The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Department of Social Service (DSS) has suspended realisation of installment of its micro credit programme in 12 cyclone-hit districts from December 2007 to March 2008. The department has taken the decision in the wake of huge loss of lives and property by devastating cyclone Sidr recently, said a handout today.

The districts are Barisal, Barguna, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Jhalakati, Bhola, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira

UNB, Dhaka

The Russia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and ndustry (RBCCI), Moscow has donated US$ 15,000, equivalent to Tk 10.25 lakh, to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund in aid of the cyclone affected people.

RBCCI President Rafiqul Islam Arzoo Mia handed over the amount to the Charge D' Affaires of Bangladesh Embassy Rezina Ahmed in an informal occasion at the Embassy on Tuesday.

The amount has already been transferred to the bank account of the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund, said a press release.

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury has expressed his satisfaction over Myanmar's decision to unconditionally release all 49 Bangladeshi nationals, who are now serving imprisonment in different jails of that country.

The decision of the Myanmar government has recently been conveyed through Bangladeshi Embassy in Yangon, said a press release today. The detained Bangladeshi citizens mostly fishermen and woodcutters are now waiting for repatriation.

"I see this as a good and friendly gesture on the part of Myanmar. It shows that patient diplomacy bears fruit," the Foreign Adviser said.

Staff Reporter

The Government of Belgium has announced a two million dollars emergency aid for the cyclone victims in Bangladesh.

Belgium's Minister in charge of Middle Classes Affairs, Agriculture and International Cooperation Sabine Laruelle has announced the assistance recently, said a press release issued by Belgium Embassy in Dhaka yesterday.

The assistance is aimed at providing food to 2,00,000 victims of Cyclone Sidr, primarily helping the small farmers and fishermen in the affected areas.

The Belgium Government has decided to channel the US 20,00,000 dollars (1,400,000 Euro) funds through the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation).

This assistance is in addition to the previous grant of 2,50,000 Euro, which was provided to the NGO Caritas, the press release said.

Staff Reporter

The 27th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra Maitri will be observed today.

The student front was floated in 1980 at the Bat Tola of the Dhaka University unifying four factions of the progressive student fronts. It will observe its anniversary at its office today in a very simple function.

The student organisation always fought against communalism, fundamentalism, dictatorship and imperialism. It played a vital role in the mass-upsurge of 1990 against the autocratic president Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

Rafiqul Islam Sujan, President and Mukter Hossain Nahid, General Secretary of the organisation greeted all in a statement.

UNB, Panchagarh

A suspected agent of Indian intelligence agency RAW was held at Banglabanda border on Tuesday.

BDR patrol party held Ilyas Ali (60), a former army personnel, while he was crossing the Banglabanda border in the late evening darkness. He hails from Dhaijanpara village in Tetulia sadar upazila.

Handed over to the police, Ilyas was today sent to jail hajot when produced before the court.

BDR sources said they suspected from the movement of Ilyas that he had long been acting as a mole of RAW. As former army personnel he knew many secrets of the country which he used to transfer to the Indian intelligence agency.

After arrest Ilyas was taken to BDR battalion headquarter. During interrogation he provided irrelevant information. At one stage he claimed himself a recruit of DGFI, which was proved wrong on check.

Tetulia thana officer Anwar Hossain said they are investigating into his activities for possible prosecution with sedition charge.

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission Wednesday filed two cases against former minister Barrister Aminul Haque and former BNP MP MA Hashem for concealing information and acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income.

ACC assistant director Syed Ahmed filed a first information report (FIR) with Ramna police station against former Minister for Post and Telecommunications Barrister Aminul Haque for concealing information in his wealth statement submitted to the Commission and amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.

ACC deputy director Manjur Ahmed lodged another case with the same police station against detained former BNP lawmaker and Partext Group chairman MA Hashem for acquiring wealth about Tk 19,80 crore.

Both the cases were filed under sections 26(2), 27 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, section 15(D)(5) of the Emergency Power Rules, 2007, and section 109 of the Bangladesh Penal Code.

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Wednesday granted bail for two months to industrialist Salman F Rahman in a government land grabbing case filed with Gazipur police station in May.

Responding to a petition, a division bench comprising Justice Syed M Dastagir Husain and MA Hafiz passed the interim order of bail to the detained business baron.

The court also stayed the proceedings of the case and issued rule upon the government to explain why the case "should not be quashed".

Barrister Rafique-ul Huq appeared for Salman, also an adviser to Awami League, who was arrested on February 4 under the ongoing crusade against corruption suspects by the present interim government.

UNB, Dhaka

Uzbekistan has suggested on exchanging bilateral trade aiming at the creation of a bilateral 'Business Forum' with Bangladesh.

Uzbek President Islam A Karimov made the definitive suggestion while accepting the credentials from newly appointed Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammed Hasib Aziz at the Presidential Palace in Tashkent recently.

Praising Bangladesh's position on many international issues, the President expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation between the two countries at various multilateral fora.

He also appreciated Bangladesh's support to Uzbekistan at the 3rd Committee of the UN General Assembly that relates to a draft resolution tabled by the EU in 2005 on Human Rights situation in Uzbekistan.

The President of Uzbekistan emphasized to dispel misperception about Muslims in non-Muslim societies.

He noted the commonality of approach of both of the nations in combating terrorism.

Karimov highlighted the factors that bind the two nations Bangladesh and Uzbekistan - shared history, common tradition and religious values.

He also underscored that both nations had similarity of views of many international issues of common concern.

On cultural cooperation, the President proposed more interactions between the two sides.

He expressed satisfaction over Bangladesh's regular participation at the International Music Festivals held at Samarkand and also noted Uzbek children's participation at the international Children Art Biennale in Dhaka and their winning prizes and awards.The Uzbek President expressed his deepest sadness over colossal loss of life and property in the wake of the recent cyclone in Bangladesh.