Press freedom waning in Bangladesh
A recent report published by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) observed that the dividing line between politics and journalism is “more blurred than ever” in Bangladesh. The report identified nine countries, Bangladesh among them, as experiencing a decline in press freedoms. It noted that journalists in Bangladesh were “attacked from all sides” during the political turmoil of 2013. The report further pointed out the conflict dates back to the country’s secession from Pakistan in 1971.
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Maiden Ticfa meeting in April-end
The first meeting under the Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (Ticfa) between Dhaka and Washington will be held in the last week of April next, said an official on Monday, reports UNB.
“The meeting will be held in the last week of April as proposed by the US side,” Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed told UNB.
The maiden meeting of Ticfa was originally scheduled for April 7-8 but postponed as both sides did not find the schedule convenient due to other engagements.
Both sides are now working to set specific dates for the two-day meeting through a mutual understandi...
Both sides are now working to set specific dates for the two-day meeting through a mutual understandi...
Bangabandhu’s birth anniv being observed
The 94th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is being observed across the country in a befitting manner today (Monday).
Apart, the day is also being marked as the National Children’s Day. The day is a public holiday.
On March 17 in 1920, the architect of the nation was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj district.
Through his dynamic leadership, Bangabandhu organised the Bengali nation to fight against exploitation and repression by Pakistani rulers, which culminated in...
Apart, the day is also being marked as the National Children’s Day. The day is a public holiday.
On March 17 in 1920, the architect of the nation was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj district.
Through his dynamic leadership, Bangabandhu organised the Bengali nation to fight against exploitation and repression by Pakistani rulers, which culminated in...
Dhaka – a growing high-end market
Dhaka is ranked as one of the least liveable cities in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. Similarly, foreign visitors are sometimes left aghast at how, in Malthusian terms, the capital of Bangladesh manages to survive. Yet this host city for the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup has, some would say, not only survived but prospered in recent years.
“If you brought a property in Dhanmondi [one of the most affluent residential areas in Dhaka] for 6.45m taka [$83,000] in 2005, that would have increased five or six times by now,” says Kazi Inam Ahmed, owner of GemconCity, a new estate agency.
No hope from India over Teesta water
Bangladesh has made a strong pitch for releasing more waters from the Gajoldoba reservoir of the Teesta in Jalpaiguri district to augment its flow into the country.
The Bangladeshi delegation at the two-day Indo-Bangladesh Joint Committee Meeting that concluded here on Wednesday highlighted the plight of farmers and fishermen suffering due to the Teesta shrinking to a tenth of its normal flow as it enters Bangladesh. But, no assurances were given from the Indian side, which only said that Bangladesh's "concerns have been noted".
1,500 factories to be inspected by August
About 1,500 factories in Bangladesh are on track to be inspected by the end of August as part of a five-year safety pact signed by more than 150 clothing brands and 20 countries, according to organizers of the agreement.
In a conference call Monday, organizers said inspections were performed on 10 factories last November and December, and by the end of March, 250 inspections will have been completed. About 250 inspections are expected to be conducted each month. The inspections have started with the high-risk buildings that have more than five floors, reports AP.
