The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Beijing

US investment bank JPMorgan Chase and Co has received the green light from Chinese authorities to set up a futures trading joint venture, state media said on Thursday.

JPMorgan Chase's local partner will be Zhongshan Futures Co, a futures brokerage company with a registered capital of 30 million yuan (four million dollars), the China Daily reported.

The joint venture will provide trading and clearing brokerage services in both commodity futures and, when they become available, financial futures, according to the paper.

"By learning from JPMorgan's rich experience in the global market, we can avoid the long and tedious learning curve in financial futures trading," said Jiang Xuehong, Zhongshan's general manager.

China has been moving very slowly on the introduction of futures, fearing their potential to increase volatility in the markets.

But China's securities regulator said earlier this month that a long- awaited plan to launch stock index futures is "basically ready".

Futures contracts allow investors to buy or sell stocks or other assets at a fixed date in the future and are traditionally seen as a useful instrument to hedge risks.

BSS, Dhaka

BRAC's founder-chairperson Fazle Hasan Abed has announced a commitment of $ 271 million for providing education opportunities to 7.5 million children and youth in Asia and Africa over the next five years.

The commitment was made on Wednesday, the first day of the three -day Clinton Global initiative annual meeting held in New York, as the world leaders gathered there to address the earth's most pressing problem, a BRAC press release said here on Thursday.

BRAC has partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Novo Foundation and the BRAC, USA to mobilise resources and provide a continuum of innovative educational opportunities for poor children, especially girls in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Uganda and Southern Sudan.

The programme is expected to reach 7.5 million beneficiaries through pre-primary, non-formal primary and secondary schooling as well as skill training and undergraduate and advanced degrees relevant to the needs of developing countries.

BRAC will spend $51.8 million in 2008 and build up to $ 271 million by 2012, of which $ 221 million will be spent in Bangladesh, $21 million in Afghanistan, $12 million in Uganda, $11 million in Southern Sudan and $6 million in Tanzania, the press release said.

"We feel that it is vitally important that children experience meaningful learning and enjoy education for their well-being and the future of their countries. We need to focus on the next generation and invest in them to create sustainable foundations for growth, poverty alleviation and peace," Abed said as quoted by the press release.

In Bangladesh, over 1.5 million children are currently enrolled in BRAC's more than 20,000 pre-primary and 32,000 primary schools, and nearly 4 million children have already graduated.

BRAC also runs over 8,000 adolescent development centres and more than 1400 community libraries, the press release also said.

BSS, Rangpur

One person was sentenced to death on Wednesday for killing his wife for dowry in Dinajpur.

Judge of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Special Tribunal Court of Dinajpur M Badsha Alamgir delivered the verdict in a jam-packed courtroom.

The prosecution, in brief, is that convict Nabiul Islam Bakul, 35, son of Lokman Hakim of village Mirpur in Fulbari upazila of Dinajpur frequently tortured his wife Johura Bibi, 30, daughter of late Bahar Uddin of nearby village Dakshin Verom for dowry for a long time.

At one stage, the husband murdered Johura Bibi by beating her mercilessly on December 10, 2000 as she failed to bring dowry from her parents as demanded by her husband.

The killer husband then tried to divert the murder into a suicidal case 'by taking poison' and a UD case was filed in this connection with Fulbari police station.

But later, the UD case converted into a murder case when Sub- Inspector Farid Uddin of Fulbari Thana filed a murder case against Nabiul after geting viscera report from Dhaka that confirmed the death was not caused by poison and the victim was murdered.

After investigation, police submited charge sheet against husband Nabiul Islam to the court

After examining 11 witnesses and relevant evidence, the Judge found the accused person guilty beyond any doubt and pronounced the verdict of death penalty by hanging the killer unto death.

Public prosecutor of Dinajpur advocate Anisur Rahman stood for the State while senior Advocate Abdul Hye defended the accused side.

BSS, B' Baria

The Meena Day-'2007 was observed in the district on Wednesday with the aim of making all in society particularly the guardians' aware about establishing children's rights.

The district Shishu Academy organised a discussion meeting and cultural function at the local Shilpakala Academy auditorium to mark the day.

Additional deputy commissioner of the district Mohammad Imrul Chowdhury was present in the function as the chief guest

With children affairs officer of the district Mahfuza Akhtar in the chair, the discussion meeting was addressed, among others, by assistant professor of Brahmanbaria Government College Mizanur Rahman Shishir and District Education Officer Shamsul Alam.

