The government has taken a decision to shed 150-200MW of power in Dhaka city from midnight to 9:00am to meet the demand of electricity for irrigation during Boro season.

The construction work of Syedabad Water Treatment Plant phase-2 is to start in the first week of April.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the people to remain alert and united so that the process of the trial of war criminals cannot be disrupted under any circumstances.

A male student stabbed a female classmate and her parents after holding them hostage at their Kalabagan residence for ransom in the city yesterday.

The government is drawing up an even more ambitious ADP for the coming fiscal year to meet the lawmakers' demands for development work in their constituencies.

Local miners of Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) called off their strike early Saturday and returned to work at 12:00 noon as the authorities acceded to their demands.

Irrigation and Waterways Minister of West Bengal Subhash Naskar yesterday inaugurated dredging of the common river Ichhamati.

Ziaur Rahman was the first president of Bangladesh, as he took charge of the country after proclaiming independence in 1971, senior BNP leaders claimed yesterday.

The war crimes tribunal will start working from tomorrow at the old High Court building, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said yesterday.

The members of BCS (Education) will observe a daylong countrywide abstention from work on March 29 demanding immediate arrest of and punishment to the killers of Harun Ur Rashid, a Sylhet Government Women's College teacher.

An 'accomplice' of the two absconding accused in Wednesday's double murder at Gulshan in the capital was arrested yesterday.

In a resolution passed on Thursday, the US House of Representatives urged the Bangladesh government to work together with all political leaders to continue and deepen reconciliation.

Dhaka City Corporation launched a drive to remove illegal billboards from roadside shops and markets in Dhanmondi area last night.

Earth Hour was observed worldwide, turning off lights at 8:30pm for one hour yesterday, to send a powerful message to the global leaders about environmental awareness and caring for the planet.

A two-day international experts roundtable on the implications of climate change in South Asia begins in Dhaka city today.

Chairmen and vice-chairmen of upazila parishads threatened tough movements if their demands are not met immediately.

Two carjackers stole a private car in the city's Gulshan area on Friday.

They plan to launch a demonstration of their "CubeSail" next year. It is a small satellite cube that deploys a thin, 25-sq-m plastic sheet.

The US government for the first time has offered a legal justification of its drone strikes against al-Qaeda and Taliban militants, citing the right to "self-defence" under international law.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown put economic recovery at the heart of his battle for re-election yesterday, as he unveiled his Labour party's key pledges for the vote expected within weeks.

At least 12 people were injured as a train hit a human hauler at Azampur Kitchen Market level crossing in the city's Dakkhin Khan area last night around 9:00pm.

The impunity with which Israel has regularly defied world opinion over the Middle East crisis is by now a truism that much of the world responds to in utter exasperation. Over the years, its encouragement of Jewish settlements on occupied Arab land has stalled any move toward a settlement. Add to that its erection of a wall designed to keep Arabs away from the settlers. Overall, the delaying tactics it has regularly adopted in the matter of arriving at a two-state solution have kept emotions alive, to a point where its own backers in the West now find themselves in a state annoyance. And matters are not helped at all by clear Israeli complicity in the murder of a Palestinian politician in Dubai recently. The recent expulsion of an Israeli diplomat in London by the British authorities over a forgery of British passports that would camouflage the killers is a broad hint of the levels to which Israel has stooped in defence of its questionable national interest.

So telling have been the effects of mismanagement, corruption and malpractice on the service delivery of Dhaka Medical College Hospital that it has acquired a forbidding image, like it or not. In terms of reputation, if not specialisation in certain areas where hospitals like DMCH or SMCH still remain ordinary patients' last resort, it has lost touch with its old, glorious charm.

The national cricket selectors have two days to name the final squad for next month's World Twenty20 Championship in the West Indies, but the timing isn't ideal for them.

The second version of the Port City League (PCL), the Bashundhara Cup T20 will kick off today at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

West Bengal athletes beat their Bangladeshi counterparts on the last day of the 3rd Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games in Kolkata to finish ahead of the visitors on the final medals table. The local athletes whop were trailing the visitors by 22-26 on gold count, snatched as many as 12 gold on the last day against a single to the visitors. West Bengal finished with 34 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze to Bangladesh's 27gold, 31 silver and 24 bronze.

Daniel Vettori experienced the perfect start to his 100th Test after taking four wickets, running out Ricky Ponting and watching his side ruffle Australia on the first day of the second Test in Hamilton yesterday. New Zealand dismissed their highly-fancied opponents for 231 and then finished at 19 for 1 as they dream of levelling the two-game series.

It was a day to behold for a few thousand sports enthusiasts who gathered in the sandy surrounding on the bank of River Padma at Mawa yesterday.

Ravindra Jadeja's ban from the 2010 season of the IPL on grounds of contractual violations has been upheld. The decision was taken during a hearing chaired by Arun Jaitley, an eminent lawyer and head of the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association, following representations from the player and the two franchises involved - Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians.

England skipper Andrew Strauss has warned fast bowler Stuart Broad to keep his fiery temper under control in the pressure cooker of the Ashes later this year.

Sourav Ganguly hit a composed half-century and Manoj Tiwary exploded after a slow start to boost Kolkata Knight Riders to 183, a total beyond the reach of a listless Kings XI Punjab. It was a mediocre game, especially from Punjab, who were so painfully slow that they fell out of the reckoning very early in the chase.

Pakistan's world record holder batsman Mohammad Yousuf Saturday said he had decided to retire next week in protest over an indefinite ban imposed on him by country's cricket board.

Rafael Nadal made an efficient start on a rain-soaked day at the WTA and ATP Miami Masters on Friday as the fourth seed subdued American Taylor Dent 6-4, 6-3 in his opening match.

Waqar Younis, the new Pakistan coach, has hailed the appointment of all-rounder Shahid Afridi as captain for the World Twenty20 starting next month in the West Indies. The Pakistan Cricket Board installed Afridi at the helm earlier this week, after initially announcing the squad for the tournament without naming a captain.

Sochaux's American international striker Charlie Davies said on Friday that he hopes to return to fitness in time for the World Cup after being seriously injured in a car crash in October.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he still gets nervous during title run-ins despite having spent almost a quarter of a century at Old Trafford.

Sebastian Vettel has vowed to complete some unfinished business for Red Bull-Renault after Saturday snaring a second consecutive pole position for the Australian Grand Prix.

Sydney authorities on Saturday laid out plans to lure the Australian Grand Prix from "arrogant" Melbourne, sparking a fierce spat between the rival cities.

Former Holland and Barcelona great Johan Cruyff was on Friday named honorary president of the Spanish and European champions, a club spokesman said.

The Argentina coach, Diego Maradona, has said he is prepared to change the team's tactics for Lionel Messi to shine at the World Cup in South Africa this summer. The Barcelona forward has hit new heights for his club in recent weeks but has often struggled for the national side under the former world player of the year Maradona.

Sri Lanka's president has offered the services of his spiritual healer and personal physician to help injured footballer David Beckham get back on the field within three days.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is urging Steven Gerrard to use Sunday's clash with Sunderland at Anfield to rediscover his form and get the Reds' season back on track.

South Africa has seized more than six million dollars worth of fake World Cup merchandise, with many of the goods originating from China and other Asian countries, a newspaper said Saturday.

Germany international midfielder Marcell Jansen revealed Friday that his World Cup hopes are in doubt after picking up a left foot injury training with his team Hamburg.

Tottenham completed the signing of highly-rated young Brazilian midfielder Sandro from Internacional on Friday.

Bangladesh plans to get connected with a much-needed second submarine cable from India, an adviser to the prime minister said yesterday.

Bangladesh has decided to urge India to lift the eight million pieces readymade garment quota, which exporters say hurt RMG shipments to the next-door neighbour.

The Road Show: Teknaf to Tetulia reached Chittagong straight from Chakoria yesterday afternoon.

Md Shakil Rizvi has been elected the president of Dhaka Stock Exchange yesterday for the next one-year term.

A significant section of elderly men is working to provide for themselves and their families due to rising economic insecurity, a survey reveals.

The city's CNG refuelling stations and the operators of CNG-run motor vehicles face their worst in business because of severe power and gas crises -- the twin problems that making it impossible to earn profit.

A furniture fair begins in Dhaka tomorrow, eyeing consolidation of the local manufacturers' position.

The government should maintain integration among its perspective and development plans with national policies in all fields, speakers said at a workshop yesterday.

United Leasing Company has approved Tk 7.5 in cash dividend per share and one bonus share against every existing share for 2009.

Securities and Exchange Commission recently awarded asset management licence to Asian Tiger Capital Partners Asset Management Limited (AT Capital AMC), AT Capital said in a statement yesterday.

Growing with a novice team at a busy business house is a challenge, but it pays off in many ways if the youth are groomed properly.

Should firms in export processing zones (EPZs) be allowed to sell their products in the domestic market on a limited basis?

Greece will launch a multi-billion euro bond issue next week, the Financial Times reported Saturday, in the wake of Thursday's deal to help the country out of its debt crisis.

For the second time in as many days, a computer hacker accused of one of the largest-ever thefts of credit and debit card numbers stood before a federal judge and apologised for his actions.

Malaysia, Southeast Asia's biggest passenger car market, will see better than expected vehicle sales this year as consumer sentiment improves, an industry group said Friday.

The US economy grew at a slower pace than expected in the final quarter of 2009 as consumer and business spending slackened amid a fragile recovery from recession, the government said Friday.

Wall Street stocks are set to build on nearly year and a half highs as they face next week's key economic reports and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting.

Commodities mainly fell this week as traders digested an EU plan to tackle the Greek debt crisis, alongside news of moderately weaker economic growth in the United States, a key consumer.

World oil prices went into reverse on Friday after weaker-than-expected US economic growth data overshadowed the impact of a rescue plan for debt-ridden Greece, traders said.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending loans totalling $266 million to help Bangladesh address natural gas supply constraints for its easy availability to consumers.

Two girls were killed in separate road accidents in Panchagarh and Faridpur yesterday.

A woman was found dead at a hotel in the port city yesterday.

US President Barack Obama has congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the 40th Independence and National Day of the country.

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday strongly protested 'attacks' on party leaders and workers during Independence Day programmes at different places in the country on Friday.

Different social and cultural organisations held various programmes in the city yesterday to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War.

Minister for Food and Disaster Management Dr Abdur Razzaque yesterday said the government has stepped up efforts to distribute 26 lakh tonnes more food grains under the Social Safety Network in the country.

The 'National Council of the People with Disabilities-2010' will be held at Paltan Maidan in the city tomorrow.

Children in no way are criminals and, thus, they cannot be arrested and imprisoned, rather there should be a diversion facility so that they can be corrected and protected in contact with law, said speakers at a national consultation yesterday.

Former adviser to a caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan yesterday said democratic practice is needed to flourish leadership, but it has failed to meet expectations in the country.

State impunity has acted as a major obstacle to establishing a just world order and the rule of law, said renowned British lawyer Phillippe Sands QC during a lecture yesterday.

Some 33 patients with diarrhoea, on an average, are coming to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) at Mahakhali in the city an hour for treatment.

The 8th National Congress of Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh (RWPB) will kick off on April 1 at Mohanagar Natya Mancha in the city.

State Minister for Science and ICT Architect Yeafesh Osman yesterday urged the scientists to take necessary steps to meet the rising demands of new technologies.

With a view to increasing people's access to safe drinking water free from arsenic and pathogen in rural communities, the government has undertaken a project titled 'Bangladesh Water Supply Programme Project (BWSPP)' with the assistance of the World Bank.

The 40th Independence and National Day was celebrated in Bangladesh missions abroad with due respect and festivity on Friday.

Experts and high officials yesterday underscored the need for forging greater regional cooperation between Bangladesh, Nepal and India to face adverse impacts of climate change.

Different left leaning organisations yesterday demanded adequate supply of safe water to mitigate the suffering of the city dwellers in the summer.

A three-day training for journalists from the print and electronic media on more effective reporting of health issues concluded in Savar recently, says a press release.

An Awami League (AL) leader was killed and an activist critically injured in a clash between two factions of the party over sharing of gambling money here last night.

A meeting of the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) will be held at Gono Bhaban at 1:00pm today.

Leaders of eight local bodies of the ruling Awami League yesterday announced non-stop agitation against chairman and councilors of Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) and vowed to make KHDC BNP-Jamaat free.

Hundreds of people yesterday thronged Chawk Rajapur village under Bagha upazila of Rajshahi district to have a glimpse of a brick structure located in the middle of the Padma.

Police have rescued two schoolgirls abducted from Jhalakathi and Kushtia and a youngman kidnapped from Pabna and arrested four people in connection with the incidents.

Police arrested two more Jatiyatabdi Chhatra Dal (JCD) men in the city's Charadighir Par area on Thursday night in connection with the killing of Prof Harun-ur-Rashid.

