The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

US energy company, Chevron, made a contribution to ICDDR,B for the flood victims of this year. The donation was made in recognition of the importance of the Centre's humanitarian work for saving lives of diarrhoeal patients who came for medical treatment to its Dhaka Hospital based in Mohakhali.

An amount of US$50,000 was made as Chevron's contribution to ICDDR,B for this purpose. The amount was handed over to Dr Charles Larson, Acting Executive Director of ICDDR,B, by Ms Rhonda Zygocki, Vice President of Chevron's Policy Government and Public Affairs. Senior officials from Unocal Bangladesh Limited Steve Wilson, Steve Wilson, President of Chevron Bangladesh, and Naser Ahmed, Director of Chevron Bangladesh's External Affairs, were present From ICDDR,B, Hospital Administrator Dr Mark Pietroni, Director of Laboratory Sciences Division Dr Hubert Endtz and, Head of External Relations Dr Ishtiaque Zaman were present

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BSS, Barisal

Speedy Trial Tribunal (STT) here on Wednesday sentenced eight persons to life term imprisonment for killing one person in Patuakhali district in 2000.

The judge of STT Mr. Rabiul Hasan gave the verdict in a crowded court room in presence of seven accused while the other accused is absconding.

The judge also fined Taka 10,000 each, in default to suffer additional six months jail term.

Besides, the judge acquited Atahar Hossain, Motahar Hossain and Jafar from the charge, as their involvement in the case could not be proved beyond doubt

Three accused in the case had died earlier, court sources said.

The convicts were identified as Saidul Sikder, SM Salauddin alias Kuty, Esahak Sikder, Aziz Sikder, Sater Sikder, Jafar Sikder, Isahak Mollah and Babul Sikder (absentia).

The prosecution story in brief is that the convicts chopped one Sunder Ali in Golbunia village of Sadar upazila of Patuakhali district on June 16, 2000 when he was working in the field.

He was then admited to Patuakhjali Sadar Hospital with critical injury and succumbed to his injuries on June 27,2000.

His wife Aisha Begum filed a case in this connection against 14 accused with Kotwali Thana police on June 27,2000.

SI Nurul Islam pressed charge sheet in this connection on July 24,2001 against 14 accused.

BSS, Dhaka

The government has taken massive steps including drilling of new wells and pigging of the transmission pipes for increasing uninterrupted supply of gas to the consumers in the country particularly in Chitagong area.

" I can assure the countrymen that there will be no crisis of gas supply during the next five years and thereafter as government is increasing gas production against the demand," Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Tapan Chowdhury said at a press briefing at his secretariat office here on Thursday.

The power plants in the country have been advised to switch to coal-based system after 2012 because gas is non-renewable energy, the adviser said in reply to a query.

" There is no possibility of increasing prices of gas, oil and electricity at this moment, the adviser categorically said while replying another question.

He also gave a brief resume of strengthening the local gas exploring company BAPEX.

While explaining the present situation of gas supply, Energy Secretary ANN Nasiruddin said, " There is no shortage of gas production now. But the problem lies with infrastructural facilities and that will be removed shortly".

He said the government has taken some emergency measures to meet the future demand of gas in different parts of the country including Chitagong area.

The measures include the online pigging of Bakhrabad- Chitagong transmission pipeline to begin in November next Pigging of other pipelines will be done by June, 2008 in phases and increase of 15 cft gas supply to Chitagong area daily.

The short-term programme includes increasing production of 40m cft gas from Bakhrabad and Meghna gas field and drilling of two wells at Feni gas field.

The short and mid-term programme includes development of Semutang gas field in Khagrachhari, Begumganj gas field, well drilling in Kapasia gas field, re-exploration at Srikail and Sundalpur gas fields, drilling of new wells in Salda River gas field.

Besides, the international oil companies will conduct some exploration and development programme in Moheshkhali, Hatia and 17 and 18 blocks near seashore.

The objective of the long-term programme is calling bids for Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round, 2007 possibly at the end of the current year with the target of producing offshore gas by 2015.

BSS, Dhaka

The government will construct flats for middle, low and very low income group people in Dhaka City and Tongi.

This was decided at a review meeting of the Housing and Public Works Ministry in the ministry's conference room here on Thursday.

Housing and Public Works, Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein chaired the meeting, said an official handout

The meeting decided to construct 22,000 flats in the city's Mirpur area for allocating among the middle and low-income group people.

The Housing and Public Works Ministry will construct some flats of 250 square feet to 300 square feet at Datapara near Tongi and these will be allocated to the very low-income group people living in the area, the meeting decided.

Besides, the meeting decided to amend the Building Code for construction of high rise building. Under the amendment, above 10-storied buildings will be treated as high rise buildings instead of the present 6-storied ones.

The meeting also decided to construct the proposed 60-feet wide link road from Bijoy Sarana to Tejgaon.

In the meeting, Barrister Mainul Hosein urged the officials for taking initiatives in implementing the decisions of the meeting within the shortest possible time.

Housing and Public Works Secretary ASM Rashidul Hye and chiefs of the departments, directorates and organisations atended the meeting.

BSS, Barisal

A court here yesterday sentenced two youths to 10 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) in an arms case.

Judge of the Special Tribunal Abdus Salek handed down the verdict in the presence of the convicts.

The convicts are Kazem Dewan, 24, and Sobahan Dewan, 22, of Patanibhanga village under Hizla upazila of the district

The prosecution story, in brief, is that the Rapid Action Batalion (RAB) arrested the convicts from Rupatali areas in the city on April 12 last with a pipe gun and two bullets.

The RAB filed a case against them with Kotwali police in this connection.

Sub-Inspector Sultan Mahmud Chowdhury submited chargesheet on April 26.

The judge after examining 11 prosecution witnesses out of 16 and verifying other evidence delivered the verdict

BSS, Sunamganj

Amidst enthusiasm, the work of voter registration with photograph in Sylhet division began on Wednesday with registration of the voters in Tahirpur upazila in the district

Local upazila administration said under the supervision of armed forces and local administration the work of voter registration in the upazila is expected to be completed within next 24 days.

On the first two days of registration, voters in 53 centers in 10 unions under the upazila have been registered. A total of 338 field level officers and workers have been working to make the registration a success.

Divisional commissioner of Sylhet Mohammad Aziz Hasan and commanding officer of 52-infantry division of army Brigadier General Morshedul Haque supervised the voter registration work at five centres in Banijury and Dakkhin Sripur.

Deputy commissioner of the district Mohammad Saber Hossain, Police Super Mohammad Shafiqul Islam and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sayeed Mahbub, among others, were present The officials expressed their satisfaction at the progress of the voter registration work.

UNB, Dhaka

The government has fixed Tk 15 to buy Iftar for arrested former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. DIG (Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui told UNB Iftar of Tk 15 will be provided for each prisoner, including Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina now detained in makeshift jails.

" If they (Hasina and Khaleda) want additional Iftar items, they will have to pay for that," he said.

Major Siddiqui said Tk. seven was allocated for Iftar in last Ramadan. Now it was increased to Tk 15.

UNB, Dhaka

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall SM Ziaur Rahman made a courtesy call on President Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban on Thursday.

The Air Chief apprised the President various issues relating to the development of Bangladesh Air Force. He sought continuous support and cooperation from the President and Supreme Commander of Armed Forces in discharging his duties.

It was a routine visit by the Air Chief, said a Bangabhaban release. The President gave the Air Chief a patient hearing and assured him of all cooperation.

Military Secretary to the President Maj Gen M Aminul Karim, Secretary to the President M Sirajul Islam and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Hawlader were present on the occasion.

UNB, Dhaka

A shop owner was shot dead in an atack by some terrorists at Baganbari in Jurain here Thursday morning. The dead was identified as M Nayan, 38, son of Malek Miah and a resident of Baganbari area.

Sources said when Nayan was going to his nearby welding workshop from his house some terrorists sprayed bullets on him at about 9am, leaving him seriously injured.

Pedestrians rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he succumbed at about 10am.

The motive behind the killing could not be known immediately.

UNB, Dhaka

US President George W Bush and his wife Laura Bush have greeted the Muslim Ummah around the world on the occasion holy Ramadan.

