard.
Neighbours heard sound of heavy gunfire during the raid.
One of the two militants killed in Narayanganj operation has been identified as Fazle Rabbi while another might be Tausif Hasan Khan, according to the police’s Counter Terrorism and Trans-national Crime unit.
Fazle Rabbi was a physics student at MM College at Jessore. He was one of five people wanted by Jessore police after the Gulshan attack. Rabbi went missing after April 5 and his father Habibullah filed a missing complaint with local police station.
Talking to reporters at DMP media centre, the CT unit chief, Monirul Islam, said ‘one of them has been identified as Fazle Rabbi, hailing from Jessore. Police also found the national identity card of Rabbi from their den.’
One Tausif went missing from the capital’s Dhanmondi in early February. The missing man studied at Monash University’s Malaysia campus.
The CT chief also said the law enforcers were conducting drives in search of 8-9 other militants who were involved in the recent militant attacks, including the Gulshan café and Sholakia attacks.
He believed that the ‘neo Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh’ has lost its strength substantially with the death of Tamim Chowdhury, whom the police branded as the leader of the banned Islamist outfit and one of the ‘masterminds’ of the Gulshan attack.
Tamim was wanted from early August and a Tk 20 lakh bounty was announced after his alleged connection to the July 1 Gulshan café attack – which left at least 29 people, including 20 local and foreign hostages dead – was uncovered.
After the operation, the CT unit additional deputy commissioner Sanwar Hossain told reporters the landlord, Nuruddin Dewan, had helped the law enforcing agency to locate the militants at the
building.
The landlord, Nuruddin Dewan, also the brother of Narayanganj Awami League finance general secretary Kamal Uddin Dewan, had told reporters on Saturday that two people — Rana and Murad — rented the apartment in July for a monthly rent of Tk 7,000 introducing themselves as sales representatives of a leading conglomerate.
But the Narayangnaj police superintendent, Mainul Hoque at a press conference on Sunday said Nuruddin Dewan was arrested for not sharing information of the tenants with the local police.
Mainul also suspected that the extremists had planned to carry out attacks on foreigners working in the city’s export processing zone.
Until 9:15pm on Sunday, the police were preparing to file a case although the district police chief in the noon claimed a case under the anti-terror act was filed by the Narayanganj police station officer-in-charge Azaduzzaman. | http://newagebd.net/249043/gulshan-attack-27/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/db3c99b62e7156b9296ba809a12dd1f07a5703a7d1ed1f395d31026fd8d3f9e2.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-27T14:49:32 | null | 2016-08-27T20:34:31 | The relatives of Gulshan cafe attack mastermind Tamim Chowdhury, who was killed in a police operation in Narayanganj on Saturday, refused to receive his body out of hatred towards him for his evil acts... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248725%2Ftamims-relatives-unwilling-receive-body%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Tamim-Ahmed-Chowdhury.jpg | en | null | Tamim’s relatives unwilling to receive his body | null | null | newagebd.net | The relatives of Gulshan cafe attack mastermind Tamim Chowdhury, who was killed in a police operation in Narayanganj on Saturday, refused to receive his body out of hatred towards him for his evil acts.
‘I feel hatred introducing him as my nephew… we don’t want to receive his body,’ Tamim’s uncle Nurul Islam Chowdhury of Beanibazar in Sylhet said.
Nurul Islam, a local coal businessman, said he has no contact with Tamim’s family members who live in Canada, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Relatives and villagers said Tamim is a son of Shfiqul Islam Chowdhury alias Soa Maih of Barogram village at Dubag union.
They said Soa Maih left his village home after the country’s liberation for Chittagong to avoid arrest in a criminal case. He then used to work at Chittagong Shipyard.
Tamim had spent his childhood in Chittagong and studied there up to class III. Later, he along with his family migrated to Canada and was raised there.
His cousin Fahim Chowdhury said Tamim came home for a few days in 1995 after they migrated to Canada. ‘He’s 14-15 years old at that time. He’s very reserved and cool having a different attitude. We didn’t have any contact with him or his family after he returned to Canada.’
He said Tamim’s family members also came home in 2001 for three months, but did not visit their village home as they stayed in Sylhet city at a rented house.
Tamim’s another uncle Nazrul Islam died on Thursday last.
Talking to UNB, Nazruls’ wife Angura Khatun said, ‘Tamim’s family had gone to Chittagong before my marriage, and then they migrated to Canada from there. I didn’t see him though he had come home 21 years back. Now I feel fear hearing his name.’
The relatives also said no one of Tamim’s family from Canada contacted them as of 6pm Saturday to enquire about Tamim. They said they have heard that Tamim is a father of three children.
Barogram villagers said they have come to know about Tamim after his name was surfaced for his involvement in militancy. ‘Our village was defamed to some extant because of his militant link. Some people now taunt us calling us the people of militant village. We’re ashamed of it,’ said Bijoy Das, an inhabitant of the village.
Two college students, Jakaria and Pervez, also echoed Bijoy’s view.
Officer-in-charge of Beanibazar police station Chandan Kumar Chakraworty said they visited Tamim’s village home after the incident, though the police department has not yet sought any information about Tamim.
Tamim Chowdhury along with two other militants were killed during a special police operation, ‘Hit Strong’, in a den of ‘New JMB’ in a building of Narayanganj sadar upazila on Saturday morning.
Tipped off, DMP’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit unearthed the New JMB’s den on the third floor of a three-storey building at Paikpara beside Boro Koborsthan around 6:00am and started the operation in the militant hideout, said Additional deputy commissioner of the Bomb Disposal Unit of CTTC Sanwar.
Earlier, DMP had announced a bounty of Tk20 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Tamim Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi-origin Canadian citizen.
Talking to reporters after visiting the spot at Narayanganj’s Paikpara, inspector general of police AKM Shahidul Hoque said Gulshan café attack mastermind Tamim Chowdhury had taken cover in the Narayanganj militant den following the Kalyanpur raid where nine militants were killed.
‘Following my order, the CTTC team asked the militants to surrender, but they didn’t. They hurled 4-5 grenades and opened fire at police, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate,’ the IGP said. | http://newagebd.net/248725/tamims-relatives-unwilling-receive-body/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/3124e46db51f15f7dd63c875b30bcc64a48967ef73f80ca3756f886a5f662abd.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T04:49:52 | null | 2016-08-29T09:10:23 | Bangladesh Railway started selling advance tickets on Monday for Eid-ul-Azha holiday makers at Kamalapur railway station in the city... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249061%2Fsales-advance-railway-tickets-eid-holidays-begin%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Advance-train-tickets-Eid-ul-Azha.jpg | en | null | Sales of advance railway tickets for Eid holidays begin | null | null | newagebd.net | Bangladesh Railway started selling advance tickets on Monday for Eid-ul-Azha holiday makers at Kamalapur railway station in the city.
The railway authorities began selling tickets for September 7 around 8:00am.
Each passenger will be allowed to purchase four tickets but no ticket once sold could be returned.
Railway officials said that the authorities concerned took all out preparations to ensure a smooth distribution of train tickets amid adequate security measures.
BR will distribute train tickets of September 8, 9, 10 and 11 respectively on August 30, 31, and September 1 and 2.
The return tickets of the railways will be available at Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Dinajpur and Lalmonirhat rail stations after the Eid-ul-Azha.
Return tickets will be distributed on September 5, 7, 8 and 9 for September 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectively. | http://newagebd.net/249061/sales-advance-railway-tickets-eid-holidays-begin/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/8b4747f408efa1f04322c8bd384ed89e39bbed5c52b9dd94d6e82b340fde7f31.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T20:50:57 | null | 2016-08-30T00:41:12 | Students of Willes Little Flower School and College and their guardians on Monday continued protests on the school premises and its adjacent road, demanding that the suspected killer of the school’s Class VIII student, Surayia Akhter Risha, be brought to justice... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249249%2Fschoolgirl-risha-killing%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Protests-continue.jpg | en | null | Schoolgirl Risha killing: protests continue | null | null | newagebd.net | Students of Willes Little Flower School and College and their guardians on Monday continued protests on the school premises and its adjacent road, demanding that the suspected killer of the school’s Class VIII student, Surayia Akhter Risha, be brought to justice.
Surayia, 15, daughter of Ramjan Hossain of Siddikbazar in the capital, who was stabbed in the abdomen by a stalker on August 24, died from her injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital Sunday morning.
National Human Rights Commission chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque in a statement on Monday termed the killing a clear violation of freedom of movement and life and overall violation of human rights.
The NHRC chairman, expressing his deep concern, also said that panic gripped the minds of schoolchildren and their guardians and such activities were threatening law and order of the country.
‘Any citizen of an independent and sovereign country has the right to move freely on roads. And, the state is responsible to ensure the right,’ he said.
He also called for immediate arrest the alleged killer, Obaidul Khan.
On the day, the students, their guardians and teachers arranged a mourning programme about 11:00am on the school premises where they wore black badges and carried posters demanding justice for Surayia.
