Asian currencies lower against dollar

HONG KONG, Aug 10 (AFP): Asian currencies ended the week lower against the dollar as the greenback gained support from cooling oil prices which dealers said may relieve pressure on the struggling US economy.Japanese Yen: The yen slipped against the...

Humanities group disappearing from many schools

IT was one of the happiest days in Mahin's life. The result of his Master's degree examination was published and he did well. Delighted, Mahin's parents thought their hard time was over as their son obtained the highest degree and...

Harmison double puts England in control

England's quest to hand Kevin Pietersen his first win as England captain moved several steps closer on the fourth day at The Oval. Steve Harmison bowled a terrific, fiery spell of eight overs, removing South Africa's two key batsmen, Hashim...

Denmark for earliest lifting of emergency, general elections later this year

Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Einar H Jensen Sunday said his country liked to see lifting of the state of emergency as soon as possible and holding a free and fair general elections later this year, reports UNB."We like to see...

No impact of price fall of edible oil in local market

CHITTAGONG, Aug 10: Despite showing declining trend in price of edible oil in the international markets, it has not made any positive impact in the local market.On the other hand, price of edible oil is on the rise in both...

Fund constraint responsible for poor infrastructure

Finance and planning adviser Dr. AB Mirza Azizul Islam Thursday said fund constraint of the government was primarily responsible for the country's poor infrastructure and urged the private sector to make investments under public-private partnership (PPP)."As developing infrastructure requires huge...

Decision on merger of two NBR cadres stirs up resentment

Customs officials of the revenue board recently expressed their strong resentment over the government's move to form a 'BCS revenue administration cadre' through merger of 'income tax' and 'customs and excise' cadres.Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam earlier approved the proposal...

Creating jobs for swelling ranks of the unemployed

Attaining a comfortable rate of economic growth and creation of jobs for the unemployed and the underemployed constitute the primary objectives of any well-meaning government. But for generating more employment opportunities, the country must also create the condition for an...

CPD undertakes research plan in different areas

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) will undertake research work in a number of areas including food security and energy, problems of migrant workers and monetary policy.The decision was taken in the 30th meeting of the CPD Board of Trustees...

Rain delays tennis events

BEIJING, Aug 10 (Xinhua): Beijing had moderate to heavy rain Sunday morning and afternoon, which cooled the city down to about 26 degrees Celsius, but the Olympic tennis competition was delayed in the afternoon for about an hour because of...

Aug 4 polls under emergency of better standard than past elections: FEMA

The Fair Election Monitoring Alliance (FEMA) Sunday described the August 4 local body polls held under the state of emergency as of better standard than any other elections in the past, reports UNB."The state of emergency has enhanced the ordinary...

NCC Bank officers asked to attain banking knowledge

Officers of NCC Bank Limited have been advised to acquaint themselves with banking knowledge to take over leadership of the bank in future.Chairman of the bank Tofazzal Hossain gave the directive while speaking as the chief guest at the opening...

Japan looking at lucrative nuke business in India

NEW DELHI, Aug 10 (PTI): Even though it says it is yet to firm up its position with regard to NSG waiver for India, Japan is eyeing the business potential in the lucrative nuclear energy sector in this country if...

Oil prices risk new rises on supply shocks: Experts

LONDON, Aug 10 (AFP): World oil prices, which have plunged from recent record heights, could spike higher again should the market be rocked by new supply-side shocks, according to industry experts.Prices sank lower last week on mounting concern that slower...

Should we make an appeal?

Air Commodore Muhammad Zakiul Islam ndu acsc (Retd)IT has been reported in the national media that the Caretaker Government has decided to lodge an appeal against the landmark verdict given by a division Bench of the High Court declaring orders...

Tax exemption on pvt sector CSR may be granted

Granting a tax exemption on the private sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities is on the government's card and it is already moving towards drawing up policies and guidelines to that end, Finance and Planning Advisor Dr A. B. Mirza...

BSB sanctions Tk 920.07 million to 20 projects

Bangladesh Shilpa Bank (BSB) sanctioned Tk 920.07 million (92 crore 07 lakh) to 20 projects and disbursed Tk. 384.10 million (38 crore 41 lakh) during the last financial year (2007-'08) .At the same time the bank recovered Tk. 981. 20...

Glittering inaugural of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing

Fazle Rashid from New YorkCHINA justifiably prided itself on the fact that the entire world watched with awe and admiration the glittering inaugural ceremony of the 29th World Olympiad. The quarters who wanted to disrupt the games by raising such...

PSI co may get contract for container scanners at port

The government is likely to award the contract for supply, installation and operation of four container scanners at Chittagong port to a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) company, which emerged as the successful bidder in a re-tender process.The project will be financed...

Spain facing worse economic slowdown than expected

MADRID, Aug 10 (AFP): The Spanish economy, long a motor of growth and job creation in the Eurozone, is facing a deeper and faster-than-expected slowdown as the impact of the end of a property boom spreads to other sectors."The economy...

Tagliariol, Jeannet reach epee individual final

BEIJING, Aug 10 Italy's Matteo Tagliariol and French fencer Fabrice Jeannet have advanced into the gold medal match of the men's epee individual event Sunday at the 2008 Olympic Games.Tagliariol beat Spanish player Jose Luis Abajo and Jeannet defeated Hungary's...

Mahathir won't stand against Anwar in vote

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (AFP): Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad has denied speculation he will run against his arch-foe, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, in a by-election expected to return Anwar to parliament.Anwar was Mahathir's deputy and heir apparent until 1998...

Ericsson starts 3G pilot project

The present government is very much pro-technology and cordial to adopting new technologies in the country for the welfare of its people, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Brigadier General (retd) MA Malek has said."Inauguration of the 3G pilot project is a...

Drug issues

IT is necessary for the government to regulate drug prices. The companies, in free market system, may be allowed to set drug prices but they should be obliged to do so -- reasonably and ethically -- in order to ensure...

100 maunds carbide mixed mangoes seized in Pirojpur

PIROJPUR, Aug 10 (UNB): Mobile court in a drive Saturday seized 100 maunds of carbide mixed mangoes from four godowns at Hularhat in Sadar Upazila and realised Tk 0.17 million (1.7 lakh) in fine.

Lu enters last 16

BEIJING, Aug 10 (Xinhua): World No. 2 Lu Lan from China entered the last 16 of the badminton tournament at the Beijing Olympics, as her rival Karen Foo Kune from Mauritius retired over injuries here Sunday.Lu beat Kune 21-3 in...

Nat

The preliminary round of the 28th National Men's Kabaddi Championship begins tomorrow (Tuesday) at Dhaka Kabaddi Stadium with the Services zone matches, reports UNB.A total of 24 teams will compete in the prestigious national championship, organised by Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation...

Consumers expect stocks to fall: Survey

NEW YORK, Aug 10 (Reuters): Households consider it more likely than ever that their stock holdings will fall in value over the next year, a survey released Friday said.The Reuters/University of Michigan survey said consumers saw a 40.60 per cent...

Europe needs boardroom diversity to stay competitive

Too German, too white and too male: that was the verdict of Siemens' own chief executive on the engineering group. But Peter L

commodities digest

urge subsidy from govtBEIJING, Aug. 10: China Electricity Council, an organisation of all China's power enterprises, urged the governmentto subsidise power enterprises to maintain their normal operation, reported Xinhua-run Shanghai Securities Journal. The suggestion comes at a time when profit...