Here is a brief recap on newsworthy events that took place at home and abroad until Sunday morning
Two Yaba traders killed in ‘gunfight’ with RAB
Two Yaba traders were killed during an alleged “gunfight” with Rapid Action Battalion at National Park area under Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar early Sunday.
The deceased are Zahed Hossain Jaku, 30, and Md Farid, 26.
South Korean PM quits over ferry disaster
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won announced his resignation on Sunday over the government response to the ferry disaster, in which it was first announced that everyone had been rescued, focusing attention on poor regulatory controls.
Muhith slams US for interference in internal affairs
Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday criticised the US for interference in many internal affairs of Bangladesh, despite giving only a “very small” amount of aid to the country.
Terming the US practice “indecent,” Muhith said the amount of annual US aid was around $150m-$200m, which was far less than what Japan provided.
Police on high alert to foil likely violence after Sayedee verdict
The law enforcement agencies are on high alert to avert any kind of destructive activities the activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its students’ wing Islami Chhatra Shibir will presumably carry out following the Appellate Division verdict in Delawar Hossain Sayedee appeals case.
Bangabhaban life is not always pleasurable
President Abdul Hamid has said the regulated and relatively secluded life of Bangabhaban, the presidential palace, appeared always "not pleasurable" as it debarred him from usual socialization with people at the grassroots.
He said: "Actually this place (Bangabhaban) is not always pleasurable for a highly political person... I mean someone (like me) who comes from grassroots politics."
Jamaat raises fund for demonstration at hand
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is reportedly raising fund for “massive demonstration” to be held if the appellate division verdict goes against war criminal Delawar Hossain Sayedee.
Jamaat has already formed a committee namely “Sayedee Mukti Sangram Parishad” comprised of Islami Chhatra Shibir activists and other sympathisers.
17,500 RMG workers lose jobs following inspection
Some 17,500 workers became jobless following the closure of 16 garment factories in Dhaka after the inspection by Accord, an association of European garment buyers.
Disclosing the figure, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Atiqul Islam yesterday apprehended that the number of jobless garment workers would reach 100,000 in next three months and 500,000 in next 5 months if the inspection continued.
Bangladesh ranks 31st in Hopkins professor's index
Bangladesh has been ranked 31st among 90 countries in an index, a research by a professor at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
The index was calculated by summing the unemployment rate, lending rate and inflation rate minus the percent change in real GDP per capita, author Hanke said in his paper.
Sher-e-Bangla: The Tiger of Bengal
The three-storied picturesque 19th-century-mansion that once stood on a corner of a total land area of over 5 bigha, surrounded by a pond on one side, at 27, KM Das Lane, Tikatuli, was our permanent residence until the mid-90s, where we spent most of our halcyon days of childhood, and where the fond memories now lie buried under its high-rise condominiums.
Prospects bleak for BNP grassroots
The top brass might be telling everyone to not be frustrated and keep spirits high, but the grassroots BNP leaders and activists – the force that should be driving the party – do not see anything to be enthusiastic about; at least not for the time being.
On many occasions in recent times, the grassroots leaders and activists of the party have vented their discontent in front of the senior leaders.