BSS, New York

Cheick Sidi Diarra, Under Secretary General of the UN and High Representative for LDC's, LLDCs and SIDCs called on Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the later's hotel suite here on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed maters relating to various issue including the UN role for the development of Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The UN Under Secretary General appreciated Bangladesh's significant role in micro finance towards alleviating poverty and requested the Bangladesh government to share its experiences with other LDCs.

They also discussed about the present global climate change and need for taking comprehensive programmes to face the challenges in future.

The Chief Adviser suggested the High Representative for the LDCs and LLDCs (Landlocked Developing Countries) and SIDCs (Small Island Developing Countries) to promote the Brussels partnership initiative to this end.

"Your office could work for LDCs interest keeping contact with the UN and other concerned organisations in this regard," he added.

Diarra assured of his full support to the Bangladesh's present caretaker government

Dr Fakhruddin listed different programmes of his government and invited Cheick Sidi Diarra to visit Bangladesh and see for himself the present condition of Bangladesh.

BSS, Dhaka

Different organisations and individuals yesterday donated around Taka 56.59 lakh (Taka 56,58,929) to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund, an official handout said.

The donors were M Mukul Ahmed of East Shahbazpur of Moulvibazar Taka 50, Hazrat Shah Paran ® High School of Khadimnagar of Sylhet Taka 10,000, Kishoreganj Gurudayal Government College Taka 14,000, students of Bhoalia Under Secondary School of Rangamati district Taka 1,000, Rangamati district truck, mini-truck owners' joint commitee Taka 20,000, Greenhill, an NGO of Rangamati, Taka one lakh, M Rahmat Ullah Qaderi of Kasba of Brahmanbaria Taka 5,000, one day salary of the officials and employees of Narcotics Control Department Taka 51,741, disabled children of IDCEP of Khulna Taka 334, Self Development Programme Taka 5,000, Morshed Alam of Mohammadpur, Dhaka Taka 10,000, EPL container shipping association Taka three lakh, Mask Bangladesh Ltd. Taka three lakh, QC Container Line Ltd. Taka two lakh, QC Shipping Ltd. Taka one lakh, Sea Borne Pvt Ltd. 75,000, SW Shipping Ltd. Taka 50,000, Everest Shipping Agencies Ltd. Taka 25,000, NYK Line (BD) Ltd. Taka 20,000, different organizations of expatriate Bangladeshi nationals in USA Taka 9,20,419, Bangladesh Society Incorporated New York Taka 10,58,284, Faridpur Kalyan Samity of KSA Dammam and Barisal Kalyan Samity and Eastern Province Samity Taka one lakh, Shahin from Kuwait Taka 10,000 and one-day salary of officials and employees of different departments and organizations under the Education Ministry Taka 22,83,100.

Staff Reporter

Family members of a bodybuilder Mizanur Rahman who was killed five months ago demanded the immediate arrest of the alleged killers yesterday.

The press conference was atended, among others, by victim's mother Julekha Begum, brothers engineer Mostafizur Rahman and Shafiqur Rahman and sister Ayesha Akhter.

According to sources, Mizan was found dead on April 21 this year at a Maghbazar house and later he was buried at his village home in Laxmipur district

After 33 days of the burial, Mizan's elder brother Mostafizur Rahman filed a case in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court alleging that their maternal uncle Tofazzal Hossain and his wife Mrs Daisy Akhter killed Mizan by poisoning. They alleged that their uncle and aunty killed Mizan following a dispute over land.

After the case filing, the court ordered to form a medical board for conducting autopsy by digging out the body. The board submited the autopsy report on September 20, which said that Mizan was killed by poisoning.

Staff Reporter

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami yesterday hosted an Iftar party in honour of distinguished persons from different sections of the society.

The iftar party, organised at the Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, was atended by leaders of different political parties, editors of different newspapers, university teachers, business leaders, lawyers and the ulema.

Maulana Nizami did not address the iftar party. He, however, conducted munajat seeking the blessings of the Almighty and unity of Islamic forces to resist conspiracy being hatched against the Muslim Ummah.

Former Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Prof Golam Azam, Jamaat leaders-Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Mollah, among others, were present on the occasion.

Staff Reporter

Housewife Shirin Akhter Shilpy, 35, of the city's Matuail under Jatrabary thana was allegedly strangulated to death by her driver husband early Thursday while college girl Nazia Huq commited suicide by hanging herself at their Sutrapur residence in the morning.

Jatrabari police said, Shilpy's husband Mohammad Hasmatullah hailing from Narsinghdi district killed her by strangulating at their Matuail residence early hours of Thursday.

Victim's brother Tofayel Ahmed filed a murder case alleging that driver Hasmatullah killed his sister Shilpy over a family feud. After the murder, driver Hasmatullah went in hiding.

