The New Nation - Internet Edition

Israel escalates devastating offensive in Gaza

A photo show of ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza
was held on Dhaka University campus yesterday. Somajtantrik
Chhatra Front organised it. Banglar Chokh

AP, Gaza City

Israeli warplanes pounded the homes of Hamas leaders and ground troops edged closer to the Gaza Strip's densely populated urban center Monday, as Israel weighed whether to escalate its devastating offensive.

Despite the tightening Israeli cordon, militants managed to fire off at least four rockets Monday morning. There were no reports of injuries, though one rocket hit a house in the southern city of Ashkelon.

Black smoke rose over Gaza City's suburbs, where the two sides skirmished throughout the night. At least six Palestinians died in the new airstrikes or of wounds on Monday, Gaza health officials said. One of the dead was a militant killed in a northern Gaza battle.

The army announced Sunday that it was sending reserve units into Gaza to assist thousands of ground forces already in the territory. The use of reserves is a strong signal that Israel is planning to move the offensive, which Gaza officials say has killed some 870 Palestinians, into a new, more punishing phase.

Israel launched the offensive on Dec. 27, bombarding Gaza with dozens of airstrikes before sending in ground forces a week later. The operation is meant to halt years of Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel. Fighting has persisted despite international calls for a cease-fire. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have died.

Egypt, which often serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, has played a key role in trying to forge a cease-fire.

Talks "are progressing slowly but surely because each party wants to score some points," Hossam Zaki, the spokesman for Egypt's foreign ministry, told the British Broadcasting Corp. "We would like to be able to bridge some gaps and then proceed immediately to a cease-fire."

International Mideast envoy Tony Blair was in Cairo on Monday, meeting with President Hosni Mubarak following talks with Israeli leaders on Sunday. Egypt has put forward a three-stage proposal to end the fighting.

"I think the elements of an agreement for the immediate cease-fire are there," Blair said, adding that, while more work needed to be done, he hoped to see a cease-fire "in the coming days."

Israel's representative to the talks, Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad, was in close contact with Egypt. But in a sign that more work is needed, he postponed a trip to Cairo, officials said.

Sri Lanka thrash Zimbabwe

Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka holds the Man of the
Match award at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on
Monday. Banglar Chokh

Sports Reporter

Sri Lanka made a formidable start in the Grameenphone Tri-Nation Cricket Tournament when they thrashed Zimbabwe by 130 runs in their first match at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.

Sent in to bat first, Sri Lanka made 210 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then they bundled out Zimbabwe for 80 off 28.2 overs.

Upal Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya contributed together 51 runs in the opening stand before Jayasuriya was caught at the first slip by Masakadza off Elton Chigumbura scoring 22.

After dismissal of Jayasuriya, Edward Rainsford harpooned Kumar Sangakkara for 4, Mahela Jayawardene for a duck and Chamara Kapugedera for four.

Later, Upal Tharanga was trapped lbw by Prosper Utseya hitting 43 off 56 balls including six shots beyond the ropes. When Tharanga returned to the pavilion Sri Lanka's total was 97 for the loss of five wickets.

Angelo Mathews and Jehan Mubarak put on 69 runs for the sixth wicket partnership.

Mathews remained undefeated with 52 off 96 balls amid two sixes and a four. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant performance.

Jehan Mubarak was caught at the long on by Sean Williams off Ray Price making 31 off 62 balls. He hit three boundaries. At that time Sri Lanka's total was 166 for the loss of six wickets.

Then, Angelo Mathews and Thilina Thushara put up 44 runs in the unfinished seventh wicket stand.

Thushara notched up a chanceless 28 (not out) off 27 balls.

Edward Rainsford shone with the cherry claiming three wickets at the cost of 41 runs.

Later, the batsmen of Zimbabwe showed a very dismal batting performance.

Stuart Matsikenyeri was the only batsman of Zimbabwe who could reach double-digit figures scoring 15.

Besides, Mr Extra contributed 16 runs to the Zimbabwe total.

Medium pacer Nuwan Kulasekera, new spin sensation Ajantha Mendis and wizard spinner Muttiah Muralitharan played the key role to mop up Zimbabwe innings.

Kulasekera finished as 7-2-13-3 while Mendis completed as 5.2-0-15-3.

