Kuwait to invest more in Bangladesh, expand trade

Hasina holds talks with Kuwaiti Emir, premier

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The State of Kuwait, the fifth-richest country in the world for its vast petroleum resources, is eager to provide all-out support for different development projects of Bangladesh and expand the bilateral trade between the two Muslim countries, reports UNB.
Assurances in this regard came when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid separate calls on Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah here Monday on the second day of her three-day visit to the oil-rich Gulf country and had discussions with the two leaders on entire gamut of bilateral relations.
Currently, Kuwait provides Bangladesh financial assistance for 16 projects in communications and energy sectors, including construction of Sylhet-Tamabil Road. Five other projects are also being implemented with Kuwaiti assistance.
The Prime Minister spent a very busy time today as she held series of meetings with Kuwaiti government and business leaders, examining newer avenues of cooperation.
During the meetings, the two sides discussed matters of bilateral interest and expansion of trade and business for the benefit of the two peoples, officials from both sides said.
Some 2.5 lakh Bangladeshi workers are now employed in Kuwait, although currently employment of Bangladeshi workers here remained suspended due to different complications, including rules regarding change of jobs.
"Manpower export from Bangladesh, river dredging and Kuwaiti investment in Bangladesh''s development sector figured prominently during the meetings," PM''s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters after the talks.
On Kuwaiti investment in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina urged the investors of the Middle-Eastern country to invest more in Bangladesh to cash in on her government''s lucrative investment policy and the country''s untapped potential in many sectors.
She said her government would provide all possible assistance for foreign investment in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister emphasized exchange of visits by businessmen of the two countries to pave the way for enhancing trade relations.
About manpower export, Hasina mentioned that her government is providing training to Bangladeshi workers on languages, customs, laws and technical know-how enabling them to work in different host countries. Sheikh Hasina said Kuwait can import more Bangladeshi semi-skilled, skilled and technical people experienced in construction, power, water, civil aviation, petrochemical, gas and hospital works as they are gentle and law-abiding in nature.
Listing different pro-people programs undertaken by her government, Sheikh Hasina said that the government has provided subsidy on agricultural inputs, including fertilizer and diesel, to boost farm production.
She referred to her government''s mega capital dredging and maintenance programmes to restore the navigability of the country''s major rivers. She sought Kuwait''s support in this regard.
During the meetings, the Emir and the Prime Minister of Kuwait greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her party''s landslide victory and on her election as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh through the last general election held in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
They expressed the hope that parliamentary democracy would be consolidated and have a firm footing under the able and prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
About her role in dealing with climate-change issues, the Emir of Kuwait said Bangladesh has come in the forefront of world leadership to stand beside the Most Vulnerable Countries for the prudent leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
During the meetings, the Kuwaiti leaders mentioned the role of Father of the Nation and the greatest Bengali of all time Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and her vision towards building a poverty-and hunger-free prosperous Bangladesh.
Later, the Prime Minister paid a call on Speaker of Kuwait Parliament (Maslis-e-Ummah) Jassem Al Khorafi at the parliament building in the afternoon. They discussed matters of bilateral interest, including strengthening parliamentary democracy.
Sheikh Rehana, younger sister of the Prime Minister, Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Engr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister for Forest and Environment Dr Hasan Mahmud, Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin, Bangladesh Ambassador in Kuwait Shahid Reza, Principal Secretary M A Karim, Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Mahbubul Haque Shakil were present on the occasions.
Earlier on her arrival at the Bayan Palace, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah received Sheikh Hasina when a smartly turned-out contingent gave her state guard of honour.
Besides, two tiny tots presented Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina bouquets when National Anthems of the two countries were played. Later, the Kuwaiti Prime Minister introduced her cabinet colleagues and chiefs of three services standing on a presentation line to Sheikh Hasina.
The visiting Prime Minister also introduced members of her entourage to her Kuwaiti counterpart, and they held meeting afterwards.
Later, Sheikh Hasina went to Seif Palace where she held meeting with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
Kuwait has a GDP (PPP) of US$138.6 billion and a per-capita income of US$60,800, making it the 5th-richest country in the world. With a GDP growth rate of 5.7 percent, Kuwait has one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.
According to the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom, Kuwait has the second-most free economy in the Middle-East, a dreamland for many for the region''s wealth, history and universal human heritage.
In March 2007, Kuwait''s foreign-exchange reserves stood at US$213 billion.
The Gulf state has a proven crude oil reserves of 104 billion barrels (15 km³), estimated to be 10 percent of the world''s reserves.
Kuwait''s current oil production of 2.8 million bpd is expected to increase to 4 million bpd by 2020. To realize this production target, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation plans to spend US$51 billion between 2007 and 2012 to upgrade and expand the country''s existing refineries.
Kuwait imports a wide range of products, ranging from food products and textiles to machinery.
Kuwait''s most important trading partners are Japan, the United States, India, South Korea, Singapore, China, the European Union and Saudi Arabia.
Japan is the largest customer of Kuwaiti oil followed by India, Singapore and South Korea.

