The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sarah Palin duped by prank call

BBC Online

US vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin has become the victim of a prank phone call by a Canadian comedian posing as the French president.

Marc Antoine Audette convinced Alaska's governor she was speaking to Nicolas Sarkozy during a six-minute chat aired on a Montreal radio programme.

Topics discussed ranged from the beauty of Sarkozy's wife, Carla Bruni, to the prospect of a joint hunting trip.

A spokesperson for Mrs Palin said she was "mildly amused" by the prank.

At one point during the phone call, aired three days before the US election, Audette told Mrs Palin he could see her as president one day. Laughingly, the Republican candidate replied: "Maybe in eight years."

Audette said he would be keen to join her on a helicopter hunting trip.

"I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun," he said in an exaggerated French accent.

"I'd really love to go, so long as we don't bring along Vice-President [Dick] Cheney."

In 2006, Cheney infamously shot and injured a hunting partner while quail-hunting in Texas. Mrs Palin responded: "I'll be a careful shot."

Audette told the BBC he had wanted to see whether Mrs Palin was right when she talked about being "treated unfairly by a lot of principal medias" in the US.

"We tried to speak with her a little bit about foreign affairs, and well, it gave the result that you can air," he said.

Audette and fellow comedian Sebastien Trudel present a programme on the radio station CKOI Montreal.

Calling themselves the Masked Avengers, the duo have in the past duped Nicolas Sarkozy himself, former French President Jacques Chirac, and the music star Britney Spears with prank phone calls.

Four-party meet adjourned for another day

Staff Reporter

The secretaries general meeting of the four-party alliance did not take any decision as it was adjourned for another day. The meeting was held at the BNP secretary general's NAM flat yesterday evening.

The meeting of the alliance was summoned following the dismissal of three separate writ petitions by the High Court challenging the EC's gazette on the redrawing of parliamentary constituencies and the announcement of the parliamentary elections schedule by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda.

BNP and other components parties of the alliance had earlier urged the Election Commission (EC) not to declare the election schedule. But the EC's declaration of election schedule has prompted the alliance to sit at an urgent meeting which ended without any decision.

After the meeting Rizvi Ahmed, office secretary of BNP told journalists that the " Secretaries general of the four-party alliance have adjourned today's (Sunday) meeting for another day".

When asked when the meeting would be held again he replied that the top leaders of the four parties would sit together and fix the date for the next round of the meeting.

Khandker Delwar Hossain, secretary general, Selima Rahman, joint secretary general of BNP, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, secretary general and assistant secretaries general Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, ATM Azharul Islam, Abdul Qader Mollha, Moulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, city unit president of Bangladesh Jammat-e- Islami, Moulana Abdul Latif Nezami, secretary general and Moulana Sakhawat Hossain of of Islami Oikkya Jote Islami and Shamim Al Mamun, secretary general of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), among others, were present at the meeting.

AL welcomes: HC verdict on re-delimitation

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday welcomed the High Court verdict on the Election Commission's re-delimitation of constituency boundaries, on which depends the announcement of the parliamentary polls schedule.

He hoped that this verdict had reassured the holding of the national polls scheduled for December 18, as there was no obstacle on the way of the same.

About the petition in Supreme Court on this issue he said, "We hope if any appeal is filed with the higher court it will be resolved within the shortest time."

"There is no alternative to holding the national election on time. Election must be held on December 18. The caretaker government and the EC will have to take all the necessary steps to arrange the election, as the key responsibility of the EC is to arrange the national elections," Ashraful added.

Asked whether there was possibility of any political party boycotting the election, Ashraful hoped that all political parties would participate in the elections.

He also said, "We want the participation of all the parties in the election. There may be some temporary disputes, but all the disputes will be resolved at the time of taking final decision."

He also criticised the EC as it failed to do anything as per the Roadmap. But the voter listing could be complete in time as the army did the job, he added.

The High Court yesterday dismissed three separate writ petitions that challenged the EC's gazette on the demarcation of parliamentary seats, and which lawyers said cleared the way for announcement of the election schedule.

Ashraful reiterated the demand of immediate withdrawal of state of emergency and lifting of all the 'false and fabricated' cases filed against AL chief Shiekh Hasina.

AL presidium member Abdur Razzak said, "We have accepted the High Court verdict. We always respect the rules of law."

Moeen meets Ban Ki-Moon: Polls to be held on time

BSS, Dhaka

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday apprised the visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon that the general elections in Bangladesh would be held on time on December 18.

"I told him (UN Chief) that the general elections would be held on time on December 18," the Army Chief told journalists after his talks with Ban Ki-moon at Sonargaon Hotel here.

Gen. Moeen said the government itself is not going to participate in the elections, rather it is the political parties who all should help the government to hold a free, fair and credible election through their active participation.

Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt. General Mohammad Abdul Mubeen, Chief of General Staff Major General Sina Ibne Jamali and senior UN representatives were present on the occasion, where both sides discussed Bangladesh's increased role in UN peace missions in near future.

"The UN Secretary General was very happy to know that Bangladesh keeps one brigade and a battalion standby to respond any UN urgent request for troop deployment," Gen. Moeen said adding Ban has requested Bangladesh to contribute more women troops and police to his peace missions.

Nearly 10,000 Bangladesh troops and police personnel are now engaged in UN peace operations in different parts of the world, armed forces sources said.

A good number of women troops are also working in different trouble-torn areas to restore peace and uphold human rights there.

The UN Secretary General has visited peace operations in Liberia and Sudan, two war-ravished African countries where members of Bangladesh armed forces were working as blue helmets.

"He (Ban) is extremely happy with the standard of service from Bangladesh troops in Africa and other parts of the world," Moeen said adding Bangladesh is going to contribute more to the UN efforts to restore world peace.

The UN Secretary General arrived here yesterday on a two-day official visit, the last leg of his tri-nation South Asian trip. Earlier he visited India and Nepal, from where he came to Dhaka on a special UN aircraft.

Tainted milk: Expert body submits fresh test reports

Staff Reporter

The twelve-member expert committee that was formed to re-examine the much talked about tainted milk powder yesterday submitted reports of the three tests that were conducted in local and foreign laboratories, informed sources said.

Commerce Ministry sources said the result of the test, two in local and one in foreign laboratory', will be officially announced tomorrow through a press conference whether the 8 brands of milk powder were contaminated by melamine.

The expert committee was formed following the dispute from the multinational companies that market milk powder in Bangladesh that none of the eight brands whose test by the laboratory test of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Dhaka found melamine contents in the same.

The Committee, formed on October 19, was scheduled to submit the test reports after one week of its formation.

The eight brands of milk powder, which were found contaminated with melamine, are Australia's Diploma and Red Cow, Denmark's Dano Full Cream, China's Yashli-1, Yashli- 2 and Sweet Baby, and New Zealand's Nido Fortified Instant and Anlene.

Meantime, the High Court on October 23 ordered the Government to ban display and sale of these milk powder brands in the local market.

The High Court also issued a show cause notice to the government to explain within four weeks why its previous inaction over stopping their sale should not be declared illegal.

The laboratory test of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Dhaka found that all the eight brands of milk contained melamine ranging between 40 milligram (mg) per kg to 450mg per kg.

The result showed Nido Fortified Instant contains highest level of melamine about 450mg per kg and Dano contains lowest level of melamine 40 mg per kg. Other brands, Sweet baby-2 contains 280 mg, Yashli-1 contains 140mg, Yashli-2 holds 290mg, Anline 200mg, Diploma 230mg, and Red Cow 300mg.

The twelve-member expert committee comprises two teachers from Department of Chemistry of Dhaka University (DU), three members each from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), and the BCSIR, two members from Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI), one member each from the Health Ministry and the Plasma Plus, a private laboratory.

Global inflation: Body to monitor impact of crisis formed

UNB, Dhaka

A high-powered technical committee has been formed to closely monitor the impact on the country's economy from the fallout of the current global financial crisis and take instant remedial measures.

"The committee has been formed to save Bangladesh from the global recession," Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam told reporters after a meeting at Planning Ministry Sunday that formed the committee.

Chaired by the Adviser, the meeting was attended, among others, by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, NBR Chairman Abdul Mazid, Finance Secretary Dr Mohammed Tareque and senior officials concerned.

The Finance Secretary will head the 8-member committee to review the emerging situation fortnightly through trend analysis of economic indicators, including exports, imports, terms of trade, capital market movements and implementation of Annual Development Programme (ADP).

The other members of the committee are the National Board of Revenue Chairman, Bangladesh Bank deputy governor, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) member, Controller of Insurance Companies, vice chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), additional secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) and one representative from IMED. "The committee will take instant corrective measures, if necessary," said the Finance Adviser.

He, however, does not see any immediate threat due to the global financial crisis that entered into recession, as the country's banking and financial sectors as well as the capital market are not integrated with the international financial markets. "But it could affect the economy in the long term."

He said it is unlikely that the remittance inflow would be affected severely as the oil price still remains at the same previous level in the Middle East. "Even if it is affected in the Middle East, we've nothing to worry about as Bangladesh is getting new markets like Libya to export manpower," he added.

Dr Aziz said the foreign aid would not decline during this fiscal year, but he could not foresee what could be the trend thereafter.

About devaluation of Taka, he said the local currency now maintaining a balance with neighbouring countries who are our competitors in export trade. "Their currencies may be depreciated a lot due to the financial crisis, but their currencies were earlier stronger than ours," he added.

About price situation, the Finance Adviser said the inflationary situation has improved in the country due to decline in prices of fuel oil, food and other essential items. "We've nothing to worry about inflation, but it's always better to remain prepared," he added.

World economy facing a grave crisis, says ICC,B

Staff Reporter

The "financial Tsunami" originating in the United States has plunged the world economy into its worst crisis since the great depression of the 1930s. What started as a sub prime mortgage crisis in the USA has now gone global and engulfed the G-7 countries and more, says International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh in the editorial of it's latest news bulletin.

"Stocks and shares in the US dropped dramatically on 10th October and have been subjected to wild fluctuations since then. The crisis has created a downward spiral of loss of confidence and trust on the free market system. While there will be considerable analysis of the reasons for the financial meltdown, inadequate regulation and poor supervision of the banks and investment firms by the watchdog is undeniable," it said.

"With the intensification of the financial crisis, world leaders struggled to come up with immediate measures to overcome it. The US Congress approved a US$ 700 billion package to help cash starved firms; in addition, more than US$ 130 billion was injected in the giant insurance company, AIG. The total commitment of the European countries is estimated to amount to more than Euro 1,400 billion. In addition, other monetary and fiscal measures have been undertaken," it noted.

The editorial also said, "No one really knows whether these measures will work. Far less is known of the mechanism through which the stimulus package will affect the financial sector. Confidence once shaken is difficult to restore. Money being given by Governments to banks is being used to build their reserves, and not for extending credit to the borrowers as was envisaged by the Governments."

"The impact of the financial meltdown on the real economy is already visible. Manufacturers are cutting down production in response to lowered demand from the consumers. In the process, jobs are being eliminated. Smaller firms that have relied on the banking sector for funds are suddenly finding their source of credit has dried up. Normally, they would negotiate with the larger firms for mergers; however, this will not be possible in the absence of credit. Many will file for bankruptcy. International trade will be seriously affected," it added.

The IMF expects global growth of 3 per cent in 2009, relying on reasonably robust expansion in emerging economies; the rich-world economies are expected to grow by only 0.5 per cent. These estimates will need to be revised to conform to actual developments: on 24th October, it was announced that the UK economy had contracted by 0.5 per cent which was much more than predicted.

The International Labour Organisation has warned that the number of unemployed could rise from 190 million in 2007 to 210 million in late 2009. The number living on less than a dollar a day could rise by some 40 million -- and those at two dollars a day by more than 100 million. This is a vivid illustration of how the crisis on Wall Street will impact on the real economy, and create massive job losses.

It will require significant coordinated policy actions among the advanced and emerging market economies to quickly recover from this economic and financial disaster. Clearly, the world needs a long-term strategy for streamlining world financial governance; including accountability and transparency in order to restore the confidence on free market mechanisms. People are demanding a new global financial architecture with proper representation of developing country interests.

How will the financial turmoil affect the Bangladesh economy? The Bangladesh financial sector had little exposure to the sub-prime mortgage securities, and may emerge unscathed. It is in the real economy that the greatest impact is likely to be felt.

"Our economy depends critically on exports and inward remittances from our workers abroad. Trade will clearly be affected, but the extent of the impact is difficult to quantify at this stage. More than two million are directly employed in the RMG export-oriented industries, while more than 15 million in the backward linkage industries: their fate hangs in the balance. How will the crisis affect our expatriate workers? That is also uncertain, and will depend on the economic condition in the destination countries. While the external drama is yet to unfold, some clear policy measures are to be recommended at this stage," it said.

"The newly elected government will inherit a more challenging set of tasks than any of its predecessors in decades," it stated.

27th BCS results: HC rule on Govt, PSC

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Sunday issued a rule upon the government and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to explain why publication of the 27th BCS examination results for the second time without following the quota for districts and freedom fighters' children should not be declared illegal.

A division bench, comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui, passed the order following a writ petition.

The rule is made returnable in four weeks.

On September 13, the PSC published results for the second time canceling the earlier results that evoked controversy over its transparency.

Abu Fazl M Tariq Khan along with 33 other unsuccessful candidates who came out successful in the first results filed the writ petition, challenging the legality of the second time results of the examination.

Barrister Shafique Ahmed appeared for the petitioners.

Paralysis to GBS causing: 3,500 people every year

Staff Reporter

Scientists at a symposium yesterday said after the eradication of polio, Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS) is now frequently causing acute paralysis in the country.

Up to 3,500 patients get the disease every year in Bangladesh, which is two to three times higher in comparison with the worldwide incidence.

They said that GBS is a rare nervous system disorder, usually triggered by an acute respiratory or intestinal infection. It causes muscle weakness, loss of reflexes and numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, face and other parts of the body that rapidly progress to complete paralysis.

They also called upon all to focus on it seriously and suggested that government and other organisations involved in the health sectors to play an important role in combating this new disease.

Their observation came at the symposium on ' GBS' in Bangladesh and revealing the preliminary study of this disease by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) at Sasakawa auditorium at Mohakhali in the city.

They said a variety of infections have been associated with GBS, of which 'Campylobacter jejuni' a bacterial infection frequently causing diarrhoea is among the most common linked.

Terming the disease as 'debilitating' Dr Hubert Ph. Endtz, director, lab science division of ICDDR,B said hospital treatment is often needed for this disease. He said prevention is also the prime measure for prevention of this disease.

Dr Alejandro Cravioto, executive director, ICDDR, B stressed the need to develop new intervention to prevent or treat GBS in developing countries.

AMM Nasir Uddin, secretary, Ministry of Family Welfare was present as chief guest.

Md Zhahirul Islam, research officer, food and enteric microbiology, ICDDR, B Dr Wim Ang, Free University, Amsterdam, Dr Bart Jacobs, department of Neurology and Immune, Erasmus University, Rotterdam of Netherlands and Dr Nabuhiro Yuki, Niigita National Hospital, Japan presented keynotes on GBS.

UK-based EIU hopes: Govt will transfer power to elected Govt

UNB, Dhaka

The London-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has said the caretaker government is expected to hand over power to a new elected government shortly after the parliamentary election on December 18.

The EIU in its monthly report however said the caretaker government and the Election Commission (EC) need to overcome a number of obstacles in the weeks ahead to ensure that the polls are free, fair and credible.

