Dhaka - The United Nation (UN) Monday expressed concern about the post-elections human rights situation in Bangladesh as violence escalated after the polls, leaving as many as 20 people killed in less than a month's time.

"Still any violation of human rights is not a good sign. So, we do have some concern on that and we hope that it will improve in the future," Renata Lok Dessallien, UNDP resident representative told reporters after a meeting with foreign minister Dipu Moni.

Dhaka - Bangladish authorities on Monday appointed Rear Admiral ZU Ahmed as chief

Dhaka- A visiting British official said Thursday that Britain would increase its assistance to Bangladesh to help the democratically-elected government carry out its socio-economic development programmes.

"The British government will increase its development assistance to Bangladesh," Mark Lowcock, the director general of the Department for International Development (DFID), told reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh's foreign minister Dipu Moni.

"We expect in the 2010-11 financial year to provide Bangladesh with 150 million pounds (206 million US dollars)," he added.

Dhaka - Bangladesh and Germany will hold talks on bilateral trade and investment next week as a top German official is expected to arrive in Dhaka on a two-day visit, officials said Thursday.

State Secretary Reinhard Silberberg of the German Foreign Office will arrive in Dhaka on January 27 to discuss the entire range of bilateral cooperation with his Bangladesh counterpart Touhid Hossain, an official at the German embassy in Dhaka said.

Dhaka  - Voting began Thursday for Bangladesh's local government sub-district councils, or Upazila Parishads, which are taking place for the first time in nearly two decades, amid heightened security across the country.

Election authorities expect a large turnout in the polls which will elect representatives at each of the 481 councils, which are constitutionally mandated to run local administrations and implement of schemes for social and economic development.

Dhaka - Rescue workers Tuesday recovered 21 bodies from river Meghna in southern Bangladesh after a boat with 50 passengers on board capsized after a collision with a second vessel, police said.

At least 25 people, mostly day labourers, went missing after the accident, which occurred on Monday. Others managed to swim ashore after the small cargo boat overturned in the middle of the river after colliding with another vessel.