BNP opts for protest in and outside JS

News Report

Price hike, deal with India to be discussed, Khaleda tells journos

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has said that her party would raise voice in the parliament and on the street price hike of essentials, repression on political workers and journalists and deals signed with neighboring country excluding country’s interest.
Exchanging views with the editors and senior journalists of print and electronic media Monday at Lake Shore Hotel in the city, the Leader of the opposition said that during the last one year, the Awami League government did not fulfill its commitment given to the people during the last election campaign.
She said that the AL chief during her election campaign promised to provide rice at Tk 10 per kg, ensure free distribution of fertilizer to the farmers and ‘one job to one house’ but none of these commitments was fulfilled.
She said that the government was not working to fulfill its election commitment given to people rather it was working to fulfill the ‘commitment(s)’ made to foreigners.
She told the journalists said that when BNP government completed its tenure in the year 2006, the price of course rice was Tk 18 per kg, per kg pulse and per liter edible oil at Tk 50-52 and Tk 55 respectively.
The prices of commodities shot up
manifolds during the emergency government causing untold sufferings to the common man.
She also complained that the present government could not do anything to reduce the prices of essentials, she alleged.
Responding to questions from the press, Khaleda said that her party wants to join parliament session but the ruling has not made any attempt to ensure congenial environment in the parliament for participation of the opposition.
The ruling party members used ‘vulgar words’ to demoralize the opposition to join the parliament.
The leader of the opposition also said that the Leader of the House has no control over parliament.
“This environment has been created to discourage the opposition not to join parliament session”, the Leader of the Opposition said.
A good number of editors and senior journalists expressed their opinion on the prevailing situation. All of them urged the Leader of the Opposition to join parliament session to strengthen the democratic process and to stand by the people.
In response, the Leader of the Opposition said that her party would join parliament session but reminded the press that mere participation of the opposition in parliament session would not strengthen the democratic process.
‘The parliament should be a place of debate on national issues but the government did not place any national issues before parliament.
She specially said the government did not discuss joint communiqué and deals signed with India with the opposition in the parliament.
She also accused that the government has destroyed the BDR as a result country’s frontier is now open for all and the frontier people are now at the mercy of BSF.
All most everyday Bangladeshi people are being killed by at the hand of BSF, she accused.
Responding to the demand of having dialogue between the government and the opposition, BNP chairperson said that the government did not invite her or her party to talk on any national issues.
‘From the very beginning we expressed our readiness to cooperate with the government but if they did not invite us. How the talk could take place,’ she questioned.
She said that prior to the PM’s Delhi visit she addressed a press conference and gave some suggestions but the government side did not feel it necessary to talk with the opposition on such important visit.
The Leader of the Opposition also accused the government that the entire country has
now become hostage at the hands of ‘tenderbaz’ and toll collectors. Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League controlling all tenders, she accused.
Pointing to the Dhaka University (DU) situation, Khaleda Zia said a meritorious student was killed due to inner fight of the Chhatra League. Students from the opposing camp including the Chhatra Dal could not reside in the residential halls of the DU. The vice-chancellor of the DU miserably failed to ensure congenial atmosphere at the Dhaka University as he belongs to the ruling party.
In this connection, the leader of the opposition accused the ruling party of politicizing the administration.
She said that around 400 government officials were made OSDs (officer on special duty).
She said the government made a record of number OSDs.
Some of the editors requested the Leader of the opposition not to accept hartal, gherow etc as the language of protest. In response the Leader of the opposition said that during last one year her party did not give any agitation programme rather the government party observed hartal at Kishoregonj.
She said that she is doing politics for the well being of the people not for personal gain and to protect people and the country’s interest her party would occupy both parliament and the street. She also accused about rampanent corruption against the government.
UNB adds: Those who took part in the interactions include Mahfuz Anam, Editor of The Daily Star, Motiur Rahman, Editor of Prothom Alo, Reazuddin Ahmed, Editor of the News Today, Nurul Kabir, Editor of New Age, AMM Bahauddin, Editor of Daily Inqilab, Mahbubul Alam, Editor of The Independent, ABM Musa, columnist, Abed Khan, Editor of Kalerkhantha, Ataus Samad, Editor of the weekly Thikana, Farid Hossain, AP Bureau chief, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Editor of Bangladesh Observer, and Shykh Siraj, chief news editor of Channel i, Ruhul Amin Gazi , journalist leader, and Badiul Alam, City Editor of the News Today.
The tea party started at 4:15 pm and continued till 5:55pm amid a political storm in a teacup that signifies a lot in the country''s present context.
BNP chairperson Khaleda, during her about 30-minute concluding speech
in reply to the editors and journalists, touched on various points
and issues like the past military-backed caretaker government, repression on journalists, price hike of essentials, agreements with India during the PM''s recent visit to New Delhi, terrorism, killings, tender-manipulation and extortion by ruling-party men and so on.
Replying to a query on her allegation of Prime Minister signed secret security deal with India, Khaleda said they came to know it from media report. She said they have urged the government to clarify the reported ''secret deal''. The 50-point joint communiqué issued at the end of Prime Minister''s visit to New Delhi has not been placed in parliament.
"The Prime Minister has informed parliament that she did not make any secret deal with India but she did not say what actually she has done," added Khaleda.
The opposition leader said she had extended cooperation to the government and offered suggestions before the Prime Minister went to New Delhi without any response. They have also extended cooperation, without any response, to overcome the BDR Headquarters carnage.
On repression of journalists, Khaleda said they strongly condemn and protest the repression and harassment of newsmen, which should be stopped forthwith. She pointed to 25 cases against acting editor of daily Amar Desh and said it is an obvious sign of government harassing the journalists and attempt to gag press.
Three journalists have been killed during the one-year rule of Awami League. Some journalists who took part in TV talk-shows and owners of some TV channels came under threat of life, she added.
Khaleda wondered if the country is ruled under emergency in guise of democracy.
The government, she said, has failed in its commitments. Prices of essentials have broken previous records. Unemployment has increased. Jobless workers are returning from the Middle East.
Manabjamin editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Channel I managing director Faridur Reza Sagor, Naya Diganta editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, NTV managing director Enayetur Rahman, Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman, Shafique Rehman , Mahfuzullah, Press Club president Shawkat Mahmud and general secretary Kamaluddin Sabuj, Dhaka Reporters Unity president Shamim Ahmad, Sheersha news.com editor Ekramul Haq, bd news chief editor Toufiq Imrose Khaledi and Jai Jai Din editor Rokonuddin Ahmed are among those attended the function.
BNP leaders present included Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Maudud Ahmed, Dr RA Gani, Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Sarwari Rahman, Barrister Zamiruddin Sircar, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia, Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Zainul Abdin Farooque.

CJ laments failure to ensure justice for all

New Chief Justice M Fazlul Karim on Monday lamented that even on the verge of completing the first decade of 21st century, Bangladesh as a nation have yet failed to ensure access to justice for all, reports UNB.
"The goddess of Justice has eluded us and shut her mighty doors on the face of our poor, wretched, destitute and the disabled. It is possibly our collective shame as a nation," the CJ said at a function arranged to felicitate him by the lawyers of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Karim called upon the members of the Supreme Court bar to take every month at least a single case free of charge and fees for the poor and destitute especially underprivileged women, children and the disabled people who cannot otherwise have any access to justice.
"Even if a small section of bar members takes part in this noble task a lot can be achieved in ensuring justice for the poor litigant public, which perhaps won''t be a bad start," he said. The new Chief Justice stressed the need for simplifying the existing
CJ laments failure
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case management procedure and doing away with the procedural quagmire for speedy disposal of cases. He said effective court management is considered a science and practiced in most of the developed countries.
"It is high time for us to embrace new methods and technology to manage our court system for securing justice for the litigants within shortest possible of time as dreamt of at the time of our glorious War of Independence," he said.
Chief Justice Karim said, "I seek co-operation from both the bench and the bar to address the burning issue and ease the pressure on the court and burden of the litigant public."
Judges of both the High Court and the Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court were also present at the function.
Earlier, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president AFM Mesbahuddin traditionally felicitated the new Chief Justice.

Warrant of precedence

HC order frozen for 6 weeks

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a High Court order for a new warrant of precedence placing district judges above generals, reports bdnews24.com.
Appellate Division chamber judge Justice Md Muzammel Hossain stayed the order for six weeks on a government appeal filed by attorney general Mahbubey Alam on Sunday.
The court also asked the government to file a regular appeal within the six-week period. The attorney general told reporters after the stay order: "An unusual situation has emerged following the High Court order. That''s why we decided to appeal against and seek a stay order on it."
To a question on what type of unusual situation has emerged, he said: "If judicial service officials of district-judge rank are put above the services'' chiefs, a lot of space will be required for their accommodation in any state function, for one thing. It will look odd."
He also said the government position would be clarified on receipt of the copy of the rule.
The High Court on Feb 4 ordered the government to create a new warrant of precedence within 60 days, placing officials with district judge rank above the chiefs of the armed forces, in a huge leap of status for the judiciary.
The existing order of precedence places the army, navy and air force chiefs in 12th position, and district judges or equivalent rank, including additional judge, chief judicial magistrate and chief metropolitan magistrate, in the 24th.
The High Court in its order said that the constitutional status of judicial officials should be duly prioritised and reflected in the official protocol.
It said the judges would be followed by the chiefs of the three armed forces, followed by secretaries of ministries.
The order came on a petition by Bangladesh Judicial Service Association filed in 2006 challenging the legality of the existing warrant of precedence drafted in 1986. The High Court issued a rule nisi at that time asking why placing district judges below secretaries should not be declared illegal.
Differing with the contention of the petitioner, Alam said on Sunday that positions of judicial officials are not constitutional ones. "They''re actually employees of the Republic even though they do not like to be identified as the Republic''s employees."

