The New Nation - Internet Edition

Gen Masud made HC to Australia

BSS, Dhaka

The government has appointed Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Australia, an official press release said here on Tuesday.

General Masud was serving as the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs several months ago.

Born in Feni in 1954, Masud was commissioned in Bangladesh Army on May 1, 1975 and during his career commanded two Engineer battalions and a Composite Engineer Battalion deputed to State of Kuwait under the umbrella of Bangladesh Military Contingent immediately after the Gulf War.

At the staff level, he served as General Staff Officer (GRADE 3 and 2) in the Military Intelligence and Military Operations Directorates of the Army Headquarters, Brigade Major in an Infantry Brigade Headquarters, General Staff Officer (Grade 1) and Colonel Staff in Infantry Division Headquarters and Director in the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

He also served as the Commandant of ECSME and School of Military Intelligence (SMI).

A graduate of both Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and National Defence College (NDC) at Mirpur, Masud also obtained graduation degree from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) and completed various training curricula from China, India and the USA and joined numerous seminars, conferences, workshops etc both at home and abroad.

He has commanded two of the Infantry Divisions as the General Officer Commanding (GOC).

The General is a widely travelled person who visited Pakistan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Kuwait, KSA, Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, France, Switzerland, Italy, and the UK.

A father of two daughters and a son, Masud is a keen golfer and takes keen interest in games and sports.

Coast bears brunt of climate change

UNB, Cox's Bazar

When something is happening elsewhere very secretly, impacts of climate change in this coastal area is brutally vibrant.

"Now we are like refugee," says 62-year-old Sona Ali.

Like Ali some 4,000 people of Penchadip village of Himchhari in the district have experienced the similar fate: nature's furor has forced them to leave their ancestral homes. The culprit is the Bay of Bengal. Is it really? Or something else?

Time was his when Ali was the owner of 40 bighas of land more than a decade ago. Now his 10-member family lives together elsewhere, at a makeshift structure at the foot of a hill, and his original home was washed away by the mighty Bay.

"The beach was 2 kilometers away from our home even three years ago. But now it is approaching toward Cox's Bazar-Himchhari road," Ali said as fellow villagers nodded his statement.

His neighbors Lal Miah, Kuddus Ali and Rahim Khan have similar stories to tell UNB correspondent Sheikh Adnan Fahad.

Talking to the villagers, who are bearing the brunt of the impacts of climate change, was part of a visit arranged by the United Nations Development Progrmme (UNDP).

The UNDP sponsored a two-day workshop on "Climate Change and MDGs" for journalists on last Friday at a hotel in Cox's Bazar.

Experts at the workshop said climate change is a very crucial element for Bangladesh to talk about.

"Increasing global warming for high emission of green house gases has caused unusual rise in the sea level," Dr Aminul Islam, assistant country director (environment) of UNDP, told UNB.

"This is one of the causes of erosion," he said.

Apart from sea erosion it is the reason of violent river erosion, frequent floods, heavy rainfall during off seasons, heat waves, drought, cyclones.

They said such disasters triggered by the climate change are finally obstructing the efforts by developing nations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

They said impacts of climate change are often enormous in coastal areas compared with effects in plain lands.

Displacement of people from their lands and homes is regular in the coastal area while people's livelihood is at stake, they said. Loss of fresh water sources because of saline water intrusion is common.

"Under such circumstances a big population of the country is becoming poorer. They are deprived of basic education and basic healthcare. So it will be difficult for a country like Bangladesh to achieve the MDGs if adequate measures are not in place to deal with climate change," Dr Atiur Rahman, chairman of Unnayan Sammunnay, told the UNDP workshop.

Atiur said preparing a long-term action plan to face the challenges of the global climate change is the call of the time.

"Bangladesh will have to reinforce its supports to the global fight against high emission of greenhouse gases. The country needs to mainstream climate change issue in the national development policy. Steps should be taken for exploring alternative resources of power and energy while massive forestation across the coastal belt must be implemented," Atiur said.

Ainun Nishat, the IUCN country representative, said food security of the people would be hit hard by the climate change.

"Crop lands are being reduced because of salinity intrusion while other disaters like floods, droughts and unusual rainfall are likely to increase. All these will hit the food production. So there will certainly be food crisis in future," Nishat said.

He talked of modern technologies which would spur industrialization but would not harm the environment.

"We can't deny the need of industrialization," he said.

Nishat said Bangladesh would need huge funds to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

He said Bangladesh or other developing nations are not responsible for the crisis but "we are the worst victims of the impacts of climate change".