Muralitharan bagged a pair of wickets giving away just four runs.

Besides, Angelo Mathews and Thilina Tushara took one wicket apiece.

Ajantha Mendis is now the fastest 50-wicket taker in ODI so far. He grabbed 50 wickets playing 19 matches.

Earlier, Ajit Agarkar of India bagged 50 wickets playing 23 matches.

High salinity in Karnaphuli water hinders crop output

Chittagong Correspondent

High salinity in the down stream water of the River Karnaphuli, its major boughs and canals has reportedly been posing serious threat to usual output of the winter crop (Boro) at vast areas here in southern Chittagong apart from hindering safe drinking water supply in the port city.

According to sources, at the Agricultural Information department more than 30 thousand hectors of croplands on both banks mainly in the down stream of the river and its branches have already started suffering from soil degradation because of high salinity.

High concentration of salt in the river water is not only dangerous for the crop output, but repeated exposure to the toxicity may turn the croplands totally infertile for decades together even if not for ever.

It is learnt that sea water surges the river's lower-mid and down stream with high-tides twice a day in the absence of the river's downward rush because of the draught-like situation at the upper stream.

Some of the farmers in southern Chittagong (Anwara, Patiya, Boalkhali, Bakalia and Chandanaish) admitted that they had already suffered unusually low production or total crop-loss after using toxic river water for irrigation defying the salinity factor.

On the other hand, Chittagong Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) has been facing enormous trouble in supplying safe drinking water to its consumers in the urban areas as it takes feed from the river Halda, main bough of the Karnaphuli, for the Mohora Water Treatment Plant.

The WASA officials said that the salinity neutralisation units of the water treatment plant had become grossly inefficient against the high concentration of sodium chloride in the river water taken for treatment resulting in drastic fall of water supply.

The regional office of the Soil Research Development Institute (SRDI) here in the port city, after receiving complaints from the farmers, undertook an initial survey to determine the concentration of sodium chloride in the Karnaphuli's water.

It procured water samples from different points of the River Karnaphuli, its boughs and canals in early January this year and carried out laboratory analysis of the samples.

The laboratory analysis detected extremely high concentration of Sodium Chloride (common salt) including other form of salts like magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium sulphate and potassium chloride in the samples.

According to the latest salinity survey the concentration of salt at the samples procured from Anwara, Patiya, Boalkhali and Kalurghat fluctuated between 3.1 and 8.6 ds/m (Deci-Simons in each meter) against the permissible level of .75 ds/m.

"The samples are as like as normal sea water and totally unfit for irrigation and substituting the purposes of sweet water," an agro-chemist commented and suggested avoiding repeated exposure of the crop land to the toxic sea water.

According to the rainfall records in the region and the upper stream of the River Karnaphuli, there had been insignificant rainfall in the lean season (November to March) in 2007 and 2008.

Meteorologists also predict relatively poor rainfall during the current lean season (November to March) further sliming the chance of washing out the sea water from the river.

"The croplands having history of flooding by sea water in the recent past will rather turn totally infertile for crop whatsoever until total washing of the soil's top layer by heavy and continuous shower," regional head of the SRDI Mir Shahabuddin feared.

He said that, research had been in progress at home and abroad for developing variety of rice and alternative crops especially tolerant to moderate salinity.

No dearth of aid despite global recession: FM

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni said current global economic meltdown wouldn't hold down overseas development aid for Bangladesh, now that the country is being run by a government elected with a massive popular mandate.

"We don't expect that to happen," she told reporters after a meeting with ambassadors and high commissioners at the Foreign Ministry where she outlined the centrist new government's foreign policy.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Hassan Mahmud and Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain were present.

Dipu Moni, the first woman foreign minister of Bangladesh, said donors and development partners, wherever they give aid, want good governance. "Since this government is determined to establish good governance, transparency and accountability in governance, I believe it couldn't decrease."

Asked about major challenges of the country's foreign policy, she said whatever challenges are there they would overcome with close cooperation from the development partners.

She said the present government has assumed office with big mandate through the democratic transition and the development partners would see it positively and take more positive steps to face the challenges.

