The New Nation - Internet Edition

Happy Mother’s Day: Woman pregnant with 18th child

File photo, Michelle Duggar, left, is surrounded by
her children and husband Jim Bob, third from right after the
birth of her 17th child in Rogers, Ark. The Duggars
announced on Friday, May 9, 2008 that they are expecting
their 18th child.

AP, Little Rock, Ark

It's a happy Mother's Day for an Arkansas woman - she's pregnant with her 18th child. Michelle Duggar, 41, is due on New Year's Day, and the latest addition will join seven sisters and 10 brothers. There are two sets of twins.

"We've had three in January, three in December. Those two months are a busy time for us," she said, laughing.

The Duggars' oldest child, Josh, is 20, and the youngest, Jennifer, is nine months old.

The fast-growing family lives in Tontitown in northwest Arkansas in a 7,000-square-foot home. All the children - whose names start with the letter J - are home-schooled.

Duggar has been been pregnant for more than 11 years of her life, and the family is in the process of filming another series for Discovery Health.

The new show looks at life inside the Duggar home, where chores - or "jurisdictions" - are assigned to each child. One episode of the new show involves a "jurisdiction swap," where the boys do chores traditionally assigned to the girls, and vice versa, Duggar said.

"The girls swapped jurisdictions, changing tires, working in the garages, mowing the grass," she said. "The boys got to cook supper from start to finish, clean the bathrooms," among other chores.

Duggar said she's six weeks along and the pregnancy is going well. She and her husband, Jim Bob Duggar, said they'll keep having children as long as God wills it.

"The success in a family is first off, a love for God, and secondly, treating each other like you want to be treated," Jim Bob Duggar said. "Our goal is for each one of our children to be best friends, and everybody working together to serve each other makes that happen."

The other Duggar children, in between Joshua and Jennifer, are Jana, 18; John-David, 18; Jill, 16; Jessa, 15; Jinger, 14; Joseph, 13; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 10; Jeremiah, 9; Jedidiah, 9; Jason, 7; James, 6; Justin, 5; Jackson, 3; and Johannah, 2.

UN resumes food flight: Myanmar junta distributes aid boxes with generals’ names

Agency, Yangon

Myanmar's military regime distributed international aid Saturday but plastered the boxes with the names of top generals in an apparent effort to turn the relief effort for last week's devastating cyclone into a propaganda exercise.

The United Nations sent in three more planes and several trucks loaded with aid, though the junta took over its first two shipments. The government agreed to let a U.S. cargo plane bring in supplies Monday, but foreign disaster experts were still being barred entry.

State-run television continuously ran images of top generals - including the junta leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe - handing out boxes of aid to survivors at elaborate ceremonies.

One box bore the name of Lt. Gen. Myint Swe, a rising star in the government hierarchy, in bold letters that overshadowed a smaller label reading: "Aid from the Kingdom of Thailand."

"We have already seen regional commanders putting their names on the side of aid shipments from Asia, saying this was a gift from them and then distributing it in their region," said Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, which campaigns for human rights and democracy in the country.

"It is not going to areas where it is most in need," he said in London. State media say 23,335 people died and 37,019 are missing from Cyclone Nargis, which submerged entire villages in the Irrawaddy delta. International aid organizations say the death toll could climb to more than 100,000 as conditions worsen.

The U.N. estimates that 1.5 million to 2 million people have been severely affected and has voiced concern about the disposal of bodies.

With phone lines down, roads blocked and electricity networks destroyed, it is nearly impossible to reach isolated areas in the delta, complicated by the lack of experienced international aid workers and equipment.

But the junta has refused to grant access to foreign experts, saying it will only accept donations from foreign charities and governments, and then will deliver the aid on its own.

Farmaner said the world needs to move to deliver aid directly to victims in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

"People we are speaking to in Burma say aid must be delivered anyway even if the regime doesn't give permission," he said. "We have had a week to convince the regime to behave reasonably, and they are still blocking aid. So the international community needs to wake up and take bolder steps."

