The New Nation - Internet Edition

Train derails in Joypurhat

UNB, Joypurhat

The two bogies, including engine, of an inter-city express train derailed near Akkelpur rail station here yesterday.

Railway sources said the engine and bogie of Khulna-bound 'Rupsha express' from the district veered off the tracks soon after passing the Akkelpur rail station at about 10:20 am.

However, there was no report of casualties in the accident.

An additional engine from Santahar Junction reached the spot and salvaged the bogie only. The engine could not be salvaged till filling this report at 5pm.

The authorities, however, could not confirm when the operation will start to salvage the engine.

However, train communications on the route remained normal as the other scheduled trains were running on the second line.

Bush approves soldier's execution

Agency

US President George W Bush has approved the US Army's request to execute a soldier convicted of several charges of rape and murder.

It is the first time in more than 50 years that an American president has authorized a death sentence for a member of the armed forces.

Private Ronald Gray was convicted in 1988 over crimes committed while he was based with the army in North Carolina.

US military justice requires the president to approve a death sentence.

"While approving a sentence of death for a member of our armed services is a serious and difficult decision for a commander in chief, the president believes the facts of this case leave no doubt that the sentence is just and warranted," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said a statement.

Correspondents say President Bush's decision is unlikely to end the legal battle, with Mr Gray's lawyers expected to appeal.

President Dwight Eisenhower was the last US president to approve a military execution, in 1957.

One shot dead by BSF in Thakurgaon

UNB, Thakurgaon

Indian border security force (BSF) shot dead a man at Haripur border Monday midnight.

Residents of Basalgaon village said BSF of Barogaon outpost fired two shots killing a man. The victim aged around 35 could not be identified but believed to be a citizen of Bangladesh. BDR admitted the incident.

Chief Adviser leaves for Colombo Thursday

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed leaves for Colombo tomorrow to attend the 15th SAARC Summit in the Sri Lankan capital on August 2-3 where some major deals are going to be signed, including the charter of SAARC Development Fund (SDF).

After assuming office on January 12, 2007 as Chief Adviser of the caretaker government, Dr Fakhruddin is going to attend the summit meet of the forum for a second time as head of government, after attending the 14th Summit in New Delhi in April 2007.

At the Colombo meet, the Charter of SAARC Development Fund (SDF), agreement on establishment of South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO), Protocol on Accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), and SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters are likely to be signed.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser Ali Imam Majumder and CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim are accompanying the Chief Adviser as members of the delegation.

The Chief Adviser is scheduled to return to Dhaka on August 4.

HSC, equivalent exams results on Sept 10

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Results of the 2008 Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent examinations are expected to be out on Sept 10, Prof Monirul Islam, chairman of Dhaka Education Board, told bdnews24.com yesterday.

"We are working to realise our goal of publishing HSC and equivalent exams results within two months of holding the exams," said Monirul Islam.

"Accordingly, this year's exams results will be published on September 10, if everything goes as planned."

The HSC and equivalent exams were held under the management of seven general education boards, as well as the madrasah board overseeing the Alim exams and a separate board for the HSC (Business Management) exams, between May 29 and July 10.

According to the education ministry, a total of 620,020 examinees took the HSC, Alim and HSC (BM) exams this year; of them, 502,79 were HSC examinees, 62,505 were Alim examinees, and 54,719 sat the HSC (BM) exams.

Postage Stamp Day observed

BSS, Dhaka

The Postal Department on Tuesday observed the 'First Postage Stamp Day' marking the release of the first postage stamp 37 years ago.

The exiled Mujibnagar Government released a set of eight postage stamps on July 29 in 1971 which had played an important role in creating opinion in favour of the Liberation War.

According to the Postal Department, from now on the department will observe the Postage Stamp Day on July 29 each year.