The US President said, "Ramadan, the holiest days of the Islamic faith, begins with the first light of dawn and commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to the prophet Muhammad". During the days of fasting, prayer, and worship, Muslims reflect and remember their dependence on God, he added.

The President further said that Ramadan is also an occasion for Muslims to strengthen family and community ties and share God's gifts with those in need.

"America is a land of many faiths, and our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens. May the holy days of Ramadan remind us all to seek a culture of compassion and serve others in charity," he said.

UNB, Dhaka

Belying apprehensions, there were no tsunami waves visible in Bangladesh waters till late Wednesday night Earlier, Met warnings said that a powerful earthquake that struck Indonesia Wednesday afternoon could send tsunami up to Bangladesh coast after Wednesday midnight

After a meeting of weather experts, Dhaka Met Office in its latest bulletin at 2am, said "according to the national and international models, a devastating tsunami is unlikely to affect the coast of Bangladesh as the expected time is over."

The bulletin further said, however 1-2 feet or more height on the top of the normal astronomical tide may occur over the coastal districts of Bangladesh and their offshore islands and chars.

UNB, Dhaka

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed received cheques amounting to Tk 1,30,95,000 and relief goods for flood affected people from different associations at Banquet Hall, Dhaka Cantonment yesterday (Thursday).

EXIM Bank and Nassa group handed a cheque of Tk 50,00,000, Abul Khair group and Navana group each cheque of Tk 20,00,000, Amin Mohammad group and Dhaka club each cheque of Tk 10,00,000, Sinku A Zaman cheque of Tk 3,00,000, Gulshan Spinning Mills Ltd cheque of Tk 2,50,000, Banani DOHS Parishad and Inspire Development Ltd each cheque of Tk 2,00,000.

Others who handed over cheques to the Army Chief include Mousumi and Omar Sani group cheque of Tk 1,60,000, Bangladesh International School, the Aga Khan School Dhaka, Friends Cooperative Society, Brig Gen (retd) Mashuk Ahmed Chowdhury and Lizan Herbal group each cheque of Tk 1,00,000, Dr Shafiqul Azam cheque of Tk 65,000, and Bangladesh Publishers & Book Sellers' Association, Alhaj M Abdur Rahim, Integrated Security Services Limited and Bangla Security Service Ltd each cheque of Tk 50,000, Shakkhor Environment and Education Development Society and Radio Announcers' Club cheque of Tk 20,000, Hashil Trust cheque of Tk 1,25,000 and Shyamoli Shahi Masjid commitee cheque of Tk 75,000.

Among others, senior army officers and high officials from associations handing over relief goods were present on the occasion.

UNB, Dhaka

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), government's marketing agency, will sell goods at fair price at 46 points across the capital city during the holy month of Ramadan. From mobile trucks, TCB people will sell sugar at Tk 27 per kg, mashur dal at Tk 60 per kg, a two-litre botle of soyabean oil at 152 and five-litre botle at Tk 374, an official announcement said Thursday.

"The selling will take place from 9am to 4pm except on Fridays and government holidays," it said about the trading operation, launched in the wake of high prices of essentials.

The marketing spots are Press Club (transport pool), Shikka Bhaban, Secretariat Main Gate, Bailey Road colony, Eskaton Garden Colony, Rampura Bus Stand, Khilgaon Taltala, Mouchak crossing, Shahjahanpur Railway Colony, Motijheel Colony, AGB Colony, T & T Colony, Mipur-1 Bus Stand, Mirpur-2 Bus Stand, Mirpur-12 (Pallabi), Mirpur-10 Goal Chakkar Fire Service Gate, Mirpur-13 Nam Garden, Mirpur-14 Gate (Kachukhet Bazar), Rayerbag Bazar, Shanir Akhra Bazar, Jatrabari crossing and Syadabad Bus Stand.