However, aid providers are unlikely to pursue unilateral deliveries like airdrops because of the diplomatic firestorm that it could set off.

So far, relief workers have reached 220,000 cyclone victims, only a small fraction of the number of people affected, the Red Cross said Friday. Three Red Cross aid flights loaded with shelter kits and other emergency supplies landed Friday without incident.

But the government seized two planeloads of high-energy biscuits - enough to feed 95,000 people - sent by the U.N. World Food Program. Despite the seizure, the WFP was sending three more planes Saturday from Dubai, Cambodia and Italy, even though those could be confiscated, too.

"We are working around the clock with the authorities to ensure the kind of access that we need to ensure it goes to people that need it most," WFP spokesman Marcus Prior said in Bangkok, Thailand.

Richard Horsey, a spokesman for U.N. humanitarian operations, said an international presence is needed in Myanmar to look at the logistics of getting boats, helicopters and trucks into the delta area.

Bangladeshi workers welcome in Oman: Two agreements signed

BSS, Muscat

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment was told that Bangladeshi workers were welcome in Oman by Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Said, the Deputy Prime Minister of Oman when the Adviser called on him at his office here on Saturday.

The Foreign Adviser was accompanied in the call by the Minister of Manpower of Oman Dr Juma Al-Juma.

Earlier, Dr Iftekhar and Dr Juma signed two bilateral agreements; one, a Memorandum of Understanding on Manpower, and the other, on Avoidance of Double Taxation.

"The signing of the two accords are a historic event," Dr Iftekhar told newsmen later, "These will not only allow more Bangladeshi workers to come into Oman and protect their interests, but also expand trade and economic relations, particularly in air transportation".

Oman had just resumed issuing visas to Bangladeshi workers after twelve years just recently. Dr Juma Al Juma had visited Bangladesh in December last year and held talks with Dr Iftekhar, when they agreed to sign the Manpower Agreement to formalise the understandings.

The Agreement was approved by the Cabinets of Bangladesh and Oman earlier this month.

Dr Iftekhar also met separately with Dr Juma.

He also visited the Police and Immigration Headquarters in Muscat and held talks with the officials on relevant issues pertaining to Bangladeshi workforce. On both occasions he requested that Oman import more manpower from Bangladesh to satisfy its needs for expatriate labour.

Dr Iftekhar also requested that the Bangladeshi national extradited to Oman Mohamad Momin Mia be returned to Bangladesh at the end of the legal proceedings.

"I have also urged upon Omani authorities to open an Embassy in Dhaka, which many countries have begun to do now, "Dr Iftekhar told the reporters adding, "that will enable us to expand not only bilateral cooperation but also develop a strategic relationship in the international arena".

The Foreign Adviser held a meeting with the Bangladeshi community representatives in the afternoon and asked them to abide by local rules and regulations, and regularise their status.

He assured them that the Embassy will accord them all possible assistance.

Dr Iftekhar who arrived in Muscat on a one-day visit the previous night was received by the Omani Manpower Minister Dr Juma and other Omani officials at the Airport. The Bangladesh Envoy in Oman Ambassador Md Abdul Hannan was also present.

The Foreign Adviser will return to Bangladesh today.

Teachers’ hunger strike foiled

Staff Reporter

The police foiled a hunger strike programme of a group of agitating teachers and staff in the city yesterday.

The teachers and staff under the banner of Non-MPO Educational Institutions Oikya Parishad were demanding their inclusion in Government MPO.

Policemen tore down banners and forced the teachers and staff to put an end to their programme.

Policemen impeded the members of the parishad from holding the programme three times at different places-Central Shaheed Minar, High Court Mazar and in front of the National Press Club.