"The developed nations must compensate the impoverished countries so that they can equip them with technologies and other means to tackle the crisis," he said.

Chargesheet against ex adviser Fazlul Huq submitted

Court Correspondent

A chargesheet against former Caretaker government Adviser Justice Fazlul Huq was submitted to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka yesterday in a graft case filed for amassing wealth through ill-gotten wealth.

ACC Assistant Director and Investigation Officer (IO) of the case Md Ibrahim submitted the chargesheet, while Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Golam Rabbani accepted the CS, which is likely to be sent to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka today.

In the case, Fazlul Huq was accused of accumulating Taka 91 lakh illegally and transferring Taka 12 crore in the names of his son, daughter and son-in-law through different means.

On April 13, ACC Assistant Director Md Ibrahim filed the case with Ramna Thana of Dhaka.

Seven killed in road accidents

Staff Reporter

Two separate road accidents claimed seven lives in the districts of Feni and Narsingdi yesterday.

Our Feni correspondent said: Four people were spot dead and another 10 injured when a Feni bound bus from Maijde ran over a CNG bus coming from opposite direction on the road nearby Trauma Centre at Mohipal of the town.

Sources and witnesses said injured were rushed to the Feni Sadar Hospital and two of the injured were in critical state.

Two deceased were identified as Ahmad Ullah (18) and Raid of Rapura union at Daganbhuiyan thana under the district. But another two were not identified.

Our Narsingdi Correspondent said, three people were killed and six people injured when a covered van hit a human hauler at Kararchar in Shibpur upazila yesterday morning.

Police said the covered van hit the human hauler from behind when the latter's passengers were getting down at a stoppage near BISCIC industrial area at about 7:30am, killing three on the spot.

The deceased were identified as Rabindranath Barman, 45, his daughter Archana Barman, 19, and Ranu, 35. They all were the workers of the Aduri Textile Mill in the BISCIC industrial area.

Of the injured, five were admitted to Narsingdi District Hospital while Rabindranath's son Apu Barman, 17, rushed to Dhaka in critical condition.

A case was filed with respective police station.

Sher-e-Bangla’s contribution recalled

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a discussion here today recalled the courageous role of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque in building a self-reliant nation, free from poverty hunger and repression.

They said Sher-e-Bangla was a visionary leader, who always fought for freeing his people from exploitation and deprivation in this part of the world.

The discussion on 'Contribution of Sher-e-Bangla to Welfare-oriented Politics' was organised by Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque Research Council (SAKFHRC), marking its second founding anniversary at Jatiya Press Club here.

Former Adviser of the caretaker government and Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam addressed the function as the chief guest while former Information Secretary Syed Marghub Morshed was in the chair.

Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury and Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) Shafique Alam Mehdi also took part in the discussion.

Mahbubul Alam said as a meritorious student of Law, Sher-e-Bangla's name and fame spread out to the whole subcontinent. "Research on Sher-e-Bangla should be expanded to help students of both college and university to learn more about the life and brilliant career of this great politician," he said.

Terming Sher-e-Bangla as the 'Spiritual Heart of Bengal', the former Adviser said his contribution to the expansion of education and building a self-reliant nation was unique.

Marghub Morshed described Sher-e-Bangla as a bright star in the history of politics in the subcontinent and said this great leader played a very courageous role in spearheading a movement against the British colonial rule.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury said Sher-e-Bangla played an extraordinary role in making the people of Bengal self-reliant. He was an acclaimed personality across the subcontinent, he also said.

Shafique Alam Mehdi said Sher-e-Bangla's contribution to the cause of marginal farmers and poor people was immense.

Prospect of Dhoincha fibre export bright

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh will earn Tk 5,000 crore annually by exporting Dhoincha fibre and its products.

Muzibul Hoque, a businessman who first ever produced yarn from the fibre of local Dhoincha tree (scientific name-fussbnia rostata) yesterday claimed it at a press conference at National Press Club.

"I have got success to produce yarn from Dhoincha fibre. But, it was poor in quality. When, I mixed the fibre with jute fibre, then, I got quality yarn," he said adding, "

It is possible to produce quality yarn from Dhoincha fibre through research."

He stated that the yarn made from Dhoincha fibre is stronger than the jute yarn.

He said that the Dhoincha tree could be produced at anywhere without fertiliser and pesticide.

"I have already contacted with Chinese counterpart for exporting Dhoincha fibre. Chinese counter part expressed their eagerness and requested me for sending sample of dhoincha fibre," Mozib said.

Muzib hoped that the fibre could be a cash crop of the country if the government takes steps for research of the dhoincha fibre.