The spots also include Sher-e-Bangla Nagar (Election Commission and Planning Commission Secretariat), Farmgate, Farmgate Bus Stand (beside cinema hall), Mahakhali crossing, Mahakhali Bus Stand, Utara (Rajlaxmi), Utara (bank colony), House Building Colony (Utara), Fakirapur Bazar (north gate), Kamalapur rail station, Bangladesh Bank and Colony, Shyamoli cinema hall, Mohammadpur Shia Masjid, Mohammadpur Bus Stand, Shankar Bus Stand Dhanmondi, Nawabpur road (Dhaka court), Sadarghat, Jigatala crossing, New market (kitchen market), Hatirpul Bazar, Azimpur Graveyard (gate), Azimpur Colony, place adjacent to Eden College, and Azimpur Colony (Western High School).

Lorry loads of TCB commodities will also be sold in Chitagong, Khulna and Rajshahi divisional cities while appointed dealers will sell these items in different divisions and district towns.

Huge ammunition seized from remote village of Jhenaigati upazila UNB, Sherpur BDR yesterday seized a large quantity of bullets hidden underground and arrested a young man from a remote Bakakura village of Jhenaigati upazila.

On secret information, a BDR team raided the house at 4-15 am and unearthed 29,100 bullets of pistol hidden in a water tank. Russel Sangma, 25, was taken into custody from the house. Police said Sangma was undergoing interrogation in their custody.

UNB, Dhaka

Huawei has donated Tk 2 million to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund for the flood victims. Huawei Technologies Bangladesh Limited CEO Wang Sheng Niu handed over a cheque for the amount to Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmad at his office on Thursday, said a press release.

"We want to stay beside the flood victims because we believe info-tech can change life at the grassroots level. We think our donation will support some of the victims to start new life after the devastating flood," Wang Sheng Niu said.

Huawei has over 500 Bangladeshi employees to serve the local market Many telecommunication experts of the country are geting training on latest telecommunication tools from Huawei headquarters at Shenzhen in China.

It is serving Bangladesh's telecommunication sector since 1998. Most phone operators like Banglalink, Citycell, Aktel and Teletalk, and

the PSTN operators are partners of Huawei, the press release added.

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh can make an appreciable progress and prosperity through the best use of its huge potentialities by promoting the tourism and hospitality sector.

This was observed by the tourism experts while addressing a press conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre here on Thursday, organized by the Institute of Catering & Hotel Management (ICHM) Ltd.

They referred to the lack of skilled and trained manpower in this highly prospective sector and stressed the importance of technical education to build a visionary workforce to improve this area of the national economy.

ICHM Chairman Hakim Ali, Principal & Academic Director Xavier Gomes, Managing Director Momtazuddin Bhuiyan and Finance Director Maj (retd) Badrul Alam, among others, addressed the press conference.

Hakim Ali said this particular sector demands skilled manpower for efficient handling of all areas to promote tourism in the country. "Our economy can prosper a lot from the income of our tourism sector," he said.

Xavier Gomes said properly trained and skilled persons have a wide range of opportunity to work in the areas like hotel, motel, restaurant, hospital, railway, airline, ship, industrial house, fast food outlets and community centre.

The ICHM, approved by the Centre of City and Guilds International UK, has been offering diploma on Food Preparation and Culinary Art

In June this year, 12 students made outstanding results with seven of them securing distinction and five earning special credit, the organizers said.

UNB, Dhaka

Acting Awami League general secretary Mukul Bose Thursday termed "unwarranted" the Wednesday's incident outside the party office, alleging that those who want to split Awami League have done it in a planned way.

"A conspiracy might have been hatched to divide Awami League… Those who were linked with the incident do not want the release of Sheikh Hasina," he told a press briefing at Prof. Abu Sayeed's Dhanmondi residence.

Some AL central leaders, believed to be reformists, were roughed up by party workers who apprehended that the reformist leaders want to install new leadership in the party replacing Sheikh Hasina. Mukul Bose said Awami League remains united and the incident was orchestrated to destroy the unity. "We will take action against those responsible for the incident after acting president Zillur Rahman recovers from his illness," he added.

AL leader Prof Abu Sayeed said the "conspirators" abused senior leaders to destroy the image of the party and Sheikh Hasina. He said they all want immediate release of Sheikh Hasina and those who do not want her release abused the leaders.