In reply to a question the physician-turned-Foreign Minister said they would make endeavor to improve the bilateral relations with the countries of the region and beyond and enhance economic and trade cooperation on the basis of the avowed policy "friendship with all and malice to none".

Dipu Moni cited climate change as a big issue as Bangladesh is going to be worst victim of its adverse impacts. She hoped that the developed world would come forward to help Bangladesh and other developing and least-developed nations overcoming the challenges posed by the changing climate.

The Foreign Minister said since the government wants to establish non-communal democratic Bangladesh, foreign assistance may be required for various sectors. However, she noted that Bangladesh not only seeks assistance but also extends cooperation in establishing global peace through the UN peacekeeping mission.

Emerging from the meeting, US Ambassador James Moriarty told UNB that the American government would work closely in good cooperation with the new government in Bangladesh. He hoped the new government here would implement its election pledges "sooner".

In reply to a question, Moriarty said he did not see any indication

about the US aid cuts in Bangladesh in the wake of the current economic recession in America.

British High Commissioner Stephen Evans said they had a good meeting with the new Foreign Minister, saying that the British government looks forward to working closely with the present government.

Ministry receives DU VC’s letter, 'decision soon’

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The education ministry yesterday received the letter of Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz who sought to be relieved on Sunday, a top official said.

Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid acknowledged the letter reaching his ministry and told bdnews24.com a decision would be made soon.

A senior ministry official seeking anonymity said a new vice-chancellor could be appointed in a couple of days after relieving Prof Faiz of his duties.

The deputy secretary in charge of universities, Rois Uddin earlier told bdnews24.com, "I got the resignation letter when I got to the office in the morning [Monday].

"I faxed the letter and hand-couriered it to the education secretary," Prof Faiz, who is temporarily in charge after his contract ended a few months ago, told bdnews24.com at 10pm on Sunday:

He told reporters he wanted to be relieved of the top office of the country's premier public university "to uphold decency and the dignity of the office".

"I will continue to do my job until authorities decide on the letter," he had said.

Earlier in the day, his personal officer Siddiqur Rahman said, "Vice chancellor SMA Faiz on Sunday afternoon sent a letter to the education secretary at 5pm asking to be relieved."

The resignation letter will take effect after president Iajuddin Ahmed, the DU chancellor, approves it.

Prof Faiz took over in Sept. 2002 during the BNP-led coalition government's rule.

List of public holidays finalised

Staff Reporter

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday decided to observe Bangabandbu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birthday on March 17 as National Children's Day, although would not be a public holiday.

After the Cabinet meeting Abul Kalam Azad Press Secretary to Prime Minister disclosed this to the waiting reporters.

"The meeting has finalised the public holiday list for the year 2009, declaring general holiday for 13 days, executive order holidays for 9 days and optional holidays for three days," he said.

He also informed that the Prime Minister was mulling over to reduce the number of Cabinet level committees to avoid complicacies in discharging functions. The current numbers of committees are 24.

She said that the number of such committees should be reduced for expediting the implementation of development projects through coordinated efforts.

Ministers, state ministers and advisers to the Prime Minister attended the Cabinet meeting, second after the new government assumed office.

AL activists in Noakhali resorting violence: Rizvi

Staff Reporter

BNP office secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged Awami League activist for resorting violence in Noakahli-1 stalled parliamentary election yesterday.

"The goons of Awami League attacks on our party supporters and followers during the poll," he said at a press briefing at party chairperson's Gulshan office yesterday evening.

"After the election the terrorists activities across the country are on the rise deepening our anger and concern. The leaders and activists of BNP are coming under assaults by AL terrorists," he mentioned.

Mentioning the atrocities of the opponent cadres to BNP followers, the Office Secretary of BNP said nearly 50 persons were inflicted injuries by the Awami League armed cadres.

"Even the women were not spared from their (AL) attacks," he said adding that a woman was molested by the miscreants of Awami League.

"At least 13 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured in such criminal attacks after the election," he added.

He alleged that police and local administration were refraining from taking any action prompting the criminals to be more

aggressive.

He strongly condemned the continuing attacks on its workers and blamed Awami League for the post-election violence across the country.

He demanded of the government to take steps for stopping atrocities and bring the culprits to the book.

JSD ready to help govt if Hasina keeps pledges

Staff Reporter

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) will help the present government if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the grand alliance keep their pledges incorporated in their election manifesto.

"There is no any scope for failure of the AL-led grand alliance government after getting the massive mandate of the people," said General Secretary of JSD Abdul Malek Ratan, while addressing a press conference organised by JSD at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital yesterday.

Ratan said the people of the country voted the grand alliance to power for establishing good governance, uprooting corruption and terrorism, holding the trial of war criminals and reducing the prices of essentials.

The government is pledge-bound to fulfil its commitments to the people, he noted.

The press conference was attended, among others, by joint general secretaries Sharif Mohammad Khan and Md Siraj Mia, organising Secretary Prof Liakat Hossain, Shahidullah Forayezi, Abdur Razzaque Raza and Advocate Syeda Fatema Hena.

UK help on high-tech forgery detection

Staff Reporter

The British High Commission in Dhaka has provided Bangladesh's Special Branch Immigration with state-of-the-art forgery detection equipment to detect the use of fraudulent travel documentation.

The equipment worth over 80,000 pound-starling is designed to increase Bangladesh's capacity to detect the use of fraudulent travel documentation for people entering and leaving Bangladesh.

It has been installed in the newly formed ' Document Examination Centre' of Special Branch Headquarters. 20 Special Branch Officers will receive training in using the equipment.

"I am delighted that the UK is able to support to the government of Bangladesh in promoting excellence and expertise in high-tech forgery detection and protecting borders," said Stephen Evans, British High Commissioner.

"It is an example of the continuing co-operation between our countries in fighting immigration crime and we will seek opportunities to increase our practical support," he noted.

COAB denounces aggression

Staff Reporter

Cable service providing organisations have engaged in bitter rivalry. Nine people, involved in the business, were murdered while hundreds left injured last year. The recent shootout at Media Satellite office by hooligans is one of the offshoots of this naked rivalry.

Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) yesterday organised a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in protest of the on-going aggression and terrorism in this business.

According to COAB, MGH Infocomm Limited, the authorised distributor of STAR, SONY, DISNEY & DISCOVERY channels for the territory of Bangladesh, is using thugs to oppress other cable operators to expand its business in the country. It alleged that MGH thugs sent a killing mission to murder the owner of Media Satellite on January 8 this year at its Mailbag Office. "Failing to kill, they shot and injured one of its staffs", COAB representatives said to reporters.

MGH has been given the right to provide service only in Gulshan area. "Violating the condition it has been trying to expand its business to the other parts of the city like Malibag, Uttara, Motijheel, Mohammadpur, etc by illegal fiber optic cable for several years" said COAB.

Speakers claimed MGH created anarchy in the business by using a retired army officer. Though there are several cases filed against Anis Ahmed Gorkey, Managing Director of MGH Group, he is still out of any trial, said COAB representatives.

COAB urged the Home Ministry to take immediate steps to stop the violence to save the industry.

Reza-un-Nabi Al Mamun of Rajshahi Communication Cable Network, SM Shamsur Rahman Shimul, Director, Satellite Vision, Syed Habib Ali, Ideal Cable TV Network, Syed Mosharaf Ali Chanchal, Director, United Communication Services Ltd, Md Shajahan Mia, New Star Cable Network, Md Nurul Islam, Chairman, United Communication Services Ltd, Al Amin, Director, United Communication Services Ltd, Mamun Sirajul Islam, Gazipur Cable Vision, Md Harunur Rashid, Mymensingh Multi Cable Network and Md Moniruzzaman, Media Cable Vision were present at the conference.

BCL to ensure atmosphere on DU campus

DU Correspondent

The leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of Awami League, pledged to ensure congenial atmosphere of the education on the Dhaka University campus.

In the same time they would resist any disruption from the campus and even they would not consider any leader or activist of the organisation who will liable for creating anarchy.

The leaders said this at a view exchange meeting at the Dhaka University Journalists` Association (DUJA) yesterday.

In the view exchange meeting, journalists of different print and electronics media urged the BCL leaders to maintain peace and order on the campus so that students could carry out their study above fear.

BCL president Mahmudul Hasan Ripon assured the journalists that they would help the legal students to live in their respective dormitories. Even they would cooperate the university authority in this regard.

