Detained former premier and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina Monday aired doubts about holding parliamentary elections by December, as announced by the Election Commission, as she alleges foot dragging over the electoral roadmap, reports UNB.

Pointing out what she said dillydallying in the ongoing Election Commission activities, she said, "I have reasons to doubt whether the parliamentary polls will take place on schedule."

In a change heart behind bars, detained BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia wished early recovery of her once-arch political rival detained Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, reports UNB.

Learning about her husband and personal physicians'' recommendation for sending Hasina abroad for better treatment, Khaleda became sympathetic about it, BNP chairperson''s counsel told reporters after meeting with her at the makeshift jail this (Monday) afternoon.

Apart from widening and deepening social protection, the next budget would consider new measures to create employment opportunities in rural areas during the lean period to help the poor face the challenges of increased food prices, reports UNB.

"If they (poor) cannot be provided with jobs, they would be provided with some compensation," Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam told reporters after a meeting of the Budget Monitoring Resource Committee at Finance Ministry (Monday).

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are now in a tug of war over providing ''sources of income'' declared by undisclosed money holders in an opportunity offered last year, reports UNB.

The ACC recently sent a letter to the NBR requesting it to confirm the sources of income relating to the declared money.

Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi would visit Bangladesh on April 24-25 in response to his invitation, reports UNB.

"Bangladesh and China enjoy the closest possible relationship. This link is historic and the Foreign Minister''s visit will surely strengthen it," Iftekhar said.

As the controversy rages over its formation, the Anti-Corruption Commission Monday said it believes the government has set up the Commission following all the due processes, reports UNB.

It is quite normal for the relevant ministry to have all the documents relating to its appointment and the Commission believes those would be presented in time, if needed, said ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal.

Tarique case

A chamber judge of the Supreme Court Monday turned down Anti-Corruption Commission''s fresh plea for stay on the High Court order having stalled a graft-case proceedings against detained BNP leader Tarique Rahman, reports UNB.

The chamber court, however, posted the ACC application for hearing in full court of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on April 15.

Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty was luckily saved from an accident near Ashulia on his way to Dhaka Monday, but his official car was damaged, reports UNB.

Pinak and his wife were returning to Dhaka after a visit to Gede-Darshana rail stations on the eve of Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service.

Dispelling a rumour that it has pulled out from financing the Phulbari coal mine project, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said it would wait for a government decision in this regard, reports UNB.

“ADB will continue to monitor the situation on the ground with full sensitivity to local conditions and we’ll also wait for Bangladesh government’s decision on how to proceed in harnessing the rich energy resources, including those of Phulbari,” the Manila-based international funding agency has said clarifying its position about the project.

Academics, leaders of different professional and political organizations, diplomats, security analysts and journalists at a roundtable here strongly favored formation of a National Security Council (NSC) to ensure national safety in broader spectrum by taking into consideration the changed domestic as well as regional and global security context, reports agency.

Terming formation of NSC as a major national decision, they said a greater consensus among all stakeholders including mainstream political parties is very important to constitute the body and to determine its composition and jurisdiction under a constitutional framework.

Biman, Bangladesh’s struggling national carrier which is recovering from near bankruptcy, will sign firm orders for eight Boeing aircraft, including four B777-300ERs and four B787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $1.65 billion on list price, next week, a top official said, according to Internet.

These aircraft will be delivered between 2013 and 2017, but the airline is in need of an immediate fleet replacement programme to operate on the essential routes.

The Touching Souls, USA, in association with the Water Reporters’ Forum, Bangladesh, has offered four fellowships on water journalism for 2007-’08, reports agency.

Journalists who work on water problems and issues are eligible for the fellowships. Of which, two will be for Bangla journalists and two others for English journalists.

Staff Correspondent

Detained former prime minister Sheikh Hasina said Monday she would accept any prison sentence if the government could ensure that

Agency

Over 100 Chhatra League members brought out a silent procession Monday protesting president Iajuddin Ahmed's presence at the 44th convocation of Dhaka University.

The protestors wore black facecloths and black badges as they marched

Dhaka, April 7 (bdnews24.com)—A Dhaka court adjourned a hearing on charge framing Monday in a graft case against Sheikh Hasina, the proceedings to be resumed on April 10.

The Special Judge's Court-1 earlier heard defence lawyers' pleas for acquitting Sheikh Hasina in the case involving the awarding of "illegal contracts" for setting up three barge-mounted power plants during her 1996-2001 term as prime minister.

UNB, Meherpur

A man was killed in bomb explosion on Kazipur frontier in Gangni upazila early Sunday.

Police and BDR sources said Afazuddin, 42, who was carrying bombs with him, entered into Bangladesh part from India through the Kazipur border during the early hours on Sunday.

Staff Reporter

A madrassah student, who is also an SSC examinee, was shot dead by muggers in Jamalkhan area of the port city Saturday night.

The deceased was identified as Ziaul Huq, 20, son of Haji Syedul Huq of Ashker Dighir Par of the city.

UNB, Noakhali

A fisherman was attacked and killed allegedly by his fellow fishermen as he tried to console them during an argument at Shullukia village in Hatia upazila on Sunday.

Local sources said Nagendra Kumar Das, 45, a leader of local fisherman community, died on the spot during the attack.

UNB, Habiganj

Four police personnel were injured in an attack when they were trying to settle a feud between the people of Bhadikara and Mudiauk villages in Laghai upazila Sunday afternoon.

Police said conflict ensued between people of the two villages as one of the residents of Mudiauk village commented that there had no gentleman in Bhadikara village.

UNB, Narayanganj

Muggers snatched Tk 9.73 lakh of a filling station near Godnail under Siddhirganj thana in Sadar upazila Sunday morning.

Locals said a gang of terrorists, numbering 6/7, coming in a private car intercepted Sohel Rana and Abdul Gani, nephews of the owner of Mouchak Sams Filling Station, when they were going to Sonali Bank, Godnail branch to deposit Tk 9.73 lakh of the filling station at about 9:30 am.