3 cops sued for death in custody

News Report

Three police officers of Keranigonj thana including its officer-in-charge (OC), have been sued for death of a detainee in custody.
Manik Mia alias Lutfar (38), died in the custody of Keraniganj police on February 1.
Victim’s father Abdu Mia filed the case with a Dhaka court against OC Md Asaduzzaman, SI Zahidur Rahman and ASI Harun ur Rashid on Monday.
The complainant in his case statement alleged that Manik died following torture in police custody. Judicial magistrate Sahriar Arafat took the charge into cognizance.
Police claimed that Manik Mia, an accused in murder of a woman Nazma and arrested along with two others on January 31, committed suicide in a toilet of the police station.
Soon after the incident, police filed an unnatural death (UD) case in this connection.
Abdu Mia appealed for investigation into the death incident through the Criminal Investigation Department of police, his lawyer Aminul Gani Tito told journalists.

Editors press Khaleda on return to JS

Editors and senior journalists pressed BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia Monday on the opposition''s return to parliament, reports bdnews24.com.
Khaleda in turn called on media to play its democratic role in a meeting with top newsmen.
"We are here to share views, no speeches," she said in a brief welcome statement.
"I''ll speak with everyone and hear everyone," she told the newsmen at the start of the meeting at Hotel Lakeshore in the capital''s Gulshan area.
A number of editors called for a quick return to parliament, and suggested hartals and street violence be discarded as means of political protest.
She referred to "persecution of journalists", specifically mentioning Amar Desh and cases filed against the Bangla paper''s editor.
"Going back to parliament alone will not solve the problem, media has to be allowed to play its role," she said, responding to the editors'' comments.
"The ruling party doesn''t want us to return to parliament. Once we announced (that we''d go back) they started making provocative statements.
"They know if we go and speak in the parliament, they will be in trouble."
On India, she said she would have gone and met the prime minister had she been invited to discuss the India trip before Hasina went to Delhi.
"If I didn''t respond, you would have criticised me."

Bangladesh blow away Afghanistan for soccer gold

Bangladesh regained the coveted football gold medal of the SA Games after a span of 11 years with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Afghanistan in the final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday, reports BSS.
Atikur Rahman Mishu, Enamul Huq, Abdul Baten Komol and Towhidul Alam Sobuj struck for the champions who dominated all the way through and presented the hosts the 18th gold medal of the meet.
Bangladesh wrapped their campaign with the gold believed to be the most precious of the sports extravaganza.
Bangladesh booters produced excellent commitment, maintained the same rhythm and were focused on their duties that categorically made the difference.
Afghanistan had a very little space to show their abilities and their in-form forward Belal Arezou, who scored nine goals in their way to the final, failed to put any impact on his team''s attacking aspirations.
Bangladesh reaped the fruit of their incessant onslaughts in the 18th minute through midfielder Mishu. Defender Nasir produced another of his dazzling footwork to dribble past two Afghan defenders and finding no way to halt Nasir, the Afghan defence hurled him down at about 20 yards off the post.
Before Waly Faisal curled the free kick Mamunul Islam and Emily dummied the shot that left the Afghan defence puzzled. Mishu anticipated the flight and put a delicate header in the right hand post of Afghan custodian Bashir Ahmad.
The thirst for the title kept the Bangladesh booters on their toes and it paid the dividend. Bangladesh doubled the lead in the 33rd minute. Left-winger Shakil sprinted down the left best to take control of an Enamul cross and turned it into a neat center that beat Bashir in air and Enamul had all the time to head the ball home.
Afghanistan remained cornered in the own zone creating little headache for Bangladesh. Their forwards tried to use the flanks with the long ball but it turned naive. Bangladesh took time in the dying stage of the first half and waited for the spaces for counterattacks.
Emily was unfortunate in the 40th minute when his header off a Shakil cross bounced over the crosspiece of substitute Afghan custodian Fradon Khatibi.
After the change of ends, Bangladesh tasted the Afghan flair for a while and Aminul was savior as usual. Faisal Shahzada headed a neat Wahid Nadeem cross in the 58th minute but Aminul stretched to limit in the right side to punch the ball to safety.
Serbian coach Djordevic inserted fresh attacking duo of Mithun and Komol in the last half hour mark taking off Emily and Enamul and it worked again. Komol, who was running behind the ball all through the pitch, fired the third goal in the 69th minute.
Afghan defence line faltered to clear a Mishu freekick from the right flank and Komol taking the ball turned 90 degree blasting it into the roof of the net.
Two minutes ahead of the stipulated time, substitute forward Towhidul Alam Sobuj hammered the final nail on the Afghan coffin after Fradon Khatebi let a Komol drive slip from his grip and nearby standing Sobuj headed it home.

