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Britain urges Bangladesh to lift state of emergency: UK-Bangla terrorist outfits have links, claims Smith
Staff Reporter
British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith yesterday urged the caretaker government to lift the state of emergency ahead of parliamentary elections planned by the end of the current year.
"Achieving democracy is vital for Bangladesh's future stability," she told a crowded press conference at the British High Commissioner's residence in the city.
British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury and Director of the UK Border Agency Mark Sedwill were present at the press conference.
The British Home Secretary arrived in Dhaka late on Tuesday on a three-day visit to discuss the forthcoming election and other bilateral issues.  |
Food crisis won’t go without agri dev: Round table in city told Staff Reporter
Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman Wednesday stressed increased investment in the agriculture sector.
"We've been neglecting the agriculture since the 80s although it's the backbone of our economy. Investment in this sector has significantly decreased over years. Such negligence must be stopped right now," he said.
He was addressing a roundtable conference on "Food safety and Modernisation of Farm Management" at the BRAC Center yesterday in the capital, jointly organised by BRACK and Weekly 2000. |
Delwar sets conditions, Hafiz to have talks: AL demands Hasina’s release before dialogue
Shahidul Islam
The Government is expected to abandon its plan to hold a joint formal dialogue with all political parties, as the Awami League and Jatiya Party (Ershad) have categorically refused to sit for such a (joint) meeting, if leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami and war criminals were invited.
Instead, the formal dialogue would be held bilaterally with each party separately like that of the two earlier rounds of parleys held between the Election Commission (EC) and politicians, sources close to the Political Committee of Council of Advisers told The New Nation last night after their informal meeting with the leaders of Jatiya Party (Ershad) yesterday. |
Pahela Boishakh to be celebrated in New York
BSS, New York
Various socio-cultural organisations are taking preparations to celebrate 'Pahela Boishakh', the first day of Bengali New Year, here.
The main function of Pahela Boishakh will be organized by Dramas Circle, New York. This organization has been organizing Bengali New Year celebrations for more than a decade.
The Drama Circle is taking preparations to hold a function at Dhaka Club in New York on April 13, the day before Pahela Boishakh, to celebrate the first hour of the Bengali calendar year.
The programme will begin at 7 pm local time and continue till midnight. |
New US envoy James Moriarty arrives today
Staff Reporter
The US Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh, James F. Moriarty, arrives Dhaka today (Thursday) to take up his new assignment.
Ambassador Moriarty was nominated by President Bush on September 5, 2007 and confirmed by the US Senate on March 13. He was sworn-in by Secretary of State Rice in Washington on March 26.
Ambassador Moriarty is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, rank of Minister-Counselor.
Prior to this assignment, he served as US Ambassador to Nepal between 2004 and 2007. |
No doubt about polls after Gen Moeen’s word: Ershad Desk Report
Former president Hussain Mohammad Ershad said all negative speculations on the general election have been defused after the Army Chief reassured the editors and senior journalists of different media at a meeting on Tuesday.
Ershad was speaking at a function organised by Jatiya Jubo Sanghati at a city hotel yesterday to mark their 25th founding anniversary.
He said, "We want a free, fair and credible election to establish a democratic government and to do so, the political leaders should change their mentality and political culture. |
Month-long handloom fair opens
Staff Reporter
The month-long Hand Loom Textile Fair-2008 began at the premises of the Shilpakala Academy in the city yesterday marking the Independence and National day-2008.
Adviser Anwarul Iqbal, Textile and Jute Ministry, inaugurated the fair organised by the Bangladesh Weaving Board.
Anwarul Iqbal said weavers would be allocated space at the union level farmers' market to be opened in each union of the country.
He said the products of the handloom sector have been able to earn praise abroad. |
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Internet Edition. April 10, 2008, Updated: Bangladesh Time 12:00 AM 