The members of the parishad deplored the police action on them. They urged the Government to include non-mpo educational institutions and to allocate money in the next budget for the purpose. Among others, Md Asharat Ali, president of Non-MPO Educational Institutions Teacher-Staff Oikya Parishad, Adv Golam Mostafa, Md Yousuf Ali, Md Kamal Hossain and Md Omar Faruk took part in the programme.

Bangladesh has enough scope to increase export to India

Staff Reporter

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said Bangladesh and India have reduced the huge barrier to bilateral trade between the two countries and hoped that the remaining obstacles would be removed shortly.

He was inaugurating a two-day `Buyer-Seller Meet (BSM) cum Exhibition' on Indian footwear component and accessories at Bangladesh-China Friendship Convention Centre in Dhaka yesterday. He said Bangladesh had ample opportunities to export its quality products to India. The opportunities could not be availed in the past due mainly to non-tariff barriers.

Some barriers have already gone. Bangladeshi battery is already being exported to India. The country can also export quality leather products to India, he added.

Mentioning the poor infrastructure condition in the bordering seven-sister provinces of India, he said bilateral trade could get a boost if easy transportation to those provinces is arranged.

The adviser hoped that the tanneries of Hazaribagh would be shifted to the tannery park at Savar by 2010, as the Government has made all necessary arrangements to this effect.

Indian Footwear Component Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA) with the support of Council of Leather Export (CLE) of India, Leather goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) and Indian High Commission in Dhaka is organising the trade show.

Commerce Secretary Feroze Ahmed, acting Indian High Commissioner Mrs Mukta D. Tomar, leading businessman Monjur Elahi, IFCOMA president BD Bhaiya and LFMEAB president Saiful Islam were also present at the inaugural function.

Dr Zillur was sarcastic to say, "Dhaka is a city infested with so many policy-making seminars and talks. Bureaucrats here are always busy with policy-making seminars, unlike this one."

This trade show is uneven with traditional functions and would create a culture of realistic initiatives in place of organising recurrent policy-making seminars, he added.

Thirty Indian firms are showcasing their products and services in the trade event. The trade show will forge new business cooperation between Indian and Bangladeshi footwear manufacturers, the organisers hopped.

Abuse of female student: Punishment of DU teacher demanded

Dhaka University students brought out a procession
on the campus yesterday demanding exemplary punishment to Dr
Kamal Uddin, a teacher of Psychology Department, for alleged
sexual harassment of a female student. Focus Bangla

DU Correspondent

A number of students of Dhaka University under the banner of general students staged a demonstration on the campus yesterday demanding exemplary punishment to a teacher for reportedly harassing one of his female students sexually.

But the students were chased by a group of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists, while they were going to the Proctor's office to submit a memorandum demanding punishment of the teacher.

Being afraid of the attack by BCL activists, the students started running helter-skelter in the Arts Building, while the female students were seen crying for their safety.

Later, the group set fire to a banner 'New dormitory wanted to reduce residence problem' of another student group, Chhatra Mukti.

Sources said the guardians of the female student earlier submitted a written allegation against Dr Kamal Uddin, Associate Professor of Psychology Department, to the Vice-Chancellor office in this regard. But the university authority did not take any action in this connection, the sources added.

The VC office sources said a group of teachers were trying to hush up the incident though similar allegation was brought against him by another female student a few years ago.

Corruption in Cooperatives: Rejoinder and our reply

Three former executives of Tolarbagh Cooperative Society sent a rejoinder on May 7 last following a report headlined "Embezzling Tk 3.11cr of Tolarbagh Cooperative Society: Action yet to be taken against 6 Department of Cooperatives (DoC) officials" published in the May 6, 2008 issue of The New Nation narrating their alleged involvement in misappropriation of the money in connivance with some DoC employees.

However, the report was prepared on the basis of an investigation by the Department of Cooperatives into their alleged involvement in embezzling the amount.