9 lakh poor to get low-priced rice

News Report

The government will start selling of low-priced rice in Dhaka city through cards from February 25 under a special programme aimed at easing hardship of impoverished city-dwellers.
Food and disaster management minister Abdur Razzaque told journalist on Monday some 900,000 poor families will be offered rice at taka 22 a kg under the programme.
The decision was taken at a food planning and monitoring unit meeting held on Monday with the minister in the chair. Finance minister AMA Muhith, agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury and secretaries of ministries concerned attended the meeting.
The food minister said the quantity of food-grain stock in the country is estimated at 8.67 lakh tonnes, “which is adequate.” He said the programme would increase rice supply to the market and help keep its price stable.
The programme will be extended to cover another 10,000 families from 25 unions in Dhaka district, 5,000 families from each of the six divisional wards and 10,000 families from each of the 64 districts, he said.
Under the special programme, each family will be provided with 20 kg of rice per month.
Price of rice is yet to come down in the market due to poor supply, Razzaque said.
The minister said the food department would prepare a list upon consultation with local people’s representatives for giving them the rice cards.
The government will continue monitoring the market price and take necessary steps.
The people, who do not have specific sources of income and are not included in the government’s safety net programme, are eligible for the cards.
Ward councilors have already been asked to prepare a list of the poor people in their respective areas in cooperation with the local lawmakers, he said.
Earlier on February 3, the government decided to prepare a list of poor families in every ward of Dhaka city for providing low-price rice to make the staple available for the destitute.

34 hurt in AL, BCL factional clashes

CHUADANGA, Feb 8: At least 34 people were injured in separate factional clashes of Awami League (AL) and Chhatra League (BCL) in Damurhuda upazila and district town on Sunday night and Monday, reports UNB.
In Damurhuda, at least 31 people, including five policemen were injured in a clash between the AL activists at Khanpara village on Sunday night.
Local sources said AL leaders -- incumbent UP member Ishaq and former UP member Taleb -- had been at loggerhead since long.
As a sequel to the enmity, their supporters locked into a clash at about 10:30pm.
A chase and counter chase took place during the three-hour long melee.
The feuding groups also fired several gunshots and exploded several bombs.
"The area turned into a battlefield during the clash," said a spot account of the incident.
On information, police rushed in and fired several rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
The law-enforcers also detained 12 people from the spot. Later, they freed nine of them.
The injured were admitted to Upazila Health Complex and Sadar Hospital.
In the district town, a factional clash of BCL over dropping tender at the office of police super left three injured on Sunday.
Witnesses said the clash erupted at about 11am between the activists of the ruling party''s student wing over dropping tender of Tk 42 lakh.

Bangladesh to be important ally of US, says Judith

Bangladesh and the United States have significant opportunities to work together to make a bridge between the Muslim world and the USA, said US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Ms Judith Mchale, as the Obama government is taking major steps to that end, reports UNB.
She disclosed that there will be an entrepreneur summit in April this year in Washington, bringing young entrepreneurs from the Muslim world to create new access to business, while in March there will be a meeting of religious leaders in Dhaka.
Besides, the new US government is trying to expand its education program and access to English education, science and technology for those who are interested to avail the scope.
"I think there are significant opportunities to work together and I am absolutely convinced that these are the issues that will strengthen both of our positions," she said in an interview with UNB chief of correspondents Shamim Ahmad on Monday.
Ms McHale, who came here on a 3-day official visit, said Bangladesh, given its moderate approach and philosophy of moderation, will be an increasingly important ally of the United States in the days ahead.
"During my stay here for couple of days and discussions, I focused on how we could actually work better together to address this very difficult issue," she said about the task of rebuilding the ties.
Asked about any change in the situation after President Obama''s historic speech in Cairo last year, Ms Mchale said definitely, the Muslim community around the world has been encouraged by the speech, especially the young people who find a new opportunity to work together on variety of issues and building a bridge of knowledge and understanding.
"You know it is not easy; it''s hard to do, it''s hard to build new relationship. We''re working on new ways to reach out to the people," she said, adding that the Obama administration is deeply committed to fulfilling all the words of the Cairo speech.
Asked whether she discovered anything new here during her visit, Mchale said she has been struck by the way Bangladesh is growing with dynamism, economy and a sense of optimism and spirit of moving forward.
Obviously, she added, there are many significant challenges and people here seem to be optimistic about their future and ability to face those challenges.
McHale was asked about any opportunity for Bangladesh to be an economic partner of the United States as US Congressmen recently termed Bangladesh a close ally of America. She retorted: "I am very encouraged to have the partnership between Bangladesh and the USA in many areas".
And she appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina''s initiatives and commitment to democracy and the rule of law. McHale also praised Sheikh Hasina''s recent visit to India setting up new agenda in the region.
Asked about the critical challenges for Bangladesh, the US foreign office functionary said education, food security, global health,
climate change and counterterrorism are the challenges which require all to work together to address.
She noted Bangladesh has potential of natural gas reserve that might be used to address the energy issue and provide new source of income.
McHale said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government seem to be going down very good on the positive path. "So, there are exciting possibilities to strengthen ties between the two countries."
Asked about Bangladesh''s long-running demand for duty-free access to the US market, she said President Obama is very clear about the understanding of the international trade and he will continue to support this.
About the US cooperation in securing Bangladesh''s land and maritime boundary, she said security is an important issue that not only affects Bangladesh but also the region and the entire world, which needs continued cooperation from all to deal with.
Stressing the need for higher studies by Bangladeshi students is the USA and vice versa to establish deeper ties, McHale said her country wants to increase the number of Bangladeshi students to the United States to 20,000 a year from the current figure of 2,700.
She said more students from Bangladesh to the US are to ensure the future generation and help forge ties between the two countries. Education is key challenge for any country to acquire skill to succeed in the 21st century.
Asked about the possibility of President Obama''s visit to Bangladesh, Mchale would not speculate about it. She said the President has got very complicated schedules.
About Secretary Hillary Clinton''s visit to Dhaka, she however said she would directly speak to Clinton and encourage her to come to Bangladesh.

Junior terminal exam for class VIII from this year

Countrywide Junior Terminal Examination for Class-VIII students will be held simultaneously across the country with same question paper from this year, reports UNB.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid came up with the discloser at a press briefing at his office Monday, after holding the maiden Primary Terminal Examination at the end of last academic session.
Annual examination in class VIII and junior scholarship examination will be merged into the class-VIII Terminal Examination through introducing the new public exam at the secondary school level. Under the new examination system, scholarships will be given based on the results of the students in their terminal exams. The students will be enrolled in class IX on the basis of certificates of the terminal examinations.
Earlier, the first Primary Education Terminal Examination for the students of class V was held on November 21-24.
Addressing the briefing the minister said the government is trying to improve the standard of education in the country through taking various steps.
He said the government has scraped its earlier decision to hold the mathematics exam of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) under the new creative-question method from 2011.
Nahid said this year only Bengali and Religion exams of the SSC will be held in the new creative-question method. The exams in three more subjects will be held under the method from next year.
The education minister said the government has allotted Tk 112.35 crore to bring the country''s non-government educational institutions under the MPO (Monthly Payment Order).
"A huge number of educational institutions will be brought under the MPO with the money," he said.
He said the new MPO policy would be followed strictly in bringing the institutions under MPO. "We will remove reported massive irregularities and nepotism in handing out MPO to non-government institutions like schools, colleges and madrasas, often on political considerations."
The education ministry has published the application form and a guideline for Monthly Pay Order (MPO) on its website for the MPO-listing of new non-government educati-onal institutions.

HC issues contempt rule on Jamuna Builders MD

The High Court on Monday, upon a Rajuk petition, issued a contempt of court rule upon M Shamim Islam, managing director of Jamuna Builders Ltd., to explain in 10 days why proceedings should not be drawn against him for "misquoting and distorting the High Court orders", reports UNB.
Passing the contempt rule, a division bench comprising Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Justice Borhan Uddin asked the contemner, Shamim Islam, to appear in person before the court on February 22 for giving his explanations as asked for.
The HC orders came following a petition filed by Nurul Huda, chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
Earlier, on Sunday, the contempt petition was filed with the HC against the managing director of Jamuna Builders Ltd for distorting and misquoting its order in two separate appeals submitted to the Rajuk chairman.
On February 3, the HC summarily rejected a writ petition filed by Jamuna Builders Ltd challenging the legitimacy of a Rajuk notice that had asked for dismantling within seven days the unauthorized top four floors of the 10-storey Jamuna Future Park Shopping Complex in the capital.
Advocate AFM Mesbahuddin appeared for Rajuk chairman.

Arms factory unearthed

COX''S BAZAR, Feb 8: Police unearthed an arms factory at Baritolyah Ghona, and seized firearms and huge arms-making equipment in Moheshkhali upazila Monday, reports UNB.
The also arrested two people - Zafar Alam and Ekramul Haque - in this connection.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Moheshkhali thana police arrested Zafar, a trained arms mechanic, in the morning.
As per his confessional statement, three separate police team raided the area in the afternoon and uncovered the arms factory in a hill cave of the island.
They also recovered two guns, two cartridges, blades, drill machine and so on from the factory.
The arrested people were being interrogated at the police station, police said.

2 BCL men hurt in Shibir attack at RU

RAJSHAHI, Feb 8: Two activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League were injured in an attack by the activists of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at Rajshahi University Monday night, reports UNB.
The injured were identified as Asad and Kawser of Bangabandhu Hall.
Campus sources said the Shibir men attacked Asad and Kawser while they were entering their dormitory at about 8pm, leaving them injured.
They were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
Additional police have been deployed on the campus following the incident.
A tense situation was prevailing on the campus.

