Haque Specialized Group's News

SYLHET, Aug 7: A case was filed against 11 people in connection with an attack on two activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League on Monday. Abul Kalam Azad, a resident of Shahjalal Upashahar, filed the case with the Kotwali police station on Monday night, said additional deputy commissioner of the Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) Zedan Al Musa. "Police have carried out several drives, but they are yet to arrest any attackers," he added. The two BCL men were severely injured in an attack by some assailants in front of Jalalabad University College in the city's Sobhanighat area Monday afternoon. Both were admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Later, critically-injured Shahin Ahmed was shifted to a hospital in the capital. The BCL blamed Shibir activists for the attack, but they had brushed aside the allegation. Meanwhile, the Jalalabad College authority on Tuesday closed the institution for three days. As a sequel to the attack, a group of unruly youngsters on Monday night went on the rampage at Jalalabad College and nearby Sylhet Ma O Shishu Hospital. The situation was now under control as police were deployed in the area to fend off any untoward incidents. iqbal1527@hotmail.com....

Published at: 2017-08-09 00:00:04

French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to officially recognise his wife Brigitte as First Lady of France appears to have been abandoned, amid growing opposition to the idea. The Élysée Palace refused to comment on the decision to backtrack, but told CNN affiliate BFM TV that a "transparency charter" clarifying Brigitte Macron's position would be released in the coming days. The move coincided with spreading support for a petition against according her an official title, status and budget, which has been signed by more than 280,000 people. In a series of tweets, government spokesman Christophe Castaner defended Brigitte Macron's position, but said no changes would be made to it. "Brigitte Macron plays a role and has responsibilities. We are looking to be transparent and to outline the means she has at her disposal," Castaner posted. "No modification of the constitution, no new funding, no salary for Brigitte Macron. Stop the hypocrisy!" "Brigitte Macron receives more than 200 letters a day ... and keeps a link with the French public with the greatest discretion," he added. According to the French constitution, the president's spouse does not enjoy an official position, though they do have an office and a number of advisers. While running for the presidency, Macron insisted his wife's role would not be paid for out of public funds. President Macron's plans had caused consternation among his political opponents as he prepares to introduce regulations banning French parliamentarians from employing members of their own families. If the law is passed, anyone convicted of such an offence in future could face fines and potential time in prison. -CNN  ....

Published at: 2017-08-09 00:00:04

CHITTAGONG, Aug 8: The Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) today demolished some illegal structures on both the banks of Mohesh Khal and Goyna Chara in the city. CCC mayor AJM Nasir Uddin led the eviction drive that started in the afternoon at Foilyatoli Bazar area near Sagorika Jahur Ahmed Chowdhury Divisional Stadium. Assuring that he would show zero tolerance to the land grabbers, he said the eviction drive would continue in other areas of the city. Over 100 workers of the CCC joined today's eviction drive. CCC executive magistrate Sanjida Sharmin and chief engineer Lt Col Mohiuddin Ahmed, among the senior officials and engineers, were present on the spot. Earlier at a budget meeting, the mayor had said that many canals and 'charas', including Goyna Chara, in the city have been grabbed illegally by the local people, causing obstacles to normal flow of waters and logging in every monsoon. An UNB report adds: Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) conducted on Tuesday a drive in the capital's Purbachal New Town Project area to remove illegal structures. A mobile court of Rajuk, led by executive magistrate M Nasiruddin, conducted the drive at Sector 10 of Purbachal New Town Project and demolished 20-25 earthen houses and some illegal structures there. Project director of Purbachal New Town Project Monirul Haque, Rujuk officials and member of law enforcing agencies assisted the drive, said a Rajuk press release.....

