Challenge remains in minimising urban-rural disparity
The proposed national budget for 2016-17 has seen a slight rise in allocation for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector, however, the challenge remains in minimising urban-rural disparity. Per capita allocation in urban area is Tk 1,121 against Tk 55 for the rural. A massive 86% of the WASH allocation has been earmarked for big cities.
Good news is a project amounting Tk 500 crore has been proposed for hard-to-reach areas, however, it is yet to be funded. Although three new special projects for remote and disadvantaged communities and arsenic-prone areas has been proposed but no allocation has 
BNCC draft gets cabinet nods
The cabinet has given final approval to the draft of “The Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) Act-2016” and a proposal for ratification of the WTO agreement on trade facilitation.
The approval was given in the weekly meeting of the cabinet held at the cabinet room of Jatiya Sangsad with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters later at Bangladesh Secretariat, cabinet secretary M Shafiul Alam said the draft on BNCC proposed for giving legal shape to the organization which is entrusted with the task of grooming youths from educational institutions as future leaders.
China to boost regional coop for economic growth
The six-day 4th China-South Asia Expo (CSA) and the 24th China Kunming Import and Export Commodities Fair kicked off in Kunming today (Sunday), with the Chinese authorities pledging more support to South Asian and Southeast Asian countries in promoting trade and investment.
The colourful ceremony was held at the Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Centre, overlooking the tall reeds in the Wujiatang Wetland Park of the Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province.
The function hall was packed with invited people from different provinces of China and the 
Victorious Clinton claims historic ‘milestone’ for women
Hillary Clinton declared a historic victory for women Tuesday as she grasped the Democratic party nomination and the chance to become America’s first female president.
“Thanks to you, we’ve reached a milestone,” an ecstatic Clinton told roaring supporters in New York, “the first time in our nation’s history that a woman will be a major party’s nominee.”
The former first lady took a monumental step back toward the White House by winning New Jersey, one of six states voting in the last major date of the 2016 primary calendar.
The triumph came almost eight years to the day since Clinton’s first bid for the Oval Office bid was spectacularly thwarted by a charismatic young senator called Barack Obama.
Two terms later, the 68-year-old declared another glass ceiling broken and set ...
US envoy calls on BB governor
United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat today paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir at his office in the city.
"Bernicat met BB governor at noon. It was a courtesy call," chief spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank Subhankar Saha told BSS.
Saha, also an executive director of the bank said, "It was the first meeting of Bernicat with Fazle Kabir as Governor of Bangladesh Bank."
Senior officials of Bangladesh Bank attended the meeting, he added.
"Bernicat met BB governor at noon. It was a courtesy call," chief spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank Subhankar Saha told BSS.
Saha, also an executive director of the bank said, "It was the first meeting of Bernicat with Fazle Kabir as Governor of Bangladesh Bank."
Senior officials of Bangladesh Bank attended the meeting, he added.
2nd death anniversary of Mahbubul Alam
Tomorrow (June 06, 2016) is the second death anniversary of Mahbubul Alam, former editor of English daily The Independent.
Alam, also a former caretaker government adviser, began his journalism career in the mid-1950s and was deeply associated with the profession till his death. He passed away in 2014 
at the age of 78.
The veteran journalist also worked as minister (press) at the Bangladesh mission in Washington DC and London and as Bangladeshi ambassador to Bhutan.
He was also managing directo...
at the age of 78.
The veteran journalist also worked as minister (press) at the Bangladesh mission in Washington DC and London and as Bangladeshi ambassador to Bhutan.
He was also managing directo...