New Chief Justice takes oath

President Zillur Rahman administered the oath of newly appointed Chief Justice M Fazlul Karim at the Bangabhaban Monday, reports UNB.
Deputy leader of the Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, former chiefs of caretaker governments Justice Habibur Rahman and Justice Latifur Rahman, outgoing Chief Justice M Tafazzul Islam, cabinet members, Advisers to the Prime Minister, Deputy Speaker, state ministers, former chief justices, Appellate Division and High Court Division judges of the Supreme Court, chiefs of three services, secretaries, senior lawyers and other senior civil and military officials attended the ceremony.
Cabinet secretary M Abdul Aziz conducted the swearing-in ceremony at the Bangabhaban.
Later, talking to journalists, the new Chief justice said he would try his best to ensure rule of law in the country.
He asked the reporters to send his wishes to the countrymen and also sought blessings from them.
"Convey my best wishes to the countrymen requesting them to say prayers for me so that I can uphold the rule of law across the country," he said.
The Chief Justice was appointed by the President on February 4.

France, US step up call for new Iran sanction

PARIS, Feb 8: The United States and France said on Monday it was time to impose new sanctions on Iran after Tehran announced it was planning a major expansion of its nuclear programme, reports Reuters.
Iran said it would soon start producing higher-grade nuclear fuel and add 10 uranium enrichment plants over the next year, raising the stakes in its long-running stand-off with Western powers over its atomic plans.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told reporters he did not believe Iran had the ability to raise the enrichment level of its uranium. "Therefore, this is real blackmail," he said. "The only thing that we can do, alas, is apply sanctions given that negotiations are not possible."
Speaking at a separate event in Paris, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates also said more pressure had to be applied.
"We must still try and find a peaceful way to resolve this issue. The only path that is left to us at this point, it seems to me, is that pressure track but it will require all of the international community to work together," he said.
Gates said the international community had "offered Iran multiple opportunities to provide reassurance about its intentions with respect to its nuclear programme".
Western governments are convinced Iran is trying to gain nuclear weapons capacity. Tehran says its atomic programme is peaceful and aimed at producing energy.
AFP adds from Tehran: Iran''s all powerful supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution would be a "punch" to the world''s "arrogant" powers that would stun them.
"The Iranian nation, with its unity and God''s grace, will punch the arrogance (Western powers) on the 22nd of Bahman (February 11) in a way that will leave them stunned," Khamenei, who is also Iran''s commander-in-chief, told a gathering of air force personnel.
The country''s top cleric was delivering a speech to mark the occasion when 31 years ago the Iranian airforce gave its support to the revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a key event which led to the toppling of the US- backed shah on February 11, 1979. This year''s anniversary is expected to become a flashpoint between security forces and supporters of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who have triggered one of the worst crises facing the Islamic republic since it was founded.

255 British soldiers killed in Afghanistan so far

LONDON, Feb 8: Two more British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan at the weekend, bringing the country''s death toll there to the same as the 1982 Falklands war, the Ministry of Defence said Monday, reports AFP .
The soldiers from the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland were killed by an explosion in Sangin in Helmand Province on Sunday, taking the British death toll in Afghanistan to 255 since 2001.
"They were on a foot patrol bringing security to local people... when the explosion caught them... Two of our comrades have been cruelly taken from us, but their bravery and fortitude will not be forgotten," said a spokesman.
The politically symbolic toll comes as Prime Minister Gordon Brown battles to persuade a sceptical British public that the Afghan conflict is worthwhile, and as he struggles to avoid defeat in elections due by June.
Britain ousted Argentinian forces from the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in a 74-day war that left 649 Argentines and 255 Britons dead. Then premier Margaret Thatcher''s popularity surged as a result.
The latest British deaths in Afghanistan came as Britain braced for a surge in casualties in a major assault against Taliban-led militants in southern Afghanistan.
Troops from Britain, which has 9,500 service personnel in the country, will take part in Operation Mushtarak ("Together") in Helmand province and the assault is expected to be launched within days.
Reports say up to 4,000 British troops may be involved. The two soldiers killed Sunday were not part of Operation Mushtarak, the MoD said.
More than 110,000 international troops are in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban-led insurgents under US and NATO command, with another 40,000 arriving as part of a counter-insurgency strategy designed to bring an end to the war.

Canadian MP meets Khaleda

Visiting Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Association chairperson Maria Minna MP hoped that the parliamentary relations between the two countries would be firm in the future through exchange of visits by delegations of lawmakers, reports UNB.
"It will also help increase people-to-people relations between the two countries," Maria, Member of Parliament from the Liberal Party of Canada, was quoted as saying when she paid a courtesy call on BNP chairperson and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office at 8:30 Monday night.
After the meeting that lasted about an hour, BNP vice-chairman Shamser Mobin Chowdhury who was present at the meeting told UNB that the BNP chairperson assured her party''s cooperation in strengthening the linkup of Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Association.
The Canadian lawmaker was impressed by a moderate society prevailing in Bangladesh despite it being a Muslim-majority country.
She also appreciated and congratulated Khaleda Zia on advancement of Bangladesh women compared to many other countries in terms of women''s empowerment and women''s education, particularly during the last tenure of Khaleda Zia''s government.
Maria invited the BNP chief to visit Canada. She accepted the invitation, and the visit would take place at a mutually convenient time.
Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert Mc Dougall, and BNP chairperson''s advisers Reaz Rahman and Sabihuddin Ahmed were also present at the meeting.

