The government has initiated a process for yet another round of promotion in the civil bureaucracy just six months before the next general elections although there are no vacancies in the approved organogram. Around 600 aspirants from three batches—1984, 1985 and 1986—of the Bangladesh Civil Service have come under the scrutiny of the Superior Selection Board for promotion to rank […]

Authorities concerned have failed to trace or confirm whether Kalpana Chakma, who was kidnapped 17 years ago, even after several police investigations and reinvestigation by the Criminal Investigation Department and the police. Kalpana, organising secretary of the Hill Women’s Federation, was abducted from her village home at Natun Lalyaghona, Baghaichari in Rangamati on June 12, 1996 several hours before the […]

The parliament on Tuesday passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill-2013 which would allow the courts to accept videos, still photographs, and audio clips used in facebook, twitter, skype and other social media for trial of cases. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party staged its fourth walkout from the House since June 3 protesting the passage of the ‘controversial’ anti-terror law. At least 15 opposition […]

The home minister, Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, on Tuesday said that the government could consider granting permission if the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party would seek to hold rallies ‘inside boundary walls or in office.’ ‘The government will not allow the opposition to practice the so-called democracy by creating sufferings to people, killing law enforcers and damaging public property in the name […]

The authorities concerned are yet to significantly improve fire safety system in apparel factories because of lax oversight, exposing thousands of workers to threat, even after the recurrence of fire incidents. The officials concerned, however, blamed the lack of manpower and logistic supports in their inspection that allowed the factory owners to continue with their apparel production amid poor fire […]

Global clothing companies must work with governments and local groups to improve factory safety and working conditions, the Bangladesh, Cambodia and Indonesia chapters of Transparency International said in a joint statement on Tuesday. Media reports that some companies are turning away from Bangladesh send the wrong signal about their commitment to worker’s rights and fighting corruption, the three TI chapters […]

A wave of violence, mostly in Sunni areas of Iraq, killed at least 70 people on Monday, shattering hopes that tensions had been eased by a recent series of symbolic political gestures. The attacks, which left more than 230 people wounded, are the latest in a surge in bloodshed that, coupled with a long-running political paralysis, has stoked fears of […]

A Taliban suicide car bomber on Tuesday targeted staff at Afghanistan’s top court, killing 15 civilians and wounding 40 others in the second attack in two days in the heavily fortified capital, the police said. Women and children were among those killed and injured in the powerful explosion at the entrance to the Supreme Court, near the US embassy as […]

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has permitted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan instead of Naya Paltan on Wednesday. Dhaka city BNP member-secretary Abdus Salam told New Age that DMP commissioner had given them permission to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on the western side of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. In reply to a question, […]

The High Court on Tuesday directed the government and the Anti-Corruption Commission to explain in two days why Ghulam Rahman has still been serving as chairman of the ACC after expiry of his tenure on May 1 this year. The High Court also wanted to know from Ghulam Rahman why he would not be directed to refund salaries and other […]