To mark the day, Bangladesh Post Office released a special folder of Taka 10 and a souvenir sheet comprising eight postage stamps of Taka 50 on the Liberation War.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Post and Telecommunications Brigadier General (retd) MA Malek released the stamps at Chittagong GPO on Tuesday morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Malek called upon all to take the country to its highest level of development in materializing the dreams of the independence.

Referring to the government steps for making the postal service time-befitting, he urged the officials to maintain honesty and sincerity in discharging their duty.

Postmaster General of Chittagong (eastern region) ABM Humayun presided over the function.

Meanwhile, Post and Telecommunications Secretary Iqbal Mahmood inaugurated an exhibition on postage stamps on the Liberation War at Dhaka GPO.

The function was presided over by acting director general of Bangladesh Post Office AKM Shafiur Rahman.

Transparency in local governance emphasised

BSS, Dhaka

Democracy Watch, a human rights organisation working to promote transparency and accountability in local governance with assistance from the Human Rights and Good Governance Programme of DANIDA, organized a two-day experience sharing meeting with local activists here.

The meeting held at it's hall room from July 26 to 27 identified the existing problems and possible solutions to make local governments more responsive, transparent and accountable to the people.

A number of local government activists from Jessore, Nilphamari, Gazipur and Dinajpur were present at the meeting while Taleya Rehman, Executive Director of Democracy Watch inaugurated the meeting.

The activists identified some obstructions to local governments' performance that should be considered if LGs are to be efficient and effective.

These included but not limited to; poor knowledge of the Local Elected Bodies to handle LG institutions efficiently, non- existence of institutions to monitor union Parishad activities, poor commitment of representatives of LG, lack of communication and sharing of information among NGO's, government officials, LEB and other stakeholders.

The recommendations were emphasized on mobilization of target groups, local civil society organizations including the media and individuals, CBOs, citizens and other stakeholders to be able to monitor LG activities and local service delivery system.

The participants also recommended training of the UP representatives in order to build their capacity and quality so that they are able to mange the operation of union Parishad efficiently.

Among others Mostafa Sohel, Wazed Feroz, Shahdat Islam Chowdhury, Mujtoba Shamim, Shariful Haq, Golam Rabbi, Abdur Rahman, Feroze Nurun Nabi, Saiful Islam, Mahabubul Alam, Mohsin Kabir, Towfik Alahi, Nilufa Easmin were also present.

Taleya Rehman said, Democracy Watch is planning to conduct a huge national advocacy campaign to promote transparency and accountably in local governance soon.

Fakhruddin greets Moroccan PM

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has extended his warmest greetings and cordial felicitation to the Prime Minister of Morocco Abbas EL Fassi on the occasion of the anniversary of his majesty's accession to the throne.

"I am confident that the bonds of friendship and cooperation that so happily exist between our two countries will grow in depth and dimension in the days ahead", the CA said.

He also wished good health and personal well being of Abbas and continued peace, progress and prosperity of the fraternal people of the kingdom of Morocco.

Iajuddin felicitates King of Morocco

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed on Tuesday conveyed his warmest greetings to King Mohammed VI of Morocco on the occasion of the anniversary of his accession to the throne.

"It is my firm conviction that the cordial relations between our two brotherly countries will continue to flourish in the days ahead", the president said in a message of felicitation on the eve of the occasion.

The president also wished good health and long life, of the king and for the continued peace progress and prosperity of the fraternal people of the kingdom of Morocco.

British High Commission

launches new website

BSS, Dhaka

The British High Commission in Dhaka is to launch its new website addressed http://ukinbangladesh.fco.gov.uk, today.

A High Commission statement said, the website had essential information for those applying for or sponsoring visas for the UK, or seeking consular assistance in Bangladesh or looking for advice about UK/Bangladesh trade and investment opportunities.

It will also carry news, features and announcements about the work of the British High Commission (and its partner UK organisations, DFID and the British Council) in Bangladesh.

"We are very pleased to be moving to a new web platform which will allow us to communicate the depth and positivity of the UK's engagement with Bangladesh to a wider audience," British High Commissioner in Dhaka Stephen Evans said in a statement on the eve of launching the service.