RMG workers block road in Gazipur for arrears

GAZIPUR, Feb 8: Garment workers put barricade on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway Monday morning to press home their five-point demand including arrear salaries and resumption of their factory, disrupting communication for about five hours, reports UNB.
Witnesses said the agitated workers of Giant and Six H Factory, which is remain closed for few months, staged demonstration in front of their factory at Senakalyan Commercial Complex in Tongi bazar area and barricaded the road at about 8:30am.
Police force tried to control the situation but they retreated facing the interception by the workers
Hundreds of passengers suffered a lot as communication on about 40 routes was suspended for five hours.
The garment workers, later, removed the barricade at about 2pm following assurance given by the district and police administration.

Doctor faces charge in Jackson death

LOS ANGELES, Feb 8: Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been trying to surrender to authorities for a week, will likely have his chance Monday with prosecutors saying they will file a charge in the death of Michael Jackson, reports AP.
A district attorney''s spokeswoman did not name the doctor nor say what the charge will be but Murray''s lawyers have said they expect a single charge of involuntary manslaughter against the man who administered an anesthetic to the singer before he died. As the last person to see Jackson alive, Murray has been the focal point of a police investigation since Jackson died last June 25 at age 50. Murray acknowledged that he administered the hospital anesthetic propofol and other sedatives as Jackson, a chronic insomniac, struggled to sleep.
Murray had been hired as the performer''s personal physician as he prepared for a monumental comeback concert in London. The doctor was to have traveled with Jackson and had closed down his cardiology practices in Houston and Las Vegas to devote himself to Jackson full time.
The death of the pop superstar left the doctor''s life and medical practice in limbo. There was talk of a criminal case even before a coroner''s report found that Jackson''s death was a homicide and pinpointed propofol and other drugs as the cause. On Friday, after a week of on-again, off-again reports that Murray would be charged, district attorney''s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said the office was delaying any action until Monday amid reports that police wanted to arrest and handcuff the doctor but his attorneys were negotiating to avoid that.
The drama of his surrender and subsequent arraignment was to be played out in front of news cameras, and Murray''s legal team wanted to avoid the spectacle of having the doctor seen in handcuffs by a large audience - including potential jurors for his trial. One group that wants to see him in handcuffs is a contingent of Michael Jackson fans who launched a telephone campaign to the Los Angeles Police Department demanding as much. They threatened to hold a protest at the airport-area courthouse if Murray was allowed to surrender on his own.
The doctor maintains nothing he gave Jackson should have killed him. A trial would be expected to involve expert medical testimony on the use of propofol and whether there was gross negligence involved in its use at a private home. It is normally administered in hospital settings.
Murray''s lead defense lawyer, Ed Chernoff, has said the doctor is prepared for the legal battle ahead.
"We''ll make bail, we''ll plead not guilty and we''ll fight like hell," said Chernoff.

Section 144 imposed in Natore

NATORE, Feb 8: The rally of Jubo Dal could not be held at the WAPDA Colony field in the town Monday as local administration imposed Section 144 in and around the venue, reports UNB.
Sources said Jubo Dal called a rally at 4pm at the venue demanding execution of the verdict of its leader Sabbir Ahmed Gama murder case on the occasion of his 6th death anniversary.
But, the local administration imposed ban in and around the filed, barring the Jubo Dal men from holding rally.
Police said Section 144 was imposed as Jubo Dal did not take any permission from the WAPDA authority to hold any rally at its filed.
However, the youth wing of the opposition BNP held its rally at a nearby filed.

World''s tallest tower suddenly shuttered

DUBAI, FEB 8: The Burj Khalifa''s owner said Monday the observation deck of the world''s tallest tower has been unexpectedly shut down, potentially disappointing thousands of tourists and marring the spire''s image just a month after it opened, reports AP.
The precise cause of the Dubai skyscraper''s closure remained murky.
In a brief statement responding to questions, building owner Emaar Properties blamed the closure on "unexpected high traffic," but then suggested that electrical problems were also at fault. "Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on by the main and subcontractors and the public will be informed upon completion," the company said.

Two killed in Rangamati road crash

RANGAMATI, Feb 8: A bus ran over a CNG-run taxi in Kaukhali Upazila near Rangamati on Sunday night, killing two people including the taxi driver, police said, reports bdnews24.com.
Abul Hossain, sub-inspector of police at Kaukhali police station, said the speeding bus ran over the taxi at Ghagrha on Rangamati-Chittagong highway at around 8:45pm on Sunday.
Taxi driver Surat Ali, 40, and another unidentified person were killed in the road crash, he said.
The Rangamati-bound bus of Paharhika Paribahan hit the taxi head-on near Gaghrha armed police battalion''s camp, the police officer told bdnews24.com.
The taxi driver died on the spot while a grievously injured taxi passenger died on his way to Rangamati General Hospital, he added.
Police seized the bus, but its driver and helper fled the scene.