HOME AND ABROAD
Tempted and Cheated
Dinajpur. All he wanted was to earn some extra money for his family. 25-year old Mehedi Hasan is suffering from physical complications after being duped into selling a lobe of his liver over two years ago. He was lured to Dhaka with the promise of Tk 2 lakhs upon selling a kidney. However, he was encouraged to sell a part of his liver for Tk 3 lakh. He was further cheated when he was paid only Tk 45,000. Saiful Islam Mollah, the man who cheated Hasan, was arrested but is now on bail.
Derailing the Country
Rajshahi. The Bangladesh Railway incurred around Tk 46 lakh in losses due to attacks on trains and tracks by supporters of the opposition's blockade in the country's northern region last week. At least 33 attacks occurred, including minor arson attacks, uprooting of tracks, throwing of stones and bricks at trains and blocking of tracks with logs. Tracks were uprooted at Naogaon, Bogra, Joypurhat, Parbatipur and Shantahar areas, leaving Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Khulna and Dhaka with no rail communication for hours.
Homicide in the Guise of Politics
All over Bangladesh. How much more needs to be written about this for the concerned parties to take notice? How much more can this country take? How can this be the politics for people when people themselves are being targeted in this mindless game of violence? Over 100 passengers were injured as the Dhaka-bound Mohanagar Godhuli derailed after blockade supporters removed fishplates from the rail track in Burichang upazila of Comilla on Sunday. The Dhaka Medical College Hospital is filled with arson victims, as the 100-bed burn unit now accommodates over 350 patients. 38-year old Mokhlesur Rahman had a part of his head blown away after a cocktail hit him near Titumir College. The list goes on and on with no sign of ending anytime soon.
Dirty Politics
Dhaka. The whole world can scream at the top of their voices about the damages incurred during hartal days but who's really listening? The Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van Malik Samity on Saturday stated that it would be impossible to maintain a functioning transportation system in the country if the current political condition persists. About 300-400 trucks, covered-vans, mini-trucks and pickups were torched during the last six months of hartals and blockades by the 18-party opposition alliance. They further observed that that if the government did not compensate the affected owners, they would not be able to return to the business.
Dandelion Blues
Beijing, China. A doctor in Beijing removed a dandelion that was growing in the ear canal of a 16-month old girl earlier this week. The child, identified as "Ranran," had been scratching at her ear for months. Apparently a seed had lodged in her ear canal, and by the time her parents brought her to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics, "the dandelion had totally grown into Ranran's ear and filled her ear canal wall," Dr Gu Qinglong said. Doctors were able to surgically remove the flower.
A Black 'Black Friday'
United States. The shopping frenzy surrounding Black Friday, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United Stated, led to a number of violent incidents across the country. Shooting and stabbings have been reported at retailers in several states on November 28. A shooting was also reported the same day in Las Vegas. Two assailants reportedly attempted to steal a TV from a man who had recently purchased it. After arguing, the man was shot in the leg before the attacker sped off in his car, leaving the TV behind. A police officer in Rialto, Calif., was also injured Thursday night when a fight broke out at a local Walmart.
Heavy Flooding in Argos
Athens, Greece. A woman was found dead in a basement flat in the southern city of Argos, in the Peloponnese, which was flooded after heavy rainfall, fire officials said Monday. The woman was around 60-year-old and probably of Serbian origin. Argos was flooded after an intense downpour that started late on Sunday. A state of emergency was declared but weather conditions improved Monday. However, 20 teams comprising 40 firefighters remained on location. This picture shows media members on Monday at the site where the woman was found dead.
A Gruesome Crime
Moscow, Russia. Russian prosecutors sought Friday a nine-year jail sentence for Bolshoi ballet dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko over his alleged mastermind role in an acid attack that nearly blinded the troupe's artistic director.The prosecution also asked the court to sentence Dmitrichenko 's suspected associate Yury Zarutsky to 10 years for flinging the sulphuric acid in the face of Sergei Filin on January 17, a crime that shocked Russia and scandalised the historic theatre. Dmitrichenko, who was known for dancing dark characters such as Ivan the Terrible, is said to have been frustrated by the lack of promotion under Filin for himself and his then girlfriend Anzhelina Vorontsova.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments