Here is a brief recap of the news items across the world until Wednesday morning
TIB: 47% cooperative societies ineffective
Pointing out a number of flaws in the activities of the Department of Cooperatives under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report has termed 47% of the cooperative societies ineffective.
The report titled “Cooperative society management: Challenges and solutions for good governance” was revealed at a press conference held in the capital’s Mohakhali, yesterday.
Partial trade union facilities in EPZs
Workers of the export processing zones (EPZs) in the country now have partial trade union privileges as the government has not extended Industrial Relations Act 2010, which restricted EPZ workers’ demonstration rights.
With the law having expired on December 31 last year, the government has since allowed EPZ workers to go on strike as part of its steps to meet the conditions outlined by the US government for reinstating GSP facilities to Bangladesh.
KSA toughens stance on illegal immigrants
Punishment for violations include fines up to SR100,000 (approximately Tk20.7 lakh), jail terms up to two years, a recruitment ban and deportation
A section of Bangladeshis expatriates were likely to be affected as Saudi Arabia on Monday announced tough punishment for expats violating the country’s residency, labour and business regulations.
Birdem doctors protest ‘assult,’ causing patients to suffer
Doctors at Birdem Hospital went on strike yesterday morning protesting an alleged attack on their colleagues by the family of a patient who had died on Sunday night.
The doctors said they would not attend patients until the attackers were brought to book. However, the hospital’s emergency wing, Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) continued its operations.
Toughest time for Teesta farmers
The boro paddy growers in Bangladesh’s north are struggling with irrigation this season because India has been reportedly holding back more water than ever to irrigate an expanded stretch of arable land on the Teesta basin.
These growers are having to resort to expensive extraction of underground water using shallow pumps. Farmers say irrigation with underground water is over 12 times more expensive that irrigation with river water.
‘Better sexual strength’ lures urban male
A large section of Bangladeshi urban male – especially those from the low-income groups – tend to consult quacks instead of qualified physicians, especially about problems related to sexuality; and the trend has been on the rise.
Everyone, who has ever travelled by a commercial bus must have come across women in burqa – a veil worn mostly by Muslim women – standing at busy intersections and throwing in small leaflets through the windows.
Indian national put on remand
A Dhaka court on Monday placed Indian national Atanu Datto (40) on a one-day remand for interrogation.
Atanu Datta, son of Manindra Datta from Dinesh Palli Municipal Park, South 24 Pargana district in West Bengal, came to Bangladesh on March 15 last month.
Fakhrul backs Tarique’s claim
Ruling Awami League leaders have been out to malign BNP’s Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman for speaking the historical truth, said party’s acting Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday.
Earlier on March 25, Tarique claimed in London that late President Ziaur Rahman, also his father, was the first president of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the illegal prime minister.
Over 100 MPs yet to submit poll expenditure returns
The Election Commission has asked the authority concerned to file cases against those who stood as candidates in the 10th parliamentary elections, but did not submit their election expenditure returns in time.
The commission has also asked them to inform it as to how many candidates submitted their expenditure returns within the stipulated time and how many cases have been filed against the candidates for not to submit their expenditure returns.
Online media operation policy finalised
The government has finalised the draft of the Online Media Operation Policy keeping a provision that makes it mandatory for all operators to obtain a license for TK5 lakh and make a payment of TK2 lakh as earnest money.
The license holder online operators will be able to publish advertisement only 20% of their total contents on their portal or website. They have also to deposit 2% of the total advertisement bill in the government treasury.
Youth allegedly killed for conflict of amour
A youth was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death by his friends over conflicts of love affairs in the Mohammadpur of capital area Tuesday night.
The deceased was identified as Mehedi Hassan Apu, 20, a filter water supplier, son of late Abdul Mazid, of Atibazar of Washpur of Keranigaj.
14 to face contempt rule
The High Court yesterday issued a rule seeking explanation in two weeks as to why 14 former and present government officials including the industries secretary should not be punished for contempt of court for their failure to implement its judgment on relocation of tanneries from capital’s Hazaribagh.
Gonojagoron Moncho faction activist stabbed in capital
An activist from a faction of Gonojagoron Moncho was stabbed and injured by some unidentified miscreants in the Kathalbagan area of the capital, yesterday. The attack allegedly followed a conflict between factions of the Gonoganoron Moncho led by Kamal Pasha Chowdhury and Imran H Sarkar.
The victim, Shishir Ahmed, was admitted to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Third security dialogue with US next week
The third security dialogue between Bangladesh and the US to be held on April 22 will discuss wide ranges of political and military issues to broaden and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Prosecution: Khokon Razakar burnt people alive
During the second day of placing closing arguments against BNP leader Zahid Hossain alias Khokon Razakar, the prosecution yesterday pointed out Khokon’s viciousness during the war, mentioning that Khokon – who is currently facing charges of committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War – had burned people alive in 1971.
Son witnessed his father’s death at Subhan’s hand
The second prosecution witness in the war crimes case against Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Abdus Subhan yesterday testified before the ICT 2, who claimed that he witnessed the death of his father at the hands of the accused.
270,000 migrant workers deported in last six years
After being illegal or failure to pass through immigration in destination countries, a total of 270,000 migrant workers were sent back home in last six years since 2008.
Officials at Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) said these migrant workers were forced to return home. But the government has no mechanism to keep statistical data on regular returnees, they added.