A dolphin habitat has been located in the coastal rivers of the Sundarbans and swatch of no-ground areas of the Bay of Bengal.

Today is Nishbetganj massacre day.

Around 3500 jewellery shop workers have become virtually jobless in Jhenidah as drastic fall in sale due to high price of gold is forcing shop owners to roll back business.

Motihar Police yesterday arrested one more Shibir activist of Rajshahi University (RU) unit from the campus in connection with February 9 campus violence. The arrestee is Shafiul Islam, a fourth year student of Islamic History and Culture department. Sources said police arrested Shafiul from an examination hall of the department at Shahidullah arts building of the university at around 2:30pm. Tofazzel Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Motihar police station said Shafiul was arrested as previously arrested Jamaat-Shibir men said during interrogation that he was involved in February 9 campus violence.

At least nine shops were gutted in a devastating fire incident at village Ulla bazar under Shaghata Upazila early hours yesterday. The fire originated from the shop of one Afser Ali and soon spread to the adjacent grocery, tailoring, cloths and other shops. Five people received injuries while trying to extinguish the blaze. Fire fighters from Gaibandha reached the spot after an hour of incident. But by that time property worth Tk 10 lakh was reduced to ashes, locals said.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a drive on Thursday morning arrested an alleged robber along with firearms at Maharajpur village in Lalpur upazila. The arrestee is Shahin Uddin Sarker alias Shahin, son of late Kamal Sarker of the village. Acting on secret information, a team of Rab-5 raided the village and arrested Shahin along with a US made pistol, a home made pipe-gun and of bullets. He was handed over to police in the afternoon. ASP Anwar of Rab-5 said Shahin was wanted in 10 murder, robbery, snatching and other criminal cases.

Rasheda K Chowdhury, former advisor to caretaker government said here yesterday the social attitude should be changed to stop domestic violence against women. Women are resource of the country, so they should be honoured in their respective fields to ensure all-out development, she said while addressing an assembly of change makers at the premises of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala here as chief guest. Development Wheel (DEW) organised the programme. Chaired by advocate AHM Khalequzzaman, convener of assembly, the meeting was also addressed by Prof. Dr. H K S Arifeen, chairman of DEW, Prof. Sharmina Shams, head of the dept. of Anthropology of Rajshahi University, Dr. Marufi Khan, principal of Syed Nazrul Islam College and advocate Shibbir Ahmed Liton. The programme was the part of a campaign to eliminate violence against women in six south Asian countries. We should change ourselves first for changing others for bringing an end to violence against women, the speakers said.

Seventeen more witnesses will start giving deposition before the Special Court-3 set up at 19 Rifles Battalion headquarters at Feni today.

Locals yesterday blocked the Rajshahi-Naogaon highway at Nawdapara in the Rajshahi city for three hours following an accident that left a schoolboy seriously injured.

At least 20 people were injured in a clash yesterday at Telipara village on Panchagarh -Dhaka highway in front of Panchagarh truck terminal between two rival groups of transport workers.

Two leaders of Jatiya Mohila Party were injured in an attack by a rival group in the city's Dhopadighirpar on Thursday night.

Dhaka city is beset with many problems. Recently, this has been labelled as one of the most unliveable cities in the world by 'The Economist'. The common problems of Dhaka city are traffic jam, load shedding, water & sanitation, air pollution, accommodation crisis of increasing population and many more. Most of them get media coverage from time to time. Regrettably, some get little attention when the problem is acute. Of them accommodation problem has been severe over the past years as house rent has been doubled & in some cases tripled causing immense sufferings to the low & limited income people. Since the income of maximum people is not increasing keeping pace with ever soaring price of essential commodities and house rent, it is getting so difficult to survive for the poor city dwellers in the increasingly expensive Dhaka city. Hence, the number of slum dwellers bears the testimony to soaring house rent.

The geographic location and geomorphic conditions of Bangladesh have made the country highly vulnerable to sea level rise. It will increase salinity in the coastal areas. As a result, agricultural productivity will be decreased and coastal economy will break down. Not only this but also coastal people have to suffer due to lack of fresh water. World Bank (2000) showed 10 cm, 25cm and 1m rise in sea level by 2020, 2050 and 2100; affecting 2%, 4% and 17.5% of total land mass respectively. As a result, we will lose Sundarbans (the largest mangrove forest in the world) which is rich in biodiversity and five lakh people will lose the means of income. There will be 20 million climate refugees and the Bangladesh government has no capability to resettle them.

It is known to us that the country's second highest foreign currency earner is the shrimp industry. Through this industry the government earns a huge amount of money each year. This sector not only earns money but also employs 12 lakh people in ten thousands shrimp farms.

In Bangladesh hardly anything is in order. We are living in a highly disorderly situation. But there are areas where order can be restored by putting in small efforts. And the gain will be fabulous, as it will solve the problem of a larger section of people and that too for a considerable period of time. One such disorderly area is discriminatory "bus fare" charged by the bus operators in some routes. One such route is "AzimpurBanani /beyond route". On this route several bus companies operate under different names. The prominent ones are--"VIP 27/A (mini-bus/coaster)", "Anik","Suchana" and Suchana-A/C".

As one who has been intimately associated with the Hill Tracts, especially Bandarban, for nearly 60 years, the recent tragic events are a sad reminder of the unabated exploitation, suppression, oppression, broken and unimplemented pledges and denial of justice, to which the tribes that inhabit the Hill Tracts, have been subjected to, by the uncontrolled injection of hordes of plains land people, the apathy of successive governments over 60 years and the progressive destruction of their distinct language and culture.

A staff reporter's news item along with a photograph alongside it, gave a totally wrong location of the accident, in a local English daily of 16 March! The report stated the location as "near the Gulshan Shooting Club" while the photograph mentioned the location as "Kadamtuli" in Gulshan.

BCL leaders' activities have tarnished the image of Eden College.

DST did not become popular for a number of reasons. First of all, it did not solve the load shedding problem, it merely shifted it towards mid night which is more inconvenient. And secondly, time of prayer according to DST became highly irrational.

US President Barack Obama has very rightly said -“There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from one another; and to seek common ground”.

Any discussion on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gets weighted down with superlatives. His unrivalled contribution to the birth of Bangladesh has established Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the father of the Bengali Nation. The moment the grand figure of Bangabandhu rises before us, the question presents itself: What is his relevance today and for the future of Bangladesh? What inspiration can we draw from his life? What radiance can his thought and wisdom shed on our problems? How does his way of life affect our course of action in public affairs? That Bangabandhu is relevant today and for centuries to come is not in doubt at all.

The other day I went walking at the parliament house area as I usually do. Normally I go walking between 6:00 and 7:00pm. But that day I was a bit late. It was around 9:00pm and that made me experience a weird situation.

I refer to Mr. Nikhil Ranjan Das's letter dated 12 March 2010 and regret to differ with what he wrote about a fantastic cricketer of this country who has recently failed to perform . Like Mr. Das, I have played cricket alongside many of our older national cricketers and watched cricket in Dhaka for nearly six decades.

It has been reported in a national daily that 4 private airline operators have eaten up the passengers' travel tax, which was supposed to be paid to the govt.

It is a matter of grave concern as we read reports of harassment, killings of Bangladeshis and intrusion by BSF into our territory while the government remains tight lipped. Sovereignty and territorial integrity are matters of great importance. Rather than replying to a question from a MP on this matter, the home minister should have been proactive in briefing countrymen on the status of negotiations, protests and actions being taken in this matter. I can not help but notice that these incidents have increased in frequency recently - when we have high hopes and enthusiasm about our relations with the good neighbour India. Let us not prejudge or mistrust any incidents, but, we need to be vigilant as history is full of examples where good deeds have been followed by great acts of betrayal. I am not old enough to forget Munich 1938 and Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939. A treaty is only as good as the underlying intentions of parties behind it. Good neighbours do not need treaties between them. I request the government to explain when these actions from our neighbour are going to end.

Our industrial sector is facing a critical period at this moment. This sector needs to be diversified. Export should not be dependent on a few products and services. We have ample opportunity to develop our agro-based industries as we have an agrarian economic structure. It will help absorb our large unskilled and semi-skilled workers. We have achieved great development in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, RMG, shrimp, leather etc. We have a very large workforce which is the most important ingredient for our economic development. The world is turning into a more knowledge based, technology oriented economic structure. All the outsourcing and manufacturing activities are shifting to the developing countries like India and China. As we are the neighbour of India and China and we have the same cultural framework like India, why will we not be able to grab those opportunities. So, the govt. should provide proper guidelines, required infrastructure, power and energy. Proper planning and management programmes should also be undertaken and implemented by the govt. so that more employment opportunities are created which will ensure productivity and economic development.