External sector marks improvement in FY 2007-08

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh enjoyed improved external sector viability in fiscal (FY) 2007-08 with relatively stable exchange rate, positive current account balance, and higher foreign exchange reserves exceeding US$ 6 billion at the end of the fiscal.

The country's export earnings also marked a growth of 15.3 percent during July-May of FY 2007-08, the Bangladesh Bank data shows.

The 12-month average Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation was 7.20 percent in FY 2007-08 and rose to a high of 10.00 percent in March 2008 and then declined to 9.87 percent in May 2008. The persistent rise in inflation during most of the period of FY 2007-08 was contributed by both internal shocks and external developments, the BB data shows.

The inflation in Bangladesh moved to a double digit level only temporarily in March 2008 compared with the persistently rising inflation at double digit level in major South Asian countries, a recent review of BB said.

The government raised price of compressed natural gas (CNG) in June 2008 and prices of fuel oil and urea fertilizer in July 2008, the review said.

While the impacts are yet to be seen, these adjustments may somewhat push up the point to point inflation temporarily but, with expected positive supply response of the real sector to policy measures of the government and BB the impact of the rise may be avoided, the review added.

Despite a robust import growth and widening trade deficit, higher external aid flow and healthy growth in workers' remittances provided a cushion to the external sector balance, the review said and expected that with pursuit of prudent policies to maintain the existing increasing trend in exports and remittances, the country's external sector is likely to remain stable in FY 2008-09.

Among the monetary aggregates, the growth of broad money (M2) was 17.5 percent in May 2008 down from 18.3 percent in May 2007. Private sector credit increased by 24.5 percent on year-on- year basis in May 2008 (22.3 percent during July-May FY08) compared with 15.6 percent over the same period in the previous year.

Bank advance by economic purpose in end-March 2008 shows that a significant share of advances 27.2 percent went to industry, 24.7 percent to working capital and 18.7 percent to trade.

JUJA delegation calls on President

BSS, Dhaka

A delegation of Jahangirnagar University Journalists Association (JUJA) on Tuesday called on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban.

The delegation, led by Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Dr Mohammad Muniruzzaman, apprised the President of their different development activities and ensuring quality education in the university.

The President gave a patient hearing to the delegation and called for putting their efforts to build a knowledge-based society in the country.

He also asked the students to visit famous universities in SAARC countries and share experience and knowledge to prepare themselves to meet the challenges of globalization.

He said there is no alternative to acquiring updated knowledge to face the worldwide competition in this current global context.

Professor Iajuddin also called upon the journalists to uphold objectivity and national interest in preparing their news.

Director of Student Welfare Centre of JU Professor ATM Atiqur Rahman, President of JUJA Fuhad Hossain, Vice-President SM Masum Khan, General Secretary Khairul Hasan Munna, Joint Secretary Rafiqul Islam Alok and Treasurer Al Amin, among others, were present.

Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohammad Ruhul Amin and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howleder were also present.

One gets 20 yr RI in arms case

BSS, Chuadanga

A court here on Monday sentenced one person to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for possessing an illegal gun.

The convict is Jahidul, son of Musa Hoque of village Kundinagarberpara in Gangni upazila of Meherpur district.

Two others were acquitted.

According to the prosecution, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of Chuadanga arrested the convict from Bhalaipur Bazar and seized a pipe-gun from him.

A case under the arms act was started against him with Chuadanga sadar police station on the same day.

Police after investigation submitted charge sheet against three persons including Jahidul.

Additional district and sessions judge-1 and also Special Tribunal Judge-2 of Chuadanga Motahar Hossain handed down the verdict after examining witnesses and relevant documents.

Land commission for indigenous people stressed

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a seminar here on Tuesday demanded of the government to form a separate land commission for the indigenous people to remove land related harassment of the community.

"The land disputes of the indigenous people can be solved under a political decision if the government desires," they said while addressing a seminar on 'Land Disputes of the Indigenous People: Greater Mymensingh Perspective' at LGED auditorium here.

