Bangladesh Today

Summary: China's $1.5 billion Brahmaputra dam, known as Zangmu Hydropower Station, has raised some serious concerns in India and Bangladesh. Known as the Jamuna river in Bangladesh, any diversion of the waters by China could have some drastic effects for Bangladesh, as it is one of the two lower riparian countries (along with India).

Summary: The World Bank's Dhaka office released its report 'Bangladesh Development Update' on Tuesday, suggesting that the government should boost private sector investments.In its ‘Global Economic Prospects’ report, released in June this year, the WB said that growth of Bangladesh’s gross domestic product (GDP) in FY 2015-16 would not exceed 6.3 percent.

Summary: Bangladesh would start selling bandwidth in November, State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim said on Tuesday.She was briefing the media on the progress of her division’s work in the last 90 days since she took charge.

Summary: New Delhi has reiterated its foreign policy of not meddling in the domestic affairs of its neighbours, including Bangladesh, Dhaka Tribune Writes, 06.02.15

Summary: Health Minister Mohammed Nasim has said a foreigner greeted him ‘Happy Hartal’, prompting him to quip that foreigners enjoy general strikes and blockades in Bangladesh.

Summary: Representatives of 65 international retailers, who source garments from Bangladeshi factories, yesterday demanded an immediate solution to the current political crisis, saying the ongoing blockade is interrupting their supply chain.

Summary: [30.01.15] Amnesty International has condemned Bangladesh government’s move to use “excessive police force” tackling ongoing violence during the BNP-led 20-party alliance blockade.

Summary: [30.01.15] Amnesty International has condemned Bangladesh government’s move to use “excessive police force” tackling ongoing violence during the BNP-led 20-party alliance blockade.

Summary: [01.02.15] Power supply has been restored to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office at 10:12pm after around 19 hours. On Saturday around 2:45am, Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO) disconnected the electricity line of the office. The cable and internet connection were also cut off from the house on Saturday. Mobile service was also snapped from the area. The services were restored in the night later on.

Summary: [01.02.15] State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have not got any directives from the government’s high command [prime minister] to arrest BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. If the prime minister issue orders, we are ready to arrest her [Khaleda] any time.

Summary: At least 13 people have died and dozens have been injured in a fire at a plastics factory in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, officials say. The cause of the blaze in the multi-storey Nasim Plastic building is still unclear, but it may have triggered by a faulty gas cylinder or boiler.