The New Nation - Internet Edition

Ramzan timing for Archer K. Blood American Center

Library

BSS, Dhaka

The Archer K. Blood American Center Library and the Student Advising Center of the US Mission in Dhaka will temporarily change their hours during the month of Ramadan.

From September 1 to October 1, 2008, the Archer K. Blood American Center Library and Student Advising Center will be open to users from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, Sunday through Wednesday, said a press release today.

Beginning on October 5, 2008, both the Archer K. Blood American Center Library and the Student Advising Center will resume their normal hours.

US Embassy to be closed on Aug 31

BSS, Dhaka

US Embassy offices in Bangladesh, including the American Center, Archer K. Blood American Center Library, the Student Advising Center and the Consular Section will be closed on August 31 on the occasion of Labour Day, an American national holiday, said a press release.

UNDP workshop for journalists in Cox's Bazar today

BSS, Dhaka

A day-long workshop for journalists on 'Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), e-governance and climate change' will be held at a hotel in Cox's Bazar today.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has arranged the workshop.

Twenty-five journalists from the print and electronic media will take part in the workshop to be conducted by experts from UNDP and other organizations.

The workshop will apprise the journalists of the upcoming World Summit on MDGs in New York on September 25 and the World Conference on Climate Change in London on September 10.

Fewer Chinese children available for adoption

BSS, Dhaka

The number of children available for adoption by foreigners has been on the decline as more affluent families in China have started adopting them, said a report published in the China Daily quoting the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

"The number of Chinese couples applying to adopt children has increased substantially," the daily said in its August 20 issue quoting Wang Suying, a Division Chief of MCA's Social Welfare and Social Affairs Department, which monitors adoption.

Since 1992 when China's Adoption Law was enforced, US families have adopted more than 55,000 Chinese children.

Meanwhile, China has tightened the rules for foreigners who wanted to adopt its children, the report said. Couples now need to have a stable marriage, comfortable income and sound physical and mental health to qualify to adopt children.

People who are interested to adopt children must be more than 30 years old, healthy and childless with a steady income to raise and educate the children.

As many as 52,500 children were registered for adoption in 2004, with foreigners adopting 12,500 of them, MCA figure revealed.

The numbers fell to about 46,000 and 10,000 last year, the report quoting MCA said. Wang said, "Our policy is in line with the international practice to encouraging adoption by families within the country. But that does not mean that China has any prejudice against foreign adoption."

More families in China are adopting children because Chinese people's attitude towards adoption has changed, the report said adding a lot of Chinese used to adopt kids to ensure some one was there to take care of them during their retired life.

The daily said, "Now more and more Chinese are adopting kids simply because they love children and are proud to become foster parents."

China's Academy of Social Sciences shows its 30 million middle class people earn between USD 10,000 and 50,000 a year. The report said US families adopted the highest number of Chinese children followed by the Spanish.

Ultimatum of BSS journalists, employees for salary

BSS, Dhaka

Journalists and employees of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Thursday gave the BSS management an ultimatum until September 1 for payment of salary as per the seventh Wage Board Award.

They also warned the BSS management at a meeting in the agency news room that if the salary is not paid by September 1, they would take a tougher action programme to realise their demand.

Speakers expressed their anguish as they were not paid salaries for two months as per the seventh Wage Board Award and arrears of the sixth Wage Board Award. They criticized the management for its failure to resolve the problems related to salaries and other benefits.

The meeting was adjourned till September 1.

Presided over by senior special correspondent of BSS Ihsanul Karim Helal, the meeting was addressed, among others, by BSS unit chief Kazim Reza, deputy unit chief Enamul Haq Babul and Ziaur Rahman Madhu, Employees Union President and General Secretary Afazuddin Mondol and Ruhul Amin, General Secretary of Jatiya Press Club Kamal Uddin Sabuj, General Secretary of DUJ Omar Faruque, former General Secretary of Jatiya Press Club Swapan Kumar Saha, former General Secretary of DUJ Azizul Islam Bhuiyan, ex-senior Vice-President of Jatiya Press Club Nurul Huda, former Secretary General of BFUJ MA Aziz, former Vice-President of DUJ Abu Saleh and BSS News Editor Rasheda Amin.

Qatari businessmen urged to invest in Bangladesh

BSS, Dhaka

President Prof Iajuddin Ahmed on Thursday urged the Qatari businessmen to invest here as the government has ensured a congenial atmosphere for the foreign investors.

He underlined the need for increasing trade relations between the two countries through proper utilisation of the existing trade and economic potentials.

The president made the call while outgoing Qatar Ambassador to Bangladesh Ibrahim Mohamed A. Al-Abdullah made a farewell call on him at Bangabhaban here.

Welcoming the ambassador, the President expressed satisfaction at the existing excellent bilateral ties between the two countries and hoped that the relations would be strengthened further in the days to come.

Professor Iajuddin said, "Qatar can import more our world-class products from Bangladesh, including pharmaceutical, readymade garments and vegetables."

Referring to 80,000 Bangladeshi workers now working in Qatar, the president appraised the envoy of availability of skilled doctors, engineers, and teachers here, who could contribute to Qatar's national development.

Through the outgoing ambassador, the president invited Qatar Amir to visit Bangladesh. He also recalled his sweet memory of Qatar's Amir visit to Bangladesh in April, 2005.

The outgoing ambassador apprised Prof Iajuddin that the Bangladeshi workers have been contributing to Qatar's development.

He also praised the significant progress achieved by Bangladesh in different sectors especially education and health.

Terming the current relations between Bangladesh and Qatar as excellent, the outgoing ambassador thanked the President for extending all out cooperation to him and praised the hospitality of Bangladeshi people.

Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam and the President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Hawlader were present.