In their rejoinder, former president Khorshed Alam, former secretary Abdus Sattar Rafique and former treasurer Mozammel Huq Khan of the Tolarbagh Samabaya Samity Ltd at Mirpur, Dhaka claimed the news published in The New Nation was 'totally baseless.'

They said the Tolarbagh Samabaya Samity Ltd, which had 101 members, is only five years old. Some Tk 75 lakh were deposited as savings deposit by the members at the rate of Tk 1,100 each per month in five years. misappropriated crores of taka of the cooperative society

Profit worth Tk 64.38 lakh was earned by investing the amount in different sectors. During the handing over of power to the new committee of the samity Tk 1,39,38,082, comprising the capital and profit, were handed over on 08-12-2007. 'So, question of embezzling Tk 3.11crore doesn't arise at all," they said.

Our reply: In their rejoined they did not mention anything about their present identities and what do they do. They also did not say anything about the amount of Tk 25-30 lakhs they took from the members by selling shares of the samity. They also didn't mention about the projects where they had invested huge amount of money. What were the sources of the money? How did they get it?

During the investigation by Deputy Registrar (Credit) Md Amir Azam of the DoC, it was found that they built four buildings, comprising 52 flats and nine shops under several projects at Tolarbagh area, which they sold later to different people. But, how did they get so much money to build so many flats and shops?

According to the investigation report, as much as Tk 2.41 crore was earned from the four projects, but only Tk 22.50 lakh was deposited to the samity. The DoC investigation also detected that the former managing committee of the samity embezzled Tk 2.02 crore from these four projects alone, apart from misappropriation of five years of savings deposit of 101 members of the samity.

They alleged that Deputy Registrar (Credit) Md Ali Azam, in connivance with some members of the samity, filed a false complaint against them on October 25, 2007 with the Registrar, Department of Cooperatives, Agargaon, Dhaka. At the order of the Registrar, Ali Azam investigated the matter on November 26, 2007. "During the investigation we submitted verbal and written replies along with necessary evidences. He did not get any proof of our involvement in the matter and expressed satisfaction over the samity's activities."

"Later, Amir Azam reinvestigated the matter and prepared a false and baseless report against us in connivance with the complainants without giving us any notice," they said.

But, during the investigation a notice was served on all the three former executives of the samity on March 23, 2008 by Md Nabirul Islam, District Cooperative Officer, Dhaka asking them to be present with all the documents of the persons found responsible for embezzling Tk 3.11 crore.

Elections to be held by December next: President

UNB, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Saturday told visiting Duke of Gloucester Richard Alexander Walter George that the next general election in Bangladesh would be held by December this year as the government is working on it.

The present government is continuing its efforts towards strengthening democracy in the country, Dr Iajuddin said when the Duke of Gloucester paid a curtsey call on him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the President said Bangladesh attaches great importance to her relations with the United Kingdom (UK) and considers it to be dependable trade, development and strategic partner.

He said the existing relations between the two countries are very good and it would be strengthened further in the days to come. Dr Ahmed emphasised increasing educational exchange programmes between Dhaka and London further.

He said the British Council in Bangladesh has been playing a vital role in strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two countries, and drew attention of the Duke of Gloucester to reopening a British Council centre in Rajshahi.

He also recalled the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Bangladesh in 1983 and invited her to visit Bangladesh again. The Duke expressed his satisfaction at the prevailing relations in different fields between Bangladesh and the UK. George also expressed his satisfaction at the progress in implementation of the DFID-funded projects in different areas, including Majerchar in Pirojpur and Commonwealth War Cemetery in Comilla.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury was present. Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohd Aminul Karim, Secretary to the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were also present.

Cracks in Lawchhara houses: Chevron starts probe to identify causes

UNB, Dhaka

Chevron, an international oil company, has launched an investigation to find out the causes behind the cracks developed in mud-houses of Lawachhara national forest in Moulvibazar where it has been conducting a seismic survey. There have been press reports that cracks have developed in a number of mud-houses of the Lawachhara forest following the start of Chevron' s 3D seismic survey.

