Page 5 - Dhaka

India issues travel advisory for nationals in Bangladesh amid quota unrest

The clashes in Bangladesh arose from calls to reform the nation's civil service quota system, which allocates positions for certain groups, including descendants of those involved in the 1971 war

Dhaka University closed indefinitely; students asked to vacate dorms

Authorities at the premier Dhaka University on Wednesday announced an indefinite closure of the institution after ongoing protests demanding reforms in the quota system in government jobs turned violent and left at least six people, including three students, dead across the country. The students have been asked to vacate their dormitories by 6 pm on Wednesday. This decision was taken at an emergency syndicate meeting at the office of Vice Chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal, Pro-VC (Academic) Prof Sitesh C Bachar was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune. "Considering the security of the students, we have decided to close the university indefinitely and evacuate the halls," Bachar told The Daily Star. However, students of the university are protesting the decision, and they have thronged the VC's residence, the report added. At least six people, including three students, were killed and more than 100 others injured on Tuesday after protesters demanded quota reforms in public service and .

'Upset' Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina cuts short her China visit: Report

China reportedly promised Dhaka $5 billion in loan assistance ahead of the visit. The eventual outcome of deal amounted to $100 mn

Railway min urged to introduce train services on Agartala-Kolkata route

Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting him to introduce train services from Agartala to Kolkata via Bangladesh's capital Dhaka. He also urged the central minister to commence train services from Agartala to Chittagong in the neighbouring country through the railway tracks between the capital of Tripura and Akhaura in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina had virtually inaugurated the Agartala-Akhaura railway link in November last year. However, train services on this route have not been introduced till now, Chowdhury said. "Under your stewardship, we have witnessed significant strides in enhancing the efficiency, safety and reach of our railway network. I request you to introduce the passenger and goods train service from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka and Agartala to Chittagong through the newly inaugurated railway track between Agartala and Akhaura (Bangladesh)," ...

Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus indicted on embezzlement charges

A Dhaka court on Wednesday indicted Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and 13 others for embezzling more than USD two million from the dividends of the employees of a telecom company. Judge Syed Arafat Hossain of Dhaka Special Judge Court 4 rejected a plea for the dismissal of charges by the accused and ordered the indictment. Judge Hossain read out the charges as Dr Yunus and the co-accused were on the dock and fixed the date for starting the trial hearing on July 15, a prosecution lawyer said. Counsels for Yunus, 83, and the 13 others accused all currently on bail pleaded not guilty and demanded exemption of the clients but the court rejected the plea saying the charges brought against the accused were primarily proved and thus, charges were framed against them. Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for pioneering microcredit to help impoverished people, especially women, while the Grameen Bank, which he had founded, also secured the prize on the same occasion.

Bangladesh Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus granted bail in embezzlement case

Senior Special Judge Ash-Shams Joglul Hossain of Dhaka Metropolitan passed the order after Yunus surrendered before the court and applied for bail

Police arrest 3 in connection with deadly fire at Dhaka shopping mall

Bangladesh police have arrested three persons, including two owners of a restaurant, in connection with the massive fire that broke out at a shopping mall in the capital Dhaka that killed at least 46 people. The fire broke out around 9:50 pm on Thursday at the restaurant named Kacchi Bhai on the first floor of the building, Green Cozy Cottage, and quickly spread to the upper floors that had more restaurants and a garment shop, according to fire service officials. Two owners of an eatery called Chumuk and the manager of Kacchi Bhai restaurant were arrested on Friday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Kh Mahid Uddin said. He said, The fire started from the food shop on the ground floor of the building. The police will file a case over negligence in connection with the deaths in the fire incident. Besides, anyone from the victim's family can file a case if they want, said the police official. At least 46 people were killed, and over 20 others sustained severe injuries

Fire at seven-storey building in Bangladesh's capital kills at least 44

A fire at a seven-storey building in the central part of the Bangladesh capital overnight has killed at least 43 people and left 22 others injured, Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen said on Friday. The condition of those injured is "critical", he told reporters at a briefing here at 2 am. The fire broke out around 9:50 pm on Thursday at a restaurant on the building's first floor and quickly spread to the upper floors that had more restaurants and a garment shop, according to fire service officials. They said 75 people, including 42 in unconscious state, were taken out of the seven-storey building. Thirteen fire service units were mobilised, the officials said. "Thirty-three people died at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and 10 at (the nearby) Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery," Sen said. The minister, a burn wound specialist, said 22 people are being treated at both the health facilities and their condition is "critical". "The respiratory sys

Sheikh Hasina govt's 36-member new cabinet set to take oath today

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won the Gopalganj-3 constituency in a landslide victory, her eighth term as a Member of Parliament and fifth term as the PM

PM Sheikh Hasina pays homage to Bangabandhu after election victory

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday paid glowing tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after her party's landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary election. The 76-year-old leader, ruling the nation since 2009, won a fifth overall term in the one-sided election on Sunday, which witnessed a low turnout. She paid homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu inside the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Mujibur Rahman's younger daughter and the prime minister's younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, later also separately placed a wreath at the portrait. The prime minister's daughter Saima Wazed and Sheikh Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq were present on the occasion. After laying the wreath, Sheikh Hasina stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memory of Bangabandhu, who was assassinated on August 15, 1975. Earlier in the morning, the prime minister along with her