Columnist Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelly, Eng Mozammel Hoq, Cap (Retd) MA Kuddus and Ayub Ali were present at the press conference.

Holy Ramzan: Iftar should not be like feast

Today is the second day of the holy Ramzan. It is also the second day of the period of Rahmat (mercy).

Fasting is the third 'Rukn' (pillar) of Islam. It is 'Farz' (obligatory) for all adult persons in good health.

. The 'Sehri' (pre-dawn meal), the 'Iftar' and 'Taraweeh' (special night prayer with 'Isha') are very important and significant rituals of Ramzan.

The Holy Quran ordains: "tt..eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread, then complete your fast till the night appears." (2:187). Thus, the time of 'Sehri' and 'Iftar' is fixed. The Sehri should be completed before 'Subhe Sadeq' and the 'Iftar' is to be taken 'till night appears' just after sunset.

Taraweeh is 'sunnat'-the tradition of the Messenger of Allah Rabbul Alameen. Rasulullah (SM) said, "Allah has made the fasting obligatory and offering Taraweeh prayer sunnat."

Taking 'Sehri' is also 'sunnat.' A rozadar should take light meal or simply a glass of water if he does not require a full meal. 'Sehri' has a special virtue. It should not in anyway be a feast.

Before breaking fasting, the rozadar should sit with 'Iftary' and pray to Allah. The prayer before taking 'Iftary' is considered more significant and believed to be more acceptable to Allah.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

1,50,000 tons petroleum to be imported from Kuwait

Staff Reporter

The government yesterday approved import of 150,000 metric tones of petroleum fuels and 20,000 metric tons of non-urea (MOP) from various countries.

The approval came at a meeting of the Advisers' Committee on Public Purchase with LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal in the chair at cabinet division in the secretariat.

According to the meeting the 150,000 metric tonnes of petroleum fuels to be imported from a company of the Maldives will cost the country US$183.44 million worth Tk 1273.07 crore.

Of the total imports, 90,000 tonnes are diesel, 30,000 tonnes jet fuel and another 30,000 tonnes octane.

The Male-based state-owned Maldives National Oil Company Ltd (MNOC) will supply the bulk fuels from its Singapore-based refinery. The premium for the import has been fixed at US$ 5.19 per barrel for diesel, US$ 5.60 for jet fuel and US$ 7.50 for octane.

After the meeting Adviser Anwarul Iqbal told newsmen that the Maldivian company's premium offer was found lowest although they are not a petroleum-rich country.

"We have chosen the Maldives as an alternative country for outsourcing petroleum as the conventional exporting countries were doing monopoly," he said.

According to the approval 20,000 metric tonnes of non-urea (MOP) fertiliser will be from Russia at a cost of Tk 159.81 crore.

Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) will make the fertiliser import at the rate of US$1151 per ton.

Anwarul Iqbal said the government went for the bulk import of fertiliser to meet emergency needs in the ensuing winter-crop cultivation.

He said at present, the country has a stock of 15,000 tones of MOP fertilisers.

A proposal of the Housing and Works Ministry was also approved by the meeting for earth-filling works under Purbachal Model Town project at a cost of Tk 16.17 crore.

Sarah in pregnancy row

Reuters, ST. PAUL

The 17-year-old unmarried daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is pregnant, Palin said on Monday in an announcement intended to knock down rumors by liberal bloggers that Palin faked her own pregnancy to cover up for her child.

Bristol Palin, one of Alaska Gov. Palin's five children with her husband Todd, is about five months pregnant and is going to keep the child and marry the father, according to aides of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Bristol Palin made the decision on her own to keep the baby, the aides said.

The Palins, in a statement released by the McCain campaign, said Bristol "came to us with news that we as parents knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned" and that their daughter "has our unconditional love and support."

"We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates," their statement said.

Senior McCain campaign officials said McCain knew of the daughter's pregnancy when he selected Palin last week as his vice presidential running mate, deciding that it did not disqualify the 44-year-old governor in any way.

McCain officials said the news of the daughter's pregnancy was being released to rebut what one aide called "mud-slinging and lies" that have circulated on liberal blog sites.

According to these rumors, Sarah Palin had faked a pregnancy and pretended to have given birth in April to her fifth child, a son named Trig who has Down syndrome. The rumor was that Trig was actually Bristol Palin's child and that Sarah Palin was the grandmother.

Palin is staunchly anti-abortion, and pro-life groups welcomed the decision to keep the child.

James Dobson, an influential Christian evangelical conservative, said his Focus on the Family group had always counseled young mothers to see their pregnancies through, "even though there will be of course challenges along the way."