Mentioning oppression of JCD in 2001, BCL president said, "We did not forget that but we want to establish peace on the campus though the organisation is hatching conspiracy to disable the university."

BCL wants to ensure coexistence in the Halls in line with need cooperation from all sections, he further said.

BCL general secretary Mahfuzul Haider Chowdhury Roton, Vice President Golam Sarwar Kabir, organising secretary Saiful Islam, DU unit president Sheikh Sohel Rana Tipu, general secretary Sazzad Sakib Badsha, DUJA president Mahabubur Rahman and general secretary Shahjahan Shuvo, among others, took part in the meeting.

Bush defends presidency in final news conference

AP, Washington

In a nostalgic final news conference, President George W. Bush defended his record vigorously and at times sentimentally Monday - and admitted mistakes, too, including his optimistic Iraq speech before a giant "Mission Accomplished" banner in 2003.

After starting what he called "the ultimate exit interview" with a lengthy and personalized thank-you to the reporters in the room who have covered him over the eight years of his presidency, Bush showed anger at times when presented with some of the main criticisms of his time in office.

He particularly became indignant when asked about America's bruised image overseas.

"I disagree with this assessment that, you know, that people view America in a dim light," he said.

Bush said he realizes that some issues such as the prison for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have created controversy at home and around the world. But he defended his actions after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including approving tough interrogation methods for suspected terrorists and information-gathering efforts at home in the name of protecting the country.

With the Iraq war in its sixth year, he most aggressively defended his decisions on that issue, which will define his presidency like no other. There have been over 4,000 U.S. deaths since the invasion and toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

He said that "not finding weapons of mass destruction was a significant disappointment." The accusation that Saddam had and was pursuing weapons of mass destruction was Bush's main initial justification for going to war.

Bush admitted another miscalculation: Eager to report quick progress after U.S. troops ousted Saddam's government, he claimed less than two months after the war started that "in the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed," a claim made under a "Mission Accomplished" banner that turned out to be wildly optimistic. "Clearly, putting 'Mission Accomplished' on an aircraft carrier was a mistake," he said Monday.

He also defended his decision in 2007 to send an additional 30,000 American troops to Iraq to knock down violence levels and stabilize life there.

"The question is, in the long run, will this democracy survive, and that's going to be a question for future presidents," he said.

Fish farming in rice fields can bring self-reliance

BSS, Rangpur

Farming of quality fingerlings and various varieties of fishes in rice fields can bring economic self-reliance and improve the livelihood of common people.

Internationally reputed experts and scientists at a workshop Monday said poor and low-income group people, small and marginal farmers, women and socially excluded group could also increase their annual household incomes and household fish consumptions by culturing fish in their rice fields in South Asia.

The experts and scientists said this while addressing an inception workshop on "Enhancing impacts of decentralised (fish) seed production (EIDSP)" project organised by Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS).

Funded by Department of International Development (DFID), the UK-based Natural Resources International Ltd has been managing the Taka 5 crore three year-term project being implemented by 12 coalition partners in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University Prof Dr Md Saifuddin Shah attended the workshop as the chief guest while Regional Director for Bangladesh and South Asia of World Fish Centre Alan C Brooks chaired it at Begum Rokeya Auditorium of the RDRS at the town.

Additional director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) of Rangpur Agriculture Zone Md Abdur Rouf was present as the special guest.

Director (Resources & Environment) of the RDRS and Team Leader of the EIDSP Dr Syed Samsuzzaman presented a welcome speech narrating various aspects, ways and possible impacts of the project in Rajshahi division of Bangladesh, West Bengal and Nepal.

Noted scientist and Professor of the University of Stirling in the UK Dr David Little presented the main keynote paper titled "Enhancing the impacts of decentralized (fish) seed production" at the workshop.

Project Coordinator of the EIDSP project Sattyanarayan Roy presented another keynote paper while Head of Organisation Development of Practical Action Dr Faruk-Ul-Islam delivered the concluding speech after the technical session.

Scientists Dr Madhav Shrestha from Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science of Nepal, Dr Mahfuzul Haque from Bangladesh University of Agriculture and Kuddus Ansary from Onestop Aqua Shop in India also addressed it.