The New Nation - Internet Edition

CA greet Myanmar counterparts

UNB, Dhaka

President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed greeted their counterparts of the Union of Myanmar on the occasion of the Independence Day of the country that falls on January 4.

In separate felicitation messages to their counterparts, two Bangladesh leaders expressed their firm belief that the existing excellent relations between the two friendly countries will be further strengthened and consolidated to the mutual benefit of people of two countries in the days to come.

Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed also wished Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar, and General Thein Sein, Prime Minister of Myanmar, good health, happiness and long life and continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Myanmar.

50 godowns gutted in Gazipur

UNB, Gazipur

A devastating fire gutted 50 godowns of 'jhut'(waste of garment) materials at Milbazar in Tongi early yesterday.

Police and local sources said the fire originated from electric short circuit at a godown in the early hours of yesterday and soon engulfed the adjoining 'jhut' godowns.

On information, three units of fire fighters from Tongi, Kurmitola and Gazipur rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flame after about five hours of hectic efforts with the help of local people.

Shop owners claimed that the loss from the fire would be about Tk 50 million (5 crore).

Overseas job last year exceeds 8.75 m in 2008

UNB, Dhaka

The number of Bangla-deshis cleared for overseas employment in 2008 exceeded 8,75,000 creating a new record.

A record amount of nearly US 9 billion has also been received as remittances in 2008.

Previous year (2007) witnessed the employment abroad of over 8,32,000 which was then a record too.

Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment expressed his deep satisfaction at this.

"It is my hope that the next government would continue with this effort, because the opportunities of new markets are vast", he said.

Iftekhar said "At all times, however, we must remember that the welfare of our workers must remain a priority. A migrant worker is not just a revenue generating machine. He is also a human being. Indeed, he is our pride."

Chief ACC prosecutor resigns

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Special Public Prosecutor yesterday stood down showing "personal" grounds, apparently as the time has now changed with the holding of national elections by jettisoning the anti-graft purge.

Confirming his case of quitting prosecution in corruption trial-mostly of the politicians who are now turning back to the helm-CSPP Sharfuddin Khan Mukul told UNB that he tendered his resignation in black and white to the ACC chairman at noon.

Mukul, a noted criminal lawyer, was especially assigned to deal with the ACC-filed graft cases against Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, who is now about to become country's next Prime Minister.

Her Grand Alliance secured over two-thirds majority in the 9th parliament elections held on December 29, in a rather fabulous change of fortune.

Sheikh Hasina and the other former premier, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, and many other former MPs and ministers were thrown behind bars amid a crackdown after the 1/11 changeover. They were set free as the election process started in a turnaround from the two-year emergency regime.

JMB cadres held with grenades

UNB, Chittagong

Two militants of the outlawed Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) held with a cache of grenades were placed on seven days remand by the metropolitan magistrate yesterday.

Magistrate Abu Hannan gave them on seven days remand instead of 10 days prayed for by police after the accused were brought before the court amid tight security.

The duo-Abdul Hye alias Masud and Khorshed Alam-was held along with 28 live grenades from a building at Teribazar by elite-force RAB on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, Kotwali police station filed a case against five militants, including Hye and Khorshed, under the Explosive Substances Act. The three others-Asad, Hebad and Shohag-remained fugitive.

RAB sources told UNB that "operation is going on to track down the fugitives".

Power handover in 2/3 days

UNB, Satkhira

The caretaker government might hand over power to the elected government within 2/3 days as the Constitution says that the elected government will have to take oath within three days of the publication of gazette notification on polls result.

LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal disclosed this while talking to

newsmen after inaugurating Satkhira Milk Vita Milk Pasteurization

Factory at the BSCIC Industrial estate here yesterday

About the transparency of the recently held national election, the Adviser said the international observers have termed the polls as transparent and "we also did not find any non-transparency in the polls."

He called for involving more women in the milk sector for meeting the country's demand for milk. "We'll no longer have to depend on melamine-tainted foreign milk if milk production in the country can be increased," he said.

Anwarul Iqbal informed that the government has decided to give government khas land in the area on long-term lease to Milk Vita for establishing farms for rearing cows and buffalos.

Begum Ferdousi Ali, chairman of Bangladesh Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited, presided over the inaugural function.

Former chairman of Milk Vita M Hasibur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner M Mizanur Rahman and Police Super Abu Sufian, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Hasina to live in PM house

UNB, Dhaka

The historic Ganobhaban where Prime Minister-in-waiting Sheikh Hasina will be living in after taking oath was found in a dilapidated condition for virtual dereliction since she had last left.

"It is not fit for living. Condition is very bad," Manjila Farooq, protocol officer to Sheikh Hasina, told UNB after visiting the Ganobhaban, as preparation is afoot for transfer of power by the caretaker government to her next cabinet in a couple of days.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman used this state house as his office. After becoming Prime Minister, Hasina also had lived in this historic house during her 1996-2001 tenure.

Manjila said while visiting the Ganobhaban she witnessed living rooms, beds, cots, carpets and curtains in dirt and ramshackle condition. Some cots which were there when Hasina left the place are missing.

After Hasina, the Ganobhaban was renamed 'Pradhan Mantri Bhaban' and immediate-past Prime Minister Khaleda Zia used it as one of her offices.

Manjila said, "It seems things there had not been preserved properly for last seven years."

When contacted, Housing and Works Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader told UNB in the evening that "whatever required will be in place before the Prime Minister steps in Ganobhaban". Renovation works already started, he said.

BSF guns down Bangladeshi in Thakurgaon

UNB, Thakurgaon

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a Bangladeshi young man at Kochal border in Ranishangkoil upazila yesterday.

The dead was identified as Ziarul,20, son of Sabar Ali of Ekannapur village in Pirganj upazila.

Police said BSF members of 142 Santara camp fired one shot on Ziarul as he went in the border area, killing him on the spot early hours.

Khaleda's assignment officer to be charge-sheeted

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to charge-sheet former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's assignment officer Dr Firoj Mahmud Iqbal in two graft cases filed on charge of taking bribe and causing losses to the exchequer.

The ACC is also going to press charges against Nokla (Sherpur) pourasava chairman and Awami League leader Mizanur Rahman for misappropriating rice meant for relief.

ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing yesterday that the anti-graft watchdog has approved the submission of charge sheets in these three graft cases.

Firoj will be charge-sheeted in the case filed on May 13, 2008 for causing the government a loss of Tk 24.23 lakh. A second charge sheet will be submitted against him in the case filed for taking Tk 1.47 crore in bribe.

Hanif said the Commission has approved the issuance of notices to 14 individuals directing them to submit their wealth statements. Of them, there is one ward commissioner, wife of another ward commissioner and 12 officials of the Department of Inspection and Audit under Education Ministry.

Those to receive notices are Dhaka City Corporation ward commissioner Harun ar Rashid, ward commissioner Nabiullah Nabi's wife Lutfun Nahar, KM Kawser Ali, Khabir Uddin, Abdul Mannan, Abdul Majid, Faruk Gazi, Sirajul Islam, Momtajul Karim, Kudrat Ullah, Mahmudul Haque, Sanjoy Baran Mistri, Ataul Haque Khan and Abdus Samad Sheikh.

2 siblings killed in Bogra

UNB, Bogra

Two siblings were stabbed to death by miscreants near Sonahata bazaar in Dhunat upazila yesterday and Wednesday night.

The deceased were identified as Lal Mia Paikar, 45, and Kalachand Paikar, 40, sons of Mujibar Rahman of Shiali Majbari village in same upazila.

Police said several miscreants intercepted two brothers and hit them with sharp weapons while they were returning home from the bazaar at about 8pm Wednesday.

Lal Mia died on the spot while his younger brother Kalachand was injured critically in the attack.

The injured was admitted to Bogra Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital where he died at about 8am yesterday.

Dhunat thana police said two brothers came under attack due to family feud.

However, Dhunat thana Awami League president TIM Nurunnabi Tareq claimed that the two victims were union committee leaders of the party.

HSC exams of BOU begin today

UNB, Dhaka

The first and second year final examinations 2008 of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) of Bangladesh Open University (BOU) begin today (Friday).

A total of 86,784 learners will appear in the examinations in the 254 centers across the country, said a press release on Thursday.

Meanwhile, all necessary steps have been taken to hold the examinations in a fair atmosphere, it added.