Portal:Bangladesh/News archive/2008

December

 * December 30: Sheikh Hasina's Awami League wins a supermajority in Bangladesh's National Assembly. ( Rediff )


 * December 29: Bangladeshis vote in their country's general election. ( BBC )

November

 * November 24: Bangladesh's Electoral Commission reschedules the date for the general election from December 18 to December 29. ( BBC News )


 * November 3: The Bangladeshi government schedules general elections on December 18, 2008, which will end the rule of the one and half year military-backed interim government. ( BBC News )

July

 * July 30: Bangladesh government sets up a truth commission that would allow corrupt businessmen and politicians to avoid going to jail if they confess and refund money obtained illegally. ( AFP )


 * July 30: New research by scientists in Dhaka shows Bangladesh's landmass is increasing, contradicting forecasts that country will be under the waves by the end of the century. ( BBC )


 * July 7: At least 21 people are killed and nearly 40 injured when two buses collide on a Bangladesh highway. ( reuters )

June

 * June 30: The Caretaker Government increases prices of petroleum products for the second time during its tenure. ( Daily Star )


 * June 26: The results of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations 2008 publishes breaking all previous records with a 70.41 percent pass rate and 41,917 students achieving GPA-5. ( Daily Star )


 * June 20: The Election Commission (EC) announces that polls to four city corporations and nine municipalities will be held on August 4. ( Daily Star )


 * June 11: Bangladesh Caretaker Government frees former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. ( VoA )

May

 * May 22: The interim Government of Bangladesh starts discussions with political parties about next general election. ( BBC )


 * May 19: Dhaka high court approves citizenship for Biharis who were minors when Bangladesh won independence in 1971 or born after. ( BBC )


 * May 13: At least 44 people drown as a river ferry capsizes. ( Reuters )

April

 * April 16: Train-bus collision in Tangail district kills at least 17 people and injures 19 others. ( IHT )


 * April 14: Train service between Dhaka, Bangladesh and Kolkata, India, resumes after 43 years with the inauguration of Maitreyi Express. ( Financial Express )


 * April 13: Bangladesh in critical shape as people desperate for food. Estimate show that 30 million poor could go hungry. See World food crises 2007-08. ( AP )

March

 * March 15: Biman Bangladesh Airlines signs MoU to buy 8 Boeing planes for $1.265 bln. ( reuters )


 * March 5: The Government announces nominations for the Independence Day Award of 2008. ( Daily Star )

February

 * February 28: Ferry accident in Bangladesh claims 45 lives. ( AFP )


 * February 21: Bangladesh observes Language Movement Day with reverence. ( Daily Star )


 * February 19: Nine distinguished personalities are awarded Ekushey Padak 2008. ( Daily Star )


 * February 13: The immigration advisory service in Britain warn that restrictions on immigration of Bangladeshis to the UK was leading to shortages in curry houses and having an impact on the industry. ( guardian )


 * February 8: A plague of rats destroy crops in the Chittagong Hill Tracts ( BBC )


 * February 3: Bird flu spreads in Bangladesh, port city on alert. ( reuters )


 * February 1: Scientists of Rajshahi science and culture research center produces cassava flour as an alternative to much costlier wheat. ( Prothom Alo )

January

 * January 30: Anonymous donor gives Bangladesh $130M for cyclone recovery. ( USA today )


 * January 26: Ijtema cut short for inclement weather. Three pilgrims die. ( Daily Start )


 * January 09: The Caretaker government of Bangladesh appoints five new advisers. ( Gulf Times )


 * January 08: Four advisers of Caretaker government resign. ( Daily Star )