Bangladesh: 5 get death sentence for murdering Hindu leader

Five people have been sentenced to death and three others handed down life term by a Bangladesh court for murdering a Hindu leader 13 years ago. District and sessions Judge of Bagerhat S M Solaiman handed down the sentences in absentia on Wednesday as seven of the convicts were still on the run, court officials said.

Nine people were acquitted in the case.

Prosecution lawyers and police said a manhunt has been launched to arrest the absconding convicts.

Six workers die in Sharjah pesticide factory fire

Sharjah: The Sharjah pesticide factory fire left six workers dead.

Four workers out of eight injured in the fire that broke out on Sunday and moved to the hospital died on Tuesday, while the police recovered two charred bodies of workers from the site on Wednesday. The dead are of Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationalities.

Bengali cinema's new wave pioneer Rituparno Ghosh passes away

Kolkata: Award winning Bengali filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh passed away in Kolkata, he was 49. Heart attack is said to be the reason of his death.

Ghosh was born on August 31, 1963 in Kolkata. His father was a well known documentary filmmaker.

Rituparno Ghosh came to prominence with his 1994 film 'Unishe April'. He won multiple National Awards and several acclaimed international awards.
Ghosh, who started his career in advertising, was one of the most innovative Bengali filmmaker.

Bangladesh elects parliament speaker as new president

DHAKA: The speaker of Bangladesh’s parliament Abdul Hamid was elected unopposed as president Monday, a potentially crucial role as the restive country heads for elections next year, officials said.

Hamid is a 69-year-old stalwart of the ruling Awami League party who has been serving as acting president of the Muslim-majority nation after the death of his predecessor Zillur Rahman on March 20.

Bangladesh: 33 missing as bus plunges into river

At least 33 people went missing when a bus with some 55 people onboard plunged into a river while boarding a ferry in southwestern Bangladesh on Wednesday.

"We fear 33 passengers are missing ... rescue efforts have been launched to retrieve them," district police chief Mohammad
Ehsanullah told PTI on phone.