A man and his son lost their lives in a road accident on Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar yesterday, reports our Savar correspondent.

Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad yesterday said he is not sure when the Malaysian labour market will reopen to Bangladeshi workers.

The High Court yesterday wanted to know how many foreign nationals are working and running businesses in Bangladesh without valid work permits, how many are holding proper work permits and how much tax they have paid to Bangladesh government.

BNP yesterday said the government has published a list prepared by Pakistani authorities, to exclude “real Razakars”.

At least 31 female students of Begum Sufia Kamal Hall of Jahangirnagar University fell sick yesterday due to suspected food poisoning, after attending a feast served by the dormitory authorities marking Victory Day.

A rickshaw-puller killed a fellow worker -- hitting him in the head with a brick -- following a row in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area early yesterday.

Tarapur Tea Garden in Sylhet witnessed mass killings by Pakistani occupation army on April 18, 1971, during which 39 tea worker families were affected.

Ganosamhati Andolon’s Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki yesterday said the amended citizenship legislation of India, slammed for being “anti-Muslim”, will put the country’s secular identity at risk and “the poison of communalism” will spread to other parts of the world.

Evaly, an e-commerce based marketplace, celebrated Victory Day as well as its first anniversary with a slogan “Victory is ours, let’s move forward!”, says a press release.

Noted rights activist Sultana Kamal yesterday urged the government to enact the proposed Anti-discrimination Act immediately to ensure equal rights for all citizens and end discrimination towards marginalised communities like Dalit.

On democracy, good governance and role of root level institutions

The condition of at least eight out of 13 workers who sustained burns in Keraniganj fire on December 11 yesterday showed first signs of improvement, doctors said yesterday.

The High Court yesterday questioned the legality of a few sections of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) rules, that curtail police’s authority to directly record corruption cases.

Shehida Haque, wife of late Maj MR Haque, passed away on December 14 in Dhaka, says a press release. She left behind two sons and a daughter, four grandsons and many well-wishers.

Dr Nazmul Hoque, a scientist, passed away at his residence in Dhaka on December 10 at the age of 75, says a press release.

Maj Gen Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin Bir Bikram, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s military secretary, passed away at a hospital in Singapore yesterday.

Japan has committed to provide a grant of $85,247 to a Bangladeshi NGO -- National Development Programme (NDP) – for training people on loom in Sirajganj.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan has sought assistance from Japan for building an alternative bridge to replace century-old Hardinge Bridge in Pabna.

Ducsu Vice President Nurul Haque Nur and 14 other people are injured when a section of activists of Muktijuddho Moncho intercepts a protest programme at Dhaka University.

Australia has announced Jeremy Bruer as next Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh.