The New Nation - Internet Edition

Iftekhar happy with outcome of Abu Dhabi dialogue

UNB, Switzerland

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who is also in charge of Expatriate Welfare Ministry, has said he is happy with the outcome of the Abu Dhabi dialogue between Asian labour-sending and labour-receiving countries which agreed on a set of partnerships between the two groups.

The dialogue, attended by the Foreign Adviser, concluded in the UAE capital, resulting in the Abu Dhabi declaration.

Dr Chowdhury, who is accompanying Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed to the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, said Bangladeshi workers in the Gulf would be benefited from this outcome which seeks to put an end to exploitation by both recruiting agents and employers, and improve the condition of workers.

There are over 7,00,000 Bangladeshi workers in the UAE alone. In the last month of 2007, there were nearly 27,000 new arrivals. The Foreign Adviser said, "Gulf will continue to be a

CA returns home today

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is scheduled to return home tomorrow (Saturday) evening after attending the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

He is scheduled to fly for home from Zurich International Airport in Zurich, Switzerland at around 9:45pm (2.45am BDT) today (Friday) and is scheduled to reach the Zia International Airport at around 7:30pm tomorrow (Saturday). He will have a stopover in Dubai on his way back to Dhaka.

The Chief Adviser who had left Dhaka on January 22 to attend the WEF meet passed hectic days in Switzerland as he, among other things, addressed a plenary session and panel discussion on "The Quest for Peace and Stability' where the Pakistan and Afghanistan Presidents and the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq also took part.

Dr Fakhruddin also had meetings with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the President of Asian Development Bank, interaction with international business leaders of leading companies.

He addressed an international press conference and had a meeting with the Bangladesh community in Switzerland.

Removal of Ctg PP demanded

Chittagong Correspondent

Leaders of Chittagong Lawyers Association (CLA) yesterday urged the government to remove Public Prosecutor Fazlul Karim Bhuiyan by February 10.

The urge came from an emergency meeting of the association yesterday afternoon.

General Seceretary of the organization Iftekhar Saimul Chowdhury told the reporters that they urged the government to remove PP Fazlul Karim Bhuiyan and judge of Women and Child Repression Tribunal-3 (WCRT) MA Nur within February 10.

He informed that several members of the committee pressed allegations against the two persons. More than four hundred lawyers joined the meeting presided over by organization's President Abdul Kuddus.

Snatcher with toxic chemical held

Chittagong Correspondent

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a drive at the premises of Chittagong Court arrested a member of 'Ogyan Party' yesterday.

The arrestee was identified as Mohammad Ibrahim 38, son of Karim Box, hailed from village Ladua in Noakhali.

He was taken to the RAB-7 headquarters soon after arrest for questioning. He in the RAB questioning confessed that several groups are active in different point of the city.

RAB sources said that they have started drives different parts of the city following the confessional statement of the detainee.

Bomang king announces donation for SIDR victims

Chittagong Correspondent

The king of Bomang circle Aungshoipru Chowdhury yesterday announced a donation for the SIDR-hit people in the south.

The tribal king announced the donation while addressing the opening of the five-day Bomang Rajpunyah, a century-old festival.

The King received taxes from the tribal people. Headmen of the Bomang circle handed over taxes to the King on behalf of the tribal people.

Bandarban region of infantry division paid Taka 50 thousand to the king. Commander of 69 infantry division Brigadier General Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman joined the Rajpunyah as chief guest while Zila parishad Chairman Professor Thanjama Lucai, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Majid Shah Akhanda and regional parishad member KS Mong among others joined the function.

Home-made guns seized from Moheskhali

Chittagong Correspondent

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a drive conducted at Hoanok area under Moheshkhali police station in Cox's Bazaar today recovered four country-made guns.

The RAB sources said that acting upon tips, a squad of the RAB-7 raided the area at about 3:00 a.m. and recovered four country-made gun digging soil near Rashidia Madrasa.

The RAB men, however, could not manage to detain any of the culprits in connection with the incident. A case was recorded with respective police station in this regard.

Engage dedicated efforts to make nation healthier - stressed

Chittagong Correspondent

Advisor to the Caretaker Government on Law, Justice, Parliamentary and Religious affairs AF Hasan Arif here yesterday urged the therapists to engage their sincere efforts for building a healthier nation.

"It's the physicians who can deliver better healthcare services to the trimming masses apart from making the nation aware of the possible health hazards," the adviser said.

He said that the government had always been careful and proactive in building stronger and dependable healthcare delivery system because infrastructure was one of the basic prerequisites for taking services to the grass root level.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the three-day golden jubilee celebration of Chittagong Medical College (CMC) and 4th reunion of the CMC graduates at the playground of the college this morning.

Acting Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Alhaj M Monjur Alam joined the function as special guest while Principal of the CMC Dr. MA Wahab Chowdhury presided over it.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus was supposed to address the function as the main discussant. He could not join the function as he had been away from the country. He, however, sent a video clip prepared for this function. It was projected for the audiences.

Director of the Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Brigadier General Mohammad Abedur Rahman, Professor MA Quadri, Deputy Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Ministry Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad among others addressed it.

The adviser said that he would duly place the proposals what he received from the leaders of the physician community before the top policy makers in Dhaka within shortest possible time.

Outlining the government's agenda the adviser said that the caretaker government had come to power for a particular period shouldering the key responsibility of holding free, fair and credible elections by this yearend.

"Apart from holding a fair election, the government is working hard to eradicate corruption from the society and it is committed in doing the jobs earmarked on the priority basis," the adviser said.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus in his pre-recorded video speech put emphasis on better healthcare delivery for the ordinary people.

"We must work together to prove bad health doesn't always synonymous to poverty," Dr. Yunus said asking the therapists to remain aware of the advancements taking place in the field of medical science.

BSF school students visits Bangladesh from Jan 26-31

BSS, Dhaka

A 25-member team of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) school students will visit Bangladesh from today (January 26) to January 31.

The team is expected to arrive Bangladesh through Benapole Immigration Check Point today morning, said a press release.

During the trip, the BSF school students team will visit the mazar of Lalon Shah and Kuthibari of Poet Rabindranath Tagore at Kushtia tomorrow, river cruise at the Sundarban by BNS Shahjalal on January 27.

The team will also visit the National Mausoleum at Savar on January 28, Birshreshtha Nur Mohammad Rifles Public School and College, Rifles Museum, ISD School/National Museum, Basundhara city on January 29 and Fantasy Kingdom and Heritage Park on January 30.

The visiting team will also participate in volleyball, basketball, table tennis and badminton matches at RSB field at Pilkhana on January 29.

The BSF school team will leave Bangladesh through Benapole point on January 31.

Iajuddin greets Patil on eve of Indian Republican Day

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed has extended his heartiest felicitations and warmest greetings to Indian President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil on the auspicious occasion of the Republic Day of India.

"Bangladesh and India enjoy excellent bilateral relations. I am confident that the existing warm and friendly relations between our two countries will be further strengthened in the days to come," Dr Iajuddin said in a message here today on the eve of the occasion to be celebrated today.

He also wished good health and happiness of the President and the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of India.

President felicitates Governor General of Australia

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed has extended his warm felicitations to Maj. Gen (retd) Michael Jeffery, Governor General of the Comm-onwealth of Austr-alia, on the occasion of the Austr-alia Day.

In a message here on Friday on the eve of the occasion, the President said, "Bangladesh and Australia are two friendly nations. I am confident that the ties of friendship between the two countries will grow in strength in future."

Professor Iajuddin Ahmed wished personal health, happiness and long life of Michael Jeffery and also continued peace and prosperity of the friendly people of Australia.

Dr Azizul Haq new BMA President

BSS, Dhaka

Prof Dr AKM Azizul Haq has been elected new president of the central executive committee of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA).

The post of the BMA president fell vacant following the death of Prof Dr MA Hadi, said a press release on Friday.

An emergency meeting of the BMA central executive committee elected Prof Haq as the present unanimously. He was the vice- president of Dhaka city unit of the BMA.

The meeting at BMA Bhaban in the city prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of Prof MA Hadi and early recovery of ailing BMA Secretary General Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.

Peshajibi Samonnoy Parishad to hold roundtable today

BSS, Dhaka

Peshajibi Samonnoy Parishad, a combine of 14 professional groups, will hold a roundtable titled "Fair Election, Political Dialogue and Transition to Democracy," at the conference lounge of the Jatiya Press Club at 3.00 pm today.

Country's leading politicians including Zillur Rahman, Dr Kamal Hossain, Tofail Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Huq Inu, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Col. (retd) Oli Ahmed and Major (retd) Abdul Mannan are expected to participate the roundtable.

Besides, eminent lawyers, physicians, engineers, educationist, journalists and leaders of other professional bodies will attend the function to be moderated by Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, convenor of Peshajibi Samonnoy Parishad and editor of the Bangladesh Observer.

CA greets PM of Australia

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has extended his sincere greetings to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd MP on the occasion of the Australia Day.

In a message here on Friday on the eve of the occasion, the Chief Adviser expressed his firm confidence that the existing excellent friendly relations between the two countries would continue to strengthen in the coming years.

"I hope the ongoing cooperation in all areas of bilateral relations between our two countries will further contribute in strengthening the bonds of friendship in the days ahead," he said.

The Chief Adviser wished personal health, happiness and long life of Kevin Rudd MP and also continued peace and prosperity of the people of Australia.

'Prices of essentials show downward trend in BDR-run markets'

BSS, Dhaka

Prices of essential items were cheaper on Thursday in the BDR-run sales centres and markets compared to those in the city's ordinary markets, according to a BDR market report released here on Friday.

The BDR market report said, prices of such items including winter vegetables further went down in the ordinary markets.

Flour in packet is being sold at between Taka 41 and 42 per kg in the ordinary markets, it said adding, the item was sold at Taka 43 per kg in the BDR-run open markets and Taka 35 in the BDR-run sales centers.

Coarse rice was sold in different markets at between Taka 28 and 30 per kg, while the price of the same item in the BDR-run open markets was Taka 32 and at BDR-run sales center was Taka 25.

Price of the imported lentil (mashur) is ranging from Taka 63 to Taka 68 per kg in the ordinary markets, while it is being sold at Taka 64 in the BDR-run open markets and Taka 58 to Taka 60 in the BDR-run sales centres.

Sugar is being sold between Taka 29 and Taka 31 per kg in the ordinary markets, Taka 30 in the BDR-run open markets.

Imported onion was sold at Taka 16 per kg in the BDR-run open markets and at Taka 15 in the BDR-run sales centre. Price of onion in other city markets were between Taka 15 and Taka 18. The item is being sold in Kolkata at Taka 8.62.

Potato is being sold from Taka 12 to Taka 14 per kg in the ordinary markets, while its price in the BDR-run open markets is Taka 13.

The price of soybean oil fluctuates between Taka 95 and Taka 100 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 94 in the BDR-run open markets and Taka 88 in the BDR-run sales centers.

Palm oil is being sold at between Taka 85 and Taka 88 per liter in the ordinary markets while it is available at Taka 92 per liter in the BDR-run open markets.