Meanwhile, college girl Nazia's father advocate Nazimul Huq Mollah of 60/A Satish Sarkar Road under Sutrapur thana told police that his 16-year-old daughter commited suicide by hanging herself following a quarrel between mother and daughter.

An unnatural death case was filed in this regard.

Both the bodies were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsies.

UNB, NewYork

UNDP Administrator Dr Kemal Dervis Thursday assured that the UN would extend its support to the caretaker government in carrying out its current reform initiatives.

The UNDP administrator gave the assurance while he called on Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in his hotel suite.

Dr Dervis praised the government efforts for introducing positive changes in governance, particularly in areas of police administration to ensure rule of law.

He said the UNDP was ready to accord all possible assistance to advance the programmes.

The Chief Adviser apprised him of institutional reforms that were being undertaken in discharging the caretaker government's mandate.

The Chief Adviser referred to his government efforts to bring about quantitative and qualitative improvements in socio-economic indexes, which the Administrator appreciated.

Dr Fakhruddin also stressed the need for greater mutual access to neighbouring countries to grow in a balanced and sustainable fashion.

The Administrator discussed the reforms being undertaken at the UN and sought Bangladesh's support as "Bangladesh is an important member of the international community." Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed stressed the need for greater development focus of the UN system and expected that the UNDP will continue to play a central role in this regard.

UNB, Khulna

Navy Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam handed over Harbour Patrol Boat, made in Khulna Shipyard, to Coast Guard here on Thursday.

Earlier, the Navy Chief visited the Khulna Shipyard and expressed satisfaction as it now turned into a profitable organization in the southern part of the country.

Among others, DG of Coast Guard, Commodore M A K Azad, Commodore Commanding, Khulna, captain Khandaker Toufiquzzaman, MD of Khulna Shipyard Riazuddin Ahmed, high civil and military officials were present

Khulna Shipyard was handed over to the Bangladesh Navy on October 3,1999 as it was on the verge of closure as a sick organization. Officials said now it has become a profitable organization under the new management

UNB, Bogra

A cocktail exploded in the Police Super's maalkhana (armoury) leaving a man wounded today. Police said Mukul Biswas, 40, opened the maalkhana to take some physical evidence at about 11-30 when the cocktail burst with a big bang. Mukul received burn injuries in his left hand. He was rushed to the hospital.

The maalkhana was immediately sealed off. Investigation is underway to find out how the live cocktail got in the maalkhana.

UNB, Benapole

A Bangladeshi catle trader was shot dead by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Goga frontier early on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Shajahan, 24, son of Ramzan Prodhania of bordering Goga village.

BDR sources said BSF jawans of Pepoli camp opened fire on a group of catle traders while they were returning to Bangladesh from India with catle in the early morning, killing Shajahan on the spot BSF dragged the body of Shajahan into Indian territory after the killing.

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League will observe the 61st birthday of its President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday.

Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was born at her ancestral home in Tungipara in Gopalganj on this day in 1947.

She was elected President of the party in an AL council session on February 1981 while she was in exile and returned to Bangladesh on May 17, 1981.

In 1968, the AL chief got married to eminent nuclear scientist M Wazed Miah. They have a son and a daughter.

This is first time while leaders and workers of her party would observe her birthday in her absence. She will not cut the birthday cake as she is now under detention in an extortion case. The AL chief was arrested on July 16 from her Sudha Sadan residence. The party would observe her birthday in a low key manner under the state of emergency.

AL would arrange milad mahfil and doa at its Dhanmondi office seeking divine blessings for her long life and immediate release from jail. Zillur Rahman urged leaders, workers, supporters and admirers across the country to observe Sheikh Hasina's birthday and demanded of the present caretaker government to release Sheikh Hasina immediately.

Moulvibazar correspondent

Declaration of 10 newspapers published from Moulvibazar district has been cancelled for failing to publish regularly and not maintaining offices at the mentioned addresses.

District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar district Md. Alkama Siddiquee in an order issued on September 17 cancelled declaration of the 10 newspapers under the Printing Press and Publication (Declaration and Registration) Act of 1973.

The newspapers are the Pubali Barta, the Moulvibazar Darpan, the Saptahik Moulvibazar, the weekly Dholai, the weekly Mou-Machhi Kantha, the weekly Kulaurar Dak, the weekly Mukta Kotha, the weekly Raj Kontha the Bahni Shikha, a fortnightly, and the Masik Dur Diganta, a monthly.

But the notices were not replied to while office addresses of some of the publications were found to be false, he added.