"That is what the Palins are doing, and they should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances," he said in a statement.

Speaking to reporters in Monroe, Michigan, Obama said he was offended by the McCain aide's statement and that he considered people's families off-limits.

"We don't go after people's families. We don't get them involved in the politics. It's not appropriate and it's not relevant. Our people were not involved in any way in this and they will not be. And if I ever thought there was somebody in my campaign that was involved in something like that, they'd be fired," Obama said.

Obama also said: "This shouldn't be part of our politics. It has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as a governor or potential performance as a vice president. So I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories."

Stock market review: Losers outnumber gainers

Staff Reporter

After days of gains, the share market witnessed a decline yesterday amidst huge sell-offs that resulted in outnumbering the gainers by the losers.

All indices on the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) closed down due to losses in blue chips while indices on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) ended nearly flat on a fall in blue chip shares.

The blue-chip DSE-20 fell 18.80 points, or 0.76 per cent, to close at 2434.23. The benchmark DGEN or general index edged up 10.61 points, or 0.37 per cent, to end on 2831.40. The DSI or all-share price index finished 8.57 points, or 0.35 per cent, up at 2416.32.

The CSE All Share Price Index (CASPI) shed 0.42 per cent or 37.32 points to close at 8731.10 from 8768.42 points on the previous trading day.

The CSE-30 Index also decreased by 0.68 per cent or 53.99 points to close at 7844.80 points from the Monday's 7898.79 points.

Turnover on both bourses witnessed a substantial decrease from the previous day. Turnover on the DSE was Tk 271 crore-with 19,386,168 shares changing hands-down from Tk 335 crore the previous day.

The port city bourse also saw turnover fall to Tk 30.86 crore from Monday's Tk 45.21 crore, with 3,325,355 trading shares.

Losers outnumbered gainers on the DSE by 125 to 91, while 12 issues held steady.

A total of 129 issues were traded on the CSE. Of them, 47 gained, 80 declined and two remained unchanged.

Grameen One: Scheme Two which debuted Tuesday topped the turnover board, closing at Tk 43. Titas Gas continued to gain, edging up 0.88 per cent from the previous day, to close at Tk 428. ACI ended on Tk 520.10, down by 0.87 per cent. ICB AMCL 2nd NRB mutual fund climbed 1.66 per cent to Tk 182.25. Islami Bank finished at Tk 7450.25, down 1.66 per cent.

Among the other scrips on the turnover board, Square Pharmaceuticals, DESCO, Pragati Insurance and Eastland Insurance also gained. Lanka Bangla Finance lost following gains on Monday.

Tarique's lawyers allowed to submit bail bond

Court Correspondent

An Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Dhaka yesterday allowed the lawyers of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tareque Rahman to submit bail bond in another case filed in connection with accepting bribe in exchange of saving an accused of Bashundhara Group's Director Sabbir murder case.

The Court heard the bail petition and allowed the lawyers to submit a bail bond of Taka 50,000 for the release.

Earlier on Monday, Tareque's lawyers submitted bail bond in 6 other cases. The High Court Division of the Supreme Court so far granted Tareque bail in 7 cases while the necessary bail bonds were submitted to the lower Court. If Tareque is not sued newly, there will be no other obstacle in the process of his release from the jail.

Formation of climate change trust fund urged

Staff Reporter

A non-governmental organisation yesterday demanded creation of a Climate Change Trust Fund to receive, manage and disburse money for climate change adaptation in Bangladesh.

Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL) urged to ensure this at the forthcoming Bangladesh-UK joint meeting on September 10.

The NGO also called upon to form a National Board on Climate Change to manage the fund.

"The fund will be used properly, if the board works effectively," CSRL hoped.

The CSRL however, demanded the fund as compensation rather than aid or loan. "We are strongly protesting World Bank (WB) participation in the fund from this conference," they said at a press conference in the city.

Among others, AMM Badrul Hasan and Ziaul Haque Mukta, members of CSRL and Dr Ahsanuddin Ahmed, climate specialist addressed the press conference.

Holding the developed country's gas emission responsible for all the miseries of climate change, Ahsanuddin Ahmed said, "We demand compensation from them not loan."

Many people will migrate due to the climate change. He urged to include this matter in the Bangladesh-UK joint conference agenda.

The massive destruction caused by cyclone Sidr in 2007, along with the initiatives of the Bangladesh Government, drew particular interest from the United Kingdom.

A "Bangladesh-UK Climate Change Conference" was held in Dhaka on March 25 this year.