Mass Line Media Centre (MMC) and Caritas Bangladesh jointly organised the seminar.

With Dr Benedict Alo D' Rozario, executive director of Caritas, in the chair, the function was addressed, among others, by Promod Mankin, former lawmaker, Dr Dalim Chandra Dev Barman, teacher of Peace and Conflict Department of Dhaka University, Prof. Mesbah Kamal and Abdul Awal, NGO personalities, and Theofil Nokrek, Mymensingh region director of Caritas.

Secretary of Adibashi Forum Sanjib Drang presented the keynote paper while MMC executive director Quamrul Hasan Manju moderated.

Describing himself as a victim of land disputes, the former lawmaker and Awami League leader Promod Mankin said it is a long time problem of the ethnic minority groups in this country, which took a serious turn now because of the population boom.

He put emphasis on changing the mentality of majority people to solve the problem as the overall development of the country is not possible, if a group don't have a sense of ownership.

Prof. Dalim Chandra Dev Barman observed that the problem would be solved if the Vested Property Act is annulled.

The other speakers demanded amendment of the laws relating to khas land and acceptance of the collective ownership concept by the indigenous people as they did not maintain the documents of ownership for ages.

They also stressed the need for establishing a secular government in the country for protecting the interest of people from all sections.

Sounding a note of warning against the trend of destroying natural forests to raise artificial parks for commercial purpose, the speakers said the current development paradigm is one of the obstacles to progress of the under privileged groups.

Seminar on US election at DU today

BSS, Dhaka

The Department of Political Science of Dhaka University (DU) will organise a seminar on US Elections- 2008 today at 11 am in the RC Majumder Auditorium of the university.

Professor SMA Faiz, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University will attend the seminar as the chief guest, while Jon Danilowics, Counselor, Political and Economic Affairs, US Embassy in Dhaka and Amy Hart Vrampus, Director, the American Center, Dhaka will be present as special guests.

Professor Dr Eric M. Uslaner of Government and Politics Department, University of Maryland, USA, will present the keynote paper.

Professor Dr Ataur Rahman of Political Science Department of DU will chair the seminar.

Preparations complete for today's regional dialogues

BSS, Rajshahi

All preparations are now complete to stage the regional dialogues in a befitting manner in the city and at Shahjadpur in Sirajganj today.

The first round of the dialogue will be held in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj district at 9.15 am while the second will take place at the Dr Kaisar Rahman Chowdhury auditorium of Rajshahi Medical College here at 2.15 p.m.

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed is expected to attend the sessions as the chief guest, officials told BSS yesterday.

Adviser for Education and Commerce Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Adviser for Communications, Housing and Public Works Major General (retd) Ghulam Quader, Adviser for Law and Religious Affairs AF Hassan Ariff and Adviser for LGRD and Cooperatives Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal are scheduled to participate in the dialogues.

"All necessary arrangements were completed to hold the dialogue sessions in a befitting manner," Divisional Commissioner Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan told BSS.

Such a parley is taking place here as part of the series of ongoing national dialogues aiming at incorporating the views of local stakeholders in the process of holding a credible election as per the roadmap.

Various issues, which will come for discussion in the dialogue, include matters related to public life, election of local government bodies in a congenial atmosphere, sound political environment, political stability in the post-election period and ensuring qualitative changes in the political pattern.

Around 1,000 select personalities representing different professional and social groups from 14 districts under the division have been invited to join the dialogue, the divisional commissioner said.

Besides, he said, 450-500 grassroots level leaders of different upazilas of Sirajganj and Pabna districts were invited to attend the first session to be held at the Rabindra Kacharibari auditorium in Shahjadpur.

According to reports reaching here, the government's positive attitude toward holding such a high profile meeting at the peoples' doorstep in presence of the Chief Adviser and the advisers as part of a decision making process has already created much enthusiasm among all in the northern city.