Haque Specialized Group's News

The brother of ousted Pakistani leader Nawaz Sharif has been lined up to take over as prime minister. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) anointed Shahbaz Sharif but he will first have to be elected to the National Assembly. Former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will serve as interim PM. Nawaz Sharif stepped down on Friday following a decision by the Supreme Court to disqualify him from office over corruption allegations. The ruling came after an investigation into his family's wealth following the leak of the Panama Papers in 2015, which linked Mr Sharif's children to offshore companies. If Shahbaz Sharif, 65, is to take over, he must quit as chief minister of Punjab province and then win a by-election into parliament, which should take 45 days. Pakistan's Dawn newspaper said that Shahbaz Sharif's ascension to the prime minister's office was "considered to be a foregone conclusion". Nawaz Sharif, in a speech to a PML-N meeting on Saturday, said: "I support Shahbaz Sharif after me but he will take time to contest elections so for the time being I nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi." Nawaz Sharif stepped down after five judges reached a unanimous verdict on Friday. The court's ruling stated that Mr Sharif had been dishonest in not disclosing his earnings from a Dubai-based company in his nomination papers during the 2013 general election. The court recommended anti-corruption cases against several individuals, including Mr Sharif, his daughter Maryam and her husband Safdar, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and others. Mr Sharif, who was serving as prime minister for a record third time, was less than a year away from becoming the first in Pakistani history to complete a full term in office. He served as prime minister from November 1990 to July 1993 and from February 1997 until he was toppled in a bloodless coup in October 1999. The Panama Papers leaks in April 2016 revealed that three of Mr Sharif's children owned offshore companies and assets not shown on his family's wealth statement. But allegations of corruption have dogged Mr Sharif since the 1980s. Much of what the Panama Papers revealed was the subject of a federal inquiry in the mid-1990s.  ....

Published at: 2017-07-30 00:00:04

Honolulu has become the first major US city to ban pedestrians from looking at mobile phones, texting, or using digital devices while crossing the road. The measure, which will take effect in Hawaii's largest city in October, is aimed at reducing injuries and deaths from "distracted walking". First offenders caught gazing at devices, including laptops and digital cameras, face $15-$35 fines. Urgent calls to the emergency services are exempt from the ban. The bill, also known as the Distracted Walking Law, was signed off by the mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, on Thursday after the city council approved the measure by a vote of 7-2. The new legislation, which will come into effect on 25 October, states that "no pedestrian shall cross a street or highway while viewing a mobile electronic device". Repeat offenders face fines of up to $99. The new law has met opposition from some members of the public, who accuse the government of over-regulation. 'Sometimes we lack common sense' "We hold the unfortunate distinction of being a major city with more pedestrians being hit in crosswalks, particularly our seniors, than almost any other city in the county," Mr Caldwell told the Reuters news agency. "Sometimes I wish there were laws we did not have to pass, that perhaps common sense would prevail, but sometimes we lack common sense," Mr Caldwell said. Distracted walking incidents involving mobile phones accounted for more than 11,100 injuries in the US between 2000 and 2011, according to the US National Safety Council. The figures for more recent years, which are not provided in the council's latest report, are likely to be higher.....

Published at: 2017-07-30 00:00:04

PATUAKHALI, July 28 (UNB): Mentioning the current circumstances of BNP, Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader said on Friday they have already failed in their movement, and so they cannot form government. "After failing to launch any movement, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is now busy complaining and crying," Quader said while inspecting the under-construction Lebukhali Bridge over the Payra river. While talking about the supportive government, Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said there is no concept of 'supportive government' during national elections in the constitution. "The next polls will be held under the incumbent Election Commission (EC)," he added. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the founding stone of Payra Bridge at Lebukhali Ferry Ghat to connect Patuakhali-Barisal Highway on May 19, 2013.....

Published at: 2017-07-29 00:00:05

IUB English Debate Club has become the champion at the United International University (UIU) English Debate Tournament held on the UIU campus in the city recently, says a press release. The top ranked team of IUB consisted of Tahsin Islam, Zobayer Ahmed, AI Faruque Ratul and Sajid Safwan. Over 20 of the most prestigious institutions of the country took part in the competition where topics ranged from international relations, human rights and unique problems relevant to Bangladeshi diverse societies.....

Published at: 2017-07-29 00:00:05

Freedom Fighter (FF) Major (Retd) Ziauddin Ahmed, who was a sub-sector commander during the War of Liberation, passed away at the Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital on Friday, reports UNB. He was 67. Major Ziauddin, also a witness of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman killing case, had been suffering from liver ailments and breathed his last around 4:30 am (Singapore time). He left behind wife, two sons, two daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. Family sources said his body will be brought home from Singapore on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, Prime Mini-ster (PM) Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of FF Ziauddin. In a condolence message, the PM recalled the courageous role of retired Major Ziauddin during the War of Liberation with gratitude and respect. She prayed for the departed soul of the valiant FF and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.....

Published at: 2017-07-29 00:00:05