11.   A Norwegian diplomat reportedly visited Dhaka last week for talks with Bangladeshi officials on the issue.

12.   Bangladeshi officials are hoping for aid from Iran to build an oil refinery at the port of Chittagong.

13.   Bangladeshi officials blamed the prolonged political stalemate for the setback, which, they added, had stalled development activity besides damaging other areas of the economy.

14.   Bangladeshi officials quoted Blair as saying during talks that he hoped his visit would drive forward bilateral relations and further boost rising trade and investment between Dhaka and London.

15.   Bangladeshi officials say they hope Iran will help set up a second oil refinery for the country in the port of Chittagong.

16.   Bangladeshi officials hope for Iranian aid in building a second oil refinery in the port of Chittagong.

17.   Bangladeshi officials Thursday defied a police ban on demonstrations inside the government secretariat complex and were staging a sit-in to force Prime Minister Khaleda Zia resign.

18.   Two Bangladeshi deputies paid a secret visit to Israel last week, the first by Bangladeshi officials, Israeli television reported.

19.   Stern is in Dhaka for talks with Bangladeshi officials ahead of an aid club meeting of donor counties and agencies due to be held in Paris later this year.

20.   The Iranian diplomat is expected to discuss with Bangladeshi officials the situation in Afghanistan and ongoing tension between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan, along with bilateral issues.