Arab leaders opened their summit yesterday determined to send a clear warning that the Middle East peace process is doomed unless Israel freezes Jewish settlements in annexed east Jerusalem.

Former premier Iyad Allawi yesterday began talks, which could last months to form a government after narrowly edging out incumbent Nuri al-Maliki in Iraq's parliamentary elections.

Thai troops retreated from security posts in the capital yesterday, bowing to demands from 80,000 jubilant red-shirted protesters who mounted a rally to demand fresh elections.

Imposing more sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme is not the best option, but it cannot be excluded, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said yesterday.

Twin bombings in the Iraqi city of Khales, northeast of Baghdad, killed 52 people and wounded 73 others on Friday, security and medical officials said, updating an earlier casualty toll.

Sydney's iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge went dark yesterday at the start of Earth Hour, followed by cities across Asia in a global switch-off aimed at revitalising efforts against climate change.

Italy's postal service intercepted a threatening letter containing a bullet addressed to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, while letter bomb sent to a minister caught fire, police said Saturday.

Almost 50 sailors were missing after a South Korean warship sank near the tense border with North Korea, the military said Saturday, but officials said there was no sign so far the North was to blame.

The US First Lady Michelle Obama has topped the list of best celebrity mothers in a poll conducted by babble.com, says a report.

Malaysia's influential former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday he was concerned that increasing racial friction could destabilise the multi-ethnic country.

Senior BJP leader and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday appeared before a probe committee appointed by India's Supreme Court to look into his alleged role in communal riots in the state in 2002.

Myanmar's junta chief warned political parties to behave while campaigning for historic elections later this year, noting yesterday that the armed forces can take part in politics "whenever the need arises."

The government offices in Lalgarh have been closed yesterday following operation 'Green Hunt' by the state and central forces in West Bengal.

India successfully tested two short-range nuclear-capable missiles from two sites off its eastern coast on Saturday, a defence ministry official said.

Pakistani airstrikes killed 11 suspected insurgents yesterday in a tribal region near the Afghan border, an official said, bringing the total killed in a military offensive there to more than 100 this week.

Pakistan on Friday rejected suggestions that it has quietly supported Taliban elements in Afghanistan and pledged to work to bring stability in its northwestern neighbour.

India's legal and judicial system reflects 'great contradiction', Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Saturday urging that the justice delivery mechanism needed to be expedited to strengthen the country's democratic roots.

Pakistani political leaders are still grappling with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif's last minute 'U-turn' over the constitutional reforms package and are trying to find out as to what exactly had prompted Sharif for his sudden move.

Banglalink organised a mega concert on March 26, with artistes from Jagoroner Shangsthritikcharcha O Gobeshona Kendra(JSOGK) along with the leading bands of the country, to celebrate “Jagoroner Gaan”, as a tribute to the revolutionary heritage of Bangladesh through music.

In a bid to promote and disseminate their album “Chetonay Swadheen Bangla Betar Kendrer Shruto Aar Bishruto Kichhu Gaan” amongst the post-Independence generation, Close-up and ntv jointly organised a live concert. The participants were Swadhin Bangla Betar Kandra (SBBK) and Close-up artistes at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban on Independence Day.

To commemorate the 39th Independence Day, Chhayanaut arranged a musical programme at its premises on March 26. Artistes of the leading cultural organisation sang patriotic songs as well as read out excerpts from the Liberation War-based writings at the programme.

THESE are galvanising times. And yet a degree of caution must be in place as we go through them, indeed as we try to fashion them to our moral and intellectual expectations. All these expectations are wrapped around the tribunal that is now finally in place for a trial of the war criminals of 1971. The central idea here is one of a dispensation of justice. It is not and has never been one of vengeance. Those who today speak of a witchhunt in the name of war crimes are carefully trying to divert the course of justice and subvert the need for ethics in politics.

MEDECINS San Frontiers (MSF), an international aid agency, has accused Bangladesh of launching a violent crackdown recently against the unregistered Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

PRESIDENT Barack Obama sent the following email to his supporters on the night of March 21, after the US House of Representative passed the same bill that the US Senate had passed in December 2009.

INDIA and Pakistan are going further and further from each other. In any case, they have never been normal neighbours. But after the attack on Mumbai some 15 months ago, both are intentionally moving apart. Détente is no more on their agenda. Recent talks between foreign secretaries of the two countries, more because of international pressure, have shown that they have no heart for normalising relations.