Local residents alleged that the cracks have developed in their hoses because of the seismic survey.

When contacted, Chevron Bangladesh chief Steve Wilson told UNB that his company has initiated an investigation following reports on cracks in some houses of the forest.

He said they want to see whether the damage has been done by their seismic activities, which might have been affected due to soil structure or week construction.

"We take up such claims seriously and will act accordingly. We've taken extreme care and special precautions in conducting the seismic work in locations where there are human settlements," he said.

Wilson said a safe zone of a 75-meter radius is respected around household structures to avoid any impact. Usually, the impact from the seismic waves is not strong enough to make structural damages. About the formation of a new monitoring committee, he said Chevron welcomes it and considers its formation as an opportunity for the company to demonstrate that the seismic work is being carried out in full compliance with the Environment Management Plan approved by the government.

Steve, however, said he had conveyed his concern to Petrobangla that no representative of Petrobangla and Chevron has been taken "onboard" the committee, which, he believes, would have facilitated good coordination.

He said Chevron would continue to provide its full cooperation to make sure all terms of the ECC are followed.

500 workers sick after food poisoning

UNB, Savar

Some 500 workers of a garment factory here fell sick yesterday after having lunch at their workplace, witnesses.

They said the workers of Cosmopolitan Garment Factory, owned by Indian citizen Dinesh Bhirawanir, at Khejurbagan started vomiting and fell sick one after another in the afternoon.

The ailing workers were treated at the medical centre of the factory where some 4,000 people work.

Meanwhile, 200 of the ailing workers returned home after taking first aid at the medical centre.

Tax collection exceeds target due to pragmatic steps

BSS, Dhaka

The revenue collection has increased by 74.11 per cent in northern tax zone exceeding the target during the nine months of the current fiscal following some pragmatic measures of the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

The collection of the revenue was recorded at Taka 911 crore till March this year that exceeded the target of Taka 856 crore during the current fiscal year 2007-08.

A revenue friendly atmosphere created by the government and the recent NBR measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the administration helped the revenue officials to attain this impressive performance.

Talking to BSS Md Enayet Hossain, Commissioner of Dhaka (north) Tax zone said he expect at least Taka 200 to 250 crore additional tax might be realized during the fiscal as more progressive steps have already been taken to increase the tax collection in the region.

"Once this growth was out of imagine. Now situation has changed and our friendly approach is being welcomed by the tax payers", Hossain said adding the other tax zones also experienced impressive growth in tax collection during the period.

The northern tax zone includes Gazipur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Tangail, Jamalpur, Manikganj, Kishorganj, Sherpur and northern part of Dhaka districts. In this zone, the total revenue collection was recorded at Taka 723 crore during the last fiscal.

Supply fears push oil above $126

BBC Online

Crude oil prices have hit yet another all-time high in New York, tipping beyond $126 a barrel.

Driven by surging demand and continuing supply fears, US light crude hit $126.20 in afternoon trade in New York, before falling to $124.78 a barrel.

Meanwhile, London's Brent crude also hit a fresh high of $125.68, before later falling below $125. A report by Goldman Sachs has said the price of crude oil could reach $200 a barrel in as little as six months.

Despite the continuing rises in oil prices, producers group Opec reiterated its view on Thursday that supplies were adequate for the time being.

However, it has also said that $200 a barrel was a possibility in the future. Soaring global demand for oil is being led by China's continuing economic boom and, to a lesser extent, by India's rapid economic expansion.

Both are now increasingly competing with the US, the European Union and Japan for the lion's share of global oil production. This additional demand comes at a time of continuing production problems in a number of oil-producing nations.

In the past week, production in Nigeria has been affected by attacks on pipelines by anti-government militants, while Iraqi exports have been hit by renewed cross-border raids by Turkish forces against Kurdish insurgents.