The school’s flag was kept at half mast.
Education minister Nurul Islam Nahhid joined the mourning and assured the students and guardians that the suspected stalker and killer would be arrested soon and he would be given ‘exemplary punishment’ so that none in future would dare to commit such a crime.
The victim’s father, Ramjan Hossain, demanded justice in his daughter’s killing.
The school’s acting principal, Md Abul Hossain, said that they had decided to name the school’s information and communication technology laboratory after their slain student Surayia to preserve her memory.
Later, towards 12:00pm, the students began demonstration blocking the road adjacent the school at Kakrail intersection, halting traffic and triggering severe tailbacks in the area.
The students also continued their demonstration inside their campus.
Spokesperson of a Ganajagaran Mancha faction Imran H Sarkar joined the demonstration about 2:00pm and expressed his solidarity with the movement.
The agitating students said that they called off the blockade from the intersection about 2:15pm after Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna zone assistant commissioner Shibli Noman assured them that the killer would be arrested within 48 hours.
Police said they had already collected the killer’s photograph, his present and permanent addresses and his arrest was only a matter of time.
The students, however, said that they would resume their movement Tuesday noon if the killer was not arrested by the time.
Surayia sustained severe injury as she was stabbed in the abdomen allegedly by a tailoring shop worker, Obaidul Khan, of Elephant Road in front of the school on August 24. Students had rushed her to the DMCH.
The victim’s family and classmates alleged that Obaidul used to stalk and disturb Surayia.
Her classmate Munia told New Age that she came to know that her friend Surayia, being badly disturbed by the stalker Obaidul, slapped him some days ago.
Shoyaib, another classmate of Surayia, said that he saw Obaidul fleeing with a blood- stained knife in his hand after stabbing his classmate.
Ramna police station officer-in-charge Moshiur Rahman said that none was arrested in connection with the killing. | http://newagebd.net/249249/schoolgirl-risha-killing/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/cdbe1cf672fbbe773a8aeed1851240f288b6f52c8e4eb038bb05c7378542be75.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-30T04:51:08 | null | 2016-08-30T08:15:12 | Twelve soldiers, including a young lieutenant, were killed in a clash with Islamic State-linked rebels on a remote southern island in the Philippines... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249274%2F12-soldiers-die-clash-islamist-militants-philippine%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Philippines-map.jpg | en | null | 12 soldiers die in clash with Islamist militants in Philippine | null | null | newagebd.net | Twelve soldiers, including a young lieutenant, were killed in a clash with Islamic State-linked rebels on a remote southern island in the Philippines, an army spokesman said on Monday as the army offensive entered its fifth day.
Major Filemon Tan said five soldiers were also wounded in an 1-1/2 hour firefight in the jungles of Patikul town on Jolo island as troops pursued a large formation of the small but brutal Abu Sayyaf group.
‘The fighting was really intense, we lost 12 men,’ Tan said. ‘You can really expect heavy casualty from both sides due to volume of fire from both sides. We don’t know how many from the enemy died but there could be more than 30 rebels.’
A young army lieutenant leading the troops was killed in a rebel ambush.
More than 20 Abu Sayyaf rebels had died since Thursday when the military launched an air-and-ground offensive in Patikul, an Abu Sayyaf stronghold, after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered troops to ‘destroy’ the militant group.
The Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnapping and beheading captives, has dogged successive Philippine governments, entrenching its network with vast sums of ransom money in what has become one of Asia’s most lucrative kidnapping rackets.
Security experts say the Muslim rebels are motivated less by Islamist ideology and more by the tens of millions of dollars from kidnappings.
Two Canadians and a Filipino teenager were executed this year by the Abu Sayyaf. Last week, two Indonesians escaped captivity but there was speculation the Abu Sayyaf freed them after their families paid their ransoms.
Eight Indonesians, eight Filipinos, five Malaysians, a Dutch bird watcher and a Norwegian resort manager are still being held by the Abu Sayyaf, It was not known the hostages were in Patikul jungle when the assault began on Thursday. | http://newagebd.net/249274/12-soldiers-die-clash-islamist-militants-philippine/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/16b8111953cffc94af9db0db0e3778060f530ceefac2234f731d384f6c75ed95.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T12:52:08 | null | 2016-08-31T17:15:53 | Yemen's rebel-controlled news agency says that 16 civilians were killed in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on the northern city of Saada. SABA reports Wednesday that... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249495%2F16-civilians-killed-saudi-led-airstrikes%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/yemen-map.jpg | en | null | 16 civilians killed in Saudi-led airstrikes | null | null | newagebd.net | Yemen’s rebel-controlled news agency says that 16 civilians were killed in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on the northern city of Saada.