It said the election would be regarded as free if members of all of the country's political parties are able to participate. The recent decision by the caretaker government to grant bail to a number of important politicians, arrested as a result of its anti-corruption drive, has helped to fulfill its promise of a free election.

More importantly, the EIU said Khaleda Zia of BNP and Sheikh Hasina of Awami League , who are both under investigation for corruption, are now in a position to participate. As neither has yet been convicted, they could conceivably contest their seats and one of them could become the next Prime Minister.

The report said Khaleda and Hasina remain hugely popular figures, but the success of the AL at the elections for city corporations and municipalities in August suggests that it is in a favourable position to win.

The election would be deemed fair if voters are allowed to exercise their democratic rights. There remains uncertainty, however, over whether this condition can be met.

The report said severe restrictions have been placed on civil liberties since emergency rule was imposed on January 11, 2007. Concerns over a possible deterioration in the security situation in the run-up to the polls are likely to prevent a complete lifting of emergency rule, although the government may relax certain restrictions ahead of and during the election.

But political parties will continue to make the full lifting of the state of emergency a primary condition of their participation in the election.

It said maintaining emergency rule may jeopardise the credibility of the polls, especially if the European Commission decides not to send a delegation to observe the vote. The election's integrity could be undermined further if the main political parties decide not to participate, although, given the conciliatory stance adopted by the EC in recent weeks and its ongoing efforts to engage the parties in dialogue, this seems unlikely. The report said elections to Upazila Parishad are planned to be held in two phases, on December 24 and 28, but may be delayed until early 2009, in view of ongoing protests by the main parties.

Jamuna Future Park obtains approval of RAJUK

Staff Reporter

At last "Jamuna Future Park (JFP)" has obtained the approval of Rajdhani Unnaya Kartipakkha (RAJUK) after six years of legal battle.

The park, the biggest shopping-cum-entertainment complex of its kind in Asia will be set up on 33 acres of land at Baridhara in the capital at a cost of about Tk 3,000 crore, said Md Nurul Islam, JFP chairman, at a press conference at the Jamuna Future Park premises yesterday.

He expects a yearly turnover of TK 40,000 from this complex. The Shopping Mall Building will cover an area of 10 acres, and it will be able to withstand earthquake of 8 Richter scale, he added

The complex is expected to be inaugurated by the middle of 2010.

Work on the construction of the complex is progressing fast. The complex management will start renting shops at the mall to foreign and local companies from next month, said Nurul Islam, who is also chairman of Jamuna Group, a reputed industrial conglomerate in the country.

Nurul told journalists that besides shopping, the classy complex will include facilities for games, amusement, entertainment, dining, medical service and swimming. It will stand as a symbol of national pride, he noted.

Sea trucks withdrawn from coastal routes

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Five out of eight sea trucks deployed by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation ( BIWTC)for safe navigation on risky and cyclone prone coastal routes, are now inoperative exposing thousands of water route users to many hazards.

The five sea trucks have been withdrawn from operation either due to repair work, crisis of spare parts or financial losses incurred by the private operators who took lease.

Some of the sea trucks were built the country and some others were procured from China under credit scheme.

ST Khizie-5 ,which used to ply on Mirzakau- Char Alexander route, is now lying at the dock for repair since October 15.

The operator of ST Khizir-7 has stopped its service since October 23 citing financial losses.

The lease contract of ST Khizir-8 on Barisal-Bhola-Laxipur routes expired on October 16.

These sea trucks not only carried passengers but also merchandises. Suspension of their operation is causing immense inconveniences to both passengers and businessmen of the coastal areas. In the absence of sea trucks people are now going to various destinations in the coastal belt by small boats and trawlers exposing themselves to the risk of storm and other hazards.The reduction of the operation schedule of the Dhaka-Barisal-Khulna Rocket service has also added to the woes of the people of coastal areas. The operation of the rocket service has been reduced to two days a week from four days a week. When contacted , high officials of BIWTC assured that immediate steps will be taken to press all the sea trucks into service again in the coastal areas.