Published at: 2017-08-09 00:00:04

Prof Emajuddin Ahmed asked on Tuesday those who oppose army deployment in the national election to clarify the reasons behind it as he thinks only a strong Election Commission (EC) is not enough to hold a fair and neutral election in the country's current context, reports UNB. He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion on 'The EC's roadmap and next election' organised by Bangladesh Centre for Dialogue and Development at the National Press Club in the city. He also said a level-playing field must be created alongside dissolving parliament ahead of the 11th parliamentary elections for a credible election. "The country's civil society members advocated for the engagement of army in the election. The national elections in 1991, 1996 and 2001 were free and neutral ones due to the deployment of army. They're also deployed during the natural disaster to serve people. What's the problem to involve them in the national election? Why shouldn't we take their help during the polls?" Emajuddin questioned. Emajuddin, also a former VC of Dhaka University and a political scientist, said strengthening the EC is not the only condition to arrange the national election in a credible and impartial manner. "An independent and strong Election Commission is a must for an inclusive and acceptable election. But, this is not the only important issue for the polls. There are some other matters that are to be addressed properly. A level-playing field will have to be ensured. The first condition to create the level-playing field is to dissolve the parliament. This system has also been kept in our constitution," he said. Explaining the Article 123 of the Constitution, Emajuddin said parliament can be dissolved within 90 days of the fulfillment of its tenure. "The Prime Minister can't exert any influence during the polls if parliament is dissolved before the election." He also said non-dissolution of parliament before 2014 election is an absurd and unusual incident. Emajuddin said the EC should play a strong role in ensuring the political parties' equal rights to carry out their democratic activities. For creating a level-playing field, he said, the Commission should take proper steps to keep 25,000 cases filed against BNP leaders and activists suspended until the election is held.....

Published at: 2017-08-09 00:00:04

Alive & Thrive, a global development initiative, is going to invest US$ 41 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in its maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) programmes in different countries of the world including Bangladesh, the organisation announced on Monday.     "This new investment from the Foundation will expand the geographies in which Alive & Thrive works, and deepen its engagement with diverse stakeholders to drive significant improvements in nutrition practices and outcomes", said a media release.   Specifically, this award will allow Alive & Thrive to increase the coverage and quality of MIYCN policies and programmes in Bangladesh and Burkina Faso and sustain its regional capacity-building efforts with seven countries in the Southeast Asia region- the media release said. Alive & Thrive will also extend this regional action model to West Africa. The announcement came on the eve of the 25th anniversary of World Breastfeeding Week that was observed from August 01 to August 07 of this year. According to Alive & Thrive, malnutrition is associated with 45 per cent of child deaths and 27 per cent of maternal deaths are due to indirect causes, including nutrition-related factors. The media release also noted that improved breastfeeding alone could save more than 800,000 children's lives a year. It added that it is one of the best investments any country can make to improve child survival, boost cognitive development, and increase economic growth. Recent reports have also highlighted the economic advantages of breastfeeding, the media release said, adding, every US$ 1 invested in breastfeeding generates US$35 in economic returns. "As a scientist, I am awed by the remarkable lifesaving benefits of breastfeeding," said Susan Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "From nutrition to immunisation, it is the gold standard for improving a child's health and development. If we can make the practice universal, the results will be startling. That's why we're excited to continue our partnership with Alive & Thrive and  give millions more children the best possible start in life", she added.   "This investment will generate a wealth of knowledge and tools that can be adapted in settings around the world to improve nutrition practices at scale," said Karin Lapping, Alive & Thrive Global Project Director. "We look forward to sharing what we've learned, in the most accessible way possible, about what it takes to deliver widespread impact on nutrition", she added. Alive & Thrive is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the governments of Canada and Ireland. Managed by FHI 360, it has partnership with BRAC, GMMB, IFPRI, Save the Children, UC Davis, and World Vision in the first phase of the initiative, according to the organisation's website. In Bangladesh, Alive & Thrive implemented a comprehensive programme from 2009 to 2014 to improve breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and to reduce stunting and young child anemia which significantly contributed in increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding rate. mehdi.finexpress@gmail.com....

Published at: 2017-08-09 00:00:04