SABA reports Wednesday that overnight airstrikes targeted the district of al-Sahan in Saada, a stronghold for Yemen’s Shiite rebels, known as the Houthis.
The report says most of the victims were from three families, and children were among those killed.
The agency says that all the victims were in one house. It says rescue work was hindered by the fighter jets who continued to fly over the bomb site.
SABA says the death toll is expected to rise, with more bodies being pulled from the rubble.
The Houthis captured the Yemeni capital in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led military campaign in support of the ousted government that began in March 2015. | http://newagebd.net/249495/16-civilians-killed-saudi-led-airstrikes/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/9da7240cc839db2b280a9e35764f47703b7a361f0cedb2eb2eacafd52ca68074.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-26T20:46:46 | null | 2016-08-27T00:44:54 | Schools and intermediate colleges having zero or less than 50 per cent pass rate in SSC and HSC exams in the last three years did only get warning and no stern action for their poor performance in the absence of a relevant law... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F248667%2Flack-law-lets-low-scoring-ednl-instts-go-unpunished%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Lack of law lets low scoring ednl instts go unpunished | null | null | newagebd.net | Schools and intermediate colleges having zero or less than 50 per cent pass rate in SSC and HSC exams in the last three years did only get warning and no stern action for their poor performance in the absence of a relevant law.
The government is yet to take any actions against the intermediate colleges from which not a single student passed this year one week after the Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent examinations results were published on August 18.
Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education director general SM Wahiduzzaman has said that they are trying to find out the reason for the bad performance of the educational institutes.
‘We will take actions like suspending MPO facilities of the teachers of the low
performing schools,’ he has told New Age.
Schools from which no one passed in Secondary School Certificate and its equivalent examinations in 2016 as per the results published in May only got a warning letter from government so far, the directorate top officials have said.
The directorate generally issues warning and show cause letters to the low performing schools and if the schools authorities fail to provide any satisfactory answers, the government suspends Monthly Pay Order facilities of the teachers.
They say that government cannot cancel MPO facilities of the schools, or approval and academic permission of the schools and intermediate colleges, or shut down such institutions for zero pass rate and results below par in the absence of a law.
The education sector is now running on notifications, circulars, office orders etc, which leaves the government without any legal power to shut down or take stern actions against any educational institutes.
‘We cannot take stern actions like shutting down the low performing educational institutes in absence of a law,’ education minister Nurul Islam Nahid has said.
‘If we close down or cancel MPO facilities and approval, they go to court and get back the facilities,’ he explains.
‘We will have a provision in the upcoming education act for taking actions against low performing educational institutes,’ he, however, assured while talking to New Age.
HSC results of the past three years show pass rate between 70 to 78 per cent but in 2016 none from 25 intermediate colleges and madrassahs had passed the exam, in 2015 none from 35 and in 2014 none from 24 educational institutions passed the exam.
Beside, 862 educational institutes witnessed less than 50 per cent pass in 2016 while 1,236 educational institutes in 2015 and 548 educational institutions in 2014 had pass rate less than 50 per cent in the HSC exams.
Although pass rate of SSC hovers between 80 to 90 per cent in between 2012 and 2016, none from 53 schools and madrasshas in 2016, from 47 in 2015 and from 24 in 2014 could pass the SSC and equivalent exams, officials gave said.
On the other hand, 875 educational institutes in 2016, 947 in 2015 and 553 in 2014 had less than 50 per cent pass rate.
Majority of the educational institutes having results below par are from rural areas and the government should take stern actions to set example and caution the teachers of less performing schools.
‘No one passing the exams from an educational institution and the results being below par are a big concern for us,’ the minister said.
‘It is waste of public money; we cannot afford loss for long,’ he added. | http://newagebd.net/248667/lack-law-lets-low-scoring-ednl-instts-go-unpunished/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/2b89c9780b80edb2352990d311d9e3ad4e48d35990990ba4e8d3d73b74580dd0.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-29T18:55:42 | null | 2016-08-30T00:35:10 | Two suspected members of banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh were killed in a ‘gunfight’ between police and suspected JMB members at Noylapara under Sherpur police station in Bogra early Monday... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249228%2Fjmb-regional-commander-aide-killed-gunfight%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | JMB regional commander, aide killed in ‘gunfight’ | null | null | newagebd.net | Two suspected members of banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh were killed in a ‘gunfight’ between police and suspected JMB members at Noylapara under Sherpur police station in Bogra early Monday.
