US 'can't question HR breach on war criminals'
Dhaka, July 29 - The United States and the United Kingdom have no right to raise questions about "the violation of human rights" over the trial of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 1971 war of independence, the law minister has said.
"I want to tell the US and the UK, where were your human rights when some 3 million people were killed, 0.2 million mothers and sisters were raped and around 10 million people were driven away from the country 39 years ago?" Shafique Ahmed snapped at a discussion at the National Press Club on Thursday

RMG worker minimum wage announced
Dhaka, July 29  – The labour minister announced that the minimum wage for readymade garment workers will be Tk 3,000. Speaking at a press conference, Khandker Mosharraf Hossain also said that the minimum wage for apprentice workers has been set at Tk 2,500.
The structure will be effective from Nov 1 after completion of legal procedures, he added.

Mobile ISD call with 00 code from Aug 1
Dhaka, July 29 - From Aug 1, mobile-phone subscribers will have to dial 00, instead of 012, before the country code to make cheap international calls. Callers can get the same benefit by dialing 00 before the country code, the telecoms regulator chief confirmed.
"All the international call rates have been reviewed and brought under a single platform," BTRC chairman Zia Ahmed told bdnews24.com on Thursday.

Most people against ACC law change: TIB
Dhaka, July 29  – The majority of people do not support the government's proposal to amend the Anticorruption Commission law, a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report claims.
According to a survey of 3,998 persons across the country, 57 percent opposed the proposed amendments, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said on Thursday at a press conference. It also found that 97 percent of those surveyed sought a free and powerful commission.

Constitution committee starts its work
Dhaka, July 29 - The special parliamentary committee looking into the amending the constitution has decided to chart out the "consistencies and inconsistencies" of the court's verdict on the Fifth Amendment, ratified under the regime of military ruler Gen Ziaur Rahman 31 years ago. The special committee had tasked two members to recommend restoration of the constitutional provisions which were either amended or cut due to the fifth amendment.
The special committee chief Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and her co-chairman Suranjit Sengupta will have talks with the ministries, parliament and the law commission about restoring the 1972 constitution

Counter-terrorism is the govt's top priority: Shafique
Dhaka, July 29  – Law, justice and parliamentary affairs minister Shafique Ahmed has said that the current government has made the eradication of all forms of extremism and terrorism from the country its top priority.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled 'Combating Terrorism in Bangladesh: Developing a National Counter-Terrorism Strategy,' held 

HC rejects Nasim's jail sentence
Dhaka, July 29  – The High Court has rejected an earlier verdict of a lower court, sentencing former home minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim to 13 years in prison in a corruption case. Moreover, the court on Thursday has also rejected the seizure order of Nasim's assets by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The HC bench comprising Justices Syed Mohammad Dastagir Hossain and AKM Zahirul Haque gave the verdict after hearing the appeal filed by Nasim against the

Lack of food driving tigers into extinction
Dhaka, July 24 - The tiger, the country's national animal, is faced with the threat of extinction due to shortage of food, and the reckless destruction of forest and other habitats. Forest and wildlife experts say tigers are now an endangered animal - but that its survival will ultimately protect the biodiversity of the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans.
Current research does in fact indicate that the number of tigers has increased in recent years 

Watchdog proposes naming Padma bridge after Begum Mujib
Dhaka, July 29 - A parliamentary watchdog has recommended naming the proposed Padma bridge after prime minister Sheikh Hasina's mother Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib. Officials told Thursday's meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on communications ministry that the construction of the proposed Padma bridge would start in December this year or January next year.
"As per the proposal from Apu Ukil, we have strongly recommended for naming the Padma bridge

Sea level rise may be higher in Bangladesh than prediction
Says new study of US researchers
With the current level of continuation of human effects on climate, coasts of Bangladesh and India might experience higher sea level rise compared to mean level predicted for the planet. Researchers from the University of Colorado of the United States found this in their new study, published in Nature Geoscience this week, leading science and development network SciDev Net said.

Train fare hike in the name of VAT triggers protest
Exchange of hot words and scuffle between passengers and staff of private railway operators has become a regular affair following unauthorised increase of fare in different routes of the northern region. The private operators are putting all efforts to realise 20 percent additional price in the name of VAT, said passengers, adding that in some cases, they are forced to pay around double the ticket price.
Meanwhile, a staggering 19 times rise has been imposed on the yearly ticket for different rail routes

India go one better
Tendulkar hits double ton
Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar hit 203 and debutant Suresh Raina made 120 as India bettered Sri Lanka's run-spree in the high-scoring second Test on Thursday.India, kept on the field for the first two days during Sri Lanka's massive 642 for 4 declared, responded by piling up 669-9 by stumps on the fourth day at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
With just 13 wickets having fallen on the placid wicket in four days, the batsman-dominated Test is heading for a draw with Sri Lanka enjoying a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Music festival at Dhaka University begins today
A two daylong music festival begins today at TSC auditorium of Dhaka University (DU). Department of Music, DU is arranging the festival for the second time.Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad will inaugurate the festival as the chief guest at 5 pm today. Vice Chancellor of DU AAMS Arefin Siddique; Pro-Vice Chancellor Harun Ar Rashid and Treasure Dr. Mizanur Rahman Shelley will be present as special