Bangladesh elections: Counting begins amid boycott by main opposition BNP

Bangladeshis on Sunday turned up in low numbers to cast their votes for the general elections likely to be won by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for a fourth straight term, amid sporadic violence and a boycott by the main opposition party BNP and its allies. The turnout for the 12th national parliamentary election has only been 27.15 per cent as of 3 pm, Election Commission Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said. The voters' turnout was highest in (southwestern) Khulna division with 32 per cent of people casting their votes. The lowest turnout was reported from (northeastern) Sylhet division where the figure was 22 per cent during this time, an election commission spokesman said. Voting has been suspended at seven polling centres over irregularities, he said. The polls opened at 8:00 am and ended at 4 pm (local time). The usual election-day fervour was nowhere to be seen. Even in front of the election campaign booths, there was no presence of voters except the ruling party-backed supporte

At least 14 polling centres, 2 schools torched in B'desh ahead of elections

Bangladesh is set to hold elections on January 7

3 EC members from India reach Dhaka to observe Jan 7 Bangladesh polls

More than 100 foreign observers, including three from India, reached Dhaka on Friday to monitor Sunday's general election in Bangladesh boycotted by the main Opposition party which has called for a 48-hour nationwide general strike. Foreign Ministry officials said a three-member delegation from the Election Commission of India reached Dhaka on Friday while 122 others from different countries were set to be here ahead of the January 7 polls, which the United Nations said would watch closely. "So far 60 foreign observers or experts have arrived here and all together 127 have scheduled to come. Besides, 73 foreign journalists have received accreditations and among them, 17 have already arrived," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told reporters late Thursday. He said the observers will monitor the polls in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. But we have suggested to them that they choose the destinations having air connectivity (for convenience)," the foreign secretary said

PM Modi lauds Dhaka for shouldering the burden of Rohingya refugees

Bangladesh has been asking India to lean on Myanmar to repatriate the people who took refuge in the country to escape persecution after a military clampdown in 2017

Air India to start Delhi-Dhaka direct flights from Sep 15 using Airbus A320

Air India on Thursday said it will start direct flights between Delhi and Dhaka from September 15. The airline already operates flights between Kolkata and Dhaka. According to a statement, the flights between Delhi and Dhaka will be operated four times a week, using narrow body Airbus A320 aircraft. The bookings for the flights commenced on Thursday. Air India said the additional frequencies will help serve the increased demand for international travel to and from Dhaka on the back of Bangladesh's rapid economic growth and overall development. With four additional weekly flights from Delhi, Air India offers enhanced frequency to Dhaka, enabling convenient connections via Delhi to and/or from 14 destinations in India and 14 destinations across North America, UK, Australia, the Middle East, and the Far East, the airline said.

Bangladesh govt takes back 'extra security' to India, 3 other envoys

The attack killed 20 people - 17 foreigners, including an Indian girl. Most of the other foreigners killed in the attack were Japanese and Italians

Jaishankar meets Nepalese counterpart in Dhaka, discusses way to boost ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Nepali counterpart Narayan Prakash Saud for the first time here on Friday and discussed ways to boost bilateral ties in energy, trade, connectivity and hydroelectricity. The two ministers met on the sidelines of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference being held in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka. "A good first meeting with FM N.P. Saud of Nepal. Congratulated him on his new responsibility. Discussed further steps in our steadily expanding partnership. Spoke about energy, connectivity, and our enduring people-to-people ties," Jaishankar tweeted. The two ministers expressed satisfaction over the excellent state of Nepal-India relations and discussed ways to further consolidate cooperation in the areas of trade, transit, connectivity, and hydroelectricity, among others, Nepal's embassy in Dhaka said. Saud assumed the office of the Foreign Minister of Nepal on April 16. Jaishankar is in Dhaka to participate in the 6th edition of the Indian Ocean ...

Garment factories in Bangladesh at increased fire risk as temperatures soar

A severe heat wave, with temperatures touching 42 degrees Celsius, is sweeping parts of Bangladesh and is likely to continue, according to the Met Office

Massive fire erupts at Bangladesh's biggest wholesale market in Dhaka

A massive fire erupted at the Bangabazar in Dhaka -- the biggest wholesale market in Bangladesh, officials said, adding that that the blaze has spread to more than six buildings

16 killed, over 100 injured as explosion rocks building in Dhaka

At least eight people were killed and over 100 others injured on Tuesday in an explosion at a seven-storey building here in Bangladesh's capital, police said. Five firefighting units were rushed to the spot after the blast, which occurred around 4:50 pm (local time), the bdnews24 news portal reported, citing the fire service control room. The cause of the explosion could not be known immediately. The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said DMCH police outpost Inspector Bacchu Miah. He added that all of them were receiving treatment at the hospital's emergency unit. The building has several stores for sanitary products on the bottom floor and a branch of BRAC Bank was located in the building adjacent to it. The blast shattered the glass walls of the bank and also damaged a bus standing on the opposite side of the road, reports said.