One of the victims was identified as Md Khaled Hasssan alias Badar Mama, 30, son of Enamul Huq of Hanifpur under Nochol upazila in Chapainawabganj. He was the northern region commander of JMB.
The other was identified as Md Ripon, 28, of Boalia in Rajshahi city and a close aide to Badar Mama, police said.
Bogra senior assistant superintendent of police (media) Gaziur Rahman said that Badar Mama was wanted in several cases, including those for attempting to kill physician Piyari in Dinajpur, attack on Kantaji and ISCON temples and robbery at a petrol pump.
He said that the killing Rajshahi University English department professor AFM Rezaul Karim Siddiqui was planned in Ripon’s residence and the extremists killed the teacher immediately after coming out of Ripon’s house.
Bogra assistant superintendent of police ( B Circle) Md Gaziur Rahman told New Age that police had information that a team of five or six JMB members, led by its southern regional commander Badar Mama, would pass through Sherpur to carry out subversive activities anywhere in the country.
A police team took position at Noylapara about 3:30am on Monday and the JMB members, on reaching the area and sensing presence of police, opened fire on the police car, he said, adding that police also retaliated by firing.
After about 15 minutes’ gunfight, police as well as locals found two people seriously injured in a roadside bush, he said, adding that the duo was immediately taken to Shaheed Zia Medical College Hospital where on-duty doctors declared them dead.
The ASP said that they also recovered one foreign-made pistol, four bullets, grenade making materials and black tapes from the spot.
Two police constables were injured in the incident and they were now undergoing treatment at the Bogra Police Lines Hospital, he said. | http://newagebd.net/249228/jmb-regional-commander-aide-killed-gunfight/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/fd18b08b702843703088d18df7d1ea534d84c6321160d123e39a4fd68f62cd31.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-31T08:52:02 | null | 2016-08-31T10:50:26 | The dawn-to-dusk general strike enforced by the Jamaat-e-Islami protesting the Supreme Court order upholding its leader Mir Quasem Ali’s death penalty is... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249478%2Fjamaats-hartal-gets-no-response%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Hartal-jamaat-topkhana-road.jpg | en | null | Jamaat’s hartal gets no response | null | null | newagebd.net | The dawn-to-dusk general strike enforced by the Jamaat-e-Islami protesting the Supreme Court order upholding its leader Mir Quasem Ali’s death penalty is underway across the country having almost no impact on the people’s routine life.
In the capital, traffic remained as usual on the streets. Office-goers and others were seen heading towards their workplaces and destinations facing no troubles.
Additional police personnel remained deployed in various points to avert any
untoward incident.
The shutdown also got almost no response in other divisions, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Train communications were normal.
In a statement, Jamaat acting secretary general Shafiqur Rahman announced the shutdown after the Appellate Division rejected war criminal Mir Quasem Ali’s review petition against its previous verdict in favour of his death penalty awarded by the International Crimes Tribunal.
The hartal that began at 6:00am and will end at 6:00pm is also meant for registering protest against the arrest of Jamaat’s top leaders and demanding release of those arrested.
Ambulances, vehicles of press and those on fire service, hospital and other emergency services will be out of the purview of the shutdown, said the statement. | http://newagebd.net/249478/jamaats-hartal-gets-no-response/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/732e4efbb2d0a7089d2ecc8ef5e5b3890a09456ea8655b7799edf2da183fb2dc.json |
[
"Anwar Uz Zaman",
"Billy Ahmed"
] | 2016-08-28T18:53:23 | null | 2016-08-29T00:20:06 | The Border Guard Bangladesh recovered 3.25kilograms of heroin from Raninagar of Godagari in Rajshahi on Saturday night. The BGB, in a press release, said that acting on a tip-off, they conducted a drive in the area and recovered the drugs. None was arrested, the release said, adding that a case was filed... | http%3A%2F%2Fnewagebd.net%2F249022%2Fheroin-seized-rajshahi-2%2F.json | http://newagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Logo-NA-light-200.jpg | en | null | Heroin seized in Rajshahi | null | null | newagebd.net | The Border Guard Bangladesh recovered 3.25kilograms of heroin from Raninagar of Godagari in Rajshahi on Saturday night. The BGB, in a press release, said that acting on a tip-off, they conducted a drive in the area and recovered the drugs. None was arrested, the release said, adding that a case was filed. | http://newagebd.net/249022/heroin-seized-rajshahi-2/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | newagebd.net/de1ff134d2af829d3c7fb6351ecdf39d0f042e107a71a3a8a5c83502bb44f454.json |
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